voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-03-01 05:44 am

A New Platform [Intro Post March]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day One of the month of Kazoo. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for a while will also be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. The fog is thick, the air is warm and humid and there are rumbles of thunder, the air heavy with the promise of rain.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alfredo Martini, Daia, Enna Alchiba, Lord El-Melloi II, Natsuno Yuuki, Nita Callahan, Saku Gyousou, Sakura, V and Wen Qing

But on the platform itself there are new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours, in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam, billowing around them as they come to their senses. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, glass and dark stone rising in sturdy arches around them. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large, and seems smaller with twenty-seven figures scattered around. All facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, tracks disappear into the mist.

A roaring sound, and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out step a strange assortment of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple, though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

The Train

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there's anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would lead to something terrible. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information (see
'Publications'). Those not new to the train will note the addition of an eighth sleeper carriage. The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, it seems the month of Kazoo is defined by the tomato and there are plenty of them.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers as thunder rumbles further and the storm threatens to break. The doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!
miseris_socios: (blankly)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-08 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
[He wants to ask what kind of awful things. He's also not sure he wants to know. And it also sounds like the other Ken probably doesn't want to talk about it.]

[But maybe... he can be a little honest.]

I... was hunting down the guy who killed my mom. He had the same power that I have...
ourtomorrow: (lost)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-08 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
The same power?

[ ...Is an easier thing to ask about than "killed my mom". Which. The blood drained from his face at that. Not trying to imagine what it would be like (though it would be horrible).

But realizing that someone else knows the pain of losing a family member. ]
miseris_socios: (standing proud)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-08 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
It's called 'Persona'. It's a part of yourself that you summon to help fight. The way you have to do it looks... really bad... since it involves something that looks like a gun but isn't.

But it's pretty much the only thing that can fight Shadows effectively.
ourtomorrow: (DGMN02bd_EP33_17825)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-08 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
That's a little like a partner Digimon.

[ Ken-chan's heart, Ken-chan's self, is what makes Wormmon stronger, after all!

Ken, meanwhile, is thinking over the other Ken's predicament. ]


...I'm sorry. You have your own circumstances, and I....
miseris_socios: (huh?)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-08 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
[He glances over at Wormmon.]

Is it? I mean I train with her and she gets stronger...

[And then back to the other Ken.]

I... I think we all do here. I think a lot of us didn't leave very happy situations...
ourtomorrow: (profile)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-08 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ken starts to think about this, and Wormmon decides to help. ]

That's right. Bad things happening to anybody is sad. It's not fair. It hurts.

But how we handle the bad things tells us who we are.
miseris_socios: (ah...)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-08 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
... Yeah.

[He stops and reaches out towards Wormmon.]

... Can I?

[He'll pat the little bug's head if he's allowed.]
ourtomorrow: (DGMN02bd_EP29_32269)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-08 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, he's asking to - Ken looks at Wormmon, who nods. So Ken holds Wormmon out.

Pat away. ]
......Mm.
miseris_socios: (huh?)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-08 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[He gives Wormmon a few gentle pats before pulling his hand back and continuing.]

It's really nice here... do you play any sports?
ourtomorrow: (soccer)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-09 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sports? Oh, he can talk about this! Ken brightens. He likes his sport. ]

Soccer. On a local club.

[ Or well...local for him....back in his world. ]

Ken-chan's really good at it! He's so FAST!

[ Ken just smiles and neither confirms nor denies. Accepting compliments still feels weird, but he doesn't want to sell himself short any more. ]
miseris_socios: (haha!)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-09 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
I used to play on a team when I was younger, before - ... before. I haven't gotten to play it in a while... my team isn't really interested in sports. Minato's kicked a soccer ball around with me a few times, but the other two human members of the team won't even do that.

And Koromaru's not a tiny dog, but he can't really kick a soccer ball.
ourtomorrow: (stun)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-09 11:29 am (UTC)(link)
You play soccer too?

[ Huh. They have a sport in common. In fact... ]

...Were you hoping I'd say "soccer" when you asked me?

[ Doesn't that imply there's somewhere they can play soccer, here? Or had Ken been going for something else... ]
miseris_socios: (Default)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-09 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Y... yeah.

[Probably kind of obvious, huh.]

There's... um. There's a bunch of sports equipment in the gym that isn't for training...
ourtomorrow: (relieved)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-10 08:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ This train has a gym.....

Now it is this Ken's turn to be struck with a sensation of "oh, this is what I look like when I [x]". Amada-kun is a good person, isn't he? But he's a little awkward, like his fellow Ken.

In some ways that just endears him further. ]
I'd love to play.

[ He means it. ]
miseris_socios: (ah...)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-10 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, good. It’s. Um. It’s kind of nice to have people my age who understand...

... And anything we can do to get a little bit of normal would be nice, right?
ourtomorrow: (DGMN02bd_EP49_64861)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-11 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ The idea of "normal" makes Ken's smile deepen, somehow. ] It would.

...Though. [ Something is occurring to him. It's kind of...funny? He's not used to funny, it's weird. ] The field will be unique.

[ Such long, much skinny. Both of them will need to account for that when planning their movements on the fly! ]
Edited 2021-03-11 01:03 (UTC)
miseris_socios: (huh?)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-11 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
True, but it's better than no field at all. Maybe we can find enough people for a team.. probably not anyone too much older than us, though.

[Stupid post-puberty long legs.]
ourtomorrow: (chin)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-11 01:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That's a good point. Ken does a mental tally. ] I've met a few other children. Romeo-kun.......A younger girl.

[ Wormmon fidgets at the mention of the girl. ]
miseris_socios: (weapon of choice)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-11 04:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I think I've seen her around...

... Everything okay? She wasn't mean to you, was she?
ourtomorrow: (protest)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-12 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
No, not exactly....

[ Yes exactly, Wormmon thinks for a moment, remembering how she had made him think he wasn't a worm. But Ken-chan hadn't been bothered.

......KEN-CHAN ALWAYS BELIEVES IN HIM!

Heedless of the mental gymnastics happening between that pair of antennae, Ken muses. ]
Everyone's worlds are unique, aren't they.
miseris_socios: (huh?)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-12 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
... Yeah, they are. It's... confusing at first, but then you realize people are confused by your world too and it stops being as frustrating. A little.
ourtomorrow: (:j)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-13 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
We need to be open to everything.

[ Ken-chan is so kind. Wormmon relaxes and basks in it.

Ken, meanwhile, is reminding himself that with this many worlds' mechanics in play, he really can't jump to conclusions. There is very much not enough proof. ]
miseris_socios: (Default)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-03-13 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Pretty much. And sometimes things in someone else's world has the same name as in yours... that happened to me a bit ago. Though I guess 'Shadows' is a kind of generic name.
ourtomorrow: (DGMN02bd_EP33_18544)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2021-03-14 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
At least we have the train's goal in common.

[ Wormmon starts nuzzling Ken's arm. Gets a head pat. Is content. ]