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!
shadowslipping: (Smile)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-08 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"That sounds rather tragic honestly..." Ahhh. ... "Though I suppose I haven't exactly found anyone either, so perhaps it's the same here... I do hope something works out though." She might not be straight, but he's kind of endearingly charming, if she's honest with herself.
onehandsomeslickninja: (turned away cool)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-08 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"Are you sure? After all, if it took you this long to notice I'm flirting, who else might you be missing?" Yuume might even be in a relationship at this point, unaware!
shadowslipping: (pic#13315175)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-09 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh god,

Yuume pales. "...Oh god, you might actually be right..."

She now needs to reassess every woman she's interacted with,
onehandsomeslickninja: (i got this)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-09 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's the price of being amazing, I'm afraid." Both being right (as he so often was) and being flirted with (as he's certain she is).
shadowslipping: (Small Smile)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-12 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, her only good answer to that is a sad laugh really. The price...of being amazing...

"I suppose for now, there's always coffee at least..." A good drink of coffee can warm a lonely heart..........
onehandsomeslickninja: (eh heh)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-12 03:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Coffee and good friends. And missions, and crippling boredom." And saying goodbye to friends. Damn. He started out cheerful but this was starting to get depressing.
shadowslipping: (Smile)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-13 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
"And sparring~"

She's bringing it back to the cheerful points!!
onehandsomeslickninja: (i got this)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-13 03:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"And admiring pretty girls even without them being interested." Edge tossed a wink her way.
shadowslipping: (Small Smile)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-15 12:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"But at the very least, befriending them, neh?"

Yes, she still feels a bit bad. Feeling a bit better now, but she still feels bad.
onehandsomeslickninja: (the cool ninja)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-15 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh yes, there's lots of that. And they're always great people, so it's quite rewarding."

Don't feel bad, Yuume! This is a much better reason for rejection than pretty much any other.
shadowslipping: (Small Smile)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-17 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Indeed~" Oh speaking of that- "Ah, that reminds me, it was a rather large platform from what I saw...have you been introducing yourself to many?"

A pause, and she adds with a small wink. "...You might find someone that catches your eye, neh?"
onehandsomeslickninja: (by my blade)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-17 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Edge shrugged. "They'll be dating someone or uninterested in guys," he said, because that tended to sum up everything. Bar one or two people... "Or disappear the next time we hit a platform."
shadowslipping: (Saddened)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-19 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ahhhh..." Edge...

"...Are you truly alright..?"
onehandsomeslickninja: (turned away amano)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-22 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Show me someone who isn't tired of losing friends on the platform," Edge said, flipping a hand to dismiss her concern, "and I'll show you someone with no friends at all."
shadowslipping: (Saddened)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-25 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah...

"Right... ...I'll admit I've been fortunate in that regard so far but..."

...It feels a bit like an inevitability, she'll admit.
onehandsomeslickninja: (what oh no)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-25 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"That circumstance is suited to cheerier souls than me grumpy, if they existed." Not that he was the cheeriest soul on the train in reality, of course.
shadowslipping: (Saddened)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-27 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Hah. "...If it means much, I can guarantee you're a cheerier one than I."
onehandsomeslickninja: (what?!)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-27 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"You've never seemed ill-spirited to me, though." Perhaps not lighthearted, but she'd never come to anything with less than energy and will.
shadowslipping: (Small Smile)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-29 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
A somewhat wan smile, and she shakes her head. "Weighing others down with negativity would be rude of me- so I try not to do that," she chuckles quietly. "But even without that, the loudest I am is in a fight."
onehandsomeslickninja: (the cool ninja)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-29 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Edge waggled a finger at her. "Tut, Yuume! Hiding your problems from your friends is what's truly rude. If you have woes, the only proper thing to do is share them."
shadowslipping: (pic#13321640)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-03-31 02:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"That- It's ruder to create problems..!" she weakly protests, shaking her head.

This is, ultimately, a bit of a grown-in habit.
onehandsomeslickninja: (down to business)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-03-31 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Waggle! Waggle! "The problems already exist! You aren't creating them! It's far, far ruder to keep your friends out when we could help you with them!"
shadowslipping: (pic#13321640)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-04-01 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
If she were even a little more childish, she'd start crying 'noooooooooo'- but as it stands, she's being as stubborn as possible.

"That's- You can't help things that have already happened though..!"
onehandsomeslickninja: (Default)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-04-01 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"I can't change the events, but I can still offer help. And you can't out-stubborn me, Yuume, I'm a King!"

He knew what she was trying!

"Or are you saying I'm too poor of a friend for you to talk to, hmm?"
shadowslipping: (pic#13315175)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2021-04-02 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
A choking sputter is the (perhaps expected) reply. "O- Of course not..!! You're a wonderful friend..!!"

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