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!
deadwenwalking: (nose)

[personal profile] deadwenwalking 2021-03-09 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"None of them?" One would think they would have at least heard of cultivating, even if they literally lived under a rock. It was kind of a big deal in their world. Would they really be from so far outside of their territory? If so, did any of them know each other? Were the two of them the odd men out?

It does sound terrifying. But Wen Ning is used to frightening prospects. He frowns at the troublesome nature of all this, but that's it. "Then... I guess we should be careful." If Jiang Cheng had talked to others and they hadn't seemed bothered by the terms he'd used then they might be fine. He'd like to be able to be positive about things even if life has taught him not to be.

It's not as if he hadn't already known to take precautions anyway. He's sure it's the same for the other man. "I'm on your side if we run into trouble." That's a better way of saying I will protect you, which he's sure Jiang Cheng wouldn't be appreciative of.
fennu: (112)

[personal profile] fennu 2021-03-11 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not something Jiang Cheng wants to spend a lot of time thinking about - it makes him feel uneasy, thinking that people here are so unaware of the basis of his entire world. Cultivation, his Golden Core, all of it... To think of a world where everything he knows doesn't exist is a kind of discomfort he's not ready to think about.

Shaking his head, he crosses his arms a little tighter over his chest, breathing out.

"None that I've spoken to, no." It's a difficult thing to admit. "But there's no one that seems unkind or unhelpful. It's the opposite." People here have almost been alarmingly kind, which is also something he is not used to as the fearsome Sandu Shengshou.

The rest of Wen Ning's words strike him, though, and there's an odd lump in his throat. It's too strange to have Wen Ning offer to be at his side, not with all they've been through, but he's also aware of what he owes the other man - both his life and a level of honesty no one else might have offered.

"... You as well."
deadwenwalking: (relieved)

[personal profile] deadwenwalking 2021-03-14 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Wen Ning nods in agreement. It's been that way for him also. Everyone has been ridiculously friendly. Though he's only met a couple others so far and it only makes sense for those on a welcoming committee to put on a good face for those they're welcoming.

As for Jiang Cheng's discomfort, it's equally strange for the puppet to be able to get through a conversation with the man without being insulted or yelled at. Even with the way their previous couple interactions had gone he still can't help but expect that to happen. The lack of it, as well as that simple response, causes him to smile

It's nice that they can be on these terms, even if said terms can't quite be considered 'good'.

"If you would rather not search through the crowd together, I understand." He'd prefer if they did, but he won't pressure the man. "We can split up for now."
fennu: (cql20081)

[personal profile] fennu 2021-03-14 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
The fact that people are being friendly to him is something he's still getting used to; he's more accustomed to people being afraid of him, or in awe of him, or judging him - kindness isn't something that strangers offer Jiang Cheng very often. Most people know him too well by reputation and association to dare offer him something as simple as kindness.

But at least he's managed to be polite to Wen Ning, at least he's managing to be something other than angry and hurt. It's not good and maybe things will never be good, especially not when he's adjusting to something like this, but at least they're not at each other's throats.

Not that he thinks Wen Ning would be deliberately malicious. He doesn't think so anyway, not from his memories of him.

"That seems sensible," it would make him more comfortable, at least for now. "I'm sure we'll meet again."
deadwenwalking: (proper)

[personal profile] deadwenwalking 2021-03-15 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Nodding, Wen Ning then bows to the other man again. They have to meet again, or he'll regret leaving Jiang Cheng here. He'd hate to think this is the only time they'll have to talk. There's no way he can know for sure in this place. He knows so little about it.

"Alright, Sect Leader Jiang." He keeps the title. Still polite. Still courteous. "Please take care."

If he keeps watch from a distance, if he keeps the cultivator in the corner of his eye while he gets information from those welcoming them, no one should be able to blame him. He wouldn't be able to face Wei Wuxian here if he managed to lose his brother.