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!
gentle_jim: (pout)

RIGHT? WHAT THE HELL

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-03-12 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"What the hell is wrong with this train..." Jack mutters, side-eyeing the ceiling for placing yet another young girl in his room. He sighs and takes her hand.

"Jack. Handsome Jack. And it's a painting of me I just got." He moves to the side so she can see the renaissance style painting of himself dressed as a monarch.

"Good, huh?"
fightcreamsundae: (054)

punishment for the sins to come

[personal profile] fightcreamsundae 2021-03-16 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't think anything's wrong with the train, sir." Her head tilted slightly as she said it, one ear twitching towards some distant sound, then turning back towards Jack.

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Jack!" She gave him a big smile, then looked up at the painting. Her smile settled into something not quite so large, but it was still genuine. She was quiet for a breath as she looked over the painting. She turned to him with big eyes.

"Wait, are you a king where you're from??"
gentle_jim: (god I look good)

how does this punish me??

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-03-18 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, you too, kiddo," Jack responds with a lop-sided smirk. He watches her stare in awe at the painting and his grin only gets worse.

"Basically. King of Hyperion- had a throne room, buncha statues, a pony made of diamonds... God, I miss her. Pretty much anything I wanted."

"What about you? Are you a cat where you come from?" he teases.
fightcreamsundae: (002)

da ba de da ba die

[personal profile] fightcreamsundae 2021-03-19 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
Cherry's attention shifted back to him as he explained his exalted status. She seemed to be in no hurry to bow or anything to him, but there is wonder on her features. It's clear she's not met many actual kings. At the question about being a cat her ears lower a little, but not all the way.

"Like an actual cat?" She giggled and shook her head a little. "No, Mr. Jack! I'm a Miqo'te. My people have the ears, the tail, claws... Good hearing, good smell. excellent balance, and my specific people - the Keepers of the Moon - have excellent night vision." She looks a little proud as she explains all this.
Edited 2021-03-19 02:11 (UTC)
gentle_jim: (that's cute)

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-03-22 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh yeah?" He's watching her ears, amused by the way they indicate her mood- just like a real cat.

"So basically everything except the fur and the hairballs. Wait- do you get hairballs? Actually, nevermind. Don't wanna know."

He grins at her. "You're cute as hell though. Is that all your people too or just you, kitten?"
fightcreamsundae: (021)

[personal profile] fightcreamsundae 2021-03-25 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
At the question of hairballs he gets more giggles, an enthusiastic 'ew!', and more shakes of her head. That should be enough of an answer for him without getting into any details. Though without the fur, you know, the question of hairballs should be trivial.

At being called cute her ears wiggled happily and her tail curled happily. She was just as pleased as punch.

"Well thank you! I mean, I don't think so, but I maybe am the wrong person to ask! My auntie showed up with me on the platform. She's pretty, I think, rather than cute."
gentle_jim: (listen here)

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-03-28 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I bet. Never been into cat girls, but I might have to make an exception," he teases.

His expression turns a little sober and he squints at her for a second after sweeping his gaze around the room.

"You gonna be okay in here?"