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!
enthunder: (zoom ☇ I'll just ignore you ok)

[personal profile] enthunder 2021-03-12 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"I guess you already know your sister was here. She and I, uh," It had been such a private thing, she really has no idea how to explain it. There's nothing that's going to stop this being uncomfortable, she isn't built for it. But she clears her throat and soldiers on. "We were... together. We spent a lot of time together, talked a lot. About family."

She pauses, in case he wants to question her, or even just bow out of the conversation.
deadwenwalking: (somber)

[personal profile] deadwenwalking 2021-03-14 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
The way she talks about them being 'together' seems like an odd choice of wording, but he's not going to question any choices his sister might have made when she was here. It doesn't make sense for anyone to approach him about this subject and then not be truthful. For someone to toy with him only to learn what few secrets he has - it would be a waste of time.

He frowns, unsure where she's going with this. "Then you... must have been good friends. I'm sorry." Should he apologize to her when he surely deserves to see Wen Qing more? It doesn't matter. "If I could disappear and bring her back instead I would."

At least here there's a life for her.
enthunder: (speak ☇ consider)

good friends........................... wow

[personal profile] enthunder 2021-03-14 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"I- thanks. But that's not it," she's quick to correct him. The idea of him consoling her leaves a sour taste in her mouth, when it's on Wen Qing's behalf that she wants to tear the train apart with her bare hands. "Look. We-- every day, we'd ask the system to find you. She wanted you here more than anything, to know you were safe. So..."

How to say this? That she feels in part responsible for stranding him here? She gives an internal shrug, and squares her shoulders. "I'm just her, uh... friend, and you don't owe me shit. But if you need anything, just let me know, alright?"
deadwenwalking: (chat)

Such Good Friends

[personal profile] deadwenwalking 2021-03-15 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
"You... She. Asked for me?" It's not surprising on his sister's part, of course. It's something she would do. She was always looking after him, even now that he should be looking out for her instead.

The train (the 'system'?) could be asked to bring on specific individuals? He hadn't heard of this yet. Though it seems to have answered her prayers with a trade. That's not right, and it's not fair to her. She deserves to be in a place that will keep her safe far more than he does.

Wen Ning doesn't know how to take this information. He stares down at the floor, brows knit in frustration and eyes wide in incomprehension. If the train could send her away, it had to be return her. "What did you do? W-we have to get her back!"
enthunder: (sigh ☇ look to the right)

[personal profile] enthunder 2021-03-27 09:17 pm (UTC)(link)
An exhale, and she nods. That's not a no.

"I'll show you. Believe me, I'll be telling it to find her again too. People have come back before, so... it'll happen."

Even if she returns with no memories of her time here, she'll take it. Lightning jerks her chin in the direction of the ICP terminal at the end of the carriage. "It's over here. You'll need your ticket."
deadwenwalking: (difficult)

[personal profile] deadwenwalking 2021-03-29 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
[To overflow!]