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!
helborn: (you're kind of cute)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-15 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Do you have a favorite color?" He knows he has a few, and he wasn't put on the team with any of them. One of them isn't a team.
seacub: ('boy i sure hope nothin bad happens')

[personal profile] seacub 2021-03-16 02:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hmn?" A-

Oh. "...I've never really thought about that, actually...hmm."

Well, now he's got to think about it, though it could take a bit...
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-16 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Aw. Well, he'll answer while Emporio is thinking. "I like red and blue and green. And got put on purple." He laughs a little bit, shaking his head. "Just my luck, huh? I'm fine in purple... I do have my blue hoodie with me. ... It still smells like my boyfriend."
seacub: (AnxietyBoy prevails)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-03-19 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's definitely more than one favorite..!" he laughs, shaking his head. "Mn... ...I have to think about it though. It's like I said, I never thought about it before- colours just... ...they were just colours, I guess."

Oh, but that aside- "You have a boyfriend here?" He pauses, only to frown. "Or...wait, if you're in purple, that's just what came with you then... ...Sorry about that."
helborn: (nope too cute to function)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-20 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Hm." Well, that's a little... strange. Usually people have at least some opinions on colors.

"Yeah... in the last place I was. He's a werewolf. ... It was really nice to cuddle up into him at night. Like a big fluffy slightly smelly pillow." He smiles, taking a deep breath and letting it out.
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-03-21 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Werewolves are real where you live?" Huh... "...I think we have vampires where I'm from, but I'd never heard about werewolves... ...he sounds nice though," he adds, smiling.

And...well. It's definitely strange. Maybe one day he'll have a colour.
helborn: (you're kind of cute)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-22 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm not a hundred percent sure if they are in my world, but probably. I know vampires are. But he's from a world that's really similar to mine in some ways. ... There was a whole bunch of us from similar worlds, it was a little weird."
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-03-22 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh- you're from...different worlds?" Huh. "I guess it makes sense that some people can travel between others... ...huh. It sounds neat, at least." The train has been neat for the reasons of such travels after all, so.
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-22 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I was in a place kind of like this before for about three years. I can worldhop now though. ... I tried it though and I can't get to other worlds from here for some reason." It's very Rude.
seacub: (Default)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-03-25 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Woah..." That's. Amazing!

He doesn't quite manage that in words however, the mood simply frozen on his face. Eventually he gets something out. "...Maybe it's sort of like a radio signal? The train is between worlds most of the time, so it could be that wherever we are, in the void or otherwise, we're out of range for what you'd be able to hop to. I know the train is technically a 'fugitive', so..."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-25 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe. I might need time to adjust to the properties of this place."

... Now that's interesting. "Fugitive? From who? Or what?"
seacub: (AnxietyBoy prevails)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-03-27 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"I guess from whatever built the train? The best explanation is that they don't think the train exists- which makes the train something they have to stop, right? It's a thing going through dimensions, that they don't think they made."

Which...Sort of makes sense? Maybe not. "We're not really sure why though...but it seems like it might be connected to the homeplanet it was from getting... ...'erased'," he finishes, frowning at the word.

Erased doesn't quite seem right.
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-28 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
"... I'm going to have to do some more research. I'm not blaming you, I just want more context since any of those things bring up a bunch of scenarios in my head and I don't want to jump to conclusions."

None of them are ones he likes! Thanks, train.

"We'll figure it out. There's gotta be answers somewhere."
seacub: (: ' D)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-03-29 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
"That's probably a good idea- like I said, I don't know a lot myself...and honestly, doing things without having all the answers doesn't really end great," he admits with a frown. Phew.

"If we're lucky, maybe the train will offer to answer questions again... ...though, it seems to take things pretty literally, so getting the answer we need is a bit hard for some. I didn't really ask too much that was important..." Mostly he just asked if it would be okay to stay.

The answer was yes!
helborn: (you're kind of cute)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-29 10:46 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm... a little used to that. The Arcana were kind of like that." Fuck Moon. "So hopefully I can help? Maybe? I want to be helpful anyway."
seacub: (: ' D)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-03-31 03:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Arcana?" There's a lot of questions going between them at this point, though as soon as he asks it, he just shakes his head. "Right- we'll just have to see what we can figure out I guess..."
helborn: (huh wha i didn't do it)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-01 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah. ... And, um. This might be forward of me? But I'm a good listener if you need it, I - shit, I've been rude, I didn't even introduce myself. I'm Casper."

This whole place is just throwing him a little.
seacub: (: ' D)

stares distantly at emporio armani

[personal profile] seacub 2021-04-01 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hn?" Forward? Why would-

Oh, that. Emporio nods, ultimately just quietly keeping it in mind. "...Casper?" he repeats with a blink. Why....why does he feel like he's heard...

"...Is there a movie called that..? I feel like I've heard that name..." Well. "Um- sorry! My name is Emporio," the boy continues, smiling.

at least they're even on notable names