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!
irrationally: (a little more now i'm awake)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-03-18 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Alice doesn't even blink at the mention of 'weird worlds'. Because it's just what Wonderland is, even to her. It's exactly why she said that they had music even in Wonderland.

But it's the question at the end that makes her stop and think for a moment.

"Music-wise? Well, considering most of it was composed by teapots and giant fish, it most likely wasn't like anything you're used to."
firewalled: (The bad thing about regret is that)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-03-21 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
"I meant, well, everything wise. Though I guess that gives me part of the answer, if inanimate dishware is suddenly Beethoven."

This is... definitely sounding like the classic tale, though Rich won't mention it aside from a casual:

"Sounds a little trippy."
irrationally: (i don't even have a song)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-03-21 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah. Yes, I do suppose everything is a little like that over there." Even if she doesn't know what the word trippy means, she can kind of figure it out from the rest of what he's saying.

"And the people there.. Well, I suppose there's better than regular humans, since most of them aren't absolutely awful, but they do love being cryptic a little too much. Especially the Caterpillar."

.. sure sounding even more like the classic tale now, huh, Rich.
firewalled: (You can fool someone completely)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-03-22 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I think the people would probably be the worst of it. Living there has to drive you a little batty, even if you are nice..."

This is. Yeah, this is definitely the story he's heard. He's trying not to let on about it, but there's definitely some more nerves in his expression, and who knows if he'll trip up and say too much.
irrationally: (tell me what's my situation)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-03-23 11:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Well.." Her tone is rather airily as she talks about it, like all of this is the most normal matter in the world to her. "The Cat did say as much. That everyone there was at least a little bit mad."

Something slowly seems to snap her out of her thoughts though. It makes her look at Rich, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you alright? Something seems.. off about you."

Then again, it's not like it'd be the first time she has seen the guy looking nervous, so it's not too hard to write it off as him just being his usual self.
firewalled: (I'm unable to go back)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-03-25 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah, sorry! I just... what you're talking about sounds pretty familiar, that's all. It's a feeling of deja vu, I guess?"

He doesn't want to say more. Being told her adventures were written down as a children's storybook can't be good for her mental state, and so he hopes that she'll just take his words for granted.
irrationally: (Default)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-03-25 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Deja vu?"

What, does that mean he's ever experienced something similar to that? She imagined not - even with as strange as some of the worlds she's hearing about here are, they usually still don't come anywhere close to Wonderland. That place is just on its entire own level of weird.

Still, she won't dig into it too deep. If there's something he wanted to say, surely he would have done so, right? So Alice's head just dips into a nod, as if to nonverbally say 'sure'.

"I suppose I should leave so you can have some alone time with your guitar, huh."
firewalled: (get up get out and get done)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-03-26 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I don't know. Maybe I had a crazy dream that kind of reminded me of Wonderland or something..."

He laughs nervously, trying his best to play off his slip up. He knows if he were in her position, he wouldn't want to be told. To have all your trauma and sorrows be mere words on a page, penned by a god called an author... he certainly wouldn't be happy about it.

"Ah, I mean, you're making it sound so dirty." He teases gently, before his expression softens. "If you'd rather be alone, that's fine, but if you want, I can always play a song or two just to see you off."
irrationally: (i was travelling through the past)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-03-27 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
The gentle teasing works so well. If not just because Alice has no idea how to cope with anything even remotely dirty when it's coming from someone she's not super hostile towards. Hence why she quickly turns. She's totally trying to hide the blush on her cheeks, which Rich may have caught a glimpse of right before she turned.

"F-Fine, play a song if you want. I'll listen to it until I leave the carriage."
firewalled: (Watching like this for how long?)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-03-29 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"You got it! Just make sure to go easy on me, alright?"

He grins at her softly. He knows she's blushing, but he's smart enough not to mention it, instead just starting to strum at his guitar again.

Should he know better than to play a love song? Probably, but it's what he picks anyways. At least it's not particularly graphic.