voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-04-01 06:00 am

A New Platform [Intro Post April]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen 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 after lunch. A lunch that may be a bit sparse: between the big eaters and the stress bakers, the stores have been stretched thin the last two weeks.

"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 steam is thin, with blue skies seen above. The sun shines brightly down, warm light pooling on the platform.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Cassie Lang, Glorfindel, Jessie Custer, Olivia, Paddra Nsu-Yeul, S’reee, Thea Queen, Wei Wuxian.

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, open, with a vine-covered wall stretching high either side of the barrier. 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 eighteen 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 doors close behind them.

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'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including plenty more tomatoes.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a suitcase stocked with spare wash kit items, for those who are running low as well as a box labelled Do Not Use Yet that is full of small 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 who are making the most of the sunshine. 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!
deferences: dns (♪ inquisitive)

[personal profile] deferences 2021-04-21 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
Inquire away, just as long as it isn't all at once, yes! Even if it is, let's be real, Sizhui won't make any fuss, regardless of however many things Dennis asks.

And whatever Dennis feels for Sizhui's cute giggle, it's totally okay, there isn't anything wrong with enjoying the sound of someone's laughter in his honest opinion. Boy, girl, does gender sincerely matter in that situation? Either way, it'll come up one day and they can handle it then rather than disrupt the nice conversation they've got going.

“Or the train didn't allow them.” Technically, except is it their fault if the train only allows a certain amount of items during an arrival?

He shifts again, props his elbow onto the seat, points his index finger at Dennis in a playful manner. “I will have you know, I'm not allowed to lie! It's against my clan rules.” Omitting details that aren't quite as important doesn't count, either.
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Shrug)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-04-21 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
Q'uila nods, amusement curling her tail, "'Twas haunted and full of ghosts and trying to kill us so we fought it from the back of another train." She shrugs, at this point the fight with the Phantom Train was unusual but hardly the weirdest fight.

"The next fight of the test was against a possessed painting so there was somewhat of a theme to the battles at the time."
fivemilesdeep: (Default)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-04-21 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
It makes sense - the train is long, but it still seems like you can't go ten feet without tripping over someone else. Wanting to be alone when half the quiet car is unavailable sounds difficult to say the least.

It takes him a few moments to process what she says after that - or rather, who exactly it is she's talking about. "Wait - the book?" The incredibly powerful demon that still makes him nervous? That Zetta?
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-04-21 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
Oh.

He's not the only one having trouble - he's just the only one falling apart at the moment.

Oh.

"Do you want to talk about it?" It's quiet but sincere. If she needs help, he wants to be there for her - nevermind that he'd just had an emotional collapse himself.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971676)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-04-21 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty decided it was best to avoid getting in the middle of their argument. "Is it too much to practice in the Training Gym? Even if there isn't anyone around?"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971787)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-04-21 07:20 am (UTC)(link)
She shakes her head. "Even before that, though...you were someone. And maybe you're a different person than you who were before they tried to change you...but you never stopped being someone."
obliviouspatriarch: manhua (pic#)

[personal profile] obliviouspatriarch 2021-04-21 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
Puzzled, he looks Wangji up and down, making small mutterings that repeat what the other had said as he thinks aloud for a moment, letting his words trail off before circling back around to an answer of what he's figuring out.

"Ah, I look different, right?" He knows that answer anyway, so he continues before giving the man a chance. "I died. Killed by my own creation, or by Jiang Cheng, depends who you ask. It happened some time after... After shijie died. But then I came back 13 years later, summoned into Mo Xuanyu's body after he sacrificed himself to have me get revenge."

He stops, realising he's just rambling instead of getting to the point, offering a sheepish smile.
najaran: (Eh heh heh... you noticed?)

[personal profile] najaran 2021-04-21 07:41 am (UTC)(link)
Najaran's shoulders slumped. "I'mm kind of afraid that I might break the train," she admitted, rubbing the back of her head. "It's not worth the risk."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13969459)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-04-21 07:59 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't think it's possible to really break the train...at least not outside." Because she was pretty sure that things inside the train could be broken. "But yeah, I can understand that. And there aren't any smaller spells you could try practicing with?"
najaran: (I can explain....)

[personal profile] najaran 2021-04-21 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Not that I have with me. Well, except Mutation and Haste, but those have to be cast ON someone and... that doesn't always go so well..."
adropofsunlight: (81)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2021-04-21 09:24 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, right?

[She got a little too into the song to really think the lyrics meant anything. Just thought it was a nice song.]

I mean I get people wanting to get off the train and doing that will help you?
adropofsunlight: (218)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2021-04-21 09:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Pickup lines don't work on the blonde. If Flynn was here he could at least test to that.]

But I'm not a treasure. I'm a human being. Okay, with special powers from my hair but still...
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (my darling baby boys)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-04-21 09:47 am (UTC)(link)
To be fair, according to the timeline, her falling apart will come hours later.

"Helping you helps me." Della replies, sort of dodging the question. "It's a mom thing."
secondconflict: (much deeper)

[personal profile] secondconflict 2021-04-21 09:58 am (UTC)(link)
"Have been, actually. Just for a tour though, didn't see much of the city or its people." Except for the thousands and thousands of people who had filled the stadium to watch him play. That concert had been pretty wild.

"If it's all that bad maybe that's a good thing." It can't really beat Night City for wickedness though.
agoodsoul: (54)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-21 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
He'll shake his head, smiling some what.

"Nah, not at all." Dennis gives Inigo a little nudge. "I'm still rubbish at a lot of games myself, so don't even let it get to you." There's so many types too!
Edited (Delete random L lol lord) 2021-04-21 10:00 (UTC)
secondconflict: (Default)

[personal profile] secondconflict 2021-04-21 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Not sure what comes to mind just yet, but I'll keep ya updated kid," Kerry replies. He has a lot of settling in a coping to deal with, but it helps to know there are folks around who understand what's going on and are willing to help.
agoodsoul: (39)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-21 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
"Guess that makes being kidnapped little less shit." Dennis rolls his eyes, tone sarcastic.

"Gotta be thankful for it I guess, definitely check both out after I've settled in. Still ain't found my cabin yet." He'd hoped he'd wake up before all that. Alas.
agoodsoul: (53)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-21 10:14 am (UTC)(link)
Senku has every right to be upset about it. Dire is definitely what Dennis would call it too.

"If that was happening back home for me I'd be proper pissed too. Nothing selfish 'bout it." Not at all. Selfish is this train thing stealing them away from their homes and using them to save other worlds without any consideration of what they already were dealing with. It's bullshit.

There weren't better equipped people to handle this over seemingly random assholes kidnapped into a space train against their will?
shegypt: (smirk)

[personal profile] shegypt 2021-04-21 12:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Such as?

[ Bakura rubs her fingers through Rapunzel's hair. This is a really nice texture, actually. Like flax. But smoother. ]
badassfreakingoverlord: (damn)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2021-04-21 01:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"No one ever signs up," Zetta admitted, with a sigh.
badassfreakingoverlord: (crap I'm a book)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2021-04-21 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[The book snaps shut, yanking itself out of her hands to spin around and face her properly again.]

Some of them have different names on the surface, like the Underworld, or Evil Academy. Also sometimes they get messed up in translation and you get people constantly vowing to send people to another dimension.
blitzcheer: (tfw yuna tbh)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-21 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucky for Gen, Tidus isn't the kind of impatient personality to want to hurry along a story. --Alright, that's not quite true; but he's just as invested to hear Gen retell the events, a small nod at what Senku's like, nothing more needed to be said there. Though that fact does rear its head again, with both of Tidus's brows raising at Gen's pause.

"You didn't tease him into it? I'm surprised the idea came up for the guy!"

Was there some particular reason for it? Something to do with Senku, or just all this time on the train, the opportunity. Tidus doubts it's a thought he'll know the answer for, but then, what did it matter? As long as the two were happy with it.
badassfreakingoverlord: (flat on my back)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2021-04-21 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wow, you just... you just don't stop, huh."
badassfreakingoverlord: (animated laughter)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2021-04-21 01:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Right. We conquer a Netherworld, I gain my old power and body back, and then nothing can stop me! I'll get everyone home if they just freaking stay out of my way!
light_of_willpower: (long-hair-armor-smile-confident)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-21 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"Alright, check your pockets. You should have a ticket in one of them, or the backpack. It'll have your name, and cabin number on it. It's also what allows you to get into your cabin."