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!
blitzcheer: (tfw yuna tbh)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-02 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Just give him a second to raise his left hand, looking and it and - poof, a parcel in brown paper appears, rectangular in shape. Tidus holds it out to Casper.

"Gotcha somethin'! You forget?"

Does that look book-shaped? When Casper looks inside, it sure is.

"Don't know how good it is, but..." he says, when Casper eventually takes it. But the 'how useful' part was always up in the air.
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-02 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. Oh no. It's cute... it's also not the right titans, he's pretty sure. From taking the book in his hands and looking it over, checking the dust cover blurb... it sounds more like the titans from Armin's world.

"Ah, thank you. I appreciate the... well, I can probably use this if I go to a friend's world." These are creatures, not primordial things of existence... but it's still nice to be thought of.
blitzcheer: (so i said to becky)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-03 11:42 am (UTC)(link)
"No good?" The things sounded massive, and 'massive' and 'titans' was all Tidus remembered about what Casper shared, to its basics. But he shakes his head, not taken too far into disappointment. "Sorry! Could always try again. Maybe some better keywords? Iii just made sure to ask for non-fiction."

Seemed kind of the most important part in book ordering.
helborn: (is that what i think it is?)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-04 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
"It's okay. This actually looks kind of like the titans from a world that a friend is from." He tugs up his shirt a little bit to reveal the thin black bulletproof vest. "He made me this. Stops any metallic bullets from hitting me." At least in the torso and head, which are the more important bits.
blitzcheer: (ok ok that)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-06 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Tidus blinks at the sight, the concept of armour not exactly anything new, but seeing that and hearing what Casper is telling him...

"You wear that everywhere?" he asks curiously, looking a bit puzzled.
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

cw: death

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-06 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"... Um. Yes." He blushes slightly, embarrassed. "I... um. I got... it's been a long time but I got... killed. By a teammate. At home, I mean. S... so." He knows it's ridiculous, but it's... a trauma.
blitzcheer: (sorrrRRRrrrrYyyyyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-10 10:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh! Sorry," Tidus says; embarrassed, if more awkward, unsure of if that's really the right thing to say. Quiet for a beat, but: "If it makes you feel safer--good thing you came with it."

Compared to like, not.
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-10 11:07 am (UTC)(link)
"I know it's like... unreasonable? And probably not good for me." It's not like he's expecting to get shot on the train, after all. "I'm working on it." It takes time, after all. Especially when he's in a new place that makes him nervous.