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!
morganizedchaos: (Default)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-01 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, you've got better self-reflection than I think teenagers are supposed to have, so maybe you got lucky and the ichor thing just means your brain runs differently now." Beat. "If you ever got it scanned I could probably at least give it a look. It's mostly frontal cortex development after puberty."

Not his specialty but sometimes you don't get to choose. He considers Casper for a minute, and then adds, "I'm not going to ask, but I'll tell you that telling someone helps."
helborn: (you're kind of cute)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-01 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think it's less any physical changes and more having to take responsibility for saving people and worlds. You do it for a while, you crack, keep doing it, you break, and you have people help you back up again." He frowns and shakes his head. "And I like Q'uila, she's my friend, but not one of my main support people."

He'd hoped someone would show up, but... no. No one. He can't even reach out on the Network. "... I appreciate it, though it's long and probably would set off like twelve different triggers." He's very proud of knowing that term, Thorne and Gil taught him. "And you just got here, you have enough to deal with today than my baggage. I have enough baggage already."

He opens up a tear in the air and tugs it apart just enough for Ghost to see... some kind of heavy crate. There's something peeking out of the top. Is that... a potato? He closes the rip.
morganizedchaos: (now what's bothering you?)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-02 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
... Yeah, he's still not going to question the portal to wherever. Unless a giant eldritch alien comes crashing out of it to eat him, that's a mystery he can put off till later.

Ghost gives Casper a shrug. He wants a snack, or something else to do with his hands. "I'm made of someone else's baggage. But I'm pretty sure the ideal way to gain maturity involves not breaking at all, no matter what kind of support you have."
helborn: (the dark is scary)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-02 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I mean... yeah. But given the situations we were put in... I don't think it's realistic to expect someone to not have some kind of nervous breakdown. It's at least a place where your friends end up seeing the things you hide... and I've never seen anyone ever get judged for what they saw."

He's quiet for a long moment before speaking up. "The repressed parts of me even showed one of my friends how I got killed. He wasn't going to, but Shiro asked..."
morganizedchaos: (right by their ends)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-02 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"The fact that that's how it happened doesn't mean it can't be fucked up," Ghost points out, in his 'I am being very reasonable' tone. "Or fuck you up, to have that shit dragged out of you."
helborn: (huh wha i didn't do it)

cw: abuse

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-02 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean, that's true. But it's better than the alternative."

He hesitates. "Basically all my mental health knowledge comes from my friends and just kind of... knowing it in general. I had to basically help calm down grieving families since I was really little. But it's not like I ever got put in therapy. My dad was abusive, but not physically. I got beat up but that was by other kids. So it never really got caught by anyone at school."
morganizedchaos: (you got a better idea?)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-02 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
... Well, that's a lot to unpack.

"I'm starting to see why you collapsed under the weight of it," Ghost says, trying for cheerful because, well, what the hell else is he supposed to do? (He's not qualified for this. But also, there probably isn't anyone around who is, when someone's willing to open this far up to a stranger. Someone must.)
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-02 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
(Joke's on you, he trusts everyone almost instantly.)

"Yeah, pretty much. It was just a question of when." Anyway.

"I'd ask if you had any questions about the technology here, but you seem to have that covered." Not just the technopathy thing, but that's a type of phone that doesn't even exist where he's from. Or it does, but it's not widespread. "But I can try to answer any other questions."
morganizedchaos: (right by their ends)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-03 12:44 am (UTC)(link)
(Not the point, Casper.)

"Technology I've got handled," Ghost agrees readily. "Magic... I'll figure it out." This kid's given him plenty to chew on for the time being.
helborn: (nope too cute to function)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-03 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I can understand that. It's always a learning curve in places like this." He's seen it time and time again... "But I'll be around if you need help with anything. I like helping."
morganizedchaos: (you got a better idea?)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-04 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Good thing I learn fast." Or Morgan does, whichever. Meaningless distinction. He offers a hand to shake. "Call me Ghost - what do I scream if I need you?"

Because yes, that's a totally normal way of asking someone for their name.
helborn: (you're kind of cute)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-04 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
He snorts and shakes in silent laughter for a moment before shaking Ghost's hand. "Casper. Based on your tech level I don't know whether or not you know the joke."
morganizedchaos: (Default)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-04 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Even through the handshake, there's a groan. "Great. By our powers combined, we're a piece of vintage children's media." His grip is firm and the kind of thing you expect from an entire life of professional handshakes. "2035, for the record."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-04 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Casper's is... less than that. Still firm, but not corporate. He pulls his hand away. "Yeah... yeah. I got teased about it in school. Technically it's 'Casper Junior', but my dad made up a fake name when he was on the run so I say I'm the first."

Don't call him Junior, Ghost. "I'm from 2005. I've had friends catch me up on some things up to... shit, when is Gil from? I think like 2013?" He's seen Frozen, at least.
morganizedchaos: (you got a better idea?)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-04 03:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Shit. Morgan was born in '05." The voice synth pronounces it oh five. "You're ancient history to me, sorry." He's not really sorry.
helborn: (Default)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-04 04:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Friend of yours?" He's used to people being from the future, being called an old man doesn't bother him as much anymore.
morganizedchaos: (you got a better idea?)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-04 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"I was going to say 'imagine an It's Complicated specifically for family,' and then I realized you predate Facebook." Ghost snorts a little and shakes his head. "Probably still close enough for you to get the idea, though. He's the genius idiot who contributed his brain model to the fact that I have a personality at all."
helborn: (is that what i think it is?)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-04 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
He takes a moment to process that. ... Hm. "But you're you, not him. Right?" Even clones, in whatever way they're made, have different life experiences.
morganizedchaos: (you got a better idea?)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-04 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
They're closer than clones! Clones develop neurologically independent of each other -

"Yeah. For one thing, I have less depression." It's only half joking.
helborn: (nope too cute to function)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-05 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
He snorts, covering his mouth. "Lucky you." He probably has other shit to deal with.
morganizedchaos: (right by their ends)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-05 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
"I came into the world throwing most of his baggage out of an airlock, but there's a lot of it." Ghost shrugs. "It's probably an equally long story to yours."
helborn: (i'm at a fancy party pretending i'm cool)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-05 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
"Literal or metaphorical?" Could be either. "But... yeah, everyone has a long story, I think. There's a lot of people with... issues, here."
morganizedchaos: (for what it's worth)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-05 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Metaphorical but closely related to literal." As much as it counts in virtual reality. "I don't really mind, exactly, but I get tired of cleaning up his messes."
helborn: (i'm not an anime protag i swear)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-04-05 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I get it. Sometimes the person taking care of shit needs their own shit taken care of. ... At least here you'll have a different sort of madness?"
morganizedchaos: (why don't we start at the beginning)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-04-05 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Not sure if that's a good thing or not. The evils you know, or whatever." He shakes his head. "Well, not shit I can do about it from here."

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