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: (know what that means?)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-03 12:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"Rebe-kweh," Tidus repeats, as if he actually needs to emphasise the pun there, the ridiculousness of it - you know, as if all of it wasn't ridiculous enough. It's certainly doing nothing to get rid of the giant grin on his face.

"Sure she'll mind that?" he asks thickly through said grin, putting on a bit of a fun drawl. "Don't wanna offend, you know, her Lady Majesty." But after a beat, he can't help the small puff sound as he's taken in by the size of the toy, dropping some of the act. "Geez, they actually make toys that big of things where you're from?"

It's amazing. Bafflingly amazing.
chocobosnap: (Selfie grin)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-04-04 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
The ridiculousness of the pun was what made it good. "I don't think she'll mind, I happen to know, uh, in my experience that people with boring titles don't really like them anyway, and we're friends so you can call her Rebekweh!" Prompto had a huge grin on his face. He was fully aware how ridiculous this was, he just didn't care.

He giggled slightly at the question. "Of course they did. What child doesn't need a toy the size of them?"
blitzcheer: (name the game)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-04 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Rebekweh, then." Because apparently, the small emphasis is always needed. But now he's invested into looking for something, his eyes on the pile of bags he'd been shifting through before Prompto's plump friend caught his gaze. Reaching over the bigger suitcases for the smaller backpacks, but with his ears still listening.

"Let's just say we missed the craze back home! Don't know what the rest of Spira thinks about them either. Never got to hang around the kids or towns much, you know? I just paid attention to the blitz...aha!"

He stops, one rather stuffed bag in his hands, labelled with his name. He undoes the top to peek in, grinning at what he sees before he looks back over at Prompto.

"I'll have to see what a kid around here thinks about them," he says cryptically. ...but not for long, as a smaller, but very chocobo plush head is poked out when Tidus pinches the fabric from the back.

"Think I should name 'em?"

kweh kweh.
chocobosnap: (pic#12045178)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-04-04 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
The emphasis was the best part, really. What was a good pun without emphasis?

"That sounds so boring though, who doesn't enjoy chocobos?" Monsters, Tidus, monsters that was who. Prompto could tell him in great detail everything that was great about chocobos.

He offered his most approving grin. "You definitely have to name him!"

Did Tidus need help thinking up punny names?
blitzcheer: (ummmooo)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-06 08:06 am (UTC)(link)
A name, a name. Tidus turns the little guy over still in his backpack to look at his face, wondering what that face 'said'.

...

...

"...Kwehnny?" He throws up a raised eyebrow at Prompto, then laughs, pulling out the little guy and letting the bag drop, turning the little stuffed toy to face Prompto.

"You name him! I don't know any good chocobo names. He's for a girl."
chocobosnap: (Selfie grin)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-04-08 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
He giggled, a little delighted by the attempt. "Okay well let me see..."

Prompto reached out to take the chocobo just for a moment, to look him over carefully.

"He definetly looks like a Lord Fluffington. I'd nickname him Kwehkers though."

No, Tidus, please, he had so many of these.
Edited 2021-04-08 01:47 (UTC)
blitzcheer: (star light shine bright!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-04-22 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, Lord Fluffington? That gets a laugh out of Tidus, letting Prompto do with the plush as he likes, grinning in a way that shows teeth.

"Lord Fluffington? I think she'll like that." Another chuckle escapes. "But if she asks about Kwehkers, I'm telling her to find you you to explain chocobos."

And to suffer squawking like a chocobo.
chocobosnap: (Dorky Smile)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-04-23 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
Prompto offered only the most dorky smile he had. "I don't mind, I'm practically a chocobo expert!"

Tidus may laugh at that, but Prompto totally would. His love of yellow feathered friends was not to be underestimated.