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!
herarrows: (Shoulder)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-05 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
Well, that is news to Selenay, but at least it's good news, if a bit surprising. In an odd way, it makes sense, though. People grasp at happiness whenever it presents itself, especially when they're so often being used for someone else's purposes.

"I'm glad you're both alright, and I suppose congratulations are in order. I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of gifts, though."
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-05 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Thanks." Senku said with a grin. "Fortunately gifts aren't really a part of village ceremonies, so you're fine. All I need you to do is come and eat and drink to celebrate, which I think you can handle."

They really didn't need anything. "We both spent most of the week under the mind control illusion, so we've had a trying time." The party would be most welcome.
herarrows: (Laughter)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-05 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
"That is, fortunately, something I can take care of." Those things were few and far between for her, apparently, when she didn't have Court and country to run, but it's no great work to enjoy a party.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything. May you both be happy."
10billionpercent: (Slight Smile)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-05 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm sure we will be. The party's Gen's idea, you know. I'd have been fine just declaring it done and over with, but he likes to show off so we got a bunch of stuff." Senku sighed a little bit, he was fond of him.
herarrows: (Funny)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-05 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
"You agreed to it," she points out, shaking her head with a soft laugh. "I think you'll live. Perhaps you'll even enjoy it." Doesn't that sound familiar? "I'm sure he appreciates it."
10billionpercent: (Avoiding Emotions)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-05 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, yeah, well I like him." Senku commented. "So I figured I should try and let him do...whatever it is he wants." He was a bit of a softie.

"That quick, slap-dash way was how I got married the first time. And divorced, for that matter."
herarrows: (Parent)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-05 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
"I should hope you do like him." It would cause all kinds of problems if he didn't, she could certainly vouch for that. And that story sounds so drastically familiar to her own, except Karathenelan has tried to kill her.

"I'm sure that's a tale, that you can discuss at another time. Right now you're supposed to be celebrating. And preparing."
10billionpercent: (Default)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-05 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Right, yeah, just looking for a suitcase probably with our clothes." They'd selected a frivolous outfit to wear. "I told Gen I'd get him something."

That had been the part that made him swoon.
herarrows: (Joy)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-05 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
"No wonder he agreed to marry you. You're entirely too sweet." It's only half a joke, but she laughs anyway and glances around looking for the suitcase. "You start putting things away, I'll take a look."
10billionpercent: (Avoiding Emotions)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-05 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
"I am no such thing!" Senku protested. "I'm just doing what I want, and I thought he'd like it." He was blushing lightly.

He started making his pile of books disappear first.
herarrows: (Pretty)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-05 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
"You are and you won't convince me otherwise. I've seen your dark secret now." She might have to inform his future husband, just to be a demon about it. And she returns a moment later with a case that has Senku's name on it, with a smile.

"I believe this is what you're looking for."
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-05 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll deny it. No one will believe you." Senku informed her, gesturing in her direction before accepting the case.

Gen absolutely would believe her, he knew it all along.

"Let's see.." He opened it to have a look inside. "It looks both our outfits, and my clothes from home are here, good."
herarrows: (Bonded)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-05 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Who said I'm telling anyone? Maybe I'll keep it to myself and treasure it forever. Or use it as blackmail." She wouldn't, but she can't resist teasing him either.

"Fantastic. Now, let's get you somewhere less crowded to unpack."
10billionpercent: (Ha Ha)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-05 12:28 pm (UTC)(link)
He chuckled with amusement as he kept vanishing things into the arms band. "Curious about everything I got? You're not wrong though, I still have to unwrap everything, make sure it's all here. You're welcome to help if you like."
herarrows: (Parent)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-06 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Partly, yes, but I think I'd rather be shocked and surprised at the wedding." Mostly she's concerned with getting him out of the crowd and somewhere safer for examining his prizes. She doesn't truly expect him to go into much detail on his emotional state, but she can at least facilitate getting him to someplace less...open.

"How very kind of you to allow me the chance to assist you."
10billionpercent: (Ha Ha)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-06 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
"You know me, always happy to get someone to do some work for me." He snickered and finally got the last of it tucked away in the arms band, that thing is convenient and then he sighed.

"Towards my room I guess. I hate this train it's so long." He indulged in the tiniest bit of whining.
herarrows: (Notice)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-06 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"And if I told you this is actually quite small compared to the Palace and Collegium grounds?" Maybe she's just used to doing more walking. Apparently being less developed that everyone is a theme in her life here.

"A little walking won't kill you."
10billionpercent: (Avoiding Emotions)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-08 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Ugh." Senku complained. "It might."

It didn't take long for him to be breathing hard, but he was being sarcastic. He hadn't died yet, his body just hated him for it.
herarrows: (Parent)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-10 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
"You'd think by now you'd be used to it." Selenay is barely breaking a sweat, but apparently she's just more accustomed to walking than he is. After all, if she wants to get somewhere, she has to either walk or ride Caryo, and her Companion isn't even here.

"Maybe I'll have to assign you to run laps around the train."
10billionpercent: (Let Me Explain Something)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-10 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
"It..." Senku breathed. "Doens't help." He shook his head.

"I don't know why my body is like this. It's always been like this." He informed her. "Exercise has always done this to me." There were many reasons he wasn't a fighter.

"What I do know is whatever the cause is..." Another breath or two. "It's congenital. It wasn't fixed by petrification."
herarrows: (Queen)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-11 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
She's about to ask why petrification would have fixed anything, but she's not a Healer, she absolutely would not know what it would do or what it was intended to repair. Or if it was intended to repair anything.

"Well. Perhaps I was wrong and a little walking might kill you. And I'm sure if your intended found out I killed you before your wedding, I would be in a rather large heap of trouble."
10billionpercent: (Ha Ha)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-11 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"He'd probably have a problem with it." Senku agreed with a breathy chuckle.

"However, I do know from how much I push myself, I won't die." He'd just suffer and that was fine.

He got to his room, whipped out his ticket and let them inside. His bunk was fairly easy to identify, with its green and purple blankets and his pink two-tailed kitten sleeping on his pillow.
herarrows: (Notice)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-15 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
If there is anything Selenay has learned in her brief time on the train, it is not to ask questions. And if she asks too many about that cat, she is going to drive herself crazy. It is not normal, and she notes that in the back of her head and moves on. Pink cat. Of course.

"What a resounding comfort that is. Please, don't try too much, I already believe you."
10billionpercent: (Slight Smile)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-16 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
It wasn't native to his world or anything, Eva got it for him. He scratched ears absently as he started pulling out wrapped books to pile them on his bed. He had twelve in all to unwrap after all.

"It looks and sounds worse than it is, somehow." Senku sighed. "Believe me, I would like nothing more not to have that restriction on my stamina."
herarrows: (Dance)

[personal profile] herarrows 2021-04-17 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I'm sure I could think of a few things you'd like more." Which isn't meant to be as lewd as it sounds, but she's getting far too accustomed to speaking like she's an actual person and not the face of an entire nation, weighing every word that comes out of her mouth against the harm it could do.

(no subject)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent - 2021-04-17 18:55 (UTC) - Expand