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!
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-05 07:15 am (UTC)(link)

He really doesn’t, Dennis. He’s going to need help with a lot of that. He nods slowly, trying to relate it to something his own world.

“Ah, Xian-ge was working on something like that. A talisman to be able to talk to someone far away. He says it’s because he gets lonely without Hanguang Jun.”

agoodsoul: (12)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-05 09:47 am (UTC)(link)
To be fair he won't understand a lot of Sizhui's world either. They can learn together!

"Uhh, so like a necklace?" Still didn't make any sense of that would work as a phone.

"But that's kinda the idea, everyone's got one back home. Places like this usually have a telephone booth or something, don't see one though." Just a lot of people. Oh and aliens and stuff. Typical dream things.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-05 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)

“Ah, more like...”

He takes his rucksack off and rummages through it until he could find the pouch and draw out a slip of paper about six inches long and three inches wide with some writing on it.

“One of these. Though I think he wants it to be something that one could use again and again.

agoodsoul: (10)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-06 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
That's not what he expected. Dennis blinks at the talisman, tilting his head as if waiting for something else to happen.

"... you can talk to someone with paper?" Like of course letters, but that's not the kind of talk he means.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-06 03:29 pm (UTC)(link)

He nods enthusiastically.

“Characters are drawn on these pieces of paper to activate the magic. Depending on the characters and intention, these talisman can do many things.”

agoodsoul: (7)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-06 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Sizhui is so sure about this that it feels mean to look as skeptical as Dennis does.

"Magic? No way, you gotta be pulling my leg." Magic was just slight of hand and tricks of the eye. Magic wasn't real.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-06 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)

He really shouldn’t waste his talisman. He really shouldn’t. His lips twist to contemplate it. Hanguang Jun says that showing off is never necessary. He folds it up and puts it away in his quantum pouch.

“Perhaps I’ll have an opportunity to show you later on.”

agoodsoul: (4)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-07 09:04 am (UTC)(link)
He's a little disappointed that he doesn't show him this apparent magic, but Sizhui doesn't leave it completely off the table.

"Hope so, ain't ever seen nothing but tricks and stuff. Nothing like you see in movies." Not that that's real either.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-07 09:13 am (UTC)(link)

His brow creases at tricks and stuff, even more so at movies. What are movies? Instead, he gives a soft laugh.

“It’s magic to defend and dispel restless spirits. Not something so easily used to ah...show off as it were.”

agoodsoul: (26)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-07 09:23 am (UTC)(link)
One day they'll both get their minds blown about all the differences concerning their worlds.

Dennis scoffs a little, good naturedly.

"Dunno, think we got a lot of restless "spirits" here." He motions at everyone else on the platform.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-07 09:27 am (UTC)(link)

He looks around the platform then laughs, letting it bloom into more than just a soft chuckle before turning back to Dennis.

“I suppose you’re right. I may not have brought enough talisman to exorcise all of them,” he winks.

agoodsoul: (13)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-07 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh no, oh noooo what a laugh! The sort of laugh you can't help but laugh along with. Dennis breaks into a laugh as well, tapering off into more of a giggle. Nothing wrong with a some gigs.

"Yeah, no, definitely not enough." He's chuckling too now, shaking his head. "So you're an exorcist now?"
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-08 04:43 am (UTC)(link)

“Part of my training as a cultivator, actually. We put restless spirits to rest in hopes of helping them move on into their next life. Do they not have those where you’re from?”

Dennis’ laugh is nice too and it’s hard to go too long without some kind of giggle. Especially the chest deep bubble of a laugh within him.

agoodsoul: (100)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-09 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
Good, get those gigs in boys. Both of them deserve to laugh a little.

"Uhh... I mean yeah, but don't think it's the same as what you're talking about." Dennis can't believe he's having a conversation like this.

"Where I'm from people cultivate the land, farming y'know?" He gives a little shrug, "Guess you just cultivate spirits and stuff instead." Which is weird if he thinks about it too much. So let's not.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-09 06:09 am (UTC)(link)

“Sort of,” he laughs. “I suppose it’s a little complicated to explain to someone who doesn’t have something like this in their world.”

He contemplates it for a few moments before perking up with an idea.

“Stay with me the next time we have to protect people. I’ll show you how it works!”

agoodsoul: (35)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-10 08:30 am (UTC)(link)
"Should be easy enough, we're in the same group it looks like." If their outfits are anything to go by.

"Safer in groups anyway." Could watch each others backs.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-10 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)

“So it seems,” he chuckles with an embarrassed look. “That means we’d be able to look after each other more easily, doesn’t it?”

agoodsoul: (9)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-11 07:49 am (UTC)(link)
"With whatever this is, we gotta watch each other's backs." Especially cause Sizhui seems pretty chill, he'd feel bad if anything happened to them. Dream or not.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-11 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)

“We gotta,” he tries out, smiling at a few turn of phrase, “and so we will. I’ll look after you and you can look after me. What do you think?”

agoodsoul: (83)

[personal profile] agoodsoul 2021-04-12 12:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sounds like a deal." Dennis gives Sizhui a little nudge against their shoulder with a closed fist. Then he motions with his head towards the train.

"I'm gonna see what's up with this train, wanna come?"
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-13 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
He chuckles softly at the nudge, then mirrors it by doing it back toward Dennis.

"Yeah, that sounds good."

He hefts the rucksack higher on his shoulder and makes his way toward the train.