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!
irrationally: (reverberating through my dreams)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-04-07 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, there Alice goes again. The moment the way is clear, she starts walking again. It's not quite the full out run of a moment ago, but her pace is still most definitely pretty quick. Rushed, hurried, there's something desperate in it. Alleyana will have to keep up with her if she wants to hear what Alice says.

"Fire."

The word is said softly at first, like saying it out loud may cause the flames to appear around them any moment too, but then it's repeated at a slightly more normal volume.

But her tone doesn't sound anything like the usual. She sounds so obviously panicked.

"F-Fire. There's a fire. On the train."
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14488473)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2021-04-16 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
True to her word, Alley follows right behind her, easily matching her pace.

"I don't think it's going to get very far, around here."

All the super powered people and all, it's bound to get put out pretty fast.
irrationally: (i don't know what is real)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-04-16 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"You never know."

She still remembers the whispers. Even though it's all a blur, everything that happened right after the fire, as she stared at the blazing flames consuming her home, Alice remembers the things the people whispered. That the home really should have been protected better than that against a fire, about how sudden fires can spread.

For a moment it's as if she can see the very carriage around her being consumed by flames.

Alice pinches the skin of her own hand hard, trying to will it away.

"Often it moves.. quicker. Quicker than you'd think."
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14486526)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2021-04-21 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"True," Alley admits. She's dealt with fire before, herself. It's why her voice is a rough rasp at the best of times; breathed too much hot smoke and ash during one of the purges of the alienage.

Of her people.

"Where did it even start?"
irrationally: (reverberating through my dreams)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-04-22 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
The young woman's mouth opens.

And then closes again.

Perhaps she can't say. Or doesn't want to say, or she's not sure. Perhaps it's just that it's hard to speak up in her current state. The latter seems to be the most likely case, since after a moment or two Alice finally seems to be able to get herself to think enough about the fire to be able to answer the other. Even if it's a small and very brief answer.

"The kitchen."
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14488472)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2021-04-28 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
"So anything behind the spa car's probably good, yeah? Lots of water in there, and there's no wind to speak of in here."

Just, trying to give her a goal besides run.
irrationally: (to a closing door)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-04-29 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
"Will that.."

She stops, then starts. Alice usually looks relatively calm - maybe with a hint of resting bitchface, but certainly nothing like what she's looking like right now. She looks nervous, almost skittish. Unsure of every single word that leaves her mouth.

"Will that really stop the fire?"

Who knows. They're on a train traveling in the middle of the void.

It feels like anything could happen. Like they could all burn.