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!
nutkrusher: (And Don't I Know It)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-04-10 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
"For extended appreciation, yeah," Cassie says. "This room's clear enough for you to take a peek right now, though."
light_of_willpower: (long hair-profile-blush-huh?)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-10 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
None of this is helping his nerves; still not-quite-glaring at her with eyes-narrowed and suspicion on his face. Then, a moment later, he's sighing and opening the envelope carefully. Mostly to make sure only he can see what's in it.

Photos. He wasn't sure what he expected, but in hindsight it made sense. Slightly risque---yeah, he was going to find somewhere private to open these. He could already feel himself blushing.
nutkrusher: (My Work Here Is Done)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-04-10 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassie's still smiling, though a little softer now.

"Soon as I figured out how to make it work my first thought was to use it to give you something nice."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-11 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
Still blushing, and he wondered briefly just how risque she got... Before banishing that thought for now. He was already blushing, he didn't need to make it worse.

Tucking the photos back in, he held the envelope carefully close. Reaching out with his other hand to put on her shoulder. Squeezing in affection. "As long as I don't have to worry about her spying on me." A thought, and then a rueful smile. "Also don't be offended if, after I've looked at them, I burn them or something so no one else can? I don't want you embarrassed."
nutkrusher: (Wink)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-04-11 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
On the bright side, at least it's nothing he hasn't seen before. But Cassie can be very creative in how she presents herself.

"I could probably think of a good hiding place for 'em," she says. "They are for your eyes only, after all."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-11 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh I can too. I just worry about what if someone else did see them." Trunks said, still blushing. Possibly blushing even just a bit more at the idea.
nutkrusher: (Confidence)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-04-11 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
"We'd just have to murder them," Cassie says. "Which would make an awfully big mess. But I'm not sure you're gonna want to destroy these."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-11 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
"They'd come back." Trunks said, but with an amused snort. Before he leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for thinking of me, Cassie. I am going to look at these later. Maybe with you present."
nutkrusher: (Wink)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-04-11 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
"You want me to show you more where those came from?"
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-11 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Real thing is always better than a photo." Bringing his hand up to brush her cheek where he'd just kissed it. "Might be hard to find some privacy though, with all the new arrivals."
nutkrusher: (And Don't I Know It)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-04-11 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, that's what those curtains we got are for."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-11 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
"True. Maybe we can see if a quiet cabin is free."
nutkrusher: (Confidence)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-04-11 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, maybe."

Beat.

"Right now sounds good."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-12 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"Do we want to grab the curtain first?" Trunks was only a little surprised at Cassie's eagerness. It wasn't helping his blush at all. Nor was he protesting overly much too. Just still a bit more shy than she was.
nutkrusher: (And Don't I Know It)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-04-12 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Definitely," Cassie says. "Especially if you want a closer look at the model."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down blush)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-13 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Alright, Cassie." Trunks said, before leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I get the hints." Moving to take her hand, he started in the direction of the armoury--to get the curtains and rod first.