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!
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-12 12:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"7B, so not that far." Senku stifled another yawn. "From here anyway. Stupid long train." He grumbled under his breath, apparently tired enough to engage in more complaining than necessary.

He ususally kept that just to Gen though, Ryo was lucky.
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-04-13 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"It is, isn't it." It's not terribly long on a normal day, but at the end of a mission, when everyone is exhausted, he finds himself jealous of Thanatos's ability to teleport.

(Not that Thanatos himself can manage it right now; exhaustion curtails a lot of things.)

That said, it doesn't take them too long to get to Senku's cabin, and Ryo stops and waits for him to open the door. "I'll give you the sleep aid once we're inside."
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-14 01:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Alright. What kind of sleep aid was it?"

Senku swiped the ticket and the door opened. His roommates tended not to be there anyway, so it was empty in his cabin. His bottom bunk had two blankets tossed over it, in purple and green and Orion had no trouble identifying that as his personal space to sleep on.

He shooed the kitten to a corner at least, to make room for himself. "Should probably get into my pajamas." Senku murmured. That made sense...or did it? Although he was in his tunic now which was pretty enticingly comfortable.
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-04-18 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
"Herbal." It's the best explanation he has for it, especially for someone not from his world.

He stays outside as Senku heads into his room. "You should, yes. Do whatever you usually do to get ready for bed before you take it - it's pretty potent." Which is to say, he's not handing it over until Senku is ready to sleep, and he's also not letting Senku get off track in his preparations for bed.
10billionpercent: (Avoiding Emotions)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-18 04:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Alright, alright." Senku said as he went for the belt on his tunic. He wasn't the least bit concerned if Ryo did come in or not, any shyness he had for being disrobed was eliminated long ago.

It wouldn't take long though, his clothes are simple, easy to remove by just pulling over his head. He's just in his boxers now, before he pulls out his plaid pajama bottoms and dorky math t-shirt. The only thing of interest to see if Ryo does look are a pair of scars high on his bicep that are usually covered by his clothing.

"I'm done." He called, when he realized Ryo was outside which kind of just made him roll his eyes a little bit as he pulled the blankets back, gently guiding Orion into a better spot with a little nudge.
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-04-23 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Senku removes his tunic, and Ryo looks him over, a brief up-and-down. No visible injuries, not that he expected any - the scars are notable, but he's not about to pry for that story.

He enters and fishes a vial out of his bag, handing it to Senku. The liquid within it white, opaque, and smells and tastes like sweet mint. "Drink that and lie down. It should knock you out fairly quickly and keep you asleep all night."
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-04-25 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
It wasn't a particularly painful story or anything, so he wouldn't see it as prying. Senku didn't care about his scars, obviously, he didn't even worry about the ones on his forehead.

He sniffed the potion and crinkled his nose slightly. "Yeah, alright." Senku glanced back at Orion and gave another nudge. "Give me space, menace." He chided lightly.

This time he did move and Senku drank the potion back.