voidtreckermods: (sparkly train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-05-01 07:50 am

A New Platform [Intro Post May]

On the Train

Like clockwork, the Voidtreckers are awoken by a familiar message this morning.

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Llama. Points have been updated on the system."

With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"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 air is sticky and warm, the windows almost immediately dewing over with the humidity outside.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Azula, Prisoner, Amery Vallet, Dyme Graydon, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Yoite, Piccolo, Bulla Brief, Xie Lian, Kurosaki Ichigo, Hua Cheng, Renee Corbin, and Ran Mouri; all pass through the platform, not looking back before they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

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 find themselves on a platform, rich wood and pale stone forming a natural, tree-like structure overhead. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single set of tracks extending both ways into thick fog. The air is rainforest-hot, and the sound of frogsong can be faintly heard over the drip of the artificial canopy.

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 fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, and seems smaller with twenty-eight figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Then there is 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 pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. 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.

Behind them, the doors close, and the train is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform.

The Train

After a short time, the fog clears and 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 several crates of nori, the ingredient of the month of Llama, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. For each member of Purple Team, a small silver box with their name on it contains a glittery cupcake.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, but at least they won't be alone in their confusion - since the sleeper carriages are now double-decker, and experience isn't going to avail the passengers in finding their rooms.

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.

The new double carriage's transfer ICP is active, allowing people to move to a double room should they meet the requirements with another person, though they'll have to move their belongings themselves.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air, and 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!
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-14 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
Leia nodded. "Just arrived today, yes," she said. "It's not the first time I've been hauled across time and space, but it always takes some adjusting to, in more ways than one. I'm hoping to settle down in the library for a bit with a good book and let things settle a bit now that I've gotten the lay of the land, so to speak."
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-14 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
Mmm, yes. I'd like to avoid anything with that much drama in it, if possible. I'll just take a look at what's on the shelves then, see if anything strikes me.

Though when you're ready to take a break, I can show you where the tea and coffee machine is.

[Which is an important bit of knowledge in Leia's book.]
bodyoftheseus: (011)

[personal profile] bodyoftheseus 2021-05-14 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
V's eyebrows involuntarily raised a little at the flight sim idea. It wasn't mocking, just mild surprise. That was a very lofty goal, but it was a good one (assuming something'd happened to prompt this idea - maybe there was a mission in space or something).

"Lofty goal. Hell'f a good resource to make though." If it got put together, of course. Which it probably would. Nothing but time here.

"Personally, not a fan of somethin' that's entire basis of work is 'magic'." Who knows what huge-ass mess that would cause with the interplay between his cyberware and organic body.

"Dunno if you got anythin' yet but where I'm from we got what're called airhypos - basically they're auto-injectors for differin' medications, antivenoms, antidotes, et cetra. Fill it up with whatever ya want, jab 'n squeeze for it to inject a dose. Real easy, most people can do it."
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

Re: Exploring the Train

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-14 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
Taking her cue from him, Leia bowed in return, smiling a bit when she straightened up. "Hello," she said. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I've just been taking a look around the train, since it seems I'll be staying here for the foreseeable future."
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-14 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Leia nodded. "Everyone has their own preferences," she said. "It's part of what makes life interesting."

"But you're right about freighters. My husband had a light freighter and quite frankly I doubt that there was anything factory standard on her besides the framework by the time I met him. Of course, that came with all sorts of minor problems and quirks, but honestly that was part of her charm."
subcircuits: (all right i'm listening)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-05-14 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Sometimes relationships end," Devero says softly, looking down at Koumyou. Apparently, he doesn't take that personally. "Situations change, people change, their needs change-- it's natural. That doesn't mean we can't enjoy what we have to the fullest while it works for us, right?"

He looks out over the luggage car and gives his head a shake. "I don't care what everyone can see. All I care about is what I want, and that's you." He runs his thumb over Koumyou's knuckles. "I feel like I've been soaring since the first time I met you, Koumyou Sanzo."
motherofresistance: (Smile profile)

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-14 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
Leia chuckled. "Yes you did," she said. "And thankfully most of those things will likely remain exclusive to Nautilus; the conditions that caused most of them just don't exist here, so far as I can tell. Though I'm sure this trip will have its own share of interesting occurrences. Especially given what I'm told is the purpose of all of us being brought here." Going on missions to help save worlds definitely sounded like ample fodder for excitement, for better or worse.
its_dad_sanzo: (peace comes from within)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-05-14 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
Well, Valdana set an incredibly low bar, but Koumyou's certainly not going to voice that thought right now. Instead, he wipes his face dry again with his sleeve and then lifts his head off Devero's shoulder, but only to lean up and plant a kiss on the other man's cheek.

"I'm glad."

Selfishly? Yes. But glad all the same.
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-14 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
Leia nodded. "We've had it for quite awhile where I'm from," she said. "Long enough for many of the details regarding its origins to be lost or muddled. But the galaxy as we know it couldn't exist without it. Everything from transportation to communications would break down without hyperspace tech."
subcircuits: (interface)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-05-14 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
Devero smiles, leaning down into the smooch. Immediately after, he turns and leans down and delivers a return kiss to the priest's forehead, just above his chakra.

While part of him kind of just wants to slink back to their cabin and faceplant on his bunk for a while, the day is too young for that. So Devero musters his strength and a wider smile and suggests, "Shall we go back to looking for our packages?"
achickenformylove: (mdzs 56)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2021-05-14 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
"You are not interrupting. I was just having a cup of tea if you would care to join me. It is understandable to want to look around. It is a very different place for many."
its_dad_sanzo: (what?)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-05-14 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou manages a smile back after the smooch, if still pretty subdued.

"...Oh, right. Packages."

Had Koumyou seriously forgotten they have more mail to find?

Yes. Yes he had.

(To be fair, thinking you've just destroyed your relationship is a little distracting.)

"Any idea about the sizes yours might be?"
fun_thementalist: (happy song)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2021-05-14 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
"I should buy some of those sticky glow in the dark ceiling stars from the shop sometime, maybe ..." Gen mused, as he pulled out strings of the origami stars he'd used twice before as decorations, to begin putting around their double room.

Gen giggled. "Anything that doesn't have his beautiful fur on it needs correcting, certainly. Plus, it'd make a great perch for him - he can survey his whole domain from there."

He glanced at Senku as he strung up the paper stars, "I'm very close, my darling, to running down to the luggage carriage so I can quickly snag your gift."
fun_thementalist: (whut)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2021-05-14 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Eep!" Gen squeaked a little, startled, when he turned to see the inky-black-not-really-a-cat in front of him. He had to laugh softly, rubbing behind his head, like he could make up for the fact she startled him. "I wasn't expecting you, my dear, to show up quite like that! Have you been looking for me long?"

He fiddled with the Arms Band on his finger, bribes to stay un-eaten at the ready.
rejoicer: (haughty)

[personal profile] rejoicer 2021-05-14 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
[A more direct timeframe! Excellent. Though it really means very little to Woz in the long run.]

Well you know you live at least that long now, right? Some people would be relieved to hear it.

It also shows I don't know of you from some mysterious other method aside from simply meeting you in the future.
acapriciousthing: (Default)

[personal profile] acapriciousthing 2021-05-14 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
"I've seen a few cars, but I'd love to see the highlights." It's always so interesting to see what people consider to be a particular highlight in a new place. it's not always the obvious things.
canyounoct: (considering)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-14 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
"I guess that makes sense," Noctis thought about the Messengers, noting aloud, "people are a lot less wary if something looks friendly and familiar, I guess."

Noctis blinked. Death? There were fables of the Astrals once walking around like people - back before Solheim fell. "You're like a god, then?"
acapriciousthing: (Default)

[personal profile] acapriciousthing 2021-05-14 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
"That one's easy, at least. That means a place that you grow plants inside." It could technically mean a house that happens to be green, but she's not opening that can of worms. Potato seems like the sort that she should keep things simple with.
killer_rhythm: (Bracelet)

[personal profile] killer_rhythm 2021-05-14 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
What.

"Is that a name you took for yourself or are you actually the anthropomorphized concept of death?"

What? He reads.
canyounoct: (oof)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-14 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
Noctis considered that, and nodded, saying honestly, "Actually, you've got me there. You are the least boring friend I've got."

Even counting if they were home and not stuck on a crazy void train thing.

Sighing dramatically, Noctis said, "So bored. I think I'm going to start getting stir-crazy, if we're only allowed off the train every couple of weeks. And here I thought I'd like the excuse to just sit around on my butt."

And he wanted to hang out with his best friend.
acapriciousthing: (Default)

[personal profile] acapriciousthing 2021-05-14 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
"I guess the only way to figure that last part out is to talk to people." No great hardship there. It was the plan anyway. "How they interact might be trickier. But we know whatever divides these places isn't as solid as it seemed before."
acapriciousthing: (Default)

[personal profile] acapriciousthing 2021-05-14 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
"Yesterday I would have told you everywhere. But today it seems there's more than one universe." It's an enormous revelation, but she does try to take things in stride. It doesn't do for Death to panic. People find it very unsettling.

The nerves aren't lost on her. There's something on his mind. There always is. "I recognize anyone who falls under my domain."
acapriciousthing: (Default)

[personal profile] acapriciousthing 2021-05-14 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
Death sighs. "You would think that. Phenomenal cosmic power, but really bad at figuring out cause and effect sometimes."

It would go better for gods if they were nicer to mortals, in the long run. And yet they never seem to figure that out.
acapriciousthing: (Default)

[personal profile] acapriciousthing 2021-05-14 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Not a god. I'm more fundamental than that, it doesn't matter if mortals believe in me or not." She's used to having to explain it though, there's no irritation.

"But that's no reason for me to go around looking a way that'll freak them out more."
acapriciousthing: (Default)

[personal profile] acapriciousthing 2021-05-14 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
She smiles. Most people jump to god or need it clarified somehow. It's nice to get to skip over that part. "Actually the anthropomorphized concept of death. I have plenty of names."