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!
outofyourshadow: (67)

[personal profile] outofyourshadow 2021-05-02 10:56 am (UTC)(link)
Glancing up at the...strange creature, Lena can't help a slight frown. "That's not really too reassuring," she admits, even as she reaches for a pastry.

Well...if she can eat, she can't really be dead, can she?
outofyourshadow: (pic#14394553)

[personal profile] outofyourshadow 2021-05-02 10:58 am (UTC)(link)
Lena barely has a chance to register who's there before Della pulls her into a tight hug, and she feels the air rushing out of her body.

Man, and she thought Webby's hugs were crushing.

"Uh...hi?" she manages to wheeze. "Nice to see you survived too."

...or they're both dead. She hasn't ruled out that possibility yet.
outofyourshadow: (pic#14715910)

[personal profile] outofyourshadow 2021-05-02 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
Lena glanced up, blinking a bit. "Shoot, did I say that out loud?" she asks.

She's getting a bit more used to seeing these strange kind of people, but...it's still a little weird.
outofyourshadow: (73)

[personal profile] outofyourshadow 2021-05-02 11:00 am (UTC)(link)
Pausing a moment, Lena can't help couldn't help pulling a slight face.

"Uh...no thanks. I'm not really a tea drinker."
killer_rhythm: (Bracelet)

[personal profile] killer_rhythm 2021-05-02 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, he hears that sarcasm, all right.

Haneul turns to the woman, blinking a bit to get his vision back in the right spectrum (she might spot a slight glow to them as he does this). "That's one word for it," he replies, equally dryly.
Edited 2021-05-02 11:23 (UTC)
writerkick: (pic#11529351)

[personal profile] writerkick 2021-05-02 11:08 am (UTC)(link)
Hm... Well, when you put it like that... I suppose boarding a train is something most people do every day.

[She laughs a bit.]

Things that seem impossible happen all the time, I suppose. You seem quite calm in these circumstances, though.
officedragon: (well...)

[personal profile] officedragon 2021-05-02 11:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Thank you!" She paused a moment, then. "That sounds more like the Mortal Realm, to me. Horses and carts, mostly." Not that Hecate had anything against those. They were perfectly effective, in their way.

She really couldn't speak to what his father had been trying to tell him--not unless she happened across the man's shade in the Underworld. Nor was that particularly part of her job, but..."Yes. The Underworld. That's where I hail from. You've nothing to worry about, I assure you." Easy to say for Hecate, however. Then again, she could have been aggressive or threatening from the get go--and that was the last thing on her mind.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971678)

Exploring - Library

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty is just coming out of the library when she feels a presence in front of her, and she came to a quick stop to avoid running into Leia. "Oh, sorry!" she said.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971957)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:20 am (UTC)(link)
A bit surprised, Kitty ends up phasing through the other girl to avoid running into her, turning back to look at her.

"No, that's okay," she said with a small smile. "Sorry about that."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13969459)

III

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty can't help a frown as Soldat offers her a cookie, and she hesitantly takes one. "Thanks," she says slowly. After another moment, she can't help asking, "Are you okay?"
killer_rhythm: (Bracelet)

[personal profile] killer_rhythm 2021-05-02 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
He's a little hesitant to touch the kettle, but it'd probably look weird if he didn't make a cup for himself, so instead he nods and hopes he doesn't get any weird readings. "Thanks."
writerkick: (pic#11529681)

[personal profile] writerkick 2021-05-02 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
[She shakes her head.]

I put in a few titles, but the only one that came back was a study about Void Exposure... and it's one that this library doesn't have. I don't quite understand that machine, though, so perhaps I did it wrong...
blitzcheer: (bluh bluh dad sucks)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-05-02 11:27 am (UTC)(link)
Stopping? Actually, his brow stitches together as he tries thinking.

"I know she knows a whole bunch, but I forgot most of them." Yeah, he asked once. And totally forgot 90% of them. "She can teleport though, heal, weave magic into anything she makes? I dunno, you'd have to ask - she might like talkin' 'bout that stuff."

So, no problem sending her a potential magic-talking buddy, right??

"There's a few magic users on the train, if that's your thing. Even people who make potions."
officedragon: (don't panic)

[personal profile] officedragon 2021-05-02 11:29 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. That's awkward. Just how to explain..."Maybe it's best if I ask when you were when you arrived, first? I don't want to reveal too much if I'm ahead of you, if that makes any sense?"

Hecate's not sure it does, but then Persephone offers something she can snap back at and sink her teeth into, and her expression goes dour. "Thanatos? Here? Just when I thought his numbers couldn't get any lower!"

Hades had complained about his slacking, she'd been there for that. Hermes was a great stand-in when he was contracted, but that was Thanatos' job and he ought to stop fomenting trouble with Thetis and Minthe...

...though that likely wasn't going to be a problem, any more.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971828)

Laundry

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:30 am (UTC)(link)
Laundry isn't really Kitty's favorite chore, but at least it wasn't too difficult. Once everything was in the machine, it was just a lot of waiting.

As she enters the room, she pauses a moment when she notices the other person there. The fact that she's hovering doesn't even really surprise her, but she does notice that it's not someone she recognizes. But once she figures out the other person is meditating, she decides that introductions can at least wait until she's finished.

Instead Kitty makes her way over to a free machine, being as quiet as she can so she won't disturb the other person.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971656)

Shopping

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:33 am (UTC)(link)
Coming into the Luggage carriage, Kitty spots Tidus sorting through the packages.

"Hey, Tidus," she greets with a smile. "Can you look for a package with my name on it? It should be sword-shaped."
blitzcheer: (falling into pieces)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-05-02 11:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Those ones I ordered!" That's what she means, right? Her look of awe is making him feel a little bashful, but Tidus just smiles wide for her, continuing to explain: "Thank Senku and Gen, from Orange. It's their wedding gift - they wanted to share with the train. It's the reason I asked about the food in the first place; they were missing what food tasted like from home."

But seeing the positive reaction from Madoka is really turning this into better experience, and he waves out a hand.

"You can enjoy it too! You gonna try any cooking?"
officedragon: (sweatdrop)

[personal profile] officedragon 2021-05-02 11:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes," Hecate replies crisply. "I tend not to let moss grow beneath my feet! That said, these corridors are thinner than I thought. I'm sorry if I jostled you."

That, at least, is sincere. "From what I understand, the train recently...grew? Or somehow rearranged itself. One would think it could've widened the halls a bit, too. At least so the more...ADHD of us could pace accordingly!"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971787)

Train Wandering

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:40 am (UTC)(link)
Stepping out of the Stores car, Kitty paused when she noticed someone at the engine.

"Hey, uh...are you looking for something?" she asked. He had to be, since there was nothing left up at this end of the train, but this wouldn't be the first time she's come across someone wanting to get to the engine room.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971656)

Music Car

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:45 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty is looking through the music library when she heard the someone playing a guitar, and she paused a moment to look around. Following the sound, she comes across Zelgadis.

"Hey there," she greeted with a smile. "You play a lot of guitar?"
officedragon: (what)

Platform

[personal profile] officedragon 2021-05-02 11:48 am (UTC)(link)
"I suppose that's a thing that doesn't happen every day?" Hecate asks, eyeing the mist. Normally she'd like a lot of mist and fog--the more sun obscured, the better--but the other blue fellow is acting like it's downright ominous, and thus she's suspicious.

"Should I be concerned, you think?"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971809)

The Train

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:50 am (UTC)(link)
At the question, Kitty pauses mid-step and turns towards her, offering her a smile. "Oh, the passenger cabins are down towards the other end," she replies, gesturing down the hallway. "I'm actually heading that way myself, if you wanna come with."

As she speaks, she gets a better look at the other girl, and there's...something about her. Especially the streak of white hair...
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Grin)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-05-02 11:52 am (UTC)(link)
The face in the library is indeed vaguely familiar and it takes a moment of looking at his aether for Q'uila to pinpoint who it is. She hadn't expected to encounter Caleb again but he certainly looked cleaner and somewhat healthier since she last saw him. Or maybe not. The way he stared at her was more akin to the looks she got from those unfamiliar with Miqo'te than the sort of look you would give to someone you know. Though Caleb had always been somewhat awkward...

"I do not bite, you know." Q'uila teases taking the plunge and starting the conversation, "If you have questions I would be more than happy to answer them.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971656)

Train

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-05-02 11:53 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty pauses a moment, turning to the other person. "Hey there," she replies with a smile. "Are you new to the train?"
katzenpfote: (Default)

[personal profile] katzenpfote 2021-05-02 11:56 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll have to speak to her. Normally I'd say that she sounds like a dangerous monster, but... I think my definition of monster has... changed somewhat... in the past few years." Between running with a 'goblin' and seeing how the more 'monstrous' races live in Xhorhas, it's expanded somewhat.