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!
oncedriven: (why should i cry)

[personal profile] oncedriven 2021-05-05 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Asch snorts lightly. "If you came from a world with blades, you wouldn't even have to ask that question," he says. "Blades get stupid about their siblings. Irrational love kinds of stupid." The idea of not wanting a relationship with Luke, even a weird alternate human Luke, is completely foreign to the blade mindset.

Trying to explain that, though... "Blades live virtually forever, but we also don't. We can still die, even if that's only a return to our cores until the next time someone picks us up. Most blade lives are shorter than those of humans, and for most blades dying is starting over. No memories except your name and the most basic foundation of who you are."

Asch takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "To not take the opportunity to love someone because it might last only a short time? That's a risk in any relationship a blade might have. We can't afford to be daunted by it." If they were, they'd have nothing at all.
morganizedchaos: (you got a better idea?)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-05-05 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"On the scale of things I'm worried about hurting me, loud thinkers are pretty low, don't worry," Ghost says, looking into the bag in his lap now for the rest of the items. He looks back up with raised eyebrows. "A cupcake?"
morganizedchaos: (Default)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-05-05 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Ghost makes a low whistle of appreciation. "Now I'm kind of envious. I'm used to proprietary bullshit everywhere you turn - unless it's one of the companies known for ripping off the others. Then you might get some compatibility with the schmucks who got ripped off, if you're lucky."
morganizedchaos: (you got a better idea?)

[personal profile] morganizedchaos 2021-05-05 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"As close to natural as you get with weird alien hybrids," Ghost says. "Which is 'normal Phantoms can do it,' so close enough." Hence the name. In turn, Ghost looks down at Devero's new toys. "Having fun?"
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-05-05 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
That's not terribly reassuring, but at least it's permission. Still, it takes him a moment to work up his nerve to ask. "What are you?"
crimsonsnow: (sarcastic)

[personal profile] crimsonsnow 2021-05-06 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
Jade rolls his eyes, exasperated. "I have never frozen anyone to death, ever, in my life," he says, which is a blatant lie.

He feels a bit more settled now; settled, and with a mystery to solve.

"Well. Should we go check it out?" It's not like they'll get any answers standing around here.
yondu: (0 8 3)

[personal profile] yondu 2021-05-06 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Kinda funny to say, 'I didn't realize how lucky I was.'" Especially considering how he came to know it. But standing out as one of the ship's aliens and being overwhelmed by Terran tech for all this time has been a little sobering.

Sure, being loosely human-shaped naturally makes it a little easier, but it's about like an echidna and hedgehog wandering by one another.
gathersnomoss: (annoyed - fed up)

[personal profile] gathersnomoss 2021-05-06 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
Zelgadis does finish his tuning, and starts in on something. He's not bad, but clearly the sort of person who is used to playing instrumental guitar, rather than accompanying a singer. Eventually, he stumbles and stops. "Dammit, hang on."
gathersnomoss: (disgusted)

[personal profile] gathersnomoss 2021-05-06 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
"uh-huh," Zelgadis sounds skeptical. "How many of those thoughts are useful?"
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-05-06 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
"It does hurt, but..it should resolve itself soon?" Rui said gently. "I don't want to put you out. I know how difficult healing can be." Especially now that Utsutsu had done much to work on her.
partofthecrowd: (Dressed Down Neutral)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-05-06 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
"Aliens, mainly." Rui commented. "I've met a few, and part of what the Gatchaman do is look over them so that things don't get out of hand."

She considered that. "There are a few aliens on the team. I guess you could call them a regular occurance. People know about them."
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-05-06 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
"I am." She confirmed with a bit of a nod and watched the lizard shyly. Wisely, Rui didn't comment. She'd seen enough strange things by now to let that go.

"I'm just looking around, mainly."
gundamofthedesert: (I'm on the phone here)

[personal profile] gundamofthedesert 2021-05-06 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
Oooo, a guide. Quatre took it with a smile and opened it to start looking at it.

"I don't know that many in their right mind that would touch it waiting to dismantle... though there were some when we turned into kids who were doing that. But having the guide will help put it back together is certainly helpful. I'm sure there are others with the skills to be able to learn how to repair it."

He didn't seem too daunted by it at least as he flipped through the pages.
achickenformylove: (mdzs 56)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2021-05-06 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
WangJi spotted the calico cat wandering around, knowing who it was without having to wonder.

He looked down as the cat approached him and meowed for attention. "I am not," he replied. "Did you need help with something?"
renegadeprince: (really? 01)

[personal profile] renegadeprince 2021-05-06 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Vegeta pauses in his step to look back at Goku on that exclamation, a look leveled at him, before turning back around and having to admit, "It was... interesting." In other words, yes, Vegeta had enjoyed it too, until it got a little too serious and became very clear that alone neither of them could stop the situation from ending in the worse possible way.

"You're in the same car as Bulma, not the same cabin." Then more of a muttering. "Also I have no plans to expose those I am currently rooming with to you." As much as Vegeta would like to be closer to Bulma, it's not like he couldn't easily see her. Plus he's not sure how the three girls he was rooming with would be able to deal with Goku. Goku was a bit too oblivious in his actions for others good.
yondu: (2 3 7)

[personal profile] yondu 2021-05-06 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
He feels her shoulder's sag and he's guilty that his one experience with this is... is not great. He's not a good person, not at all, not like she thinks. And it's partially because of how he grew up.

"I grew up with people comin' an' goin' all the time. I wasn't allowed to get attached to 'em. Wasn't allowed to be sad about it after, either. What was the point, y'know? They was goin' anyay."

So he knows that maybe his advice isn't the best, when there was a constant flux and repositioning of slaves so they didn't have time to organize. He just didn't give a damn like he should at one point. He just wants to know Madoka will still be able to do that.

"You're pretty grown so I guess you got a good idea of you. But I still think it's okay to be a li'l' upset about it."
yondu: (1 8 4)

[personal profile] yondu 2021-05-06 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
"You talkin' like half the people here in they right mind? Haaha." It's not really a derisive laugh, but a friendly one. If anything the wierdass people is one of the train's few charms.

"Right, well. The holoscreen on it here? Got pretty easy instructions. So people oughta get it right... I say people oughta but I had crew break this kinda shit all the time an' I ain't got a clue how they done it. Special talent at bein' extra stupid."

He shakes his head at the device.

"Bless these train folks for at least bein' smart. Pretty sure that my crew passed one single braincell among 'em an' sometimes dropped it."
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-05-06 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes, relatively." Senku answered. He was speaking English, but they probably wouldn't be able to tell much from that since they still had their SCA on. It was just a habit.

"Are you a new arrival then?"
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-05-06 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
"The best I can figure, which means this is my hypothesis." Senku explained.

"We know the SCAs are attuned to us, and that this is something that would set off my alarm." He closed the container again, to stop that infernal beeping.

"So what it means is that if you needed someone else's SCA in an emergency, given a few minutes it would attune to you and your needs. It still feels weird, but less weird I think. I don't know if that gets better."
justonetouch: (been a while)

[personal profile] justonetouch 2021-05-06 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a hint of a smile that plays across her mouth.]

Think I'm a little bigger than a child.
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-05-06 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
It's an experiment to see how this thing attunes to us. [ Now with Jack's strapped on he puts his hand on the table. ]

If you can put your wrist over here and I'll open this container.
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-05-06 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
"Most of the time?" Senku mused. "Almost all of them."
sciencegirl: (042)

[personal profile] sciencegirl 2021-05-06 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
She considers that, slowing down even more. It's not that she's forgotten the nori... well okay, she's starting to, because she's distracted. But she's now thinking about what Inigo said.

"...Do you ever feel a little guilty for being okay? Everyone here is hurting so much. Sure, I get sad when people go. But I'm usually okay. It's not that I didn't care and it may look like I didn't care, but I always am pretty sure I took something important away from knowing them.

"I've sometimes wondered if I'm just hiding being sad from myself, but I genuinely just feel like I'll be alright."

She's not great with feelings at all. They're confusing and they tumble over each other and she's so distractable and fixated she doesn't latch onto those ruminating thoughts the way other people would. All that sadness goes into productive energy. Emotions are translated into work. Her only way to deal with broken friends is to search for proactive fixits.
justonetouch: (hands neck)

[personal profile] justonetouch 2021-05-06 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
"What? Like a video game? You just... respawn or something?" Logan, she knows, has abilities to regenerate himself, having touched him more than once, and taken more than a little of him within her. He'd accidentally stabbed her through the stomach, and had later saved her from Magneto's machine. Yet her voice sounds dubious, as if that is the case... Is this some sort of virtual thing or in her head?

Rogue glances past her and into the corridor. Home sweet home, is it, or something like that. "So we all just get our own spot?"
azurebichen: achickenformylove @ dw (12)

[personal profile] azurebichen 2021-05-06 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
The cat stands on his hind legs and then back on his fours, eyes wide with excitement. "Miss Spider has made clothes for me. If you can help me put it on, you have my thanks."

He meows as he gestures him to follow him down the hall to one of the cars, where presumably his human form has laid on the seat a set of miniature Hanguang-jun robes with the light blue cloud patterns and a tiny long headband ribbon with light blue swirl clouds imprinted on it. It's small meant for cat-size.

"Can't put it on myself, I have paws." He meowed.