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!
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

IV

[personal profile] seacub 2021-05-01 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
He can hear music. It's not really music mind, just the occasional plinking and connection of notes. But it's something, and Emporio finds himself following it, managing to catch Soldat in the middle of a wandered accidental melody.

"...You can play piano?" he asks aloud, staring.

He's always been curious, what with sleeping in one.
worthallthis: (lookdown-sarge)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-05-02 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Soldat chuckles a bit, soft and self-deprecating. "I can't, actually. This is about the closest I come, just messing around with notes and hoping it sounds okay. Why, do you?"
seacub: (: ' D)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-05-03 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
The boy smiles, albeit in a somewhat pained manner. "Not really...I've always wondered how hard it would be to learn I guess since I used to sl..." Wait.

If he thinks about it, that might not be something to clarify. "See back home," he corrects somewhat smoothly.
worthallthis: (hand)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-05-03 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
The very idea of sleeping in a piano is foreign to Soldat, so they're not going to make that connection. They glance at him sidelong for the pause, but don't comment. "Well. I don't know how to read music at all, but I could probably memorize finger patterns. Though there will always be some weird noise involved, for me." They tap a key down with a metal finger that makes a metallic ping in addition to the notes itself.
seacub: (: ' D)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-05-08 01:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, that's a bit unexpected- or maybe not expected, they Do have a metal arm after all. "I wonder if you could have special piano gloves? Or maybe the train could make a piano with softer keys..." Hmm. Worth pursuing, he thinks so anyway.

"...I can't read music either, so I guess we have the same skill level..."
worthallthis: (smilesad)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-05-09 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe. I suppose if I wind up actually trying to teach myself something, I can ask for a thin glove. I have a fingerless glove to give the palm more traction for battle, but." They shrug with half a smile. "The whole 'fingerless' thing won't help the problem, here."
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-05-10 12:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Why not have a fingers only glove?"

Yes, those exist. He knows they exist, because- "I think certain sports players use them...it protects the finger tips while leaving the palm free."
worthallthis: (grin-sarge)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-05-12 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
"That doesn't sound really necessary, there's no feeling here to ruin, no grip to preserve," Soldat says, sounding a little amused. They look down at the metal hand, curling the fingers in and out with a whir of servos. "A regular glove would probably do just fine. I guess I'll have to spend some points on a pair. I wonder if it'd be cheaper to just get one?"
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-05-12 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"I guess not..." It had come up, so it came to mind from there though...

"You could probably have one made? I remember when I first got here, there were notes that the spider in Dressing would make an outfit in return for snacks, if you were only here for a month... ...but for just a glove, she probably wouldn't mind right?"
worthallthis: (Default)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-05-15 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Suppose I could ask," Soldat allows. "If I decide to actually try to learn this thing." They eye the piano thoughtfully. "You think I should? Try to learn?" They're still kind of aimless here, when they're not working in the kitchen car. But while they sing, when the mood strikes, and dances when there's a good beat (and a willing partner), it seems almost greedy to want to make the music too.