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!
canyounoct: (can you noct)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-08 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
Noctis lunged forward, so he could try and give his supposedly best friend a noogie, because, "You're the worst friend. What about the bro code! What about keeping secrets!"

Of course, Noctis trusted Prompto with his life. He knew that there would be no real blackmail, that Prompto would take any secret of his to the grave. But he also knew that Prompto was being a giant brat and deserved to get his hair completely ruined.
chocobosnap: (Selfie grin)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-05-08 09:31 am (UTC)(link)
Prompto laughed and batted at Noctis' arm. "Hey no!" He was giggling and protesting at once, who was even going to know if his hair was messed up?

"Hey, I'm only the best friend, and you know it." He stuck his tongue out at him with all the maturity he could muster.
canyounoct: (grinning)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-11 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Uh huh, according to who?" Noctis said, and finally let him up - hair indeed mussed up, if, well. If anyone could even tell.

He grinned. "So, you finally done being boring and exercising?"
chocobosnap: (pic#12045178)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-05-11 08:10 am (UTC)(link)
"I resent that, I'll have you know I'm the most not-boring friend you have!" Prompto gushed as though that was true.

"I guess so if your royal pain in the ass needs my attention." He grinned, completely unrepentent for the lack of respect. "Why? Are you bored?"
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.
chocobosnap: (pic#12045171)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-05-14 10:13 am (UTC)(link)
Prompto laughed, delighted by that admission and dragged a hand through his hair. He hadn't really gotten going though so he's not in too terrible a shape. He clapped Noctis on the back playfully.

"I'm sure you would if we had all that stuff you had at your apartment. And take-out." Prompto snickered. "Come on, let's go see if we can find something for you to do. Can't have you being too bored now, can we?"
canyounoct: (can you noct)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-24 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"You'd probably kill for a real curry by now, wouldn't you?" Noctis wryly recognized. "Maybe I can ask around and see if anyone actually knows how to cook around here."

They wouldn't be Ignis, but there really was no replacing their friends.

He raised his eyebrows at Prompto. "You say that like I'm dangerous or something when I get bored."
chocobosnap: (pic#12045171)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-05-24 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"Dude. Dude. You're forgetting I was there the last time you got bored. The thirty Glaives were there too when you got stuck halfway up the Citadel to prove you could be an Assassin." Prompto reminded him like only the best of friends could.

"Oh man, a super hot curry? Awesome."
canyounoct: (you talkin to me?)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-24 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wasn't stuck," Noctis protested, not for the first time. "I could've gotten down, if I really wanted to."

Not even he believed that, though, as often as he tried to tell himself that. Noctis learned an important lesson that day - try not to warp to a point he couldn't clearly see, no matter how clear a shot it seemed to be.

Noctis grinned at his friend. "If someone can make one? Yeah. Super hot just for you. And like, a third as hot for everyone else with normal tastebuds."
chocobosnap: (pic#12045178)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-05-26 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"Uh huh. Sure buddy." Prompto said with a grin that suggested he believed not a single word of Noctis' assertion.

"It would be cool. I can make curry, I think, but not nearly as good as Iggy. I haven't seen the really spicy stuff around in the kitchen either."
canyounoct: (considering)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-30 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
“Maybe that’s something we’d need to buy from the train?” Noctis wondered aloud. “Kind of sucks, doesn’t it? If it’s going to give us food because, uh, people need food to survive - it might as well give us different kinds of food. You’re probably not the only guy who likes spicy stuff.”

Even if that’s what he implied about thirty seconds ago.
chocobosnap: (pic#12045179)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-05-30 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"From what I could see, you can buy all kinds of stuff from the shop." Prompto agreed with a hum.

"So that stands to reason that we might be able to."
canyounoct: (his dorkiness)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-06-02 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Noctis couldn't resist smirking. "Well, considering you've gotten a giant chocobo plushie ... there's probably no limit to what kind of thing people can ask for."
chocobosnap: (Selfie Time!)

[personal profile] chocobosnap 2021-06-02 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hey my giant chocobo plushie is great." Prompto protested. "You're just jealous you didn't think of it!"