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!
death_from_above: (Spark You wouldn't be that mean)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] death_from_above 2021-05-11 09:41 am (UTC)(link)
"YOU REMEMBER ME!" he cheered, elated. Then his face fell and his tail swished. "But somehow forgot that I am a cat. It isn't lazy, I catn't do magic. Talking IS my magic. That's why I need," pleading kitty eyes now, "nice people like you to take care of me. No magic, no opposable thumbs," look how pathetic he looked now. "I'll starve without help," he added in a near whisper. "You wouldn't be so mean as to let an innocent kitten starve, would you?"
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-13 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
"You don't seem to have gotten any thinner since I last saw you," Leia said. "And judging by that flying leap, you're just as athletic as ever too. So it seems you're being perfectly well cared for."

She did crouch down and give his ears a gentle scritch, though. "If you really do need help sometime, I'll help you. But if you're counting on me to be your personal fish market, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed." Not that she wouldn't give him the occasional treat, of course, but she wasn't about to let him stuff himself stupid on her Bending dime.
death_from_above: (Spark Kitty eyes)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] death_from_above 2021-05-13 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
He leaned into the physical affection, being a cat and all.

"Curufin's been buying me fish, but I haven't seen him for a while," he said, with wide kitty eyes. "And we ran out of the last box of fish he bought. Glorfindel was also feeding me, but he left. So did Nita...." Bg kitty sniff. "I'm going to starve. The train keeps giving us... avocados... who can eat avocados?" he asked, mournfully.
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-14 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
Leia noted the fact that Nita was there and now wasn't somewhat sadly, but didn't dwell on it. Nita was back in her own world, where she belonged, and was doubtlessly continuing to help others in her own way there. Just as Leia was in Kaliste, and now, it seemed, here.

"A great many beings can eat avocados, actually," she said. "But you're right in that I don't think they're very good for cats, even magical ones. You're not going to starve, though; if there's not enough suitable food on board, I'll Bend some for you. Just keep in mind that by 'enough' I mean 'an actual healthy amount for a cat', not 'enough to consistently stuff your furry little face'." Despite her words, her tone was more amused than harsh. Spark had a flare for the dramatic, especially when fish was involved, but she had little doubt that he'd be taken care of, one way or another.
death_from_above: (Spark Comfort)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] death_from_above 2021-05-14 09:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Just... remember that Talkers need more food than other cats, okay?" he asked, rubbing his face against her.
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-05-22 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll remember," Leia said, her tone still somewhat amused. She mentally calculated the amount of food she normally gave Millicent and deciding that double that would likely be sufficient, barring unforeseen circumstances. And it would hurt to mix fish with other healthy cat foods too; it wasn't good to eat only one thing, no matter how much one liked it.

"It is good to see you again, Spark," she said fondly, continuing the gentle scritching. "And Millicent seems to miss you too. Enough that I suspect she may have had her eye on you before everything changed."
death_from_above: (Spark Happy)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] death_from_above 2021-05-25 07:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Good to see you too! And not just for the fish!" Which was huge, coming from him. "Millicent?"
motherofresistance: (Small smile)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-06-01 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
"General Hux's cat," Leia said. "I've been taking care of her since he went back to Sleep."
death_from_above: (Spark Where are you going?)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] death_from_above 2021-06-03 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Common who?" he asked, grinning a bit.
motherofresistance: (Neutral)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-06-12 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Leia just looked mildly confused at the response. Given the grin, it was likely some sort of pun, but any connection to what had been said before escaped her, leaving the phrase something of a non-sequitor.
death_from_above: (Spark Question and answer)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] death_from_above 2021-06-15 09:18 am (UTC)(link)
Seeing that... "Get it? General. Common. Usual. Boring...?"
motherofresistance: (Really bro?)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] motherofresistance 2021-06-25 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
It clicked at the explanation, but it clearly didn't land well. "That's reaching a bit, Spark," she said. "Hardly your best work."
death_from_above: (Spark We gotta deal)

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (Wake CRAU) | OTA

[personal profile] death_from_above 2021-07-01 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Hey, cats are known for stretching in cute and weird ways."