voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-09-01 05:54 am

A New Platform [Intro Post September]

On the Train

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Nebula. 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 doors open. As usual, those who leave first notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. A-Qing, Atem, Beauregard Lionett, Casper LeBlanc Jr, Donatello Versus, Frankie Bacon, Ichiban Kasuga, Kumoko, Lena Sabrewing, Mami Tomoe, Mono, Peter Parker, Reno, Shi Qingxuan, Tobari, Wen Ning; all pass across the platform, not looking back. And then they're gone, disappeared 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. The platform is open to a bright blue sky, speckled with a couple of clouds. It's very warm, enough that they will not want to stay in those hoodies for long. Behind them through the fogs is a set of barriers, set in a brick wall and in front of them is a single set of tracks extending both ways into that same thick fog.

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 on the foggy, blistering hot platform; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, but it is enough to hold the 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, perhaps ten minutes or so, 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'). They will also find a bunch of posters around the train and might notice the new clock in the standard coach.

The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, the ingredient this month is a strange meat, yaddon tail.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a box labelled for purple team containing a stick of rock for each member of purple team, including those who are new. Join in your teams success!

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. In most rooms, the occupied beds are obvious, leaving the spotless, empty spaces for the newcomers. 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.

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!
blitzcheer: (no promises there)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-09-04 07:21 pm (UTC)(link)
That's about what Tidus was thinking, anyway. Leave them for Inigo to keep, and he had his own arms band to put them away in than for Tidus to. With the shorts gone, Tidus makes the suitcase disappear to, standing finally back onto his feet.

At least, he's about to, before the pat makes him pause, and then the words that follow them. Tidus looks over in Inigo's direction before chuckling, and he's up, moving along from where he started to search for any of his smaller purchases.

"Oh yeah? You think you're gonna sweet me off my feet? You gotta do more than a pair of shorts."

Please, where's the promise of dinner, Inigo?
bakegarasu: (it's victory or nothing)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-09-04 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"No, I just... never mind." He waves it off, shaking his head. "Bad at reading people. ... It does annoy me a little since I'm no good at it, despite the lessons." Sure, he can manage to not hurt himself most of the time, but he's still no fantastic chef.

It's fine when he's making food for himself, but most people want more than just sandwiches.
foxyou: (keywording is such a chore)

[personal profile] foxyou 2021-09-04 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Jiu is more subdued today than usual, for reasons one might easily be able to guess, and it's with a distracted frown on his face that he takes a piece of offered pancake.

He bites into it, chews, swallows. Not once bothering to look up.

"I've had better."

Even the complaint is half-hearted.
irrationally: (a little more now i'm awake)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-04 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, we are not on the road right now." You technically can't call flying through the void being on a road, after all.. Even though the thought of how the train does move through the void then is a little baffling to a Victorian mind, but Alice is just rolling with it. It's not the first flying train she has seen. "So there is no need to worry about it."

It seems that she's finally managed to open her suitcase, pulling out a red dress. Her attention momentarily turns away from Ryu to look at it with an appraising gaze.

".. huh. It seems the train did give me exactly what I asked for. How curious."
bakegarasu: (dream a little dream)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-09-04 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"More or less." He nods at Tidus - no smile, but he's not a smile kind of guy.

"It went... eh. To be honest I'm not leader material but no one else stepped up, so I'm it. ... It sucks that he left, but hopefully he's going to a non-shitty situation."
bakegarasu: (quietly listening)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-09-04 08:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"It'd be nice." He glances over at Ayumi - he really hasn't talked to her. Hm. Bright and cheerful, or at least faking it.

"I'm not surprised. We're a specialized team rather than... purple. Or even orange." Of course, there's exceptions to the rule, but... well. A combat-heavy team is what they tend to be.
happyends: (she is the tiniest light)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-09-04 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankfully Madoka knows what a DVD set is. It's nice to have people who are from at least slightly similar worlds to her - because then she doesn't have to figure out the size of mystery items.

"Yeah, if it's a DVD set, it probably comes in one of those DVD boxes that's a little thicker than usually, right..?"

But as she hums, considering it, and looks over at the huge pile of boxes and suitcases..

".. W-Well, it might be a little hard to find something that small here.. But-- don't worry, I won't give up until we find it!"
blitzcheer: (we go in circles)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-09-04 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm. He's a face he remembers from doing something with Seto, but he couldn't say regardless about them.

"You know, that idea that was getting thrown out, about working with the other teams - it's not a bad one. Organising and figuring stuff out - there's no reason to stay split when we're on the train, right? If you need a hand, I can tell you what we do at Purple." He shrugs lightly, tipping his head.

"Before a mission's really the best time for asking people to step up to a role anyway, when you know who's even gonna be coming with you."
happyends: (every time i close my eyes)

[personal profile] happyends 2021-09-04 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Though the girl is patiently listening to him explaining, it's like there's some sort of reaction forming midway through his first sentence. A reaction that makes her breathe in, and slowly her cheeks are starting to puff up more and more in a half-childish, half-hamstery, mostly-pouty sort of way.

"You shouldn't call them half-monostrosities!"

Is he getting scolded here by a fourteen year old?

It's more likely than you think.

But even though she's giving that response, she is moving to sit down on the blanket and take one of said half-monstrosities, apparently entirely planning on eating it.

"I mean.. you put a lot of effort and passion into making these.. In that case they're actually really, really precious, you know? Even moreso when you're nice enoguh to share with everyone."
weifinder: (oh... | oh this is a mad boy)

[personal profile] weifinder 2021-09-04 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
He picks up his brush, pulling his hoodie sleeve back so his wrist is clearly seen, fingers pressing down in the lighter hold he has on his brush. It isn't wet down yet, and he has ground out no ink, but it's a demonstration, nonetheless.

"Cultivators, monks, and priests. It's not exclusive, but those who can channel the energies of the world, and those who spend time studying how to speak with its voice, tends to fall in certain categories." Those who can afford it, too. He knows that as much as anyone, that it's a right of access to the tools, and only cultivation sects and religious institutions have the general resources to allow people the luxury of learning, or the necessity of it.

"You need the time and energy to be doing this work, versus tilling fields, fishing, merchant work, brewing—any of the thousands of things people do day to day to get by."

He looks up, saying nothing either way about it.

"So, the way you hold the brush matters. We can start with that, ah? The movement of the arm, at the elbow, not at the wrist." He demonstrates as he moves brush against paper, the invisible form of seal script blooming in his mind.
weifinder: (mask | and i realise)

[personal profile] weifinder 2021-09-04 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
He snorts, and laughs, shaking his head and wagging a finger at this son of his, amused.

"You, such a tongue on you! I've certainly encouraged enough, and I imagine your Lan Zhan has done his fair share of the same."
weifinder: (ahaha... | next to me)

[personal profile] weifinder 2021-09-04 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
The look he sends Lan Zhan's way is mildly incredulous. Part of it being the trust in eating what he makes, and historically, no matter how the ages span between them, he knows it cannot be easy to forget Wei Wuxian's tendencies toward spice. Part of it being that question, and he only smiles, offering no answer.

Lan Zhan had never been entirely gracious about Wen Ning, and it doesn't strike him as important to tell this man that another pair of them had adopted A-Qing as daughter, that she was Wei Qing, the only named clan he was liable to ever have.

No, there's no worth in borrowing the pain from others.

"I don't know, the night holds its own pleasures. This one's warmer than the last, and that's nice, too."
flatteries: (i don't know how to word it)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-09-04 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
.. just a little different, huh.

He has to contemplate it for a moment, but it makes sense. After all, there are two Sizhuis on the train. So that means that everyone else who comes from a world similar to theirs will only recognize one of them at best.

It must suck, he thinks, but Inigo keeps smiling.

"Well.. How about you tell me a little about the differences?" Not that Inigo knew the guy who left, but he doesn't mind. "It's good to remember someone, even when they're gone."
weifinder: (ask | from the cold)

[personal profile] weifinder 2021-09-04 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Wei Wuxian does understand, from what he's seen of Shen Qingqiu's favoured people. Xiao Jiu's favoured people, and who had walked away, unstirred and unmoved by any word from those of them still tethered to the train.

He offers up a glass of water, three quarters full.

"But you've also had worse, and I thank you for that compliment, Master Shen."
partofthecrowd: (Oho!)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-09-04 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh that, in that case, yes! [ She's smiling warmly all the same, he's not causing any problem with her anyway. ]

That I could help with, I just haven't really done the building part. I never really had to.
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-09-04 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh!" Rui let out a little surprise.

"I didn't know someone could just breathe fire like a dragon. That's...a very impressive skill I suppose. Does it come in handy often?"
weifinder: (smile | in times when i fail)

[personal profile] weifinder 2021-09-04 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
She's an endless delight, is what she is; contradicting and scolding like part of him inherently believes women, young and old, have the clearer heads to see with. Not that he's fully aware of that bit of sexism, but he depends on it, on the way he thinks, no, it's so often women who can call it true, and see the consequences, and navigate the emotions of the world better than he can.

In truth, it is a handful of people who do, in the end, happen to be female; and it is his learning process to be more like them, and less like his own failings on the same subject. A sapient response, not a gendered one.

"Thank you, Miss Madoka, your support warms my heart." One hand presses to his chest, and he smiles, genuine in that much. He also pours her a glass of water, offering that luxury to chase down the less pristine scallion pancake. "Trust that I'm well aware of my lacking gifts when it comes to the kitchen. Anyone willing to try is doing me a service, and I don't take offense if they don't enjoy it."

It's not his love language, for all it was his shijie's, and it's an effort he offers without his heart attached to its reception.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-04 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)

His eyes widen and he feigns an innocent look. Oh he is very much his father's son.

"You and Hanguang Jun have guided me well through my entire life. What tongue do you speak of, o dearest father?"

Though his lips wiggle at a held back laugh.

blitzcheer: (trying not to use same keywords)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-09-04 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
When all those people are put into the same category, it reminds Tidus of Spira. Of a world divorced even from the one he stepped in, of teachings and living he could never step in - no matter how often he did their buildings.

Probably not a fair comparison, and it's not one that sticks too deeply, tries to mend together, when there's too little to do that. So Tidus picks up his own brush, new and unused, eyes flickering from Wei Wuxian's demonstration, to pretending to copy it - or, at least what he says. How Tidus interprets them, an arm and elbow that's stiff. Doesn't move at the shoulder either, ghosting some vague shape of the word on the paper.

"You don't move your wrist at all?" There's a single beat, he should concentrate, but- "And when you say energies... so, what's that to you, in your world? Speaking it. Is it, uh... does this kind of thing have a connection to whatever teachings you guys follow? Do you have any?"

It's a bit of contradiction, to ask. Because if they don't have teachings, then why do they have priests? But then, everywhere is so different. Who knows how Wei Wuxian's world works? ...a world where people can bring back the dead, and all that.

...he may be losing his focus a little.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-04 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)

He gives a soft huff.

"Ning-shushu seems to be the same in every way. This one...seemed a little...sadder."

partofthecrowd: (Impassive)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-09-04 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Looks like our roommate is leaving." Rui couldn't help but comment quietly. It wasn't like she like Beaurigard very much, in fact, she had given her a negative impression from the start.

"How are you?" She asked him, just in case he wasn't alright. She didn't happen to really know anyone who was leaving.
partofthecrowd: (Default)

III.

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-09-04 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Their work with the blades was quite impressive really, and Rui was impressed. She fought, certainly, but with her magic and skills given to her through transformation.

She couldn't really do this kind of thing that they were doing.

"No, I'm sorry, you just caught my attention. I can leave if I'm bothering you."
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-09-04 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Senku approached, looking closer at the strange weapon and shook his head a little. "Is that so?" He mused.

"Could I see it for a moment?" He asked, holding out his hands. "I'm just curious about the balance of it."

He knew enough about swords for someone who didn't fight with one, but rather, someone who'd made them.
10billionpercent: (Huh?)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2021-09-04 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh really? DVDs? You can order those?" Senku blinked as though he hadn't ever considered them.

"I wonder if they would allow for documentaries or like the carriage if they would be forbidden all the same."
consider8: (Assess)

Arrival

[personal profile] consider8 2021-09-04 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Ever since one person came onto the platform covered in burns, Eight had make a point to keep an eye out for other people in need. Seeing the young man collapsed and blindly reaching was enough to make anyone concerned.

As soon as she sees him she's on top of him, wet hands hover on top of him, ready to provide assistance. "Are you okay...?"