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!
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-03 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)

He didn't jump per se but Sizhui was surprised when he felt the touch to his arm. He looked over at him and tried to plaster on a smile, quickly reaching up to wipe at whatever wetness clung to his lashes.

"Taiki-gongzi," he greeted. Though his voice wavered a little. "Are you enjoying the fresh air as well?"

longforgottenpromise: (sad)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-04 09:18 am (UTC)(link)
He looked at him sadly and then nodded. "It is always good to step off the train..."

Even if it was a platform. "Are... Someone you knew well left?"
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-04 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
He nods sadly at that.

"Ning-shushu, Wen Ning. And my friend a-Qing," he replies.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-05 07:36 am (UTC)(link)
Wen Ning. He hadn't had a chance to really speak to the one who was here now, he had known the one before him a little bit. He puts his hand on his shoulder, for comfort.

Maybe he should have guessed by the Wen but he also knows they denote clans, not so much family and he has no idea how large or how close they may be.

"Then Wen Qing is your aunt also?"
Edited 2021-09-05 07:36 (UTC)
wenyuan: (sad)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-05 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
He nods.

"They're...cousins of my father. But I lost my parents when I was very, very young. I came to see them as like my aunt and uncle."

He looks over at Taiki, hope in his heart.

"Do you--was she--?"
longforgottenpromise: (listening)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-05 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah." He nodded, "I'm sorry to hear that." That he had lost his parents, even if he had been very small at the time.

"She was my roommate, she arrived at the same time as I did..."
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-07 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)

Even then, he can't be sure it's the same Wen Qing that he knows of.

"And she went home."

Which meant, if he understood the fate of his family correctly, she--Sizhui mentally shakes his head.

"I'm sure she enjoyed her time here."

longforgottenpromise: (listening)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-08 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes..." He nodded sadly, "She did." Went home, he wasn't sure if she enjoyed her time on the train. It was a difficult place.

But she came from a difficult place, he knew little about her life but enough from her dreams...

"I'm sorry, that you have lost more people..."
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-08 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)

"Lost more?" he asks. Then he realizes, "...Qing-shenshen is alive where I'm from. Something that seems to cause a bit of pain for others here."

longforgottenpromise: (listening)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-09 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh." He blinked, and then gave a small smile. "That is good. I'm glad... That she's alive in one world at least."

Even if the one who had been on the train had not been.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-14 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)

His breath catches at that. It's still hard to understand a world where his family--He clears his throat.

"Perhaps some tea would be good," he says.

longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-15 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes." He nodded, understanding this was probably a terrible topic. Probably one to avoid.

"Let's go, we can have some tea."

It would be better than being out on the platform, it seemed those that were new had been welcomed and were being taken aboard.
wenyuan: (longing for)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-19 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
He watches as the new people climb on board and the usual questions that come up are heard amongst the new passengers. How strange to think that he was in their shoes not too long ago.

Sizhui looks at Taiki before gesturing the way back onto the train.

"After you. What sort of tea do you like?"
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-19 09:44 am (UTC)(link)
It was strange, how quickly people got used to being on this train, even those who previously had no idea what a train was.

It was something that required people to learn fast.

"Um... I like most tea. I love berry tea though, um what's your favourite?"
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-22 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
He thinks on it, humming a little to himself as they walk along the train. it is strange how quickly one could get used to strange situations.

"I like roasted teas myself. But that's because I try to sneak sweets whenever I can."
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-23 11:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah you like sweet things?" He smiled softly, "We can find some roasted tea... If we have any."

And perhaps other sweet things, if it will bring Wen Sizhui happiness.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-09-23 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)

"Or perhaps we can make something together. I used to make things back home and help the kitchens when there weren't enough people," he offered. "Do you like sweets?"

longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2021-09-24 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah yes. That would be nice." Cooking was a very new thing for him, something he'd only really explored since coming to the train. But something he did enjoy as long as he wasn't in the way.

"I do."