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!
flatteries: (a rhythm for the songs)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-09-07 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Come on," he softly says after another moment, giving her another slight pat on the back in the hug. "You shouldn't stay out here for too long."

Because it'll probably just hurt, staring at the spot where people disappeared. Besides, it's not like they can stay out here forever in the first place - eventually they'll have to get back on the train anyway.

Might as well get ahead of the crowd, so Kitty won't have to wait in line while being upset.

"Let's find some place to get comfortable inside. Do you want a hot drink?"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971680)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-09-08 11:01 am (UTC)(link)
With a slight nod, she leans into him a bit as she walks with him back to the train. "Some hot cocoa sounds pretty good, actually," she replies after a long moment, still not quite able to look at him just yet.
flatteries: (the rubble or our sins)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-09-08 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
That means it's time to head over to the kitchen! Inigo isn't too sure if they'll have hot cocoa, considering they haven't been able to check out the switch in ingredients just yet, but.. here's hoping for the best, Inigo thinks, as he starts gently taking her along to that destination.

"It's okay, Kitty.. I know that it must hurt a lot right now, but.. it's going to get better with time, little by little. Even if right now it doesn't feel like it might."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971958)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-09-13 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Walking with him towards the kitchen, she nods a little. "I know..." she says softly. They'd all lost people before, and she isn't the first person who's lost a romantic partner. She knows it's possible to move on, but... "Is it bad to just...want to be sad for a while, though?"

flatteries: (you're in control)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-09-13 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course not!"

Please. Inigo may not like seeing people looking sad, but it's not like he's actively going to wrangle them into being happy when it's just a forced thing. If Kitty wants to be sad, then he'll let her be. If she wants to be cheered up, he can do that too.

It's all up for her, so he just smiles softly.

"You should do what feels best to you, Kitty. Just know that I am here for absolutely all of your needs, that's the important part."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971678)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-09-15 08:26 am (UTC)(link)
She nods, and his words do get a small smile. "I know...Thanks, Inigo. I really do appreciate it."
flatteries: (and sat in the back booth)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-09-15 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
He smiles - though really, it's not even the appreciation that he's smiling over, though it's nice. He's just glad that it's at least somewhat helping Kitty to know that she's not alone, even though it might not smooth everything over right away.

But for now Inigo just takes her along towards the kitchen. Thankfully it happens a lot more quickly now they've got these transgates..

"Just lean against a counter for a little bit. I'll make you a nice warm drink, alright?"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971828)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-09-24 08:39 am (UTC)(link)
"You don't have to do it for me," she protests, though she does end up leaning against the nearest counter. She feels a little bad if she let him do all the work, even if it's just making a quick warm drink.
flatteries: (you're in control)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-09-24 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's fine, it's fine! It's just a drink," Inigo says, even laughing - though toning it a little down and laughing softly, since he knows that Kitty still is in a very vulnerable mood. He doesn't want to overload her right now of all times. "I think I can handle making it. Just maaaybe."

(But still, he can't resist sneaking in jokes. Just to keep the mood light.)

"Besides, seeing you being able to enjoy this drink once it's done is enough of a reward for me."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971956)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-09-26 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
She rolls her eyes playfully, giggling a little. "So charming."

But the teasing banter does its job, helping her feel a little more at ease.
flatteries: (set it free)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-09-26 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
He's glad to see the joke have at least some of its intended effect. Even if he can't take her sadness away entirely, then the very least he can do is at least make it lighter to bear.

So Inigo makes her a hot drink, and then walks over to hand it to her, leaning against the counter while standing next to her once Kitty takes it.

"Here. Hopefully it'll warm you right up."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971678)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-09-29 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thanks," she says, taking the mug with a smile. Then, carefully blowing away some of the steam, she takes a small sip.