voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-10-01 04:51 am

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

On the Train

The train continues its journey

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen 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. Asch, Ayumi Uoshida, Cleopatra Selene, Della Duck, Ghost, Hanuel Min, Jaisyn Solo, Jonathan Sims, Martin Blackwood, Nie Huaisang, Vermouth; 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 four new faces. Wearing hoodies, three in purple one orange, 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 relatively small, a brick wall behind them and cracked flagstones on the floor. It is cold, icy cold but the wall at least shelters them a little.

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, freezing 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 four 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'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including yadon tail, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

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 man for flowers)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-10-24 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
You don't have to, Jingyi says, and apparently that's the thing that gets Inigo to promptly shut up, rather than quickly argue against what the other is saying.

Because Inigo has never thought of it as a choice. He's never chosen to care - it's just something that happens. Even as he grew up in a ruined land filled with dying people, he couldn't just stop caring. He's always been a bleeding heart for everyone around him. It's not something that can just stop.

But it feels weird to talk about it when Jingyi says it like that, so Inigo doesn't. Instead when he speaks up again, it's with a more muted than before:

"Isn't it just because we don't have the option of getting to know people slowly here? For all I know, you could be gone tomorrow. Or later today. Or next week." There's indeed the nuance of saying 'you' there, rather than Inigo including himself as well - he's been here for so long, if he was at as much of a risk of suddenly disappearing as other people, he would have been gone by now. "I don't want to regret never having talked about a lot of things with you if that happens."
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2021-10-24 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes!" He nodded. "You'll see them soon! They are fun to sleep on! And it means four beds can fit inside the room. Because otherwise they wouldn't!"

He led them down the corridor until he found the right room. "You got to use your ticket to get in. You hold it to that screen there." He pointed.
flatteries: (but now is better than never)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-10-24 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a definite moment of awkwardness here - but it's a moment of awkwardness where Inigo tries.

You see, usually he'd resolve this with some physical contact. A hug or something. Even when he isn't very close to people, it often feels like the right thing to do. But Kiyoiri is a deadly combination. It's someone he isn't super close to yet, and it's a girl.

(Terrifying.)

Which is why he can't quite bring himself to hug her, especially since she does still have that gun.. so instead he just.. slowly.. reaches out.. to put a hand on her shoulder. He's doing it. He's being brave.

"You have no idea how many people have disregarded my advice," he says, a slight smile on his face. "So I hope it works out for you. There's always chores to do on the train, or there's a lot of people who could use a hand with their purchases in the luggage carriage.. There's always something you can find to do for others that's mindless enough to tune out your thoughts for a while."
schrodingersghost: (pic#6326414)

[personal profile] schrodingersghost 2021-10-24 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't really know? I've only been one for two years, and most of the other ghosts aren't really interested in talking about stuff like that."
obliviouspatriarch: manhua (pic#14329001)

[personal profile] obliviouspatriarch 2021-10-24 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not saying you're lying to me, you're from a different time than me. No one knows how to explain it, but people here get taken from different times than each other. I've been here for longer than you'd think without you.

[Which doesn't help explain it to Jin Ling since he, Wuxian, and Wangji all had been from the same time after everything got resolved in the end, so it makes it harder to explain that to him.

Though mention of the boy's father still makes him flinch, no matter what he's experienced with weird timelines here, that still gets a surprised reaction. Wen Qing had even apparently been on the train, but departed when he'd arrived.. maybe other places can revive the dead as well.]


That city is one that likes to make us experience horrifying events... but still, your father even had shown up? [His voice quiets and softens.] Did you get to learn things from him?
yondu: (2 1 5)

[personal profile] yondu 2021-10-24 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yondu listens, his expression becoming something more grave even as he finishes up the last of his sandwich. In his heart of hearts, he's already guessing that name will change. He can't imagine it staying the same.

"Right. Just let me know when it happens."

The 'when' slips out with him not even thinking about it, just as his chest tightens up messily. Soldat isn't coming back and he knows it. He's just got to fight off that idiotic part of his brain that would even hope for the best outcome. "Good luck on kitchen duty," he says genuinely before heading for the door. He'll leave him to the piles of bread upon bread.
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl20)

cw: mentions of drowning, and blood

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
...What---?

[ He's visibly still upset, but he's at least listening when he hears those words. It-- makes sense but not at the same time. After all dead people can come back right? What's a little time difference? That still doesn't make him feel any better. He just scrunches his brows and waits for Wei Wuxian to continue. At least, he's not yelling anymore, but he's clearly a perplexed and confused. ]

Exactly...how long were you here?

[ It doesn't sound like just a small amount of time either. Even the statement he makes earlier is starting to drill into his head. It explains the aggressive hugs he got when Wei Wuxian saw him, but at the same time. He doesn't know. ]

You're telling me! It just got from bad to worse in a duration of a few months!

[ He remembers beings swallowed by the water and barely escaping with his life, the blood rain that stained his clothes. Everything clearly was NOT okay. Perhaps, maybe it's better that Wei Wuxian hasn't experienced those things. He gave a light nod at that. ]

...What things are you implying? I spent a lot of time with him obviously. He went places with me. We practiced archery--

[ There's a light pause. He's missing his father now that he's talking about him again. ]

We even did one of those stupid requests with you. You were carrying him on your back and the two of you were bickering like children!
dyingpro: Smirk (No contracts)

[personal profile] dyingpro 2021-10-24 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Both the prince and his plushy companion can immediately tell something is wrong. The hard thunk of feet hitting the floor only confirms it for them both. Cerbie immediately jumps up onto the bed Thanatos has chosen as his seat, clambering into his now available lap and settling himself down there in a neat circle, a small whine escaping his throat as he gazes up at Thanatos with his beaded eyes that appear remarkably lifelike in their expression. He licks his snout with his plush tongue as a self-soothing measure, and the tip of his tongue doesn't quite make it into his mouth. Zagreus gives a small smile at Cerbie's attempt at cheer, and focuses instead on the box he just finished 'wrapping'. With one deep inhale and a quick exhalation of finality, he takes the box and carefully moves it to sit beside Thanatos on the cot, then kneeling in front of Thanatos to see his reaction to it.

"This is for you, Than. It's my first attempt, but I hope you can make use of it."

The box itself is a quilted mish-mash of leftover bits of shiny paper, gold and green and red and purple and silver in random patterns and shapes. But the top of the lid is where this box truly had the most effort paid, as Zagreus has carefully arranged the scraps to make the seal of the House of Hades in its typical red and gold. A simple twine string, likely from one of the parcels Zagreus had received over the months, holds the lid in place with a lopsided bow. Bits of bright tissue paper poke out from beneath the box's lid, and it's clear upon opening the package that while he knew to decorate the outside, he had no idea what to do with the inside, tissue paper shoved randomly here and there to cover the bottom and cover the prize inside.

And the prize inside...

Inside sits a golden gorget, comparable in size to Thanatos' current armor of choice, gleaming in the bottom of the gift box. Its edges are embossed with the known plant life of the realm of Hades, looking freshly grown from Elysian fields and Queen Persephone's old garden. Nightshade, poppy, hyacinth, pomegranate blossoms, all manner of other flowers Thanatos would recognize from his time at the House. And taking up the rest of the gorget are butterflies, wingspans formed from thumbprint-sized black gemstones, familiar in their appearance. Thanatos might have once noted Zagreus collecting some of the shards of the demon gates, back on the ruined planet of Erda. He may even have lightly chastised Zagreus for it, but Zagreus had held firm and placed them in his pockets. Each of these shards, now cut into gems, are lit from behind by his flaming laurels, single leaves wedged carefully inside their settings before the gem was placed.

And in the very center, a large butterfly, carefully polished and sculpted to perfection to look like the real thing. It too is lit up from behind by laurels, glowing pleasantly with twilight. And if Thanatos touches it, it reacts to the touch, the laurels glowing brighter and sending off little sparks of their own that draw random patterns like fireflies within the gem's shape. It's quite pleasant in the low light of the cabin, each multifaceted gem gleaming in rainbow patterns where the light hits the surface, almost like the rainbow pinpricks of light in Master Chaos' realm. Almost like the twinkling of the night sky, like his Mother's domain. Almost like the motes of starlight that are left in Than's wake when he vanishes.

"I call it the Princely Gorget," Zagreus says after the silence has worn on too long in his estimation. "And then, when I thought about making this for you, they, well... they seemed to fit. I picked them up in the first place because they reminded me of you." The prince bites his lower lip nervously, before he asks, "Do you like it, Than?"
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl156)

thanks and lolol Jingyi XD!!!!!

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling makes a face when he explains the weird clothes. Jin Ling looks down at them. They are indeed extremely uncomfortable and not practical at all. If anything, they feel tight and too discomforting, compared to his own robes.

Hopefully, he can find something to change into that is a lot better later. For now, he just has to deal with it.

"Ugh-- as if these clothes aren't already uncomfortable enough."

He huffs in frustration. Great, now he's going to feel even more uncomfortable at all of this.

"It's not like we have much of a choice right?"

He can see he doesn't have many choices here. He just ends up just watching everything around the platform for a moment before embracing his spiritual dog. He supposed if there's a time to get on the train, it might probably be now.
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (🏹 ʜᴇᴀᴅ ᴅᴏᴡɴ)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jin Ling will attest for all of those reactions. He can't imagine his uncle reacting well to another version of himself of any kind. The truth is that if Jin Ling hasn't already seen strange things, he'd be much the same. He'll probably start a fight. However, because of those experiences, it's less likely.

He's not exactly happy to hear that there's another him here, but it's not like he can do anything about it either. He's more curious on what the version of him is like. After all, they may be different versions of each other, but Jin Ling's experience are probably different from the other version of him.

He at least listens to the words that come out of Jiang Cheng's mouth. The train brings people from different words. There is one of him and two Wei Wuxian...? As if one of him isn't already a handful. Jin Ling has to be worried about two of him. His expression is dissatisfied but what can he do? That's already a headache waiting to happen. The mention of three Lan Wangji makes Jin Ling's eyes are a bit wide. While, he has some more interaction with Hanguang-jun in the city, he still hasn't gotten comfortable with the man. What's worse that there are three of him. More headaches waiting to happen.

Two of Zewu-jun. He can probably live with this of all things. He's making a face as all of this still. He just stands there for a moment, changing between expressions before nodding his head to Jiang Cheng. At the end of the day, no matter what happens, he has to accept that there are many and those many are just what is the norm here. It doesn't mean he has to accept it right away though. He knows it's going to be some time. ]


Does this train do whatever it wants? Grabbing people however they please? Ugh, and one of Wei Wuxian is enough-- why are there two of him?! And three... three Hanguang-juns?
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl97)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wait... there's more ghosts here?"

Oh please, do not tell him there's more. He's clearly not feeling so good right now. He's not terrified per say, but he clearly wasn't having the time of his life at this.

"Are you also saying that some of these ghosts have been here longer than two years?"
schrodingersghost: (pic#6326414)

[personal profile] schrodingersghost 2021-10-24 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, there have been a few ghosts who've showed up here? But I'm talking about back home. I run into ghosts all the time there."
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (pic#15205348)

yeah the notifs are borking on me. thx

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Probably not, but that's the best he has to say for this situation. It's not like he can lie about the situation he's in at this point. It may be the same for others too.

The best he can do at the moment is power through these experiences and just gain maturity and intelligence from it. It can't possibly get any worse than it is right? He glances at her briefly, ears twitching a bit as she said those words. There is something mixed in those words that he catches, but he doesn't try to pry. They're strangers. He doesn't know how to speak gently either. Best to not say anything that will hurt her feelings. ]


It's not the first time this has happened to me so it's like it bothers me or anything.

[ He huffs a response for her optimism. Sure, he can probably meet new people and make new allies. He might even expect to see familiar faces, but Jin Ling isn't too hopeful because if he is, then he'll feel disappointed. However, he is pretty determined to get through this if anything. ]
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl19)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"That makes sense-- I guess."

He raised a brow, but he didn't argue with the boy about it. Whatever the case is, he'd appreciate a place to sleep on and warmth of some kind. It was hard scraping by in a dilapidated apartment complex. (That was probably haunted by his thoughts.) So, the bunk beds didn't sound too bad.

He walked down the corridor, Fairy tailing the two of them as they made it to the room. He touches the screen with the ticket that he showed to Romeo earlier and waited.
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl133)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"..."

Well, that's not reassuring at all. He guessed he'd have to take that in stride. Wait--

"You run into a lot o ghosts at home? That's-- normal?"

Oh, did he want to ask if Danny was a ghost now? Probably not. Clearly, not. He's not going to think about it. That was what he kept telling himself though.
Edited 2021-10-24 22:55 (UTC)
jinlingers: (Default)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-10-24 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Is the train playing some goddamn awful trick on him? What are the chances of two dogs looking so similar having the same name? Jin Ling fixes the other with a big of a suspicious look as he tries to put two and two together.

There is not another him on board now is there...? ]


You have got to be kidding me.

[ Jin Ling exhales. ]

What's your name?
schrodingersghost: (Default)

[personal profile] schrodingersghost 2021-10-24 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"A lot of people still think my parents are crackpots. Also most of their inventions have a bad habit of exploding. Or targeting me." He shrugs. "No one else can fight the ghosts like I can. If I don't do it, who will? There's human ghost hunters, but they all hate ghosts. And they can't fight like I can." A grimace. "And the government ghost hunters are the worst. They don't care if anyone else gets caught up in their attacks."
schrodingersghost: (pic#6326414)

[personal profile] schrodingersghost 2021-10-24 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"There's a portal to the dimension where ghosts live in my basement. They break out of there all the time, which means I get to deal with all the ghost attacks."
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl125)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jin Ling on the other hand is handling this quite calmly. Of course, there's not way this is some kind of odds. He's clearly already putting the two things together as well. He also recalls the conversation he's had with jiang Cheng and Jingyi. Oh, how he wishes this is some joke.

Jin Ling just sighs. ]


It's Jin Ling.

[ Well, now he waits for a response, he suppose. He's tired and there's a lot of things he needs to process. He doesn't feel like getting into a fight with himself if this is what it's turning into. He just watches the two spiritual dogs instead. ]
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl131)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Why do you a--- portal to a ghost dimension?!"

Well, that explained all the ghost talk that was going on. Not that he was particularly interested in them more than wanting to avoid them. However, a part of him was curious. It was taking a lot out of him from not just running off but he was clearly more shocked about this than the whole him being stuck in an unfamiliar place this moment.
jinlingers: (JL Lanling 12)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-10-24 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ God damn it. Jin Ling huffs a little at the other's answer. He's not even sure why this frustrates him so much! ]

Well this train messed up putting two of us here.

[ He knows he's already a trip and a half himself, another version of himself probably isn't any less ... well, he doesn't know the word. ]

Guess that explains why they like each other.

[ The Fairies, that is. ]
to_rise_above: <user name="kagaminokakera"> (jl20)

[personal profile] to_rise_above 2021-10-24 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Jin Ling on the other hand is taking this as well as he can be. After being forewarned about all of this, it's not as bad. Though, it's weird. Every sense of weird there is on the list. He doesn't particularly feel frustrated or upset. Even the wolf inside of him is quiet. It's probably confused as well. Jin Ling just fidgets with the mask on his waistband instead. For whatever reason, it gives him some comfort, even though the reason it exists is not of comfort at all.

At least, the two of them can agree this is a weird situation. ]


No kidding. As if anything is a surprise anymore at this point.

[ Given a horror fest city isn't already enough of an experience. ]

It's not like Fairy has met another spiritual companion like itself, so I guess.

[ If Fairy is happy making friends, whether of its kind or not, Jin Ling doesn't have any reason to be hostile. He's still watching them with almost a smile on his face. He missed Fairy for the nine months that he hasn't seen it, so it's rewarding to have it here and happy among other things. ]
controlsthedie: store art of Thanatos from behind with hood down (ごめん、失礼しますが)

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2021-10-24 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanatos pats Cerbie on the head before directing his attention to the box bearing the House of Hades's crest. He opens it carefully. When Zagreus said that he wanted to make Thanatos a keepsake, Thanatos had assumed it would be something the size of all the others, something that could fit in a pocket and carried around. He hadn't expected a piece of armor.

His cool fingers trace the embossed flora on the golden metal. They're plants that only exist in the Underworld because the world above is frozen over. His tracing stops when he reaches the first butterfly. Wait, these aren't... These are from the first mission Zagreus went on, Erda.

Where Thanatos had nearly been completely powerless and constantly drained from what little he could do. Where he realized that Zagreus didn't need his help. Where Zagreus died twice because Thanatos wanted to scout ahead into enemy territory, and he wouldn't let him go alone. Where Soldat had died. Where a demon had sent Thanatos into a panic attack when it grabbed his wrists. Where Thanatos had chosen to save only Zagreus after his third defiance of death and wound up shifting a third person, causing him to black out after.

Erda, the place where Thanatos saw spring and what his world is missing... what he is missing and continues to lack despite learning of other Deaths who are both Death and Life.

The silence drags, and when Zagreus asks his question, Mort has to squeak to prompt Thanatos to shake himself from his own thoughts. Zagreus doesn't mean any of it. He didn't make this with any of that in mind. He was only concerned with the appearance of the shards. That's all. There's no deeper meaning intended.

And besides. Zagreus made this for him. The only other person who made him something was his mother, making Mort.

"It's beautiful" is what Thanatos ends up saying. "The craftsmanship is well done. You must have worked very hard on it. And for a long time."
Edited (Forgot something) 2021-10-24 23:30 (UTC)
schrodingersghost: (phantom)

[personal profile] schrodingersghost 2021-10-24 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yep. My parents built it. Its been a pain. But its also kind of cool going in there."
controlsthedie: concept sketch of Thanatos (You'll be killed by what'cha don't know)

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2021-10-25 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
Thanatos had meant changing from gold back to Purple, but he can't fault for Yondu for thinking otherwise. It was a strange, unintended bit of optimism considering Thanatos is also preparing himself for another departure.

Still, Thanatos watches Yondu leave. It may be Death's fate to end up alone, but he hopes that won't be the case for Yondu.