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!
blitzcheer: (you take what you can)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-10-04 01:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Why not? He rubs - as he does - at Ryo's arm, a heavy breath released from his chest.

"'Cause - for all the wonderful people we meet and get to know, the reason we're here - it's wrong, you know? We're being taken. Even if it's better than where we were, for a good cause. 'Til we have choice..."

They'll never have it. They'll always go through this. But he doesn't want to say it, repeat what already hangs in the air.

"We'll figure it out," he promises - a promises he's made plenty. A promise he wants to keep. But most of all, right now - a promise he hopes that Ryo can believe in. "None of us deserve this. We deserve better. We'll get it."
fivemilesdeep: (I'm sorry)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-10-10 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
Until they have a choice, it'll be like this.

But...they'll never have a choice.

It's a fact of life here - unwilling arrivals and unexpected departures - and he just needs to get used to it. It'll always hurt. That's life.

But...but he wants to believe Tidus. He wants to believe that it'll get better - that it won't always hurt, or that they'll be able to prepare for it if it does. He clings to Tidus and nods, just a bit. He wants Tidus to be right. He doesn't know what any of them can do to make it happen, but gods, he wants it so badly right now.
blitzcheer: (we go in circles)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-10-12 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"It'll always hurt," Tidus admits after a moment, giving time, always giving it; his hand continuing to rub the back of Ryo's shoulder. "I can't say it'll get easy. But... you're never alone. Even as people come and go."

A huff, tone mirthless as he says, "It's a shitty situation."

And there's no but or positive that'll make that any better. Nothing other than what he's already said, and he lets out a breath, a white trail of smoke leaving.

"You wanna stay here a while longer?" he asks. "We can go in... get a cup of tea. Warm up. I'll even keep an arm around you, if you like."

That, he does offer with some mirth. But it's a sincere offer, too.
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-10-13 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
It still hurts, but Ryo is breathing a little easier, at least. The reassurance helps. The contact helps. Tidus helps. "I've...been in shitty situations," he says quietly. "This one's better, because we're not alone." He's never been truly alone - he doesn't think he'd survive being truly alone - but being an unwilling volunteer on a train full of friends and adoptive family is better than being stuck in a town with two people who love him and everyone else dead set against him.

Eloe had been hell. The train might hurt sometimes, but he can survive it.

"Let's go in." The words are quiet, hesitant, because once they leave the platform, that's it - that's an acknowledgement that Della isn't coming back. But...she wouldn't come back if they stayed, either. That's not how this works.

Tidus is still going to need to make the first move, though. Ryo isn't quite there yet.
blitzcheer: (underwater sleeping)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-10-14 11:57 am (UTC)(link)
He doesn't hurry to move them, giving Ryo time, but doesn't delay more than a few seconds; before he takes a step to the side, keeping an arm around Ryo that guides him to turn, for them to face and walk to the train. All the doors wide open, waiting for them as always. Neither relaxing, nor welcoming. Never anything but the repetition they go through, stop after stop.

"Standard or quiet coach? I'll get the drinks." But they can stop off at either of the coaches first, so Ryo can sit down, wait the few minutes it takes for Tidus to return with two drinks in hand. He isn't bothering with shoving them away into his arms band this time. Probably doesn't even think about it.
fivemilesdeep: (I'm sorry)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-10-20 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
He lets Tidus guide him back into the train, though he can't stop himself from looking back at the barrier for a moment before they step inside. It doesn't fix anything. It doesn't help. He does it anyway.

"Quiet, please." He picks the booth with the constellations - for all he knows, Thanatos will need the one with the flowers, and he doesn't want to intrude (or even see anyone when he's feeling like this, if he's going to be honest with himself). For now, he settles in and waits for Tidus to return, trying to calm himself in the meantime.