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!
controlsthedie: store art of Thanatos from behind with hood down (ごめん、失礼しますが)

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2021-10-20 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
Thanatos's face darkens at the reminder of leaving without saying goodbye. He didn't think it similar; he's not leaving forever or even a length of time. Now the guilt weighs heavily on him, and he turns away. Is that what people think?

A small voice asks why Thanatos is still trying to live anything but a solitary life. It's his fate.

He reaches for Mort and holds him in his lap. Mort gives a soft squeak and wiggles his nose against Thanatos's finger when he goes to boop it. "I think... I feel like he doesn't see me as I am now. He's in love with someone who doesn't exist or maybe some future me that I'll never be."

Thanatos is tired and frustrated, and he wants his friend back more than anything at this point. "I don't know if I want to talk anymore about it or not. I feel like when Zagreus is involved, things get complicated, and what people say... doesn't exactly work. Either for me or for Zagreus." One of them messes it up. Mostly Thanatos.
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-10-20 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanatos turns away and it's worse again, he made it worse again, why does he keep making things worse-

It takes an effort - it takes so much more than he thought it would - but he manages to turn that line of thought, swallowing it back to deal with later. This isn't about his guilt - it was, to start, but they're past that. He takes a breath and lets it out slowly, doing his best to find his calm. He's still shaky, but he's been shaky all day. It'll have to do.

"Well...no one has your perspective. We do the best we can, but sometimes things don't match up. Different worlds, I guess." And the fact that very few other people on the train are gods, which makes more of a difference than Ryo initially realized.

He hesitates, considering his words before speaking again. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but...why do you think he doesn't see you?" It's prying - he knows it's prying - but he feels like there's something important there, even though he can't quite put his finger on what, and he's made it clear Thanatos doesn't have to say anything. Hopefully that's enough.
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 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
Thanatos is confused enough about his emotions, and he knows he can't always trust them. However, Della told him that no one could tell him how to feel. She related her guilt to his and how they both have trouble accepting others' love and trust. As he tried to understand himself, her words seemed to make the most sense, things no one else managed to convey. It also complicates matters with Zagreus more.

Death Incarnate's gaze never leaves Mort. "Right before Jinnjar... the one thing I thought I could still do on the train was taken away from me. After that, I... haven't had anything to really stabilize me. Even though I'm trying to build some new purpose for my existence. I... I stopped trying to act strong in front of Zagreus. I let him know the truth of how I've been doing and... he left me alone for a while after."

When Zagreus had cried upon Thanatos, Thanatos stayed with him and continued to check on him. When Thanatos cried on Zagreus... he gave distance. Zagreus said it was to give him time to think, but that wasn't what Thanatos needed. All he has is time. All he does is think. It hasn't helped anything relating to how Thanatos is. And he doesn't know what this is between them, what they've become. It's uncomfortable and stressful. It can vanish like everything else.

"I approached him with ambrosia earlier to try and make amends, but I--" Thanatos sighs. It's been nearly two months since things have become like this. He wants his friend back. Can't he at least still have that when he's lost everything else? "I'm not the same Thanatos. I've changed, but I don't think he understands. Not really."
Edited 2021-10-28 06:26 (UTC)