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!
another_moon: (Default)

Platform

[personal profile] another_moon 2021-10-01 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Kiyori..."

Usagi had seen the incident and watched as the girl stumbled back only carrying the rifle case.

Worried for her, she ran over to her, slowly moving her hands to her shoulders.

"I'm here..."
jan_ken_hacking: (she's gonna B LO W)

[personal profile] jan_ken_hacking 2021-10-02 01:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Kiyoiri doesn't say anything for now, simply on the ground of the platform clutching the case. The barrier stands before her, taunting, hazy, and the girl shakes under Usagi's touch.

She can't say anything right now, may perhaps be the more accurate statement- her shoulders hunched as she sniffs and lets herself cry at least somewhat.
another_moon: (pic#15004448)

[personal profile] another_moon 2021-10-02 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
“It’s okay. Go ahead and cry…” Usagi said softly. Her hands move to embrace Kiyori, her face buried in the girl’s hair.
jan_ken_hacking: (she's gonna B LO W)

[personal profile] jan_ken_hacking 2021-10-03 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
It takes a moment. A few seconds, more. Kiyoiri shakes, but then from there it simply...collapses.

Usagi is nice- she makes her think of the girls at home, Ran-neechan, Kazuha-neechan, and others- reliable, sensible, and very much the image of what a bigger sister would probably be like.

Kiyoiri crumbles, face screwing up in a way it hasn't for quite some time, and it does not take long before the air is full of the sound of muffled bawling and pouring tears.
another_moon: (pic#15004453)

[personal profile] another_moon 2021-10-03 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Usagi’s heart broke upon hearing Kiyori sobbing. Tears rolled down her own eyes as she started to turn her around, letting her cry on her.

“It’s okay… Usa-née is here…” she whispered. “I got you. I won’t let you go.”
jan_ken_hacking: (she's gonna B LO W)

[personal profile] jan_ken_hacking 2021-10-06 01:28 pm (UTC)(link)
The crying continues for a short time, Kiyoiri simply curling beside the other. Unwillingly almost, she feels herself speak- "...Why is it like this..?" she can't help but ask, shuddering. "...Why do they leave, like this..?"
another_moon: (Default)

[personal profile] another_moon 2021-10-06 01:34 pm (UTC)(link)
“Oh, I wish I knew.” Usagi admitted. “It’s too cruel… we shouldn’t be forced to suffer this…”

With Kiyori curled up against her, Usagi’ll move to pick her up into her arms.
jan_ken_hacking: (she's gonna B LO W)

[personal profile] jan_ken_hacking 2021-10-07 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
Well, she'll let it happen at least- At least she's too old to really be 'scoopable'; no getting carried off for this girl, at least not without some awkward fumbling.

Regardless. "...I wish...they could message us..."
another_moon: (pic#15004449)

[personal profile] another_moon 2021-10-07 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, very awkward. But, at least she’s managing?

“I agree. This being stuck in silence is too much. Our friends and loved ones needs to know about us.”
jan_ken_hacking: (B| stare)

[personal profile] jan_ken_hacking 2021-10-08 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
Usagi blease,

"....Someone said that they were able to stop somewhere to pass messages. ...We don't have a way to receive them, though."
another_moon: (Default)

[personal profile] another_moon 2021-10-08 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
She’s trying!

“Really? That sounds interesting…” Usagi said, before tilting her head. “I wonder why we didn’t get anything back…”
jan_ken_hacking: (B| stare)

[personal profile] jan_ken_hacking 2021-10-09 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"....we would have to ask someone who was there," she says quietly. "...Or the train, failing that..."
another_moon: (Default)

[personal profile] another_moon 2021-10-09 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
“Good idea…” Usagi said. She finally got inside the train and sat down on a seat, sitting Kiyori on her lap. “We’ll get our answers…”
jan_ken_hacking: (B| stare)

[personal profile] jan_ken_hacking 2021-10-11 06:11 am (UTC)(link)
She's not quite sure how she got in this situation, but, sitting on the train on someone's lap is not that unappreciated. It does sort of make her miss her mom, but she won't dwell on that.

"...Yes," she instead decides quietly.

"...We will." One way or another, really.