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!
wewillwewill: (ard-sidelong)

[personal profile] wewillwewill 2021-10-01 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Elidibus is going to start wondering if it's fate that the room is going to always have at least one particularly perky teenager when at full occupancy. But for now it just seems to be happenstance.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he answers. There's a faint smile, certainly enough to be polite and friendly enough, but if Ruby is astute she might notice it has a bit of distance to it. Just part of his nature, nothing to worry about!

When the door is opened, he gestures to indicate she should precede him. "The room is small, so if you wish to look around before I settle, be my guest. Your bed is the one unoccupied."

It'll be obvious; a nice clean and ready to go bunk without any token possessions to indicate occupancy. Just as it'll probably be obvious the cabin is now at full occupancy.

"Do you have any questions? Regarding the cabin or the voyage in general?"
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217777)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2021-10-01 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Ruby wandered into the cabin, looking over it and her small bunk, sighing a bit. Not the top bunk, darn it.

But, there’s a mission?

“What’s this mission? What’s going on?”
wewillwewill: (ard-smug)

[personal profile] wewillwewill 2021-10-01 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Hold onto hope Ruby, that may be a top bunk. Elidibus's is one of the bottom berths and the rest well... look we've been vague on assignments okay? Three guys that just didn't care where they put their heads down in a bunk situation.

"Ah, the train's purpose." The way Elidibus says that suggests some hidden amusement over the subject. "We've been abducted... or called, if you like, to ostensibly provide aid, rescue and support to worlds in peril. The severity varies, of course. Our missions come about once a moon, and usually there is some stop that not about helping others or picking up new passengers."

The Ascian waves toward the ICP terminal in the room. "You'll find some useful information there. Audio and video messages may also be recorded and you can view the passenger roster." There is a pause. "You'll use your ticket at such terminals and certain other services on the train."
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217775)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2021-10-02 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
Yay, top bunk! It just feels right having the top bunk

Upon hearing all that, Ruby blinked and tilted her head. "Abducted? Yeah, it certainly feels like it. I mean, I don't mind helping people - it's my big thing, my motivation - but, I got problems at home and I just got through dealing with another world."

"What good is saving one world when you can't go back to your world?"
wewillwewill: (Elidibus-ohplease)

[personal profile] wewillwewill 2021-10-02 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
There is the slightest pause before Elidibus answers the question, even if it was meant to mostly be rhetoric. "Yes."

Yet he continues on a happier note. "Take this as you will, but there is proof those who depart have returned to their own worlds. Some have returned and confirmed this." Though the part where it means 'going home' may not be the end of this journey is unspoken, it is apparent.

"You'll find many have different opinions about what this train has done for or to them. But I've yet to hear someone say they are willingly brought here. How you view your journey is your decision, but it is wise to be open to others' thoughts on the matter."

It seems to be advice rather than a warning from a personal perspective. Much of how he says things seems to be advice and insight.

"You mentioned you were on another world. Was that journey an intended one?" World travelling; not something unfamiliar to the man it seems.
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217773)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2021-10-02 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Not at all." Ruby said, shaking her head. "Even that one was against my will. Honestly, all of my adventures has been against my will."

She sighed and shook her head. "I miss just being a normal schoolgirl, learning on how to protect my world from evil beasts and not..." She gestures by opening her arms wide.
wewillwewill: (Elidibus-faintsmile)

[personal profile] wewillwewill 2021-10-02 07:59 am (UTC)(link)
That actually earns a faint smile. "I suppose many adventures are, outside of the games of children."

While Elidibus gives Ruby a curious glance, he doesn't seem particularly alarmed about blending the phrases 'normal schoolgirl' and 'lessons on how to protect one's world from evil beasts'.

Granted, the mortals on his world don't really have 'normal schools' for teaching the important lessons in life. But at some point on some world he's been to in the past twelve-thousand years, surely there's been at least one.

"Your world sounds very forward thinking. Was the school a specialized one or did they teach you such lessons with the standard education?"