voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-01-01 05:21 am

A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

On the Train

Despite whatever Voidtreckers may have learned or how they feel about those revelations - or reminders - of the precariousness of their situation, the train flies ever onward.

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Poi. 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. The weather is dry but there is a chill to the air and a strong breeze." 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. Dairine, Okada Izō, Rapunzel, Satoru and Siebren; 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 thirteen new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours and 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 long with a grassy mound behind them. It is blustery and the air is cold, they will be glad of those hoodies.

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, windy platform; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

Thirteen figures, 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, with cans of corned beef lining the shelves.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. Those from purple who go to find their prize will find a large box containing a gingerbread train for them to share. Plenty enough to go around, even for the largest team.

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.

Snow Time: Rock Garden

Winter seems to have followed from Osiga and nested in the rock garden. There's a chill that nips in the air and a light snow (real snow) fills the air. A thin cloudy haze at the top of the carriage seems the source. Yet the kaleidoscope of the void will assure that this is no timely world stop.

People might have seen it occurring the night before. Snow falling heavy before tapering off with an odd precision, leaving a heavy blanket over the carriage 'ground'. By morning of Platform Day, a miniature winter has descended, ripe for snowforts, snowballs, angels and snowmen.

It's not just the climate that's changed. Many statues and rock features are missing or moved. Digging below the snow reveals soil now frozen but providing a barrier between the bare floor of the carriage. Keen eyes will see changes are made with safety and available space in mind. The fountain has been emptied but the pond and streams are frozen solid, allowing intrepid spirits to try slide-skating over the surfaces without the risk of breaking through. The mosaics are still around, and enchantments are in place to protect paintings and paper decorations from damp. Any plants have been sent to sleep or taken to safety.

The benches are still around. Paths and bridges are covered with fresh snow, but, as the day goes on, it's trampled down and or scattered. Najaran's woodfolk may be glimpsed near Jingyi's shrine or hiding in the shadows of rocks and statues still present, perhaps even buried in the snow and peeking out. Shy around humans, though those with pointed ears or Hylian lineage may find an easier time interacting.

There are signs on both doors of the carriage warning of the change and mentioning the dressing carriage will have winter gear, and it does: with hats, scarves, gloves and ice skates in a variety of sizes. Dispensers with warm drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate and hot water for tea are available in the Games Carriage.

Early the next day, the snow will be gone and the gardens returned to how they once were.

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!
seacub: (who put baby in the trash)

[personal profile] seacub 2022-01-02 08:00 am (UTC)(link)
"It's not that straight forward- there are people who want to help us from the ministry; I talked to one myself, they were the one who explained how tethers work. They're worried because of how the train has to tether people in the first place. Normally it's a process that involves consent- people agreeing, and joining. We're being pulled from different circumstances, in situations where...something might not be left behind. If you die here, you'll come back if the train is okay; but if you push that, it might not work completely, because there's only so much there," Emporio explains calmly.

"The problem isn't so much the tether as it is now...it's what happens if it's strained; if it breaks...hermana, you could be stuck here like a ghost, if anything. The person I spoke to wants to find a way to strengthen the tethers, and then find options for anyone who doesn't have a body to connect to. The problem is what gets in their way...even if one person within a force like that means well, that doesn't change what the people in charge want. They could make it really hard for us to get anywhere before it's too late."

...

"...Really though... ...I'm glad it grabbed you. ...I don't think... ...I don't think you were able to exist anymore, after what happened against Pucci. ...I didn't think I'd see you again...ever. ...this second chance...even if it's a risk, I'm glad it's there."
bakegarasu: (heroes rise again)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2022-01-02 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"I didn't talk to the ministry person, but Emporio did. If he trusts them, I trust his judgement." He's a kid, sure, but he's a kid who's been through a lot and has a lot of good sense. More than him, on most days.

"... And for that matter I'm glad he has someone from home that he trusts here. A lot of people have tried to look out for him, but that's not the same as people who know him from home." As painful as that might be to admit, it's true. It's not something that's going to come true for him - besides Yurine - but it's true.
strings_theory: (ida5)

[personal profile] strings_theory 2022-01-03 07:25 am (UTC)(link)
"If Pucci's horseshit isn't going to keep me down, then I don't know why some tether shit or whatever is going to do it." She sounds way too confident about this, but she's not going to push the fact. It's more to put on some kind of brave face at this point, some sort of confidence. Even if she's pretty sure she won't be able to figure things out like she has to.

Ah. Someone to look after him, someone from home. "It just... kinda worked out like that. But I'm willing to throw down if someone tries to fuck with him, you know?" It's not a warning. Yet. Or a threat. Yet.

You know, just pure and simple fact.

"I'm a scrappy bitch, I ain't goin' nowhere." She is going to set Emporio down finally, probably better for everyone involved. "But, god, at least this shit is less of a pain in my ass."
seacub: (: ' D)

[personal profile] seacub 2022-01-04 03:09 pm (UTC)(link)
There is a flinch at Jolyne's words- in a sense after all it did keep her down. But Emporio does his best to not show it...or at the very least, mute it as much as possible until he's set down.

So instead he holds quiet until he can laugh at something, even if quietly. "...It's definitely less dangerous than Green Dolphin," he assures with a nod. "It was almost...weird, actually."
bakegarasu: (he's a cold hearted snake)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2022-01-04 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah. I mean regular prison's already dangerous enough, let alone whatever shit you guys had to deal with. ... I've never been, but I grew up in the yakuza. Knew lots of guys in and out of it." The only reason he'd stayed out was because he was sent after other yakuza and never really went into any crimes that could hurt civilians.

Cops didn't give a shit if other criminals killed each other, apparently. "You'll have time to get used to it. I take it you've found your room already? Or did you just immediately start looking for shit to punch?" No judgement either way.