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!
yondu: (1 5 4)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-02 09:21 am (UTC)(link)
He looks over the edge of the book with tired eyes, before putting it to the side and pulling himself up to a proper sitting position.

"Thank ya, maybe somethin' warm'll make my brain work- didn't need one of the carriages colder than a love-bot's tit. Goddamn." He takes the bowl from him. "You're in high spirits."
worthallthis: (smilesad)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-04 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, the month's ingredient is something I used to have every day in the army, and once or twice a week at home, so." They hitch a shoulder and smile wryly. "I'm pleased it's something I know, for once. I can still experiment, but it'll be like. Trying new things in grilled cheese. Stuff I know I like and just want to expand on."
yondu: (2 3 2)

Apparently I didn't actually send my reply when I replied

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-07 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Last time I made grilled cheese I discovered it gets stuck to the roof of my mouth.... Still liked it, though." He settles back to drink some of the soup right from the bowl, not caring that it's incredibly hot or that he has a spoon at the moment.

"Not bad," he decides after a moment to think about it, even if he hasn't gotten into the thick of it yet.

"I got this book but my brain just... it don't wanna do it today. It's had enough."
worthallthis: (friendly)

oops! I've done that before

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-08 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Then stop trying to read it. It's not going to disappear, you can always read it tomorrow." They do in fact have a spoon for him, but drinking is efficient, too. They tilt their head to see what book it even is, looking for a title on the spine or cover.
yondu: (2 3 6)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-08 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
"I ain't worried about it disappearin' as much as anyone else doin' it." He frowns into his bowl. "Just... tryin' real hard not to think."

He frowns into food, but then he just picks up the spoon so he can eat at the thick of it. "I liked Siebren a whole lot. Talked myself out of feelin' too much for 'im. I did eventually get over it but I made the damn fool mistake of tellin' 'im and that's the last conversation of substance we had."

He feels kind of guilty about that. That he'd told him that he'd cared, but gotten over it. He hadn't needed to say anything. Ignorance is bliss.
worthallthis: (but i did it)

sorry for the slow, work kicked my butt this week :(

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-13 07:27 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, that might be one reason Soldat is here with soup. They know Yondu and Siebren were close.

They listen soberly, then nod in understanding. "The last thing Steve saw was. The Asset dismantling the Chair." So. They know the feeling, and can sympathize. It's an awful feeling.

And Yondu had been the one to help them feel better about it. Yondu isn't really one for crying it out, though, so... warm food. "Music works better for me than books. When I don't want to think. But." They consider briefly, then offer, "I'll give you a hug, if it will help."
yondu: animated (3 2 0)

No worries! It's good to see you! Hope things go better.

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-13 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
It was shitty and selfish of him. But? What else is new. Yondu's somehow earned the reputation of being kind but the way he sees it is that he's still selfish but in different ways. This time it was unnecessary honesty.

It would have been better if he didn't know.

But Yondu puts the spoon in the bowl and holds it out of the way, extending the other arm so he can motion in Soldat. "You know I cain't turn you down." And he pries on a necessary grin to survive.
worthallthis: (hug)

hell week is over so I'm free! until Feb's hell week anyhow :D just tired now

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-14 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
It would've been better if Steve didn't know about the Asset, too, but sometimes it just happens. Soldat isn't going to think of it as selfish. But then, their ideas of honesty and selfishness are probably both a little warped.

Probably like how Yondu's are, too.

They scoot their chair over to Yondu's side of the desk and lean over to wrap their arm around his shoulders, giving Yondu room to wrap his around their waist in return. They think that's a little less confining than having an arm over theirs. "If there's anything else I can do. Just let me know, okay? I'm not going anywhere."
yondu: (1 0 0)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-14 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
He pats his back by reaching around his waist, not holding the hug too long before going back to eating.

Funny thing about honesty? Yondu's only been honest aboard the train more often than not (and even then in selected portions) because he's lost everything, but he's never associated lying with good or bad. He's lied to be selfish and lied to be generous. So it's hard enough when that warps your perspective.

"Just tryin' to help. Not good at figurin' any of this shit out though. And it ain't new, I been tryin' for months. Prepped all that time to meet the Ministry and... well, now we're there, so now I'm just stumped."

He takes a few more bites, scarfing them down in the starving-military-man style of his, spoon clattering against sharp and metal teeth before continuing.

"Gonna make some liquid for some pepper spray by the way. Figured in the absence of regularly issued stun weapons it could do us some favors."
worthallthis: (Default)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-15 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
Soldat doesn't pull their chair away, but they lean their arms on the table instead and drop chin on their arms, foot over against Yondu's now, because that doesn't bother them at all. Interesting. (Probably the boots in the way. Probably. I wonder if he minds. DOUBT IT. MIGHT NOT EVEN NOTICE.)

"I didn't meet the Ministry person at all. But then I didn't really have much to say." They only know pepper spray as something used in themselves, rather than as any kind of weapon, but it makes sense. "Don't suppose the Ministry will help outfit us. If we wind up working with them instead of running from them."
yondu: (1 9 4)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-15 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
"I think they will, but I don't reckon we should stop outfittin' ourselves. We need allies but I never liked fully committin' to one government. Right now I'm cooperatin' cause I like some of the people, and I want to fix our situation. But the moment I see them usin' us to hunt down enemies of their state for their convenience, I wanna be able to push back."

Because it would be real handy to have a train full of superpowered folk depending on you to survive, wouldn't it? Yondu's cooperating but his suspicion is still as strong as ever.

He does notice the nudge near his foot, the little bit of pressure. So he just moves his own boot to tap heavy sole against heavy sole, just a friendly acknowledgement.

"I wanna learn who that Collector used to find a god, an' find some of the article writers. Especially ones what might be sympathetic to us. If we stay a dirty li'l secret we ain't got much power, just dependency." They don't have hardly any power as it is.
worthallthis: (lookdown-hair)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-19 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
Soldat snorts something that's almost a laugh. "I haven't had a lot of luck with governments, either, I guess. Or creepy organizations of any kind. So. I'm with you. Backup plan and as many other leads as we can find." They shake their head a little against their arms, and keep their foot in place for now. "The train will look after us best she can. But we can't look after her proper without help. It's difficult."

They eye Yondu's hands thoughtfully, then add, "Maybe Anan be able to get us in contact with others. You and her seem to get on."
yondu: (0 6 7)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-19 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, and the materials and such for fixes are real rare... Turns out void metal is controlled. Ya also cain't build weapons in it, just as an aside. I had the ability to soak in that much."

So they're a little confined in how to handle the train.

"Yeah, she's been good by me. I don't wanna ask beyond my means, though. Some relationships you need to keep mutually beneficial." He only counts on person to be reliably there for him, and that's the one across from him. His other friends have their duties and he fully respects that.
worthallthis: (friendly)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-21 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
"No void metal knives for me, huh?" Soldat half-smiles; they hadn't really even considered it.

They do, however, wonder: "I've been practicing a little with that. Metal power I got from the illusion world. I wonder if it could affect void metal. Eventually, I mean, I doubt I'm good enough yet. Mostly I just use it on my arm."
yondu: (2 4 1)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-21 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh hey, might not be too bad. Especially if we can work it down to some kinda alloy or somethin' you're more used to managin'."

It's something that could work. Quila could help. He's scrounging up ideas.

When he's about as done as he's going to get with the bowl he pushes it to the side and puts his head down on his arms as well, sighing deeply.

"It gets tirin', not bein' able to fix nothin'."
worthallthis: (smilesad)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-25 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I know." They uncurl one arm to pat Yondu's elbow twice. "But I think we'll be able to do something, at least. Once we learn more. There's a lot of people on this train. With different skills. Just takes time, right?" They only just found out about all this, what, a week ago?
yondu: (1 9 0)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-25 09:48 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I know. I don't doubt none of ya. Just pisses ya off when circumstances are limitin'."

As far as he's concerned, they traded one set of difficulties in for a whole new set of difficulties that they're gonna struggle to fix for an eon.

"You're one of the most capable bunches I ever met. So I figure it'll get done right eventually, or at least if the train can cling to us long enough."