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!
bitternessoflife: cringing while looking at a sketchbook (art even thieves don't want)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-02 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
“I am not going to cough up hairballs to make a point,” Yota complained, then blinked.

He was going to say being thrown into large bodies of water wasn’t all that fun, from experience, but this was kind of more interesting.

“You really like fish, huh? How do people even vote? How do you plan to get more fish?”
death_from_above: (Spark I'm a cat)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-03 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Then you are singularly unimaginative," Spark said with an eye roll.

"Of course I love fish!" he said, bouncing around happily. "The train said that we can now vote on what the new cars will be. I can show you where. So far I get more fish by being helpless and adorable and being friendly, so people spend their points to buy me fish. But if we get a fishing car, then I can get them to take me fishing instead. Then we get food AND fun. Here, I'll show you how to vote if you vote for the fishing carriage, deal?"
bitternessoflife: sneering, defiant, tilting his head, crossing his arms (Default)

[cue Yota getting entirely the wrong idea, I'm sorry]

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-03 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ain't that..."
Pathetic, Yota wanted to say, but then his eyes widened. "A GREAT idea! So going around naked and crawling around on all fours was just part of your plan, huh? Inducing sympathy to get hand-outs, you're a criminal mastermind! I like you. And of course, I'll vote for fish!"

He paused a second, then made a face. "Uh... do I have to read or write to vote? Like a ballot thing?"
death_from_above: (Spark Where are you going?)

Re: [cue Yota getting entirely the wrong idea, I'm sorry]

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-04 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
"Nah, the SCP makes it so anyone can vote. Even someone like me, with no opposable thumbs," he said, jumping down to trop over to the SCP. He leapt up on top of it. "If you can do stuff and lie and say you can't, you better be good at it. Too many people think I'm not as helpless as I am, as it is," he grumped, then he batted at the screen. "Put in your ticket."
bitternessoflife: speechless, shocked, stunned (carrying Guta)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-04 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, was he mistaken? This guy really was spending all his time on all fours, huh?
"Uh, sure," Yota put his ticket in, as he saw Tidus do.
death_from_above: (Spark Excitement!)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-04 01:16 pm (UTC)(link)
He batted at the screen to get to the voting area. "Just tell it to give all your votes to this one each month till we get it!" he said, bouncing with excitement.
bitternessoflife: speechless, shocked, stunned (...)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-04 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Not... quite getting it, Yota tried to speak to it.
"Uh, I'll cast all my votes to Spark for the fish."

... well, the voice-to-text option is for a new request, is that what was supposed to happen?
death_from_above: (Spark FEEEEESH)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-05 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
He batted at the screen to punch it in, just to be sure. Because this was important!

"YAY! FEEEEEEESH!!!!! Now, let's go look cute to get people to make us food!"
bitternessoflife: holding something at arm's length, disgusted or disturbed (not ready for fatherhood)

[… how? xD;;;;;]

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-05 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
Wait, how did he get tangled up in someone else’s plans?!

“Hold on, do I get a bigger cut or something? What’s in it for me?”
death_from_above: (Spark Excitement!)

Re: [… how? xD;;;;;]

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-05 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
"If we succeed, we get food. Besides, if we get people to vote for the fishing carriage, and we get it, then we can go fishing all the time. Link is fun to fish with when he's not being grumpy. And I taught Leia how to fish too. And Curufin. Curufin is great! He puns like a Deegan."
bitternessoflife: overjoyed (jumping for joy!)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-05 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
“… so you can teach me to fish?”
Yota could make money if he sold fish he caught, right? That sounded good!

“Alright! Got it, Spark. I’ll act cute.”
death_from_above: (Spark We gotta deal)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-05 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
"YAY!!!!" he said happily. "I'll teach anyone to fish so long as they share their fish with me!"
bitternessoflife: overjoyed (jumping for joy!)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-06 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"You got a deal, pal!"
Yota thought for a moment, then dropped his suspenders and loosened his shirt and tie and tried to make his clothes all puffy and baggy-looking, tucked his legs underneath him, and gave his best impression of wide-eyed, kitten-like stare.

Well, that's Yota's idea of looking cute!
death_from_above: (Spark Kitty eyes)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-07 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh! have you met Curufin yet?" he asked, leading the way for the kitchen to look for some kind soul.

As much as he loved Leia, probably best for it to be nearly anyone other than Leia. She keeps trying to make him do things for himself, especially since she knew his secrets...
bitternessoflife: speechless, shocked, stunned (carrying Guta)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-09 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Nope, I don't think so... what's Curufin look like?" Yota asked while following close after him, adjusting his clothes a bit so he didn't get tangled up while walking.
death_from_above: (Spark A little too innocent)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-11 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Nice. Punny. I can introduce you if you want. He's a lot of fun, but the fish he buys every month are mine, okay?"
bitternessoflife: gritting teeth, knotted brows, worried expression, (seconds before disaster)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-11 07:34 am (UTC)(link)
Yota wondered how many puns he was going to have to hear between them.
"I think I'll pass for now, had a busy day... uh, how much fish does he buy you a month?"

It might be a bit harder for Yota to keep his mits off of them, depending!
death_from_above: (Spark We gotta deal)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-11 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Not quite enough, but he tries." He did try, it was super nice of him. Curufin was great. almost like being at home with the Deegans again.
bitternessoflife: speechless, shocked, stunned (...)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-11 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
That had Yota wondering about Spark's appetite.

"... say, uh... how much fish do you eat in a day?"
death_from_above: (Spark A little too innocent)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-11 11:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Here or back home?"
bitternessoflife: thinking, explaining, crossed arms and thoughtful (bedtime)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-11 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
... how big was the difference?

"You can start with the smaller number."

It'd make him less furious to hear the smaller number first, probably.
death_from_above: (Spark You wouldn't be that mean)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-12 06:58 am (UTC)(link)
"Here... I get only a few at a time, and not even every day," he said a bit sulkily. "At home there was this one time that Dominic was cursed so that every time he took a puff of his pipe, a fish fell on his head..." Spark's eyes shone. "Best time of my life...." he said, dreamily.
bitternessoflife: speechless, shocked, stunned (what just happened?)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-12 10:26 am (UTC)(link)
A-aw... he isn't as spoiled as Yota thought he was. Okay, Spark isn't too bad,

"... wait, who cursed the guy, though?"

He's guessing it isn't Spark if he couldn't repeat it!
death_from_above: (Spark Catching falling fish)

[personal profile] death_from_above 2022-01-13 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
"His wife's mother. Before she was his wife. And before she died. The mother, anyway. Luna is nice enough, except when the throws me out of the bedroom."
bitternessoflife: speechless, shocked, stunned (...)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-13 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Yota couldn't even pretend to follow any of that.

"... that's a whole lotta people. You live with all of 'em? They your family?"

[no problem!]

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