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!
asheaveniswide: (Default)

[personal profile] asheaveniswide 2022-01-02 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
A poor idea of what someone might need for training, in Zenos' experienced opinion, but at least it wasn't completely empty. Allen earns an almost distracted nod of acknowledgment as the amenities are put to scrutiny (there's no Ascian here, so lingering isn't a problem, surely..) and found a bit pathetic.

Not one single drone with which to aid people in practicing their dodging with sudden gunfire. How did anyone work in such primitive conditions? "What is trained for, in this car?"

At least his tone is polite enough.
mynameisallen: (pic#15143497)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2022-01-04 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
"It depends. Like there are things we can't do of course, but we have the basics for sword training or hand to hand." That's pretty much all he uses it for, so he didn't know what others were able to do so he couldn't add to that.

"Might not have things that are from your world. If you want stuff like that it's something you have to buy."
asheaveniswide: (pic#15371985)

[personal profile] asheaveniswide 2022-01-05 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
He is not buying basic amenities for a vehicle that should already come stocked with them. This is not said to Allen, who is clearly not at fault for the shabby state of supplies here.

Poor guy is obviously just making the best out of what he has. "No.. I can't speak for the entire star, but my country would not offer so little to those it expects combat from." Swordsmanship didn't always need a lot of room, but if one had a sword any bigger than standard issue, it'd hit the walls in one swing! "What are you practicing here, personally? Hand to hand? Swordsmanship?"

Hm. He seemed rather skinny. "A rifle, perhaps.."
mynameisallen: (pic#15143492)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2022-01-05 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well for some they only ever have little to practice with, more so if one is training while travelling. I don't get what the train falls under since well...we have to pay for stuff but I put that down to the train actually not knowing enough about our worlds to know what to actually provide." Allen himself was always happy with very little. It got him as far as he has gotten here and he did well in at least one tournament until that went to shit.

"As for me, hand to hand and swordsmanship. Don't use guns anymore." Not since his arm changed anyway.
asheaveniswide: (Default)

[personal profile] asheaveniswide 2022-01-05 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a slow headtilt. "Anymore?"

It may be impolite to pry, but it was all but volunteered! "Do you find swords a less objectionable weapon, or merely prefer them?"
mynameisallen: (158)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2022-01-07 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Uh yeah. My weapon changed so my weapon was different. Just a claw and sword now. That's why I use sword. Not a case of preference just that's what my arm can change into if I want it."

Also completely explains why he can no longer use a gun. Right? He was sure it made sense but he knew that might not be the case now he thought about it.
asheaveniswide: (pic#15371993)

[personal profile] asheaveniswide 2022-01-08 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
There's this long, extended pause as Zenos weighs exactly what information Allen is leaving out that would make this suddenly a lot more sensible than it currently sounds.

"Your weapon has physically changed, from a gun to a sword with a claw?"
mynameisallen: (pic#15143501)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2022-01-12 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes. I can even demonstrate that, mostly because I feel my my explaining is just really not great."

He was starting to feel like that might be the case. Something he needs to work on perhaps.
asheaveniswide: (Default)

[personal profile] asheaveniswide 2022-01-22 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a slow nod of agreement; a demonstration would in fact be absolutely fantastic because he can take guesses but they probably aren't lining up with reality.

"If you would."

There were all forms of technology he still wasn't familiar with, maybe this is part of it..
mynameisallen: (87)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2022-01-27 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Allen held up his hand and muttered his usual phrase causing it to change into it's claw like form within seconds. Shortly after that he moved his right arm to grip his left hand as it soon changed into a sword nearly the same length as himself.

Once his left arm had fully changed be let the sword rest on his shoulders like ti weighed nothing.

"That is basically it."