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!
storms_eye: (my)

[personal profile] storms_eye 2022-01-07 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Silvia mirrored that wince with one of her own, not having anticipated the exclamation]

Oh- I didn't mean to make any sort of accusation. Sorry if it came across that way.

Then you definitely weren't responsible for it. [Since it didn't sound as if this girl had any control of it] I'm.. uh.. still not sure why you're trying to remove those gems now. The others haven't boarded the train have they? Then that bracer might be the safest place for them, that way they're always by your side.
another_moon: (pic#15004449)

[personal profile] another_moon 2022-01-07 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Usagi looked down at the bracer again, worried.]

You’re right, but… I feel awkward keeping them. Like I don’t deserve them now.
storms_eye: (Thank)

[personal profile] storms_eye 2022-01-07 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
[It was taking a risk, and maybe it was overstepping but Silvia walked close enough that she could place one hand to the magical girl's shoulder]

Look, I don't really know what you've been going through, or why you feel that way but there must be a reason they were drawn to you. Is it possible that you're being too hard on yourself?
another_moon: (pic#15004448)

[personal profile] another_moon 2022-01-07 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
[She let out a sigh as she laid a hand on Sylvia’s hand, looking up at her and smiling.]

Maybe I have, dealing with everything that’s happened, I guess I kinda turned all that into me…
storms_eye: (temporary)

[personal profile] storms_eye 2022-01-07 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
A smile suits your features better.

[Smiling back at her pleased that her attempt to reach out was being well received]

That's.. actually something that's very easy to do. Maybe you just need some time to process it all, find something else to occupy your mind until you're able to really look at it. Or... I mean.. if you needed someone to talk to about it, you could seek out someone you know, or I could... try to listen?
another_moon: (pic#15004453)

[personal profile] another_moon 2022-01-07 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
You know? That’s a really good idea. I probably drive Kyoko crazy anyway…

[With a small sigh, she lifted her other hand to slide off and sit down her tiara. Maybe now she could recognize Usagi?]
storms_eye: (work)

[personal profile] storms_eye 2022-01-07 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Silvia refrained from asking, which idea or which Kyoko.. hadn't there been more than one? Were there still more than one? Eh, it didn't matter. What was important was trying to help out if she could.

After the tiara made it's way to the table her eyes drifted after it. It was hard trying to mask the awe she felt at seeing a real live magical girl in person! Then she looked back to meet the other girl's eyes. This was so strange. She was sure that she'd seen this person before...

She said the name softly, as if testing it
]

Usagi..?
another_moon: (pic#15004448)

[personal profile] another_moon 2022-01-07 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Usagi finally smiled as Silvia called her name.]

Hey. I… didn’t want to outright say who I was, but hearing you talk, you deserve to know.
storms_eye: (need)

[personal profile] storms_eye 2022-01-07 07:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Silvia drew back her hand as her mouth gaped open in surprise]

Oh my gosh? Really?! I mean.. I knew you said you were a magical girl, and I believed you.. but then I still wondered and.. is it really okay to be telling me this? Isn't this something that's supposed to be kept a secret? I mean.. I guess on a train that travels through space filled with an assortment of people with various powers it doesn't matter so much...

.. but this feels huge! [There it is. The rambling floodgates had opened. When Silvia realized it, she clapped her hands over her mouth, letting them fall away only after she had a moment to settle herself]

Wow, I mean. You look great. In the whole like leotard/skirt combo and everything, not that you didn't before.... [Or... maybe she hadn't quite gotten herself under control yet. After taking a deep breath and closing her eyes as not to see Usagi's reaction she made with a brief apology] Sorry, I've always been a fan of the magical girl genre.. so uh.. you know. [Cough. Then she forced herself to open her eyes] .. You were saying? About your problem?
another_moon: (pic#15004445)

[personal profile] another_moon 2022-01-07 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Usagi listened to what Silvia rambled on about learning Usagi really was a magical girl, how she now knew this big secret and how great she looked. She blushed before she leaned over to hug her.]

No, no, keep talking. Say your heart’s desire. The blue team’s Kyoko may have won me, but I won’t leave others in the cold.

But, it’s easy for me to just pull myself in and let myself deal with my own problems. I’ve sat in this room countless hours just ignoring this in favor of modifying my powers to be stronger. So that no one else could be hurt…
storms_eye: (are)

[personal profile] storms_eye 2022-01-11 09:45 am (UTC)(link)
[If she hadn't already been convinced, the hug would have done the trick. Usagi was the only person Silvia knew that was so quick to embrace others. Returning the gesture in kind albeit not as expertly she continued to speak.]

Oh, no. Please don't encourage me or I could go on for days with that nearly incomprehensible nonsense. [She emitted a light laugh to go with the words] Won you? [There were only so many ways to interpret that statement, and Silvia's face was soon flooding with color itself] Oh.. uh.. I wouldn't want to interfere with that. No. That's not...what I.. [cough] anyway!

Doesn't.. resorting to that, seem kind of lonely though? [Again, Silvia was speaking from experience. She used to share her troubles with her friend back home all the time, but here .. it was different. Sure, sometimes she might speak to some of the other duelists but not like she had with Glynis] I mean it's great that you want to help others, but it's a lot to take on by yourself. Sometimes, you need an outlet. A way to vent.