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!
backwaterimperial: (Grinning)

Platform

[personal profile] backwaterimperial 2022-01-07 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Everybody stood out a little thanks to the colorful hoodies, but very few stood out because they had blue skin peeking out from that hoodie. At first, Eli thought it was too good to be true, that his mind was playing tricks on him and he was just seeing a Pantoran or other blue alien.

It was when he began walking towards the front as well, and got a better look, that he realized he wasn't just seeing who he wanted to. It was him. Eli ran towards the Chiss, stopping just short of outright hugging him with relief.

"Sir! Boy am I glad to see you."
Edited 2022-01-07 22:44 (UTC)
art_of_war: (66)

[personal profile] art_of_war 2022-01-08 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
That's probably for the best since Thrawn's reaction to anyone running up at him would the same as if he were being attacked. Even still the oddness of being on a train platform, then Eli's appearance made him blink hard once. Thrawn even now did not have much of a surprised expression. He just raised one eyebrow.

"...Vanto? How is it that you come to be here?"
backwaterimperial: (Smiling)

[personal profile] backwaterimperial 2022-01-08 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
That one raised eyebrow said more than enough. Having spent so many years with Thrawn, Eli knew how to read his expressions, and pick up on the subtleties in his face. That one eyebrow told Eli that Thrawn was surprised. Even if Eli was glad that he wasn't alone here, he shared in Thrawn's bewilderment.

"Your guess is probably as good as mine. Lemme guess, you were just doing your thing, and the next thing you know, you're on this platform to an inter-dimensional train, wearing an outfit that you certainly didn't choose for yourself."

Eli saw that Thrawn and he were wearing different colored hoodies. Which likely meant that they weren't going to be in the same group, much to his disappointment.
art_of_war: (105)

[personal profile] art_of_war 2022-01-16 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
The interdimensional train was not something he had worked out for himself yet. Nor the hoodie color for that matter. Not understanding something quickly was not something that Thrawn used to but then again Eli had always been much better at talking to different people in any given situation. Thrawn did have enough of an idea of what a train platform was meant to look like at least, but he did look around himself for anything that out looked out of the ordinary.

"Is that where we are?"

Other than the train itself, which looked like no train that Thrawn had ever seen, there wasn't much to indicate anything about where the platform was. Which was odd in itself. Surely there would be something to indicate a planet, at least. Thrawn focused on Eli again.

"You have been dressed in a different color, so I assume this is not meant to be a uniform."
backwaterimperial: (Nervous)

[personal profile] backwaterimperial 2022-01-16 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Afraid so. I asked around, and might have overheard a conversation or two." Though to say he overheard them was just Eli's way of saying he was eavesdropping. Years of being by Thrawn's side had taught him that it payed to keep one's eyes and ears open, even if neither of them ever imagined being in a situation such as this.

He looked down at his hooded sweater. "I guess not. I mean, obviously we've born worn uniforms and they've been nothing like this. But you and I aren't the only ones wearing these colors, so maybe the powers that be are sorting us out?" Not that Eli could see a pattern to the sorting, and by all accounts it seemed to be random.
art_of_war: (94)

[personal profile] art_of_war 2022-01-17 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
If they were meant to be uniforms it would be the strangest uniform he'd ever seen.

"But what is the purpose behind sorting us? If it is for skills we possess it seems like a serious flaw that we don't know what each color's 'team' is capable of."

Or who each color's team consists of. Thrawn had yet to find out about the passenger roster.

"Have you talked to anyone that has been aboard yet?"

Thrawn was fully aware of Eli's ability to talk with other people, or to listen to others unobtrusively anyway, and was making use of that ability.
backwaterimperial: (Pondering)

[personal profile] backwaterimperial 2022-01-17 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
"Obviously it's not whether you've had military experience or whether you're from the same galaxy, or we might be wearin' the same color." He was currently leaning towards Thrawn's idea that it was based on their skills, since Thrawn was the better tactician and he could do that art thing, while Eli had his expertise with numbers.

"I haven't so much as spoken to them as much as asked 'what is this and where am I'. But, I'll ask around once we're on board."
art_of_war: (111)

[personal profile] art_of_war 2022-01-17 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"And I must assume that you have applied what answers you have already been given."

Tactics and numbers aside Thrawn was actually pleased to see Eli again. He was just bad at expressing that.

"How did you know this was an inter-dimensional train?"

There must be something about this platform that he had missed.
backwaterimperial: (Nervous)

[personal profile] backwaterimperial 2022-01-17 05:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, the way the cars are linked together reminds me of the trains back on Lysatra, so it wasn't so much of a stretch to think that it might be a train." Eli ignores the pang of homesickness he suddenly feels.

"As for the other part, I just waited for someone to get off and asked them where the train went. They said it went through the Void to different worlds, and it didn't sound like they meant hyperspace." Leave it to Thrawn to try to piece out what's going on himself, while Eli asks questions. He's much more at ease when they're not at some stuffy Coruscant party.
art_of_war: (44)

[personal profile] art_of_war 2022-01-17 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Eli found out by talking to people. And of course, Thrawn was not good at that so he would not have found anything out by looking. That idea wasn't really comforting though.

"Hyperspace lanes are well-documented, the word 'void' has a different connotation and usually means the unknown."

Thrawn hitched the bag over his shoulder a bit higher and regarded the train's cars. He had absently checked his pocket and was somewhat startled to find a slip of paper there. He pulled it out with the same neutral expression he had throughout this entire conversation.

"...is this meant to be my assigned living quarters?"
backwaterimperial: (deadpan)

[personal profile] backwaterimperial 2022-01-17 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"Let's just hope they aren't talking about flying us right into a black hole or something." Eli's voice was deadpan, and the words were meant to lighten the situation with humor.

He reached into his own pocket and found a similar slip of paper, reading what it said. "I guess so."
art_of_war: (41)

[personal profile] art_of_war 2022-02-09 12:11 am (UTC)(link)
"It is doubtful that we would survive very long if that is the case."

Thrawn has never been very good at humor. It is a mark of how confused he is, and how disturbed by, the entire situation that he doesn't pick up on it now.
backwaterimperial: (Smiling)

[personal profile] backwaterimperial 2022-02-09 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
"Very funny, smart guy," Eli snarked. He wasn't sure what it said about him that he knew Thrawn was kidding, in his own way. Thrawn didn't make quips, and Eli almost felt unnerved that he was doing so.