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!
philosopherspotato: (< < ?)

[personal profile] philosopherspotato 2022-01-08 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh!! I don't get hurt, I'm all squishy..." To illustrate this, she pushes against her cheeks a bunch- which would do a lot more if it didn't seem like any kid with normal physical limits pushing their cheeks a bunch. "I climb these all the time!"

This is not very comforting.

Potato looks down at the paper. "...Why?"
bitternessoflife: sneering, defiant, tilting his head, crossing his arms (bad influence)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-09 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Yota's jaw dropped at the apparently ridiculous logic. Did this little... bat?! Whatever she was think having chubby cheeks was enough to save her?!

"... where are your parents?! Don't tell me they're letting a kid like you board alone..." Yota said in frustration.

Clearly, this child needed to be kept under close watch! What irresponsible behaviour! It's downright criminal! (Take it from a crook.)
philosopherspotato: (:0)

[personal profile] philosopherspotato 2022-01-11 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"Parents...?" What's a parent, she sure doesn't know.

"Oh! Granny made me I guess, but she's not here...if you get on the train, you just have to get on, even if no one you know is there!! Otherwise, I'd have definitely brought Lancer!"
bitternessoflife: cringing while looking at a sketchbook (... geez)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-11 03:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"... your granny what?" he asked, making a face. "... do you mean your grandmother raised you?"

She didn't know what parents were? Was she an orphan? Did she think her grandmother was her actual mother...

Deciding he wasn't going to be the one to tell her that, he shook his head and tried to change the subject quickly: "Who's Lancer anyways?"
philosopherspotato: (: D)

[personal profile] philosopherspotato 2022-01-13 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh! That one too. But Granny made me~! She said it really made the mages at Clocktower mad, but it was worth it."

As for that other thing...somehow, Potato manages to keep balanced up there while crossing her arms. "Mn! Lancer is Lancer!! He's a Heroic Spirit! And I'm supposed to be his Master, in the big Holy Grail contest!"

It's a War.
bitternessoflife: holding something at arm's length, disgusted or disturbed (why me?!)

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-13 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
She's a what.

"Mages? A... lancer? Holy Grail?!" Yota repeated in confusion, looking alarmed.

Was this girl synthetic somehow? Made by magic? That didn't sound right...

"Oh... I get it. You're playing make-believe, right," Yota said, still trying to make sense of it.

That had to be it, right...?!
philosopherspotato: (Heeee)

[personal profile] philosopherspotato 2022-01-17 12:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"YEAH!!" It's all of the above Yota, and you win a prize!

Except for that last bit. "Huh? No way," she huffs, waving a hand dismissively. "That's not stuff I make up! I would pretend cooler things...like robots..!"
bitternessoflife: gritting teeth, knotted brows, worried expression, (a metaphor for his life)

[vaguely gory description because Yota's mind is running on worst case scenarios, okay]

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-17 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"Robots...?" he repeated, making a face, then held out his paw.

"Listen, come down. I'll catch you! If... you can be caught."

If she's magical, will she disappear if he tries to touch her? Is she just an illusion? Never mind that, he still didn't fully believe anything, but he couldn't really stand seeing her up there, so please get down from there.

He's not planning on starting this very confusing day with little girl spattered across the platform floor, okay?
philosopherspotato: (Heeee)

[personal profile] philosopherspotato 2022-01-18 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"YEAHHHH!!! Like big fighting robots that shoot around in space, pshcoooooo..!"

As she says that, she's already jumping down. Will Yota successfully catch her!?? Oh No.
bitternessoflife: holding something at arm's length, disgusted or disturbed (not ready for fatherhood)

[Yota might be slow/clumsy, BUT, cat righting reflex maintained.... also, keywords.]

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-18 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"GAH!!"

That fast?! Maybe he should have gotten stuff to cushion her fall?! He's so stupid! Why didn't he think this through...!

He was already close, but fearing he might not immediately catch her (he was always slow...), he leapt with his arms out, if he couldn't catch her, he was definitely intending to break her fall (it's okay, if she lands on his back, he's either going to crash face-first and take the brunt of the fall or he could swivel around with his tail and carry her up while landing on his feet!).
philosopherspotato: (oAo)

he did it....

[personal profile] philosopherspotato 2022-01-21 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"BHUWWWUHH!"

Well.

Whatever he caught is definitely soft. Squishy like a stuffed animal!

Mostly she's falling right on top of the poor cat though, which isn't ending well either way. Partly because she's larger than Yota is. Oh dear.
bitternessoflife: gritting teeth, knotted brows, worried expression, (seconds before disaster)

he's a toon, he'll get over it!

[personal profile] bitternessoflife 2022-01-21 02:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Aaaand she's larger than expected. He certainly cushioned her fall, but Poor Yota's so overwhelmed, he can't quite roll to land on his back and ends up smacking the ground with his belly first (OUCH.)

"U-uurgh... y'looked... whole lot... smaller..."
philosopherspotato: (Heeee)

[personal profile] philosopherspotato 2022-01-24 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Hup, hup..." Excuse her, she'll just casually tumble off and brush herself off-

"Huh? ...I'm plenty small! I don't even come up to some people's waists!"