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!
worthallthis: (sheepish)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-11 07:53 am (UTC)(link)
Soldat looks a little embarrassed. "Sorry. It's a tradition the spirits back in Beacon used to do. Except they'd break every plate they could get their grimy little hands on." They sound kind of fond as they say it, looking back. "Got real good at hiding 'em, by the second winter. Plus keeping a lot of wood and plastic plates."
nell_of_soulwood: (Smiling shy)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-13 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
"I can only imagine," Nell said with a smile. "That's where you're from? Beacon?"

She really wanted to ask about the spirits, but part of her was a little afraid to know the answer.

"I could break a plate if you want," she offered. "I'm sure there's an old one somewhere."
worthallthis: (friendly)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-15 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Nah, it's okay. I got it out of my system now." They start gingerly collecting shards of plate from the sink, using flesh fingers but then holding them in the metal hand, to avoid potential cuts. "I was originally from Earth. But I spent a year and a half in Beacon after I died, and that's where. Well, where a lot of my actual social skills comes from." What little social skills they have, anyway.
nell_of_soulwood: (Default)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-16 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh my. I hadn't realized that you had... died before you came here. I think your social skills are just fine." And now she was wondering. "Is... are most people who come here dead?" Might she be dead back home and not even have realized it?
worthallthis: (Default)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-19 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
"No, no. I didn't die to come here. I died to come to the place I was before, Beacon. Everyone there was dead. Because only the dead could live on a dead world." They shift enough to be able to reach their lantern, sitting on the counter out of the way of their cooking ingredients and bowls, giving it a little pat. "The train isn't that, though. Most everyone here is alive and fine."
nell_of_soulwood: (Default)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-21 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh," Nell said, watching him pat the lantern. "I suppose that's reassuring. Although I'm sorry to hear you'un is dead elsewhere. And is the lantern something from your time at Beacon?"
worthallthis: (look up)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-25 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Yep." They give it a look somewhere between fond and regretful. That lantern is as much a weakness as a strength; and it's poor, slightly battered appearance doesn't give them any illusions about the state of the thing kept in it. "My. Life force, spirit, soul, whatever. It's in there. It's what keeps me looking alive and, well, normal."
nell_of_soulwood: (Worried)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-28 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
Nell looked at the lantern with some wariness. "I didn't know you could keep your soul in something outside your body. But I'm glad you have it so you'un can be here and be well."
worthallthis: (Default)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2022-01-28 06:05 am (UTC)(link)
"I didn't either. Still not convinced it's actually a soul," Soldat admits. "But I'm glad I'm not all the way dead, too. Would've been a real shame if I'd died for good when I did."
nell_of_soulwood: (Laughing covering mouth)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-02-01 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, sure," Nell teased. "You'da missed out on knowin' me after all."