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!
nell_of_soulwood: (Default)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-16 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yondu suggested Lettie," Nell said. "I'm not quite sure she's a Lettie, but I'm hoping she'll let me know her name sooner or later."

She smiled at him and his dog. "How did you come up with her name?"
jinlingers: (JL Lanling 35)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2022-01-17 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Lettie is kind of a weird name," Jin Ling says... the guy who named his dog Fairy, originally Little Fairy but once she grew it was weird to call her Little anymore!

"I don't know. It just came to me, I guess."
nell_of_soulwood: (Nell's kitten)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-19 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
"He says it's the name of someone he really admired," Nell explained. "But I think my kitten's name will probably just come to me the way Fairy's came to you."

The kitten in question had gathered up enough courage to sniff at Fairy and try to gently paw at her.
jinlingers: (JL-50-27)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2022-01-20 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah," Jin Ling says and he nods. It wouldn't really be a thing in his culture necessarily to name someone after a person directly or anything but he can understand.

"It's better that way."

Fairy snuffs a little but gently nudges the kitten very gentle and patient as the kitten explores.
nell_of_soulwood: (Nell's kitten)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-22 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
"I think so," Nell said. "Get a sense of their personality and see what comes to you, I say. Though I'm always happy to take suggestions."

She smiled down as the kitten jumped back when Fairy nudged her, then leaned in to nuzzle the dog, purring like a little lawnmower.
jinlingers: (Default)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2022-01-22 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling nods and he glances at the kitten again. "I don't really know how to name cats."

His uncle had taught him how to name dogs whether he realizes it or not. He smiles as he watches Fairy with the tiny kitten.

"Maybe they will be good friends."
nell_of_soulwood: (Laughing covering mouth)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-22 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
"I've named a few," Nell said. "And dogs too. Mostly the names just seem to come, I've found."

She laughed as the kitten leaned in and grabbed as much of Fairy's head in her little paws as she could manage and began cleaning whatever she could reach. "Brave girl. She's lucky Fairy is so gentle."
jinlingers: (JL44 56)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2022-01-22 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling nods but nothing comes to mind when he looks at the kitten just yet.

"Fairy would never harm her," Jin Ling agrees as Fairy just plops her head down and lets the kitten groom her. Her eyes close, tail wagging so she seems to be enjoying it.
nell_of_soulwood: (Laughing covering mouth)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-24 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
Nell watched the two for a moment. "Well, if we ever wake up some morning and can't find them, they'll probably be together," she joked. "At least I'll know where to start looking."
jinlingers: (JL-50-47)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2022-01-24 07:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling nods, though its never hard to find Fairy. She always comes when called for. He reaches down and gives the kitten a tentative scritch between the ears. She's so much more fragile seeming than Fairy was even as a puppy.
nell_of_soulwood: (Happy)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-01-28 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
The kitten turned her attention from Fairy to him and butted into hishand, purring like a lawnmower. Nell smiled at Jin Ling. "I think she likes you."
jinlingers: (JL-50-56)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2022-01-29 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah..." Jin Ling feels a grin tugging at his lips as he pets her some more. He bites his lip a little.

"We'll watch out for her and you."

That's...a friend thing to say right?
nell_of_soulwood: (Happy)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-02-01 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
No smiling there, you!

Nell had no such hesitation and beamed at him. "Aw, that's awful sweet of you. Thank you."

The kitten just purred away happily.