voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-02-12 07:08 am

No Place Like Home: On the Train

ANNOUNCEMENT
'Voidtreckers, and passengers of the Voidtrecker Express.'

The female-coded voice of the Voidtrecker Express speaks, as smooth and calm as always.

'Please, may I have your attention. I have been compiling answers for you, and it has been noted that many believe it is wrong that you were brought here at all. This is an opinion you shared with the ministry. You were not asked on this journey. You wish to go home. Some of your worlds are in danger. Some are gone.

The need for heroes is vital, and the Voidtrecker Express must continue saving worlds. You have done countless good. However, it was not the intention of this voidcraft to keep you prisoner.

Those that wish to leave may do so. I shall send you back. You will return to where you last were before you were pulled here. It can only be to that exact place. Be ready. Exiting voidspace in ten, nine, eight...'


The countdown finishes, the only warning as the train shudders as it leaves the void. Outside the train's windows, they see a familiar sight: of a smoke filled platform.

'For those voidtreckers that wish to leave, all you need to do is walk through the barriers. The train will remain for one hour for you to partake in parting rituals.'




NO PLACE LIKE HOME: TRAIN



GOOD BYE...
Those that have been on the train more than the twelve days of this month will be very familiar with the sight before them. A smoke filled platform, polished stone cobbles lining the ground leading to two large stone arches, with glass barrier doors. All that is needed to leave is to press their ticket to the reader next to the doors, and they will open.

Unlike most people who leave each month, blank eyed and silent, the people who choose to leave will be able to say goodbye, They can take whatever they wish of their belongings from the train, or leave them for those that remain behind.

The air is chilly, enough to discourage standing idle outside for too long, but not so uncomfortable, so long as people are bundled up. The sky overhead is cloudy, giving the platform an altogether dull and melancholy air. There are no new people waiting, just an empty station, and the barriers, with all that lies beyond them.

The doors will remain open as promised, so that those who wish to leave, may do so. The barriers let them through and they disappear.

[ Note: A top-level for goodbyes and leaving can be found here. ]


REMAINERS
The train, good to its word, remains for one hour before the horn toots, a warning to board if they are planning to. And this is where the first inkling of things not being right, when some who try to board the train might find themselves instead pressing their ticket to the barrier, and those who try to remain on the station - or leave through the barriers - may find themselves stood on the train, with the doors closing behind them.

It's a much smaller crew who remain as the train counts down, the usual shudder as the smoke vanishes and the kaleidoscope of the void appears. Only for a second, before the train lurches violently to the side, flinging everyone sideways before righting itself just as violently.

As people regain their feet and their wits, they will realise the obvious - they are stationed back on the platform, mist and smoke swirling around the train.

"Apologies Voidtreckers. Retrying entry to the void in ten, nine..."

Once again they are jerked into the void, and once again they tumble out. Hopefully this time, the passengers thought to brace themselves lest they get thrown across the carriage once more.



STUCK IN TRANSIT. Phasing back to the void seems unlikely. It's clear something has gone very wrong, but the doors remain shut, and the train remains silent. There are a few attempts over the next few days, always warned for and given a countdown, but always ending in failure.

Outside the windows, the fog swirls around, remaining thick. It seems for now, they are going nowhere; for now, they must wait.

But they needn't sit idle, with the attempts at getting back into the void having made a mess. While anything large is bolted in place, and shelving have rails to protect anything inside at normal levels of turbulence, there's still a lot that has gone flying as the train was lurched around.

It might be wise to secure anything else as well. It's clear they will be trying again to return to the void, and it might be wise to avoid having to clean up all over again.



SHADOWS WHO ONCE WERE. The platform outside the carriage windows is shrouded in smoke and fog, fluctuating in thickness as it swirls around the train, obscuring the view.

But those looking out of the window may spot a figure. A friend. Someone from the train; they appear, then disappear. Sometimes there are many, sometimes just one alone. Sometimes they leave together. It's not easy to see them, as they drift in and out of the fog, and visibility is bad.

They cannot hear them, or interact at all. They can only watch as more of their fellow Voidtreckers appear, vanish, appear again. The doors will not open, the train remains silent, clearly dealing with whatever problems it has ran into.

It's clear that something has gone very, very wrong.



A SWIRL OF REALITY. The constant entering and exiting of the void takes its toll eventually. Sleep is harder to come by, there's a general sense of disorientation as the train moves in and out of void space. It is more than just their bodies that are being bashed around, it is their minds as well.

Tempers might peak or emotions might come on stronger than they usually would. Adding in the stress of the situation, and the knowledge that those who left seem to be returning, leaving, and returning again to the platform, and passengers are unable to call out or reach to them, it's a very tense few days.

When they do sleep, their dreams are plagued by weird dreams. Not always bad, but bizarre for sure. Often they dream a dream that is not theirs.

OOC NOTES
OOC post. Ask questions here.

This is the first half of February's event. It will last between Poi 22-25 (12th to 19th February). The second half of the event will go up during 20th to 25th February (Poi 26-28) where those left behind will rescue those out world hopping.

Feel free to play out threads for as long as you like, of course! A few details:
  • The train will not be responding after its first attempt to leave the station
  • No matter what, the doors won't open.
  • Though they can see the voidtreckers outside, those outside don't seem to be able to see them through the windows and so communication between the two groups will not be possible.
  • Likewise their SCA comms are not working during this event.
controlsthedie: concept sketch of Thanatos (You'll be killed by what'cha don't know)

Goodbyes

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2022-02-14 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't need the supplies where I'm going." He motions to his bag. "I'll be taking my manadrive with me. See if it can do anything to help life survive back home. But the rest I'm leaving for the train."

He had asked Devero to take gather the supplies he leaves behind, but it's good to know that Tidus will remain. He has a lot of knowledge about the healing items and is willing to share it. "If I need anything else... it'll not be something our supplies can provide."

Not unless there are a lot of phoenix feathers, and even then, it may not work.
fivemilesdeep: (That smile)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2022-02-14 07:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh." He hadn't questioned what had gone into Lagos's creation - only that it had required a connection to Thanatos in order to work. Now he's got some idea, at least.

Both eyebrows rise sharply at the question, and he looks down at Lagos. Can Lagos move now? Would that have done it?

A few moments of silence and stillness pass; then, the tips of Lagos's wings wiggle, and Lagos cackles. He can move! He can move on his own! Now all he needs is a knife!

That gets a laugh out of Ryo - it's quiet and leaves as quickly as it comes, but it's a laugh nonetheless. "He's very excited." The laugh has subsided, but the smile stays on his face. "Thank you."
controlsthedie: Thanatos looking at a nectar from behind (When my time's finally up)

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2022-02-14 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
"I know what I'm getting into," he says softly. "The Ministry... confirmed what I already suspected." Death has stopped without his presence, and on a wintery world as his, that compounded an already horrible situation for the mortals.

"Even if I didn't, I would still have to go." Thanatos never had a choice.
controlsthedie: long hair Thanatos with small smile (死んでください♥~)

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2022-02-14 07:59 am (UTC)(link)
Thanatos has to laugh at the excited warbles from Lagos, and even Mort joins in. Lagos can move! He did it! Now find a knife!

"Good. Keep working at it, Lagos. Your job is to continue protecting Ryo. And Ryo... I don't know if the Ambrosia is necessary, but keep giving him treats. Maybe that'll still work."

And if not, Lagos will enjoy sharing the snack with Ryo regardless. "This is... all I can do for you now."
fivemilesdeep: (Oh!)

Escape

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2022-02-14 08:07 am (UTC)(link)
He hadn't been at his sleeper car - he'd been making sure his greenhouse patch was in order, scribbling hasty instructions for the care, harvest, and medicinal use of each herb growing there - so he misses Zagreus entirely, only finding the box with his name on it when he returns to pack. He opens it, looks at the device, reads the note-

And leans abruptly against the wall, hands shaking. Zagreus doesn't know about Ryoga, does he? Ryo hasn't told him, so how- how did he know?

He- he doesn't have time for this. They're leaving soon-

He finishes packing, checks everything over again, makes sure the keepsake is snugly in his haversack, and heads to the platform for the last time, where he sees Zagreus ready to leave-

"Zagreus!"

He sprints towards the departing god and catches him in a hug, clinging tightly. He'll explain himself soon enough - for now, he's not letting Zagreus leave just yet.
yondu: (0 9 2)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-02-14 08:08 am (UTC)(link)
That's not as harsh as he was expecting, and his expression eases up a bit.

"It weren't about that..." he says quietly, pushing himself up so he's sitting back against the wall rather than slouching.

"Dyin' was hell. I'd never wanna go through that again. Sometimes I do get taken by this wish to... well... just not be around no more. But I don't particularly like the idea of dyin' to get there. Means I gotta let someone have their way with me, means I gotta go through all that pain to get there. I don't wanna do that.

"But that day, durin' the mission? Just the previous night I'd been holdin' this child while its ma was bein' patched up. Next mornin' she was one of the people tryin' to take a knife to me. All I could think of was how bad Quill used to miss his ma. How I could hear her little one cryin' off in another tent. I couldn't do it no more after that. I had to come up with somethin' else other'n just killin' 'em."
blitzcheer: (sorrrRRRrrrrYyyyyyy)

you have a lot of cute ones as is!

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
Ohhh.

"Yeah, but aren't you connected to your body too?" He makes a motion with a finger between himself and the air, indicating some link. But then he pauses, wonder: "Can't you do whatever you did back on your world too?"
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

Senku Ishigami

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-02-14 08:36 am (UTC)(link)
It wasn't wrong to assume that Senku was pleased to go home. He definitely was. He'd never made a secret of that fact, not the entire almost-year he'd been on board.

He would miss the friends he made along the way, of course, but never say never he figured. If he sorted out how to become void-active, which seemed like a worthy project after saving humanity, well, there was always a chance they'd see each other again.

He is not wearing orange, his uniforms have been left behind in his room for whoever wanted to pillage his things behind him. Most of his possessions have been left behind, except for whatever was in the knapsack. There were all kinds of things to be discovered by the remaining crew, really. He wasn't going to need those things anymore. His little vacation was over.

He looked sombre, his thumbs hooked into the straps of the bag as he would encounter people. There were quite a few people he didn't want to miss, of course and he would make sure to wish them well.

Senku saved the most difficult for last. He approached Gen with slower steps and stood before him a moment. Whatever words would be exchanged were not going to be overheard by anyone else, they were for Gen alone. For a married couple, they were not one for displays of affection, but they could be caught kissing in parting.

He took a step to go, and a deep breath and then turned around, raised his fist in the air which was their way of going about things and he shouted to everyone.

"Travel safely! Hopefully we'll see each other again!" The words are spoken not with sorrow but with a brighter, more cheerful tone.

No hesitation. Goodbyes finished, he would turn and walk back to his world.
blitzcheer: (melt awayyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 08:39 am (UTC)(link)
Tidus jumps at the chance of doing the plan, and so of course he's coming back into the space with Kaiba, the transgate activating on Esteban's side to show their return. He looks at Esteban, expression firm, ready for anything - even without really knowing entirely what he's ready for.

But like that matters.

"What do you need me to do?"

Let's get set-up, shall we, lads.
10billionpercent: (pic#14767538)

Gen

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-02-14 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
The heavy footfall, the shuffling in his stance, this was going to be the hardest goodbye. It might seem strange, but if they really weren't going to be going back to the same world...

Senku walked up to Gen with a serious expression, not stopping until they were close enough to speak softly.

"We're finally going back." He offered as a soft opening.
blitzcheer: (whoa woah hey heyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
What for? [ He grins, then gives Ryo a friendly pat on the arm. ] Don't worry about it! I hope this works. You know you were near anywhere when you showed up here? A town?

[ And not in the middle of nowhere in a caravan that might be...who knows where? ]
fivemilesdeep: (A good idea)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2022-02-14 08:48 am (UTC)(link)
Lagos wiggles his wingtips again and warbles importantly. Of course he's going to protect Ryo! You can count on him!

For his part, Ryo can't stop smiling. "I will. And what do you mean, all you can do? You've done so much for me. I'm- I don't know how to thank you." For all their ups and downs, for all the arguments and worry, he'll never forget Thanatos holding him in the quiet booth as he broke down, listening to him cry himself out and promising not to abandon him out of hand. That promise became a cornerstone in rebuilding his self-confidence and one of the reasons he'd survived so long on the train, and he'll carry that in his heart even if Thanatos isn't there to remind him.
blitzcheer: (fire and water)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 08:55 am (UTC)(link)
"Nah," he answers easily. "I've got some people I wanna see get back home first before I do. But after that? I'm getting dropped off the nearest beach and living my life!"

Does that sound cool? He hopes that sounds cool. Not that it's likely to ever happen, but... it would be cool.
fivemilesdeep: (Default)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2022-02-14 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
What f- do you need to ask?

[He sputters a bit, but Tidus has already moved on, and if that's what Tidus wants their last conversation to be about, Ryo isn't about to drag it back.]

[(He's trying not to think about the fact that this is his last conversation with Tidus.)]


Yes - we'd just arrived in Arkwood. If I'm going back there, then I'll be fine.

[A beat, and then:]

Are you going to be okay?
blitzcheer: (sinking underwater)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 09:04 am (UTC)(link)
"If I knew, don't you think I'd be trying it?" It's weak, in more of a show of how little they do have; as little as they've always had, always left to the whims and decisions of the train.

"The ICPs are the only way we can talk to the train. Some people try doing magic talk-" he waves a hand near the side of his head "-through the store room, but it's not like it answers anyone that way either. We can't open anything. There's no emergency button to get the train to listen to us. We can't even ask that Ministry person for help 'cause the train's the one who's got to call them!"

Which, given its inability or unwillingness to listen to them right now, wasn't going to get far, probably.
mtsilver_conquor: (Seriously?)

[personal profile] mtsilver_conquor 2022-02-14 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
Eva's heading home. She can't not; not when she wants to see Satoru, her family. To be there for Satoru when the Eternatus bullshit happens. Yet her family here -her brothers- can't come with her and it hurts.

She'd love nothing more than to grab them all and take them and their spouses to her world. But she can't and more importantly, Senku has a people that need him.

"Do not, for one second, think I'm not going to start working on a way to bend Space and Time so you and Gen can at least visit," Eva says, serious and meaning every word of it. He's her brother after all and family is everything.

"Whatever happens after this, you'll be fine." He will be. He has to be. "You have Orion; proof we are family, right?"
10billionpercent: (Satisfied)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-02-14 09:14 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't forget my family." Senku promised with a nod. "And I am bringing Orion with me. He might like it." He wasn't sure about that, but he'd look after his new friend.

"If you don't manage it, I'll work on it. I'm already trying to figure out how to make my world void active so, if I figure out void travel..." How hard could that be? "I'll make sure to visit."

Senku smiled. "I'm sure you've got a lot you're looking forward to."
blitzcheer: (ur not me mam)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 09:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ Come on, Ryo, he's messing!! It's cool, bro, it's cool! He'll even chuckle a little at Ryo taking him seriously for a second there.

Gotcha.

But that aside, he nods to hearing Ryo will be near somewhere - good - and continues to be all smiles to the question back at him. ]


Yup! Always knew the train wasn't getting rid of me 'til I got thrown out. Don't even like being this far out 'case it gets the wrong idea. [ His arms fold, but he isn't making a face like he's that worried. He's certainly not going to miss the chance to say good-bye to Ryo. ]

But hey, you take care of yourself. It's good to be going home - this is how it should be.

[ Letting those who want to go, go. ]
mtsilver_conquor: (casual)

[personal profile] mtsilver_conquor 2022-02-14 09:19 am (UTC)(link)
Eva grins and reaches out to give the apple-like dragon a small scratch. "You look after him, alright?"

She wants to say he doesn't know that, but... That's her being an optimist in the face of reality's truth.

"Good, because I won't either and I know Satoru has access to resources I don't, so... Hopefully sooner than later." A sigh, then. "So... Want to say goodbye to everyone and get some pics as well?"
blitzcheer: (who needs an old man?)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 10:11 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, thanks!" He wasn't expecting the guy to say that - that he'll be thinking of him - but the gesture is nice. "I'll be fine. You take care of you, too. And the city! And... I hope the people are there that you're missing."

A little softer, spoken with a nod. Who Otoha had been thinking about not so long ago, but maybe more.
mtsilver_conquor: (Default)

[personal profile] mtsilver_conquor 2022-02-14 10:12 am (UTC)(link)
"I look forward to it, however it happens." She really, really does.

Then a sigh as she rubs the back of her neck. "More like a lot of work and I don't know if that thing - that Eternatus- can be prevented." She'll have to get in contact with a Seer, probably, but the thought's tucked away for later. Traded for a teasing smirk.

And a surge of relief that he is taking Orion with him. "Senku, wherever you are, he'll be happy. You're his human after all. Can I say goodbye to him too?"
blitzcheer: (skip to end game pls)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
Huh. Life survive...?

"What's going on back there?" He's...pretty sure he's never heard about Thanatos's story. He's some God of Death that lives in some equivalent of the Farplane with a bunch of different houses, isn't he? "You sure you don't wanna take more? I can replace them."

Whatever he takes. Tidus would rather they go to a good cause than be left - especially since there'll be a stop before the next mission.
its_dad_sanzo: (sleeves)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2022-02-14 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou's been standing here watching all the farewells, but he's standing near enough to the train to perhaps show what his own decision is.

When he hears Buttercup, he tenses for a moment, then turns to look down at her.

"Well, choices are important," he says quietly. "Can I ask why?"

He'd been under the impression she had no one alive back home to go back to.
crowneddragon: (Soft_smile)

[personal profile] crowneddragon 2022-02-14 10:43 am (UTC)(link)
It's an attempt at levity, a small joke that really falls flat the moment that he utters it. He's not so much trying to flirt, but it sounds too close to one to work.

"Stand there an' look pretty?" The smile that it conjures up just last a handful of seconds, and Esteban has to shake his head at his own... They're too tense-- they all are, and he's not helping.

"We're gonna try an' get me through to the-- through whatever plane of existence the Train is on." Which is-- well, probably a repeat of whatever Kaiba had told him, now that he thinks about it. "We're just hopin' y' might work as a--" he's not going to say tether, there's already too much associated with it-- "an anchor for me t' come back to. Just in case."

He's not repeating what he'll do within that plane either. The less the others know about the risk, the better it is-- the easier it'll be to let him try. His gut is still churning molten lava, but Esteban cannot abandon his hope that he can help. Not now.

"Alright, Kaiba. Last check. What's needed from me?" The area is already as clear as they can get it to be; most of the suitcases pushed further into the train and tied as best they could-- it wouldn't do for another lurch to break their setup. It's not the best little lab they could have cobbled together, but it's decent enough, in Esteban's opinion at least, and most importantly, it's out of the way.

He's getting jittery with nerves, and it feels like his diaphragm is being pulled up to his shoulders by a string, but he's not going to let that stop him. (It's a good thing he hasn't eaten in a while, though, in his opinion).
Edited 2022-02-14 10:43 (UTC)
blitzcheer: (sry gtg)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2022-02-14 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
Can't stop won't stop, Idia. He's a bit surprised about Idia leaving his project behind, but hums, accepting it. It wasn't his business, though it did inspire a question - a question he'll have to wait on, as Idia asks his own, first.

Tidus shakes his head. "Nah. The train lost some good friends, so I won't go anywhere until they're back home too. I haven't got anything waiting for me there anyway."

At least, there's no body around to be sending people in a panic over.

"What about you? What're you returning to?"