VoidTrecker Express Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
voidtreckermods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
voidtreckerexpress2022-02-12 07:08 am
voidtreckermods) wrote in voidtreckerexpress2022-02-12 07:08 am
No Place Like Home: On the Train
ANNOUNCEMENT
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. ]
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.
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.
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:
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.
no subject
I think the question is there being two - and would I be snuffing that one out like a candle. Thing is? I know they'll be fine. I know that that Amaya will guard them with her very life. But they're clever, and determined. And keep good people close.
She pauses, eyes focusing on the long distance for a long moment before her hands move again.
In the end, I think it's like a coin flip. I don't know if I can answer the question without just guessing.
no subject
"You sh'ld guess, while aimin' for your own happiness." He has a brief moment of reaching for her hand to squeeze it, a gesture meant to be simple and comforting, but he hesitates as he realizes that it would stop her from speaking up.
It-- it sucks now that he realizes it; because Esteban is absolutely the kind of person who offers hugs and holds, touching others in his affections. But he can't-- her hands, her arms are her tools to communicate, he might be in her way if he reaches for her shoulders. It's-- the disappointment is palpable, the blue of his eyes turning up from her hands to her eyes, wide and his expression dropping. He stays back, even though he wants to reach out. Crosses his arms across his chest, hands curved into fists.
{Love} There is a pause as he tries to formulate what he is trying to say, but now, now his thoughts are running empty and all he can do, is try, try to gesture at the words that feel so shallow in his brain. {I-want-you-happy-I. I-love-you-I.}
It's so clumsy, like a child reaching out to their parent, more than anything. He wants her happy. And for her happiness, for Amaya's happiness-- he does think she needs to go home. Even if he'll miss her. Even if he'll miss her so damn much.
no subject
So she decides to cut out the middleman on this conversation - to wit, all that complex stuff. So she just opens her arms, gesturing with both hands. Get in there, kiddo. She's going to hug the hell out of you.
no subject
He's not-- This wasn't a goodbye he expected.
Sure, the one-hour-before-departure is bad, and Esteban himself is the one telling Amaya that she should be on her way, rather than her deciding it on her own-- he still thinks she should, her nephews are too important to miss out on, and this just might be her one chance, her only chance. But he hadn't... thought about it.
He hadn't thought about it.
He's the touchy-feely kind, so his hug is long and very tight. He grins when they break away, bright and sunny.
He's selfish, inside, always wanting more from the people he surrounds himself with. He's selfish, inside, hoarding every second he has with them more preciously than gold or diamonds. He's selfish, inside, to already be missing her when she's right in front of him. He's selfish, inside.
But he's more assured when he signs it this time, smile never fading.
{Amaya! I-want-you-happy-I.} Well, he doesn't know the sign for very, but he exaggerates the 'big' enough that he thinks she'll understand well enough. {Big-big-big-happy!} So.
So.
{You-happy-how-you?} "What do you want t' do?" He'll help her. No matter what her choices are. He'll help her.
no subject
You've got a good heart, kid, she signs, with an arched eyebrow. I'll find big big happy, no matter where I go, don't you worry. The future is what you make of it, right?
She pauses, and winks before signing again.
Even if I end up just flipping a coin and letting fate decide.
no subject
And hey. Maybe, maybe, maybe Esteban can hold onto the hope that they might meet again someday. He can't put a lot of faith into it-- knows how dangerous it is. But maybe he can start believing in people just a bit more. (It's a difficult thought; one he's not so sure he can pull off-- but Esteban loves people, loves them carelessly, loves them recklessly, and if this keeps him going, well... Maybe he can afford to hope. At least-- at least for some time.)
"An' I'll be on your side. Whichever way this goes, I'll be on your side." He can't really well offer more now, unsure what is coming next, but he wants her to know that much. He's already implied it, though maybe not so clearly, so even though he wishes he knew the signs for it, he relents and lets her read, not only his lips, but his expression as well. His determination.
If he is near her-- if he is able to help--
Esteban will be there, if she ever needs him.