voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-03-01 05:33 am

A New Platform [Intro Post March]


PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 17
(QUICKSAND)



BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day 1 of the month of Quicksand. Points have been updated on the system."

The voice of the Voidtrecker Express welcomes passengers at the same time as always, sometime after breakfast. With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later, as the colours of the void outside the windows blur more and more.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. The weather is cold and damp. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A lurch and a jolt, and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform.

ON THE PLATFORM


1. THE ARRIVAL

At first, all your character can see is steam billowing around them as they come to their senses. But as their eyes adjust, they find themselves on a platform.
It is cold, a slush of ice and rain on the ground underneath their feet. It's not currently raining though. The platform is made of black cobbles, slippy under their feet, dark stone gates serving as barriers giving the impression of a severe and grim place.

They stand in clothes not their own, in a style they might not even recognise. They're carrying a rucksack on their person, and for a moment it seems to just be them, alone on this platform. Before the fog starts to subside, and they'll see they're one of eleven figures: all facing the tracks, and all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies, the latter in one of four colours. Purple, red, blue or orange.

But then there's a roaring sound to get their attention, and out from the fog arrives a train. A sleek black, it it reads The Voidtrecker Express in gold lettering on the side. Every one of the doors hiss as they open automatically, and out pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. Some are human, some less so, with a majority wearing the same hoodie of four colours as they do, though some sport outfits in a variety of styles.

The train doors close behind them, and the vehicle is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform. A group of people head towards the gates of the platform, their expressions blank and unaffected by their surroundings. Ansem, Connor, Curufin, Elle Days, Freddy Fazbear, Margulis, Murderbot, Potato, Vexen, Will Stanton and Yota They disappear through the barriers, but no one else can - all people can do is wait until the train re-emerges, finishing whatever changes it's making.


2. BOARDING THE TRAIN

After a short time, perhaps ten minutes or so, the fog clears and the doors hiss open again. Everyone will feel a pull when they do, a need to board, and those from the train may encourage new arrivals to board. This feeling grows into one of apprehension and turns worse the longer they stay off-board.

For those that do board, they may find themselves in a few different carriages, but most likely the standard coach. A row of seats sit available, with a few tables between each. More likely than not, some cookies have been set out with jugs of drink, and cups available for pouring.

For those that don't, however, they're likely to attract attention if they're spotted. And if that fails... an unfortunate end will await them.


3. DEPARTURE

Do a little exploring, if you will. But people will have half an hour total from the train's arrival before a second horn sounds, encouraging any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air to board. After five minutes from this, the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train begins to rumble with activity, and the platform starts to disappear into a fog as the voidcraft moves. A female-coded artificial voice echoes throughout the train.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express. 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.


ON THE TRAIN


1. EXPLORING

With nowhere to go but through the train's carriages, this is a good time for newcomers to explore. For veterans, it's back to your everyday life aboard the Voidtrecker Express.

¤ New arrivals will notice a screen and console in every carriage sharing the same message, and a stack of leaflets in holders by them offering further information to the curious (see 'Publications'). There are lavatories available on each carriage on one end, with another console with a deposit box under it at the other. This is the train shop.

¤ It'll take some time for newbies to figure out the layout, even if there's only two directions to go in. Go one end, and you'll find the food stores and washing utilities. This month's key ingredient is pineapple, and you're sure to bump into others curious about what's in the stock.

¤ Go to the other end, and you'll find the sleeper cabins. Plaques sit on the wall by each door with the names of their occupants, and one of these will be yours - hopefully, they'll figure out that swiping their ticket against the doorpad will open it up to them. 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.

¤ At the farthest end in this direction is the luggage carriage, where passengers who have bought items from the train shop will find their purchases. There are also medical kits for every one, each labelled with their full roster name. These are scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags, but there's also a small fridge and kettle here with bottled water, for those who want a quiet drink.

For those of Purple team who go looking for their reward they will find simple boxes of cupcakes to share out. There's a cupcake for all of purple team, even the new arrivals, share in your new team's success!


2. ACTIVITIES

But of course, there's also everything in-between those two directions, and the people in them.

¤ Areas of note will be the training gym, where there's always regulars training to pass the time. There's a training board offering services, but maybe you'll find someone who catches your eye in here. Or even its gear?

¤ Is your character used to the appliances to be found in the kitchen? Depending on when your character wanders in, they may find someone testing out a recipe, preparing for lunch, or even dinner time.

¤ The library offers a quiet place, with a fair selection of books from fiction to non-fiction. Is your character interested in learning more about the void? Picking up an action or adventure book? Wow, there sure are a few magazines.

¤ There's also media to consume, from the games car, the cinema, to the arts carriage. Ever played a virtual reality game? Wanted to learn how to fly? Have you seen a screen of moving pictures? There's now documentaries to be found in the cinema's catalogues, from How To programming, Void-related topics, and sports.


3. REST AND SLEEP

¤ Time is difficult to track in the void, even with the few clocks around showing a 21 hour time. But the windows allowing a view of the kalediscope void will shift to a pitch black once the time reaches 12, and keep for the rest of the day.

¤ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner time is usually announced by whoever's cooking that day, and when. Sometimes it's decided by the team chores; other times, it's decided by who wants to be cooking.

¤ But sleep eventually comes to all, even if they don't want it to. When 21 hours have finally passed on the train, all passengers, whether they need sleep or not, will see black - only to start a new day in their cabin beds, with the sound of the train's automated voice greeting them with a 'Good morning' message.


NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS
apokroteo: (pic#15480225)

emet-selch (ffxiv)

[personal profile] apokroteo 2022-03-01 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
« ARRIVAL
The first thing one might note about Emet-Selch is that he is tall. Lumbering at almost six and a half feet, it's clear as he stands in the platform that he is heads - literally - above the rest, and his dissatisfaction is painted across his face as he reaches down, pinching at the red hoodie he now seems to be wearing. The way he looks at his trousers also is clearly not quite up to his satisfaction if the look he gives them is anything to go by.

He spends a little time hovering outside of the train itself, not daring to go inside, just staring at people and drinking them in. It's clear that this place is far different from the one that he knows, so far adrift from the familiar that nothing seems to quite make sense. If he squints it is only because he is trying to make sense of it: no other reason.

There are other figures, but he bites his tongue as he moves forward, beginning to make his way through the crowd, as it were, to follow what little sparks seem familiar. While he doesn't seem like the type to stop and talk at the moment - a touch more determined than most, compared to what might be considered the normal anxious - he can be drawn into conversation, should someone catch his attention.
« DEPARTURE / ON THE TRAIN
While Emet is quite certain of his immortality (he has been brought here, after all, and managed to survive) he does not have any reason to hover on the platform and any attempt to teleport away to freedom has thus far failed him - so the final option for him is to simply play along and watch to see what might happen to him when the future dawns. For that reason he slips onto the train, expression still one of tight, controlled boredom.

During his explorations he can be found in a number of different places across the train itself - the kitchen, looking at whatever food is avaliable; the greenhouse, sitting quietly and staring at seemingly nothing; the quiet coach, book in hand or in the fiction library, browsing the stores. He does not seem particularly upset at the notion of being approached, but otherwise appears content to ignore most of the other passengers, as if he has somehow become invisible in his time on the train.

The place he spends the longest in is the cinema, enjoying the wealth of free entertainment, fiction and theatre that has long since been out of reach.
« REST (ROOMMATES)
Emet eventually makes his way to the place he's supposedly staying, and he does not look particularly impressed with his accomodations - especially given the mask he tucks away in whatever seems like the most avaliable bed in the room. He already feels as though he will be too tall for the tiny cots that he's been given and were he not already somewhat aware of the limitations - enforced sleep ought not to be something he is so irritated about - he would try and rest elsewhere.

The garden, perhaps, or one of the quiet carriages, somewhere where his legs would not feel so entirely cramped up.

Eventually, he settles down to sit against a wall, tilting his head and almost closing his eyes, deep in thought and some kind of long consideration.
« OH MY GOD THEY WERE ROOMMATES (closed to pahja)
One time the door opens he barely opens his eyes, already well aware of who has dared to disturb his peace; the particular flavour of her soul is not one he would soon forget, not when it was hardly any length of time since he last bore witness to it. It feels as familiar as breathing in air, so it comes as no surprise that she has tracked him down already. The moment he knew she was here as well, found her spirit in the ocean of colours, the time began to count down.

The door opens and she is there, standing before him, wearing her own equally ridiculous hooded shirt. It makes him want to scowl.

Of course, he is not going to make it easy on her: he does not stand, nor does he make any effort to move whatsoever. Instead, he stays in position, leaning against the wall, waiting to see what sort of reaction she might offer him this day. Emet-Selch does not expect kindness, nor anything particularly gentle, not with all that he has done, but he doubts she intends a fight now, after all that had happened.

He believes it to be so, at least.
healerscorned: (What the bloody 'ell)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-03-01 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Well at least now I know the name of the magic train that bloody kidnapped me. That's a real help there.
redmeguca: (The rare happy Kyoko.)

New rooms

[personal profile] redmeguca 2022-03-01 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[Kyoko does, in fact, show up. She gets to work setting up the overhead bed, and nods in satisfaction when she's done.]

Alright, it was getting a bit crowded in my old cabin. This is better.

[With that said, she fishes out Momo's pokeball and lets her out on the top bed. The Growlithe sniffs at the bed for a moment before flopping down on the pillow.]
invigorates: (I can't handle all this pulp.)

[personal profile] invigorates 2022-03-01 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mm." A soft hum of affirmation, Lioriley tipped her head back slightly to look up at the man that had addressed her. She had seen him when getting off the train earlier, and had wondered if his eyes were closed in denial and refusal to see what was in front of him, or simply because he could not open them. Seemed more the latter now.

"The large vehicle before us is called a train. Capable of carrying its passengers through the void and to many distant worlds. We must step aboard it, lest we be left behind." She hoped she didn't have to spell out what happened, but inhaled deep and prepared for it if she did.
elevatoravatar: (Summoner Liz)

Elizabeth

[personal profile] elevatoravatar 2022-03-01 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Platform

The door from the sea of the soul opened and Liz walked out. In.... Orange? Was the gig up? Had she finally been caught? Well, she had been horribly negligent with her job so with a sigh she looked around. Some form of train platform? A prison train? She did have a bag, and it had his persona compendium in it among other things. Carefully taking it out she let out a breath.

"How bothersome, I do not believe I can do what I need in prison. Still, perhaps this is another needed lesson."

Sleeper Upper 3, Cabin C

Somehow Elizabeth has found her room. Gods have mercy on her room mates. Still she is sitting on, an invisible chair, surveying the scene.

"Vel~ Vel vel~ Velveto....~"

Exploring

No one knows how she got there, or why she is even there, but she is in the engineering/sciences area.

"Theodore? Are you hiding here? Is this your doing?"

Pondering this she starts sticking her nose in everything, not breaking it, but generally being in the way if anyone is trying SCIENCE! at the moment.

"Perhaps this is some other form of combination like that Victor fellow did."
healerscorned: (Taking a break)

A different platform

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-03-01 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Whoa, what's got you so worked up? That's the kind of strut that only someone who's in a deep funk's got.
fivemilesdeep: (Excuse me wtf r u doin)

Kitchen, kind of wildcard

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2022-03-01 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Ryo tends not to pick up his purchases until well after the train takes off, because who wants to be stuck in the luggage car where things could fall over on you? So he doesn't make it to the kitchen until after takeoff, opening his meal box on the counter and pulling out the recipe cards. Muffins, he recognizes and understands, and he sets that card down. Cinnamon rolls are new, but they look simple enough, and he sets that card down too. The third, he simply stares at, reading it like it's in a foreign language.

What, exactly, is a profiterole?

Rereading the card doesn't exactly help - it gives him the instructions, sure, but this is beyond what he's tried to do before in terms of baking, and he's starting to get a bit worried. Normally he'd ask Mami for help, but...well, Mami isn't here. Mami left a long time ago.

So what is he supposed to do?

This is a teenager, taking up a bit more counter space than he probably should with his train-purchased box of ingredients, staring at a recipe card like it's an ancient philosophy text. Please help.
10billionpercent: (I Sense A Plot)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2022-03-01 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He'd noticed Rezo when he came in, but aside from glancing up briefly while he looks around, he hadn't really moved. It's not really his inventory, it was all communal things, he wasn't going to ask unnecessary questions. ]

That's right. [ Senku confirms with a nod and tucks a bookmark into his book. He happens to be reading Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, by Isaac Newton. ]

There's one that's geared more towards trama near the luggage car because on evacuation we end up there.
redprayer: (feeling like a fool again)

[personal profile] redprayer 2022-03-01 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
While Rezo’s conception of the void and of other worlds may be different from how they apply to the train, he has read of such things and even worked with pocket dimensions before. The explanation is strange, but not impossible.

Rezo exhales and runs his thumb across the ticket in his hand.. He has little reason to trust this woman, or this situation, but he also has little to lose by doing so. At least, not anything he wasn’t already prepared to give up.

“It is terribly cold out here, isn’t it?” He makes himself smile. “If it’s warmer on board the 'train,' perhaps we should get on before we lose our fingers and toes.”
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217777)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-03-01 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
H-huh?! I…

[Ruby hangs her head at that]

Everything. My world is a mess and… and I couldn’t do anything about it and it felt like no one cared…
xue_yang: (Angry)

Xue Yang | Red Team

[personal profile] xue_yang 2022-03-01 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Waking up in a Strange place
He definitely doesn't remember putting himself inside a suitcase but that is definitely where he is waking up. He pushes the case open and sits up, stretching out as if he has been curled up in an uncomfortable position for awhile.

He sits up and looks around, noticing where he is. "What the hell..." He doesn't really appreciate being jerked around by the train.

Platform
He makes it outside eventually and is very displeased by what he sees. His fingers curl into a fist as he watches the people exiting the platform. There are only a handful of people on this train that treated him with any kind of civility and one of them just left. Perhaps the person he has known on this train the longest.

His first connects with the train, knowing that it won't do any good but still wanting to let out his frustrations at something. It usually doesn't bode well for people who disappoint him. The train is lucky it can't actually be fully harmed.

"There is no point in getting close to anyone here."

Garden car
Now that he has figured out he has been missing for a couple weeks and didn't just randomly wake up in the luggage car after one night, he figures he needs to check on the plants he has been caring for. With any luck there will be people who at least watered them while he was gone.

He wanders into the area where they are kept and bends over them to get a closer look. "Doesn't look like you need my help at all." Everything appears to still be growing like it should.

Wildcard
[Feel free to encounter him beating things up in the training car or anywhere else on train.]
another_moon: (Default)

Re: New rooms

[personal profile] another_moon 2022-03-01 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, hello! I didn’t know you had this!

[Usagi looks in awe at the Growlithe.]
invigorates: On a sushi? (How am I supposed to watch anime)

[personal profile] invigorates 2022-03-01 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Was it? Lioriley did not feel the cold - had not felt it in centuries at this point thanks to her alchemy-aligned soul and the boon of growing up in the mountains. A quick glance around suggested it might be; dark and dreary as it was.

"I can assure you that it is far more comfortable, yes." She replied, her own smile bright and evident enough even for those that could not see it. Carefully, she reached out to tap her fingers against his arm as if trying to get his attention, making sure to rest against fabric instead of skin so she didn't startle him too much; giving a little nudge. "The doors are open and time is short before we depart." A beat. Then: "My name is Lioriley - I apologize if my warnings seem so ominous."
stabgremlin: (96)

exploring; kitchens

[personal profile] stabgremlin 2022-03-01 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
When Aden was hurting somewhere, he cooked. When he was bored, he cooked. When his mind was preoccupied with things and he needed to sort through his thoughts, he cooked. When he was happy, or angry, or feeling any emotion in between, he cooked. In his youth, he'd been told there was nothing a good meal couldn't fix.

That had since been thoroughly disproven, but still cooking and eating was his answer to just about anything. And a good meal did usually manage to brighten his day, even when everything remained rather sideways regardless.

A slight degree of mood improvement was better than nothing and it was why he'd more or less set up camp in the kitchen and could be found there when there weren't more pressing concerns to worry about and sometimes even when there were more pressing concerns to worry about, depending.

"Not done is what it is," He replied, long since having become aware that he was no longer alone in the kitchen. He was a professional at sneaking up on people, and so he was also a professional at knowing when people were trying to sneak up on him.

Whether or not this was someone new or simply someone he hadn't met yet was difficult to know- after all, he was still relatively new himself, and certain that he hadn't met everyone there was to meet yet.

"If you sit down to wait it'll be done soon though."
healerscorned: (Default)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-03-01 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I'm willing to lend an ear. I'm new, I'll admit, but maybe new's what you need. A fresh perspective from someone who doesn't already have their own idea of what you're like.

[That's what Dromarch'd say, probably.]
kingsquest: Don’t Know All The Dance Moves To National Anthem (New Study Finds 85% Of Americans)

[personal profile] kingsquest 2022-03-01 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not done? Never heard of that before. Come up with the name yourself?" Alistair replied with a grin, taking one more big, pointed inhale of whatever Aden was cooking before he turned slightly and leaned back against the countertop, arms folded over his broad chest.

"Never been very good at waiting." He mused, having surely already made that abundantly clear in he way his heel idly tapped against the cabinet behind him, legs crossed at the ankles. "Especially not when something smells that good."
redmeguca: (U-uh...)

[personal profile] redmeguca 2022-03-01 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Wait, have I seriously not introduced you to Momo? Man, I owe her an apology. I've really been letting myself slip ever since I got her a pokeball.

[Momo jumps off the pillow, right onto Kyoko's head, and stays there.]

Ack! Come on Momo, you're gonna be way too big for this when you evolve!
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217772)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-03-01 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ruby blinked at that, then nodded, a small smile forming]

This train, before it picked everyone up, tried to send people back to where they belong. I took it up because I needed to get back to where I was and when I did… I… I found out that everything fell apart without me around. The places my friends and I were trying to save were destroyed…
another_moon: (pic#15004451)

[personal profile] another_moon 2022-03-01 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
No, I had no idea! This is the first time I’ve seen her! Momo, right?

[And she’ll reach over to pick her up.]

Come here, you…!
healerscorned: (Is this really Elysium?)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-03-01 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
That's... Well, it makes me glad my group's already dealt with Malos, that's for sure. How destroyed are we talking here?
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217776)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-03-01 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
There was a floating city and a city inside the crater it came from. The former fell on the latter…
redmeguca: (Obligatory SHAFT head tilt)

[personal profile] redmeguca 2022-03-01 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[Momo sniffs Usagi before letting herself be picked up. This one meets approval.]

Grow!

Heh, seems like she likes you.
another_moon: (pic#15004451)

[personal profile] another_moon 2022-03-01 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I hope so, since we’re gonna be spending our time together!

[And she coos at Momo]

Isn’t that right?
flameinthedarkness: (Grin 02)

Idia Shroud | Orange Team | OTA

[personal profile] flameinthedarkness 2022-03-01 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I – Platform
Idia always hated this part, having to get up early to go and see if anyone interesting showed up or left, though in a way he’s a little annoyed at some leaving. They seemed… interesting. He had wanted to get to know Connor and that giant walking robot bear better, just to see how they worked, and Vexen was interesting to talk to from across the Lab, Idia knowing the other man had difficulties with Idia’s fire hair…

He will stay long enough to see what is happening, before shuffling off hopefully before he’s noticed by anyone…

II – Luggage Carriage
Yes. Yes! It was here! He had finally got enough points to buy it! In a way Idia had wished he got something else, his headphones, or his tablet, but considering what he had been building in the Lab, he had needed this more. His Ignihyde dorm uniform from school. Finally he had something else to wear other than that horrible orange hoodie, but more importantly, he needed it while riding a broomstick, the magic infused fibres were designed to give some resistance to the elements, as well as magical attacks. It would be perfect on missions. Maybe he would even wear his hoodie under it…

He’s grinning happily as he pulls it out in the Luggage Carriage, checking it over to make sure all parts were with it. Wonderful! Pockets again! Lots of pockets to hold his tools! This was just what he needed!

III – Lab Carriage
There’s a good chance people coming and going will find Idia appearing to be floating in the air near the ceiling, his feet just hanging above the ground. In reality he was holding onto his broomstick he had finally made, testing it to make sure it took his weight and that wiggling back and forward wouldn’t dislodge it or anything from the air. There’s a faint blue glow that comes from within the rear of the ‘bristles’, light blue highlights that glowed against the dark surface, and a little fabric charm he had made to hang off it. The whole look had been modelled similar to what he had made for Ortho’s dorm body, it felt only right to have ‘him’ with Idia during this all, in some manner at least.

It seeming ok to him, he will drop back down to the floor, putting the broom back onto his desk where he’s working on it, checking it’s connections and that everything was working correctly.

IV – Cinema Carriage
For all the pain it had been to go home, to see he wasn’t needed, and to be brought back… Idia had discovered something; he could bring data back. And that meant he could bring media back. And he’s so happy about that! He had downloaded a bunch of manga to read, even a few offline games, but most importantly, new anime! Well, some old anime actually too, but new to him.

And if he’s going to watch it he’s going to set it up right; in the Cinema Carriage! Complete with snacks, of course, having made up some popcorn, both a savoury and sweet variety so he could pick and choose as he wanted, having taken a few ingredients from the kitchen car to help with that. Add in a drink and he was all set, already happily and excitedly enjoying the show ‘Love Sled’ that was playing on the screen, about a group of young girls taking part in a famous snow sledding race in which their sleds were pulled by magically controlled plushie toys. It was so good!

V – Wildcard
healerscorned: (Taking a break)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-03-01 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Suddenly losing a population center and a bunch of the people on it... That's a problem I know all too well.