VoidTrecker Express Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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voidtreckerexpress2022-03-01 05:33 am
voidtreckermods) wrote in voidtreckerexpress2022-03-01 05:33 am
Entry tags:
- alice liddell (am) [ou],
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- emet-selch [ou],
- esteban drake [ou],
- fai d flourite [ou],
- genjo sanzo [ou],
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- kairi [ou],
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- tidus [ou],
- yugi mutou [ou],
- zelda (oot) [ou],
- ~x~eli vanto [ou],
- ~x~peter parker [ou],
- ~x~senku ishigami [ou]
A New Platform [Intro Post March]
PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 17
(QUICKSAND)
(QUICKSAND)
BEFORE ARRIVAL
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.
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.
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.
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.
The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.
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.
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.
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!
¤ 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.
¤ 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.
¤ 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
no subject
stop auditing, nerd.]You can have the honours with chopping the pineapple. Let's see how it cooks and tastes, then we can pick a spice to go with it!
[ Tidus isn't a chef, but he can guess that much for starting with a food he's not that used to; also, he's touched a pineapple. Those things feel tough, so he'll leave the messy and hard work to Roland, thanks!
Which leaves getting out the simple but necessary ingredients for pancakes: flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, and milk. All ingredients easy to find in the kitchen close to one another, leaving Tidus to bring them together with a bowl to mix them in. He can guesstimate the amount of flower by now, and he just wants to get the mixture together - but there's hardly any rush. ]
You know Kairi's power from Diagad? Fruit making! I'm gonna ask her for a bunch for breakfast too. We can have smoothies and set some yoghurt pots overnight in the fridge.
no subject
But first! Prep! Time to - literally - roll up his sleeves and wash his hands. He multitasks well, listening as he moves about the space, tying up his hair even further up into a bun as he is won't to do when he's cooking. ]
Fruit making, eh? Huh. Some people have all the luck. [ Roland chuckles, finally grabbing the knife and trying to see the best way to cut his first pineapple. ] Any catch there? Bad side effects? A limit to what kind of fruit, or how many at a time?
[ Leave it to him to overthink it. Maybe he'll chop the leaves first- ah wait. This was going to get messy. Better get his trusty apron on first. THESE CLOTHES ARE NICE. ]
no subject
No, Tidus knows the use for that nice. ... but it's still a pick he wasn't expecting to see for the half-second he looks, a brow quirked before he inevitably returns to his portion of the pancake prepping. Good thing about this? All food made can go in his arms band for later consumption. ]
Not sure, [ he admits. ] I'm gonna ask. I figure she needs to know what the fruit is, right? But I'm just thinking about keeping the stocks up... of, are coconuts a fruit? Those were pretty good for breakfast time.
[ Roland, fussing over the good details; Tidus, thinking about everything without knowing what he'll have access to. The eggs get cracked in with measured milk, kept in their own jug for the time being. ]
Hmm... I wonder if we can cook the pancakes a lil, then stick in a pineapple ring? That'd be fun.
[ And cute. ]
no subject
[ The only murder happening today is the murder of this fruit-! Or something. ]
[ Also, don't mind him as his fancy strikes at the last second, giving Tidus a look, his eyes sparkling with some rare form of boyish mischief. He wonders how long it'll take...Roland feigns a certain expression well enough, directing his attention to the eyes of the pineapple. His knife cuts cleanly through the topmost portion, a loud thunk from the cutting board heard clearly. ]
And no, coconuts are nuts. It's in the name.
[ His poker face is tested well and true now. ]
no subject
Oh yeah, and that'll taste like pine-apple? [ Pah! He sounds dismissive, but inwardly, now his mind is at work. Weren't nuts all....nut-like? Was there another nut out there like a coconut with milk inside it, and all that? ...it was kind of tough, the white part.
....
....
whiskwhiskwhisk. ] So what other nuts are like a coconut?
[ baited. ]
no subject
[ He's going to expertly dart around that, just so it's more natural to keep at the joke. How far was he going to take this??? Far enough for the punchline. Never say the Chief Consul had no sense of humor! ]
[ Cut. CUUUUT. He's very rough with it, chopping more than he is slicing, and with his kind of knife? It's an easy task. The skin itself was way too thick to even peel like he would a normal, fist-sized fruit, so he does the same motion with it. Chopping roughly until most of the pineapple's eyes are revealed, embedded into the yellow meat. His prediction of the mess to come was also accurate, pineapple juice squirting here and there, though this doesn't make him flinch as much as the thuds of his knife. It lacks finesse, but it's progress! ]
Walnuts.
[ Straight-faced. He only has to cut the bottom section of the pineapple so he can begin to slice it into the rings Tidus needs. ] They're like smaller coconuts, except their insides aren't white.
[ He's going to run out of punchlines pretty soon, but he'll be damned if his own joke buries him!! He will not laugh!! ]
no subject
Wait- [ No no, Tidus needs to think about this information. ] But walnuts don't stick to the shell, right? And coconuts are bigger! [ But, he's not really protesting that a coconut is a nut with this. He's trying to think of any fruit or food with a hard shell that isn't a nut, and he isn't quite getting anywhere.
Uhh. ] Okaaay, so a coconut's a nut. But it'll still be good grated up. And we can use the milk for something.
[ He's got the pieces together to finish the batter, but for now he takes his attention - and the ingredients - over to the other parts: setting the frying pan on ready, and finding and grabbing the spices.
Let's put them to the side, ready, and walks over to Roland and his growing collection of pineapple rings...! ]
no subject
[ He laughs quietly, holding up a pineapple ring with two fingers. He eats it cleanly in one go, and nods in approval before speaking again. ]
Coconuts are fruits. Walnuts are nuts. Heh.
[ He slices more until 3/4ths of the pineapple are cut into a variety of rings; some he cuts into chunks, the rest, remain untouched. The closest ring, he offers to Tidus, though now his face contorts somewhat as the full flavor profile of the pineapple comes to light. ]
Oh boy. A little tart at the end, there. I hope this doesn't make my tongue itchy...
no subject
[ WHAT.
He's been betrayed!! Betrayed!! His face expressing this betrayal with wide eyes, and Tidus's hands hover up, not knowing what to do until he gives Roland a (light) jab of the arm. ] Y'think you're funny?!
[ Excuse us here, but Tidus needs to get out his mini-tantrum here, where he looks like he wants to or is trying to start something, but is just making dramatic movements in place. BUT Y'WANNA GO?? HE'LL GO, HE'S READY. COME ON LET'S GO, OLD MAN.
Speaking of: ] Hope it does. That's what you get!
[ YEAH, HE'S FULL ON MATURE. And he's eating some of that pineapple himself!! Give him this pineapple, it's time to take it over to the stovetops! All the while dramatically grumbling about 'you can't ask anything around here'. Huff!
But it's time to add in a ring, sprinkling in some cinnamon, and - maybe he should add in some brown sugar early? Let's see how it goes, the oil already sizzling as the FRUIT goes in. ]
no subject
Well, made you think about it at least. [ He wipes his hand on his apron and approaches Tidus's flurry of activity trying to make pineapple flapjacks, doing his utmost not to smile any wider than her already is. At least he thought his joke was funny! ] Alright, peace offering? I'd rather not suffer an itchy tongue any time soon. What are you doing now, and how can I help?
[ He's not tall enough to peer over Tidus's shoulder per se, so he's just hovering close, hoping the old man that he is can be forgiven for this FRUITFUL undertaking. ]
no subject
[ Follow his instruction! Tidus is clearly seeing what the pineapple will taste like if they cook it first, which'll be more fussy, but - they can always make a few batches and then store them ready, if this turns out yummier than the simple 'stick a pineapple in the middle' option. ]
no subject
[ See, he's listening!! And following orders, as the new pancake master takes his place in the kitchen. The pan starts to heat up with oil, and he lifts the batter to pour evenly against the skillet. By now, he's gotten used to cooking this, so Roland dutifully waits till the bubbles appear on the surface as instructed, before taking the pineapple and putting it on the wet batter.
...He tilts his head somewhat and has an idea. Might not be too brilliant, but no better time than now, right? Roland carefully lets go of the bowl and sticks his hand inside his pocket, reaching for the clicker. ]
Let's see.
[ The soft click of the pen is accompanied by his eyes drifting to a gentle close, and all at once, he's taken into his own mind, seeing the rest of the world darken while he attempts to predict what would give him the best results. Roland's brows furrow deep, and after a few seconds of waiting and inner struggle, he clicks his teeth with the back of his tongue and opens his eyes again. ]
Okay, so. Do this? [ He takes the batter again and pours some over the pineapple in the middle, sandwiching it in between. He flips the pancake over, and thankfully, it isn't too burnt on the other side. Roland breathes evenly, a slight stagger in his step. ] That should be the best way to cook that. I hope.
[ Start small! ]
no subject
So is Tidus's brief puzzlement when he first hears the click and looks over, an oddity that makes his brow furrow. But it's one of those oddities that you don't question for too long, or just in your own head, immediately. Like wow, a guy like Roland can't live without a pen in his hand, huh?
Dork. Heh heh.
But he's got his pancake to worry about too, testing that the bottom has firmed up by experience than by his third eye. There's some weight to the pancake as he flips it around, but not too much, and he's relieved to see it flip decently on him.
(Especially with a certain someone around!))
He does look over when Roland speaks though, a small 'huh' in his throat, but: ] Yeah, you got it! Y'know, the best part is gonna be taste-testing these.
[ Just in case you forgot at all. Is Tidus starting to think about his stomach?
You bet he is. ]
oops sorry about that formatting problem
[ It's not a jab or anything, more of Roland wondering what else they could do to make their flapjacks tastier. It's become part of their routine to experiment with ingredients provided, both foreign and familiar. And if his momentary expedition to Evermore taught him anything, it's that he can always count on the presence of a dear friend to remind him about living in the moment. ]
Guess we'll only find out once we try it. This one is good to go.
[ FLIP WITH ONE ARM! And it succeeds, with some minor bleed from the wet edge. But it's a whole pancake nevertheless, and it slides cleanly into the provided plate with Tidus's own experiment. ]
it's ok!!
[ If there's more they want to do with them, then they can discover that with a taste test. For now, Tidus is checking the possible-flippancy of his own pancake, giving the frying pan a shuffle to see the pancake's movement. Good, it's got some, which means...
Tidus Toss!! And there it goes, doing its flip into the frying pan to Tidus's beaming grin and chuckle for a laugh; before, oh right, serving it up. Time to settle it right next to Roland's! ]
We shouldn't stick too much into the pancakes, in case of allergies or whatever, right? But we can crush up some nuts for sprinkling. Yoghurt's great with pancakes - and the right sauce!
[ What will go with pancakes? Tidus is picking up a fork, ready to take a bite. ]
no subject
I've never had yoghurt and pancakes before. We just ate ours with butter and syrup. And sometimes sprinkles. Is that a favorite of yours?
[ Another fork is in Roland's possession, cutting off a piece from the opposite end. He gets a rather thick chunk, with the pineapple quite obviously dangling from the incision. ]