voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post March]

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

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[ There's an immediate reaction to Lan Xichen's smile, Jiang Cheng's eyes dragging over him quickly before he tries to swallow back the weight of his own sudden emotion, pushing it down and trying to maintain his control over his empathy.

Shifting a little, he steps closer and glances at the chair. It would be rude to refuse now, which he's sure is part of a trap, and he settles down and forces himself to sit.

... Did Xichen call him pretty? He refuses to think about it. ]

Since you asked, fine. [ He resists the urge to cross his arms. ] If you really want to.

[xichen catches that jiang wanyin does look and while there's a faint flush to his neck, he offers another smile.

it brightens as he sits, if only subtly.] I did ask and now that you are sitting, it would be a waste not to. [but is he feeling a little smug and proud of himself, perhaps. he pulls out a fresh piece of paper, setting a sketch of lotus pier from memory down on the floor beside him.

on the clean paper, he can start his outline.]

[ It feels inappropriate, somehow, to have these strange, wanting thoughts about someone he so deeply respects, someone who he has held the highest regard for - for so long. It doesn't help that Wei Wuxian is an endless bully, tangling his thoughts and emotions almost too much.

Crossing his arms, he leans back, playing at irritated anger even when there's a soft spark of something warm inside of him. ]

A waste, hm? [ He shakes his head. ] Nonsense.

Far from it. [xichen says without missing a beat, the hint of a small smirk tugging the corners of his lips upward as he glances at his page and focuses on the outline of the man he is drawing.] Though if it would help, consider it doing me a favor.

[ Leaning back, he crosses his arms over his chest - before he realises that might upset the picture and lets his arms drop down slowly. ]

Fine. Then you owe me something in return in the future, I suppose.

Of course. I always repay my debts. [a promise easily given, as he glances from paper to jiang wanyin before him.] Can I make a request? Turn your head to the side for me?

Of that I have no doubt. [ He frowns, shifting a little, before he rolls his eyes and adjusts the position of his head. ] Better?

Don't take too long in considering how you wish to be repaid. [this time a bit softer, teasing.

xichen glances up from the paper once again and nods.] Good. [he offers a brighter smile, pleased with himself.]

It will come at a time where it is most obvious. [ Meaning - he will recall the favour when he needs it, thanks.

But the smile makes Jiang Cheng's heart feel funny, and he has to try and grip control of empathy before it overwhelms him. ]

How long will this take?

[the soft smile that xichen still offers if filled with amusement, as he looks down at his sketch. it's coming together, slowly for some but he is making due with a subject who seems to struggle to sit still before him.]

Patience has its rewards, Jiang Wanyin. If you do not wish to wait for the rest of it, I can deliver the final product at a later time. [then he can put more effort into it, perhaps use his paints. for the time being, the sketch of the man before him is already taking shape.]

[ He's about to reply when he notes the sudden use of his name, and for a moment he hesitates, staring at Xichen. There's a rather sudden smell of lotus that floats around them before he grits his teeth and forces things back under the control. ]

I can wait - I can be patient. [ He scowls, but soon tries to school his face back into a proper position. ]

[ and oh, the smell returns. it is pleasant, a soothing hint of lotus that both calms and intrigues, has xichen feeling flustered as it encircles him and emboldened at the same time.

then it is gone. and yet-- ] Did you smell that? The lotuses? [ he has stopped sketching. ]

[ Jiang Cheng's eyes widen for a moment and he swallows, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, trying not to let himself look frustrated.

He also doubles down his control over his empathy. ] No. I don't smell anything.

Are you certain? [ xichen's brows knit closer together. he tilts his head. ] It was nearly as strong as it had been on the boat in Lotus Pier. [ they'd been so close to the flowers then, it had made sense.

here, now, there are no lotus pods in sight. ]

I'm sure. [ Jiang Cheng's voice is low, careful. He's pushing himself hard to muster up some control over his Empathy, but clearly it isn't working.

At least Xichen hasn't made the connection yet. ] I can't smell anything.

[ it is tempting to press again, but xichen nods as if admitting defeat. ] So strange that I spelt it then.

[ he turns to his sketch, lifts the pencil once again to sketch lines and details. ] It was a very pleasant scent. [ one he hopes to catch again, actually. ]

It's the smell of home.

[ Jiang Cheng leans back, trying to look more relaxed, as if it doesn't bother him at all, but he's not sure he is particularly successful in the effort.

He's not performing particularly well. ]

How much longer do you need?

It's pleasant. [ he sounds fond as he says it, a little pleased.

xichen sets his pencil down and then lifts the page, offering jiang wanyin a view of what he's created. a sketch of his sharp lines and soft edges, not polished like lan xichen's landscapes but drawn by a talented hand who's watched his subject closely. ]

Oh. [ He's really not sure what he should say to that. Lotus has always been nice to him, but...

Hesitating, he leans back and looks at the picture. It's a little intense, so he swallows and pushes the strange feelings away. ] It's... Accurate.

[ he offers jiang wanyin a gentle smile, nodding a little. ] I will take that as a compliment.

Do you wish to keep it? [ he asks, holding out the drawing still. ]

Take it however you want.

[ The notion of a gift makes him balk, though, and he shakes his head. ]

Keep it or throw it away. I don't need it.

[ xichen frowns at that, blinking slowly before the he's hit a second time with a harshness he did not expect.

he nods at that, taking the drawing back to add it to the pile of complete sketches he plans to keep. ] I'll hold on to it then. Thank you for indulging me, Jiang Wanyin.

[ Jiang Cheng recognises a mistake when he sees one, and he winces a little, turning his head away to hide his expression. ]

No, I... Thank you.

For making you sit for me? [ he tilts his head, curious then and an amused smile creeps back on to his features. lan xichen is not one to frown for long. ]

For the company, Zewu-jun. [ A small nod of his head, and a just-there smile to go with it. ]

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calmness - 2022-05-10 20:44 (UTC) - Expand

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