voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-06-01 05:58 am

A New Platform [Intro Post June]


PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 18
(RABBIT)



BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day 16 of the month of Rabbit. 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 warm and sunny. 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. There are cobbles under their feet and they stand on a narrow platform at the bottom of a grassy verge. The verge is covered in blue flowers, giving the air a sweet smell.

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 two 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 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. Cipher Nine, Danny Phantom, Kitty Pryde, Link, Persephone, Roland Crane, Silvia Leafe
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, about 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.

a. 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.

b. 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 mushrooms, and you're sure to bump into others curious about what's in the stock.

c. 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.

d. 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. 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.

e. Of course there will be those interested in the new carriage. Finding their way they will come to a carriage with a corridor on one side and doors leading to the carriage itself. Once they enter they will find the carriage split into three dance spaces separated by sliding doors that can be pulled back to create a bigger space. There are no windows in this carriage and instead the outer wall is made of mirrors, with a bar running across it’s length. In each space there are a series of cubby holes, with simple ballet and tap shoes in various sizes. There are also some simple poi and dancing ribbons. All come in varieties of the team colours. There are speakers that connect to their SCAs, allowing them to play music through them.

Upstairs there is a stage, with rows of seats and a curtain. There are also speakers here so that music can accompany their performances. Above the stage there is a simple plaque. It reads. “Olivia’s Studio.”

DEPARTURE


Spend your time exploring, if you will. But people will have half an hour 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.


NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217779)

Ruby Rose | Purple Team | OTA

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
Dreaded Goodbyes

Ruby had started out the day in good spirits. She had plans and ideas and she had her “Free Hugs” sign ready to be used…

Then she saw who was leaving. Among the crowd was Kitty.

“No…” Ruby uttered in horror. She dropped her sign as she rushed to get out. “No no no…” She couldn’t leave, not when there was still so much they hadn’t figured out! It had to be a mistake!

“Kitty, NO!” In her panic to stop her, she tripped over her own two feet, landing on the platform was a thud. She heard her Aura shatter as her knee started to hurt - she forgot to fill up on Chroma - but, it didn’t matter. In her moment of weakness, Kitty walked away.

Ruby burst into tears at that. The heartache and pain from the rejection came roaring back as it mixed in with the grief of losing her.

Drowning Sorrows in Combat

Once the train disappeared into the void once more, Ruby disappeared into the training gym once more. Tossing aside a bag with extra uniforms, she set up a training dummy…

…and began punching it.

Her silver eyes narrowed as her awkward yet potent punches struck each one. Each one focused on people who made her life miserable. Who thought the suffering of others was funny. Who thought they were “protecting” people.

Which probably why her anger always came back to her.

“I didn’t want to be special! I just wanted to help people! Special gets you nothing in return!” Ruby shouted, her voice rising. “Dead friends, dead worlds, evil always winning… WHAT’S THE POINT?!”

The last bit was punctuated by her silver eyes shining, unleashing the power inside, blasting the dummy before she slumped to her knees.

“What’s the point… when we can never win…?”

Wildcard?

(OoC: Want something happier? Somewhere else? Hit me up!)
unrecovered: (Face: You're a kitty)

Wash | Purple Team | OTA

[personal profile] unrecovered 2022-06-01 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
1. Like Christmas Morning

It's rare to see Wash so excited, but goddammit, it's been a while since he's anticipated receiving a package like this. Anyone in the luggage car will find him with a trunk thrown open, holding a gray and yellow helmet and grinning. "God, finally."

The trunk is filled with the rest of a very futuristic looking suit of armor, complete with undersuit. Trying to reach in yourself will net you a large hissing gray cat getting in your way and a hand clamped on your wrist as Wash fixes his gaze on you. "Don't even think about it."

2. Back In Black...Kind Of

Heading into the training gym will show you someone decked out entirely in gray and black absolutely going to town on one of the training dummies. Punches and kicks are quick and fluid, almost practiced. Those proficient with technology, or with a fourth wall leaning familiarity with video games, might recognize this as futuristic body armor; otherwise, you might wonder who the rock 'em sock 'em robot is. For the observant, the large gray cat sitting in the corner, grooming a paw without a care in the world, presents a clue.

3. Wildcard

[You know the deal! Let's goooo]
healerscorned: (Is this really Elysium?)

Goodbyes

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-06-01 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Nia doesn't say anything. She just sits next to Ruby and pulls her close, healing ether seeping into the injuries from the fall.]
the_aunt_general: (calmly signing)

Drowning Sorrows

[personal profile] the_aunt_general 2022-06-01 01:26 pm (UTC)(link)
She’d been planning on doing her own daily exercises when she entered the gym. She missed the start of the punching, but she was certainly there for the latter half.

She was in her armour, but that didn’t stop her from kneeling in front of Ruby, moving to put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

Clearly this was someone in distress; and when you saw that, you helped - there was no question about that.
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217779)

Re: Goodbyes

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ruby is so lost in her pain that she doesn’t realize who’s there. She turns to grab Nia, burying her face into her as she cries.]
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217779)

Re: Drowning Sorrows

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Ruby looked up to see Amaya before her, her pain-stricken eyes looking down as she registered what was going on.

“What’s the use?” She mumbled.
healerscorned: (Is this really Elysium?)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-06-01 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[For a long moment Nia lets Ruby just get it out of her system. Only once she seems to have calmed down does Nia actually speak up.]

It's a sad truth that you have to say goodbye to everyone sooner or later. Sometimes it's sooner than you'd like, and sometimes you don't get to say goodbye at all it's so sudden. We'll just have to fight hard for her sake too. We...

["Just go, Rex! Remember to fight your war!"]

We've got to remember to fight our war.
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217780)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ruby pulled back, looking up at Nia.]

There’s so much I hadn’t said to her, so much we hadn’t figured out, I…!

[She winces as the heartache came back.]

…make it go away, Nia…
the_aunt_general: (listening)

[personal profile] the_aunt_general 2022-06-01 01:59 pm (UTC)(link)
She touched the gemstones that controlled the armour, banishing it back to…wherever it went. Clef had set it up, and it was…well, convenient, but she had to admit she didn’t quite understand the magic behind it. Or was it technology? She couldn’t rightly tell the difference.

But now clad in her usual tunic and pants, she got comfortable in front of Ruby, her hands moving slowly as the SCA provided subtitles or dubbing.

Sounds like a tale of woe, best started at the beginning. I’m willing to listen.
healerscorned: (Default)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-06-01 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
...There are some things even I can't heal. It might sound cheesy, but the only cure for a broken heart I know is enough time and good company. It worked on me, anyway.
silver_eyes_rose: (Default)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 02:06 pm (UTC)(link)
As Amaya got comfortable, Ruby pulled herself close to her. Despite the pain and slight numbness, she needed comfort.

“The beginning…? Well…”

And Ruby described everything the best she could - joining Beacon at an earlier age, it’s fall and the death of Pyrrha that she’s sure she could have stopped, the nature of her silver eyes, the woman named Salem and her desire to bring her world down, being dragged to Prismatica and now everything on the train.

“…I’m just so tired…”
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217779)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Then, stay with me? I… I don’t want to be alone right now. It just… hurts…
the_aunt_general: cap from aromanticmara at tumblr (Default)

[personal profile] the_aunt_general 2022-06-01 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
sure you could have and actually could have are very different things, Amaya signed at the end.

We’re defenders, it’s in our blood. And we hold ourselves accountable for every failure, even when we shouldn’t. Maybe especially so.

She paused, thinking.

How old are you?
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217781)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
“Eighteen? I was seventeen when I started going to other worlds and eighteen when I ended up here.” Ruby said. “I’ve been doing this since I was fifteen.”
healerscorned: (Riiight)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-06-01 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not going anywhere. Not while you still need me.

[A small swirl of water forms in Nia's hand, which she presses into a cloth and hands to Ruby. She doesn't even look to see if anyone's around before doing it.]

Here, to clean yourself up with.
silver_eyes_rose: (Default)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you, Nia…

[Ruby would take the cloth, using it to clean herself up.]

…dunno what I do without you.
the_aunt_general: cap from aromanticmara at tumblr (neutral)

[personal profile] the_aunt_general 2022-06-01 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Destiny needs to pick its agents a little later on, she reflects. She’s not that much older than Callum, her nephew. Her shoulders move in a silent sigh.

Too young to have seen or done any of that. You should be in school, learning and dancing and getting through the awkward flirting phase of life.

She shakes her head, shifting to gently pat Ruby on the upper back before signing again.

As you get a bit older, it gets easier to deal with. You, right now, should just be an awkward bag of emotions and feelings - that’s what being a teenager is supposed to be. I’m sorry for the burdens that have been laid on you.
Edited 2022-06-01 14:21 (UTC)
healerscorned: (Riiight)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-06-01 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure you'd manage somehow. Plenty of people live their lives without me, believe it or not.
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217777)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
“I wish that’s all I had to deal with myself…” Ruby agreed. “It’s… it’s all I can do to stay sane…”

Ruby chuckled a bit before she added.

“Maybe… maybe that’s why I like the idea of giving away hugs. Why I like Prismatica’s way of acting. Because if I don’t, I’ll drown in everything else.”
silver_eyes_rose: (Default)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)
H-hey, now, that’s not true. I’m sure someone needs you…

[And Ruby reaches up to pet Nia’s head.]
the_aunt_general: cap from aromanticmara at tumblr (Default)

[personal profile] the_aunt_general 2022-06-01 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
It’s a great thing to do. Put goodness into the world, rather than just destruction. But sounds like you’re the one who needs the hugs right now.

Which, of course, she offers, tapping her upper chest then opening her arms out. And she knows how to give proper hugs.
healerscorned: (That's another win for me)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-06-01 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I didn't say there weren't people who need me, just that there are people that have to do without me. A right shame, sure, but there's only so much of me to go around.

[Nia allows this, a low rumble sounding from her.]
Edited 2022-06-01 14:35 (UTC)
silver_eyes_rose: (Default)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Ruby gasps a bit as she’s offered the hug before she throws herself at Amaya, burrowing her face into her as she hugged her.
silver_eyes_rose: (pic#14217780)

[personal profile] silver_eyes_rose 2022-06-01 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[There’s a light chuckle from Ruby before she pulled herself against Nia.]

Thank you… for being here…

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