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voidtreckerexpress2022-07-01 05:46 am
voidtreckermods) wrote in voidtreckerexpress2022-07-01 05:46 am
A New Platform [Intro Post July]
PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)
(SYMPHONY)
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 a small platform, a dusty strip of concrete next to the tracks. The barrier is at the far end, housed in a brick shelter. The sky is dark with clouds and the air is damp. A fine drizzle falls, not heavy at all but they will find their clothes quickly become damp.
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 are alone: facing the tracks.
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. 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. Altair Kallig, Aya Brea, Darth Nox, Eli Vanto, Elizabeth, Shen Qingqiu, Soma Cruz, Thrawn. 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.
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 are alone: facing the tracks.
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. 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. Altair Kallig, Aya Brea, Darth Nox, Eli Vanto, Elizabeth, Shen Qingqiu, Soma Cruz, Thrawn. 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.
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 broccoli, 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. For those curious about the reward for Purple Team they will find it here
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 broccoli, 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. For those curious about the reward for Purple Team they will find it here
SOME MISCHIEF
Those exploring the train will find that some passengers have been busy in the kitchens. Three bowls of hard candies are out for display, each labelled with a placard. All are free for the taking.
Energise! Provides an extra boost of energy.
Refresh! Like dipping tired feet into a cool spring.
Calm! Allowing you to start relaxing, like a prelude to meditation.
Energise is a red coloured candy that tastes faintly sweet. When eaten it provides about five hours worth of extra energy. This may lead to characters bouncing off walls, being easily distracted, being extra curious, or blurting out whatever comes to mind, including their feelings for other Voidtreckers. When combined with the Calm candy, a character's focus is increased, though they may feel more inclined to try new things or take new risks or chances.
Refresh is a green coloured candy that tastes faintly salty. With rivigourating divine energy within the candy, those who take it will feel mildly euphoric and floaty, bubbling, or otherwise happier. Literal floating of under a metre off the ground is possible while traveling the void, as well as having characters turn into small eastern styled dragons for about an hour. When combined with the Energise candy, characters may find they're capable of limited flight in the void. They may also find themselves as a tiny dragon with an obsessive focus on something small or silly, lasting as long as their dragon transformation, so about an hour.
Calm is a blue coloured candy that tastes faintly floral. This candy aids with rest and slowing down an overbusy mind. There's a side effect of grogginess after it wears off that grows proportionate to how many candies are consumed. Combined with Refresh candy, characters will find themselves more inclined toward open discussions, forgiveness and letting go, or engaging with people in ways they'd usually inhibit themselves from. So yes, a bit like being gently buzzed, with no hangovers.
Refresh is a green coloured candy that tastes faintly salty. With rivigourating divine energy within the candy, those who take it will feel mildly euphoric and floaty, bubbling, or otherwise happier. Literal floating of under a metre off the ground is possible while traveling the void, as well as having characters turn into small eastern styled dragons for about an hour. When combined with the Energise candy, characters may find they're capable of limited flight in the void. They may also find themselves as a tiny dragon with an obsessive focus on something small or silly, lasting as long as their dragon transformation, so about an hour.
Calm is a blue coloured candy that tastes faintly floral. This candy aids with rest and slowing down an overbusy mind. There's a side effect of grogginess after it wears off that grows proportionate to how many candies are consumed. Combined with Refresh candy, characters will find themselves more inclined toward open discussions, forgiveness and letting go, or engaging with people in ways they'd usually inhibit themselves from. So yes, a bit like being gently buzzed, with no hangovers.
DEPARTURE
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.
NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS
Thank you to Rakel (player of Lan Jingyi) for the enchanted candy mischief. Any questions about those should be directed to them.
no subject
“I asked the train for this so I could have a new look, but it’s a little hard to accept it now…”
no subject
So instead she just slowly nods.
"I see.." And apparently magical girl-ness is.. inherited? Partially? Or at least it's something that's been happening in Nozomi's world over multiple generations, just like in Madoka's own.
"Do you think there's a reason why it was easy to order, but not as easy to accept it now..?"
no subject
She sighed. “I’m worried that I went too far…”
no subject
Well.
That stuff about Ple Two is.. a lot, but Madoka figures that addressing that when Nozomi already seems to be going through a lot would be a bit much. So she's trying to shelve it in the back of her mind for a moment, no matter how concerning that entire idea is.
(She can just worry about it later, she tells herself.)
"Well.. If it's your mother's, then.. don't you think she would have wanted what's best for you?"
That much is clear to Madoka, at the very least. It's what her own mother would have thought if she were in Nozomi's shoes, Madoka is sure of it.
no subject
That being said, she takes in Madoka’s suggestion and nods.
“Yeah… yeah, you’re right. I should! I need to do this.”
no subject
It's not the sort of impression she'd want to give Nozomi.. though hopefully the other doesn't feel it as heavily as she's expressing it in words..
"More that.. um, you might want to? Or maybe that you might end up feeling encouraged by thinking about your mom, you know..? I always feel a little bit better when I try to think of my mom, or what she might tell me when I'm having a hard time.."
no subject
But, she was also right about thinking about her. Better yet, her family. She smiled as she held the outfit closer to her, closing her eyes.
“It’s been awhile since I last thought of them, but… my mom… my family… oh-so vivid…”
no subject
".. you should tell me about them."
Not that Madoka necessarily wants to know. Sure, she doesn't mind learning about them... but more than anything, this is for Nozomi's sake. It might put her a little bit more at ease, talking about something she's fond of.
"If you want to, that is."
no subject
“There’s my best friend, Rin. She was always there for me, even as a Pretty Cure. She became my sister afterwards. Then there’s Sasami. She was very sweet and a great cook, too. And there’s Captain Marvelous. Such a brash man and yet courageous. And my adopted mom, Hayate. Sweet yet silly. Someone who had a level head…”
And Nozomi closed her eyes. “Why stop there? There’s Mako, my other adopted sister, who helped me out when I started my world travels… a-and Hera, right here on the train, whose been like another mom to me! A-and you, Madoka! You’re all family and I love you so much for it!”
The outpouring of love and emotions is leading to an outpouring of magic, too. Madoka can feel it, warm and inviting.
no subject
It makes her smile a little, just glad to hear Nozomi speak so fondly about her family. Perhaps she even blushes a little when the other girl says they're all her family - since Madoka thinks it's a huge compliment to be included in something like that, even just as one member of some big train family.
But then there's the other thing.
That.. power. So strong that even Madoka can feel it, despite not having any active powers herself. It makes her eyes grow wide in surprise, and she gasps.
"Nozomi-chan! Can you feel that too..?"
Is talking about this doing something to Nozomi..? She doesn't know, but it does kind of feel like it to Madoka..
no subject
And soon that power briefly engulfed Nozomi, dying out as the magic dims. The outfit once in her hands is now on Nozomi, replacing her old outfit. The gold accents are now rose gold and the white jacket has a pink hue to it. There’s now a beret fit snuggly between the hair hoops of her transformed state.
“Madoka, I…” Nozomi uttered, coming to. “…thank you. For everything. You helped me out when I seemed to need it. How can I repay you?”
no subject
Madoka doesn't know, but she can still tell this is quite obviously significant.
When Nozomi speaks up and asks her that question though, Madoka quickly shakes her head, almost looking a little startled. "W-What do you mean! Really, I.. um, I didn't do anything special..!"
no subject
Nozomi looked away bashfully as she smiled. “I know you’re not keen on magical girls, but you have the makings of a true one. Not a fighter, but someone who helps when needed…”
no subject
On the other hand, it does seem like she's trying, since she doesn't try to reject what Nozomi is saying here - no matter how flustered she gets at the other saying such nice things about her. Nozomi really is making Madoka sound more special than she really is, she thinks..
"I think you don't have to be a magical girl for that, you know..? Of course you have to be one to be able to fight." Because Madoka still feels like she can't do that much whenever fights break out during missions. She tries to contribute with her archery, but it's hard.. "But even though I can't do that, I know I have other ways to try and help people.. A-And since we're all stuck here on the train together, with less and less people, I think we really need to make sure to try and help each other..!"
Hence why she's trying her best to support Nozomi - even aside from the fact that Nozomi is just nice and deserves any and all help just for that by itself.