VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-08-01 05:33 am

A New Platform [Intro Post August]


PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)



BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen of the month of Symphony. 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 sunny with a cool breeze. 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. The stones are cobbled beneath them and there are small stone shapes lining the edge, decorative in nature. The sun is shining but there is a cold wind, blowing through the platform at intervals, almost biting in its chill.

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 Twelve 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. Danielle Phantom, Fai. D Flourite, K'zeka Tia, Ruggie Buchi and John Connor 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 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.

e. Of course there are the new additions to explore. A fireplace has been added to the library, complete with a rug and plenty of soft reading pillows. For those less inclined to sit still there is a swimming pool carriage, complete with foam fish. Plenty of fun for all.

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
borntolove: (Hurt/Mad)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-02 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
Stay calm. The Tardis key has to be somewhere. Even if it's getting more and more likely that isn't here. The Doctor pauses in his search. Giving the other a serious look before angling his head, mostly away from the other. But Vegeta can still see at least in one of those brown eyes, fire flicker.

"I don't battle." Ten hears, 'No more' inside of his head.


modelcatizen: (an extended hand)

[personal profile] modelcatizen 2022-08-02 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Doctor, you don't have to apologize. Its not your fault," he said.

And paused. "But you do give some of the best hugs," he admits. And he's forever touch starved, so he does move forward to hug him.
hotheadwarmheart: (Dorky Grin)

Wrong Sleeper and a happy coincidence

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2022-08-02 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
Guess who did happen to sleep in Lower C-2 now, Daia? Lea had gone to pick up a couple packages from the luggage carriage and was bringing them back to his and his friends' room fro closer examination, largely because the contents of one of them was actually for Roxas. What he saw when he returned, however, wasn't what- or who- he expected. "What the... Daia?! Is that you?", he said.
nell_of_soulwood: (Default)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-08-02 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
"I would as well." She took the mug of tea and sat near him. "I wish we could have done more to help them. To help all the people."
borntolove: (:D)

[personal profile] borntolove 2022-08-02 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Of course, it's his fault. He's The Lord of Time! The Doctor proceeds to double-hearts glomp the blonde child. Even if The Doctor doesn't know the stranger, still cares for the random stranger platonically. Given how things have been lately, Ten is glad that he still can.
hotheadwarmheart: (Dorky)

Take Off

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2022-08-02 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, definitely the Void," Lea agreed, moving to stand next to the obvious new arrival. "You get used to the view, though I wouldn't advise staring right at it for too long; it'll give you a headache."

"Interesting outfit, by the way." He indicated the combination of pajamas and a long coat. "I mean, I've seen stranger ones, but it's definitely a look. Guessing you're not fond of train-issue stuff?"
bladesdarkandlight: (Beats me)

[personal profile] bladesdarkandlight 2022-08-02 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
"Mostly elemental, if'n I'm fighting as a Summoner. Guess it's good to know I'll have something to practice on, if'n there's no one what's willing to take the risk of fighting a demi-Bahamut or the like."

The carbuncle tilts its head, then moves to sniff Cassie's foot, wiggling like an excited dog.
diamondsfortears: (115)

[personal profile] diamondsfortears 2022-08-02 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
He looks up and sees another familiar face. He gives a bright smile. Lea's always so nice, too.

"It's me." He waves. It takes a little longer for the rest of his brain to catch back up to reality. It feels like it was just yesterday when he saw everyone, so that's going to be one heck of an adjustment.

"...Sorry for being gone for so long," is his follow-up. If Kaiba worried like that, maybe Lea did, too. So he has to apologise. He didn't mean to leave as it was, let alone make anyone feel sad.

At least for a second he forgot what he was frustrated about.
weifinder: (quiet | i'm drawn to the unknown)

[personal profile] weifinder 2022-08-02 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
"It's not within our means," he said, sighing after, leaning back a touch and watching the people on the platform. Faces he knew in passing, or knew from conversations, or moments lived side by side on and off the Voidtrecker Express. "We aren't helpers so much as knives wielded for precision cuts. The healing after, that's for them to take in hand. Doesn't make the wishing any less important, or the dissatisfaction any less true."
nell_of_soulwood: (Default)

[personal profile] nell_of_soulwood 2022-08-02 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
"I try to tell myself that at least we're doing something," Nell said. "That the world or universe, maybe, is a little better because of what we do."
hotheadwarmheart: (Attentive)

Exploring

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2022-08-02 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Well that was a non-techie person trying to deal with technology if he ever saw one.]

Need a little help there?
nutkrusher: (Drone Pose)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2022-08-02 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
Cassie tilts her head and raises an eyebrow at the sniffing carbuncle.

She seems about to say something when a round, white drone pokes above her shoulder, seemingly from out of nowhere. It doesn't have facial expressions, and would lack emotions to express even if it did, but its curiosity appears to be leaning toward hostility.

"Easy, Emma. I don't think this one's a threat."
hotheadwarmheart: (Dorky Grin)

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2022-08-02 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Not your fault," Lea assured him. "And anyway, it's just great seeing you again. Hang on a sec while I put this stuff in the room. I'm guessing the train probably put you somewhere else; this is my, Roxas, Xion, and Danielle's room now, but it shouldn't be too hard to find your new one."

Carefully balancing the packages in one arm, Lea pulled out his ticket to open the door, then once inside, set the packages down on Xion's bunk. Then, arms free, he moved to offer Daia a hand up. His friend did look a bit tired.
bladesdarkandlight: (Sounds fun)

[personal profile] bladesdarkandlight 2022-08-02 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Nah, not unless you give me reason to make it one. Never seen a carbuncle before?"

She bends down to pick the creature up, leaving her bag hanging from her elbow.

"They're a kind of combat familiar, but friendly enough when they don't have aught to fight."
modelcatizen: (Mister Cool)

[personal profile] modelcatizen 2022-08-02 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
It absolutely isn't and Adrien would shake Ten if he knew.

Hugs, however, are always nice, though after a minute he pulls away. "I'm Adrien Agreste, by the way. We're...eventually friends, I guess. Timey wimey, you know."
bladesdarkandlight: (Ugh political shite)

[personal profile] bladesdarkandlight 2022-08-02 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
[Her carbuncle runs over to sniff at his feet, as she turns and nods.]

Only place I've seen shite like this is ancient magitek, and I'm not too keen on finding out the hard way if'n it's just as prone to causing problems for folks what fuck around with it without knowing what they're doing.
controlsthedie: game art of Thanatos default conversation picture (But the other saying I like so much more)

Arrival

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2022-08-02 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
After Thanatos reunited with Persephone, he manages to pull himself away to greet some of the new Reds. There are more new arrivals than he thought there would be after the last platform, and there are more Reds than he thought there would be. Is he going to be able to get to all of them on the platform before they have to depart?

Thanatos approaches wearing the same red hoodie that the new arrival wears, showing him as part of the same team. This one looks serious and alert. A fighter? Better reduce the impression of being a threat. Thanatos stops floating and walks the rest of the way.

"You likely have a lot of questions. I will do my best to help answer them. I'm Thanatos, on the Red Team. Like you. And also taken from where I was to become part of this crew."
controlsthedie: concept sketch of Thanatos (You'll be killed by what'cha don't know)

Take off

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2022-08-02 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
After Thanatos reunited with Persephone, he managed to pull himself away to greet some of the new Reds. There were more new arrivals than he thought there would be after the last platform, and there were more Reds than he thought there would be. He wasn't able to get to all of them on the platform before they have to depart, so he continues looking for any new face wearing the same red hoodie he wears.

He stops floating before coming closer to the new arrival looking out at the Void. He almost wonders if he needs to say anything at all because the man seems familiar with what's going on. Maybe he's one of those who has been pulled from their world more than once.

"Don't stare out there too long. You'll get a headache," he warns gently.
controlsthedie: painterly side profile of Thanatos with purple butterfly (If you take my advice)

Platform II

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2022-08-02 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
After Thanatos reunited with Persephone, he manages to pull himself away to greet some of the new Reds. There are more new arrivals than he thought there would be after the last platform, and there are more Reds than he thought there would be. Is he going to be able to get to all of them on the platform before they have to depart?

Thanatos approaches wearing the same red hoodie that the new arrival wears, showing him as part of the same team. Thanatos stops floating and walks the rest of the way to the man who seems lost and in pain. Thanatos can relate; when he first arrived, his senses were overwhelmed from staying so long on the "surface" that he got a migraine. Maybe this is something similar.

"Do you need help?"
nutkrusher: (Contemplative)

Lab Car

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2022-08-02 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
Cassie isn't a scientist, or an inventor, or anything of the sort. That had always been Jacqui's department back home. But as long as Bulma was on board, she'd be checking in from time to time, checking to see if she'd made any progress on interdimensional travel.

Because that research matters to her - more than just about anything, now.

As it happens, Bulma's not in. And Cassie has mostly been standing about, lost in thought and looking at apparatuses she at best partly understands.

If she hadn't learned to sense qi, she'd be even more startled than she is right now.

"Oh. Uh...were you planning on working in here? 'Cause I was just..."
nutkrusher: (Drone Pose)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2022-08-02 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, Emma's military hardware," Cassie says. "'Not having anything to fight' usually means sitting in a box in power-down mode."
bladesdarkandlight: (Just watch)

[personal profile] bladesdarkandlight 2022-08-02 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Could just leave it unsummoned, but they don't take a lot of aether to keep up."

The carbuncle kicks its hind feet, prompting her to lift it so that it can sit on her shoulders.

"Hells, I've seen a town where you see enough wandering carbuncles, you'd think there was such a thing as a stray."
weifinder: (listen | is hovering)

[personal profile] weifinder 2022-08-02 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
"We do, you're right, we do. Without the knife," he said, offering her a smile and a lift of his own mug of tea, "The wound would just go sour. We help allow them all to have that chance to heal. Isn't that important? I'd like to think so."
hotheadwarmheart: (Small smile)

[personal profile] hotheadwarmheart 2022-08-02 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Lea crouches down for a moment, offering the carbuncle his hand to sniff as well, palm up.]

Nah, it's not dangerous. And the terminals here are actually pretty user-friendly once you get the hang of them. Pretty handy for a lot of things too.
nutkrusher: (Default)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2022-08-02 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Can see why they'd want to keep 'em around," Cassie says. "They're pretty cute."