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
healerscorned: (Blade form)

B

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-08-01 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Nia had already blown her secret during the last mission, so she was at the pool in her Blade form, the leotard being better for swimming than the clothes the Train gave her. She notices the commotion, and instincts trained by dozens upon dozens of side quests bring her to the source.]

Oh hey, you're that Persephone gal, ain'tcha? The one that took care of the Garden car before me?
springforth: (165)

B

[personal profile] springforth 2022-08-02 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Persephone has what appears to be a court gown in her hands, which she's sort of surprised to see. Honestly, she'd forgotten about it, but she had put it in her locker hadn't she? Her head pops up at the strange voice, shoving the gown to one side]

Oh--yes! Oh, I should have checked on it already, but if you're keeping an eye on it, I'm sure I don't need to.
healerscorned: (Default)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-08-02 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been keeping it going, but I'm pretty sure what I've been doing is small potatoes compared to an expert like you.
springforth: (pic#13866797)

[personal profile] springforth 2022-08-04 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure you're doing just fine. Plants are just what I am, what I do.

[She presses a hand to the side of the pool and lily pads flourish around the edge.]
healerscorned: (Riiight)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-08-05 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, but there's a pretty damn big difference between "fine" and making plants appear out of thin air. Not that I'm going to stop looking over it completely, but it will be nice to get to relax a bit.
springforth: (173)

[personal profile] springforth 2022-08-05 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh--I wasn't trying to show off. [A few flowers wilt from her hair] I was just trying to say that it's easy enough for me to take care of. Which also kind of sounds like bragging doesn't it?

[Hera would never have this problem. Being a goddess around mortals is sometimes hard when you're trying to fit in, not lord it over them] I know it takes much more effort for the same result so I respect it.
healerscorned: (Riiight)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-08-05 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not jealous, just impressed. Besides, who cares if you brag a bit? Having some pride in what you're good at is healthy, I think.

[An orb of water rises out of the pool, the Lily pad balanced neatly atop it.]

It definitely works for me.
springforth: (pic#14001883)

[personal profile] springforth 2022-08-12 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Persephone claps her hands, grinning at the display of power]

Lovely! Power over water is always so--so beautiful. I loved it when nereids and oceanids would visit. I was always bugging them to show off when I was little.

[She's finally found the train issued swimsuit--so boring compared to the ones who she had on Jema and bound to be slightly eye searing on her skin color, but serviceable. The rest of this is packed back inside with slightly more care than it was pulled out] I'd ask if you were a water nymph but you have those ears and well--nothing has ever been quite the same as my own world in the entire time I've been here.
healerscorned: (Default)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-08-13 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
Nah, I'm just a gal with some sufficiently advanced technology. The closest thing my world has to a water nymph is-

[Hours of ill-concieved attempts at flirting flash through Nia's mind.]

…Well, she's a bit much sometimes. Especially if you're a gal.
springforth: (324)

[personal profile] springforth 2022-08-20 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Well if I've learned anything on this train, it's that technology and magic can kind of grow to look like one another.

[She tugs off her hoodie, only ducking into the changing area when she remembers that this room is not exactly private. She doesn't care about people seeing her changing but it's become basic courtesy not to force it on them.]

Are you human then? A normal mortal?
healerscorned: (What the bloody 'ell)

[personal profile] healerscorned 2022-08-20 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
That's... a complicated question. Let's just go with "for all intents and purposes" on the human part, and "hell no" on the normal mortal one.