voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-04-01 05:27 am

A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

On the Train

Two days after they return from their mission they are awoken as usual "Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Egret. The shop has been updated and points have been applied to passengers tickets."

Those that go to check the shop terminals will find they have indeed updated, with the option to buy larger items and also animals. The morning goes on until just after noon there is a second announcement.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and they are soon surrounded by the fog that means they are at a platform. Though the fog is thick, thicker than usual perhaps, there are patches on sunlight shining through and it is pleasantly warm.

The doors open and the first few to disembark do so with rucksacks on, hoods pulled up, silent and almost blank faced. Cu Chulain, Dio Brando, Disreputable Dog, Heiji Hattori, Loki Maedhros, Maglor, Naruto, Thor, Tobias Fangor.

They walk to the barriers, show their tickets and disappear.

But on the platform itself there are once again new faces. All are stood, waiting for the train.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam. Billowing around them as they come to their senses. They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze but then as people begin to shift or call out it will become apparent they are not alone.

The platform is not large and it holds eighteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. It's warm but foggy making it hard to see much, but there are clearer patches bathed in sunlight found across the platform. Both left and right the tracks disappear into the mist. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out into the cold step a selection of people. Some are human, some are less so. They are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple.

The Train

The doors hiss open. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there is anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would not be a good thing. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information. The store rooms have been restocked with an abundance of onions, in case the passengers weren't bored of them yet.

Passengers who are not brand new will notice that the train has gotten yet longer again with a sixth sleeper cabin for new arrivals.

New passengers will find their tickets allow them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

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 and you will hopefully find a pillow for your bed if it has not been nabbed by a roommate, there are also spare blankets for if it gets cold.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express.” A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "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. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!
sonoflucis: (hmph)

[personal profile] sonoflucis 2020-04-07 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Noct shook his head. "I think I'm just going to chill here for the moment." Noct said. He took the back and looked inside. He found the Ring of The Lucii. He laughed wryly. "Of course it would be this damned thing."
bethereprompto: (Default)

[personal profile] bethereprompto 2020-04-07 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Prompto frowned when he saw it was the ring that Noct hated. He'd hoped it would be something nice and sentimental.

"Sorry." He patted Noct's shoulder lightly. "Well I'm going to stay in this area in case you need anything okay? All these rooms- well most of these rooms have the glass walls so you'll be able to find me easy enough." He started to leave before stopping at the door. He looked back like maybe he wanted to say something but opted against it. He instead smiled and waved before leaving.
sonoflucis: (Default)

[personal profile] sonoflucis 2020-04-07 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Noct nodded and put the ring away before looking around the walls. "Okay. See you later." He waved at Prompto before leaning against the wall and closing his eyes. His head was starting to hurt.
magicurls: (with a wink)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-04-07 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, don't worry! There's plenty of room! Stay a while and eat.

[ She's watching the tart in the oven. Not too long now. ]
sacrament_of_blood: (Meditate upon Her gift of blood.)

[personal profile] sacrament_of_blood 2020-04-07 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"I see, then I shall take care not to gaze too deeply into the many colors of this void."
Edited 2020-04-07 23:25 (UTC)
unfavorableinstigation: It is dark, but Nita is inside reading a book. (Reading Indoors)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-04-07 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Right."

After that, Nita lapsed into a considering silence while Merciless finished the survey.

"Anything else you want to know?"
sacrament_of_blood: (Just what do you speak of?)

[personal profile] sacrament_of_blood 2020-04-07 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[There are any number of important questions she could be asking. But she's drawing a blank because one question keeps sticking in her head.]

How adorable is the spider?
runs_on_batteries: (i could show you)

Later

[personal profile] runs_on_batteries 2020-04-07 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Tony was stepping out of his office just in time to see Ignis carrying a tray of food. He was surprised and it was earlier than their dinner usually was and there was only one portion (though a large portion) on that tray.

"Were you coming to see me?"
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-04-07 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
... I'd say pretty cute, actually?

[It's the ear flaps, no doubt.]

She's very much a spider, just. Fuzzy white and pink. And rather large.
sacrament_of_blood: (Default)

[personal profile] sacrament_of_blood 2020-04-08 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
I would very much like to see this for myself.

[By this point she's gotten pretty derailed.]
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking directly at the viewer, mouth slightly open, as if she's in the middle of an important or unamused expression. (Focused)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-04-08 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
She's pretty hard to miss, anyway.

[But Nita can't see her here on the platform for some reason... Odd.]

But apart from her, think you'll be fine with the rest of what's going on here? I know it's all kinds of weird.
faithfulsupport: (Fond gaze -r)

[personal profile] faithfulsupport 2020-04-08 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
As promised, Ignis had made one of Noct's favourite dishes, the Mother and Child Rice bowl. He would've made the Papa bird version but opted for the former instead. He'd made a small batch as the advisor planned to serve something different later to Tony for their nightly private dinner.

He stopped when he saw Tony and shook his head. "No." There was a small smile. "I'm afraid the train has acquired a young King of Lucis so I was on my way to see if he wanted to eat." The coincidence of him giving Noctis the same dish he'd had his first night on the train in front of Tony no less, didn't escape him at all.

"Would you like to accompany me to meet him?"
runs_on_batteries: (3419714 (2))

[personal profile] runs_on_batteries 2020-04-08 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
Tony recognized the dish but in that moment didn't remember why. A lot of time and events had happened since then, especially between them. He also questioned the name of that dish, but he had kept that opinion to himself. He was sure Americans had dumb names for dishes too.

His eyebrows rose sharply though at the news of who had joined them. Huh, that brought up all kinds of other questions too. Now wasn't the time though. "You finally got your king here. Sure, if he's up for it. I'd love to meet him."
faithfulsupport: (What have you got there?)

[personal profile] faithfulsupport 2020-04-08 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
He knew the king's presence might invoke questions and all manners of things. But Ignis knew that would be dealt with in time. Right now he had somewhere to be and a king to feed. With a nod, he turned.

"I've got him sequestered in a private cabin to give him time." He wasn't going to get into the anxiety thing but figured he wouldn't have to. Of all the people on the train with the exception of Gladio and Prompto, Tony knew and could translate 'Ignis-speak.' And of course with them being a couple, there were more silent cues and language between them alone.

As he walked, he could admit to himself that he was nervous at having the two of the most important people in his life meet. It was the same nervousness displayed when Gladio and Prompto met Tony as well, but this was a bit different and the strategist knew that. This was a day he'd never thought would come. They approached the door, and Ignis inclined his head.

"I left him asleep, but hopefully he's awake now."

Setting the tray down, he tapped lightly in a code the two used often back home amongst themselves, speaking in a low tone.

"Noct?"
sonoflucis: (Default)

[personal profile] sonoflucis 2020-04-08 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
Noct had just woken up, his head still feeling floaty and overwhelmed. When he heard that distinct knock, he sat up.

"Come on in, Specs."
stillnewatthis: (orisa)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-04-08 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
Wait? Orisa could do that.

Glancing down, she turned a careful circle to survey her environment and make sure nothing was around or beneath her, then folded all four legs to sit down. Once settled, she folded her hand over her fusion driver in front of her, then patiently waited.
pleple: (Default)

[personal profile] pleple 2020-04-08 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
And on the way to the kitchen they go.
wizard_redfive: (And the words came out easily)

[personal profile] wizard_redfive 2020-04-08 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I was the same." As if she wasn't still a kid and also overly curious. Were it not for her experience in Paradisa, Dairine would probably be among those making reckless moves. Depending on how bored or desperate for answers she gets, she might still join them.

Pride swells up at his words. At last, someone who acknowledges her accomplishments instead of worrying about her age! Dairine is equal parts delighted... and also terrified that she'll end up saying the wrong thing.

"Well, in the short term, we pass the time before our next big mission. Meanwhile, we should see what we can learn about this train and how it works. The more we know, the better off we'll be." While Dairine didn't think they'd personally find a way home, the knowledge could come in handy for improving quality of life.

"Oh, and just in case you haven't heard, these places return you to the time and place that you left. So you don't have to worry about what's going on at home while you're gone."
stillnewatthis: (hello!)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-04-08 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Do not worry about that! I am very durable." Less so than the train, perhaps, but the train cheated! "Also, I perceive pain primarily as data, not sensation. That helps me in battle."
badassfreakingoverlord: (damn)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-04-08 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
[One of the minions immediately steps forward and hands her a second pamphlet: "So You've Decided to Question Why the Overlord Is a Book". This one actually helps, inasmuch as it describes how Zetta had to bind his soul to the Sacred Tome to prevent his own death, and now seeks to regain his Netherworld and body both.]

[Yeah, he gets this sort of thing A LOT.]
badassfreakingoverlord: (prinny dood)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-04-08 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
Well, no one could say it didn't try. The Prinny set the basket of potatoes down (right there on the floor) -- then suddenly stabbed one flipper at the elf.

"For control of these potatoes, I challenge you to a game of Boggle, dood!"
so_dark_a_road: (they came in the dead of winter)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2020-04-08 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
It doesn't sound weird to Curufin. Tony is a magnetic personality and loyal to his friends, and he's good at whatever he attempts. It would be strange if people weren't drawn to him. Curufin nods in understanding.

"You're welcome. Patience is warranted, I think. Getting killed or disappearing for the train's reasons must be a very unsettling experience and the return must be utterly jarring. I'm just glad you're back. And I'm sure Purple Team is glad to have you back, too."
faithfulsupport: (Default)

[personal profile] faithfulsupport 2020-04-08 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
There was the briefest of smiles to Tony as Ignis opened the door and peeked his head in. This was old habit too just to reassure the other it was really him and no one had copied their secret knock.

"I've brought dinner..and I wanted to introduce you to someone." It was time to face the music so to speak but there was really nothing to worry about. As he'd told Tony long ago, everything was all one sided on his part.

So he came in and let Tony do his own thing.
so_dark_a_road: (the flaming circle of our days)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2020-04-08 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
He recognizes that protectiveness for what it is, that parental love and responsibility that never departs from the parent's heart.

"If I am taken from you again, I will find some way to return to you. I promise."
sonoflucis: (Default)

[personal profile] sonoflucis 2020-04-08 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
Noct sat up straight, hoping he didn't look too disheveled and pale. He nodded. "Sure." He looked past Ignis at Tony. "Who is he?"