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!
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy Seven)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-01 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
Platform

Fingon watches them leave, his blank-eyed cousins, with a set expression on his face and a sinking feeling in his chest. It's something he has long practice at, by now. If anything, not running after Maedhros is becoming an alarmingly extensive part of his skill set.

(Elentari, he should probably look into the train's alcohol supplies later. He could stand a nice blackout right about now.)

Between one heartbeat and the next, they vanish; Fingon lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding, and lets himself mourn for a second.

Then he moves down toward the platform, to shepherd the strangers in. It's getting back to work, and Fingon has practice at that too.

Kitchen

Purple on meal prep again- hmm, did it not change this month? Ah well, Fingon doesn't mind cooking and it's something to do. The slicing is quick and easy, and soon a large pile of the remaining onions shrinks, sizzles, and caramelizes in the heat of the pan. He hums as he watches, absently pleased by the work. And next are the potatoes...

...wait, where did he put them? He shakes his head.

"And this is why Father always said to lay everything out in advance...."
laurefindil: (Default)

Platform

[personal profile] laurefindil 2020-04-01 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
Glorfindel watched as some hooded figures walked through the gate and disappeared into the fog. Were he and the others their replacements? The bracelet on his wrist discouraged him from walking in that direction to find out, but there were others, coming toward him. He decided to intercept one and see if he could get more information.

...."Fingon?" So this was the Halls. Just, not a part he'd ever seen before. He had a brief pang at the thought of being dead again.
utulien_aure: Fingon in war helm (Seventy five)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-01 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
Fingon’s head snaps toward the newcomer. “Glorfindel?”

Ai, now there was a voice he hadn’t heard in a few hundred years. Seen, probably- there was no way one of his brother’s most able captains hadn’t been at the Midsummer battle. But it was a little hard to remember.....

Probably the head blow, he thinks ruefully, Something to keep in mind the next time I die- avoid head wounds.

He shakes his head slightly, clearing his thoughts. “It’s been some time,” he says, scrupulously not adding, perhaps the masters of the train have thought twice about having so many a Finweans aboard.
Edited 2020-04-01 17:04 (UTC)
laurefindil: (Default)

[personal profile] laurefindil 2020-04-01 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Glofindel stepped closer to avoid the humans and other milling about. "Since I left the Halls the first time," he agreed. "I was unaware there was a section where humans and others were allowed, though." He knew he looked a little confused. It was nice though, to see a familiar face.
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy one)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-02 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
His brow furrows as he parses that out. “The Halls- oh, of course you would think that.”

He shakes his head. “I’m sorry to say, the answer is less straightforward than that. Half the people here claim to be alive and well, so far as I know. And if the Doomsman’s power lingers here, I’ve seen no sign of it.”
laurefindil: (Default)

[personal profile] laurefindil 2020-04-02 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
"And yet, that...thing...states it traverses a Void, and well, we all know that death comes very suddenly for some, that they wake in the Halls unaware they died. It is most distressing when they realize," Glorfindel said. He gave himself a shake to lay the memory back to rest. "But, if we are not dead...then where is this and why are we here?"

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marriedanidiot: (wistful)

Platform

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-04-01 10:13 am (UTC)(link)
A step, and Nerdanel comes up beside him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

They're already gone, she knows - those were just their physical bodies leaving. Her boys would have looked back, if they could. They would have called out to her, and to Fingon, and to their father. But there's not even the touch of osanwe in farewell that she got when they died.
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-02 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
He’s silent for a long time, just soaking in his aunt’s smoothing presence. They’re long gone by the time he figures out how to say....

Well.

Anything at all.

“I suppose,” he starts out cautiously, “Makalaure might be happier to skip discovering precisely why the train was asking whether we could swim.”

It couldn’t possibly be as bad as his cousin had seemed to think- Fingon couldn’t even imagine why Maglor’s mind had gone where it did, even. But at least he was free from the worry. That... ok, it wasn’t really something, but maybe with enough practice Fingon could make it something.
marriedanidiot: (wistful)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-04-02 08:54 am (UTC)(link)
She giggles a little, at that - a little watery, but determined. They are both practiced at letting people go.

"True. I tried to talk him out of that, but I suspect he was pandering slightly to me."

She squeezes his hand. "And I'm sure Maitimo will be alright."
utulien_aure: Fingon and Maedhros (Seventy three)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-02 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Fingon snorts. "The master performer- he always has to try and please his audience."

He squeezes back, but his eyes are troubled.

"Maitimo is one of the strongest people I've ever known," he says, "but he has never much cared about tending to his own troubles. He just piles more and more on, and even when you watch him it proves difficult to stop."

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najaran: (Bluff successful)

[personal profile] najaran 2020-04-01 10:18 am (UTC)(link)
Najaran was one of those new strangers, but she stopped dead seeing him, staring at his ears before her legs buckled and she fell to the ground, eyes huge, tears starting to pool. She needs a moment, she does. Because she is very near to either hugging this stranger or bursting out crying or both. And she's not sure how that will play out yet. Her mind is still stuck on the last moments with Kigi. The voice of Kigi's sister, the feel of Old Willow.

Kigi wasn't the last. Her people survived. And she'd never know....
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy six)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-05 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
Fingon... doesn't really understand just what happened in front of him, to be honest. But there's someone in distress and therefore he's there in a moment, kneeling beside the stranger on the floor.

"Shh, child, it's alright, you're safe...."
najaran: (Grieve)

[personal profile] najaran 2020-04-05 10:25 am (UTC)(link)
"You're alive," she whispered, as if he was a dear friend she thought she'd never see again. Tears spilled. "You're alive. You exist. She never knew..." she whispered.
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy Seven)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-06 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
He isn't exactly alive, as it happens, but that is probably the last thing he should tell this weeping girl. And honestly... he frowns, looking her over again. She didn't look quite like one of the Edain, but perhaps....

"Knew what, child?" he asks, reaching his hand out for her to grab. "Does she have a name? Do you?"

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maxwellsdaemon: (up to no good)

Kitchen

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-01 10:51 am (UTC)(link)
The smell of cooking food had Duo moving back toward the kitchen area to investigate what was going on.

He popped his head through the door, long braid dangling, and grinned at the guy cooking. "Smells great!" he said and gave the guy the thumbs up because hey, he could be encouraging when he wanted to be! "Need a hand?"
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy one)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-05 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
Fingon looks over at the newcomer, shrugs lightly, and gestures him inside.

"Why not?"

Many hands, and all that.

"A new arrival, I take it?"
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-06 07:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Duo stepped into the kitchen, all smiles. "Yep, just got here and checking out the sights." He went over to lean against the counter, watching for a few seconds before he smiled wider. "What would you like me to do? I can help prep, not so good at the actually cooking though."
utulien_aure: with armor and banner (Default)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-06 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hmm," He looks around the kitchen and-there- his eye catches the sack of potatoes he'd been looking for earlier.

"Help me peel; it will go more quickly with two."

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so_dark_a_road: (a vision of war)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2020-04-04 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
Curufin has come to bid his brothers goodbye, and to welcome some newcomers. He, too, watches Maedhros and Maglor walk towards the turnstyle as though they are in a hypnotic trance. His heart is wrung for them, and he runs forward and calls out, "Maitimo! Macalaurë! Don't go without at least saying goodbye to those who love you!" But they walk past him as though they cannot see him and pass through the gate, and then they are gone.

He turns and sees Fingon behind him.

"Cousin," he says, and his face reflects the knowledge that Fingon will miss Maedhros as much as Curufin will. Or maybe even more. "Want to come and have a drink with me, after everybody boards the train?"
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy four)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-05 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
Fingon closes his eyes and lets out something like a laugh.

"I could use one," he admits. "Thank you for the invitation."
so_dark_a_road: (they came in the dead of winter)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2020-04-06 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
Curufin chuckles, glad that Fingon is managing. This is an awful situation, though. He comes nearer and ventures to touch Fingon's shoulder in sympathy.

"You're welcome, and in the meantime, know that we both grieve for the same people. I'm going to need that drink, too."
badassfreakingoverlord: (prinny dood)

Kitchen

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-04-04 04:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Where are the potatoes indeed? A motion ought to catch his eye, because that motion was the bowl of potatoes heading for the door -- being carried above the head of a Prinny, who had just helped itself without any regard for any sort of social or ethical behavior.
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy nine)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-05 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
Ok.

Ok. What on earth-

Fingon eyes that bowl of potatoes making its way across the room and pointedly clears his throat.

"Excuse me. Were you planning on using those for something?"
badassfreakingoverlord: (prinny dood)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-04-06 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
The Prinny froze, a few beads of nervous sweat rolling down its head.

"I-I'm saving a life, dood," it quickly lied. "There's a... sick girl, who desperately needs potatoes. I'm her only hope, dood!"
utulien_aure: Fingon (Seventy)

[personal profile] utulien_aure 2020-04-06 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
The look Fingon gives him is flatly unimpressed.

"There are a barely a hundred people on this train," he tells the... thing... in front of him, "and gossip spreads like wildfire in confined quarters. If there was someone with any such sickness already aboard, the rest of us would have heard of it. If one of the newcomers had it, one of the train leaders would have come down personally to see to matters."

He snorts. "If you are going to lie, at least try something more plausible than my youngest brother could come up with the first time he snuck into the family wine cellar."

(No, Fingon, that's not what you say in situations- oh, why bother....)
Edited 2020-04-06 21:47 (UTC)

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