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!
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-22 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"A woman I knew used to say I had em because I'd never sit down." Duo explained, then wrinkled his nose. "They're parasites that live in your gut or something. Kinda gross... She never did explain why they'd make you move around!"
marriedanidiot: (wisdom)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-04-22 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"That does sound rather disgusting." Nerdanel makes a face of her own. "I suppose it might make you move around because they felt uncomfortable? But I could surely think of better analogies!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Happy smiles)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-22 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"I dunno, I'd only ever heard Sister Helen say it and it always seemed funny to me!" Duo laughed but could understand why she'd say that. It wasn't the nicest of things to think about.
marriedanidiot: (wisdom)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-04-23 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Nerdanel laughs. "Perhaps she hoped so alarm you into compliance!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-24 03:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"That sneaky...!" He laughed brightly, not having even considered that as an option. A nun being conniving like that?
marriedanidiot: (mother)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-04-25 12:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just a little trick I may have employed myself a time or two." She winks.
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-26 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, he definitely liked this woman. She was sweet and she was funny. And he was cheered to note that while there was still a hint of sadness about her, she was still able to smile and play along with him. "Sneaky as well? I shouldn't complain, I made a livin being sneaky, if it works, why knock it?"
marriedanidiot: (my boys)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-04-27 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
"Mothers must find ways of making their children settle, after all, or we'd never get any work done!" She laughs.
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-29 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Duo rubbed the back of his head and laughed. "I'll have ta take your word for that!"
marriedanidiot: (Default)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-04-30 05:26 am (UTC)(link)

She winks at him.

"Perhaps when you are grown you will be a father yourself one day, and then you will understand."

maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-30 09:26 am (UTC)(link)
Duo burst out laughing. He laughed so hard an actual tear came to his eye and he brushed it away. "Me? A dad? No way! Not in a million years."
marriedanidiot: (mother)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-04-30 10:25 am (UTC)(link)
She shakes a finger.

"You say that now, youngling!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-08 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Unless I adopt..." And that was more likely, if he wanted to have kids he'd rather give a kid without parents a chance. Duo smiled for her, because she was being sweet, but there was no chance for him to have kids. He wouldn't know how to deal with them even if he did!
marriedanidiot: (wistful)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-05-08 02:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Nothing wrong with adopting!" She smiles wryly.

"It is not unusual, in my culture, for young ones to be fostered outside of their family circles to learn new skills and make friends. And in war-torn Beleriand, such fosterings could be for more grievious reasons too, if parents were... no longer available."

For all sorts of reasons. Including highly dubious kidnapping ones /stares at Maglor and Maedhros.

"I think you would make a good parent."
Edited 2020-05-08 14:07 (UTC)
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-08 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Duo honestly didn't think he would make a good parent. He could just about look after himself most days. But he also knew he was still young. Saying no no was just a knee-jerk reaction to the idea. Maybe once he was older and wanted to settle down things would change? He didn't know... Though Duo had never believed he could grow up. He never expected to live as long as he had.

"Your culture sounds nice..." Duo replied with a small, gentle smile. "Mine kinda... didn't really care for kids who were orphaned by war."
marriedanidiot: (grief)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-05-09 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
She makes a sad noise.

"That is griveous indeed to hear." She says sadly. "For children are the most precious of all jewels and to be valued above all riches. I am sorry things are so in your world."
maxwellsdaemon: (Sadness)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-09 09:41 am (UTC)(link)
Duo waved a hand in a careless gesture and then laughed softly with very little humour. "I think things are better these days, but when I was a kid? I saw as less of a precious jewel and more somethin to be scrapped off the bottom of a shoe."
marriedanidiot: (grief)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-05-09 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah Duo..." She says mournfully. "I'm so sorry, my dear."
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-11 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Duo leaned forward and reached out to gently touch Nerdanel's knee. Just the smallest reassurance along with a smile. "Hey, it's alright! I don't think I turned out half bad considering!"
marriedanidiot: (Default)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-05-12 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
"No." She smiles back at him in thanks. "You've a kind heart, and I am glad."
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-14 02:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think you do as well." Duo grinned for her. "But... I think I've taken up way too much of your time." He lightly patted her knee before he pushed himself to his feet. "I've a train to explore! But... I really enjoyed this. Thanks for talkin to me, Nerdanel."
marriedanidiot: (wisdom)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-05-14 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're welcome Duo." She smiles back. "Go enjoy yourself. And if you ever wish to speak againn, look for me!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-14 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"You bet!" He would definiately keep an eye out for her. She was nice to talk to.

Duo smiled and headed off out of the greenhouse with a cheerful little wave. "See ya later!"