voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-07-01 05:50 am
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A New Platform [Intro Post July]

On the Train

Luckily for everyone the final couple of days of Fiddlesticks are quiet and mostly uneventful. Eventually though they awake to the announcement. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Grasshopper. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train a while will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"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. Also a loud pattering sound, which they will discover once the doors open are hailstones. They might want to grab their raincoats.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Ann Takamaki, Drizzt, Geralt, Huehuecóyotl, Ignis Scientia, Ivy Wakefield, Jiang Yanli, Lan Sizhui, Maebhrin Tillinath, May Parker, Nie Huaisang, Osomatsu Matsuno, Raven, Roxas, Shaw, The Iron Bull, Ultimo, Wei Wuxian, Yuki Sohma, Yuffie, Yukito Tsukishiro

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies and waterproofs, in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam. Billowing around them as they come to their senses. The second thing they will notice is it is cold, hailstones rain down around them, though they don’t last long on the platform ground, melting into slush.

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 the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large and it holds nineteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. 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. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

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.

Indeed whereas usually there is plenty time for people to be met and brought slowly onto the train, the whistles blow a lot quicker this time, as if hurrying the passengers along.

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, it seems carrots have taken over the bacon, though there are plenty of other staples.

Those from blue team who go to investigate will find a box of biscuits. There is enough for the whole team, including new passengers. Join in your team's success!

Those who are not new will quickly discover some changes made to make the train accessible to those who can’t see, including Braille translations of all the signs around the train.

There is of course the new music room to explore. A double carriage, the downstairs has instruments to learn and practice with, as well as a series of music screen points. Those who play around with the screens will soon discover their SCA’s can now store music and can choose their favourites to listen to around the train.

Upstairs is a performance area and holds a piano.

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 over the noise of the hail stones 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!
luckydragonsfoot: (Ohhhhhhhhhhthat thing)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-02 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah?" A shower sounds so, so good. "They're not like...th' really crummy kind, where y' run outta hot water after two minutes righ'? B'cause that'd just be as bad as bein' out there," he groans, rubbing his head.

Naturally of course, this is about where the usual pattern of things happens. Kaseri is bright and colourful and cheery. Katsuya...rather less so, at least right now. Therefore, Kaseri gets the attention.

Ah well, that's just how it goes he supposes. The ponyta is very eager to get attention herself, and happily trots over to stare. "Hah- looks like Kaseri's got 'r eye on y' already," he laughs. "That didn' take long..."
longforgottenpromise: (smiles)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-04 10:21 am (UTC)(link)
"No. They are good showers." He reassured him with a small smile. Though he imagines there might be a wait to get a shower, everyone was bound to be pretty cold and wet after that hail storm on the platform.

He meets the ponyta's eyes, tilting his head slightly in greeting.

"Kaseri... She can't talk?"

She hadn't said anything, but that didn't mean she couldn't.
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-04 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
A wait is well worth it if it ends in a good shower! Katsuya just groans in relief, and then looks back to Kaseri. "Eh? Uh...nah, not 'n any language people c'n understand at least. I think some could learn 'f they really tried, but like...she doesn' have th' mouth for it, y'know?"

One wonders how meowth can manage it themselves, but maybe that's what made the one in Alola so impressive. (And for that matter, so talkative.) "Did y' expect her to..?" he finds himself asking, blinking with confusion.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-04 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
He just blinked, half expecting the answer. He nodded at the explanation. "I guess... I thought she might. Sometimes kirin, unicorns, they talk in legends."

Obviously they spoke in his own world, but even in some earth legends and stories they could speak.
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-05 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
"Heh, seriously?" To be entirely fair, he hasn't heard too many legends. "Dang, that's cool... ...yeah, Kaseri's pretty neat, an' packs a punch, but she's no legendary creature. She's jus' Kaseri, at th' end 'f th' day," he explains, shrugging.
longforgottenpromise: (thoughtful)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-05 10:11 am (UTC)(link)
"She fights?" He sounds surprised, though he tries to keep his voice neutral. Not all worlds were the same. And yet even in legends on earth the idea of an unicorn being peaceful was prevalent. The idea of a world where such a creature could be a fighter...

It is strange.
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-05 10:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, like...'n Pokemon battles. 'S how they all get t' know the other or somethin'. I dunno, someone who lived there longer would be able t' explain it more. Mos'ly she makes stuff float an' heals cuts 'f I'm honest."
longforgottenpromise: (listening)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-05 10:25 am (UTC)(link)
"Pokemon... I think... Sorry I think... Iden'no-san has pokemon."

Was that what her creatures were called? Those ones looked nothing like this one. Definitely not the name for a species.

A healer made more sense for this one than a fighter, he reached out slowly, offering his hand for her to explore.

luckydragonsfoot: (he ran into my fist 12 times honest offi)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-05 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Iden'no..? I think Kaiba mentioned someone like tha'...guess I'll see hers for myself. Kaseri here's a ponyta, but if y' didn' know that then tha' definitely means she doesn' have one 'f those..."

Kaseri is plenty happy to investigate the offered hand- mostly because she can try and get that hand behind one of her ears, or similar. That's a good spot for a hand, especially if there's scratching involved!
longforgottenpromise: (smiles)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-05 11:47 am (UTC)(link)
He laughs softly at the ponyta's investigation and starts scratching her ears gently. "No, hers are different. I've never seen creatures like them before."

Really he hadn't seen anything like Kaseri before either, she was familiar but different all at the same time.
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-05 11:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Heh! Well, there's s'pposed t' be loads of differen' pokemon out there so...I guess tha' jus' means there's new ones for all of us, huh."

There's a bit of silence, the blond watching as the two feel the other out. "So uh...who're y' anyway?" They all know who the ponyta is at least now...
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-05 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh..." He blinked and actually looked up at the man for the first time. "Sorry... I'm Taiki. What is your name?"

He doesn't stop scratching Kaseri's ears though.
luckydragonsfoot: (heck yeah im cool-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-05 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"Nah, 's all good, I've gone longer w'thout askin' about names," he jokes with a grin. "Name's Jonouchi! Nice t' meetcha, ev'n 'f it's while we're soppin' wet," he laughs, the ponyta giving a whinnying laugh of her own.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-05 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
He nodded, names, introductions. Such things were easily forgettable outside of any formal setting.

"It's nice to meet you too." He smiles and looks at them both, they are indeed soaking. "I... Sorry I should let you go and get showered. Um... Do you know where your cabin is?"
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-05 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Uhhhh yeah!" He digs around his pocket for the soggy, but ultimately intact ticket. Maybe they're plastic or something..? "Got it off 'f th's! So th' shower oughta be somewhere at th' end?"
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-07 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes." He nodded, "Just at the end, just inside the carriage." He smiled softly, "There should be a towel and toiletries in the rucksack you arrived with."



luckydragonsfoot: (and then he ran into my fist)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-07 12:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh-! Seriously, they jus' give y' tha' stuff??" Katsuya grins, and grins wide as he looks at his bag, swinging it to his front to look over. "Sweet! Thanks f'r th' tip! Man, th's th' best unexpected trip yet!"

And boy does he have experience with unexpected trips.
longforgottenpromise: (smiles)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-10 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
He can't help but smile at the enthusiasm. "Yes." He nodded. It was strange. To be kidnapped and taken far from his world, yet provided for.

"I will leave you to shower."
luckydragonsfoot: (heck yeah im cool-)

and...i'd say that's a wrap right there :0

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-11 07:10 am (UTC)(link)
To that, Katsuya gives a two finger-salute and a grin. "Heh! See y' later then!"

Time to make his way all the way over to sleeper carriage one, apparently.