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!
adregem: (ichi no kuni.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-11 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
You and me both. Beats staying in. If the Voidtrecker could only crack open a window or two when we're in transit...Heh. That'd be the day. [ Really, the guy just wants fresh air from time to time. He ignores the little pebbles of hail that bounce off of his shoulders, taking his place back by Taiki's side again. ]

The world I just came from spoiled me. [ He glances upwards, expecting to see a bright sapphire sky and sunshine warming his skin. Instead, there is only nothingness, cold, and fog. ] Fields of golden grass, ancient trees, and the sea just a few ways away. [ That's not a sigh. It isn't! ]
Edited 2020-07-11 15:30 (UTC)
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-11 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[If only. But considering what had happened when a window had gotten cracked... It's probably a good job they can't open windows whilst in the void.]

It sounds beautiful. Were... Were you there long? [His phrasing world I just came from sounded like it wasn't the only world he had lived on and there were others on the train who had lived on multiple worlds.]
adregem: (ponder yonder the world beyond.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-11 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He smiles as the memories run fresh in his mind's eye. ]

Long enough for me to call it home.

If things were just a little bit different, maybe I could have recruited most of you to be citizens, even. [ A chuckle. ]

[ And Roland surmises that even if things had turned out some other way in the world he ruled and was born in, Evermore would never change in his heart. It would be the kingdom of a king he would give his life for too. ]
Edited 2020-07-11 17:21 (UTC)
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-12 11:59 am (UTC)(link)
Did you rule there? [He blinked, for if he could recruit citizens that would seem to be the case. Even if he were from a different world. Like a Taika king almost.

Or some different but similar scenario in the mans own world.]
adregem: (the king & and his consul.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-12 12:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Now that was a little tricky. Thankfully, he's a natural at keeping details away from people, in case it complicated things. He just smiles at Taiki again, with a soft shrug from his shoulders accompanying his reply. ]

Something like that.

[ He begins to rub his hands together, the cold draft finally settling into his bones. ]

Evermore is ruled by its benevolent King Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum. [ Roland exhales quietly against the fog. He too, was a king of his own accord, in another world, in another time, even if he wasn't sure what was left of his kingdom at all... ] I assist him as his Chief Consul. He's done a great job given the circumstances of the kingdom's birth. I guess I took all those small luxuries for granted.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-12 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[He understood, he advised a king. And a good king at that from his words and the way he spoke about him. Taiki smiled softly.] He must be a great king, to have created such a kingdom.

[Even in worlds that didn't work like his own the fate of the kingdom was often still joined to how good the leader was.]
Edited 2020-07-12 19:05 (UTC)
adregem: (just looking around~)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-13 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
He is. [ His pensiveness morphs naturally into fondness. He speaks with deep respect. ] He's taught me more than he'll ever know. [ Roland shares a look with Taiki, a smile on his face like he's sharing an inside joke. ] And he's no older than twelve years old, can you believe?
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-13 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[He can understand that deep respect, for a king who he admired. Who had taught him. Twelve was young but not unheard of in his own world so he just nods seriously.]

Sometimes those who are young have a great sense of responsibility.
adregem: (heh. i expect that of you.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-13 02:29 pm (UTC)(link)
You got that right. [ Which honestly...saddens Roland, to an extent. From his own son to Evan, these kids he had to oversee weren't cast the luckiest lot in life. But they made due with it using unparalleled strength. He could only wish they didn't have to. ]

Which only makes us adults work extra hard. Make sure the world we leave behind for them is something that'll bring them well-deserved comfort. [ And he believes this even moreso now than when he first began his journey, because he's seen what unity can accomplish. ]
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-14 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
Yes... [He nodded, a serious and pensive look on his face. It's a lofty goal, to make things better for those who come after you. One that is so much harder than anyone would like it to be.] I think he has a very good adviser in you.
adregem: (lofty you say the silliest things.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-14 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ He doesn't comment on that for a while, opting to keep rubbing his hands for some warmth. No...I'm the lucky one. ]

[ When he finally answers Taiki, the pensive smile on his face returns. ]

An advisor is only as good as their king. I had experience to share with him, but the drive, the passion you see in his people to build a kingdom from nothing...No, that was all Evan.

[ Which is to say he isn't proud of his contributions to Evermore, too. He is. It's just...Since he hadn't been able to part ways with Evan properly before the Voidtrecker took him, Roland's been feeling a bit sentimental about it, against his natural inclinations. ]

[ There was something about Taiki that Roland couldn't quite place, but he was not the kind of man to ignore his instinct. He crosses his arms again, eyes meeting his. ]

Do you hail from a kingdom, yourself?
Edited 2020-07-14 05:09 (UTC)
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-14 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[He nods, agreeing wholeheartedly with that. A king could and should surround themselves with people who were reliable and trustworthy. But only the king could rule and only a king could bring their kingdom to prosperity.

He blinked but nodded at the question.]
I am... I am lucky, my king is here with me.

[Their kingdom not so lucky. But... That's a complicated issue.]
adregem: (< suit > innocent till proven guilty.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-15 09:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. ]

Wow, he is? Really? That's...huh. I'm not sure how to feel about that. [ He crosses his arms again, watching more people enter the train, away from the cold. ] As much as I'd love the familiar face joining me on this journey, I know I wouldn't be able to stand it if Evan was taken away from Evermore. The king is more important than the consulate, you know?

[ Roland tilts his head to the side. ] What's your king's name? And your kingdom? If I can ask.
longforgottenpromise: (serious)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-16 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. [He's not sure how he feels about it either. Even after their conversation. It hadn't really brought any answers. But at least they were asking the questions together.

Tai was doomed until they returned or died and another kirin could be born to chose another king, but neither option was open to them right now.]


He is The Imperial Tai, Saku Gyousou, we are from the kingdom of Tai.
adregem: (fishy.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-17 07:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ Roland looks up again, in thought. How familiar... ]

Interesting. Your king and your kingdom sound like a few others I've encountered already. [ Some in his time as president, and of course, Goldpaw in the Second World, where Lord Pugnacius ruled. ] Are you the advisor to the Imperial Tai, by any chance? Or part of his court of officials?

[ His questions come naturally, meant not to pry but to confirm a suspicion that there was more to Taiki than meets the eye. ]
longforgottenpromise: (listening)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-18 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
Yes. [He nodded.] I am his kirin. I serve as an adviser and minister in his court.

[Had done. Very briefly seven years ago. But would again. Maybe. If they managed to escape here. If they managed to get back to Tai. If they managed to remove Asen from power. If they managed to save their people.

So many 'ifs'. Far too many. Lord Gyousou doesn't have a court right now, he has a band of desperate loyal soldiers who had probably been cut down when the two of them had been pulled from their world to here.]
adregem: (so this is where they kept it.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-18 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ah. He had a slight feeling. Taiki's demeanor, that aura, the way he spoke... ]

I see. [ Roland actually smiles a little at that. ] If you ever get a rough day at the job, I'm all ears if you want to let loose some steam. [ Jokes aside - ] Though this is the first time I've ever heard of a kirin. Is that something you're free to share with everyone?
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-18 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[The offer gets a nervous smile but then his face turned serious again as he nodded.] I am not sure it is something that exists in other worlds. We are creatures who chose the king, or rather it is better to say we find the kind who the gods have chosen to rule the kingdom. We then serve them as they rule.
adregem: (< suit > much much younger huh?)

1/2

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-18 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Roland's eyes grow uncharacteristically wide, and he takes a step back from Taiki in total shock. ]

What?
adregem: (shocking!)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-18 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He doesn't linger on the surprise, but when he regains his poise, Roland is still staring at Taiki as if he wasn't real. Except he was. And the dimensional coincidences continue to plague him, a month later ... ]

You're...a kingmaker?
longforgottenpromise: (turn)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-19 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
[Taiki's eyes go equally as wide and he steps back himself, worried that he had somehow insulted or upset Roland.

Was there a world where such a thing was considered bad, or even harmful?]


Yes...

[He guesses. He's never heard a kirin called such before but it was essentially what they were. A kingmaker. King chooser was more accurate.] Sorry... Do you have such creatures in your world?
adregem: (he has a really long ponytail lol)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-19 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This was crazy. Was Taiki from the same world as Evermore? Or was it another alternate version of such? No, that was probably jumping to conclusions - but stranger things have happened to him and his gang. If Boddly were here, she might have had more to say...

He nods slowly, never once dropping eye contact from Taiki. ]


Yes. We had to find Evan a kingmaker before we could establish Evermore. [ Roland looks increasingly pensive, though the words come to him naturally. ] Kingmakers in that world are creatures blessed with great power, such that when bonded with its rightful monarch, they can grant the king or queen with enough might to lead a nation. They can be called upon to protect the land in times of peril, as well. Some are as big as castles. [ He recalls the intimidating figure of Bastion, from Broadleaf. ] Others are...even smaller than you or me. [ Like Lofty, the fairy from another realm. ]

Kingmakers need to find the monarch worthy of them, so without the blessing of one, your claim to a kingdom is essentially worthless.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-19 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[He listens with fascination. They sound similar yet different to kirin. A similar concept but very different in how they are and act. But he smiles softly, though he doesn't quite close the difference again, he doesn't want to frighten Roland.]

The king has to find them? Is it akin to a pilgramge?
adregem: (ichi no kuni.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-20 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ Roland matched that fascination with his own, a glint in his eye as if discovering a whole new world. And he has, essentially. ]

Yes. You have to find a king's cradle somewhere in the world, then pass a trial that will determine if you're worthy of the kingmaker's blessing to rule.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-20 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
A king's cradle? What kind of trial... Sorry... [He smiled softly.

It wasn't the same as his world, but it was closer than any other world he had heard about here. Enough to fascinate him. What kind of trial would a king need to take? Was anyone allowed to take such a task?]

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