voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-07-01 05:50 am
Entry tags:

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!
adropofsunlight: (272)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-07-20 07:43 am (UTC)(link)
"So same as mine in terms of this...technology." So she was at least glad to have that in terms of similarity. It was always nice to have those who didn't get it like she didn't.

She did however find herself pausing for a moment, trying to get her head around what he meant. "So...like...what are they called? Undead?"
wyvernmaster: Made by <user name=chillarmy> (Default)

[personal profile] wyvernmaster 2020-07-22 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"We call them Risen..." Gerome corrected her before he lapsed into a brief silence, lost in thought over those poor, wretched souls. He was looking down at the apple in his hand as he spoke next. "Human's forced to live again at the whim of a dragon who knows little in the way of mercy..."
adropofsunlight: (08)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-07-24 07:44 am (UTC)(link)
She couldn't help but feel sad for those who are being forced to live again. That sounded really awful.

"So...the dragon is being mean by forcing people to live when there time has already passed? That's awful. I mean, I assume they are being made to do awful things as well."
wyvernmaster: Made by <user name=chillarmy> (Default)

[personal profile] wyvernmaster 2020-07-25 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Until death they are mindless..." Gerome spoke slowly, a slight tone of anger in his voice at the memory of how often those poor, sorry Souls would thank them upon their final death.
adropofsunlight: (264)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-07-26 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm really sorry to hear that. I mean it must not be nice having to see people come back from the dead to have to deal with them again." Because in her mind that sounded awful. What if there were loved ones among them?
wyvernmaster: Made by <user name=chillarmy> (Default)

[personal profile] wyvernmaster 2020-07-27 07:40 am (UTC)(link)
That was the great fear. Having to end the suffering of a loved one, a friend. It was why Gerome chose not to have either. To save him that kind of heartache.

"It is a necessary mercy."
adropofsunlight: (87)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-07-28 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
She nodded slightly. Necessary but still sad. Rapunzel wouldn't be sure how she would handle if anyone she cared about became part of the undead of sorts.

"But at least here that doesn't happen."
wyvernmaster: Made by <user name=chillarmy> (Default)

[personal profile] wyvernmaster 2020-07-30 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"That is... something of a relief." Gerome admitted quietly, looking away from the woman for a moment. It was a great relief to not have to kill people.
adropofsunlight: (28)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-08-01 10:27 am (UTC)(link)
"I mean we have missions, where people do fight, but not against undead or loved ones...as far as I know." Which was a downside, but they were still helping people at least.
wyvernmaster: Made by <user name=chillarmy> (Default)

[personal profile] wyvernmaster 2020-08-02 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"Fighting I am familiar with." And it was not something that Gerome had an issue with. Not being forced to kill friends was a bit advantage...

"... But what do you mean missions?" So far this was the first he was hearing about such a thing.
adropofsunlight: (105)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-08-03 10:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Well... how do I explain it...Missions are a thing where we go to another world that needs help and we help. Depending on which team you go on you do a different thing. You can stick to your Team Color which is the color you are wearing or go with another if it's more to your liking."
wyvernmaster: Made by <user name=chillarmy> (Default)

[personal profile] wyvernmaster 2020-08-04 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I... see..." No he did not. Why were they fighting the battles of other worlds? Could they not fight their own? Why was it their responsibility? Each was responsible for their own Fate and they should be left to their own.

But this was clearly the done thing here. How peculiar.

Gerome looked down at himself. He wore items that were purple in colour. That was his team, he supposed. More peculiarities.

"Thank you for your explanation. I have much to think about."
adropofsunlight: (305)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-08-07 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm glad to have helped, even if it was only a little." She knew she wasn't as much help as others might be, but she tried her best with what she had.

"I also hope the apple was good."
wyvernmaster: Made by <user name=chillarmy> (Default)

[personal profile] wyvernmaster 2020-08-07 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Indeed it was. Thank you." Gerome nodded his thanks again and stepped back.

"I shall leave you to your... cooking." Though to him it looked more like spell casting, but he was learning a lot of what he would consider sorcery was just a way of life in this new world.