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!
swansongs: (Said a million things but now I know)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-07-28 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Does it?" He wasn't sure it was something that happened to most people. He knew it wasn't uncommon, but also that it didn't happen to just everyone.

Listening quietly, he nodded slowly. On the one hand, it was a little startling, but after she explained...

"I haven't wanted to hurt anyone here, but I can understand wanting to. The people who've done bad things, at least." He didn't want to say he thought they deserved it, because that was a whole different can of worms, but. He got it.
irrationally: (and the turtles all advance)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-28 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a hint of surprise in her eyes when he answers with that. Understanding wanting to do so is already more than Alice would expect most people to say, after all, but.. she seems to look a little glad after that. Maybe even a bit relieved.

"It just doesn't feel right that they get to walk around as if nothing happened. I understand there's little to be done about them even once they've done wrong, considering our situation.." After all, she's heard that people return even if they die. So that wouldn't get rid of them either. "But even knowing that, it still feels awful."
swansongs: (Said a million things but now I know)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-07-29 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, we don't have a jail or law enforcement or...anything like that." And they couldn't go around killing people, because that wouldn't help, either. "We can't really do a whole lot, and it sucks. Like, it doesn't do a lot for feeling safe here, either. Where people can just get away with things."
irrationally: (and set sail for dreamsy)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-30 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're right. I hadn't really considered the last part yet myself."

.. Which probably sounds weird, huh, not being too worried about a now literal murderer being on the loose on this train.. But when you're a murderer yourself and are already paranoid as hell, that one extra little fact won't bother you as much. As evidenced here with Alice.

She looks away to think for a moment, but then her gaze returns directly to him.

"Are you scared?"
swansongs: (Said a million things but now I know)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-07-31 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
He thought about that for a moment, taking a breath. "Maybe, just a little," he admitted. "It's weird, like...I thought the train was supposed to be safe, and now it might not be, and... I just don't want to see people get hurt." He'd had enough of that in his life already.

"I guess it's less about worrying I'm going to be hurt, and more worrying about everyone else." He paused for a beat. "Okay, I'm a little worried about getting hurt, but." He wasn't scared out of his mind or anything, just concerned.
irrationally: (paid all our dues)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-08-01 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's kind of you to be more worried about others than yourself in this sort of situation." She's known more than enough people in her life who surely would only have been fearing for their own hide at the thought of someone that dangerous wandering around. Who would gladly have thrown anyone else in the killer's path if it might have saved themselves for a few more moments.

"Still.. It's not too necessary to be worried. If you're ever in trouble, try to use the ICP to call for help. Surely enough people like you to come help." Dyme is nice, after all. People would like him, Alice assumes. She's quiet for the slightest moment before she adds-- ".. I would help you, anyway."
swansongs: (I said that I would never do you wrong)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-08-03 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
He smiled a little. Maybe his brother had instilled that in him, being a little selfless, putting others first. Dyme had sure as hell put his brother first, even if it'd caused him to end up in the hospital.

"Mmmm. I hadn't even thought of that, but it's a good idea." He hoped people would come to help him if he needed it. He didn't think he was super popular here or anything, but they were all in this together, right? "And...thank you." He might be a little useless, but he'd help her too, if she needed it.
irrationally: (but the snail replied; it's too far)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-08-03 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Alice tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear, seeming perhaps just the slightest tad awkward or embarrassed. Though she's quick to cover it up.

"I should get going." But rather than leaving it at just that, she does at least add-- "Thank you for the music."
swansongs: (That I should really stick)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-08-03 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Alright." He nodded, smiling softly. "And you're quite welcome." He'd enjoyed having the chance to play, and for the chance to talk about music--and everything else--even if they had wildly different experiences with music.