voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-10-01 05:30 am
Entry tags:

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Horsehoe. Points have been updated on the system and new stock is available."

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. The first thing they may notice is that this platform is inside a basic shelter, making it warmer than the last couple at least.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Adora, Alex Hashimoto, Catra, Cloud Strife, Elizabeth Midford, Feanor, Gerome, Gladiolus Amicitia, Glimmer, Ifrit, Isabella D’Oro, Maru, Nari Reno, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prompto Argentum, Scorpia, Siobahn Chereshei, SXT-2, Tamamo-no-Mae, Tony Stark, Uta, Zidane Tribal

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours 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 gloomy, even without the steam and fog. They are in a wooden building, open to the tracks on one side. It in a creaky shelter, cobwebs hang from the rafters and there is a peculiar whistle as wind finds its way through the cracks.

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 gloom 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, with… teddy bear shaped luncheon meat being the main ingredient to be found. There are plenty of other staples.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a room full of lockers, designated as the Armoury. Even for passengers without weapons it is somewhere to secure possessions. There are instructions on how to use the lockers and enough for everyone to claim one.

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 braving the snow 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!
ramengroupie: (discuss)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-06 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
There's a computer. It's slight, but the possibility exi---

Ken-chan, it's not here.

[ Just a worm head pokes up out of the bag. Boing! ] Your Digivice isn't here!

[ NOW Ken looks disturbed. ]

What?!
ramengroupie: (jog)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-06 11:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Under typical circumstances, Wormmon would have enjoyed being held and patted; he's not the most independent Digimon alive, and exterior validation of all kinds makes him happy.

These are not, unfortunately, typical circumstances. ]


Let me go! YOU'RE NOT KEN-CHAAAN~!

[ Sorry about this, Lea, but "worm" rhymes with "squirm" for a reason......wriggle, wriggle, wriggle. Heeelp!!! He's traaaaappped! ]

Wormmon?

[ Darting through the crowd, head up: new person, orange hoodie. ] Wormmon!
ramengroupie: (interest)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-06 11:54 am (UTC)(link)
"That's impressive." Ken knows someone in medical school so he has heard firsthand about its rigor.

"Hey, what's a Bee Em Eye?" Wormmon is concerned. "Ken-chan doesn't have bees in his eyes!"
ramengroupie: (serious)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-06 11:56 am (UTC)(link)
Or I might be dismissed.

[ Is the flip side. Ken nods. He has to make the most of each moment here, then.....With everyone else pulling together like this, he can't be a burden. ]

I'll keep that in mind.
ramengroupie: (soft)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-06 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
So Adam's partner was that kind of partner, then. Probably. No wonder he felt like so much was waiting for him back home.

"He sounds like a precious person," Ken agrees: "a handful, but a good guy" also happens to describe his own best friend. This was the first time Ken'd be going on an adventure without him, too...

He'll have to work hard for the both of them.

ramengroupie: (soft)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-06 12:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Education as growth, in other words.

[ Ken is starting to look a little sappy. Even more than for himself, there's someone...else....he wishes could have had a professor like Waver. ]
ramengroupie: (satisfied)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-06 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Ken-chan doesn't get bored. Sometimes we just sit on the terrace and look at the sky. For hours!

[ .....They've already established one can't do that with the void, though....Ken looks away, somewhat self-conscious. But he can't protest.

It's true. ]
iamnotgod: Webmind projecting a smile. The robot is wearing an orange hoodie. (A smile!)

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2020-10-06 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Webmind moves one hand, imparting as gentle a squeeze as he can muster... which is rather gentle, admittedly; he is no sculptor, but he has gotten used to fine-motor movements.

"Towards the Kitchen, or the Sleepers, Nerdanel?"
flatteries: (it woke me up this morning)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-10-06 12:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Me too," he admits, though in Inigo's case it's very much true. It would be bliss if his mind could just stop for a while. There has been an overload of thoughts, insecurities and worries. All this time. And it only feels like it's getting heavier and heavier with every single passing day, with every bad thing that happens.

So Inigo also admits, ".. but I don't know if I can."

It feels impossible to stop his thoughts at this point. His voice grows a little tinier to reflect it too, the hurt he's been trying to surpress slowly crawling back into the limelight.

"I don't know what to do anymore." Maybe it's not fair to say that in front of Tidus, when Tidus is already carrying so much with him as well. But what else is he supposed to do? It's just the truth, and if Tidus doesn't find out right now, he'll surely find out at some point today. There's no way to cover that up forever.
blitzcheer: (to be human)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-10-06 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a hard question to answer, but because it's one too personal to himself. A purpose he's been struggling with, that's been making him feel this way. What does he do, when everything he can do... why does he deserve to? Who does it serve, when it doesn't do anything about the past? A past that's been somewhat easier to swallow against, but still not gone. Still held onto, or as lingering a presence as it has been since the last platform stop.

I don't know what to do anymore.

"...Then let's not do anything." If his answer is supposed to be anything else, he doesn't know-- doesn't care to know what it is. This is more comfortable. And it's strikingly so, once he's said it. "Let's just...do nothing. We don't have to. Why should we?"

Why should any of them. His hands sit sprawled across his lap, useless.

"I don't want to."
unfavorableinstigation: Nita working with a Kernel (Wizardry Is Kid Stuff)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-10-06 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
... Well, there was one time she'd sung, but-

"I had to be a whale to do it," she admits further - though a wry grin comes to her face as well, and a pang of nostalgia.

"The vocals get kinda distorted when we're out of water... but I'll try."
shadowslipping: (heh-?)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2020-10-06 12:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah-?"

Oh! ...Well this will be interesting, as- "...Ah...technically it means 'other world' actually..." Oops. "But the term is used for a genre now; any story where the characters are transported to 'another world', or a 'different world', you can call it an 'isekai'. They're pretty popular over all..."

Though she certainly didn't expect to be in one...
shadowslipping: (Smile)

heckyeah

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2020-10-06 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmmm, that's not very well organized at all then... [She tsks, appreciating the room but otherwise doing her best not to take too much advantage of the space.] I seem to have a bit of an unexpected advantage when it comes to the train though then...where I came from, there's a rail-system between the four parallel dimensions, that I've taken a few times.

...That train only typically took an hour or so though...
shadowslipping: (Saddened)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2020-10-06 01:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"That was what I was told yes...suffice to say, I expect my combat skills to be far more useful on the field," Yuume chuckles quietly.

Ah-

"Mnnh. The diagnostic is if anything simply me entering the realm and making observations upon it. No soul is the same- the manner in which it presents itself is always equally unique. For that matter...while the appearance of the realm can give certain ideas of the state of someone's mind, a number of subtle things would still be kept private...over all it's like I said- calling myself a psychologist...it would be entirely irresponsible. Entering someone's soul is something best only for if there's clearly something amiss with the mind and soul, something from an outside force- a person's behavior and circumstance isn't something you 'fix' with the flip of a switch, after all...in the end, even 'fixing' things can have consequence if done too swiftly."
shadowslipping: (Sigh)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2020-10-06 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ahh, a performer?" Well, she looks happy to hear that at least. "I would still say that requires a fair amount of skill though, doesn't it? to be able to act and perform...at the very least I definitely can't say I'm capable of doing the same very well.."

Still, she nods. "Mnn. Magic does sound like an answer that makes sense...the trouble I imagine would be differing realm's laws for it..." Ah, but that aside. "I don't know if I want to simply go off someone believing it to be the case though...hmm..."
shadowslipping: (pic#13321640)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2020-10-06 01:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"That just makes me wonder why on earth it's called a 'void'..." Hahhh. "It sounds more like the realms between from the subway now..."

Which she can easily explain if he asks- it'll be an interesting case of surprise similarities (which are still, unfortunately, entirely different).

Yuume in any case, is focusing on that last matter with absolute seriousness. "...We're a vigilante recruit party? Just why is it rogue in the first place, if it's come to that?"
adregem: (roland's default.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-10-06 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"..."

He could say a lot about maybe keeping an Arms Band to a one-to-one ratio, but he's pretty sure they weren't going to be persuaded otherwise. Plus, something tells Roland that Senku was in fact, telling the truth; they probably wouldn't forget a single thing they put inside that Arms Band, with or without a list.

"Well, those are the basics." He adds. "Apart from a few others. Food won't rot inside, you can't keep anything alive in there, and it's not going to run out of space." Roland rests a hand on his hip. "That's it, really. Simple, right?"

And speaking of things that keep inside the Arms Band, Roland's eyes widen somewhat, as if remembering something. "Oh. I have what you need, too. For the upgrade. It was a big gamble, wasn't sure what I would have gotten, but it's pretty much a success."
adregem: (did you just use a twig?)

1/2

[personal profile] adregem 2020-10-06 01:15 pm (UTC)(link)
There's an almost comedic look on Roland's face as he regards Zangetsu.
adregem: (how classy.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-10-06 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"Something tells me that someone's me, huh?" He shakes his head, his initial apprehension fading into a smirk of amusement. He tries not to think this out too loudly, in case any bond may come through, but maybe he's not as big and scary as he initially saw him to be in that memory cave?

"Okay then. Uh, rant away. Tell me more about this pussy cat and what you're so worried about." He makes a gesture with his hand, as if to encourage him to continue. The laundry wouldn't be for a while yet.
unfavorableinstigation: Nita Callahan kneeling in the woods, drawing a glowing blue diagram on the ground while reading from a book. (Drawing a Spell Diagram)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-10-06 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"You won't be waiting too long for that," Nita replies.

"Missions happen once a month, but it feels a lot more frequent than that."

As for the explanation... Nita's expression turns contemplative, until she eventually responds:

"See, that might be something we have in common - changing things just because they look 'wrong' from the outside isn't good practice, and the wizard who does that can be punished, even lose their wizardry altogether. But, for wizards, building a spell and having it take are two different things; if the conditions you build it around aren't met - say, an ethics constant - the spell won't run. Even just having a conversation in the Speech is a two-way street; for example,"

Nita gestures to the wall again,

"If I ask the train a question in the Speech, it has the choice to respond or not. I'm not obligated an answer from a thinking being, even when, supposedly, everything responds to the Speech."
shadowslipping: (Saddened)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2020-10-06 01:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hahaaaa...well, I won't fall out of practice then at least in that case..."

Mmmm. "I'll need to get training clothes though..." Bugger. Well, that aside.

"Mnnh. Ultimately, it's why the largest rule of being a 'Doctor' is to change nothing. Minimal damage, even under attack. ...This 'Speech' of yours sounds quite well created though," she compliments with a blink. "The option of consent. Unfortunately, many of my clients don't have that option..." Yuume grimaces. "...It's the consequence of why there's a problem at all, by that point..."
shadowslipping: (heh-?)

[personal profile] shadowslipping 2020-10-06 01:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah...nanoparticles?" Yuume blinks. ...This is probably going to become an awkward conversation but, all the same.

"I don't believe I technically disassembled...moreover, it isn't linked to any technology."
adregem: (< suit > fashion of the times.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-10-06 01:28 pm (UTC)(link)
He throws Glorfindel a joking look, lips turned in an upwards smirk. "What? Glorfindel, how would I have been able to tell? Heh." Roland joins him in the cleanup crew, the higgldies doing the task set about them. Their ringleader puts itself in charge of drying the clothes by the line, just walking back and forth in a straight line for a gentle heat.

"Hm. I think it's both." Roland answers, but there's little confidence in that answer. "Higgledies are definitely single entities, but they have little pals with them all the time. Some higgledies are just a bit more special than others, but that's as much as I know to be honest."

It's not like this was part of his curriculum in the first world! But then again, this makes him realize it might have been a wiser decision to involve himself in the more magical aspects at Evermore; something he tasked to his Junior Consul while Roland ran operations.
badassfreakingoverlord: (the impatiently literary glare)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-10-06 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Ignoring the first question, Zetta turned to the second instead. "I won't need to. Either this worked and I'll get all the loyal vassals I need, or it didn't and you people are absolutely beyond all hope."
adregem: (a lightheartedness that comes with age)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-10-06 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Roland shakes his head softly, a quiet chuckle thrown her way. "Not at all." He wraps his other hand around the handle of the basket so that it faces forward, and in an instant, a glow of gold and sparkle appears between his hands. The basket disappears in that flash of light, and Roland's hands are suddenly free of any obstruction. He folds his arms over his chest, still smiling like nothing happened; so used to the task that it comes second nature.

"I can collect clothes as we go through the field trip. The wash area is nearer to the dining car, anyway." He moves to the side, as if beckoning. "Shall we?"