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!
winterforecast: (Grrrr)

[personal profile] winterforecast 2020-10-07 07:50 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not training, nya. [She rolls her eyes, surly teen that she is.] I'm just blowing off steam so I don't try to tear the next person who so much as looks at me funny into bloody pieces and deep freeze whatever chunky salsa that remains.

...got into enough trouble with that book already, nya. [She crosses her arms and looks down, clearly sulking.

Did somebody accidentally spill orange dye on her shirt, because she is certainly acting like a fellow Red Team member.]
winterforecast: (Sinister)

if you want to rewind and not start a fight on the platform i can edit

[personal profile] winterforecast 2020-10-07 08:05 am (UTC)(link)
Maybe nyat.

[Oh, how she hates this idiot already. Reminds her of a certain someone-

Light

certain someone-

LIGHT-

certain someone-

What comes next is no surprise to Alexis, the instincts seared into her by the blinding light taking over before she even has time to think.

She rushes into Ken's personal space with blinding speed, aiming a brutal punch into his gut as she leans over his shoulder and whispers:]


But it'll sure as hell make me feel better about them, nya.
winterforecast: (Yelling)

[personal profile] winterforecast 2020-10-07 08:13 am (UTC)(link)
TANUKI MURDER, NO NYA! WHAT DO YOU THINK I SAID?
winterforecast: (Default)

[personal profile] winterforecast 2020-10-07 08:19 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a moment where Alexis looks at Nike completely frozen, two whole months' worth of emotions speedrunning across her eyes until they settle on something like carefully rehearsed apathy.]

...

Is death metal on the menu?
winterforecast: (Surprise)

[personal profile] winterforecast 2020-10-07 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
...ugh, maybe you have a point.

[She backs away, absentmindedly scratching some fluff out of her hair.]

Really wish I could do more than just tear these things up, nya. Not nearly as satisfying as taking on a live opponent. [And around this time of day was generally when she sparred with Dokja, too, but like hell was she telling a stranger that.]
happyends: (the ancient magic i dreamed of)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-10-07 08:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ For a second she's quiet. Instead Madoka is just staring at Homura, almost like she's searching her eyes - especially when Homura says it's fine. Like she's trying to see whether it's actually fine. Whether Homura is fine.

Thankfully it does seem to be the case. Madoka can maybe still spot some slight confusion in those eyes, maybe some questions, but.. Homura at the very least doesn't look miserable. That's good. At least one good thing about today.

And at the tug of those lips, Madoka's head dips, though this time more in slight embarrassment than any real upset. ]


Ah, you're right..

[ Homura sure knows of a lot more potential points in time that Madoka could be from than the other way around, after all. ]

Everyone else was.. gone. [ She doesn't want to use the word dead. Not today of all days. ] You told me. About.. About everything that happened to you. Everything you went through.. for me.

[ It still feels weird to say that. The very thought of it is odd. Why would a person do that much just for her? She's no one special, and yet Homura suffered so much for her sake. It doesn't feel fair. ]

Then you went to fight Walpurgisnacht.. Do you remember that? I.. I'm not sure if you noticed, but I came after you.
flatteries: (from the scrapes and bruises)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-10-07 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
"What?"

Inigo seems surprised, almost startled. He takes the earpiece out of his ear, as if he might have missed something here because of the music playing. Holding it in one hand, he takes a hold of one of Tidus's hand with the other, free hand. It's a tight hold, like he's squeezing.

"No!" It comes so quickly, it can't be anything but natural. Genuine. Inigo doesn't even seem to need a moment to think before he's already speaking. His head and feelings are a mess, but this question is so easy to answer despite that - and he wouldn't want to make his friend wait even a single second for the reassurement. "Why would I? You're dealing with so much, Tidus." And honesty, though Inigo doesn't realise it, he doesn't even know the full extent of it.

"You're probably having a harder time than anyone else on this train right now. Of course you can just do nothing if you want. That's your full right, and if anyone thinks you're a coward for it, then they can come deal with me."

He frowns, emotion creeping back into his voice for Tidus's sake. It's defensive, protective.

"You're doing what you can to hang in there. And I'm so proud of you for that. Really. If there's anything at all I can do to help, just let me know."
blitzcheer: (coolio dealio)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-10-07 10:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, the tethering is like..." Give Tidus a second or so to remember. He can barely keep any of this straight either. "What connects us to the train... I think? But it's gotta get faulty sometimes, right?"

He gestures with his hands nonsensically. "But what I don't get is... you don't see anything wrong with the person before they get that conductor call. And the way they walk off to the turnstile is..."

He grimaces into his frown. Creepy.
blitzcheer: (don't think about it)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-10-07 10:51 am (UTC)(link)
"But..."

He's staring at their hands: Inigo's wrapped tight, his left opened. And he can feel that upset growing, heaving into his shoulders, the rise to his eyes. Tidus blinks to try and stop the tears from forming, a terrible mistake.

They roll down his cheeks, tickling his skin.

"I don't want to leave you alone. You're feeling miserable too--but what can we do? How can we make it better? I dunno how to fix anything. And everything's just too-- too much right now. But I don't want to shut you out. Not again."

It's a mess of emotions, of feelings, his voice wet. Tidus brushes at his face with the back of his free hand, sniffs and swallows.

"Just tell me what I can do to help."
blitzcheer: (won't treat you like you're typical)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-10-07 11:05 am (UTC)(link)
"That's right! Did I tell you you play it underwater? Apparently I didn't tell the one guy I've known forever on this train, and he thought I was drowning when I stayed underwater!"

Which hopefully still counts as light, since he was definitely not drowning.
ramengroupie: (discuss)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-07 11:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ She'd do that....?

--No, he can't get distracted, and he appreciates the help too much to turn it down. So he nods. ]
Do you know what a "smartphone" is?
ramengroupie: (glad)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-07 12:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ken doesn't think this is nonsensical at all! ]

That's a good dream.

[ Wormmon agrees. ]

The void isn't really like space, after all.

[ Space is a lot - spacier! And less - voidy!

Whatever voidy means, this is his first day, okay. ]
ramengroupie: (jog)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-07 12:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Your partner is on the train, too?"

Wormmon has an Intrigue. Ken blinks and looks down at the word "deserve". He's....familiar with that kind of thinking, too.

He's going to have to figure out what, if anything, to do about it.
ramengroupie: (hat)

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-07 12:20 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm Wormmon. It's nice to meet you!

[ And it is, now that they are not both screaming. The horrific creature with far too many legs and a mouth that opens in the wrong direction bows politely. ]

He's a Digital Monster, or "Digimon". We're partners.
marriedanidiot: (Default)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-10-07 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
She hesitates and then...

"The kitchen. I... will not be able to sleep. And ... there will be people coming too and fro."

She knows, from past experience, if she wants to remember to stay here, she needs the distraction of company.
ramengroupie: (huh?)

eh ken getting hit for bad decisions is a day in the life, bring it

[personal profile] ramengroupie 2020-10-07 12:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Ghk!!

[ Ken isn't expecting that, and does not have the greatest reaction speed when it comes to violence against his person. He doesn't drop to his knees, but the punch does fold him.

What the--?! ]


KEN-CHAN!!!

[ Wormmon shrieks, horrified. ]
marriedanidiot: (wistful)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-10-07 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
She's almost frail, leaning against his arms as he helps her up. There's something almost insubstantial about her, as if her spirit no longer grips properly its flesh.

But she manages something close to a smile, for him.

"Thank you, Wangji. You... are very kind."
marriedanidiot: (grief)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-10-07 12:39 pm (UTC)(link)
She's not just cold, but she feels almost... insubstantial. As if her spirit is trying to shake itself loose of it's flesh (not an inaccurate description, sadly)

"Thank you." She manages something of a smile for Kitty.

"My apologies... you might have to... help a little." She stumbles as she gets to her feet.
badassfreakingoverlord: (how you doin'?)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-10-07 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Still the hard sell. Well, I'm not giving up so easily. Besides, we need more eye candy around here too." The book winked at her, quite shameless.
marriedanidiot: (Default)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-10-07 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"How long can you stay underwater?" She asks, curiously.

"I know the pearl divers of Alqualonde can do so for several minutes at a time."
badassfreakingoverlord: (looking at you)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-10-07 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"Right. Abducted by the damn thing the same as everyone else. I hate to say it, but we're all in the same boat there." That, of course, was why no one did anything about him. Necessary mutual coexistence. Certainly not because he seemed so hopelessly ineffectual no one cared!
marriedanidiot: (wistful)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-10-07 12:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Nerdanel's smile is faint, but real.

"Thank you very much, my dear."

She is still very cold, but slowly, with Ple Two right there, she is warming up.
badassfreakingoverlord: (my point is made!)

[personal profile] badassfreakingoverlord 2020-10-07 12:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Right. I was pretty clear in it that I'm the only one who gives a crap about getting us out of here, right? Everyone else just sits and accepts it!" By his definitions anyway! "What better pitch than that?"
marriedanidiot: (grief)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-10-07 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Selenay." She murmurs.

"Forgive... my rudeness. I am... Nerdanel."
marriedanidiot: (Default)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-10-07 01:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"A whale?" She rouses more, at that, curiousity anchoring her in the here and now.