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!
consider8: (Contempl8)

[personal profile] consider8 2020-10-02 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[Wait what? Alternate versions? Different worlds? Winding up on a train platform was something she had gotten used to but she was completely unaware of what this whole "other worlds business was."]

[She takes a moment, her eyes drifting as she tries to imagine what alternate version of her friends would even BE like... she's there for a moment before she is drawn back to the conversation.]


I see. [Oh they were at exchanging names. Right.] My name is Eight. Agent Eight. [Perhaps it was the fancy title, but Eight felt inclined to add something more than just a number.]
extrasaltypotato: (extra salty potato)

[personal profile] extrasaltypotato 2020-10-02 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmn.

[He doesn't like that. Doesn't like that this person who looks like a child has a number, and not a name; likes even less that a child has a paramilitary rank.

But he does not say so, except with his eyes.]


Welcome to the train. Have you found your quarters, the kitchens, the recreation decks? Do you need any help learning the technology?
consider8: (Assess)

[personal profile] consider8 2020-10-02 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's used to that look, but it was more for what she was rather than for the circumstances of her birth. She finds it hard to distinguish between the two.]

I think I know the technology. Washing machines and toilets, right?

...I could use some help moving around the train... if you are willing.
extrasaltypotato: (showing you the ropes)

[personal profile] extrasaltypotato 2020-10-02 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
More than. I spend most of my time in the library and game room. Where do you wish to go?
consider8: (Deb8)

[personal profile] consider8 2020-10-03 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
[The growling in her stomach causes her eyes to drift down to her belly.]

[Timidly she looked back up to Hikaru and tried to break her embarrassment with a cute "Vee~?"]


extrasaltypotato: (showing you the ropes)

[personal profile] extrasaltypotato 2020-10-03 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
Kitchens it is. We've recently been able to restock with game from the last world we visited... you know, if you're not a fan of ham and beef Bear Loaf.

[It's not a long walk, and the first thing that he does when he gets there is put on a kettle.]

Are all the appliances familiar to you? What would you like to eat?
consider8: (Contempl8)

[personal profile] consider8 2020-10-03 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
What's a bear?

[At the second questions he looks around at the various devices. It's all pretty modern as far as she could tell. A toaster. Pots and pans. An oven. A blender...]

[Her eyes narrow for a second at the sight of the blender. Fortunately it wasn't large enough to be used on a person, but its presence unnerved her considerably.]

[Oh right, she was asked a question.]
...mm... I don't know what to ask for since I just got here. I do feel a little hungry for fish? [That seemed safe.]
extrasaltypotato: (Default)

[personal profile] extrasaltypotato 2020-10-03 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
A large predator, that apparently some find cute enough to shape ham and beef into. That doesn't matter at the moment.

[He notes her unease with the blender, and doesn't question it.]

We've salmon and trout from the trip. Smoked and cured. One moment. Can you eat cheese? Some people react poorly to dairy...

[He's taking some bagels from the store and splitting them, to drop them in the toaster.]
consider8: (8emused)

[personal profile] consider8 2020-10-03 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
[It also doesn't matter that she doesn't know what ham and beef are... oh well.]

Mm! I do like cheese. I hadn't have it before coming to Inkopolis. Dairy tends to be difficult to get in underground domes.

[She watches him work, pleasantly impressed with how hard he is working to make her feel welcome.]
extrasaltypotato: (showing you the ropes)

[personal profile] extrasaltypotato 2020-10-26 08:24 am (UTC)(link)
[After a moment, he nods and takes out cream cheese. The toaster pops, and he gives the bagel a little schmear, and some lox, and...]

Here you go. Classic breakfast food back home. Either home.
consider8: (Recre8)

[personal profile] consider8 2020-10-27 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
Veemo~! [Eight chirps happily, graciously taking the bagel.]

Thank you for your kindness. [She meant it. Even if it was a small gesture, he went out of his way to provide comfort and care to her, a complete stranger. An outsider.]

[She nommed the bagel, cherishing the bite beyond the flavors in her mouth.]


It's good!