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!
swansongs: (Let's face it I blew it you waited)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-10-07 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Wait, tethering? Is there tethering involved with void travel?" Duh, Tidus had literally just said that it was. Somehow Dyme had missed out on that, or he'd forgotten--either option was likely.

"Hmmm. Maybe. Or maybe it's just faulty for some people?"
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.
swansongs: (Let's face it I blew it you waited)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-10-08 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Mmmm, it's gotta, yeah." Maybe. He didn't really have any idea, but it sounded as good a theory as any.

"And you know, you can't stop those people, either. Me and someone else tried. They don't respond or anything at all." And it was definitely creepy. They were like zombies. "Makes you wonder what happened to them."
blitzcheer: (/)_(\)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-10-08 01:16 pm (UTC)(link)
...he's not sure if he's ever thought this before, but-

"...You don't think that's how we show up too, do you?" Would that explain why they remember nothing about showing up in the first place? "We just walk oblivious into place until-" he makes a sound, shrugging "--we snap out of it?"
swansongs: (Let's face it I blew it you waited)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-10-09 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
Well, now that thought was in Dyme's head and it was never going to get out. He thought about himself walking around like a zombie, in some kind of trance, and shuddered.

"God I hope not. But it would explain a lot. Like, maybe we're drugged or under the influence of some kind of magic."
blitzcheer: (bluh bluh dad sucks)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-10-09 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Magic makes sense. Something that messes with your head? Something like..."

Except wherever his mind goes as he's sitting there with a slight squint, it deepens, and he gives an audible shivering "brrrr!", shaking his head and even his shoulders.

"N-no way, nevermind!"
swansongs: (To what I said)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-10-10 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
Dyme wanted to ask. He was really curious. But he bit his tongue.

"I dunno what kind of magic there is like that, but maybe I'm better off not knowing."

Less bad thoughts and potential nightmares. Plus, it avoided the fact that he might not understand how the magic even worked in the first place, thus saving him a headache.
blitzcheer: (the QUEEN)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-10-11 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah..." Honestly, Tidus wasn't sure if he wanted to know either. Well, he was curious, but right now-?

"Know what a better magic is?" How about a switch of tunes here, Tidus leaning back in his seat.

"The magic of music! I'm fine sticking with that today!"
swansongs: (That I should really stick)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-10-12 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
That was one way to get Dyme to perk up again. He smiled, giving his guitar a few strums. "Damn right music's magic." He came so close to getting tongue-tied saying that.

"Music can fix a lot of things, even if it's temporary." Music was like a good friend, a warm hug, something that could whisk your worries away.
blitzcheer: (chatter chatter)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-10-12 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"I gotta admit, I always have music going on my SCA. I didn't think much of a music car before," sorry Dyme!, "but getting your personal music player? Yeah, okay - that was a positive."

But, speaking of the tunes library- "Hey, you know if any of your band's stuff is in there? The selection is massive!"
swansongs: (Let's face it I blew it you waited)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-10-13 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I'm super glad we got music for our SCAs," he agreed. "And I know, it's huge. I didn't even think of looking, but I'll take a peek sometime and let you know." He didn't expect his music to make the cut and somehow end up on the train, but you never knew.