voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-11-01 05:36 am

A New Platform [Intro Post November]

On the Train

The morning after the Halloween party passengers are once again woken by a familiar voice.

"Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Imagination. 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. But through the fog comes sunshine, causing patches where the light shines down to warm the concrete. Looking up passengers will not be able to see the sun through the fog, or much of the sky at all.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Bryn Pendragon, Bucky Barnes, Colden Rollins, Elena, Fai D Flourite, Jiang Yanli, Juliette d'Aubigniy, Misa, Peter Parker, Samata Mahto, Satou Kuroneko, The Doctor, Tohru Mutou, Zuko, 10 Vigilant Gaze Purges The Horizon. They all walk silently and do not look back as they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are 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 the thick fog, penetrated by beams of light. As their eyes adjust they will see they are on a platform, behind them are a set of barriers and in front of them is a single track.

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 five 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.

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 and Honey is the newest ingredient, jars of honey stock the shelves and the ICP's in the kitchen have recipe ideas for the month.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a small but function-able spa, complete with a small hot tub and even a steam room. It is a relaxing room with sun lamps and relaxing music or nature sounds available through the ICP. There are a couple of massage tables, with a course for how to give massages for those eager to learn.

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 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!
deferences: (♪ mindful)

[personal profile] deferences 2020-11-07 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, good! Now he won't be worrying about if he should be carrying it or not with the weapon back in its proper owner's hands. Sizhui adjusts his grip on the box slightly, waiting patiently for Curufin to lead them wherever it is they need to go.

He also listens in the same manner, laughs softly at the joke about the sword, interest piqued at the idea of fresh fish, although he does look incredulous by the many jars inside the container he's carrying. “Twenty-five? Wow, that is a lot of... what was it? Peanut butter?” Something he's unfamiliar with, which hasn't ever stopped him before, but he isn't going to ask to try someone else's and— wait, did he say someone turns into a cat on this train? Sizhui's head tips curiously, brow knitted. “Are they a shapeshifter of some kind?” Certainly not a demon or monster or anything that would need to be stopped, right? He casts an appraising glance toward the sword, nods with understanding, yet doesn't consider questioning the wars thing, either. “Interesting. I am sure it's a strong, reliable weapon, then.”

What a name! He opens his mouth, closes it, thoughtfully hums then attempts repeating, “Curufin Fëanorion,” and blessedly doesn't slaughter it. His smile brightens and he offers his own name in return. “It is nice to meet you. My name is Lan Sizhui.” Ordinarily, he'd bow, but that would be difficult in his current position.
so_dark_a_road: (among the contending princes)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2020-11-12 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
Curufin smiles at the young man and leads the way towards the kitchen carriage.

"Peanut butter is a modern recipe. It's made from ground-up peanuts, which come to think of it we didn't have in my world. They tend to grow in warm climates, and I don't think they're universal. A nut butter is a concoction of ground nuts and vegetable or grain oil, and sometimes it has sugar added to make the taste more interesting."

Oh, and the cat! "Spark is a shapeshifter, he has a couple of human forms he can take. But normally, he stays in cat form. He's a good friend of mine, and I like giving him treats." Nope, not a monster or demon that needs to be stopped. "The sword is definitely strong and reliable. It simply will not break, and that's a combination of its meteoric nature and the spells I use when forging."

He grins when Sizhui gets the pronunciation right. "You're a linguist, I'll bet. Very pleased to meet you, Lan Sizhui!" He half-turns and gives the lad a respectful nod, since he can't bow either, with his arms full of the two heavy coolers.

"You're a swordsman, I imagine. And a cultivator, too? I've met a few people from your world, and it seems the robes and headband are the uniform of your sect."
deferences: dns (♪ confident)

[personal profile] deferences 2020-11-14 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
He grins in kind and follows close behind, making sure to stay within earshot so he can hear, but not so close as to crowd the man guiding them along.

“Oh, I see! That's something that hasn't been invented yet where I come from, though from the sounds of it, it'll become very popular.” Taking into account he's carrying so many jars for someone. To be fair, ordering in bulk is probably a smart idea; it gives whoever has the peanut butter plenty of excess for if there happens to be a food shortage all of a sudden. (Which he hopes doesn't happen, it just pays to be smart and plan ahead!) “It sounds delicious. I would assume you eat it on something like bread?” Perhaps with something else to make it less hard to get down, he'd imagine.

Hold on, a couple of human forms? Interesting... he won't ask, however, since there's a chance he might meet this cat-person himself and it might be easier to ask him instead. “You are kind, sir Curufin. I'm sure he appreciates it very much.” Sounds like somebody simply trying to live their life as a genuine shapeshifter without trouble and Sizhui's loath to cause any. “Wow, it sounds almost like my guqin when I use magic through it. It isn't often I hear about other peoples' spiritual tools.” People from his homeworld aside.

His cheeks color faintly, causing him to incline his head with sheepishness. “Ah... no, but thank you, and it is nice to meet you, too!”

Sizhui somehow brightens when Curufin mentions him being cultivator, explains he's met others from his world and how he knows the Lan clan robes and forehead ribbon are something like a uniform. “Yes, that's correct. Have you met Hanguang-jun— uhm, Lan Wangji? Is that how you know?”
so_dark_a_road: (in the unmeasured night #3)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2020-11-14 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Exactly. Peanut butter is normally spread on bread, and you can add honey or jelly to sweeten it. Children seem especially prone to eat it in this way, though I've met some adults who wouldn't pack a lunch without including a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

He throws a smile back at Lan Sizhui. "Spark does love fish, and he specially requested that I find him some. So, I did. Say, if you like cats, you might like Spark, so you might find a way to meet him. He lives in Cabin 1:D."

Oho, another musician. "You play the guqin? I'd love to hear you play, sometime. I play the flute and a few other instruments, though I don't use magic along with music very often. But yes, a sword is a spiritual tool in my world, and it seems so in your world, too."

The young man is modest! "You did pronounce my name correctly on the first try, and most people don't. That impresses me. You may not speak any language but your own right now, but if you were ever interested in learning another language, I bet you'd be good at it."

And as for the other cultivators. . . "Yes, I've met Lan Wangji. He's been on the train for a while. And there are a few others from your world. Lan Wangji is a very good guqin player, and he's what I'd call a proper gentleman. Have you talked to him yet?"

He sees the brightening of this friendly young man's mien when cultivation is mentioned, and imagines he's proud to be a cultivator.
Edited 2020-11-14 06:41 (UTC)
deferences: (♪ input)

[personal profile] deferences 2020-11-17 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
Honey would probably be delicious with nut butter whereas he hasn't heard of jelly, so he's more on the fence about it. Once explained, however, he'll open right up to the idea. “What is jelly if I may ask? Oh, and if I'm asking too many questions, do feel free to tell me to stop.” There's just so much new stuff to learn, he can't help it!

Cabin One, D. He files it away for later, nodding understandingly. “Most definitely! Although, I have to admit, won't it be odd to treat him like a cat when he's also a human?”

Following another quick head-bob, “Yes, and I'd love to play for you. Just because I am not home anymore doesn't mean I should slack on my music. What other instruments do you play? I have an uncle and a father who play the xiao and the dizi, respectively. Many of the people in my world also wield swords, but there are some who have other spiritual weapons, too.” Like Jiang Cheng with Zidian, his trademark purple lightning whip and Daozhang Song Lan with the horsetail whip.

Modesty is important to Lan clan and if there's anyone who follows that, it's Lan Sizhui of all the sect members. “Thank you. I'm pleased to hear that, since I have considered it before.” What language would he learn? Well, that's a bit more up in the air. The mention of Curufin knowing Lan Wangji makes Sizhui smile, delighted that his father has been getting to know people here on this bizarre machine traveling through the void.

“Yes, I have. He's one of the people who has been helping me become acclimated to the train.” A soft laugh, one he can't muffle, unfortunately, but it should be alright since Hanguang-jun isn't around to hear. “And he is most certainly an upstanding gentleman.”