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!
bloomingblossom: (007)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-08 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, well... let's see," Tsubomi said. "We've known each other about over a year now... but it really seems like longer. We've been through a lot together."
happyends: (lies in the palm)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-09 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah, that makes sense.. Sometimes it can really feel like you've known someone forever, even though it's really not been that long at all."

It's not exactly a rare feeling. Madoka has felt really close to some people on the train, after all, and she's only been here for about half a year now. That's only half of the time Tsubomi spent together with her cute friend!

"But if you've been through a lot together.. Will she be okay then during the missions?" Madoka isn't sure if this is an emotional kind of 'a lot' or an battles and a near-apocalypse kind of 'a lot'..
bloomingblossom: (Default)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-10 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll be fine!" Chypre insisted. "I help Tsubomi all the time! Don't worry about me!"

Tsubomi nodded. "Trust me," Tsubomi said. "Chypre is stronger than she looks."
happyends: (so it's now or never more)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-10 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Madoka nods with a small smile, apparently ready to believe it.

"That's good! You know things can get pretty dangerous here sometimes, so I was a little worried.." Especially since Chypre looks so cute. And she seems to act so sweet and nice too! But if she knows how to stay safe in scary situations, that's great...

"Please take care of each other. And, um, if you ever need help, feel free to ask me for anything.."

Not that there's a lot Madoka can do - she thinks - but she'll always help out friendly people! And Tsubomi and Cyphre are definitely counted among that.
bloomingblossom: (007)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-12 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
Tsubomi smiled wide. "That's very kind of you," she said. Then, something came to mind, and she added, "Ah, but who would I be asking something of? I don't think you told me your name."
happyends: (so it's now or never more)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-12 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh-- It's Madoka!" She quickly bows, as a means of introduction, before uprighting herself. "Madoka Kaname, but, um, feel free to call me by my first name."

They're both still relatively young, after all!

"And you're.. um, you're Itsuki-chan's friend, aren't you..?"
bloomingblossom: (009)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-12 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Tsubomi smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Madoka-san," she said, nodding. "I'm Tsubomi Hanasaki, and... ah, you know Itsuki-san? Yes, she's my very good friend."
happyends: (so it's now or never more)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-13 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Madoka nods.

"Yes, we.." She pauses. Or, well, she lets her voice trail off, letting the final sounds hang in the air for a moment as the girl wonders how to phrase this.. She wants to go about it delicately, especially since she's not sure of Tsubomi's reaction.

"Um, I suppose this might sound odd, but.. I saw some of her memories. So I know.. a few things." There's some emphasis on the last few words, like she doesn't want to say the details out loud - someone could be hearing them, and they seem pretty secretive about the whole magical girl thing! "So you don't have to worry about that around me."
bloomingblossom: (011)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-14 07:27 am (UTC)(link)
Tsubomi's eyes widened. She... had no idea about any of that. Why hadn't Itsuki-san told her? This... this was something she would have to talk to her friend about sometime later.

"I... I see," she said, trying to shake off some of her surprise. "W-Well... thank you, I suppose. I don't really know what to say, though..."
happyends: (better than the rest)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-15 08:00 am (UTC)(link)
At least the fact that Tsubomi is surprised is pretty noticable. Noticable enough for Madoka to pick up on it. It feels a little awkward, but.. she thinks not telling the other girl would have been even worse, right? That would have felt like lying at this point, and that's not something Madoka wants to do to anyone.

Maybe she just needs to give the other girl some time and space to come to terms with it?

"Um.. that's okay! I just wanted to make sure you knew.." She waves her hands, looking a bit apologetic. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude! Please don't worry about it too much."
bloomingblossom: (003)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-17 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Tsubomi instantly felt guilty. Whatever had caused this to happen, it wasn't Madoka's fault. So she did her best to smile reassuringly.

"I appreciate it," she said. "I just... there's someone else I would have preferred to hear it from first, you know? You're fine, trust me."
happyends: (the ancient magic i dreamed of)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-18 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
.. someone else.

Ah, wait, did Tsubomi and Itsuki not talk about it yet?! It's been a while since they were at that island, so Madoka figured they would have and that it wouldn't be weird to mention it now..

Oh gosh. Oh geez. She really hopes she didn't accidentally mess up a friendship here. She definitely looks flustered now.

"Did.. Itsuki-chan not tell you yet? Um, maybe she had her own reasons for that, though I'm not sure what.." Especially since Itsuki and Tsubomi must be rather close if they - or it seemed like it, at least - fought together back home.
bloomingblossom: (004)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-19 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Tsubomi let out a heavy sigh.

"She hasn't told me yet, no," she said. "And... I don't know why. I'm going to have to ask her myself, I guess."

She did her best to smile. "But... I think our friendship can see it through. We just need to talk to one another."
happyends: (the ancient magic i dreamed of)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-19 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
".. okay.."

If Madoka still seems hesitant - she sure does - then it's just because she still can't help but worry. Even if Tsubomi says their friendship will pull through, it still sounds like she did screw up things at least somewhat.. and there's nothing that could make Madoka worry more than that.

Her hands nervously fret with the bottom of her hoodie.

"I-I'm really sorry if I caused you any inconvenience, Tsubomi-san."
bloomingblossom: (009)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-19 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh dear. Tsubomi didn't want Madoka to feel bad. Her smile grew wider, more sincere, and when she spoke next, she spoke softly.

"Don't worry, Madoka-san," she said. "Really. You didn't do anything wrong, okay? This is just something we have to really be careful about, you know?"
happyends: (better than the rest)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-20 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
She quickly nods.

"I understand."

Very well. And not just from the things Itsuki said. Though she feels like maybe she should offer a little in return - to show Tsubomi that she wants to trust her too, and not just selfishly sit on this knowledge about Tsubomi and Tsubomi's world.

"Actually, my world.. is a little like that too," she explains, still trying to stay vague in case anyone can overhear. "So I really do understand having to be careful."
bloomingblossom: (Default)

[personal profile] bloomingblossom 2020-11-22 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Tsubomi raised an eyebrow.

"I see," she said, curious but not wanting to pry into anything Madoka wasn't ready to talk about. "That makes me glad, a little, knowing that you probably understand, Madoka-san."