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!
flatteries: (nobody here is perfectly fine)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-18 09:14 am (UTC)(link)
Tidus. Can I ask how you expect to be discreet about it when it's about flying brooms of all things?

[ That's not just something you can casually ask people about! Wouldn't anyone remember it forever if someone randomly asked them about whether or not brooms can fly? People are going to think they're crazy! ]

How is that supposed to come up naturally in a conversation? "Oh, nice broom you've got here, can it fly?"
blitzcheer: (i should've gone for lyrics)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-18 11:58 am (UTC)(link)
Not discreet about the brooms! So it doesn't get back to Roland! Don't talk about it in front of him! [ UGH, INIGO, COME ON!! USE THAT SINGLE BRAINCELL! ]

It's fine! Just ask them about brooms flying and if they don't, just say - [ uhh - ] you're comparing worlds or somethin'! No one's going to care.
flatteries: (go green when you answer)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-18 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ MAYBE YOU'VE BORROWED IT AND IT'S TIME TO LET INIGO HAVE A TURN TO USE IT, TIDUS. ]

Why would I talk about flying brooms in front of Roland?

[ .. okay, yes, he is definitely not using that single braincell now. Thankfully Tidus is spared more of this tragic comedy though, since Inigo continues-- ]

But okay, okay! I'll see if I can bring it up to someone sometime soon. I just need to find a good opportunity to be all.. subtle! [ Inigo can't be subtle to save his life. ]
blitzcheer: (HUUMMM)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-18 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ UGGGH INIGO HE'S JUST SAYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but ok good GOOD moving ON ]


You talk to people, right? Just do that! And if we get nowhere, we'll shove Roland in a quiet room and ask the rest of the train.

[ THERE. PERFECT. NOTHING CAN GO WRONG. ]
flatteries: (you can be king again)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-19 09:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ So much could go wrong. ]

How are you planning on keeping him there if it comes to that? He can't walk out early and hear the whole thing!

[ Are you going to make him count things to distract him, Tidus. ]
blitzcheer: (don't look at these icons)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-19 01:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Uhhh...

[ Why are you making him think, Inigo! ]

We'll give him something to do! [ Ugh! ] The next mission's coming. We'll-- buy him somethin', then ask about the brooms when we throw him in there with it!

[ And before Inigo can ask-- ] A puzzle book! We'll buy him a puzzle book!
flatteries: (but the red on the rest of)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-20 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ If he has the one braincell, he has to use it! And apparently Tidus is, because just look at this boy anticipating Inigo's questions before they even have time to leave his mouth. ]

Alright. That sounds like a plan.

[ A second passes.

Then another.

Inigo blinks. ]


So do puzzle books.. have riddles in them..? [ THE ONLY CRITICAL FLAW IN TIDUS'S PLAN: picking something Inigo doesn't know about so it's inevitably followed up by a dumb question. ]
blitzcheer: (mrhrhrhrhrhgghgh)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-20 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
....I dunno. Maybe? [ What does Tidus know about puzzle books? They could have riddles in them, right? Aremica puzzle books.

Which does help him figure out: ]
We'll need to get one from his world, or he won't make heads or tails out of it. Especially if it's about...world quizzes.

[ Ugh, he got a book like that once. Boriiing. ]
flatteries: (go green when you answer)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-21 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
World quizzes?

[ It's so obvious that Inigo has never looked into one of those things before, judging by how clueless he sounds right now. ]

Wait, they just ask.. questions.. about worlds? [ Blink. Pause. ] How is that fun?

[ Then again, Roland finds some weird stuff fun... ]
blitzcheer: (the QUEEN)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-11-21 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Tidus shrugs his shoulders. ] How should I know? I don't even do blitzball crosswords.

Just remember, okay? But first, flying brooms. We need to find one or the book won't matter!

[ Exactly one (1) flying broom. ]
flatteries: (somebody said that life isn't fair)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-21 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ...

Is this a bad time to ask what crosswords are.

Inigo decides the answer to that is probably yes, so instead-- ]


Alright, I'll keep it in mind. [ He thinks this is only going to earn him weird looks, but if it's for Roland's sake, he'll do it!! ] If I see any opportunities to bring it up with people, I will!

[ HE'S GOT A MISSION NOW. ]