voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-12-01 06:00 am

A New Platform [Intro Post December]

On the Train

It's only been a couple of days since the Voidtrecker Express took to the void once more, and many of the passengers are still recovering and recuperating after a very hectic end to their latest mission. Nevertheless, they are awoken by a familiar message.

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Imagination. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for 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 the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. It is warm outside with a pleasant breeze that flows down the platform, rustling the light spread of leaves that litter the floor.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Akemi Homura, Alfred the Poisoner, Donatello Versus, Chie Satonaka, Joscelin Fitzthomas, Ronan Lynch, Rose Tyler, Tangle the Lemur, Trowa Barton, Wester Mazaki and Whisper the Wolf all pass through the platform, not looking back before 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 swirling leaves at their feet, moving in flurries and rattling against each other softly. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, cement and packed earth forming a very practical, plain-looking shelter. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style 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 eight 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's 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 lead to something terrible. 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 (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with more jars of honey, the ingredient of the month of Imagination, as well as sundries.

A new carriage has been added right next to the luggage carriage. It is a second medical carriage, or triage carriage. Downstairs is more open with beds and chairs, upstairs are two surgical bays for those that need immediate attention.

For those intrigued by the claim of a parcel for every passenger they will find several large boxes filled with small blue bags. Inside each bag is ten dark blue coins imprinted on each side with a silver snowflake. Each bag has a small label with a passengers name. On the other side of the label it reads: Keep these safe for now.

Of course for any passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage as well.

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 taking advantage of the pleasant weather and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again 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!
fun_thementalist: (allow me to explain!)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-12-30 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
"Exactly!" Gen agreed. "This is a great opportunity to broaden your skill set a little. Not that this situation isn't ... err .. frankly, it sucks, but. I guess I've become pretty used to trying to make the most out of really dire kinds of scenarios."
subcircuits: (avoidant)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-30 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Not... weird," Devero says. His voice has gone soft and wistful. "Just-- you're lucky. My parents never claimed me."
subcircuits: (attendant)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-30 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
So Devero doesn't actually look like he finds that ridiculous. In fact, he says, "Oh! Are you from the same world as--"

The name deserts him; he's met so many people already, and taken in so much information. He glances away, focusing on what he can see in his Interface eye, pulling up his little file of makeshift public tags. He flips through them with a movement of his hand.

"--Senku, that's it."
subcircuits: (don't really like what i'm hearing)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-30 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
"The pleasure's mine," he returns, just as automatically polite and formal. He's frowning slightly, looking through his Interface and not at Zechs as he dismisses the notification with a flick of his hand.

He sighs. "This is going to take some getting used to."
subcircuits: (the thoughtful man)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-30 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Despite the fact that her comment seems to be primarily intended for herself, Devero answers it earnestly. "It's not, where I come from."

When she does actually respond, he looks a little taken aback. Both because he's used to getting specific, actionable answers to that question, and also because 'don't be cruel to others' seems like it should be a given. Where he comes from, it is.

But from a world with asylums for the mad? Perhaps not so much. So he nods seriously. "I'll make sure to continue. And if I say or do anything cruel to you, I hope you'll understand it's meant in ignorance and feel free to correct me."
fun_thementalist: (that's my line usually)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-12-30 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Gen wore an innocent little smile, "Would you wear a flower crown for me, Senku-chan?"

He hummed as he continued to sort. "It's good to have at least some of it there as backup, just in case. I agree. Though it'll be easier to use in an emergency if it's already prepared."
fun_thementalist: (allow me to explain!)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-12-30 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
"And, everyone knows - if you're having junk food at a meeting, it doesn't count!" Gen joked, being entirely ridiculous.

Gen thought a little more about it. "These sweet and spicy ones ... are they only good raw, or can you cook them into things? That could be another way you use them, and give them to others. I'd think they might make a pretty good pie ..."
fun_thementalist: (that's my line usually)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-12-30 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
"I'd imagine!" Gen agreed. "And it probably draws less attention and unwanted questions, if he's just trying to blend in."

Gen shrugged a little. "Maybe I'll ask him! If you don't think he'll find it offensive, being pestered about what he is. Some people might feel that way."
fun_thementalist: (swindle~!)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-12-30 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll let you know what I find!" Gen told her happily. "How about I find you during the next stop? That'll give me plenty of time to come up with several ideas."
10billionpercent: (Huh?)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2020-12-30 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Do I have to?" He retorted. "I guess, if you want me to." He sighed lightly.

"That makes sense. We still have jerky and stollen mind you, so we're not quite in a pickle just yet."
firewalled: (You can make it on a wish)

[personal profile] firewalled 2020-12-30 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, well... don't know if my dad wanted to claim me so much as he kinda had to." Rich shrugs. It's weird, hearing someone wishing for a father. Sure, he'd wish for maybe a better one, but...

"I'm sorry your parents ditched you, though. That's shitty."
firewalled: (Watching like this for how long?)

[personal profile] firewalled 2020-12-30 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, yeah, you're a genius. It was nice for average kids." Maybe it's silly to be so nostalgic for it when he'd hate it now, but Rich can't help it.
irrationally: (i was travelling through the past)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-12-30 07:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Even just that answer is so unlike anything Alice is used to hearing. For a moment she's quiet, tucking a long stray strand of hair behind her ear, just to have something to idly do while she's thinking, her brain absolutely buzzing with thoughts.

"Alright." At least that one simple word of agreement is easy enough to say. After all, she will feel free to do so. If anything, Alice has more of a problem with holding back too little than too much.

But it doesn't feel like an adequate answer for the generosity he's offering her here, so after looking away for a moment, she glances back at Devero, trying to speak up again.

"And if I ever seem.. well, perhaps a tad defensive.." With the way she emphasizes it, it seems even Alice knows that's an understatement when it comes to her temper. "It is since I'm still adjusting to dealing with people who aren't complete jerks. Please don't take it too personally."
zechs_isonfire: (mask - serious)

[personal profile] zechs_isonfire 2020-12-30 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"... If you remain honest with them," Zechs said, thinking of his own supposed deception, since no-one here save for Winner knew he was a monstrous sort of person .... No-one was aware of the terrible things he had done, what he had intended on doing ...

"Then," Zechs continued, "if you keep that respect despite the truth being known later on - or you lose it - you can at least be satisfied it was never based on deception. You're not responsible for others lacking clairvoyance."
firewalled: (Choosing to act cowardly unfairly?)

[personal profile] firewalled 2020-12-30 08:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Rich snorts and shakes his head. "No, I follow. I definitely follow. I guess I'll just hope you're starving."

His fingers are twitching by his side, though, as he recalls chords and melodies.
forleaving: (005)

[personal profile] forleaving 2020-12-31 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
Adam knew the feeling. Making the best out of dire situations, that was. Or just plain bad ones.

"It's never a bad time to learn something new," he said. "Even if the situation sucks." Sometimes especially if it sucked. Learning something new might change the whole thing around or help you find a way out of it.
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14486533)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-31 08:26 am (UTC)(link)
"Hn," well, that's a noncommital noise from the scarred elf.

"And here I am without my damn shield. This is officially shit."
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14486532)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-31 08:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Just as well."

It sounds like shit she shouldn't be sticking her nose into, which means she wouldn't be able to help herself.

"...I'm going to see if this place at least has the decency to have booze."
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14486532)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-31 08:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Or it simply overlaps wherever you're all from, too."

Assuming they're not simply part of the Fade.

Alley walks along the barriers, dragging the bar standing in for her left arm along the invisible wall, looking for any openings. When she doesn't find any, she finally hisses out a curse and goes to untangle the bag from the bar, and crouches down to rifle through its contents.
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14486526)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-31 08:38 am (UTC)(link)
"They look nothing like the Wicked Grace cards I'm used to," Alleyana says after a few seconds of looking at the assorted patterns and numbers on the fanned out cards.

"Other than in shape, I guess."

Cards are cards, after all. Just a matter of what's on them.

"Is your fortune telling another trick, then?"
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14480648)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-31 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
"A talking book? Maker's balls."

So she's in store for some real bizarre shit, is what Alley's getting from this conversation. The Fade's really outdone itself, this time.

At least she has little worry of being flirted with. No one's going to do that and mean anything good by it, with her looks, and that's just a basic fact of life. Water is wet, fire is hot, and Alleyana Tabris looks like she lost a fight with a meat grinder and a brick wall.

This certainty leaves her free to flatten their face for them, if anyone keeps up the joke for too long.

"I mean, I'm pretty rude myself." So there's that. Being blunt is rude, right?
mynameisallen: (102)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2020-12-31 09:47 am (UTC)(link)
"I would still need to find them anyway, so I might just get checked where they are depending." Considering it they had to check was his torso anywhere would be perfectly fine.

"But I'll see you around."
sizedoesntmatter: (ygo-s051heartfell)

[personal profile] sizedoesntmatter 2020-12-31 01:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean that's a good reason to want to learn that one in particular." It at least seems to work for her as well, which is always good either way. Plus it helped her to help in her own way and helped those who cared to not have to worry.

That was something Yugi always like to do. Not worry people if he could help it.

"Being a long distance fighter is probably better for those who aren't necessarily good in that area to."
adropofsunlight: (Default)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-31 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"I could maybe buy one from the shop." That was something she at least knew she could do. Might be a fun possibility.

"That will take a couple weeks though to get"
adropofsunlight: (13)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-31 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
She nodded slightly.

"That would be a good idea at least. That way plenty of time to have an idea ready to go."