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!
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14480649)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-03 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Fine, if you're full of shit, I'll just use you as a shield."

It was only half a dry joke. The other half was serious. A live person couldn't be any worse than this floppy, stupid bag that was now tangled up with her non-arm.

The Inquisitor strode forward out of the fog, and then paused to eye Zechs, for a moment. Assessing, wary. And a touch... surprised?

Tall. Long, platinum blond hair, blue eyes.
forleaving: (007)

[personal profile] forleaving 2020-12-03 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm sorry." No one deserved to lose anyone they cared about.

"I hope so," he added. "I'm worried about him being on his own." Not that Ronan couldn't handle himself, but this was different.
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14480612)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-03 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
"...Blonder?" That hadn't been the word she'd expected to come at the end of that sentence. Maybe 'taller', or 'politer', or even some variation of 'less fucked-up looking'.
tactlesstantei: (surprise)

Boarding

[personal profile] tactlesstantei 2020-12-03 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Masumi barely avoids getting hit by those arms, stepping out of range just in time as she witnesses Devero's efforts at networking with the ICP.]

"I don't think you can network with the ICP. It doesn't really work like that."
zechs_isonfire: (smirk - manga)

[personal profile] zechs_isonfire 2020-12-03 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
Zechs couldn't help the slight smirk, even if he's supposed to be the responsible deputy to wrangle up the green people. "I'd like to see you try."

She was built tough, for a fight, and had the scars to prove it. Scars, he thought, she likely earned through an honest fight, and not the sort of mistakes he'd made. The lack of limb obviously didn't slow her down. That's not why he challenged her claim. No, Zechs did that because he was really unable to turn down a challenge. Decided character flaw.

But he paused, too, watching that ... recognition? ... on her face. Zechs was certain she wasn't from his world. Pointed ears like that - she was some kind of elf, like others on the train, that was his guess. But. Still. She looked like she'd seen a broadcast from Milliardo Peacecraft.

"... Is there a problem?" Zechs asked.
fun_thementalist: (swindle~!)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-12-03 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
"They're also daintier? More fragile-looking," Gen told her, thinking specifically of Glorfindel now. "More like they're going to be crushed the next time we fight killer robots. I'm pretty sure if one came my way, I'm going to run where you're standing, it's going to be kind of instinctive."
inquisitor_lavellan: I don’t want your money, I don’t want your crown, see I’ve come to burn your kingdom down (holy water cannot help you now)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-03 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
For Alley, it was like coming face to face with a ghost. A ghost she'd let down, failed... not even just once but twice. One of the very first people she'd ever sworn to protect, and...

Different enough, at least, that she knew this wasn't him. The shape of the face, the voice, the posture, none of it matched. Just the hair and the eyes, and the height.

She narrowed her own darker blue eyes, lifted her chin, and set her jaw, "No."

That was absolutely not an invitation to pry, either, and she moved to stride past him.
subcircuits: (definitely like what i'm seeing)

Wildcard - Spa car, several days later

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-03 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
It's been a long week. It's been such a long week that the only reason Devero's sure it's been a week is because of his Interface, reliably tracking the time for him. His days so far on the train have been a jarring juxtaposition of incredibly full-- full of exploring, of introductions, of reading, of trying to figure all this shit out-- and aimless, absent the rigid structure of his work at Techstead. And that doesn't even begin to touch on the mental strain of so many introductions, all of them navigated outside of the social structure he's used to. Not to mention just being around so many people, constantly crammed into such a small space. He feels as crowded as if someone had taken the whole populace of Techstead and-- well, confined them to this train.

He's been spending a lot of time working out. He had a regimen, at home, and he knows he should develop a regimen here as well, but he hasn't yet. He just finds himself drawn to the gym or the training coach whenever there's a gap in his day, because the exercise is better than being alone with his thoughts (or so surrounded he can't hear his thoughts.)

At least there have been some bright spots to go with all the stress and strain. And at least there's the spa car.

It's empty when he enters today, after a particularly exhausting gym session. Devero knows that won't last long; he'll have to make the most of it before the next person enters. He spends a moment at the ICP, selecting some music and turning it up just loud enough to keep his head from filling up with fresh thoughts. Another moment sees him changing into swim trunks-- purple, of course-- and tucking his Interface somewhere out of the way.

He sinks down into hot water of the pool so fast that it makes him hiss in discomfort, but after that he seems to just melt. He plants himself on the lowest tier, the water just coming up to his chin. Closing his eyes, Devero lolls against the edge of the pool; he's going to enjoy the hell out of this moment while he has it to himself.
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14480611)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-03 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
"That's a pretty good instinct," Alley admitted, "even without my shield, I can soak a hell of a lot of damage. That's my job, in a fight."
forleaving: (007)

[personal profile] forleaving 2020-12-03 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
He nodded. "Time seems to go by fast," he said. "This is the second platform day since I've been here." It felt weird that he'd already been gone from home for so long. There was so much he was missing, unless it was true that time didn't pass when they weren't home, but he wasn't sure he believed that.
zechs_isonfire: (14 inscruitable)

[personal profile] zechs_isonfire 2020-12-03 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
... Hm. Perhaps he simply reminded her of someone. Zechs considered, for a moment, what it would be like to see the particular likeness of someone he'd known in the past - but it wasn't them.

Then, he considered what would happen if the dead from his past actually arrived on the train ... and had to push the idea aside.

Zechs followed her, expression far more serious this time.

"As a start," Zechs told her, "everyone here is from different places. Different realities, though that might be an unfamiliar concept. The place they've been taken from might be very different from the one you left - with different sentient species, technology, or even magic, as impossible as that sounds."
consider8: (Really?)

[personal profile] consider8 2020-12-03 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
Eight hummed. Keep him talking. Just a bit more, maybe. "Oh yeah? I can't say it's been great for me but..." Well, there were lots of new people to meet. "It hasn't been horrible."

"Well, aside from the missions. And the whole void storm, and..." Okay yeah... "No, it's been pretty terrible. But at least we have people to help lighten things. A, uh, a little."
theturksway: (119.)

platform

[personal profile] theturksway 2020-12-03 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
"Absolutely not," came the swift reply. Notably, Reno wasn't wearing his purple hoodie for the day but instead sported a custom black suit jacket. He was wearing his Turk uniform. No camaraderie from him today as usual on station days when he tended to wear the train gear for funsies. He wasn't feeling it.

He flashed a quick grin anyway, all teeth and sharp angles. "You want better clothes, you gotta earn 'em."
laurefindil: (Default)

Glorfindel | OTA, Purple Team co-leader

[personal profile] laurefindil 2020-12-03 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
Luggage/Packages:

Glorfindel smiled and nodded as he made his way to the luggage car to pick up his purchases. With a curious tilt of his head he picked up the blue pouch with his name on it and admired the interesting coins inside, before tucking it away into his Arms Band.

Finding his other packages, he smiled to find the 8 chunks of mithral he had gotten for Curufin, the box of feathers to make more arrows with, and the tea plant. The flavors of the box that Trowa had given him had inspired him to try blending his own. Especially since the box didn't last very long.


Updating the signs on the Train:
As he did every Platform day, Glorfindel made new signs to go in every carriage to let people know where to find the others, which direction, and how far it was. It was surprisingly easy for some to get confused, even on a linear Train.

Since he'd just been in the luggage car, he started with the new Trauma car. The main floor was roomy, which was good. Though, he did look at the plain walls and wonder if Rapunzel might be interested in another paint fest. "What image would look good on that wall, do you think?" he asked.


Greenhouse:
Time to plant the new tea plant! Complete with appropriate elven singing and some nice bright light. He also made the rounds to check on the communal plots and spread the love around.

He looked up and smiled. "Did you want a plot as well? We do have a few available," he offered.


Armory and Training Gym:
Glorfindel put up signs, "Archery Lessons. Free Arrows and pastries. Come learn a ranged weapon."


Wildcard:
Glorfindel is a whirlwind of activity on Train Dock day as he calls it. Find him wherever you like :)
its_dad_sanzo: (eyecon)

plays the jaws theme

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-03 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou's usually quite good at figuring out when the spa car might be empty, in general, and it's rare that his predictions overlap with anyone else's attempts to do the same.

Today, it seems, is going to be one of those rare times.

Devero has the car to himself for long enough to get really, really comfortable, and then the door opens and Koumyou Sanzo slips in, shutting it quietly behind himself. He's wearing his sleeping robe instead of his uniform, the white cloth tied loosely at his hips.

When he turns back from the door, Koumyou's a bit startled to see that the pool has an occupant. He pauses and blinks for a moment, maybe just a touch blearily. Chances were very good that he'd been asleep, at least until waking up and feeling cold enough to make the walk to the spa car.

"...Oh! Hello, dance partner!"
fun_thementalist: (manga - orly)

[personal profile] fun_thementalist 2020-12-03 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
"It seems like you were pretty good at it, too, if you don't mind me saying so, my dear," Gen observed with a little wry humor, testing the waters there. "Even if it proved pretty expensive for you."
forleaving: (005)

[personal profile] forleaving 2020-12-03 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
"Hot chocolate sounds nice," he relented. "I could give talking a try." His Southern accent slipped out, a little more noticeable than usual.

Maybe giving a highly edited version of what was going on back home and how it fit into his worries would help.
laurefindil: (Very glow)

Music Car

[personal profile] laurefindil 2020-12-03 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
"That is utterly beautiful," Glorfindel said softly at the end of one such sad song.

"I am sorry for your loss," he said, offering the warmth of his aura to the young man standing alone.
nocawsforconcern: (pic#14159154)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-12-03 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
Caw... I'm pretty sure if I can see what I want to bind, I can do it.

Makes it annoying when people try to hide, though.
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14480611)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-03 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
"As impossible as what sounds?" Alley glanced back, one eyebrow lifted.

And then her attention went back to the train as they got closer, wary. Shoulders tense, stupid bag still lashed to her shield arm, misshapen right hand twitching in its glove like it wanted a weapon.
nocawsforconcern: (pic#14159120)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-12-03 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
Cawwwwwww....

[Yeah, she.

Just continues to poke at his face.

She doesn't understand anything.]
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14480616)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-03 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Right," the Inquisitor grunted the single word, folding her arms stiffly. Maybe not the best joke fodder, then, at such an early point in their meeting.

"So, what do you do in a fight, or are you a civilian?"

Bird bones could still be a mage of some kind, after all.
nocawsforconcern: (pic#14159120)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-12-03 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
So many names... Okay. Trunks. Caw.

[She shrugs.]

I still don't wanna make it worse for them. Waking up out there is scary.
inquisitor_lavellan: (pic#14486527)

[personal profile] inquisitor_lavellan 2020-12-03 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, if the only way is forward, we may as well not fight it."

For now.

Alley grabs onto a railing or doorway with her single hand and steps inside. When reality doesn't do anything fucked up at the transition, she steps out of the way and...

Then steps further out of the way, eyes slightly wide.

Nothing in here looks remotely familiar.

Okay, well, there's seats. Those are familiar. Nothing else, though. The lighting, the screens, the people. The windows are foggier from inside than they should have been, too.
zechs_isonfire: (mask - glare)

[personal profile] zechs_isonfire 2020-12-03 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
Zechs snorted softly. "Of course, you would be from a world with magic. I'm beginning to believe it's those like my own that are outliers. What magic does seems illogical to me - but given ample evidence, I cannot deny it exists."

He drew up alongside Alley in front of the train, and didn't push, didn't try to reassure, didn't coax. He only said, matter-of-fact, "I think we nearly have a hundred and twenty people on this thing, now. The train is barely large enough not to feel too crowded."

... To someone used to tight quarters on colonies, anyway.