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!
adropofsunlight: (42)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-07 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean the walls are big enough, but I think the lights are off most of the time, so not sure if painting there would really be worth it." It could be something she figures out later or asks around about.

But right now it seemed like an unlikely possibility.
adropofsunlight: (167)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-07 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean if I did a whole wall, I would consider adding people to it. Like swimming or something." It was just ideas but just hav9ing an ocean and a sunset would be good enough on its own really.
adropofsunlight: (155 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-07 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"We'd...be here all day if I did. Besides a lot of it is just a spur of the moment as well. I have ideas, but I might not really use them." Plus, she really did have a lot of ideas. She would be happy to say some at least.

"UI can at least tell you like a top-five, so that we aren't here all day"
subcircuits: (unsure)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-07 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not that he thinks kids can't fight, it's that-- "You shouldn't have to!" He's so rocked by this that he actually sits back on his ass with a thump, staring at her with a profound concern. His voice is bewildered. "Every kid is precious. Every kid needs to be protected!"

Sorry, kiddo, he hasn't gotten the hang of this "other worlds" thing yet.
hisblueskies: Blond-haired boy stares slightly off-center, slightly smiling. (Semi-Smile)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2020-12-07 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Internally, Alfredo tried to calculate the distance. It'd be simple... if the train weren't so crowded.

"That's a fair while away - let's take it down there together."

It might be slower, but it would also be safer!
iamnotgod: Webmind projecting a smile. The robot is wearing an orange hoodie. (A smile!)

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2020-12-07 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
They can't all be winners, Senku. Much as most everyone on the train would wish otherwise.

"We all can - whether it is text, picturebooks, or audiobooks."

It seemed straightforward enough to him!
Edited 2020-12-07 21:34 (UTC)
iamnotgod: Webmind projecting a smile. The robot is wearing an orange hoodie. (A smile!)

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2020-12-07 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Wait until he notices the signs!

"It's a completely new level of reality, to most of our collective knowledge - like discovering space travel all over again. Being able to examine the void's physical properties - without needlessly putting people in danger - would be an adventure in and of itself."

Such is his opinion on void travel itself, despite how they have all been made acquainted with it.
iamnotgod: Many lines curving off into the distance and entangling, shaded in colors from yellow to purple (Default)

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2020-12-07 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh.

Webmind went silent for a while - before going in for a hug.

The recollection had reminded him of his own darker times - his own, literal, darker side, who had taken revenge on the Chinese for splitting him in twain not once, but twice.

The deaths they caused - or nearly caused - were perhaps not so different in that regard.

"But he did, saving you and many others. That is what's important," he says, voice still just as soft.

Was there a touch more emotion in it, now?
unfavorableinstigation: Nita working with a Kernel (Wizardry Is Kid Stuff)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-12-07 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Truer words were never spoken, Lea," Nita replied, a touch of humor back in her voice.

But she was grateful for it, as well.

"Even if it feels like we're nagging into- well."

A void.
unfavorableinstigation: Nita Callahan kneeling in the woods, drawing a glowing blue diagram on the ground while reading from a book. (Drawing a Spell Diagram)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-12-07 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Nita nodded, turning to look back a touch too late to have noticed anything amiss anyway.

"Hopefully you won't have any trouble with roommates, then; I know some people have that kind of luck..."

For better or for worse.
unfavorableinstigation: It is dark, but Nita is inside reading a book. (Reading Indoors)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-12-07 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Given how the last mission had gone, Nita let herself go with that feeling and ask:

"So... you want to learn a better way to fight? Or defend people?"

Nita could understand that - a lot, even - but if Yugi wanted suggestions, then his answer would make a difference in terms of what she could offer.
irrationally: (ᴡᴇ'ʀᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴍᴀᴅ ʜᴇʀᴇ.)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-12-07 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Alice," she just says. It comes with a nod of her head, but no 'nice to meet you'.. Then again, Alice bothering to give out her name in return is already quite a lot by her standards.

"I suppose that means you may see a lot more things you have never seen before in your life while on this train. Judging by what I've heard from others, it's rather good at that."

Of course Alice has to go by other people's opinions, since everything she saw back in Wonderland was strange enough that nothing here could top it.

"Although it'll involve quite a lot of dangerous things as well."
flatteries: (the sun rises slowly as you walk)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-12-07 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"A cellular level?" He repeats, clearly confused.

Though that really was an instinctive reply. It's proven by the fact that Inigo raises his face from the device a moment later, looking at Senku with wide eyes. Sweet Naga, he knows what he's about to unleash. So Inigo quickly waves his hands in a dismissive sort of way, and says--

"W-Wait, no, don't explain! I think I'm fine not knowing!" Because any scientific explanation from Senku may just cause Inigo's brain to leak straight out of his ears. He won't be able to take it. He's not smart enough for it.

"What else would you want to look at like this? What is it telling you?" Maybe that's something he can at least understand.. As long as Senku (hopefully) keeps it simple..
flatteries: and so was your food (your waitress was miserable)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-12-07 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
He opens his mouth.

'Don't I know it,' he kind of wants to say. Open up. Maybe Adam will feel better if he knows he's not the only one suffering like this. That there are more people who had to watch the person most important to them walk right off that platform without ever looking back.

But he can't. It's too painful. Inigo shuts his mouth again, looking like he's thinking for a few moments before he continues again.

"Is there anything you'd want to tell him? If he was still here?" Inigo offers the question first, before shaking his head lightly and adding the clarification: "Sometimes voicing that kind of thing out loud helps a little bit."
happyends: (lies in the palm)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-12-07 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
At least Raven already told her the whole story about her father, or else this would have been some really sudden, borderline awkward information.. But Madoka understands, given what she already knows, and nods slightly at what the other girl is saying.

.. though there's still a concerning point left even then, right?

"You don't remember anything?" Madoka sounds midway between concerned and confused. "But.. why? You've been gone for a while now.."
happyends: (i won't forget)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-12-07 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
She hopes too. Really. If there's anything Madoka has been hoping for on the train, it's for all of the people who left here to have gone home, rather than to some other place they're stuck in. It's what they deserve, all of them. Being able to make something again of their lives back home, free from the train.

Even though it's painful for those left behind. Like poor, poor Romeo crying in her arms..

She squeezes him.

"I'm sure they're all there together now." She's not so sure, but can a white little lie really hurt in this case? When it's to comfort Romeo of all people, one of her first friends on the train still present? "And one day you can go back to see them too! I.. I know that it's hard to have to wait that long. But you're looking forward to it, right..?"
happyends: (better than the rest)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-12-07 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
What is going on here.

This definitely doesn't look like anything Madoka has seen before. Ever. Even her slightly less great attempts at cooking in the past wouldn't have looked nearly as bad as this, so she doesn't even recognize it for what it is.. It must be.. just.. some really, really exotic dish, right..

(Someone help the poor girl.)

"I-Is it?" She has no idea. She doesn't know what it's supposed to look like, though she was hoping.. not like that.. "Maybe you should take it off the fire then."
happyends: (better than the rest)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-12-07 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Ple Two definitely can't change Madoka's mind on this one. It's not like she'll die from withholding the chocolate for a bit longer, after all! And the joy of sharing it with someone she likes so much will more than make up for it.

Besides, it gives them a bit more time to talk about this important other topic, right? Or at the very least-- this topic that's so important to Ple Two.

"Why..? Is it because you're out of practice..?"

Granted, that's Madoka just guessing. She has no idea at all how these things work.
light_of_willpower: (long hair profile talking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2020-12-07 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"Depends on Zetta's mood." Trunks answered with a shrug. "It's nice to meet you, Rich. So they gave you the basics about being kidnapped and on a train that travels the multiverse to have us play heroes? I'm sure you still have questions."
subcircuits: (just give me a moment to think)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-07 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
The moon may be absent from cabin on this interdimensional missionary train, but Devero might have said there was something luminous about Koumyou anyway. It was in the unwavering intensity of his gaze, in the play of his hair in the water, the glimmer of the bath itself. Devero couldn't look away.

"...I don't know much about souls," he admits slowly, "but I'm starting to understand why people like priests so much.

"Thank you. For your perspective, for-- for everything."
its_dad_sanzo: Burial-era (smiling super dork)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-07 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a very dramatic, very charged moment. Which Koumyou, of course, has to immediately ruin by flashing one of his dopier smiles.

"...People like priests?"

This is news to him!

Of course, a Sanzo can't go anywhere on his world without people clamoring for his attention. For teachings, for wisdom, for him to chant mantras that he never really memorized. But he's never taken that as anyone liking him.
gundamofthedesert: (contemplative)

[personal profile] gundamofthedesert 2020-12-07 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Quatre walked over to the table to sit, carefully folding his hands in his lap as he waited. It didn't really matter to him how long it took. The fact that he was doing this meant a lot to him.

"We have been quite some time. We became close after meeting the first few times."

Well, Trowa had grown closer to him. He had already felt close to Trowa.
subcircuits: (hardass mode activate)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-07 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Her comment startles a laugh out of him. "I think that is my answer, thanks."

His expression sobers as he looks down at the terminal again, tapping the screen in irritation. When said tapping doesn't mysteriously produce a navigation prompt or a menu, he sighs and removes his ticket from the slot behind the screen.

"I was expecting that--" He points at the terminal "--to be able to talk to this." He points at a delicate red device perched against his left ear, screen in front of his eye. "I was expecting to be able to access the damn terminal's functions without having to touch it. I was expecting a network feed so I could get some damn information on what's going on right now."
stardustofdawn: (02)

[personal profile] stardustofdawn 2020-12-07 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
He took Roland's advice and instructions to the heart, and was guided by others to board the train on time.

With a nod of acknowledgement, "Ah, there was a battle? Never thought those missions can take a dangerous turn. I thought that's a strategic way to be less of a burden on everyone. Even though I can't see, but I can tell how hectic it was to make sure everyone is accounted for and evacuated to the train on time."
showmeyourbraveheart: (123)

[personal profile] showmeyourbraveheart 2020-12-07 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I see.

[He did just that, handing the crest over for the Digivice.] So... I take it you asked for that recently?