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!
crimson_rain: shipping @ dw (01)

[personal profile] crimson_rain 2020-12-08 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
Hua Cheng wears a blue hoodie, and he's one of the new arrivals this time around, and therefore a new addition to the blue team. After some time where he and Xie Lian settled into their new environment and new home, he can be found a seat.

Upon seeing the man and look into his eyes, he could tell he holds an aura of calm and power. Hua Cheng smiles and gives a good natured laugh, and he sits up properly and upright.

He welcomes his advice shared, being friendly. "Hello. You said you spend your time in the void on this train. How do you pass the time?"
subcircuits: (hunted)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-08 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
"...What happened to her?" he asks, his voice so low as to be almost hard to hear.
melodiouspacifist: (Default)

[personal profile] melodiouspacifist 2020-12-08 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
"That's good to know." He could just abscond to an empty cabin, that's the best plan.
its_dad_sanzo: (just watching another friend die no bigg)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-08 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
"They didn't tell you at the meeting?"

Koumyou produces his cigarettes from his arms band, and lights up before answering.

"The same thing that happens to everyone. She died."

He doesn't sound upset, though, just... resigned. Tired. The priest has watched a lot of people die, after all.

"...Not from her wounds, but, it seems that when a void ship is fully destroyed, the crew's minutes are numbered. So everyone should take good care of the train, if they don't want to join her."
melodiouspacifist: (Nort Yeah yeah I'm on it)

[personal profile] melodiouspacifist 2020-12-08 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, at least someone's working on it. I'm not that guy either." He admitted with a chuckle.

"What I know about is my sitar and that's about it."
mtsilver_conquor: (casual)

[personal profile] mtsilver_conquor 2020-12-08 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
Oh she notices alright and the only reaction is a raised eyebrow, then a shrug.

If he wants to practice magic with berries, let him. It is a trick she will try herself later on, too. "They're safe for humans to eat; it's only that we won't get the benefits of any effects they have. Or if we do, it's minicule at best."
Edited 2020-12-08 05:51 (UTC)
subcircuits: (avoidant)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-08 05:58 am (UTC)(link)
"It was implied, but they didn't..." he murmurs, then just stops and listens quietly. Koumyou's words make him inhale sharply, his fingers clenching into the wet weave of the towel. "Rust and ruin. They... really should have brought that fact up at some fucking point."

He stands, tossing the towel aside as he does. Koumyou's hair is as dry as it's going to get. He missed where the other man had appeared those cigarettes from, but he doesn't ask, too distracted otherwise.

"Thank you for telling me," he says finally. He hesitates then, one hand lifted and hovering uncertainly in the air, and almost leaves it at that--

He grasps the priest's shoulder, bending enough to just lightly rest his forehead against the crown of Koumyou's head. Battling down a feeling that it's presumptuous of him to even ask, he says, "You've seen a lot of people die, haven't you?"
its_dad_sanzo: (not smiling now)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-08 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou does him the courtesy of holding his cigarette off to one side, at least, so the smoke doesn't drift straight up into Devero's face.

"Yeah."

His other hand comes up to settle on one of the bigger man's shoulders, in turn.

"Sometimes," Koumyou says slowly, and evenly, "all you can do for a person is to not look away, not even for a moment. So they know they're not alone, as they go.

"So that their death matters, even just a little bit, even to a total stranger. So it didn't just happen in a vacuum somewhere, unnoticed or recorded. So that they know someone can accept the karma of their death, and shoulder the load."

Even someone who's seen too many last moments just like it.

That was what he'd done for Halo. No tears, no emotional oaths, no platitudes. He'd simply not looked away.
shutupnail: (Default)

[personal profile] shutupnail 2020-12-08 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
A little bit more than just a foot of air between her and the ground as she hovered at Piccolo's eye level. That was definitely new.

It was unexpected but beyond a small muscle twitch at his jaw, Piccolo didn't react to it. He blinked once and then--wait. If it wasn't Bulma but it looked like her...

"Bulla??" There was definitely surprised in his voice when he said her name in the form of a question. Perhaps a small bit of disbelief.

Honestly, he shouldn't have been so surprised. The train did some crazy stunts, pulled people from all over, and even confused timelines quite a bit. But he couldn't help it. The last time he had seen her she was just a toddler. And barely that, frankly.

Now she was all grown up. Well, partially. She was a lot older than he was used to, that was for certain.

"You're... not what I expected." To be perfectly frank, which Piccolo usually was anyway.
nocawsforconcern: (pic#12577337)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-12-08 08:40 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah! But, caw, it's not always... I usually underestimate how much I need.

'Cause, I don't wanna overestimate. Andromeda's power is what sealed the priestesses away for four thousand years.
nocawsforconcern: (pic#12577313)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-12-08 08:41 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, but I wanna understand. I like talking to new people, and learning new things, but everything here is so complicated.
nocawsforconcern: (pic#14159141)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-12-08 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah! That was my first one. I collected a lot of treasure there!
nocawsforconcern: (pic#14159154)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-12-08 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
Cawww....... Caw.

[She's folding her arms, trying to think of how to explain it.]

Thousands and thousands and thousands of thousands of years ago- I dunno how many. More than five worlds ago. Perseus was a hero. And then he became a spirit after he died. And now as a spirit, he protects a country and gives it and all its people his blessings, so the country is Perseus, 'cause the spirit of Perseus protects it.

I'm from Corvus, though.
nocawsforconcern: (pic#12521251)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-12-08 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
They're stars!

[...

She says that like it's the answer to everything.]
blitzcheer: (siigh it's tough!!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-12-08 10:34 am (UTC)(link)
It's the same like before, or some kind of familiar ghost. Tidus watches Roland offer his own SCA and thinks that he's crazy. A reaction he can't help, and he wants to keep them both inside now.

--and that's before he hears what Senku did, throwing him a look after 'I took it off' registers in his ears, bewildered and with words behind his teeth. But he chews them down instead, waiting. Letting Senku speak until he does.

"Yeah well, you were lucky." And he's ready to speak and explain, but he holds, pauses. Arms folding tighter around his abdomen, a glance taken aside. Shame bringing his words down a sombre note.

"...When I took mine off on a platform, I could barely breathe, and-- and it was like I was getting crushed. Pushed down."

A beat, and he adds just as uncomfortably, as avoidant of any eye, "That isn't a me thing."
blitzcheer: (it's sunny suny sunny)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-12-08 10:55 am (UTC)(link)
"A world with no plumbing, no hot water on the go... and how about it's underground and you never get to see the sky?"

They didn't here, but he's painting this worse world. ...maybe taking ideas from their previous stays. Wanna add to it Quatre? Or paint an even worse one with words?
ourtomorrow: ([kenzuna] neutral)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2020-12-08 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, this isn't the first time I've been summoned for a purpose.

Ken-chan and I are from different worlds!

[ Trust the leafblob. He knows his meta. ]

But because Ken-chan can travel between them, we were able to meet. And save lots of people!
ourtomorrow: ([kenzuna] blink)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2020-12-08 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
"I see," says Ken, and Leafmon takes the hint. "Sorry for holding you up, then."

Truth be told, neither of them fully understand what Natsuno might need to eat, but Ken gets that he's being considerate and, to him, that's more important.
ourtomorrow: ([kenzuna] brood)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2020-12-08 11:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ken looks grim. A thorough answer would detail that each place they stop has a different problem, but in the end, doesn't it all boil down to one thing?

One thing, the Voidtrecker Express fears. One thing, that no matter the path they take to get there, Ken just knows has to be the master reason. ]
Shadows. Eliminating worlds.

Making everybody forget they were ever there!
ourtomorrow: ([kenzuna] confidence)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2020-12-08 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
Leafmon, right now.

He's just resting. [ Ken smiles at his partner. You fought hard, buddy. He's proud of you. ]
blitzcheer: (guess i'm going blind)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-12-08 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
"I bumped into Rapunz earlier, actually," he thinks to share. "She was talking about painting the walls. I know about that - and wall scrolls."

Hm. "I think she told me she'd do that back where she came from. Anyway, she'd be great to do art with, right? You see her offering to paint up rooms before for people?"
blitzcheer: (tfw yuna tbh)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-12-08 11:53 am (UTC)(link)
"You got enough paints for whatever you wanna do? I bet Madoka and Romeo would love to help you out. You met them?" he asks, curious. Maybe they've been painting together. It'd be great if they had someone older and giving them ideas.

Or maybe even giving each other ideas, considering - who knows what they have to offer from their different lives?
marriedanidiot: (working hard)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-12-08 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, good!" She smiles. "I am glad he had a chance to speak to you. Yes, he got me a few. Here, this one I completed but recently, can you see if it will suit? I'm holding it out towards your left hand."

She'd tried a few before finding one that felt sturdy enough to her, before carving the handle smooth, and adding a small blunt point to the tip. Along the sides she Sang to it of strength to endure, direction and support to it's master, which should hopefully help Xingchen find his way easier, as well as not break if he should need to hit things with it.

"I was unsure about the handle." She adds apologetically. "I have a few designs to add to the top, but was unsure if you preferred something simpler, of if having something extra would help your grip. I can always add it later, should you wish it."
marriedanidiot: (wisdom)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-12-08 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
She beams.

"I am glad! It has been a long time since I have needed to make these." Normally of course, they would be made to hand out to family going on journeys, or off to war. Nerdanel has had no one to make these for for a long time.

"You can take some, if you like! If wrapped up, they should keep for a good few weeks, if not longer, although I do not have their usual wrappings."
marriedanidiot: (my boys)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-12-08 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"True." She nods, letting him decide how much he would like to take of this comfort.

"All we can do is help each other through it, I suppose."