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!
10billionpercent: (Avoiding Emotions)

[personal profile] 10billionpercent 2020-12-10 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
He winced slightly at the proper yelling. "That would have been bad." He agreed with a grimace. "It...wasn't just a little annoying." He glanced away with a bit of a huff.

"But I get your point."
ourtomorrow: ([kenzuna] confidence)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2020-12-10 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
Do you mind if I ask who's repairing it?

[ As that is clearly what is happening. Or at least, he hopes so. Ken knows Della's rocket ship leg means a lot to her. ]
lucklessgege: (Default)

[personal profile] lucklessgege 2020-12-10 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
"I suppose I do. But I'm not sure how to get back to it. I hope you aren't too late to your meeting."

Xie Lian also has someone here that he wouldn't be able to see if he goes back home..at least not for awhile. So perhaps he isn't in as much of a hurry to return home.
lucklessgege: (Default)

[personal profile] lucklessgege 2020-12-10 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Neither have I. Every time I cook things look a little different." And of course Xie Lian probably wouldn't actually encourage anyone to try his food. He has good intentions but he knows that his cooking skills are lacking. There is only one person who seems able to stomach it...and technically he is already dead.

"Well perhaps someone will be able to enjoy it."
lucklessgege: (Default)

[personal profile] lucklessgege 2020-12-10 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
"That is quite a lot!"

Xie Lian is impressed by the size of it. So many people from different places.

"My name is Xie Lian. It is nice to meet you. Have you been on this trip for long?"
lucklessgege: (Default)

[personal profile] lucklessgege 2020-12-10 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Thank you so much! I will make sure they are put to good use." Xie Lian starts to stuff them into his sleeve and then realizes that this new outfit hardly has the convenience of his typical robes.
marriedanidiot: (Default)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-12-10 03:03 am (UTC)(link)

She smiles fondly at him.

"Tis a pleasure to be able to do even this small thing for you young ones."

His pause makes her laugh softly. "Just carry them by the string, I think. You can keep it in your rooms - folks here are very good about leaving things alone. There's no where to take it, after all."

marriedanidiot: (Default)

[personal profile] marriedanidiot 2020-12-10 03:28 am (UTC)(link)

"Yes." She nods. "Without Feanaro here I find myself seeking company more often - it helps to have others to speak to."

swansongs: (That I should really stick)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-12-10 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Same." He nodded. As far as music went, that was. And music could be damned important sometimes. He knew from personal experience and the shared experiences of others.

"Also, I'm Dyme," he added, holding out a hand.
swansongs: (Let's face it I blew it you waited)

[personal profile] swansongs 2020-12-10 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
Cool.

[And then immediately after-]

That's a shame.

I guess if it did work here, you guys wouldn't be around anymore, though.

[He sure as hell wouldn't be.]
forleaving: (006)

[personal profile] forleaving 2020-12-10 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
"That's not weird at all," Adam said. "I have a friend who's obsessed with dead Welsh kings." Now that had seemed weird at first, before it had become an every day part of his life.

"If the hobby makes you happy..." he shrugged.
subcircuits: (kinky bastard)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-10 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
He's carried so much bottled up inside, for so long, that once he starts to cry he feels like he can't stop. It's catharsis, in a way; it's despair released, for everything he's bound up in denial and buried so deep and how it's wounded him. That first meeting with Koumyou, those brilliant moments of simple and unqualified happiness had sprung hairline cracks in the walls of this dam; everything that's cascaded between them tonight has blown those eroding holes right open.

Eventually his sobs quiet, but not because he's wept himself out. No, as Koumyou's silence stretches, tension and fear creep up into his throat once more and throttle him. Koumyou's silent because he's horrified, Koumyou's silent because he's disgusted, Koumyou's silent because why would anyone but me care for you, you stupid boy? Your face may be pretty but that's all you have, isn't it?

He flinches when he hears his name, too lost in carefully fashioned ruts of self-loathing to be able to interpret the tone. Chastisement? Disbelief? Horror? He wraps his arms around his head and braces like he's going to be lashed--

The priest's next words land like a feather, but he's so wound up for pain that he opens his mouth without planning what he's going to say and what falls out is a hoarse, wretched, "You should."
forleaving: (005)

[personal profile] forleaving 2020-12-10 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
"From the sounds of things, yeah." He sighed. "We've been through a lot together, though. We'll be able to handle this."

Except he wasn't sure they could. He could act confident to strangers and pretend everything would be under control, but he didn't know how they were going to stop the people after Ronan. There had to be a way, of course, he just hadn't been able to figure it out yet. This wasn't as simple as blackmailing a teacher.
its_dad_sanzo: (what)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-10 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
That's what gets Koumyou to get up and come over, and then sit down next to Devero on the lounger. He'd been torn for a moment, on whether the guy needed the space more, or the reassurance more... but that had tipped the scales.

"Well, I'm not," Koumyou holds out the device for Devero, and deliberately leans over to bump his shoulder into the other man. "I'm right here."

And then, a little uncertain, "I didn't realize. You said I was attractive before, but I... didn't take it very seriously? I thought it was just harmless fun. I had no idea it was hurting you."
subcircuits: (unsure)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-10 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Devero goes so, so still when he hears Koumyou approaching from behind him, only his chest moving with his erratic, shallow breathing. He watches the man like he expects to be-- like he expects him to-- like he expects--

Koumyou sits beside him. He did not expect that.

He's still tense as a load-bearing cable when Koumyou bumps him, and his fingers shake as he accepts his Interface back. He still can't look at him, turning his face away as the priest speaks.

"How could you know?" he asks, his voice low and strained. "Any n-normal person would have just meant it for fun. But you had to get stuck with me taking a fancy to you."
myblueskies: (you have my loyalty!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-10 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
Romeo nodded, that was true. A good friend was always with you, no matter what and no matter where. That had been in the oath he and Alfredo had made and it was a truth for friendship everywhere.

He brought a fist to his heart, looking towards the gate again.

"One day we will get to see all our friends again."
its_dad_sanzo: (thinking)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-10 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou's earlier cigarette had been abandoned across the room, just before he'd gotten stuck in his shirt. It's either burned down or burned out, by now, so Koumyou lights another.

He needs it to steady his own nerves.

"You say that like it's such a bad thing," Koumyou says only after taking a long drag from the fresh cancer stick, letting the words out into the air with the smoke. "One could easily argue that taking a fancy to an aloof, inexperienced old priest is more of a problem."

Koumyou knows his shortcomings. He knows there are a myriad of reasons that so many have compared him to the moon. Distant, watching, silent, shining a cold light down onto things both open and secret alike. Not even its own light, not really, but merely a reflection of the sun.

"There have to be better suited people on this train, for you. Younger, gentler. Someone who won't snag against every ragged edge you have and rip it open even worse."
myblueskies: (they really are delicious apples!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-10 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course! It would be so mean to ask someone rudely about something! Especially miss Rapunzel! She's so nice to everyone!"

So he wants to be extra nice back! He grins, wobbling a bit as he looks up at Tidus.
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-10 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
He nodded, he's not sure if humans can visit heaven. But they could go to the world he was from, to the earth there and all his friends could come to the Near Shore to meet them. That would work!

"They are! They are all so friendly!" He grinned, "It's funny, mister Piccolo and miss Minako were there but they don't remember at all!"
subcircuits: (hunted)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2020-12-10 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
"One could," Devero concedes, "but not this one. And you're not that old!"

Like that's the actual issue at play here.

"Other folk here have been kind to me. They've made me feel very welcome. And I know-- I know I can bring a lot to this community, and I know my contributions it will be appreciated. But Sanzo--" He almost looks at him, but his eyes snag on smoke and cigarette and don't move higher. "No one has made me feel the way you've made me feel."

He looks away again, clasping both hands around his Interface. "And I don't just mean-- how much fun I had with you, the other day. I think there's been something festering inside me for-- for-- for a long time. You saw that. I feel like maybe my ragged edges need to be ripped open, to let this infection out."
blitzcheer: (huffy duffy puffy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-12-10 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Ugh, and not just around us, but above us too! You just hear this thump-thump-thump everyday and it makes all the dirt come off the walls! You'd never get any sleep!"

A pause, and- "Also, the food? Bugs."
its_dad_sanzo: (serene)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-10 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou thinks about that for another long, silent moment, just quietly smoking. He doesn't like to rush to say the first thing on his mind, but especially when something's important.

So he sits, and he smokes, and he thinks.

It's probably hell on Devero's nerves, but there's no helping it. That's just how Koumyou is.

"...I suppose so," he finally allows, tapping the ash off the end of his cigarette. His eyes are staring only at the glowing tip as he speaks, "Whatever else does or doesn't happen here, I'm not going to turn away from you, Devero. It's just not in my nature."

The moon may be hidden by a dark cloud once in a while, but it always comes out again. Even if Koumyou is nowhere near as punctual or reliable as the moon, the priest can admit the idea has its merits.

(Jikaku had known him better than most, to make that comparison to begin with. Not much got past Koumyou's old teacher.)

"...And shepherding souls sounds far too troublesome."

That kind of left the whole sex topic, didn't it? And the question of any vows that could make the subject moot.
blitzcheer: (big smile!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-12-10 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
He grins back at Romeo, a chuckle behind his teeth. "I knew you would, Romes. And, speaking of manners-!"

Tidus presses the open for the next door, steps side. "My pal first!" he offers, waiting to follow him, to the space leading to the spa car. Good thing there's a corridor between it and the way to the other end of the car, though, the aisle always smells a little nice...

"Geez, you know, Cassie told me that a spa's good for after fighting in missions, but I still wish we got the pool car."
theturksway: (050.)

[personal profile] theturksway 2020-12-10 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
"For newbies only," he told the blond. "Dunno what the prices are after that."

And then there were days like the vacation island where she just got inspired to weave all sorts of things and hand them out for free. So. Ya know.

Reno made a small scowl at the mention of Halloween. Not that long ago the passengers on the train had decided to throw a Halloween party. Actually, Reno had enjoyed it for the most part. But it reminded him of something else because of what happened. Anyway, his expression cleared quickly enough and settled back into a smirk.

"What? You a scaredy-cat? Ain't that bad."
ourtomorrow: ([kenzuna] brood)

[personal profile] ourtomorrow 2020-12-10 10:17 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps.

[ He won't be more committal than that, though, and his expression grows more solemn, thinking. If it had worked, what would he have done....?

Maybe it's pointless to consider, since it didn't happen. ]