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: (217)

Train

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-03 11:34 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm planning on painting, so just figuring a few things out that's all, or even if it's a good spot in the first place." For all she knew it might not be that great, so she figured she would figure it out before she actually did anything,
reluctantjinrou: (Glancing Around Corners)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-04 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
He turned and considered the wall she was looking at. He was not an expert in art or painting as he may have intimated before.

"I think it's probably a fine spot?" If she wanted his unrefined opnion. "I mean, it's just blank wall."
adropofsunlight: (274 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-05 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean, yes it is, but if I want to paint a certain thing the area for make needs to be just right. This might be too small for what I want to do, but I could also change my mind later." She had a lot of ideas of what she wanted to paint after all and didn't need to really do them in any order.
reluctantjinrou: (Default)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-05 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"I suppose that's a valid point. I've never tried to plan an art project before. Do you even have paints to do that?" He'd clearly never looked at the arts area.
adropofsunlight: (81)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-07 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"I have a decent supply at least and I hope to get more in the future." Because she knows stuff like that will go down quickly with the way she paints.
reluctantjinrou: (Sleepy)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-08 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
"I see. You know if you need some I have a lot of points. I don't want anything so I mean..." He could help, that was all he was saying.
adropofsunlight: (103 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-09 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"No it's fine. I have plenty of points. I haven't spent any in a good while. I'd rather use mine for others though." At least now anyway that she no longer had anything that she needed, at least that she knew of anyway.
reluctantjinrou: (Glancing Around Corners)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-10 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"I guess so. I don't have anything to spend my points on at any rate." Natsuno responded. "So I haven't really thought about it. They just...accumulate." That was why he'd offered, he didn't know what she needed he was so far from an artisan.
adropofsunlight: (66 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-13 11:40 am (UTC)(link)
"I guess both of us have that in common at least." Not knowing what to spend the points on, it was why Rapunzel was okay with spending them on others because at least then they have something.

"Maybe we could figure out what others need."
reluctantjinrou: (Default)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-15 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
"That's not a bad idea, actually. I've been trying to think about what to buy with them and I don't really want anything..." He didn't think Alice did either, and Rapunzel didn't...

His well of friends was awfully shallow.
adropofsunlight: (33)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-16 12:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've been trying to think as well. Sometimes I just get art supplies, but I've been wanting to get more for the train. We just need to think about what the train needs."

It seemed like a good enough idea at least.
reluctantjinrou: (Mournful Glance)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-17 02:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"I guess for me to know more what other people need I might have to talk to them." Natsuno said with a wry little smile. He knew he wasn't a social butterfly. It wasn't a secret.
adropofsunlight: (273 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-18 12:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes, talking to them would be a good idea and who knows you might make a tone of friends." Which is honestly what she hopes for him if she was perfectly honest.
reluctantjinrou: (Sleepy)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-19 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm not very good at making friends." Natsuno admitted. "I've never been good at it. I don't really care just..." He shrugged. "I kinda seem stuck here with all these people I guess."

There might be a little peer pressure to try and fit in a little bit.
adropofsunlight: (51 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-22 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I mean... yeah we are stuck with them. But you'll find they are all good people. Maybe you'll find a few you get along with swimmingly well." At least she has this hope about it anyway.
reluctantjinrou: (Sleepy)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-23 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll...try. It's just hard for me. I don't really like people, and I'm not very happy, and people get mad at me all the time for that alone." Natsuno murmured. "At least they did in the village."
adropofsunlight: (294 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-23 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean you always do have a grumpy look about you." She paused before she realised that might have come across as rude of all things.

"I'm sorry. That was not ver7y nice of me. But... you have a way about you that I could see putting people off. But that's part of the charm." Nailed it.
reluctantjinrou: (Glare)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-23 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
"I know." Natsuno said, raising a hand to forestall more apologies. He was completely aware, after all.

"It's..just how I am. It does annoy some people. Other people don't seem to care." He shrugged. He didn't understand those people.
adropofsunlight: (273 (B))

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-12-27 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"I mean, not sure why people would care about something like that." At least she didn't understand that. To her, that was just who he was at least and she was perfectly okay with that.

"So I should really leave you to go and make friends."
reluctantjinrou: (Sleepy)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2020-12-28 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Ugh, if I have to." He offered half a smile at that.

"I'll talk to you later?"