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!
myblueskies: (spirits up!)

timeskip maybe?

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-05 12:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Romeo nodded, they would do it together! It might be a terrible thought that Alfredo might one day leave as well, to go and be dead somewhere else. But for now he was here. Romeo punched the air, keeping his spirits up.

He looked around, time to help. He could put on a brave face, it was easier with Alfredo here to help!
hisblueskies: Blond-haired boy looking off 3/4 stage left, looking dubious. (Concerned)

yee! To Luggage with them, then!

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2020-12-05 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
There were more faces to greet than the last time, certainly - but their time on the platform was never long, and eventually they had to return to the train.

The message on the ICPs had him curious, and so Alfredo followed Romeo to the back of the train.

"How does the train keep track of everything? Ah- would you like help with that, Romeo?" he asked, catching sight of his friend's more substantial number of packages.

Or rather, their sizes.
myblueskies: (the world is beautiful!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-05 03:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know! It must be a really clever train!"

He found his packages! They were going to be heavy! He grinned at Alfredo, his spirits had been buoyed by helping everyone on the platform! "Did you buy some things too?"
hisblueskies: Blond-haired boy stares slightly off-center, one eyebrow perked. (Eyebrow-raise)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2020-12-05 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Alfredo shook his head.

"No, not this time, but- I still have something, it seems."

He reached over, picking up the small pouch with his name on it.

"I wonder what it's for?"

An open question, considering they probably weren't going to find out just yet, but it's on his mind all the same.
myblueskies: (Alfredo is speaking!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-05 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh!" He peers at it.

"It's pretty!" He looks in the box. "It looks like there's lots of them."

And they all have names...
hisblueskies: Blond-haired boy stares 1/4 stage left, neutral expression. ("Really?")

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2020-12-05 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Alfredo shook the pouch, listening intently.

"It sounds like it's just money - well, coins."

What could they possibly spend it on, given they already had points? Maybe it wasn't for the shop at all, then...
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-05 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"It does sound like coins!" He opens his bag and takes one out.

"Oh these are pretty too!"
hisblueskies: Blond-haired boy, mouth partly open, stares slightly off-center. (Doubt)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2020-12-05 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Alfredo took care to note the snowflake visual for later.

"I don't think there's an easy way to find out what planet these are from..."

Among other questions he wanted to answer.

"But, for now - what did you get those packages for, Romeo?"

Time to put things in their proper place!
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-06 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
He shook his head, "Maybe they come from snowflake planet." Because that was their only guess!

He put his bag in his pocket and grinned.

"They are for the popcorn machine? Did you have popcorn yet, Alfredo?"
hisblueskies: Blond-haired boy, mouth partly open, stares slightly off-center. (Doubt)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2020-12-06 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Alfredo wasn't so sure about that answer - but then, given the worlds they'd seen so far, maybe it was possible!

"I think so- yes! There was some on the Halloween party."

It was a good snack! And a counter to all the sweetness.
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-06 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good! It's very yummy!" He grinned, "These are the seeds for it and you put it into the machine and they pop into popcorn!"

Like magic! Or science! They were very similar.
hisblueskies: Blond boy with candle, smiling (Candle)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2020-12-06 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"That... sounds like it's fun to watch, actually. How much time does it take?"

Alfredo moved over to be of more help in moving the packages.

"And for that matter, where are we putting this?"
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-07 07:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not very long. You just watch and then it goes pop!"

Time isn't a strong suit of his. But it definitely isn't very long at all!

"We got to take it to the cinema!"
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!
myblueskies: (they really are delicious apples!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2020-12-09 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
"It is a long way!" He sighed but grinned. "Yes! Let's work together and then we will get it there safely!"

Hopefully no one would get hurt!