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: (02)

[personal profile] crimson_rain 2020-12-10 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Hua Cheng noticed he doesn't wear the uniform like the others. He's wearing a traditional robes and neatly, so he figured he's a figure of leader.

At the mention of playing the guqin and training, his interests in his talents is perked. "I see. I shall give those carriage a look and I would like to see your rabbits some time later. It's nice to meet you, I'm Hua Cheng." He cupped his hands and makes a bow.

"By the way, what happened to your hoodie?"
achickenformylove: (mdzs 75)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2020-12-10 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course. I'd be happy to let you meet the rabbits. They were recently renamed by my son to be Radish and Carrot." Which was very fitting... since they were rabbits. WangJi clasped his hands as well and bowed in return. "I am Lan WangJi, one of the leaders of the Blue Team."

"I suspect that one of the maidens from home, A-Qing, has borrowed them. She likes them because they are larger than hers."

Whatever made her happy.
crimson_rain: shipping @ dw (01)

[personal profile] crimson_rain 2020-12-13 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Awww, that's cute for the rabbits, that he can't help but to laugh softly. "Radish and carrot. I can't wait to meet them."

Ah-ha, so he figures who is his team leader. He nods. "It's nice to meet you still. I came on the train with my partner and companion, Xie Lian, but he is on team purple."
achickenformylove: (mdzs 5)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2020-12-14 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
"They do enjoy meeting new people."

The rabbits were well used to people being around, coming through the greenhouse. Especially if WangJi, WuXian, or now Sizhui was with them, they were happy meeting someone new.

"We are unsure what causes the assignments onto teams. My husband, Wei Ying, is on the blue team as well, but my brother and my son are both on different teams."
crimson_rain: shipping @ dw (01)

[personal profile] crimson_rain 2020-12-15 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
With a nod, "I see. I sort of wondered what happened to my clothes as well. I woke up on the platform wearing like this. Do you happen to know how we can retrieve our original clothes or we're going to wear like this for a while?"
achickenformylove: (mdzs 1)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2020-12-15 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know where they go unfortunately. I had my robes and my forehead ribbon in my qiankun pouch. Not everyone is so lucky to have that sort of bag come with them. You can either request them from the train when you have enough points or you could speak to the spider. She can make custom clothes usually for snacks of a negotiated amount. She made my and my husband's wedding robes."
crimson_rain: shipping @ dw (13)

[personal profile] crimson_rain 2020-12-17 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, I don't have a qiankun pouch. I'll keep that in mind and speak to the spider for clothes."

So far, his information useful. He smiles politely, but he is thankful. "Thank you for the help, Wangji."
achickenformylove: (mdzs 2)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2020-12-17 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
He nodded his head once. "You are most welcome. It is important that we help each other on the train. Coming from a world with much different fashion than this, it is rather shocking."
crimson_rain: shipping @ dw (01)

[personal profile] crimson_rain 2020-12-18 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't find it too shocking, but at least, it shouldn't be too hard to obtain clothes other than the uniform is given. But I think the hoodie they given me is fine. I'm used to red, but I guess I'm on the blue team."

Thinking about it, "Say do you have any idea as to why we're sorted in different colors and teams? Like why we're assigned blue, while others are orange, purple, and red?"
achickenformylove: (mdzs 3)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2020-12-19 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Hmm... it is unusual to me, but others are less concerned by the change of outfit. My husband is the same; he wore mainly red back home and he is on the blue team."

WangJi was kind of understandable... considering his last name was Lan.

"I'm sure there are some theories, but there is nothing concrete that I am aware of. A lot of the blue team are very young, but also unafraid to put themselves in harm's way to protect those they do not know."