Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

[voidtreckermods]

Ritual

The jellyfish is no more and as red team take stock of their injuries, or collapse from exhaustion the lights zip around them, singing their song of joy. They gather around the light that had been inside the jellyfish and now that it has been released it is obvious this light is different. Stronger. They surround it and the song gets even louder as they begin to move towards the plinth.

In the caverns where the purple and orange team are there is a stillness. For those in orange team still in the cavern they can only hope that the instructions they gave out had been followed. Luckily for them they have been, Purple team have done a remarkable job of defeating the crabs and cleaning the temple. The priests gather around the shell on the alter, arms linked together in prayer as they seek to re-sanctify their temple. As their prayer begins they will invite the voidtreckers to join them, though no one is forced into taking part in the ritual. They suggest that they use their strange wrist jewellery to open communication with their friends in Bui.

The monster on the beach is defeated and though the fight is still raging against the crabs, a beacon has been built and lit. The islanders who are not fighting gather around it, linking arms, drawing any voidtreckers who don't object to joining them into the circle.

The song begins hesitantly, almost as if everyone has forgotten the words and only half remembers the tune. The SCA translates, the prayer is simple, a blessing on the land and its people, deliverance from the darkness and hope for the future.

The light from the jellyfish reaches the plinth and is set upon it. The song heightens and the light shoots upwards, blinding in its brilliance.

Through the dark storm clouds a light streams towards the island, most of it towards the beacon on the island though there is a break away light that goes towards the train, where some of orange team have set up a second beacon. It swirls around those on the train roof, singing a song of happiness and bounces back towards the island.

The light reaches the main beacon and hits it with a strength that lights up the whole sky. The light splits more solidly into two and speeds off over the ocean. Light pours into the underground caverns, not caring about the ocean and rock in the way, the light pools into the shells, the caverns glow warmly.

Outside the storm calms, clouds roll back, the sun shines. The sea stills. The wind stops. The sun is rising, a beautiful dawn. Any monsters left scuttle away, vanishing into the ocean, away from Bui.

Those with any powers that they couldn't reach before find them returned in a rush. Those who can sense life find this world teeming with it. A song that dances between every plant and creature.

Some of red may have evacuated to the train but those who stayed to see the ritual through, the world around them seems to melt away and they find themselves back next to the rock pools. Among their number there are some confused looking islanders who intrinsically draw closer to those who helped free the lights.

Orange and Purple

Down underwater there's noise and a babble of voices as the citizens of Bui wake up. There's a shimmering around the city now, like a shield though they can pass through easily. Parents scramble to locate their children and all check on loved ones and friends.

The familiar voice of train announcements is heard through Orange team's SCAs. Orange return to the VoidTrecker Express. Once everyone is on board it flies low over the ocean, skimming the waves.

In the underwater temple the priests finish sealing the ritual and then it is time to begin the return trek. There are no monsters this time and after a few hours, as they emerge onto the first of the sandbanks they will find the VoidTrecker Express is waiting for them.

Red and Blue

The monsters gone, those of the island gather everyone from the rock pools and for a few hours everyone sleeps.

At about noon the islanders begin to stir, begin putting things to rights. Wood is moved from the strategic points to more communal campfires on the beach. Any dead monsters that haven't been gathered for food have been washed out to sea, disappeared into the depths. They begin to prepare food and won't turn away any helpers. Though those who have been fighting are encouraged to rest.

The islanders bring blankets and start to gather. Everyone is exhausted but the children, in the way of children find the energy to play in the sea and the sand.

Beach Day

Early afternoon the train lands on the beach and everyone gets a holographic message to their SCA.

Mission successful. Well done Voidtreckers. Enjoy the rest of your day. You will find suitable clothing in the dressing room. A new recipe has been added to the kitchen information points.

The dressing room is indeed open once more, this time it holds swimsuits of every style, shorts, t shirts, wraps and beach skirts. Sun hats and sunglasses can also be found. It's a bit of a mush mash but they should be able to cobble together something other than their uniform wet suits.

Time to laze around on the beach or for those who still have energy swim or play. A few hours later a ripple across the water brings some of those from Bui and they swim or lounge on rocks to talk.

Food and stories

Food is cooked and shared, the islanders will happily try the voidtreckers' offerings and share their own. As the sun begins to set they gather around the fires. Stories and songs are shared and there's even some dancing for the brave.

Voidtreckers can choose whether to sleep in their own beds or spend one last night on the island before the train flies off into the sunrise and into the void.

Comments

[loveandduty]

Girls just wanna have fun~
After a rather much-needed nap, Minako was refreshed and ready for the day. A day at the beach. Minako was admittedly excited and soon she had an idea come to mind. What do people do at the beach? Play games.

So after she got changed into a suitable swimsuit she headed off to the gym car in order to grab a net that was there to bring it out. After much fuss with setting everything up she soon turned around, looking around for something to stand on before instead just choosing to yell.

"Ladies and gentleman, may I have you attention. I the beautiful and talented Minako have set up a fun little game of beach volleyball. For those who have never played but would like to learn, I will be happy to teach you. If you know of the game I employ you to join me in a match."

Fun in the sun.
Minako, when she wasn't playing volleyball, had changed into another
swimsuit so that she could do a few things. She figured that she would try and sunbath for starters. After that, she figured to find a nice and quiet spot to people watch and finally at the end, she played by the water looking over excitedly and waving like there was no tomorrow.

"Hey~! Look at this. It's amazing~"

[pleple]

What the heck? Going through multiple swimsuits seemed like such a pain. But they were both....... cute on her. It was fine! Just a waste of time.

People watching put her close to the reclusive (shy) Ple Two, who nodded at her. "...I've never done this before." The whole... beach thing.

[loveandduty]

"Never done what before? The beach?" She figured that would be the first thing that came to mind. "I will help you figure out ways to have fun on the beach, don't worry about that."

[pleple]

"I've... never been on a beach at all. Never had the chance. It's... pretty." Nice to see people having fun, even if she's just hiding off to the side for the most part."

[loveandduty]

"A beach is beautiful. The calmness of the waves rolling in, the feeling of the sand when it doesn't get into awkward places." All said with a smile.

"But I guess for today you'll be able to find out what it's like to have fun on a beach."

[pleple]

She hadn't thought about the grittiness of sand. Ah, earth problems.

"I'll try, at least. Hm."

[cassiefuckingcage]

A fairly tall blonde in a light-blue two-piece swimsuit approaches with a broad grin on her face.

"Oh HO, you have no idea what you've just gotten yourself into, sister. You are about to get all types of REKT."

[loveandduty]

"Well we will see. I will assume you are pretty good." Which she was happy for, it atb least meant she didn't need to teach anyone and in her mind no matter what happened she was going to be happy that she found someone who could.

[cassiefuckingcage]

"I'm good at most things," Cassie says. "But I am the motherfucking QUEEN of the beach."

Venice Beach in particular.

"Though to be honest, I'm not sure if I've ever needed a beach day more than right now."

[loveandduty]

"Yeah, I mean considering what we all had to do. It's nice to have at least one day to relax and have fun." Minako had gone to grab the ball and spin it on her finger for a moment.

"I am sure those who have been here longer really, really needed it."

[cassiefuckingcage]

"I've had to fight bigger back home, too," Cassie says. "Doesn't make it any less welcome."

She extends a hand.

"I'm Cassie, by the way."

Girls just wanna have fun

[stealsyourheart]

"Volleyball, Minako-san?" Kaito grins. "Girls only, or can a guy join in?"

Re: Girls just wanna have fun

[loveandduty]

"Volleyball is for everyone." Which she thinks pretty much answers that question of she didn't mind.

[stealsyourheart]

He tips an imaginary hat to her.

"Well then! May I have the pleasure of this game?"

[loveandduty]

"Of course. Do you want to serve first or should I?" She figured it was always the first question to ask so she knew who could have the ball to start with.

[stealsyourheart]

"Ladies first!" He says cheerfully. "I warn you, I've never actually played volleyball on the beach, just in gym. So I've no clue if I'm any good at this."

Fun in the Sun

[onehandsomeslickninja]

What a perfect opening -- it was too easy, and Edge couldn't resist. "I bet you hear that a lot when people see you!" he called back, lifting a hand to return the wave.

Re: Fun in the Sun

[loveandduty]

She soon put on a small like pout for a moment before she puts on what she dubs the Minako Charm... Which was just Minako being herself.

"Of course, but seriously though this seashell is pretty cool glittering in the ocean."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Well, how could I notice it with you there?" The Minako Charm got to meet the Slick Ninja Quips, but Edge did actually turn to look at the seashell as he came up next to her. "You're right, though. Want it?"

[loveandduty]

"Quite the charmer, aren't you?"

Minako had soon knelt down to pick it up. It was a simple shell but seemed to come across rather shiny. In all honesty this had originally meant to be a trick, and splash a few people, but it seemed this time she had actually been distracted by shells.

""You have to wonder about shells, don't you. Why are they always different?"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Be glad I'm not actually trying," he said, winking her way. "Shells are easy, though. Look how much the outer shells of just people are different. Shells practically look the same when you compare us all to each other."

Girls just wanna have fun

[so_dark_a_road]

"Beach volleyball?" said Curufin, looking at the net with interest. "How do you play that game?" he asked.

Re: Girls just wanna have fun

[loveandduty]

"Have you never played volleyball before?" Though she had expected there to be some people who never have, so she shouldn't be that surprised.

[so_dark_a_road]

"No, I've never played volleyball," he answers. "We Elves had a version of soccer, but not volleyball. What are the rules for volleyball?"

[loveandduty]

"I will be happy to explain. But I will say usually a team for volleyball is only 6 players on the field. You can have extras to the sidelines that can switch if needs be, but the number actually playing can only be 6. Three at the front and near the net and three in the back. Am I doing okay so far?"