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

[madcuriosity]

I. Beach Day:

For once, Alice felt a bit more comfortable, able to find a bathing suitin a style she was familiar with and even a parasol and hat to keep away the sun. She wished she was in a much more chipper mood as she walked along the sand.

But even as the water lapped at her feet and ankles... she felt terribly grim, which is not how one should act at a beach with the waves crashing so prettily and the sun shining so warmly. Admittedly, she'd likely have been MORE miserable if the weather matched her mood and the waves weren't such a calming sound, but even so, Alice did not feel in the highest of spirits.

It had been proven to her, though she knew it to be true regardless of proof, that she, Alice Pleasance Liddell, was absolutely useless on this train. She had been kidnapped, essentially told there was nothing to be done about it, and despite her explaining she lacked any skills of use, she got to feel thoroughly useless. Diving, HER! Using equipment she had never seen before in her life, trying to find some city or somesuch or other. She was good at riddles and chess, not diving down into the depths of the ocean.

Alice moved further up the shore so that as she sat down, the water would only hit her feet if she laid them out. But otherwise, she just sat watching the sea, trying not to cry because she was rather sure people were tired of dealing with her crying. Or well, that was the PLAN until her parasol got caught up in a very strong wind and flew out of her hand... and right into someone else.

She rushed to stand up.

"I'm so sorry! Are you alright!"

II. Food and Stories:

Alice had never been around a bonfire before. She watched it carefully, watching as people put strange white shapes be put near or IN the fire and being pulled at either on fire or a soft brown. What was that? She tilted her head and then watched as those white shapes were popped into mouths or placed with chocolate and biscuits.

Alice lightly tapped on the arm of someone, watching the shapes keep going in and out of the fire.

"I beg your pardon," she bit her lip, trying to not bother the person. "What are those?" she pointed at the white shape.

III: Wildcard
[Feel free to come up with your own prompt or we can plot something out at snickersnack]

I with a twist!

[unfavorableinstigation]

Alice may not be expecting her parasol to fly straight out over the ocean - but, in fairness, the whale hanging out there wasn't expecting one to HIT her, either.

But it's not stuck in her or anything, so fortunately all Nita was was surprised.

/Uh, is this yours?/ she said, tentatively swimming upshore to give it back, fighting off embarrassment.

[madcuriosity]

"Goodness!" That... was a whale talking to her. And... a very LARGE whale at that. Alice at least... assumed it was a whale! She had never seen the sort before but whales were supposed to be large. She knew about porpoises... was a whale a porpoise? Did she come from an underwater school?

"Oh ah... yes... miss," Alice said, she was rather sure the whale was a miss. It sounded like a girl. "Are you alright?"

Alice is a delight. ;a;

[unfavorableinstigation]

/I'm okay. And I think this is too, for the most part?/

Indicating the parasol - which, apart from looking very wind-tossed, did indeed appear to be intact.

/Sorry about that. I'm Nita; you're Alice, right?/

'Alice the younger,' which Nita thought but didn't say.

Aww thank you

[madcuriosity]

Alice began padding into the water, she didn't want the poor whale to have to be beached. She shivered at how cold it was but was getting used to it quickly.

"Oh ah, how do you do, Miss Nita? And OH! Ah, yes, Alice, Alice Liddell!" she offered a curtsy with what little skirt her bathing suit had. "How did you know my name?"

I

[silentwoof]

Into someone... or into her hand as Whisper just snatches it out of the air on reflex? She had intended this to be a spot far away from everyone else, but the wolf wasn't going to just yell at people to leave her alone. Even if she could yell.

A little twirl, and she had the parasol closed and the handle held out to Alice by the time she ran up.

She nodded. This human was... small. The youngest one here, by Whisper's estimation. Whisper, too, was dressed a bit more modestly in a pale blue sundress with no intentions to go swimming. "...fine. It's not broken."

[madcuriosity]

Thankfully, Alice is quite used to strange and interesting creatures who can talk. Alice took the parasol and gave a small nod.

"Oh ah, thank you, I'm glad you're not hurt... and that it's not broken," she was... admittedly curious about the other, never having met a wolf before but withheld her questions... for now. "Are... you enjoying the beach, miss?"

[silentwoof]

Whisper's voice was quiet. She wasn't sure if a child would ask questions or not - Cream was tactful, but that seems to be particular to her. Still, she could handle kids, probably.

For a start, Whisper nodded. "...everything's fine. The beach too. ...peaceful over here." Calm enough that she could be heard, too.

[madcuriosity]

Alice will always ask questions, tactful or not. She is the embodiment of curiosity.

"Oh ah, yes, it's a very pretty beach, and far away from everyone."

II

[deductiongeek]

Conan was a little surprised to be asked, but answering any nearby questions was nearly a reflex for him.

"It looks a little like marshmallows, although it could be something entirely different. Considering this planet."

[madcuriosity]

"Marshmallow? I've never had that before, what is it?"

[deductiongeek]

"It's a dessert, usually made from sugar, water and gelatin. It can be used as a filling in baking, but it is popular to mold it into a shape and coat it with corn starch. At campfires people like to put them on sticks and roast them over the fire. It softens the inside and caramelizes the outside."

Conan rattles all of that off without pausing to think.

[madcuriosity]

Alice blinked a bit owlishly and then back towards the little marshmallow. The more he rattled on, the more Alice became lost on the whole thing. She sighed and pressed her lips together resting her chin in her palm.

"Does this dessert have a name?" she sighed.

II

[adropofsunlight]

Rapunzel was watching the fire as well as listening to the people who were talking, finding the stories absolutely interesting. But when she felt a tap on her shoulder she turned her head for a moment to focus on the one who did it.

"What are... the white thing. I mean they look nice." She said eyes back onto it. "If I remember... I think they are called Marashmellows and what the people are doing is making a thing called smores. I don't know why they are called that"

[madcuriosity]

Alice paused, this woman was so pretty! Alice paused for a moment and then blushed, looking back at the food item in question. "Marshmallows?" she repeated. "Smores? I've never had either of those," she turned to look to Rapunzel. "Have you? Do you know how it tastes?"

[adropofsunlight]

"I never have either, but don't you think they look delicious?" It was tempting to at least go find some just to try it and by watching the people she had some idea as to how it was done.

"But no, this would be my first time trying them"

beach

[tweaktherules]

To say Higgs is a bit skittish is-- well. He's doing a great job of hiding it, and that's definitely not sarcasm. Still, he isn't comfortable with exposing any of his skin--the rain may not be timefall here, but old mindsets die very hard--so he's still in his hoodie and regular getup. No masks, but he's getting used to that. So he tries to tell himself.

He steadies the girl, though, and shakes his head.

"No need for apologies, miss." His voice carries a lightness and friendliness to it. "Doin' alright?"

[madcuriosity]

Alice gave a small nod, not wanting to burden a stranger with her sadness.

"Yes, sir. Um, my-" she paused, however since he said there was no need to apologize. "The wind pulled my parasol from my hand. Or well... It's not really mine, it belongs to the train." She did wonder if she would have to return the swimsuit.

[tweaktherules]

"Well, that's sure a predicament, ain't it?" But it lacks any sort of condescending tone, so it's probably sincere.

"Even if it belongs to the train, not havin' something to shield you sure is never fun. You need a new one? I reckon you could find one easily if you wanted."

I

[irrationally]

"I'm fine."

Granted, it's not a lie. Alice can endure a parasol flying in her face (although she sure would have been a lot more cross if it belonged to anyone other than the other Alice) - and she was even able to catch it using her own parasol. Apparently both of them had the same idea of bringing one along, although the older Alice certainly needs it with how pale her skin is. It looks as if she would burn if even the slightest rays of sun would touch said skin. The only difference is that the older Alice hasn't put on a bathing suit, not even one suitable for the time they come from. She's just wearing her usual purple train outfit instead, even here on the beach.

She holds out the younger Alice's parasol to give it back.

"I should be asking you that, if anything. Why are you sitting here all by yourself?"

[madcuriosity]

Alice let out a small breath and started pulling at her fingers, the sure sign that she was trying to decide how to say something.

"I... I don't really deserve to be celebrating with everyone about a job well done, I didn't do anything," she offered to the older girl, not wanting to lie to... well, herself. "I... I did try diving but it... the device was so scary, the giant tank on my back and I-I panicked and so it was suggested I stay on the train. And... and I didn't DO anything. I was utter- I was utterly useless!"

[irrationally]

Alice's initial instinctive reaction is worry. Then - as always - it quickly shoots to anger. It sucks that they can't really do something to the train, because she would sure like to do something right now for it having dragged a poor young girl into this place and making her feel this way.

But she knows that's not going to be productive towards trying to make Alice feel any better right now, so the older Alice tries to swallow the feeling the best she can. She moves down on one knee so she's able to look at the other girl from a more equal level.

"I understand. Being unable to help is one of the worst possible feelings." Even to this day she can still hear her parents' screams from when she escaped from that burning house all by herself, unable to do a thing. "But this was only your first time. It's going to get better. And if it would make you feel better at all, I could stay with you next time."

It's not like her to be optimistic. But for this younger, more innocent Alice's sake she will do her best to indulge in it all the same.

Beach Day

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin was walking down on the beach when he saw Alice sitting there looking solemn. He walked to where she sat and was about to greet her when a gust of wind suddenly picked up her parasol and smacked it into Curufin. He caught it.

"I'm fine," he said, in answer to her apology. "You couldn't help it anyway, it was the wind."

[madcuriosity]

"Oh, ah, thank you, Mr. Curufin," she nodded. "I'm glad it didn't hurt you, parasols are light but they can still smack quite smartly."

[so_dark_a_road]

He laughed softly. "I've been smacked by worse things than a parasol. This I wouldn't worry about!"

He handed it back to her.

"How are you?"