middleofsomewhere | Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

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Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

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.

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"That's the spirit! Bothering people into having a good time against their wiser judgement is my special talent."

Though of course, if she wanted to waltz, they could! Sven wouldn't pass for any socialite, but his hometown had known parties on special holidays, and the monastery may--with some moderate amount of trepidation--have allowed its fledgling holy servants to participate, under the strict instruction that they uphold the church's values. He's been known to dance!

He brought Samata in close, his hand at the small of her back as they twirl. "That mission was something exciting, huh. How are you feeling? Like you never want to see another crab ever again unless it's been deliciously cooked first?"

"Shellfish gives me a stomach ache anyways. I'll be just fine never having to deal with another crab again!"

She matched his steps with ease. "It's a pretty island though. It's nice not being stuck on the train for a bit."

"What? So you can't even enjoy in the spoils of our work? Boo-! That's so cold."

Seriously, what a bummer. Of course, massacring legion upon legion of crabs had been an act of practicality and self-preservation for the teams, but still...! Maybe he was getting too used to travelling with Adventurers, but if you were going to slaughter a bunch of monsters that were baying for your flesh then you should at least get some useful pickings out of it.

Sven nodded, giving Samata a grin that's tinted by the sad look in his eyes. "I'm going to miss the sky. I...think I'm going to hold off going back to the train for as long as I can once the night ends. Think I just want to sit by the dying campfire and drink in the starlight..."

"There's plenty of things to eat that aren't crab." She amended, firmly. "The locals have thrown us a lovely feast."

She was too much of a city girl to really enjoy the wonders of nature in the same way Sven did, but she had to admit that just having all this space around her held a strong appeal after months of the confines of the train. "That...does not sound bad, I'll admit. Not having three other people snoring in your ear all night, or having to worry about rolling over in your sleep and falling onto the floor."

"You do have to worry about rolling over into the campfire, though. I was travelling with an Adventurer that happened to, once." Sven smirked. "Luckily it was mostly embers and he just got lightly singed."

He spun Samata again, catching her by the hand. "Hell, you could always join me! What do you say? Pilfer some bedding from the train, lift some drinks from somewhere, and sit and watch the darkness creep in until all that's left is the glow of the campfire and the stars overhead..."

He paused, flushing just a little in the light of the fire. Did that sound too much like a come-on? "I mean," he dashes to amend himself, smiling at her awkwardly. "It wouldn't need to be just us, either. If you have any friends who'd want to camp with us then all the better for singing camp songs with."

Was Sven flirting with her? She honestly wasn't sure, but it sounded like whatever his heart felt he was pushing it back for now, from that hasty addendum at the end.

A night out under the stars, huh? Samata had grown up in cities, and honestly would normally not have seriously considered it, but after a few months in the cramped train compartments it did actually sound pretty appealing. She spun and stopped herself by catching his hand while considering it.

"...I think that could be a good way to spend a night."

"Hell yeah!"

Sven's face beamed with life and he pulled Samata back to him, holding her by the waist. If he's not intending to be flirty, he's doing a horrendously bad job with it. This would be a good night, he hoped. They could savour their last breath of freedom under the night sky. Hopefully he'd get to ask her more about her magic now that they weren't in active danger.

"I should go and make preparations. I'll handle food and drinks, you just worry about grabbing some bedding for yourself and doing whatever you need to. Let's meet here after everyone else has cleared out."

He WAS flirting with her! Right? Was he? She still couldn't tell. If he wasn't, that was fine. And if he was, well, there are worse things in the world than realizing someone was attracted to you.

"I'll go do that. After this dance."

And so, they danced. After the music stopped, Sven slipped away with a jovial wave behind him and ran back to the train to gather supplies.

The cool darkness of night had seeped in to envelop their camping spot by the time Sven returned. Most of the islanders and other Voidtreckers had packed up for the night, returning to their homes or the train, but the subdued noise of laughter and conversation still drifted in from close by. Samata would find him standing with his hands out over the fire, a peaceful expression on his face as he coaxed the flames back to vibrancy. They seemed to respond to his presence, lifting higher as though reaching up just to touch his fingers.

Barefoot as always, he'd changed from damp swimming trunks back into cargo pants and swapped-out his red hoodie for one that were a little less damp and soot-stained. And, true to his promise, he'd managed to scavenge a couple of bottles of alcohol of varying levels of fullness, some glasses, and a plate of kebabs he'd assembled using whatever variety of veg and meat chunks he'd been able to find in the kitchen, for them to roast over the fire. No seafood, for Samata's sake!

Samata arrived, eventually, with some blankets and pillows bundled up in her arms and stopped at the edge of the circle of firelight to take in everything Sven set up. She was back in her normal train clothes as well, finally free of the embarrassingly form hugging wetsuit.

The truth was she had never been camping in her life. She'd never really seen the appeal. But now after spending months stuck in the narrow confines of the train, she finally got it. She just needed some SPACE.

"Well, this looks cozy."

He greeted her with a big smile. Sven's complexion was warmed by the orange light of the fire, which crackled heartily. He fed another log of firewood into its burning body to sustain it, dusting off his hands as he moved over to greet Samata properly.

"I'm glad you agreed to join me, camping out under the stars is much better with company. Can I get you a drink?" He dipped down next to the array of bottles he'd procured--some snaffled from the kitchen, some donations from party-goers who were turning in for the night--and squinted at the labels.

"We've got, uh...rum, cider, beer that comes in those metal container things, pina colada mix...whatever that is. A couple of juices, too. I just grabbed whatever I could get my hands on."

"Well, when a gentleman extends such an intriguing invitation it piques my curiosity."

Samata flipped out her blanket over the grass and dropped a pillow so she could sit down on it. She didn't feel like sitting directly on the dirty ground. Because that's the kind of ridiculous priorities city living gives you. After perusing the selection, she grabbed the bottle of pina colada to see what it was. It had a pleasingly tropical look to it, and a picture of a coconut with a straw and paper umbrella sticking out of it on the label. "Apparently you're supposed to mix it with ice and rum. If we're drinking tonight, then this looks delightful."

Sven took the bottle from Samata, turning it in his hands. "I don't know where we're supposed to find ice in this climate, but we at least have rum. Twin pina coladas, coming up."

Unfortunately, alongside the absent ice, they didn't have little paper umbrella straws to hand either. Sven was no barkeep, so he eyeballed a hefty serving of rum for each his and Samata's glasses--going heavy on the spirits was an easy game when you had healing fire magic that let you burn off alcohol to wake up sober and fresh as a daisy--and poured in the pina colada mix.

He gave Samata her glass, then knocked the rim of his own against hers with a grin. "Cheers to clear skies, good friends, and an eclectic selection of drinks."

Oh that looked strong. And Samata didn't have magically enhanced constitution to help her burn it off. She DID have five years of experience as a university student, which had involved a lot of late nights partying. She also had a reckless and impulsive nature that didn't tend to worry about the future most of time. She'd be miserable tomorrow, but that was a problem for FUTURE Samata.

She clinked her glass to Sven's, matching his cheerful tone. "To exploring the infinity of creation with new friends, and to strong drinks to keep us sane!"

"Hear, hear!" Sven took a hearty swig of cocktail. The rum was a powerful, burning flavour that threatened to overwhelm the obnoxious sweetness of the pina colada. He didn't mind it.

He took a stole a seat by Samata, not joining her atop her bed materials but sitting directly on the ground (Sven had no such reservations about getting sand or grass on his cargo pants), one leg up and the other stretched out in front of him, bare toes wiggling against the warmth of the fire. He balanced one arm over his knee, his drink held with fingers splayed around the rim of the glass, his other hand upon the ground behind him, propping him up.

"Look at that sky," he breathed through a giddy grin, as he tipped his head back on his shoulders. Brilliant constellations sparkled in the heavens overhead. The tiny pinpricks of calm white a contrast with the passionate, crackling orange of the campfire close by. "When was the last time you saw anything so beautiful?"

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Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

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