voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2020-05-21 05:22 am

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.
callmegladio: Image @ <user name="fontech"> (30)

Beach Day (Night)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-05-23 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
After hanging around for a while in the afternoon, Gladio had returned back to the train and done a little fishing with Noctis.

But now he was back at the beach, the air was cooler now and he'd opted to return to his train clothes, though he was still barefoot.

He spotted Zelda laying on the sand and smiled to himself as he approached. "Warm enough?" He called with a little concern, not sure how long she'd been out or how long she planned to remain.
wisdominshadows: Thank you... Link... (twenty three)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2020-05-24 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah-"

Zelda turned her head toward Gladio, then shifted to prop herself up a bit.

"Don't worry, I'm fine; it's not so terribly cold out at the moment. And I'd like to remain outside while the train still permits it."

How many nights like this do they get to experience, after all?
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-05-27 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"I wasn't going to rush you inside." Gladio promised as he moved to crouch down beside the girl. "If anything I was going to offer you my hoodie before I headed inside." He continued with a smile, because he could understand her wanting to stay outside. If he had his own way he would have as well, if it wasn't for the fact he had people waiting for him.

"It's a beautiful night. I don't blame you wanting to enjoy it." He looked up at the sky, at the stars. "... Can't get views like this on the train."
wisdominshadows: HW: Zelda praying (thirty eight)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2020-05-29 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
After a moment's consideration, Zelda bowed her head. "If I'm not depriving you, I suppose," she answered. "Thank you very much for offering."

It really wasn't necessary, but the gesture was kind. And kindness, she thought to herself, shouldn't be refused lightly.

"No," she nodded in agreement, "we can't. Odd, isn't it? People so often think of the void as the space between the stars- but when we're there, we can hardly see them at all."
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-05-30 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
Gladio easily shrugged out of the hoodie and offered it to Zelda with a smile. "Not depriving me at all. In fact, if you asked my friends, I'm overdressed." He chuckled. The cold didn't usually bother him, so he was more than happy to offer his jacket to the girl so she could at least stay warm as the night went on.

"Stars would be a nice thing to see." He agreed. "Looking out at the void gives me a headache." And that wasn't nearly as nice as looking out at space.
wisdominshadows: HW: Zelda praying (thirty eight)

[personal profile] wisdominshadows 2020-06-02 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
Zelda considered this for a moment. "Then perhaps," she said, her face so still that it would be difficult to tell whether she was joking, "they missed an opportunity when they decided not to force you into a swimsuit this afternoon."

Accepting the hoodie with another nod, she carefully tucked it around her shoulders. If the night got worse, she'd put it on properly.

"Oh, yes," she nodded. "I think it's the same for everyone. Sometimes, it makes me wonder why its makers bothered with windows in the first place."
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-06-06 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Gladio looked a little surprised, a little pleased and a whole hell of a lot of amused. "Perhaps." He echoed and laughed. It was hard to tell if she was joking, but joking or serious it was both flattering and surprising to hear something like that come from Zelda. She seemed so... refined. He respected her, and that respect went up a notch.

"Seems counter-productive to have windows when it's only gonna make people sick. Wonder if we can start covering them up with nice pictures of landscapes or stars?" Now that seemed like an idea he could get behind.