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

[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."

[loveandduty]

"You mean the fact everyone is different and no two people are ever going to be the same?" She figured to simply check anyway.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Exactly! Everyone's unique, just like these shells!" He flashed her a grin and a thumbs-up. "And being on the train really shows that, doesn't it? We have huge people, purple people, spiders..."

[loveandduty]

"Yeah, I mean I don't think I've met a spider yet and I am now worried about meeting them, but I guess that really does prove the point that there is such variety." She had gone to pick up a couple more shells as she quietly looked at them.

"Though it's thr sunlight that reflects on them that seems to be why they seem glittery."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Whoa, no." Edge straightened up a little, suddenly serious as he faced Minako head-on. "Don't worry about her. She's precious and priceless and a dear friend, and also an excellent seamstress. She's the best."

[loveandduty]

"Okay, but until I meet them spiders to me are those creatures that move in such a way that's it's scary. I don't know why, but it does. But that just means having to confront that at some point, right?" She couldn't think of any reason but that, but she was sure that odds were likely and considering how small the train is that they will probably meet.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"She does tailoring," Edge offered helpfully. Something about the girl made him suspect she'd value choices in outfits.

[loveandduty]

"Oh, thats pretty cool. Didn't know spiders could but...actually thinking about it they can make their own homes so... making clothes wouldn't be that far fetched."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Well, most spiders aren't smart. I'll show you the scarf she made me sometime, it's a real work of art!"

Figured! He wore it all the time, and no sooner did he take it off for the beach then he needed to show it off.

[loveandduty]

She nodded slightly. "Next time though." she was soon moving again, seeing something off in the distance before she kneeling down in the water for a closer inspection.

Seemed to be another shell at least, but different shape from what the other had been and maybe less sparkly. But it was hard to tell in the water.

"So what are your plans for the free time on the beach?"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"You mean before or after I can finally think, despite being in the presence of such visions of loveliness?" Present company very much included!

But, more seriously, he continued, "I have a lot of thinking to do, so mostly I'm just taking advantage of the space."

[loveandduty]

"I know I can be distracting, but sometimes focus is a good thing too." She was in part joking because usually she was a distraction for completely different reasons.

"What do you need to think about?"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Edge frowned slightly, then folded his arms behind his back. "Leadership. It's a common topic around here."

[loveandduty]

"What about leadership exactly?" It was something she knew a thing or two about and she knew she always had her own concerns when it came to such things.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Well, a common refrain I hear is, 'you haven't done anything, so your opinion doesn't count'. It makes a person think, what can he do?" And he was coming on some ideas, which were nice, but the situation was still pretty lame.

[loveandduty]

"So is it about the leadership on the train or something? Because leadership is usually something where yes you lead, but you still take others into consideration." At least that was how she goes about it when it comes to the other Sailor Scouts back home.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Well, around here you're apparently allowed to ignore someone if you decide they're just trying to seduce a girl." Specifically referencing the train's leadership was a great way to make Edge scowl. "Or if they haven't done any specific leading themselves, never mind the lack of opportunities to do so."

[loveandduty]

"the first part makes no sense. I mean you can decide to ignore someone for reasons, that is up to the individual, but at the same time things like that aren't really...anyone business." Say the girl who has been rather nosey about peoples love lives, but that is a different matter.

At least to her.

"Okay the latter I will actually agree with you on. How do we know someone is capable or not without at least giving them a try. Sometimes a leader has to learn how to actually be one." Again says the girl who had to do exactly that and still got worried sometimes about it.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Depends on if you trust people, don't you?" Edge folded his arm, watching the sea without really seeing it. "If someone told you they were a good leader back home, would you immediately doubt them? Would you insist they were terrible? Or would you take what they say as true? In other words, without proof either way, do you doubt or do you believe?"

[loveandduty]

"I guess so." Minako for whatever reason had decided to not stand and watch the sea, but instead to move a little bit back to the shore so she could at least sit down while thinking about it.

"One doesn't have any way of knowing if one is telling the truth or not honestly. Actions though speak a lot louder than words and that's how I would trust if someone is actually saying the truth. Saying one was a good leader could mean they were being over confident and they are lying to make themselves look good. They could be telling the truth or they want to be a gpood leader but always have doubts. But as I said no way of knowing until they put it into action."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Well, if she wanted to sit down... Edge obliged, taking a seat next to her. Looming over her didn't seem like a great way to have a fair and equal conversation, and she was proving to be more than a pretty face as this went on.

"Suppose they have a history, though. True, someone could lie about being a king or a ruler, but how many people have the confidence to pull that off? And another matter is when people believe it's true, but immediately assume that's a bad thing..."

[loveandduty]

"Someone who has a lot of confidence could easily say so. Plus really good actors." Whicdh was at least two types she could see easily pulling it off anyway. Could she? Probably not even if her past life she technically had been someone of high rank.

"For the whole matter of people believing it's true but assume it's a bad thing can I have an example of what you mean?"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Oh, I get that all the time. First thing people say when I mention I'm a king is that I'm a horrible person whose kingdom is hell." And don't even get him started on how people assume literally all monarchies are evil.

[loveandduty]

"So you just told people you were a king and they jumped to that conclusion without knowing more facts? I get that some people think people like that are bad, but... they aren't always." She knew not to get into detail,. but she knew at least Usagi as Queen did a decent job and well people live there much longer because of her.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"And yet, that's what people say -- that all monarchies are bad, and all monarchs are terrible people." She can see the total illogic of that, right?