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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Ritual/Team Orange

The spirits in flight are truly wondrous to see - but Nita is quickly distracted by the sensation of wizardry reinstating itself, her bracelet briefly on fire with blue light... and by enveloping her 'invisible friend' in a mental hug, the sounds of quiet panic only she can hear dying away in the embrace.

Of course, even the limited wizardries Nita has been doing have their price, and she passes out during the ride back to Gyueran. But she's not entirely dead to the world like this; come say hello, come celebrate!

Beach Day! - Well, Night. Also Food + Stories!

Nita wakes up, somewhat restored, late in the evening. Feel free to find her either snacking with relief, asking Bui citizens and islanders alike about their lives and what they know of the Voidtreckers- or just relaxing as a whale, enjoying the fact that everything here is as it should be again.

Didn't know she could be a whale? Surprise! Maybe that's what people are talking about...

(And sometime between the both of these instances, the peridexis quietly messages the train in its way, asking it to make sure it takes a break too, okay?)

immediate aftermath (blue)

Their wooden tower is all they have to hope for. She doesn't know how to help but to kneel by it and pray silently, too exhausted to do much else. She waits, and she hopes, as bleak as it feels...and at last the light arrives. The danger disappears, she feels her full strength return when she no longer needs it...and sighs, dropping to her knees.

"Well that's something..."

beach day

After a long sleep, Mami hesitantly returns. She picks a green suit after some consideration, uses her new woodworking skills to fashion a yellow umbrella with stray planks and her ribbons, and sits on the sand. It's a beautiful day. She'll hesitantly wave to the others passing by.

food

And of course, what kind of day would it be without food? She's right there in the thick of serving fresh crab and bacon rolls, walking around with her little umbrella in one hand and the tray in the other.

"You look like you might be hungry."

Edited 2020-05-21 13:10 (UTC)

Nita, human again for a spell (hah!) and in a subtle blue two-piece that errs on the side of covering skin rather than showing off, smiles gratefully and reaches for a roll.

"Thanks, Mami. Hey, take a seat, alright? You should get to have some yourself."

They'd all worked hard, that was for certain.

beach

Kaiba immediately evacuates with the SCA when the job is done and goes right to sleep as soon as he gets there. The calmed seas help, and he's out like a light until at least noon, awkwardly draped over the bunk.

But then he follows the group to the dressing car and hesitates. His back is a mess of whip marks, but...he'd promised Yugi a good day as soon as possible, and this was going to be it.

After stopping at the gym car for a ball, he dresses and immediately set out to swim, awkwardly mingling with the people from Bui. He's relieved to see the children from both communities smiling and playing, and brings a ball from the gym car out to them. Water volleyball!

On the beach he'll stretch and take the time to make the rounds, checking that everyone made it back. "Huh. So you made it," is what he'll say, but the relief is (usually) implied.

Edited 2020-05-21 13:24 (UTC)

"Yo Kaiba-san!" Kaito is well back from the water, but he waves cheerfully from his spot.

"You doing ok?"

Kumbaya

Ple Two isn't much for prayer, or togetherness, but it's not as though the supernatural is foreign to her, not any more. Joining the circle is about all she has the energy to do, and she can... feel it. As the ritual progresses, whatever was blocking her senses begins to ease, and she can feel an energy wash over them all. Over the area. Weary and not really into it she still participates, hesitantly, as it actually works. As the storms clear, the and life returns.

Sometimes... it is amazing what people can do together.

Beach

And then they have a break. Finally. Despite feeling physically refreshed, Ple Two's still going to need to be dragged off to do anything but lay there.

She's found herself a simple, pink one piece in her size, slapped on a pair of sunglasses and a broad brimmed hat, and the only thing she'll be doing of her own volition is eating too much crab and relaxing.

Feel free to drag her away, though.

Kaito doesn't go anywhere near the water, but other than that, he seems perfectly fine. He's shadowed still by a clefairy though, which probably says plenty. He is checking in on everyone who went down though, making sure everyone's ok.

"You made it back up!" He hails friends. "How're you bearing up?"

Ah, so some of them are helping out with cooking too... not surprising that a girl like Mami is. Her eyes flick over the older girl's swimsuit. A bit more subtle than the bright pink color of the first non-embarrassing swimsuit she found in her size.

The food looks good. "So we are eating those giant crabs, huh?"

Nerdanel comes over to join her in another massive hat.

(Sometimes being a redhead sucks)

"Ple Two! How are you, my dear."

"Enjoying the sun," Eva grins, eyes darting to Princess -who looks back innocently- then back to Kaito. "What about you and your shadow?"

"Tired." Just in a general, vague sense. "Relieved too, though. That this... went well."

Ritual

Song comes flooding back and Nerdanel sags in relief, singing back to the dancing lights in echoed joy, home and hearth.

Later, as the fighters relax, Nerdanel moves amongst them, seeking those who might need patching up, singing the soft healing charms to numb pain and speed healing that every mother knows. Once she's sure all the younglings are as good as they're going to be, she turns to help the cooks.

(She's tired too, of course, but Nerdanel is Eldar, one of the High Elves, born in the paradise of Aman, grown strong beneath the Light of the Trees. She can go days without rest, if she needs to, for her spirit is still strong)

Feed the younglings first. Get them home. Then rest.

Beach

There are... serious disadvantages to being a redhead. Part of that is ... well. Even Elves can get suburned. Especially redheads.

Nerdanel is in a simple black bikini.... and a massive floppy hat and loose floaty shawl-scarf thing. She is, for the most part, quite happy to sit and rest by the fire, staying up late and late, singing softly to the stars.

Yugi's smile brightened when he saw the other and made his way over after having made his own rounds, "Kaiba, hey. Good to see you awake."

Yugi's choice of swim trunks was nothing out there. More plain and simple dark blue in color and long enough that it reaches the top of his knees. It was simple, but Yugi liked it.

"Playing with the kids?"

The best part about this? is not the sand or the water, it's about actually managing to find a bikini that is, shockingly, not covered in leaf motifs, or some ludicrous shade of green. It's cute, she feels cute and she rocks it. Though, there are times when she stares at nothing, small pout on her face. "The only thing better would be if he were here."

There's no boyfriend to oggle, here.

That said, she can be found either sunbathing- in which case, she's far, far too unconcerned about the time she spends under the sun. Anyone who calls her out on this gets a puzzled look. "What? It's a good winter sun. I'm not gonna get burnt."

As far as she knows, it is. There's only one sun in the sky!

Or, she's venturing into the water with a delighted squeal. Beware, anyone near her, she will start water fights. Otherwise, she's enjoying the water. Be it playing around in it, swimming, or random handstands that she's not actually that good at. Sometimes though, she's looking a the wave with a forlorn expression. "This'd be so much better if I had Tanknator..."

Her pokemon get in on the action, too, mostly. Lele's more or less taken up a guard position by Eva's towel and refuses to move. By the end of the day, the porygon2 is half-buried in sand thanks to Princess (how the fairy-type manages it when he's on Kaito-watch is anyone's clue.) Dancer wheels and dances above the Voidtreckers, fire flickering across red wingtips as she does some interesting baile-style acrobatics. If she's not doing that, she's sunbathing either up on the roof of the train or near Eva (who is keeping an eye on the bird). Either way, the fire-type oricocolo is a very happy camper.

Though by nightfall, Eva's back in her uniform, Lele returned to its pokeball and Dancer settled onto her shoulder, Princess likely still off with Kaito. Eva's not too worried; she can find him with a whistle or three. Plus, there's a plate of food in hand, she's hungry, and more than happy to talk to anyone and everyone as she moves around the fires, looking for friends she's yet to have spoken to. Conversational highlights include:

- "Never thought eating crab'd taste so great."
- "Did you know crab goes really well with bacon?"
- "No, oricocolo can't eat that and she's already eaten."

This was a nice change after the mission. Nice and calming and it seems like people are happy at the fact they can spend the day on the beach.

So Yugi had decided to make the most of it when possible while at the same time checking that people he knew were okay as well. So after putting on basic dark blue swimming trunks he had headed off, looking around for any familiar faces or simply looking to see what other people might be doing that seemed like fun.

After all that was the point of this moment, right?

"Understandable." She smiles at her fondly, settling down beside her.

"It did! You were not hurt?"

"I am very definitely not allowed near the water." Kaito says dryly. "Not even a little bit."

Princes chirps smugly.

She's woken when she gets back.

"Hey, Nita-san? You ok?" Kaito nudges her awake. "C'mon, that doesn't look comfortable. You're back on the train, want me to help you get back to an actual bed?"

"Have you never had crab before?" Nerdanel smiles up at her, patting the seat next to her if she wants to sit.

"Unless he brings it to you," Eva says before pinning her smug pokemon with a Look. "Don't you even dare. I know how much water that fur holds."

Princess has the gall to look scandalised. He'd never! (yes he would if he could get away with it.)

"But that aside, enjoy the sun and sand. It's good to see clear skies and a sun again."

Someone should still be in the medical car, and will be going back there after food, probably. Najaran looks... a wreck. She's in pretty bad shape. But a feast of new foods and a chance to let her cards have some space to stretch and food to eat is not going to be wasted. She changed into her train clothes, since she didn't physically have the strength for anything new or elaborate, though she did find a wrap when she got lost trying to get out, that she was using as a belt.

While she waited for food, Najaran can be found, fast asleep on the beach, looking a wreck. She's using the ginormous Gargoyle as a pillow, or rather, his lap. He is looking around, probably visible from all points of the island. Knight is sitting beside them, and this is probably the first time he's ever seemed small to anyone who has seen him. He was letting his fingers sit in the water, enjoying the chance to be out of his card.

Cait Sith, Gremlin, and Eidolon were curled up on one side of Najaran for warmth - her need not theirs. Thunderbeak was on her other side, using one leathery wing as a blanket for her.

Meanwhile Living Weapon was trying to bury Wall Of Stone (sory I don't have an image yet for that one) in the sand, and... wasn't doing so well. But at least Knight, Gargoyle, and Thunderbeak were all entertained, watching....

-----

When food was ready, Najaran's creatures would wake her and she would sit propped against Knight, barely able to feed herself, but determined to do so. Still no SCA on her shaking arm. Her other creatures, excluding Wall Of Stone who had returned to card form, were sitting near here eating as well. Occasionally Thunderbeak would nibble on her head, rather than the food though. She knew it to be a sign of affection, though others might see it, well, otherwise.

"Mmmph?"

There's barely a noise of acknowledgement, before Nita reluctantly returns to consciousness enough to open her eyes.

"Mrrr, probably," she voices, stretching awkwardly and doing her best to stand up without falling back over.

"Wish we had couches around here. Easier to fall asleep in."

Well, on.

"I've had it before- hard not to when I grew up in a costal town, but this is the first time it's tasted amazing," She says after swallowing the mouthful she'd just taken. "It could be because we fought so many of them down below and this is like sweet, ironic victory."

Xion collapsed where she was when it was all over, falling into a hooded mess on the beach. she forced herself to get up and find a tree, since this place lacked for clock towers. She sat against it, determined to stay awake till the sunset. She wanted to find her friends, but staying awake was all she could manage. Axel would find her. He always was good at that. Axel would....

Gloved hand in the sand fingers curled around the shell she had been about to put in her pocket, Xion was asleep. Good luck waking her, even for food.

"Banged up a little. Nothing major." Some bruises that would be visible if she were just left without any assistance - more than usual. "...couldn't feel... attacks coming like usual."

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Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

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Food!

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Beach

f o o d

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Orange

nightfall

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Beach day - ota

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Blue

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