The Mountain Top: Grasshopper 25

[voidtreckermods]

After the strangeness of their second day on the island for some, with memories and conversations in a cave, the third day goes calmly.

At least until mid afternoon. As the day winds on into evening all of those who have been sharing memories with others will feel a pull.

A pull to climb the mountain in the north. It is a good feeling, that mountain is where you need to be. A sense of belonging, friendship, camaraderie. You don't need to be alone, just climb the mountain.

For those that climb they will find worn wooden benches spaced around the lip of the caldera in concentric circles, the centre set up like an amphitheatre. The Jema syrup spills from crevices around the edges, running down from the peak in well-worn grooves and channels.

The sun sets slowly on Jema’grethy, slowly sinking into the ocean over a period of a couple of hours. During that time pairs of Voidtreckers will feel drawn towards the syrup, to touch the surface.

When they do they will receive a memory and find themselves back in that cave once more. For those watching it is as if they are in a trance, lasting a few moments.

People feel moved at different times and so there are always people aware, sat around the mountain top. It might be that there are other friends they wish to speak to about what they see. It might be that they wish to sit silently and avoid everything, if only their friends will allow it.

But it is a place to be together nonetheless.

Comments

Mountain Climbing

[marriedanidiot]

[ Nerdanel laughs breathlessly, leaping across a gap ]

Ai! It's been a long time since I've climbed a mountain. I should make a note to do so more often!

[sos_pilot]

Well, I don't think we have much of a choice unless the train takes us to more mountain-filled worlds? Too bad it doesn't take suggestions.

[marriedanidiot]

Sadly true!

[ She looks around and hums softly ]

This was nice, though! I would prefer more times like this, even with the... odd memories.

[sos_pilot]

Uh, yeah. That part has... not been as much fun.

[ And way too personal. ]

[marriedanidiot]

[ Nerdanel does not care terribly much - when you're as old as she is, and as... well. Infamous. Privacy becomes something of a moot point. But it is terribly rude. ]

Hm, agreed. I still don't see what the point is, truly.

[sos_pilot]

If I had to guess, it was a way to get us all closer.

And there are so many better ways to do that. Board games. You don't get traumatized with board games.

[ except monopoly. ]

[marriedanidiot]

Board games. A party. Anything else, really. [ She agrees ]

Even alcohol, as I'm sure my sons would have said in their youth.

[sos_pilot]

[ A bitter chuckle. ]

Maybe if they provided a bunch of booze for all of us after this happened, it would've been easier. A little bit.

[marriedanidiot]

It might have made things worse, but I suppose one can only guess - perhaps we can find something in the train...

[sos_pilot]

Very tempting. A "find every way to cheer ourselves up" party. No healthy food, just drowning our sorrows in sugar.

[marriedanidiot]

"Well." She considers. "I do have ingredients enough for honey tarts. We could certainly make some for the train?"

[sos_pilot]

Della blinks, slightly distracted. "I don't think I've ever had those before."

[marriedanidiot]

"No?" She smiles. "Then I will definitely have to make some for you! They are easy enough to do."

[sos_pilot]

She smiles a little herself. "... Thanks. I'd like that."

[marriedanidiot]

"What else are friends for?" She smiles.

[sos_pilot]

Della held up a hand to fist-bump. "BFFs."

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel blinks at the hand in confusion.

"BFFs." She nods

[sos_pilot]

Della was too emotionally worn out to explain the fist bump, so she opened up her hand for a simple handshake instead.

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel recognises that, at least! Lots of people give handshakes on the train, so she grips back.

"Should I call you oselle then?" She smiles at her. "Sister-of-my-choice?"