middleofsomewhere | Let's Get Down to Business

Let's Get Down to Business

Let's Get Down to Business

On day twenty two of the month of Llama a message comes up on the ICP's.

Voidtreckers have many questions about what happened on system #93426194992 and the entity that was encountered. Analysis shows that the entity on system #93426194992 was also present on systems #86525656412355 and #2207385.

Though it is not known what that entity is, it is clear that it possesses some level of mind influence and complex illusionary magic.

There is a void nexus on system #62138 inhabited by a religious order that, due to their close proximity to the void, employ mental techniques to help with such illusions.

We will be visiting system #62138 for three Days. The Voidtrecker express will remain with the Voidtreckers during this time and due to the nature of the void nexus it is highly advisable to sleep on board.

System #62138 is a wet world. All Voidtreckers will be safe but are advised to keep their SCAs on at all times. This should be the standard on all systems.

THE VOID NEXUS
From the windows of the Voidtrecker Express, passengers see the Void Nexus as a vast island surrounded by darkness, punctuated with rivets of colours running through the sky that casts a glow of blues and violets as they descend closer to the surface. The world faintly blurs the way one’s sight does when sinking into the depths of an ocean, the train manoeuvring around tall rocks that rise like digitates, a sea-green hue deepening over the rocky land outside.

The train doors open from each carriage, and luckily it’s not a flood that welcomes them but clammy air cool to the skin. They come out to a section of land sparse of more than tunicate-like plants under their feet, pools of silvery water otherwise sunk between small pathways that lead like bridges forward.

Which is likely their destination, a vast coral-like structure with a high opening awaiting them - and as they get closer, a being far taller than any of the Voidtrecker themselves.

ARRIVAL

They are met by a tall robed figure. First glance will show them to be a deep purple in colour with a domed head and long tentacles sprouting from their chin that sway slightly when they move. Still they nod deeply and their mouth moves into a shape that could be interpreted as a smile.

"Welcome to those of the VoidTrecker Express. Your arrival was foretold and we have awaited you. Please accept our hospitality."

They lead them onwards, explaining that outsiders are always welcome here but ask them to remain within the public parts of the temple. They further explain that their order is for the most part a silent one. There is no restriction on the voices of guests but they should not be insulted if the members of the order do not answer.

Once a small tour has been conducted the Voidtreckers are left to their own devices to train or explore as they see fit.

IT'S A TRAINING MONTAGE
Going through to the back of the temple will lead them outside once more, the gentle sound of falling water greeting them at what seems to be a distance. But yet - faint as it is to see, glistening in translucent silvers and pinks - the water is quite near and wide, spilling from the high mountain cliff that borders in an otherwise enclosed space. The pool takes up a large portion of this garden, of coral reef and circled stone pathways where every step must be considered, unless you’d like a surprise trip and dip.

Fortunately, the silver water here is light. Submerging yourself in it or sitting under its flow, you won’t find the hard rush of its weight over your heads and shoulders, and the same weightlessness follows you going under. You find that you can breathe and when you come away from the lake, your body and clothes are lightly damp at most.

Still, there is plenty of ground to walk along without going over the pool. However, the first steps of learning mental fortitude against illusionary obstacles will take you into...

[ MEDITATION. ] To combat irrationalities is to iron your own reactions to them. You are instructed to sit where you find it comfortable: those unused to mental training should keep to the shoreline, while the more intermediate may find taking the stone steps out to large limpet-shaped shells - sizeable to fit 3-4 people each - a better challenge. Those more daring should sit under the waterfall or to go into the water’s depths, where you at least don’t need to worry about breathing, or even getting that wet.

To get wet isn’t the purpose, fortunately. The purpose comes the moment you close your eyes - for as soon as you do, you feel. You sense. Some other, some thing, a presence your mind decides must be there. This sensation is lighter by the shore, but sitting above the water or submerging yourself inside it brings it stronger against you. In truth there is nothing there, no one but the other Voidtreckers, but the spell of the water - or is it the void within the water? - makes your brain think otherwise, logic not welcome company.

Being in groups can help ease the effects through the SCAs, but otherwise, true control comes down to yourself. Breaks are recommended, as there’s no point wearing down an already exhausted mind. Your mind is your defence. Strengthen it. Wield it as a weapon.

[ Combat. ]

Though not exactly what they are here for Voidtreckers will notice that this order of void worshipers train in a form of martial arts. They train outside, using the watery air as part of their movement. Training is done in large group sessions and without weapons. It has a strong focus of listening to the world around them and fighting in a way that makes them one with the world, using the environment to their advantage.

Even though that might not seem the most useful to people who won't be fighting in an environment such as this world, it is at least a good form of exercise.

Any voidtrecker who is curious is welcome to join in the training and those that show especial interest can take more specific lessons aimed at beginners.

TRAVELLING THE NEXUS
[ OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE. ] While the lake and surrounding temple will help to strengthen one’s mental defences with perseverance and training, there is more that can be done away from the temple, and the island is free to be explored. The Voidtrecker Express is stationed where it dropped everyone off, and returning to it will offer everyone a mental relief regardless of the levels of their ongoing training.

The marshland continues beyond the train, one route mostly made by the natural stone pillars that rise up from the ground like stalagmites. Higher cliffs can be climbed by those who wish to, if just for a higher view, curiosity, or privacy. From wherever you look, this island gives off the same impression as most of it already has: sea-like.

[ PLANTS. ] Underfoot, there is not earth-like grass or flowers, but seagrass, kelp, algae and more. They grow along the stone, idly waving as if submerged in water and pushed by unseen waves. Strange blue plants with purple-tipped tendrils will wiggle if touched, while at the higher levels, small bulbs of some kind cluster around the size of a fist. Types of plankton make the gnats of this nexus, too tiny most of the time to be noticed as more than dots to the eyes.

[ CREATURES. ] Also, don’t forget the fish. As tiny as a pinky finger, as big as a hand, the size of a human; they swim through the air, not particularly caring for the Voidtreckers, but also not looking to engage with them. The larger of the fish travel higher than the smaller, and those as big as whales farther up than even the taller cliffs can reach. For those that have any ideas of hunting, they will know - mysteriously, as if recalling the thought - that they should go for the larger fish, and not harm the younger, smaller ones. Those are tastier, after all.

[ STONE FOREST. ] Travel low or high, the way will take them to what appears to be a forest that spans across a large portion of the central island. But as the rest of the nexus is, this is no ordinary, woody land. Its trees are stone, coral, rising high and jagged, the water in the atmosphere denser in this jungle of rock. It turns the world a sea-green to move through, with plants and coral everywhere to be seen. The air denser, thicker, leaving small droplets of water on skin and clothes.

There are no real paths than the spaces between the ‘trees’, but there are guides to find your way to somewhere: pink jellyfish, or something of the sort floating around. They are the shiri as the monks call them, and looking upon them will tell you they will help you find where you need to go, that they will aid you if you get lost and think of them. And for those whose thoughts lean such a way, they will know that harming them will bring a greater injury to the individual who does so tenfold, and they will find no guidance at all on this nexus until they have repented.

Read: Enjoy being stuck on the train for the rest of the stay.

[ CONCH LAKE. ] For those less destructive, a short travel through the stone forest will lead them to a lake, with what can only be described as a conch shell gazebo accessible in its centre. Bubbles float up and around, balls of water made to linger by whatever strange force controls this place. They can be made to bounce away and around with a touch, and respond to being thrown as a ball might. Just, watch out: They like to burst at random, no matter the force used, scattering as tiny beads all over the air.

The water here is different from that around the temple, its colour more blue, but closer to aqua than what many are used to. Yet diving into it will have the similar properties that allows one to hold their breath for much longer than usual, and to move with an ease, like floating weightlessly. There’s no worry if they close their eyes here, a peace radiating from the pool; like a refuge from the trickery that lurks no matter where you are in this nexus.

Climbing out of the pool will have you damp, more appropriately soaked than the temple’s lake. There’s nothing like towels or a great way to dry off, but you can sit and hang around under the conch gazebo if you like.

Or perhaps messing around isn’t what brought you here, but the four iridescent slabs of stone that stand at intercardinal points at the edges of the lake, that speak of the Trials to the mind when you look upon them.

THE FOUR CAVERN TRIALS

There are four caverns, four trials, with each slab suggesting their test. Upon deciding where you will go, a shiri will come to guide your character through the forest to where the stone trees part, and a half an hour walk will lead Voidtreckers to a vesicular cavern.

You know as you approach the cave’s mouth that the shiri will guide you out if you need it, but they stay outside, leaving those searching for advanced training to journey on in themselves. Passengers descend, dots of light coming through the multiple holes above to illuminate the way as you go deeper into the cave.

And you won’t have to go far to find the crystals in any of the caverns, though there’s many pathways to go deeper in. Attacking the stones to break them won’t do much, but when you put your hand on one…

The illusions start, pulling in anyone nearby.

[ CAVE OF PERCEIVING. ]    Bend deceiving labyrinths into your own path.

What is real? What is not? This cave holds a large underground river flowing through it. The water is not too fast flowing or deep but it is cold enough to be a shock if anyone falls in.

Fall in they might for their task is to cross the river. The river is filled with stones large enough to hold a person as they cross. However not all of those stones are real, some are just illusions and if they step on the illusionary rocks they will fall through to the river below.

It is possible to get by on trial and error but the task will not be considered complete until they force their minds to see through the illusions are perceive the one true path.

[ CAVE OF ENDURANCE. ]    Wounds bleed and skin burns only to bodies that believe it.

This cave may differ between Voidtreckers. Sometimes it is a monster they must face or an environmental challenge to battle through.Perhaps the searing heat of a fire or the low altitude and freezing temperature of a mountain top. Perhaps a lizard with claws and teeth. The important part is not defeating the threat but to neutralise the damage. It's not real and the mind can overcome it.

All the caves are probably best faced in groups but this was especially so. They are unlikely to be able to make the damage unreal to start with and so there is likely to be a fight or struggle before they succeed.

[ CAVE OF HEART. ]    To accept crafted desires is to invite everlasting grief.

Here they are in a beautiful place. A meadow, a forest, a rocky beach. The weather is beautiful, not too hot not too cold. A little further in is something they want, something their heart yearns for.

They can't see it yet but they are sure they will, if only they go deeper into the grass, the trees, the water. It is there, just out of reach.

To pass this test they must walk away. Turn around and leave despite their heart calling to them to go deeper.

[ CAVE OF MIND. ]    Craft a weapon from your own vulnerabilities.

Fear does not have to be a weakness. The cave is filled with a lake and in the centre there is a bubble of water, it contains something they fear. They can't see it but they know it is there. Perhaps a person, a place, an object.

Facing a fear is one thing but this task asks for more than that. To accept the fear as part of them, to turn it into a strength to protect others.

This trial is the most personal and perhaps the most difficult. They must step into that space, knowing that they will face what they fear whilst also knowing that it won't be real and use that knowledge and acceptance to bring down the entire illusion, bubble, lake and all.

art sources: alien / landscapes / waterfall / caverns

OOC Information

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If it was anyone else, Tidus might be embarrassed. Apologetic for the explosion, the show of impatience in the most immature manner out in public. But since it's Inigo with him, taken aback (but that's hardly a detail noted), Tidus moans out a further grumbling, running both hands through his hair in frustration.

"It's like I'm fighting my own brain space around here! How am I meant to meditate against that?!"

Like the way they were told, through patience and perseverance; and Tidus can do some of the latter, but that former?

Guhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

At least the grumbling makes it very clear what's going on here. The only danger present is Tidus's own annoyance, insofar that could even be considered a danger in the first place.

So Inigo visibly calms down again, moving to sit back up as he glances over at his seat-sharing friend.

"I get it." Inigo isn't going into full on grumbling along mode, but his facial expression does look like he totally gets what Tidus is saying. After all: "It's hard for me too."

How do these people who live here do it all the time. And hardly talk. How do they endure that!

"Maybe there's some sort of trick to it that we haven't figured out yet..?"

At least a bro didn't fall off the weird shell seat. Tidus sighs, a sound actually kept under his breath.

"Doubt it," he says with far too much confidence (and dismay). "It's always just keep at it. Was the same with Piccolo's training too - 'cept that didn't feel like somethin' was trying to worm itself into my head!"

That was purely about not falling asleep or getting bored and losing that inner focus. But what's inner focus when it's as if something is trying to share that your inner-head-space with you...?

"Well, that makes it different than what you were training with Piccolo!"

Not that Inigo would know, since he never threw himself into that sort of training in the first place - but if Tidus is describing the difference out loud, then Inigo figures it's got to be different. No way you could just sit down anywhere and get that odd feeling that's coming over them here, right? That feeling that it's like there's something there, even if you have no idea what.

"Here, let me just try something else and see if that works."

More omnious words have never been said.

Mostly because the moment Inigo says that, he's starting to move in their shell seat - which, thankfully, with just the two of them has enough space left - to lay himself down, his head on Tidus's lap.

Tidus, however, is unaware to the result of such words. Watching Inigo, but only half-heartedly, shifting his crossed legs to get comfortable, ready to return to what they were doing in the usual form of meditation, regardless of what Inigo's perception on how useful it'd be here. He doesn't even blink as Inigo's form descends in his line of sight, until-

... ... ... until said form - that is, Inigo's head - drops into his lap. And stays there.

...

He looks down at this lump he's become a pillow for.

"Uhhh... Inigo?"

Dude? What are you doing.

Hey, it might be a lump.

But it's a happy lump. Inigo is definitely smiling in the most stupid way possible as he's laying there on his back, totally content even in the face of Tidus's confusion.

"This is comfortable." And you're supposed to be comfortable while meditating, right? Inigo can't think of any more comfortable position for it than this. "And there is no way that odd feeling of someone creeping up on me can bother me when I know you're right here with me."

Ah, yes.

The sap has been turned up to eleven. Just the combination Tidus needed in his life, right. Half-boring, half-weird meditation combined with pure sap.

... This has to be a joke.

No, it's definitely a joke, even if some portion of Inigo is getting enjoyment out of this. Tidus would be flustered if he wasn't so sure this looked - from outside appearances - as dumb as it looks to him. Instead he pokes one of Inigo's cheeks, probably the only one not cosying up against his crossed legs.

"I was right next to you before." You know, when they were both properly sitting up. No, Tidus knows what this is. "You're just falling asleep 'cause we're meditation."

Granted, it's not the usual kind of meditation where it's easier to feel like you could snooze off at any second, but...

He's not bugging Inigo to get back up anyway, even if he's bugging him. Maybe they just need a dumb stupid moment. A small break to reorient themselves.

"I'm talking to you! I'm awake!"

It isn't a huffy response. No, Inigo is actually laughing as he says it, like he just truly is infinitely more comfortable like this. Tidus may be underestimating the effect physical contact with the people he cares about has on Inigo.

".. are you saying you don't believe me?" Do we have a sceptic? Granted, it is slowly starting to become harder to believe Inigo, since he's laughing so much about it now.. But it's really just because of Tidus's weird reaction to this! "Do you want to try laying on my lap instead? I'm sure you'll find it helps!"

He's dubious. The laugh has to be part of the joke, but for a moment he wonders - but that's just what Inigo is trying to do. Mess around with him and think this isn't a joke!! But it's far from being offensive or worth too much brain power.

And to the offer, he just scoffs. "Not unless you can turn into a cute girl with a soft lap." Bro. "And there's no way my lap can be. But whatever, you do what you like. But don't get any funny ideas, like asking me to pet you."

We're not about to get that cuddly out here.

There's a moment of silence. It's not too long, but there's definitely a slight pause before Inigo starts talking again. His expression doesn't change, the smile still in place, but something about that statement definitely stings. Not unless you can turn into a cute girl with a soft lap.

Ah. Right. He almost forgot, since he was able to mess around with Tidus so much, since it almost felt like the boundaries slightly blurred at times. He can never be what he wishes to be in Tidus's eyes - he can't believe it almost slipped his mind.

Thank Naga for the force of habit that keeps the smile from dropping, even if he's rendered silent for a moment before speaking up.

"Don't worry, I'm just going to lay here." He closes his eyes after saying it, as if he's already preparing himself to try and meditate like this. It actually does feel like he might have a bit more success like this than sitting up by himself. "Unless that bothers you, your majesty."

...This is dumb, but of course Inigo is going to keep this up. And of course Tidus already resigned to this, if just for the time being. He's pretty sure that Inigo's going to somehow fall asleep like this (and how can he? with that creepy feeling that worms its way inside a person), which'll make this more difficult for Tidus to concentrate...!

Pah. Pah.

"I'm waking you if you start snoring," is all he replies with, unimpressed in tone. Not really sure where to settle his hands except to keep them at his sides. Is he going to be able to concentrate like this? Probably not, with his gaze wandering along the waterfall nearby, the sea-like sounds.

...well, he should start trying anyway, soon enough.

Inigo, with his eyes closed like that, does start to lay very still on Tidus's lap. For a moment it's pretty believable that maybe he really did fall asleep, although there's thankfully nothing embarrassing happening, like drooling or snoring or sleeptalking.

But it's actually since Inigo isn't sleeping at all. In fact, this might just be the best way of meditating for him, considering he never really truly is at ease unless he's around the people he trusts. It's why he was able to sleep without nightmares when he cuddled with Roland for the first time, many months ago, and it's why he's able to focus like this too. Even though he can feel that odd sensation of something creeping up on him again, it feels less hard to bear when he knows he's not alone, that Tidus wouldn't let anything happen to him.

The silence lasts for a good few minutes or so, but then Inigo speaks up without opening up his eyes.

"I was right. It's a lot easier like this." For him, anyway.

There's not a sign of a joke in his tone.

This is something. Meditating is all about an inner focus, about not becoming distracted, and so having distractions around a person can be good to learn to deal with it in the moment when seeking that strength is necessary. ...but Tidus never figured the distraction would be Inigo's head on his lap, which - there's nothing serious he's worried about, but he can't help but glance through his attempts to return to meditating, a peeking eye looking down and.

Yep.

That sure is Inigo still there.

Sounding fairly earnest when he speaks up, but Tidus still feels the rumble of a laugh in his throat.

"Are you gonna think napping on my lap when the illusions come," he jokes softly, under his voice; as if giving consideration to a sleepy boy, whether he believes in it really or not.

(he kinda does.)

".. it's just a lot easier."

He speaks slowly, which Tidus most likely could blame on the fact that Inigo is half-asleep. Though it's more half because he's in such a concentrated state, and half because he's being very thoughtful about what he's saying here now, choosing his words carefully.

"When I'm not alone, I mean."

And sure, he wasn't alone a moment ago either, sitting here next to Tidus on the shell seat. But there's something about the direct contact that makes him able to remember that fact so much better, even when he closes his eyes and can feel a weird combination of his own anxious thoughts and the presence weighing down on all of them attempt to overtake him.

"I guess I'll just have to hold someone's hand when the illusions happen again."

...did meditation really work that way? Or if this wasn't just Inigo feeling relaxed in general. But with what this tripped has turned into - minus two friends they're close to - Tidus doesn't really want to question it too deeply. Inigo's comfortable, this is what it is.

"You should think about the feeling you get being close to someone," he suggests, their voices now just at this low, soft note apparently. But his does rise a little, as he points out with some mirth, "It might be hard to hold a hand or cuddle up on someone's lap when we're in the middle of it, you know?"

Nevermind if Inigo ends up on his own - but Tidus knows not to imply that too carelessly.

Something about Inigo's calm seems to die off at those words. It doesn't matter that Tidus says them with mirth in his voice, or that he avoids saying specific things, apparently, because Inigo looks a little off all the time when he opens his eyes. It's hard to place the exact emotion - is he sad, or worried, or just thinking about a lot? - but it sure doesn't look like a positive one.

"I know."

He slowly sits back off, removing his head off its comfortable spot on Tidus's lap. (Hopefully before the other lost all sensation in his legs.) He knows the other didn't enjoy that as much as Inigo himself did, anyway.

".. I suppose it's kind of dumb anyway, only being able to do it because I'm touching someone else. I'll practice properly."

Is it something he said? Or something else - a Taiki and Roland shaped hole that's lacking from their lives currently (please - be currently). It's hard for Tidus to gauge, but he doesn't want to not be supportive, even if what exactly he should say doesn't come easily, as Inigo lifts away-

"Properly's what works for you!" Yes, true motivational speaker here. "If thinking about being close to someone, or resting in a lap's what does it for you-" meditatively speaking!! "-then--give it a go! There's nothing dumb about something that works."

Own it, Inigo!!

Please, owning it isn't something Inigo does with anything ever.

And it seems that the weird feeling is sticking to him now. Inigo isn't sure why either - maybe it's since he's feeling off in the first place, considering the situation they went into this off-train trip with, missing specific people. Maybe it's still his insecurity from Tidus's remark about girls with soft laps from a few moments ago that's weighing down on him.

He doesn't know, but it settles as an incredibly uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

But he doesn't want to show it further. He knows that tone Tidus is taking on, and he knows the other is just going to be infinitely supportive at a moment where Inigo knows it won't help anything, because once this feeling settles for the day, it sticks.

So he releases a breath and puts a smile on his face, shaking his head.

"You're right. But.. maybe I should practice that later."

Time for a convenient excuse to olly out of a situation that's making him super uncomfortable.

"We should probably eat something first," he says, getting off the shell seat and rising to his feet. "Are you coming?"

His support didn't land, that much Tidus can tell, and he welcomes as much the turn into safer territory that Inigo offers. That is, the territory of food.

"You bet! Food sounds great!" The answer is given as he lifts himself up from his cross-legged state - a small wobble that gets a 'whoa!', then followed by a laugh as he rubs the side of his thighs. "Sat too long."

But he won't have any trouble getting off from the shell, letting Inigo move first, and he'll follow after him, with conversations of what they should eat ("What if we catch one of the fish?").

Surely they will be well-behaved for the rest of their stay.

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Let's Get Down to Business

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