middleofsomewhere | The Waking of Neran

The Waking of Neran

"Good morning Voidtreckers and passengers. Today is day twenty one of the month of Orchestra. We will be arriving in System #78961112094711 later today and the dressing carriage is open for your use."

It is indeed, with thick winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves in all sizes. There are also some bags suitable for carrying food, for anyone who wants to add to the festival food with more food!

They have the morning to prepare before another announcement.

"Shortly arriving in System #78961112094711. The weather is extremely cold, voidtreckers and passengers should wrap up warm and wear their SCA's at all times. Arriving in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."
The train shakes as they leave the void and they will see dark skies with glowing flecks of light falling down around them. It's only a glimpse before there is rock to both sides as they enter the landing area.

The Waking of Neran

... ARRIVAL TO OSIGA

THE VOIDTRECKER EXPRESS PULLS INTO AN OPEN HIGH-STACKED PARKING STATION, FILLED ALREADY BY A VARIETY OF VEHICLES. Darkness and the cold spills into where they pull in, lights and signs around to guide the Voidtreckers who exit the craft where they need to go, elevator and teleporting systems available to choose from.

For those turn their gaze to where the cold comes, they will see a view of the world: a landscape of mountains lit in burning bright blue. Like Christmas and city lights, they can be seen in the far distance, and the sky too glows with a shimmering, falling blue. It looks like a slow rain, while farther up, the twinkling of actual stars can be glimpsed.

This will be their view of the world for three Osiga days - 210 hours, give or take.

The lower floor widens into a train-like station, shuttles ready to take them into Osiga proper in short five minute rides. They just need to figure out they need to scan their SCAs at the turnstiles, which will beep with approval, and send a map to their SCA of the grotto.

With a handy dot to their hotel.

... THE IRUE GROTTO

HOTEL. THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOTEL IS STONY, A WALL OF UNEVEN ROCK WITH SLITS FOR WINDOWS CLIMBING UPWARD. It gives off a sparse, cold impression, but the interior is anything but. Inside the floors are smoother, a carpet in the middle of a lobby, and the walls are decorated with colourful paints and endless rugs and furs. There's seating, a roaring fire in one corner, and lighting set to a cosy mood.

There's stairs that can be taken, but also elevators. The bedrooms are much the same as the lobby, with paints and furs all around - the furs especially covering the beds, along with hand stitched quilts. In the centre is a fire pit, set with heatstones than wood or coal, and extras in a container by a wall with safety instructions of how to move them (with tongs and gloves).

Outside the rest of the grotto can be seen, a mish-mash of layers closer to a labyrinth. There's curtains for privacy, and also a screen to help blot out the sound.

FOOD & SIGHTS.

NOW, THE IRUE GROTTO CAN BE EXPLORED. The grotto is easy to get lost in, with stone stairs and archways doubling as bridges to lead to different levels, but always with something to see. Museums and art galleries fill most of the lower layers down, a few shops between of traditional trinkets and garments for those who come out interested in taking a piece of Osiga back with them. There are also day classes, with candle-making a big one on the first night.

Water runs through constructed streams, small but always in travel. They fall off into small waterfalls, eventually gathering into pools that always ensure drink is around. But there's also drinking spaces around, wall coves where servers mind the drinks, and people gather around on crouched seating. Privacy isn't a big deal in Osiga; visitors welcomed into conversation freely. The drinks favour the strong, spicy and sweet. Their traditional drinks are a fiery whisky and a sweet creamy milk drink flavoured by spices that taste very much like cinnamon and nutmeg. It is strongly alcoholic though there is a non alcoholic version as well. There are other drinks available of course from other planets but visitors are encouraged in a good natured way to try the good stuff.

And let's not forget the food. Most traditional Osigian dishes are spicy yet sweet, fatty, and largely meat. There are also food baskets all over, filled with wrapped snacks free for taking, or to add your own. Never let your neighbour go hungry. What will you find, dipping your hand in: a treat, or a mistake?

SORS PARKS, OPEN SKIES. THE FARTHER FROM THE HOTELS AND STATION VISITORS GO, THE MORE THE SKY BECOMES VISIBLE, AND WITH IT THE FALLING SNOW. Except this isn't snow, and those who venture out will figure this soon enough. There are sors parks up ahead, hard to miss for how they glow a brilliant blue, tall erratic sculptures shaped like an abstract mess. They're cold, even colder than the rest of the grotto, and near every entrance are wooden racks with coats and scarfs hanging from pegs, a bucket of heatstones to stick in pockets.

Keeping company is better than not. Anyone who goes in alone will find the chill uncomfortable to those who have someone else nearby, SCAs working stronger together. Paths somehow stay free from being covered in the icy mess, and every few yards are grit bins with small bags to put the contents in, instructions as to what to do.

And that's to throw them at the sculptures, into the air, and watch as the hardened ice disperses into a fizzle of lights. The sight is considered beautiful, and especially fun for kids and couples.

... ANAN & THE MINISTRY

It's maybe an hour or so after their arrival when a message comes through the comms on their SCA's.

boop beep boop beep / boop boop boop/ boop boop/ beep//
beep beep / boop beep//
beep beep beep boop/ boop boop boop/ beep beep/ boop beep beep / boop / beep boop beep/ beep/ boop beep boop beep/ boop beep boop/ beep/ beep boop beep/ beep beep beep//

"It didn't close the hack. I think your Voidtrecker Express likes me." Anan sounds almost triumphant. "Glad you all came. I'm at the drinking space next to the Irue Museam of Osigan Art."

For those that wish to go and meet her, they can.

... THE WAKING OF NERAN

NIGHT ONE: REMEMBERING. It's hard to tell when 'night' begins when the world is in darkness and there are more hours in the day then they are perhaps used to. But things begin to wind down a little, the art houses and museums close and the day activities are wrapped up.

People begin making their way to the main streets where the parade will go. Some people may have made candles throughout the day but there are also long candles for sale and 'fire' bearers carrying large torches to light the candles. The main lights are all turned off, plunging the streets into darkness lit only by the candles and the faint distant glow of sors.

The parade itself has large lit floats, literally floating above the ground, the lights are in intricate shapes. There are light dancers- people dressed completely in black to blend in to the night, with ribbons of light doing feats of acrobatics to music- instruments and volcaless voices weaving melodies.

After the parade passes by people move to the streams, where their floating candles that can be lit and sent on their way. There are designated areas for the tall candles to be placed- almost shrine like with areas to pray or think or sing- the helpful guides will assist anyone and are very open to the different ways people from various worlds and cultures may wish to remember their dead.

Afterwards people are encouraged to drink, eat, spend time with the living and swap stories of the dead. Dance and sing. It is upbeat, joyous and the tears are meant to be cathartic.

NIGHT TWO: PERSEVERING. After another day of activities- or resting and recovering from the excess of the night before the grotto again is ready in anticipation. The side of the grotto open to the sky is packed with people, ledges and railings packed with people. Even the buildings on this side of the grotto have opened their doors to allow people up on their roofs to watch the firework display.

Sparklers are sold, as are snacks and drinks and a voice comes through speakers throughout the space.

"NERAN! On this night you fight!" The crowd cheers. "Hear our dedication, return to us! For tonight is a night of COURAGE!"

The crowd cheers again and the fireworks begin. Loud and colourful, beautiful shapes, almost like dances in the sky. It's loud and it's busy but the atmosphere is great, throughout the night within the crowd there are marriage proposals, declarations of new jobs, decisions to travel the void. Bravery and courage abound- helped probably by the strong whisky that is flowing freely.

NIGHT THREE: UNITY. The festival continues, though it's a slightly later start on day three for many who are nursing hangovers, having a well earned sleep in preparation for the final night or just frantically trying to remember what declarations they had made the night before.

But the activities are still happening throughout the grotto- though the guides might advise any obvious voidtravellers that they may wish to nap before 'night' time, especially if they are not used to day/night cycles this long. The final night doesn't stop til sunrise after all and no one wants to miss the sun rising!

As the time comes for the party to start every square and every street is packed, music blares through speakers. Traditional Osigan music mixed with styles and music from other planets in the galexy. The traditional Osigan music has many layers, deep bass instruments that seem to make the ground itself rumble.

There is dancing, led by guides and locals. They are big circle dances, loud energetic and done in unity. There are callers who keep everyone in time and remind them of the steps but it is mostly an exercise in organised chaos.

But very fun organised chaos. There's extra chairs and benches set around for people who would rather watch or need a break from the endless swirl of dancers. There's plenty of water in large barrels for people to help themselves and other drinks are available to buy.

The party goes on for hours but eventually the music stops and there is an announcement that they have an hour left until sunrise. People begin moving out to find the best spots to watch. Up high on the cliffs people spread out rugs and blankets and settle, waiting.

The atmosphere is one of anticipation, people passing around drinks and snacks. Then there is a hush, a cry as for the first time in a month the first ray of light streaks across the sky.

Neran has awoken. The sun has returned once more.

OOC NOTES

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Oh, don't look at him like that as if he's the bad guy here! He's finally managed to get enough currency together to get these crystals, so he can make some actual useful tools for himself, and yet now others want what he's making. Ughhh...

"I would have to first test if the crystals would even react to his magic." Despite this glimmer of hope that Idia hasn't fully dismissed the idea, his tone and posture clearly tells he finds this is a pain, shoulders slumping and a shake of his head as he looks off to the side. He never liked selling his ideas and creations, but... well, he's used to having a lot more money than he has here, it would be nice to get items when he needed it, not having to save up for them. Plus... he can't fault someone who wants to have fun. Just because Idia doesn't enjoy flying by broomsticks doesn't mean others can't enjoy them. "If not then I would have to find something similar that can be used by him and work within my systems."

She's extremely proud of them despite everything, even if she's always more subdued in these situations than most people should be. She should be willing to talk them up, talk about them as much as possible. But she doesn't.

It's true, though, that Tsunade really did throw them all for a loop. In the most positive way she can think of, but how much trauma did she have to go through to get there? Too much, from what she does know, she doesn't know of the extra trauma added on later in life. But that's the life of a shinobi, you don't get the luxury of getting out unscathed.

"They did. All I did was keep a fox in check and raise them." Her tone is rather neutral, despite how freely she'd been talking previously. "Sealing really isn't that interesting of a thing or really worth remembering." As if that's what she was really known for, but that's how she prefers to pretend.

"But that's enough of... my everything. Do tell me more about your boy, you've only told me bits and pieces, you know. Not even a name." Best deflection.

"Hey, don't be that way, pretty lady. I wasn't discountin' ya. You're a part of your own family. You belong in that whole compliment. Take it, might as well. In a sea full of shit opinions about the world, ain't enough people tryin' to make it decent an' gettin' credit for it."

But he is proud of Peter, and he can't deny that. "His name's Peter Quill. His blood father was a giant cosmic nigh-on all-powerful asshole, but my boy-" his boy thank you "-was mostly your run of the mill average terran turd of a man. Drove me up the wall with the amount of trouble he got into. And only about two-thirds of the time could he get himself back out of it. Lucky he had me, an' later the friends he made."

He beams a bright, jagged grin. "He saved worlds. Not just one, a bunch of 'em. He was the best at flyin' a ship an' while he couldn't ninja fight he could finagle himself into all kinds of advantages. He could steal the underwear off a man and be gone before he felt a draft in his trousers. Kid's slick as a whistle. He's got a mean spirit an' a good heart and I couldn't ask for any better combination of the two."

And he misses him like crazy, and he regrets none of this was anything he said to his face. He only gave him three desperate sentences of love to say good-bye on, and he had to hope that his past actions in a new lense compensated for his failures.

"Pretty lady, hm?" That's what she's choosing to focus on, even if her tone is entirely teasing as she moves to sit up again. Gotta finish off her sake and get another, she's entirely intending to at least be buzzed before everything is said and done, thank you every much. "I'd have preferred to not be remembered, honestly. It avoids situations like where I was brought back as a pawn, a bargaining piece." Well, okay, it was only somewhat because of that.

But she's grateful for him talking about his kid, watching him carefully and taking in every word. He does sound proud and she can't blame him, this Peter sounded like a good kid despite the faults. But no one is human if they don't have faults. Or sentient. Or whatever term you want to use for it.

"It sounds like you raised him to be a fine man, if not a little bit of trouble. Though sometimes that's necessary in order to accomplish what's needed." She's well aware of how that works, acting out or against what's going on in order to do what's right. "If you... don't mind my asking, if you were to return, do you know where he is? I'd think you'd have a lot to tell from your time here."

"You forget that I am Death Incarnate. I exist for a reason and purpose, and that requires me to live up to that responsibility. By myself usually." He sighs. Thanatos is still a god even if he hasn't been much of one as of late. Godly life doesn't seem to be easily grasped by mortals, yet they claim to understand it and tell him how things should be done.

"This isn't something others can help with."

"Yeah, pretty cheater lady at that." He goes for another drink then, because it's still there and he's not had enough.

But after the light-hearted joke, he admits, "I don't wanna go back."

So many people do, but if he wants to do anything? It's go ahead. He loves his son, and the moment Yondu died he gave him the best gift he could give him. Ego only wanted him to sap his power, to grow stronger by draining his child, one of dozens upon dozens (so many more than Yondu ever saw). But to Yondu, he was his one and only (at the time, anyway). Yondu gave his life for him instead of taking. He doesn't want to show up and make his own sacrifice worthless. He wants to believe his son is fine. That he did everything right and he can take care of himself.

The worst parents take and take. Yondu wasn't great for it either. But in that moment, he gave the very last of himself for his boy.

"He don't need me no more. I worked hard to be sure of that. He'll be fine."

"Now how am I a cheater?" She can mess with him all she wants to at this point, there's no reason not to.

Doesn't want to go back? She... supposes he has his reasons, she isn't someone that can or should be judging such a thing. She was lucky she was alive as long as she was and got to spend as much time with her family as she had. Though in hindsight, he has a point.

"Mm. I'm not entirely sure why I'm set on the idea of going back. When I do, I'd still be a ghost of my former self. My granddaughter is in her fifties, what would she need me for, she has her own life. The only reason I stuck around, despite the cruel joke of me breathing again, is to teach Naruto. And there's only so much information..." She trails off, it's not as if she needed to teach him. Did the boy have talent with sealing? She doesn't know. And does anyone really care about their history in the best of times?

She's sighing and moving to stand and get another drink herself, which she immediately downs with a small bit of a flinch before pouring another and sitting back on the bed. "I didn't expect an existential crisis tonight."

"You're like Death that way. Death like the person. Not like Death what she represents... But, speakin' of which..."

He winces into the cup after he downs it. "I think there ain't no shame for not needin' a reason to want to live? Just... likin' to live? That's somethin' I don't hear a whole lot. Imagine that. Someone who met all their goals, an' still finds the world worth it? It's somethin' special."

It's not a crisis, as far as he's concerned. It's just existence, and wouldn't it be nice to just... enjoy it? Sounds incredible.

Now he really wants to get drunk, but he knows he should stay sober 'cause he has to go apologize to Tobirama. He knows he was shitty. He needs to clear that up.

"Ah," Vegeta answers briefly as he chewed on a new bite. "I thought it might be a case like some alien races that are limited to what they can eat, like Namekians only able to consume water." Or Saiyans pretty much able to digest any kind of food. Or that Vegeta's come across so far. When you're hungry enough you'll try anything.

But indeed, the tiger doesn't make any moves to spring at him, claws out and massive teeth bared.

He does, however, glance pointedly down at the ground. Less as a suggestion and more to make the kirin glance away for even just a fraction of a second.

If successful, when Taiki looks back up, the tiger is gone and in his place floats a man with long blond hair pulled back into a ponytail, dressed in train-issued clothes for the purple team.

And holding Taiki's abandoned clothes in a scooped-up heap in his hands.

Koumyou sees that awkwardness, and does with it what he does best.

"You've made friends?!"

Be a fake dumbass about it.

"It will almost certainly take more than one time to get it all out," Koumyou says gently, "but that's what people are usually trying to do when they 'get all leaky-eyed'. It's useful."

And not weird, is the implication he's trying to make here.

"I don't think so either..." The only times he had seen Tidus still were times he didn't want to think about. Times where Tidus was lost, hurt, in pain. Tidus was not the sort to be still and Taiki would not wish to force stillness on him.

"I think you are right..." As much as he didn't want to leave Tidus out, Tidus wouldn't find a museum much fun.

He does look away, looking down to the streets below, not knowing what the tiger is drawing him towards but when he looked up, confused, he saw the tiger was gone and there was a man...

Holding his clothes. Ah. "Oh... Um thank you. Sorry." He tilted his head, mane flowing gently in the breeze.

"Um... I can't fly in human form..."

"Have you seen him?" He tilted his head. He knew Lea worried about Vexen a lot so he hoped they had managed to spend some time together here at least.

Here when things were different than the train, where there were more things to do. Where Vexen could be more comfortable perhaps in the snow.

"That's fine," Tannusen says nonchalantly, "I just can't talk in my other skin."

And why not, fuck it? This is something he would have never told a stranger back on Earth, but, he's feeling more than reckless enough even a month after his interrupted suicide. Interrupted by blinking and finding himself on a fucking train platform--

"--And I can't shift while being watched. Just doesn't work." So, a tiny diversion!

Edited 2022-01-03 11:51 (UTC)

"Ah. Signals." He nodded. "I think so too. Fireworks sound violent even though I don't think... Um I mean I don't think most people use them as weapons."

He would hope not. He glanced up at the sky again, at the lights up there.

"I guess... I'm not doing well at the bravery part of tonight."

There were people farther on, but immediately it was a lonely path. None of the buildings had opened curtains or door fixtures like some of those already passed, but they were decorated with hangings, crafted stones in a multiple of colours that gave life to the otherwise mostly-plain exterior walls.

"Yeah. It's like we're in a mountain almost, don't you think? Except the mountains were that way-" He waves an arm, in the direction he thinks he remembers seeing them.

"Did you see them? When we came in. They were all lit up like a night show!"

"If you hang out in the training gym enough, then you've seen him!" They have staples in there, and Trunks is one of them. Tidus spends his time in there too, but not as obsessively. He's more of a burst of inspiration, that then falls into casual coming and goings.

"Yeah, I know he does training for others. Might do flying too." He shrugs. "Me... eh, I like jumping more, if I'm gonna move like that."

He's really good at jumping, okay...!

"Oh." He tilted his head. Not able to shift when being watched and not able to talk in beast form. Yet unless he was very fast he had managed to shift whilst remaining fully clothed.

"Um... What manner of creature are you? I mean um... A tiger. But I never saw one so large and..."

He doesn't know what those who shift between beast and human forms in this mans world are called.

"And we don't typically fly," Tannusen offers.

We, not they.

"It's... complicated," says the living embodiment of all the nightmares early man had had about tigers. Huddled in their shelters, hoping the tigers -- even Dakshin Rai himself, a former life -- wouldn't be paying them a visit.

Technically, he's also the dreams and inspiration that has come of the species through the mortal lens, but he tends to dismiss that part. Pure nightmare, surely, that's him!

"Short version is I'm a Faerie, a pooka in specific, and a royal bengal tiger pooka to be even more specific," Tannusen says out loud, and hefts the clothes in his hands meaningfully, "Almost all of my kind have this problem, too. It's become a reflex for me to grab piles of shed clothes and follow, when I can."

Don't make him sound like the baby he's being!! A less grumpy baby as Tidus sits there waiting, scrunching up a face at Inigo at being called royalty, but nothing out of the usual. Nothing worrying.

"Alright." Fine! He folds his arms. "I'll let you be my taste-tester out there. We'll go to all the food booths, and try everything!"

Yes-- yes, this is a wonderful idea. You know? This is sounding great - Tidus is already starting to look forward to taking Inigo back to where he nearly moved on to the afterlife!

"Well they did be being stupid." If she ever saw anyone from Alice's world she would kill them, because they had made Alice feel like it was her fault that her family were dead. When it was not. Not at all.

"If we do ever be going back you should be stabbing them all."

Mmm. "Not many people do training that works for a ninja. Our style is unique and my ninjutsu is a part of my bloodline, so that makes it hard for anyone else to work with."

"If you didn't, I'd wonder what the hell I was doing wrong." Zetta lifted his head, threw out his chest a little, and did his damndest to look appealing and gorgeous. "After all, they don't come this good-looking anywhere else in the cosmos!"

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The Waking of Neran

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Re: Seeing the sights

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