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

OOC post. Ask questions here. The Ministry's testimony form is here

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Honestly, Madoka isn't sure how true the story is. The tone she's getting from people around the city as she's spoken to them, or overheard their conversations, seems to be very mixed in that regard.

But on the other hand.. isn't it kind of nice to just assume it's true for once? To think that there's someone out there, doing their best, and that their cheers helped that person hang in there longer?

It makes her smile, and she moves to grab Romeo's hand.

"I bet so too."

She stares up for another moment or two, but then looks over at her friend.

".. Come on, let's go back down. Maybe we can get some nice food somewhere." And they already did their bravery act now!

"I think people do need it."

Inigo says it softly, but he seems very serious in his words. Not serious in the bad sort of way, where he seems to go all emotionless, but.. just in a genuine sort of way. Like he really means it, as he glances at the artpieces around the room and the people quietly looking at them.

".. I think they just don't realise it."

After all, there's nothing as direct to tell you that. There's no growling stomach, no eyes that keep falling shut from exhaustion.

But living without art, without joy.. that sucks away your soul. Inigo still remembers how miserable the people in Ylisse looked, how easy it was for Brady to cheer up a kid by playing the violin some.

His fingers lace with Thanatos', naturally fitting together. He doesn't mind the coolness of Than's skin, as it's still not as cold as the bracing chill around them - but the fire and Zagreus' feet and laurels do enough to stave it off, making it comfortable. Zag even finds himself shifting closer, shoulder to shoulder, still holding onto that hand. "To think discussing feelings would be even harder than annihilating Father's forces. But... I've been asking myself the same thing, Than. If it's any reassurance. And... whew, okay, I'd just better do it."

Without releasing Than's grip, Zagreus reaches with his other hand into the small satchel he brought with him, and slowly reveals yet another Ambrosia bottle, placing it between them along with two shot glasses carved of solid sors-ice, stolen from the party at large for this purpose. "Thanatos, I wanted to apologize for the last time I approached you with a bottle of the real thing, and give the whole exchange another shot. Would that be all right?" His cheeks suddenly run hot, his laurels sparking a little more to life and his feet glowing just a little brighter at the sudden rush of excitement that's flooding through the hellion prince. He's said it, he's finally done it... and now all he has to wait for is Than's answer.

"But for breaching an oath with Demeter herself? For encroaching on her lands? They wouldn't be punished specifically for killing your friends, maybe, but... Lord Uncle Zeus in my world wouldn't dare risk incurring Lady Demeter's wrath by staying silent." Zagreus never expected Zeus to be overly friendly to Persephone, but the way she talks about him... the bitterness is telling. He frowns, brow furrowing, more important matters coming that shelve that topic for now. "Oh Gods, that's... I'm sorry you had to deal with losing control of your powers like that. To see them hurt innocent people must have been horrifying. And you've been harboring these feelings inside you this whole time?"

The prince squeezes her hands, then thinks that's not good enough, and carefully releases his grip so he can slowly wrap his arms around her, and draw her into a hug. He rubs gently at her back to reassure her as he speaks. "It's good that you remembered them, here. That despite the tragedy, that you accepted your mistake and chose to honor them instead of forget them. It's very mature of you, you know. I think I could learn a thing or two about that from you, if I'm honest." It's an attempt at a joke, despite the somberness of the moment.

He draws away from her after a moment, listening to her... suddenly talk about Ares as if they were friends? It draws a surprised eyebrow from Zagreus, though he doesn't ask any of the multitude of questions that suddenly spring to mind. Instead, he tries to relate to her struggle. "... it was only an illusion, on Kamakan, but I remember the look in Lord Ares' eyes. I, uhm... I'm not proud of it, but I... nearly killed somebody, in one of the fights. The illusions made me think I was fighting Father, and I sort of... snapped. Thankfully Than was there to keep him stable, and the man ended up surviving, but I saw the other Olympians in the crowd, too, and... up until my opponent regained consciousness, Cousin Ares was smiling. The way he usually does when he smells the blood of Wretches and other foul creatures upon me. So I feel like I have a better idea than most about what Lord Ares can do to your head."

"Well I hope Voidy lets me take it home with me when I leave, I'd love to actually see the rest of my world without having to worry about going home the hard way." The prospect of exploration seems to bring a sparkle to Zagreus' mis-matched eyes, one that hopefully amuses if nothing else.

"Same to you, Anan." He grins at her anecdote, adding, "Lucky! Sounds like you and your Dad shared a lot of great mornings. Though, you said 'used to'... does that mean he's passed on?"

Never one to forget about Chiff, Zag makes sure his laurel crown isn't touching any of his new robot hat's parts. He wonders for a moment if Chiff can actually feel warmth or not. "It's a complicated story," he answers Anan's question as nonchalantly as if talking about the weather. "Long story short, Mother left the Underworld without telling Father, and for the longest time I never knew she existed, and until I went to find her, she didn't know I existed. She thought I'd died in childbirth, but Lady Nyx thankfully managed to revive me. Now because of Nyx, and her daughters the Fates, I can't die permanently, but I am tied to the Underworld, meaning I can't survive on the surface for long. Hence the SCA, here, on missions and the like."

Knowing the topic is probably too dour for most mortals to handle, he quickly changes topics. "But my Mother, she's great with plants. She's got so many different varieties of things! Loads of things like olives, and grapes, and pomegranates, and these big leafy green things, and these flowers that grow in a little bunch of blooms in purple and pink and blue, and they smell really nice... her garden is so bright and vivid, it's hard not to picture her standing in it right now."

She shrugs a little. "I can't say, honestly. I'm not sure what would be considered normal in other worlds, y'know?"

Kitty nods. "Yeah. Food allergies can range from getting a rash to not being able to breathe when you eat the foods you're allergic to. It really depends on the person and how severe the allergy is."

She considers what he says, before nodding a little. "I guess that makes sense. Like how the SCAs also help us in environments that we might not be able to breathe as well in."

She'd been having a great time dancing those few hours, but when Allen starts to head off, she takes a moment to consider her own state.

"Nah, I think I could use a break myself," she replied, following after him.

She nods. "Yeah, Soldat and I are friends. But you're all different, right? So you and I could still be friends too, couldn't we?"

She laughs a little. "I guess it couldn't hurt. Maybe I can see if I can have my age updated."

It might be nice to have a bigger room. She would need to find someone to share it with, though.

"Yeah, I guess a driver's license isn't too useful around here. Did they have driver's licenses in the previous place you were at?"

She has had the luxury of standing next to Alice on the ramparts against demons - she has seen the other sort of Alice. The real Alice, the core Alice...is very different from that.

And she is learning where she can push, a little bit, to find her.

"Mainly," she replied, reaching slowly for another pillow, "I am questioning your aim with a bundle of fluff."

And she smiled, genuinely eager for this.

Kitty shakes her head. "No, a file is fine. Typing would be faster." Honestly, she's glad because it'll be easier to rewrite or change things if she could type.

She just smiled lightly, she worries about their possibilities of getting back to their worlds but she tries to keep her worries to herself. She doesn't want to cause them despair.

"Ah no. He's still out there." She waved her hand at the sky. "I haven't seen him in a while but we are still in contact, our paths just have not crossed."

As was the way of children of the stars. She listened to him as he explained. Many of their stories were complicated and his was no different. A mother who believed she had lost her son, a son who couldn't die but couldn't survive out of the underworld.

"She sounds great and I am glad you got to see her, even if it has never been for a long time."

"Hn," Koumyou actually smiles a little at that, "sounds pretty normal on my world. I think some of us are just from... that."

That whole environment, that whole existence being like that.

It might be true or it might not be. Lots of people, especially grown ups, didn't believe in gods in his last world and yet there had been lots of them and lots of shinki, who people couldn't even see just wandering around and answering prayers.

So maybe there was a real Neran and maybe she could hear them! He hoped so.

He squeezed her hand and nodded.

"Okay! There's lots of yummy food here! Do you like spicy food?"

Alice is quiet for a moment when he asks her that question. But rather than looking at him, she's staring at the light of the candles.

After that moment, that almost feels like it stretches out into eternity, she just slowly shakes her head.

"I will stay here for a while longer."

It doesn't feel like she's properly paid her respect to her family yet.

It goes unsaid, but the lack of any harsh tone in her voice does convey some sentiment - that she's grateful for the offer all the same, despite turning it down.

He pauses for a good long while, appreciating the fact that, yeah. They are from that kind of world, they're that kind of broken.

And Yondu damn well knows he can become that again if he needs to. He doesn't necessarily want to, but he needs to.

So Koumyou just leans over and shoulder-bumps him, and steals another snack.

Taiki looked to the side, to look at Inigo and nodded sadly. He was right. It was a different need but it was a need that people didn't realise they had. It was the first thing to go when things got tough but people needed art, music, stories and everything else that made life worth it.

It brought people together and made them smile.

"Yes... It is often thought as not very useful. But making people smile... that should never be underestimated."

"I've picked up a lot of skills. I made this coat too." Senku said, tugging on his warm winter coat. "My world is objectively a mess." He shrugged.

"But this is mostly to thank you for helping." He said honestly. "I'm not so good at saying shit so giving things that can be used is much more..." He waved his hand. "Comfortable, I guess."

"I've been on this trip a long time now..."

"Sounds like a pain in the ass, that. I'm not worried about that at least. My body or whatever is probably keeping my house warm." He snorted. "Well, observatory." He clarified.

"No one owns anyone, or at least, they shouldn't if you ask me. Can't say I know much about your world." He admitted.

"Wouldn't that be nice? I'd love proper research material I didn't have to beg for." Senku quipped a little bit.

"I'll be sure to ask the official that, because I'd like to know more. I enjoy long term projects after all."

"I can appreciate that. I'll think of you whenever I use it." Which will be a lot, she plans to give it pride of place once she returns to the void. Voidcraft can be cold, especially ones shared only with a droid.

"You have. Hopefully there will be an end in sight. Eventually... Did you speak to Ten-Nank?"

Apparently those words are all it takes. Alice already had the pillow in hand, after all, at ready for this - which means that all it takes is a fling of said hand to send the pillow flying in Guri's direction.

"Well, here it comes..!"

She is making no illusions that she could actually win a pillow fight with the other, given Guri's nature, but.. well, it's not like Alice minds.

For once, it's not a fight where life and death are at stake. It's just.. to have fun.

Which is an odd thought to Alice, but apparently not a bad one, since a playful smile is appearing on her own face as well.

Thanatos blinks as Zagreus brings out the Ambrosia bottle and shot glasses. When had he... Thanatos looks around again. All of this was so that he could set the scene to give him another Ambrosia. If the flavor is supposed to improve upon being given, what would it do with all this?

There is no attempt at hiding the gold that flushes across his cheeks. "You're asking my consent to give me yet another lavish gift? Sure, permission granted. Though... what makes you think your approach this time is going to be any more successful than the last?" Ugh... that's harsher than he meant it and places the blame on the wrong person. He shakes his head, silvery bangs catching the light of the sors. "You know how I am. How I react."

Thanatos drops his gaze to their clasped hands. He's in a better mental space, and right at this moment, he feels in control of his emotions. And yet, once Zagreus starts talking and Thanatos's heart starts listening, he can't promise that he'll be able to stay that way. "I don't want to accidentally hurt you."

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The Waking of Neran

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