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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"Yes. It is natural I think, to be concerned about your own world." She shook her head.

"It is honourable of you, to fight for those worlds, when none of this was your choice."

Yondu doesn't find it that bland, but of course whenever Yondu's hiding his expression he takes resting bitch face to a whole new tier. Straight up contempt, even if nothing's going on.

He nods and downs some of his drink. Waits until he's swallowed it down to comment. "Eh, I can handle the cold better than y'all anyway... Though that does look pretty nice, maybe I should look into some kinda furry scarf while I'm here." Not that he looks like he's at all made for soft things, practically being constructed out of blue leather at this point.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it. It is a beautiful planet, I'm very fond of it." She laughed quietly. "I'm having fun, this is the planet I trained on to become a void scout. I try and come for the Waking of Neran each year."

Something familiar, a place to return.

"I wanted to see you all again and I thought you would all find something to enjoy here."

"Well I am glad to have given you your first festival experience." She smiled at that, though she felt a little sad for him. To have never gone to a festival. She was even more glad that their voidcraft had excepted her message.

"I'll try my best, I'm glad they allowed me through, though voidcraft tend to take cues from their crew so I have you all to thank for that I guess."

She would indeed invite them next year, if their situation hadn't changed by then, she hoped it had though, she didn't like the idea of them all trapped like this.

"They are both good. Malin is around though festivals aren't really her thing so she's probably hidden away on her data slab somewhere. Jin-Roh has family here on Osiga so has gone to celebrate the Waking with them."

"Yes, it's a lot harder when you have to keep hidden. But it's important, some worlds are not ready for voidtravel yet."

And some worlds and communities did not deal well with the unknown and strange. She knew from what the other voidtreckers had said that they often were sent to non void active worlds.

She looked around, "The whole system is similar. We've a lot of planets and we've been mixing for centuries."

It was still a little strange for her to go to systems where everyone was one type of person.

She led the way, moving through the streets towards the shop even as she listened to him talk about his mum and dad, his world falling and chaos ensuing. So many of these voidtreckers had tragic tales.

"I'm sorry to hear all that Lea, it must have been hard, for you to lose your world and your parents. It's important to remember, so I'm glad you have this time to do so."

Since returning was not guaranteed, nor was anything if he did return.

"No. You are fine, you aren't over explaining." She smiled, looking out over the sky.

"Inaction might mean other things, they are wary of you, the ministry not you as an individual." Which they were, even if they didn't see things in such a way, they would be perceived as such, by those who had no concept of Unil's.

"They don't have much reason for trust."

"Distrust is predictable," Ten-Nank replies, unfazed by the point. "But the extent of it, where it is pointed, who it lies with less - that perplexes me. A condition of their lifestyle, cultures, that is usually the reasoning. But belief in the voidcraft, the 'train' as they refer to it - there is a level of indifference involved. Some seek help, but only in the 'after', or to sort out problems in their own scope. They do not look outside themselves. They don't question the severity of their situation. They show ignorance."

Dangerous, with so many lives inside.

"I don't look for trust, but an attempt to save themselves and others. These individuals are...too willing."

Well.

"Or the voidcraft picks its tethers well."

"Most of what can hurt ya, you got a real simple fix about what can keep it from hurtin' ya. So in my experience it's tellin' people important stuff that's the most scary. Ain't any situation that's made me more scared than gettin' close to losin' someone I cared about. Or actually losin' 'em."

Which is, maybe, a bit of a real conversation for a kid like Romeo. At least the people he has here seem real solid.

Without a doubt, they'd be together each night but that first night although it was chilly, was probably going to be the clearest, with fireworks on the itinerary for the next night.

Senku encountered Gen, his hands in the pocket of his coat, definitely not regretting the fact he made those for them six months prior.

"Hey." He greeted. "I'd heard a little bit about the candles..."

That's a little confusing. Kaiba stops to think about who she could be mourning. Clearly a larger-scale tragedy is at play here.

"You feel responsible for a large group....that does make it harder," he says softly. "I can add my voice for them too. I'm sorry so many were lost."

"What non-sentient beings travel the void outside of voidcraft?"

That's something he's not thought too hard about yet, but they are in space. Why not the void?

"How far did you get with that anyway? Travelling. Didn't you say something about it before? Hmm, I don't remember what..."

And it's hard to think with everyone around, at least with the noise and walking. Been a while since she showed up, recognising him as a guy she knows - his own case of a double out there.

It's odd to think of Death being like that. Of thinking of people as needing friends and that they mattered. Because it makes Death a good deal kinder than a good lot of the people he's known in his life.

"I could tell you about all these guys but we'd both be here all night an' I wouldn't tell ya anything useful. I didn't get to know 'em as well as I ought to have. I did remember the important stuff, though. What they'd regularly stock up on the ship. The ones that had some kinda medical issues. The ones what always picked time off together, or'd always schedule some kinda ritual stop. But that was habits, that ain't really knowin' 'em."

Tidus looks up, the noise Katsuya makes somehow noticeable despite the noise of the festivities around them. The close proximity, sure, but probably also that bad luck where you hope not to interrupt someone, and you get their full attention.

Luckily, Tidus doesn't mind. Scoffing under his breath, tipping his head.

"Birthday boy?" ...that's the guy, isn't it? But he doesn't wait for an answer, assuring, "It's fine. You wanna set yours, uh, 'n' some alone time? I can move."

Does he want to move? It makes sense that he wouldn't want to hang around, or so his brain is telling him; but there's a tug in him, a part of him that isn't so sure. That it'd be more pointless to do any of this to just run off so soon.

...he should think about what he says a little more.

Yondu has a meat preference, but he's also a walking garbage bin. This particular garbage is particularly well prepared, so he's good with it.

"You picked anything to be brave at? ...I'm generally chosin' to be a chicken shit an' watchin' everyone else be brave."

He also motions to the seat beside him, inviting him to sit if he wants to.

"It seems like it." He looks a little surprised at the offer, blinking in confusion for a moment. "Oh, you don't... you don't need to." Though he won't deny that he's curious as to what sort of things other mages use in other universes use.

"A souvenir would be nice... I used to collect ceramic cats. I've also had an engraved mug... that could be nice to have."

"Oh yeah?" Soldat smiles. It's a nice idea. (Kinda like what we did, last time we got a break like this. Kinda. Didn't even think about it this time. WELL, WE'RE ENJOYING PRIVACY FOR ONCE, THIS TIME. Good point.) "Thanatos and Jiang Cheng on board with this?"

"Toasting. We do that on Earth, too." They don't have a glass, but they can do that once they get one. "Mostly we buried people, though, not cremated them. Guess that's harder to do in space." This tradition makes a lot of sense.

(Ask him more. I bet it'll help. YOU JUST WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT ALIEN STUFF.) Both of them have a point, honestly, and Soldat. "Were there people on your crew who had. Different traditions? That you know about?"

"Where did I-- oh." Soldat takes off both headphones now to look at them, holding them up as if making sure that's what Idia means. "They came with me from my last place, along with my tablet." They pull the high-tech folding tablet out of their hoodie pocket to wave it a little. "But you could order some from the train. Better ones, probably."

There isn't any booze in the hotel room unless Yondu brought it there, so Soldat does finally pick themselves up and hurry to the sink to pour him a cup. They bring it back, and sit on the bed this time, not touching him but close enough to if Yondu wants it. "That had to be hard," they say. They don't like thinking about missions where they had to kill innocents, either. There was a school bus once....

(No. You're right. I can't help Yondu if I'm getting myself upset. Sorry. Good.)

"Ah, ya did! Cool." And what's funny? This gruff old soldier sounds like he genuinely means that. He even pats himself down then, pulls out an ungodly ugly frog out of one pocket and a raccoon holding an aquifir coin from another.

"One of my girls gave me this frog an' the raccoon I got from one of last stops. Ain't it cute? Reminds me of my talkin' raccoon friend. He's a son of a bitch but good people at the same time."

"Yeah well, we left 'em if they died on world an' we couldn't figure out where they was. Same as in space, though usually if a craft blew there was nothin' left." Which sounds grim, but.

"It wasn't exactly givin' up on. Just meant eventually they'd go back to the ground. I knew the Xandarian traditions involved tombs an'... Kree'd do all kinds of shit. Tombs an' burials an' whatever. All over the place. Anything to make it real clear they were the people with the important lives when their grunts got left behind for different 'ain't worth pickin' up' reasons."

Well, there's a touch of that bitterness. He looks up at the sky. "Some of the men what were loyal to me were former Kree soldiers too."

"Goddammit, I need to stop it. Hell." He rubs at his eyes again with the heels of his hands, practically punishingly before he takes the cup and downs it. He drags in some ragged, forced breaths after, winces like he's bracing for a punch and fighting off the urge to continue.

Soldat seemed pretty brave at the moment, Yondu can't stand what his face is doing. That if anyone saw him like this they would have ruined him without a second thought.

"I wanna just go one goddamn day without feelin' foolish. Either I don't deserve nothin' or I keep wantin' better for good people that ain't no better'n me. My brain is just a big ol' broken heap of bullshit with wires all stuck in it an' a flag on top." Even now as he feels half shattered he's cracking wise.

Edited 2021-12-19 22:06 (UTC)

".. are you that old?"

It's hard to tell why she's asking that. Sure, curiosity is pretty clearly part of it, but it might perhaps be slightly too blunt of a thing to ask someone in the middle of a conversation like this..

So that might be part of Alice's natural bluntness. Or perhaps it's a kindness, that's just been covered up by bluntness. Trying to redirect the conversation a little, away from the people who passed, and more towards Tobirama himself.

Even though Alice knows. She's seen the way war works up close, on a very personal level. She isn't too sure if Tobirama is involved with something like that in his world, but.. well, it would explain why everyone else who could remember a specific person would have passed already, even if Tobirama wasn't that old at all.

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The Waking of Neran

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Night

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Re: Hotel

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