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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"This is the main festival on Osiga. They have a smaller harvest festival and a summer day of rest but this is the big one. Neran is their main god, though not many actually worship or believe any more. They had a few minor ones hundreds of years ago but I don't know much about them."

She smiled, "Jin-Roh is a big softie really. Just... don't tell him I said that." Chiff beeped and span around at the attention, a quick string of beeps and boops.

"They said that they are enjoying themselves and 472 quad VB's." She frowned for a moment.

"Oh that's the range. It's... Decent. Space is almost as complicated as time but it's enough to get a message to a craft in the same section of void as you."

She ordered a less strong liquor but sipped it also with a smile.

"I know a bit, I work for them after all. Or at least, I'm registered under them. I don't work for them directly but I work under their license."

She frowned. "People like me? What do you mean?"

"Yes..." She looks at him, her eyes intense as his voice fell. "Were you still locked in the illusion by the end?"

She had explained, as best as she could in the time she had. "They are still sealed yes, to prevent them moving to another system."

It wasn't the best solution, but she didn't have a better one.

"Yes, people in many systems shield their young from such things." Which was fair enough, many children in many species had a very simple view of life and death.

"Life always moves on." She tilted her head, "You think of your own situation, of those you left behind?"

"Those were lil' bitty catacombs. I'm talkin' pyramids. I'm talkin' grand coliseums. Burial mounds what we could see from orbit. Not all of 'em had traps but the ones I was usually hired to get into? Usually favored 'em."

And all this seemed fondly remembered. Those were better than some of the best jobs. At worst they came up in conflict with other recovery parties. Most of the time it was walkin' around, seein' through an age past through carvings and paintings on the wall.

"Yeah," Lea said. "Given how long the days apparently are here, there's a lot of different stuff to try. I've been meaning to check this place out though."

He looked back up at the nearest sculpture. "Radiant Garden never got too much natural snow or ice, even in winter; the climate was too mild. But every year around the holidays there'd be a big festival in the main square, and one of the main attractions was the ice sculptures Even made with magic. One year, he made a whole mini-castle that kids could climb around in and that had a little slide to get back down. It was pretty awesome."

I guess that means your crew kept them too, then? [That makes sense, since Anan was there too.] I got this calming power, so now I can calm others down. It's a bit like what the void inspectors were doing when they interviewed me in a way.

[Speaking of void inspectors!]

It's alright. No one was hurt, but they did take some of us from the 'mission' to interview us, and the train was freaked out afterwards. They also kept everyone who was interviewed in a holding room until the mission ended, without telling the others where we were.

Yondu is aware that he's very close to joining his crew in the afterlife because the force of them eyebeam lasers would have also likely ripped his tether clean out his butthole, but come on, Bulma's drunk-ass enthusiasm is worth it. Look at how happy she is!

"From what I gathered Terrans really like weddin's. Makes their day."

Look how often people get married on the train! Obviously they love this shit.

He gestures to himself. "Eh, don't worry about it. I'm actually fine with all this-" he gestures down at himself. "It gets me around, it throws a punch, it takes a punch, and it holds food long enough for me to make a nuisance of myself. It's just an old habit I got into when people tryin' to provoke me thought it meant somethin'."

He'll always make light of it. Almost his whole crew was in as ruined a state as him. Even Quill- he might have been more handsome, but he certainly had a few holes poked in him.

But he listens to the sad story, what she had to do, and frowns. It occurs to him how to tell a different kind of story later, but he doesn't want to mention that one here. Instead he just thinks on what kind of toll that had to take. Well... here he is, dragging her through the past a little more.

"So what all happened after? With the village an' the like?" at least he could bring that up.

"That must be a lot of people then if you say that."

So there might not be enough candles for all of them.

"SO we should maybe go with the one candle then."

"Yeah... a lot has happened if the last few months hasn't it?" Both the good and the bad really. A lot has happened in such little time.

But he nodded slightly. "We keep going for as long as we can at least."

"And this isn't typically my work." Inigo doesn't know what to give, Ten-Nank's programs aren't defaulted for this, and so with a suffering, "Wait, I will find a useful program," they fall silent...

...and there's a flash to their eyes.

"Details of landmarks, of possible locations - countries, republics, kingdoms, whatever it is your planet knows, uses." There's a sterner note to their voice now, of someone running through a list, getting down to business. "Any possible dangers, any known weaknesses to these dangers. Individuals who can be spoken to - a group is better. We are looking for a few beings on an entire planet, with nothing but system numbers."

"I see, as individuals say."

It comes after a pause, once Madoka has done explaining and there comes in the silence after such a lengthy(-ish) explanation. Another moment of quiet following Ten-Nank's remark, before:

"You have an inability to imagine outside your own existence, the existence of the voidcraft, beyond the locations that it takes you to. The voidcraft is distant, unreliable in its communication, and so everything looked this way, from your perspective."

Another pause.

"Have you engaged personally with AX837BB21H? Or did your perspective built from being on the voidcraft you refer to as 'the train' stop you?"

"That isn't what I would call a positive, on their behalf."

Bonding behaviours - it was one of the many practices they couldn't process themselves. Then again, what could they process without the programs that made everything that individuals took for granted make sense to them? Bonding allowed individuals to be capable of helping one another.

And then, in this case, it allowed them to find comfort in their shackles.

"I have made a file, a compilation of information they don't have, a few files downloaded to a storage reader that someone should know how to use on board. Hopefully." They don't sound too bothered either way, which at least isn't different from their normal resting voice.

"About the Ministry, information on tethers and their risks, void law - since individuals love words - and public articles on criminal activity in the void. How to deal with losing your planet, I believe one or two have. Void Spirit Echoes seems relevant. Reasons why they might be disconnected from their original selves."

'Reasons why they might be dead'. Or some, at least.

"Whoa!" Okay, that was a bigger number than Tidus was willing to go up to. Doesn't seventy sound like a more imaginable amount?!

"So...what about on the train? You come up with a bunch there, too?"

There, now, away from home? ...can someone come up with more than a hundred inventions while on the train?!

Ohhh. This is turning to Aquafir again, isn't it.

And there's a struggle in Tidus, between the look Inigo is giving him, everything he knows about the guy and his hang-ups, and everything fun the activity right in front of them is. He doesn't want Inigo to miss out! But he also hadn't want Inigo to miss out on that weird goofy dance game, and he upset Inigo something there.

Still, still. He gives Inigo a wonky smile, something reassuring, hapless.

"Is it easier if you don't think about it like a dance? It's just moving - in a circle."

What's dance-like about that, right buddy?

"And," he goes on slowly, very very considerately! to his friend's gentle heart, "it's a lot of fun to do with friends..."

Like him?

Like your pal Tidus?

Please look into this hopeful face, Inigo.

Tidus stops at around the 'heart stuff', being trapped in a heart, a - her friend's body. Brow tugged together quizzically, brain trying to wrap itself around what Kairi's explaining. Uhhhhh.

"So your heart, you mean like- a soul." He points a forefinger from one place to another. Soul going from Point A to Point B. "Your...consciousness. And some kinda magic put you in there."

Oh, wait. "Did your friend knew you were in there?"

It's not even choice. If he could choose to be different than what he was, he would. Its complicated, Tobirama thinks. More than it usually is for most people from his experience. Though he's never really talked about it with anyone outside of conversations like this and with Hashirama, who was likely the only person who knew the truth and not assumed it was just his stubbornness and dedication. Felt like wasted conversation when there were more important matters to discuss. He put his heart there for better or for worse -- in the village.

But this all aside, he sees that there's just... so much weight this man carries. Heavy, and he's not an empath but he thinks its pretty obvious all the same. A list of regrets the length of his arm.

"I try to find the answers of why things turned the way they did. Every student of mine becoming something, doing something, I'd never imagine. I'd never support." Apart from Danzou, Tobirama should have let him sacrifice himself that day but he just... couldn't. He knew, he knew long ago Danzou was a troubled child but his trust in Saru thought that maybe he could grow and learn. "Apparently history makes some bold claims to the person I was and am. I've had to do some unlearning, unpacking, but I know who I am Yondu and I always have. What I believe, represent, stand for."

He exhaled. "I hope you find that for yourself. As for this ridiculous deal, I firstly doubt she'd leave me be either way, and secondly you haven't asked yet."

"Me, partake?" An amused grunt left his lips.

There's a beauty in community like this even if its not their own but Tobirama has always been a wallflower. He'll be there, he was always there for festivals and events in their own village as rare as they had been back then. Fully participating? Eeh, maybe not so much. He liked to know, though, what the people he fought for were like. What they needed, what they believed, what they thought. On the more pragmatic end of things it was useful to see the way people acted. Listen. Observe.

"They seem welcoming enough," eyes drift to Mito before returning to the crowd. "I don't see why you can't join if you wish." A pause, hand waving to her with just the hint of a cheeky grin on his lips. Just barely. "Though you seemed to have been already."

Surely they all could argue it but at the end of the day they did the best they could. You'd never get it out of him, but he thinks Madara did try as well. Had he ever trusted the other man? No. He knew, or believed at least, that things would go awry eventually. A chakra like that was only ever bad news. Still, from a detached standpoint the man did try. At first, at least.

"Well, I'll let you have your belief but don't let it cloud the future. We're here, he have to deal with the weight of ourselves." Unravel wisely, as it were. Tobirama Senju, always good at giving stern advice and being an astronomical hypocrite. He releases a long sigh, though, head dipping when she speaks of the cruelty it is that they live and others don't. "It is cruel, and the reason I... do not know, do not understand, but I can't quite believe its for second chances." His eyes shift toward her again. "You know me, forever skeptical."

Kairi paused for a moment. She had honestly forgotten that those rooms actually existed and how long had it been since they actually decided to give this a go? To her this was in a way a pretty big step for them. Sure she might miss those she was rooming with and cared about, but at the same time it meant she could at least spend more time with the other too.

"That would be great, I mean I would miss my roommates and who will cook the fish now for one of them." she added with a light chuckle. She would still do that for Spark honestly even if they weren't in the same room anymore.

"But I would love to."

What did winter meant to a city that didn't care about it? The seasons that mattered were the blitzball seasons - those dictated the times of years, what everyone lived around. What Tidus did, anyway; and how different was his life from anyone else in Zanarkand, except he was the entertainer that made sure those seasons played?

... ugh, Zanarkand was never fun to think about from its new lens. He stops rocking so much, thinking about Ryo's suggestion with barely a glance out at the others around, and shakes his head.

"Nah. I can put up with it," he decides. Not really in the spirit of bugging other people, and maybe his complaining mood easing some. Whether that's him warming up, or else. "You uh, looking for someone to sit and watch the sun with? Who're you close with?"

"I guess that could be another word for it and yes thats pretty much what happened. Though I'm not sure how exactly it happened, but it could be to do with what I am, but I can't say 100% on that one." Did it happen to protect her. Could always be possible. Either wat it happened never the less.

"As for if he knew. No. It took him a while to realise."

"Oooooooooooh."

It's, indeed, a long dragged out oh. A lot more than he was thinking, or less pretty and flashy, like Yu Mika Yevon guy speaking in front of everyone before the blitzball game in Luca.

Well.

"Guess that's one way to do it." ...and if he thinks about it Yu Yevon, what came of Spira. "Yeah."

Yeah.

"That have anything to do with those Lunarians?"

"Oh. ...You know, I never thought about anything like that before. People being...elemental? And fire being weak to water? ... it's not that weird, but-"

But that's not how it is in Spira, he means to say, except talking about weaknesses and stuff like that when it's about a guy right in front of him is weird.

"Uh, you know what? None of my business," he says instead.

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The Waking of Neran

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Re: Seeing the sights

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Re: Remebering

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Re: Remembering

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