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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"Nah?" Katsuya asks, though his voice is a bit quieter here. With what they're doing after all, it's hard to get excited. He looks over the candles, and shrugs.

"I mean kinda...we set up shrines an' such for th' dead at least, but lightin' candles..."

The blond trails off, looking away for a moment. "...Well...Tha's new at least..."

"Nyhhhhhhh I hate tha' kind 'f trick..." It's not really a trick so much as a use of power, but he's calling it a trick.

Scowling, Katsuya frowns. "Man...I dunno, maybe y' could keep it light on what y' send back 'r somethin', go as little as poss'ble or somethin'..."

It is a little disconcerting, isn't it? The number of young ones here. And he could relate to being young himself when in the throws of war but those were times he'd wish on no one. Spent a lot of time setting up systems and infrastructure to ensure the future generations avoided his own fate even if it didn't end up being that way. This seems to be a different situation but he's heard some missions are dangerous.

Tobirama nods, glad that she has at least a few people here. "Must have been strange to see her grown up. I wonder if this ministry will be able to aid at all." A break. He considers his next question.

"If you could have your young daughter brought here with you opposed to returning to your world, would you take the offer?" A beat. "I have a feeling this train would add people before return people."

"You mean we could watch it with POPCORN!?"

The hyperfocus has set in. "And pop and nachos?!"

"Oh, it wasn't that then? ...You seemed sad, lady..."

"Definitely no rain... ...the snow is a little much too," he tries, Weather seeming to droop a bit before he mists away.

"It's better though- and you were right, it's really good! I think it's been a while since I had anything with real spice..."

"Glad you caught that too." Senku snickered a little bit. "It did happen to tell some things, without spelling it out. I don't know what the restriction is, but I might ask Anan if she heard of such a thing." He commented.

"Could be any reason, really." He considered that for a moment or two. "Either way, it seems like we're finally getting some information, regardless if you trust the source or not. I have no reason not to trust Anan, I have many reasons not to trust the train."

He has never heard of any of the places she talks about and doesn't know what their food might be like. But he does know how to compare it to things he has had and it certainly is on the stronger scale of things he has tried. There is nothing wrong with the added flavor. It's better then some of the food people make on the train.

"If you are going to try into your food I might lose my appetite." He is not one for people who cry. He doesn't have a sympathetic bone in his body and he holds no such sentiments about his home. He has nothing left for him there and no reason for tears.

"I have. It is spicy but not bad." Better then the bland things they sometimes end up with on the train depending on who ends up in the kitchen. He prefers to make his own food just because he doesn't necessarily trust anyone else. And he at least has some experience in cooking.

They both know that there is only one person that Xue Yang wants to see and the train has brought them and torn them away from him twice. It has made him bitter and even less likely to trust the train. Because it doesn't seem to care how it toys with their feelings.

"You could hope for it but even then they might only be here briefly and it is more of a tease then anything."

"Someone can. The people who owned it, and passed it down to younger generations. And then those people passed it onto this place. They hold the stories. In some ways we might be able to guess what happened."

Xie Lian is probably still older then this vase but he can appreciate the passage of time that it has had to endure. "Each of these items has a little card that tells some of its history." He points to the little plague that is at the base of the item.

"A snippet of its life for all to see."

Something almost faintly pouty comes over Alice's face when he mentions 'youth with your demeanour.' Mostly since she's so used at this point to her demeanour being refered to in a negative way that it immediately makes some sort of rebellious spirit within her kick in, wanting to protest.

Thankfully the girl realises in time that he's not looking down on her though, and she releases the breath she was holding, as if it was fuel for some vulcano-like part of her that was about to erupt.

"People tried to forcibly surpress my emotions for years."

It's a bit different from his case, it seems like. Sure, he says he was being trained, but it does sound like something he himself genuinely believes in as well at this point. Enough so to be keeping it up, even now.

"I don't wish to ever let anyone do that again now."

Hence why Alice, instead, feels everything so deeply.

No, it was certainly anything but an insult. Topics they could speak about if ever it came up. He believed quite fiercely that the newer generations were the future and it made very little sense than people thought otherwise. Her story, though, reminds him of something. Something that makes his jaw clench and stomach churn. Its not that he had much choice in the matter either back then but compared to what Danzou created with Root...

He lets out a slow exhale. "This should never be anyone's experience. While emotions should be managed they should not be, for lack of better words, removed." Not literally removed, but he's sure she understands. "I'm glad you choose and have the capacity to rebel against this ideal. No one ever should force such a thing on you."

A profile of those who had been gathered. He continues listening, not quite believing that is the only point of interest. When they continue speaking and touch upon the voidcraft itself, well that has him more interested. If he was in Ten-Nank's position an understanding of those upon the craft would be standard. He does the same himself as one of the inhabitants, truthfully. Watching, listening, observing.

"You speak of the craft as if it has a will of its own, does it? As I understand it does not have an operator or at least none that has made itself apparent. Is it not the Ministry that delivers information on missions, sets protocols, and maintains its functionality?" None of this seems judgmental or unfriendly. He's curious, he finds this interesting. And useful.

"I also understand that the tethers need a point of origin that they, apparently, no longer have." He assumes this has all been considered but he'll ask regardless, "Is there no way to trace its tethering process?"

Oh, does Thanatos ever relate to Ten-Nank then, searching for the right word for a sentiment they're unfamiliar with even if it's tangentially related to their job.

"I could pass along a message. Off the train, the SCA can communicate to everyone." It's after he says this that he realizes that Ten-Nank knows more about what the SCA can do than him; he hadn't needed to clarify. He also doesn't feel like Ten-Nank will owe him anything for doing this, not when they are potentially helping him--his world.

Thanatos will give his message once to Ten-Nank before giving the message to the everyone. He doesn't waste time.

"Was that all?" Ten-Nank implied there was a second request.

"Tools that appear to be unique to my world." Idia could go on about that tools he needed, but he's already slotted Tidus away as not the type to waste such talk on. No doubt it would go over his head, and Idia really didn't want to explain it all. He's also gone around and salvaged a lot from around the train, maybe to a point of stealing some points, and hording them away until he can put them to use. Nothing most would notice missing, just... taking stuff that he clearly considered abandoned by others.

"I have plans to create a broomstick for transport." Idia thinking back to his first real mission on the train. Sure, his tech had still struggled, but not as much as his magic had. If he had a broomstick, one he designed, more modern and a merge of magic and technology, it in theory could still operate if one of those two part were not accessible on a stop.

Curufin laughed softly when Senku snickered. "Maybe the train will have other information sessions, and we'll be able to get more detail. And I suppose Anan would know if there is some particular restriction. She's pretty knowledgeable. And I do trust her."

He nodded. "I don't think the train would lie to us. I do trust the source in that sense. But maybe you feel differently?"

"Anan told me the train can't lie, so I have to operate under the assumption that as far as the train knows, it is telling the truth." Senku explained.

"However, that truth might be corrupted by the motivation of the train. The train has a vested interest in keeping us on board and is likely lying by omission." He hummed a little bit. "Whatever the train was programmed to accept as truth, is the truth to the train. Objectively however, it's hard to say. I don't have enough data points. The train not understanding the concept of consent, or human comfort are some tells that either there are errors, or the programming either from a technician of some sort or a deviation from artifical intelligence doesn't line up with what I would consider to be true."

He crossed his arms. "Although, credit where it's due, I understand the tether much better now. It leads to many more questions. Also, if the train is so rigid, how can it operate in what is objectively the wrong thing to do? The train knows what it's doing is illegal. The way computer programs work, it shouldn't be able to do that."

"All right, I see. Research, tethering stations, etc. It's going to be difficult to get recruits if we have to explain to them what tethering really entails." He shakes his head in concern, thinking of his own suggestion that they set up recruiting stations on various worlds and get volunteers. "I can't see how it wouldn't matter to everyone, leaving their bodies behind when they leave their own worlds. It sounds not only dangerous, but weird."

He nods and slaps his chest with both hands. "This is me, all right. I can't find anything missing. Essence, life, soul, spirit. Sorry to doubt your information, Ten-Nank, but I doubt that my body is in storage somewhere. We Elves have a different relationship between soul and body than mortals do."

(Mort says he'll FITE the cat.)

Thanatos shakes his head. "Shifting locations is my main way to move about both at home and on the train. Ask the others if you doubt my claim."

Was that what Bulma really asked about? No. Is this what Thanatos is going to focus on instead? Yes.

Devero gapes at him for a moment, before starting to laugh. "I'd like the people who come to our wedding to still be our friends after it, thanks!"

"Mortals. Elves. Words. Definitions that are similar but different between every part of existence."

Their hand hasn't moved since they gestured it out.

"Do you have another theory. Oh, and I doubt your body is in 'storage' also. Your physical being, your worldly body, as some others call it."

"No," they answer, with that one favour done. "I wish to know: do you know how tethering works? What is done, what is the risk of tethers. Are you aware that it's likely your physical body is still on your planet?"

Idia did know how much currency he had left, but it was due to him having just spent most of it on some magical crystals from his world to put towards some projects he was working on in the Lab. It would take some time for him to accumulate more. However he really wasn't in the right state of mine to talk about that, too caught up on realizing who Soldat was.

"You're the one trying to make me snacks!" He blurted out, as if it was the worst possible thing to happen to him. Why had he whined on an open post like that?! How stupid could he get?! Idia knew better than that! At least not around those he also had to live with or would run into physically! There was no safety like that which he had online, being able to hind behind a level of anonymity!

Stupid! Stupid!

His wave in return is easy, threading his way over to join her on the clifftops where she's provided ample nesting materials, if he's deciding to be whimsical about it. Bundled as he is, warmed from the chaos that was dancing and the alcohol over the course of the 'night' such as it was, prior to the breaking dawn they were waiting for, it's been an easier sort of experience to not quite lose himself in... but close enough.

He can appreciate anything that celebrates enduring to fight off the dark. Holding on long enough to witness the return of the sun, of light, of rebirth and cycles that have so little to do with mortals or immortals, but the play of tradition and legend and entire worlds.

"Ah! Kind of you, Anan! When'd you have the time for any of this?"

Ask not him, who even on his better days, is too much of a chaotic whirlwind himself to usually corral people unless he must, to lessons, or in a lifetime where he was once in charge of the juniors, and not his present life, where he is one more piece slotting in to whatever they're left with falling into their laps in the end.

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The Waking of Neran

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sorry to be the ghost of christmas past katy! night three