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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He notes it, but he won't worry about that yet. He'd rather bear the brunt than risk robbing others of rich futures.

"Which worlds have a 27 hour clock?"

Probably an odd question out of nowhere. He'll just talk in circles, as he tends to do. But it helps to understand the 'entry' point of the void. And how it's also an exit point. "...So the people gettin' off might be more a part of the station settin' than it would be actually them." Or at least, it's a working theory. Her giving up on their tethers?

"Good to know." Well, now he's gotta arrange food stuff. But back to where he was at.

"So. How did that conversation with the Ministry go? You ain't at risk of bein' grounded permanently, are ya?"

Things to be spoken about at another time. He'll make his thoughts heard. He is him, after all. Now was a time for other things; for reflection and remembering they're family. Remembering those who they'd lost. Tobirama continues to watch her in silence, allowing her to have her moment, her words, he prayers -- only giving a small nod as she requests his company to remain with her.

"You've nothing to atone for," his voice quiet, eyes moving over to view her. "Though I can't say I believe its about second chances, either."

"I... uh." Can he? He slowly gets up, wobbling as he picks up the bottle and sways a little bit in the cold air. "... Mm. I think I had... a bit more than was planned."

To say the least. "Help me... back to the hotel?"

Yondu's leaning heavily on a railing, arms folded and staring out at the light show as Romeo shows up.

Then here comes Romeo, as bright as can be. As he usually is.

"Kiddo you're brave all the time, so you tell me."

Its a warm comfort. He'd already shared a few drinks with the other man but being one to so rarely if ever let loose so to speak the tea furthered any sobering that the cold and time did not. A slight chill force the man's shoulders up and fingers to grasp that fur around him. Exhale.

For some time, Tobirama considers his words carefully. Even after all these years, over a hundred it's been now, he remembers them vividly. The ones who never made it past their youth. How dedicated Kawarama was; how soft and loyal Itama was. Useless deaths. His fingers tense around that thermos for but a second before calming it with another sip.

"They all were," he finally chooses to speak it.

"Good." He's glad to hear it was suitable for what Yondu had wanted. Even if Vegeta doesn't fully get it himself, however that wasn't unique to just this memorial for Yondu's men. Mourning was... difficult for him. As a child and younger man he was taught that death was just part of life, part of the battle. As he got older he started to actually care about others enough that the idea of losing them was a concern. This entire world and its traditions they have come in time for was strange to him. He can understand it to a degree, but it's not something for him.

"Don't know." But it's a nice warmth, almost comforting as they head along.

"There's a lot of city to see. And it's nice to see it with someone you care about."

Ah. He flushed slightly and slowed down, nodding at Romeo.

"Yeah. It's really cool to see - ah. Really neat to see."

Yondu knows that offering a touch might be unwelcome, but he offered him a warm drink. That should work, right? Yondu didn't know family all that well, and his friends hadn't died, but he did understand his own brand of loss.

So he just shifts a little closer, holding his own drink, glancing over at Tobirama being as far from an ice fortress as one could imagine.

"If you wanna tell me about 'em... I wouldn't mind hearin' it. It sorta helped, knowin' other people'd remember my crew an' what happened to 'em. If it ain't too hard on ya, I'd like to know."

Of course Alice ends up participating in the remembrance ritual. It just.. wouldn't feel right to skip out on it, especially when she has had so little time to ever properly remember her family like that. She was in a coma during the funeral, then spent years and years unable to properly think of anything, only to be whisked off by the train soon after that...

Perhaps this is the first time she has ever been properly able to honour them. So Alice is right there with multiple candles..

.. but before she can do anything with it, she spots the familiar girl in the crowd of people trying to pay honour to their lost loved ones.

Or more specifically, Alice spots that lost look on the girl's face.

It causes her to instead move over with her own candles in the girl's direction, before speaking up.

"Are you alright?" Alice can't tell what is wrong, after all, but she can see that something must be bothering her.

Alice, too, finds herself drawn to the river. Towards the ritual. She has people to see off who she hasn't gotten to say a proper goodbye to, because of various circumstances. And while it feels a little odd for her first attempt at doing so to be in another world entirely..

.. well, it's better than nothing.

She lingers near the river for a few moments, even after sending the candle off. Watching people, listening to them speak. Watching the seemingly infinite candles drifting off.

Just when she's gotten cold enough to tug her coat a little tighter around herself, she realises one of the voices nearby is familiar. Alice glances over - and indeed, it's Tobirama. At first she stays quiet, not wanting to interrupt, but once she's sure the other is done with saying what he wanted to say, she moves alongside the water until she's a little closer to where he is, before speaking up.

".. you sent off a candle as well."

Guess what, bestie.

It's bravery time.

Madoka may already have been looking for Romeo, since the sort of thing she's got in mind is something that's most easily done with her veteran bestie.. But when she hears him ask people that sort of thing, it's like a double bingo. He's looking for something to do too, so..!

"Romeo..!" Madoka calls out to him, waving with her arms to try and pull his attention, even though there's lots of people here.. mostly because her voice isn't that loud, so it might not be enough by itself. Notice her, ~~senpai~~ Romeo! "Romeo, do you want to do something brave together..?"

"Naoya-san..!"

.. here's one early riser, apparently. Or maybe it's just since Madoka doesn't party as hard as some of the other people around, actually having left to go back to the hotel and sleep at a respectable time for a girl her age.

But that also means she's up relatively early. Not to mention she wanted to be up early anyway, just so she could take in more of the last day they've got in this place.

Despite the early hour - though it's always hard to call something early here with how weirdly structured the days are, time-wise - Madoka seems to have energy aplenty, since she's already smiling a little at the guy as she spots him and walks up to him.

"Good morning." It's even followed up by a polite slight bow. "You're up already..?"

Madoka already spots Ken through the crowd that has gathered with their candles.

And while she's close enough to hear what he's saying as he's releasing the candles, there's still quite some people between them, with how busy it is here.. so Madoka has to spend a few moments squeezing herself through the crowd while politely excusing herself to get to the boy's side - and by then it seems like he's already done and left candleless.

While Madoka herself still has a candle in her hands, colourfully decorated in different colours.

"Oh.. Ken-kun, you're done already..?" She looks a little apologetic. "Sorry, but, um.. I overheard you just now from over there.. and I think your mama would be really proud of you, you know.."

Ple Two, please. Have you never learned the rules for these things?

Whenever you happen to mention that sort of thing out loud, the person you might be thinking of is always nearby.. It's how dramatic irony works. And it seems like it works that way today - or tonight - as well, since Madoka is suddenly right there next to Ple Two, like she spotted the other through the crowd and made her way up to the other girl's side.

".. huh? To the end of what?"

... Apparently she did only catch the last few words of what Ple Two said though, since Madoka is blinking so innocently.

Inigo is wallflowering.

Of course he is. Though it's not exactly for the same reason that most people would wallflower in this situation, just wishing to be left out of all of this dancing nonsense.. It might be part of what Inigo is wishing here, but at the same time he desperately wants to join in. Life is hard when you're a shy, shy little dance nerd.

Which is why he's just staring at the dancing for the most part. It's kind of nice in its own way, he thinks, and maybe just watching them could be enough--

But then there's Tidus. Of course there's Tidus. And before Inigo even knows it, his hand is already getting latched onto.

"O-- Oh, no, no, Tidus!" Inigo starts sputtering, his face glowing from embarrassment, even in the middle of these festivities. "I really can't, not here..!"

Dude, there's so many people!! So many!!

Look at Taiki walking there by himself, all bundled up. Somehow the other guy is even cuter like this, wearing the extra clothes.. It makes him look extra fluffy. Adorable.

So of course Inigo can't resist. At least he gives a warning, a very loud calling of "Taikiiiiiiii!" that makes several people around them look up, before he's already latched onto the other in a tight near-tackle hug.

"Oh, Taiki, you're so warm and cuddleable!" So how could Inigo not immediately give him a hug right away?

Sure, sure, there's more of a purpose to approaching Taiki than just that, but he would like to lead off with this, thanks.

Honestly, Inigo isn't too sure how much he's really into the entire museum.. experience. It feels odd. There's probably more entertaining things to be done in this city, from what he's seen so far.

On the other hand, he's ever desperate to find anything that's even remotely familiar to him, and it seems like this is the one place in this city where he might find it. So Inigo moves from historical object to historical object, trying to see if he can find anything that he recognizes - though he's had no luck so far.

And after the umpteenth unfamiliar object, his attention instead turns towards.. other things.

Like Xie Lian and the way he speaks up, for example. Inigo nonchalantly scoots over towards the same thing the other is looking at, before asking: ".. you think?"

Honestly, it's kind of hard to tell when it's time for anything here in this odd world - because the length of the days doesn't really seem to match up with the length of days Inigo is used to.

It means that he can't really tell that it's dinnertime until he suddenly notices a whole lot of people eating.. and so he has to scramble at the last possible moment to find some dinner plans. He doesn't want to eat by himself, so he runs around, trying to find the most nearby familiar face..

And that just happens to be Kitty. Relief sets in on his face as he spots her, and Inigo quickly runs in her direction, smiling.

"Kitty! Do you want to go grab some food together? I bet we can find some nice place to eat at."

Nell watched the light show, staring up at the sky in awe. She'd never seen anything like it in her life. All the colors against the falling ice crystals and a sky so black...

After a moment she bowed her head and said a little prayer for all of Yondu's people, that they would find their way in whatever afterlife they were in. And she didn't think Yondu would be offended if she also said a little prayer for John and Leah. And her dogs. Maybe one day they'd all meet again.

That led her to wondering about the afterlife and whether people from different worlds went to different places or if maybe she might just meet some of Yondu's men on the other side.

She was startled out of her reverie by Yondu's toast, but managed to raise her glass and drink along with him.

Danny gives the droid a wave.

"Nice to meet you both."

Nell giggled, but protested mainly for form when Tidus pulled her into the dance. "You'll be sorry," she warned. "I ain't never - haven't ever - danced before. Not high on the church's list of allowed activities."

Idia being up at this time isn't strange. Him being in a crowd was very strange. And he really didn't like it. This whole stop had been horrible, he wishing he had stayed on the train to work on his new projects in peace. However he did find himself making his way to see the end of this all, after a few rushes back to his room, convincing himself to try again, rinse and repeat until he finally trudged his way out. All he could think was... Ortho would had liked this all. It felt a little similar to the Star Giving holiday back home which Ortho always loved, even if Idia himself felt a too old for it, wishing on stars and all that... how childish.

But... this kind of helps him feel a little closer to his brother, even if he wasn't here.

And maybe seeing a rather sleepy Romeo didn't help that, a tiny smile at the young child struggling to stay awake. "Careful, it's not good to fall asleep in the cold."

Koumyou announces his presence by sneaking a slender hand into whatever Yondu's got his fried blubbery snacks contained in, snagging one.

And he pops it right into his very human mouth. Chews a few times, swallows. "...Having a good time?"

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Page 7 of 130

The Waking of Neran

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Perserverance.

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remembrance

the river

perserverance

day 3

night 1

B

2b

seeing the sights

museums

A

FIRST DAY - RAVAGER MEMORIAL

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2b

Unity

Second Night