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 chuckles when she wrinkles her nose. He likes spending time with her, too.

"They aren't shooting at anything, they just aim the rockets into the sky so that the audience can enjoy the display."

Edited 2021-12-29 05:34 (UTC)

"I never thought you would hurt her..." he was so confused.

Najaran rolled over again.... rolling right out of bed with a crash. "I'mwake," she mumbled.

"Hey, y'all managed it." Or rather, Devero managed it. He knows what kind of emotional heavy lifting it takes to pull someone like Koumyou out of their mental hellhole. Yondu knows 'cause every person who has ever tried has had him twisting his arms free and climbing back down into the depths of it.

"He don't need me. But I figure with all that work someone else should offer to carry some of the load. One of us should actually cross that finish line, right?" Which is the closest thing he'll voice about his own doubts. "I'll get him there." They're helping him clear his mind here, as it is.

"I'm glad you think so." Mina said. "Really, emotions are hard to--"

She winced at the thud, zipping over to see if Najaran was okay.

"Awake is one thing, are you okay?"

Elidibus finally looks at K'zeka a moment before shaking his head.

"No." The answer was simple. The Ascian had learned a thing about K'zeka's time. That whether or not it may happen in the future by the miqo'te's reckoning, the events which he remembered as recent had not given his other self to send Unukalhai from his side at that point.

Is he going to explain? Not in the way that would probably be useful other than 'someone named Unukalhai is connected to Elidibus' anyway.

"It occurred to me I no longer know how he fares. In what duty or purpose does he conduct himself. Perhaps he is no more." It's not as if Elidibus seems particularly troubled. Yet he still seems willing to speak up regarding someone that is clearly not his beloved people. The Ascian shakes his head. "No matter. I'll leave you to your own remembrances, Warrior of Light."

He begins to turn. It might well even be an escape of sorts, given the brief slip regarding the notion Elidibus would ever think about someone other than his own. The Ascian has ever striven to keep that line of enemy between himself and the one that K'zeka reflect from his own timeline.

But even back then there'd been an occasional snag or two.

She gave him a bit of a look for that, really, but had to admit he had a bit of a point. She shook her head.

For a ninja, you're not bad at this stuff.

He may not be able to read expression and body language as intuitively as a Deaf person, but he's got a pretty good eye for it.

I haven't always been able to turn into a dog, he explains. It's an ability I only acquired... two months ago? I still get pretty caught up in-- He pauses, thinking about how best to say this in sign, eventually settling on: --dog-brain-thoughts when I'm in that form.

Devero doesn't respond right away, thinking about how he wants to put this. It's not the first time he's had to explain the philosophy of the World Government to someone on the train, but with Buttercup it feels important to get it right.

Start by answering the easy questions first. "People work if they want to, and if they're able," he says, "but it's not required of anyone. Most people do contribute in some capacity, at some point, but even a citizen who never contributes a thing in their life will have the same access to basic necessities as the rest of us.

"See, where I come from, we believe that there are certain things that everyone his a right to, simply by virtue of being alive." He still holds on to one of her legs with one hand, but lifts the other to start ticking things off on his fingers. "Good food and clean water; comprehensive healthcare; shelter and clothing; standard education-- stuff like that. There's more, but those five are the most important material rights, and I can never remember the ethical rights. Regardless, it's the job of Gov-- of the World Government-- to make sure every citizen has their basic rights met, no matter what."

With a little flush of embarrassment, she dips out another cup and sips it more slowly. See, very ladylike and all. When the cup is half drained, she follows his gaze back to the crowd.

"I didn't dance a lot when I was younger but--we'd have parties for guests or sleepovers when my mom was back in Olympus. It was always more fun to dance when no one is paying attention to any one person."

Kaiba hangs back to watch this display, curious about it. Idia's skill is obvious....

...oh, he should join in? Right. He awkwardly steps forward and places his hands on the other side.

"Thanks. I'd rather not lose my fingers, as lovely as this all is."

A chuckle and shake of his head. "It's...nice out here, other than that."

"The perpetrators..."

Kaiba glowers. So many people died just like that, needlessly. "Why?"

Alice speaks the truth. There are a certain subset of deaths which fall under his domain. They have so many regrets and fear in their last moments. Her question is hardly personal when it relates to his job. Even if it was, he can tell this means something to Alice, and so he would have been more likely to answer.

"If they don't see me, then they see either Lord Hermes or my brother, Charon." He does not collect everyone. He wouldn't be able to keep up. He already couldn't keep up with his case load with their help. "But for those who fall under my responsibility, they do. I'm often mistaken for Lord Hades or Lord Ares, but I am the one who approaches them."

Thanatos wouldn't know about any myths about pomegranates either. He just knows that Zagreus eats them and uses them to strengthen his abilities.

"Still with the seeds and with the rind it's own thing, just... edible." The other option reminds him of the pumpkin cake the Red Team got as a "reward." It looked like one thing and tasted like another. "And if it could still look like a pomegranate... I don't know how that works."

Embarrassment is clearly on Thanatos's cheeks, flushing a little golden as he stumbles over his odd request.

God, god has he missed having a team. It's not until Soldat voices it that he realizes that's what he's been clinging to, just the sheer want of having that again.

"Alright," he mutters. Not convinced that maybe it doesn't matter, but if it's... well, not exactly okay, but if Soldat can live with it, maybe it's something Yondu can coast by on. Not exactly being a good person, but not being a bad one, either. Or maybe being both in some kind of measure. That feels more realistic.

He clears his throat. "Shoulda held it together better. I'm slippin'."

He flexed his fingers under the light projected over his hand, lips still pulled into a frown.

"Bodies reflecting what happens to us here? Does that change with the whole stupid forced resurrection?"

Do bodies fully regenerate if essence is so damaged the essence itself has to resurrect. But he shakes his head.

"When it's home system went, if tethers all and only work like you're saying, the Voidtrecker Express was suddenly staffed by Void Essence only. Then some unknown thing happened after those people tried to travel time, and they went missing, and we started appearing on those platforms."

Thinking out loud through something that's clearly bothering him, his tail the best indication of his unease while he continues kneeling. Twitch, lash, shiver: a predatory creature's fidgeting.

"Reminder that I don't expect you have answers to what I'm asking, but I'm going to ask anyway. What signs indicate a tether has been severed on one end? And how does traveling through time effect that?"

Not because he believes Ten-Nank knows. However, they might know directions to start looking, and asking, before all Jingyi does is start lamenting in genuine horror over his departure from the cycle of reincarnation he believes in for his home system.

Oddly, or perhaps without oddity, the aside in observation and the unknown... leaves him laughing.

"No one seems to, but if I had to hazard a thought, then it means not one of us is having a true conflict over where, when, and how we could be here and not properly at home. One person from a system means no overlap. No complicated timelines, up to and including looping back so we don't miss time back home at all. Which has sounded theoretically possible."

A shrug of his shoulders, the bare lift as he considers the possiblities.

Ten-Nank doesn't interrupt his thinking to answer his previous question. Waiting as they're postured, not responding to his fidgeting, to the erratic motions it makes. Not heeding them any attention, seemingly.

They don't speak, until the next question comes along.

"Your first question: the whole stupid forced resurrection. If you mean a void vessel's capability to keep the Void Essence stable even after death, then there may be side effects to the physical anchor, yes, but the void vessel will usually attempt to heal - to recover - the Void Essence while in this dire state. Dire, to some cultures. As it continues to hold onto your Void Essence, it will do its best to stop you from truly dying."

They pause, taking this on as they become more about sharing information, and attempting to sync better with Jingyi.

"Which is also true, if attempts to heal you are made while in the Void. If another, using our limb example, was to create for you a new limb, you would have it. However, there can be side effects to this to the physical anchor - it's especially dangerous if your body is in a position where growing a new limb would crush other parts of your body. Depending on how your physical anchor is currently being kept."

A beat. "There's also attempts to reconfigure one through the skills of other Essences not from your own system - and doing so in the void - will not successfully reflect on the physical anchor. Care should be taken, when using the skills of others on one's Essence. I say this just for information, than believing to know any intentions you have. If you think, however, this information would be useful for others on the void vessel, I am compiling a report. I can include."

Since, maybe they can figure too in the discussion, any information is good.

"But, to your next question. 'Indication a tether has been severed on one end'. There are not always signs. Well - no, let me rephrase. There are machines that can give signal. In most stations for anchoring, they will monitor the state of tethers, and some Void Vessels will also have this. Whether they're present or turned on depends on the vessel. Some individuals may be able to tell it themselves, depending on factors about themselves - but also, they may be too far from their physical anchor to feel it. The signal. The...ability that allows them to know. The skill."

To repeat different words for the same thing.

"Lastly, you bring up time travelling. Time travelling, void travelling - to use the void to change time in a system. This is complicated. If you have the Essence of a being that can influence time, and a system that can be influenced without great repercussions, that these two are compatible, then it's possible to 'reset' time. Move back through it. 'How does travelling through time effect that'. A severed tether. Well, that depends on the methods, the system attempting to be reversed. Reversing time is easy for a few, an exhaustive mess for everyone else.

"For the missing crew of the Voidtrecker Express, who I'm connecting this question to, what they did - this matters. If the system they attempted to reverse time in was one capable of it. How they attempted to use the Void, if they did. But, using a void vessel - a void craft - can be dangerous. There is too little we know. Both about the methods and the vessel."

"A consideration for timelines."

They say it, reflecting on Wei Wuxian's theory.

"A shame, then, that a consideration for a planet, place's, wellbeing was not also considered. The deaths of many are suitable if they're temporary, and suit one's goals. But I suppose time is a messier concept to deal with than deaths. 'Missing time' - well, if those systems are capable of having their time reversed without great damage. But what proof do you have of time being looped back being theoretically possible? Or, does theoretically mean only, it's possibly possible. No proof. Individuals like possibilities. I ask more to understand what knowledge the passengers have."

A sideways look paired with the quirk of his brow. Jingyi held up two fingers, offering a lopsided, self satisfied smirk.

"No one better to ask to help with quieting things down than a Lan."

Says the most garrulous, chatty, loud Lan out of the inner disciples of his generation.

They are quiet, nothing unusual, for a few moments. As if they might not speak, but there is a point to the silence. A decision when they do finally speak:

"Your file says you have been on the voidcraft for some time. The inspectors did board once, yes, but the void is vast - keeping track of crafts that aren't under our purview is difficult. Hard. Part of the reason why the option to put out a false mission call was made, since The Voidtrecker Express doesn't like to stop and communicate for us."

Inconvenient.

"But we will try to keep track of the voidcraft as we can. I am...attempting to supply files that may help passengers, to let them know of the great risks involved. Some will likely not care, find it doesn't concern them - I know there are those already perished, without a physical anchor to return to, and some would prefer the void to their previous existences. But it would be...hoped, that those so invested in saving others on missions, would work to save each other. And don't need to continue to believe that they only have themselves, each other, to rely on."

Koumyou's perfectly happy about that kiss, too, and murmurs when they break; "Future husband."

"To your question about kidnapped individuals: Part of the work of the Ministry is to monitor the health and safety of those within the void, and those that use it. So yes, we do investigate and confirm cases. There are public articles. I can include them in a larger file, and what you make of them will be up to you. If you read them. View them."

So to answer that first part. But they allowed Curufin to speak fully, waiting until he was done to do so themselves.

"To your next point: Can you confirm that the void you were in is the same Void used now for travel? There are many voids - there are many everything. That you were wandering within a void doesn't mean you were wandering inside this Void, the one that we work with. You ended up on the platform - the liminal station - shows that you have been tethered, but not that you have been brought into this Void completely. Becoming re-embodied - many beings can do this. Nothing unusual. Though, it is unusual - uncommon - for certain types of individuals to be tethered by the means available when they are in certain conditions. A large mess. Usually, most times, this is for beings in a state of 'death' - which itself is more broad than it should be. There are rules that cannot be crossed. Safely, anyway.

"What could be happening to you now, is unknown. But the state of being tethered, for the spirit to remember the body - this is how tethering works in this Void, in a sense. This form of yours here-" They gesture a hand, palm facing upward, to Curufin, "--this as much a physical body as any other that is physical, yes. Calling the shell what is left behind - the form, one's 'earthly being', in some cultures, a 'physical anchor', is simply an easier term. It is a representation. But, there can still be something left behind. Usually. We won't know the problems being faced by those tethered to the Voidtrecker Express without being able to analyse and conduct checks."

They finally lower their hand.

"The issue becomes, what happens next when the tether is severed. Is there anything left of you where you were picked up? Can you survive being disconnected from the voidcraft. Will you split, ruined. The capabilities of your being doesn't mean you will be fine. If you wish to stay in the void, then that's well and fine, for you. Though, even people who are trapped in the void need to have check-ups."

"....Because 'History took an incorrect path'. ...but more likely," Kiyoiri determines as she looks at the candle, "...They were not given a choice. ...'Team A' came very close to death. ...Close enough that they may have died after all. Whatever helped against that, wouldn't have done so for free."

"And you can come too! So you can see it twice!" she cheers.

He wouldn't turn down a face like this right?

...Right?

At least Tidus isn't moving towards Idia and his protective stance. But, Tidus is still rather move-y even when he's in place - especially with his hands.

"That's great! A pal - Roland, he's on Purple Team. He's always had this thing about flying broomsticks." Read: He mentioned them once or twice in over six or seven months. "You think if I could help you get whatever you need to make them, you could make him one too? I've got points!"

If points are enough to get what Idia needs, but - if it's to make some flying broomsticks and Roland can use one, then why not?

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The Waking of Neran

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