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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"I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to." He tries to keep his words from slurring, mostly successfully. "The enemy I fight would take away free will. I, on the other hand, think free will is what... makes people unique. So yes, I'll drop it if it makes you uncomfortable or is unwanted."

He's an asshole, not a dick. There's a distinct difference.

Not going to force him to do anything? You know what, okay, maybe he was actually wrong about this whole thing. He uses his free hand to rub at his face, to give him some sort of grounding in this whole thing.

"And if I agreed to your whole... thing... what would that all entail? Once you're sober, I assume."

"That depends what you would be into. I'm a twenty four year old man, physically - with the corresponding needs. But I've been on the side of unwanted affection before. It could be nothing, it could be anything. I tend to let my partners take the lead on such things, because I don't want to come off too aggressive."

"... Unless they're into that." Some people are! He's not judging.

Sir, that's not what he meant and you damn well know it. But this walk at least is long enough that he's able to contemplate and not have to immediately answer. It's been quite some time since he's... really had to think about any of this sort of thing.

"And here I thought most tended to start out with that whole dating nonsense," he muses, sounding far too amused despite himself. "But that's a whole bunch of fluff, isn't it?"

That makes him laugh wry and loud, absolutely delighted by that sentiment. "Get ya a lil' red accessory to go with it an' I think you're set."

But now he's got it in his mind he needs to talk to Kyoko about her, too, and see if she can be a bad influence. The girl's devoutly religious but not in a way that makes her legs sinful for bein' had.

"Bah. I'm not a romantic. Romantics tend to work on an idealized version of the world. I prefer to be a realist." He chuckles and waves his free arm out towards the world around them. "Most people aren't all that romantic in truth, they just think they should be."

Society sucks, people are dumb, etc. "At least in my experience. I can fake it, but that doesn't mean I like it."

"As if I have time for that sort of thing, here or home." He really didn't, that whole thing is for children and civilians, not his type of lifestyle.

"Though I do believe discussing a few things in private, when you're sober, would perhaps be a good starting point." For boundaries, because lord knows he knows he'll need them for his own sanity. ~~And to work through some other things, but he won't admit to it.~~

"Exactly." He has time, but not the inclination to. For certain people, maybe - but he can't do it all the time or else he starts hating things.

"Agreed. The cold is taking the edge off, but I'm definitely not sober." He can still feel the false warmth and confidence that the alcohol is bringing, and while he likes it... it's no good for serious discussions like this is turning into.

When your life can end at any second from a single misstep, you tend to not have the time. Or, really, the inclination, either. What's the point?

"I can tell," he's dipping his head to hide a small bit of a smirk tugging at his lips, hiding it with his hood. "I think we're almost back to the hotel now, however." He could do with curling up in front of the fire for the next ten years, if he were perfectly honest.

"Well, sure, I'd get a little red hat to go with it," she said cheerfully.

It wasn't so much the church saying it was wrong really, she wore overalls and t-shirts at home, even though that made her a terribly wanton woman in the church's eyes. It's just... having uncovered limbs made her feel all naked.

He can hear that smirk, mister.

"Oh, good. I could use some rest before I give myself a massive headache." He sways a little bit and frowns. "... More of one. I can already tell I'm going to have a bad hangover. Fifty five hundred years old and I still do this to myself..."

He wasn't doing a good job at trying to hide it.

"Well. If you want some way to not have a horrid one, you could always join me in my room. I'm sure the warmth of the fire pit would do some good and I could keep an eye on you." And treat what bit of the hangover from hell he could, it's not like anyone's going to say anything at the end of the day, he's sure. "But only if you want to."

"I disapprove with the tactic on general principle." As a general rule, trustworthy people don't kidnap.

But OpSec. They can work on OpSec. "Where does it get tricky?"

"It depends on how someone dies, mostly. There are exceptions to who I'm assigned to collect. Who's thread pulls me to cut it. I... can't collect everyone on my own. Even with help, there are--were too many dying to stay on time." Which may sound like the mortals got more time to live, but in actuality, it meant more time physically and emotionally suffering. They may hate Thanatos; they don't fully realize the role he plays.

But that's not exactly what Alice wants to know, is it? "I can't imagine a world who doesn't have a psychopomp of some kind leading the souls to their rest. They have to find their way, even if they are lead by another shade. There will be someone for you when it's your time."

And if Thanatos can make it happen so that he's the one guiding her, then he will. However, that is a promise he cannot make. Just an effort.

"As I said, I'm hoping that the three-point tether theory is not fact. I don't know where we'd find a source of information if reality really different than the theory."

Where, oh where???

"Anan is intelligent, but she doesn't know everything or claim to know everything about the Void, Voidcraft, or tethering. Severing the tether in a controlled environment that must be controlled by the Ministry? We certainly don't have one on the train. According to that theory, everybody who has left the train was in danger."

He grins. "I'm glad you appreciate my style of discussion. I certainly appreciate yours. And as for your world becoming Void-active, I wonder if making it a registered world with the Ministry would be a good start?"

"You fixed it though, that's the important thing. Hopefully he will learn, he will know." She likes Yondu, she doesn't want to think of anyone holding anger against him, if he had put right his wrongs.

"I will be honoured to hear of them then and remember them."

"Something water proof. A folder perhaps? A box?" She thought for a moment, "Anything that keeps the elements off. The void entrances simulating weather is one of the more irritating things about them."

She smiled, small things were easier. Better than trying to tackle big questions that they had no answers to.

"I understand." She nodded, "I wish there was as well... it seemed to calm at the end, Jin-Roh said from the readings he was getting. I am not sure what your crew did but they did... something." Anan had been a little busy leading a mass evacuation of those snatched from their proper place.

"There's many what ifs... If we had figured it out faster, if we had managed to get through to them before they were that far gone..." It seems almost impossible, after all the entity had caused so much destruction.

"From what your crew has told me... What the entity suffered on their homeworld was similar to visions they have had of the fate of your own voidcrafts world of origin."

"Yes?" She raised an eyebrow. "Obviously, or I wouldn't be doing it." She smiled though, she had to remember that where she had choice they had none. They had been dragged into the void against their will, in service to a mission craft without having made the decision to do such a thing.

"I like helping worlds, my crew are good people, I enjoy meeting people and seeing new places."

Chiff beeped and she nodded. "Chiff's right, we don't often have much interaction with the ministry, apart from my initial training this is the most time I have spent around the ministry."

"You had not seen a sunrise before? What manner of place do you come from?"

He had mentioned earth but that is a name for so many planets in so many worlds. Indeed there were three planets called Earth in this system alone and so that didn't give her much idea of what such a world would be like.

A world of darkness? One without sunrises? One without a sun? Neran's sleep was hard enough, she couldn't imagine a world with no sun.

Naja gave her a weak smile. "Neither. Just hungry."

There was a giggle before she pet her hair briefly.

“Let’s get you some food, then…”

"...because that's when you're most vulnerable?" Seto sounds surprised. He should think the answer here is obvious. "You're not worried about anyone trying to attack you, or steal things?"

He really envies that carefree attitude.

She laughs quietly and not unkindly. He seemed to be calming though and she shook her head, "Don't worry. The first time I had Osigan food I thought my head was going to explode. Jin-Roh didn't stop laughing for three whole hours." Which if Ryo had met Jin-Roh, would be surprising. The man was not exactly... joyful.

"There's milder things though, some of the food pushes the sweet rather than the spice. Though if it's Osigan it is spicy in some way. Just the way it is."

"Food good."

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The Waking of Neran

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Re: Day Three

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Re: Day Three