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

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Remembrance

The whole thing was a familiar feel to her, honoring the dead in such ways, to leaving little offerings, and just remembrance in general. Before then people may have seen her in the candle workshop and making... a good number of candles throughout the day up until the event proper.

She's easy enough to spot in an absolute ton of layers as her and the cold were never really friends. Even normally pulled up hair is let loose, the crimson waves seeming to reach about the backs of her knees. Even easier to catch her while she's setting her candles and resting on her knees.

"My clan, my love, my kin..." She speaks softly, barely audible unless someone is nearby. "May you be remembered and be at peace. Even if I have been forcibly returned here." What exactly that means is anyone's guess, but if left be, she will stand on relatively shaky legs. Not the most stable of stances, even if she doesn't seem to notice as she attempts to leave. Whether that's a good idea or not is up for debate.

Night two

This night brings at least some sense of calm and collection, Mito seeming at least in better spirits than the previous night. Though she stands further from the crowd as is possible, though a smile plays on her lips as she quietly sips from a cup that one can assume is probably the whiskey that's going around. It's... nice, to see all these new things blossoming around her.

No matter what it is that's going on, even if there's a pang of pain in her chest that she's pointedly ignoring through all of it. This isn't the time to dwell on anything, on the fact that she knows and feels stuck in a circular rut. Be happy for those around, for those who are moving ahead.

"Perhaps the drink was a mistake," she muses to herself, not that it's particularly stopping her at this juncture.

[Wildcard??? idk, want something else with her, just hit me up or throw it here. She'll be around basically everywhere anyway.]

It's not as if Selenay has never seen a celebration before, but she's always struck by how vastly different these places are, even when they are desperately similar. People are people regardless of where they are and what they look like, she knows that already, but she'd never before imagined the sheer number of different people there were. Not before the train, at least.

She can't resist responding to the woman's soft comment, though, after a soft chuckle to herself. She's certainly been down that road more than enough times to know the answer.

"The drink is usually a mistake, even if it seems like the best choice in the moment. Are you going to be alright?"

Typically she would be on alert and noticing anyone that remotely comes in her direction, but she's long since let that guard down. No one here is going to harm her for being who she is, for looking how she does. Which might be why she's somewhat surprised to hear someone actually respond to her.

She remains quiet for a moment longer with another sip of her drink, hiding a momentary grin behind the cup.

"I think so? It isn't the drink that I'm worried about, I can tell you that much. I've had much worse than this. But thank you." She wouldn't mind the company, even if she won't say as much.

Was there, perhaps, something IN that drink? That might be a thought at least. But something about three feet tall, with an even longer, plushier tail, dressed all up in toddler sized winter garb, is now asking-

"....was it one of those real spicy gross ones?"

Never again, Potato has told herself. Never. Again!

What.

Is this.

She blinks slowly as she regards this new figure. She knows there's aliens. Knows that not everything is as it seems. But this is certainly new to her.

Whether adult or not, she's going to at least address them as such.

"Mm. I suppose it is rather spicy? Though that's nothing particularly out of character with what I know of?" The spice is rather nice, if she had to be honest.

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

She seemed sad.

She has to resist the urge to laugh at that, she wasn't wrong in the slightest on that one.

"More lost in my thoughts than anything else. I seemed sad?" Can't be sad if you deny it, right? Right.

The homunculus frowns. "You still seem sad," she adds, nodding seriously. "Being sad isn't something that's easy to hide, even if a lot of people try."

Its nice to see people so brought together. The beautiful lights exploding overhead, the people of this place coming together to celebrate. He's not quite sure whether the happenings around him were inspired by the alcohol, a general custom of the people to wait until this day to do such things, or both. Nevertheless, Tobirama is comfortable on the sidelines observing.

For a moment, just a few moments, it felt like home. Nothing about this world was visually akin to Konohagakure, but the togetherness was something they all strived for. A feeling of extended family and unity with all. The customs of last night also familiar. He was content here, watching, until a familiar chakra was picked up nearby.

"Enjoying the night?" He asks, eyes looking her over in the bright wash of color from the sky.

It's far too familiar, isn't it? The merriment, the emotions, the feelings. Everything that is far too familiar and yet so entirely different from Konohagakure. It suits it.

It might be why she's rather interested in observing everything going on that she doesn't even pick up on him for the longest moment. Her attention focused on a new couple not too far away that seems absolutely ecstatic about everything going on. Even while hiding a smile behind her cup, remaining the dignified and impartial audience.

"I suppose I am. Even if I feel much like some voyeur that can't partake in such events." Her tone remains mostly neutral, knowing full well that this isn't really a place for her. "I'm surprised to see you out here, however. Partaking in being an audience member yourself?"

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

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

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

"One could hope you would." She can't help but tease him in turn, knowing full well that participation was never really his thing. Observation, yes. Understanding, yes. But fully participating? Absolutely not.

She'd come to peace with that long ago and it was his own little quirk that she wasn't about to try and change. She nods slowly along with his words at first, they all were very welcoming. It was... nice, in a way. So eager to share with others not even from the same world...

Until that last part leaves his lips and she's huffing indignantly. "Moderation is the key and why would I not want to fully see what is on offer?" She's pointedly ignoring the bit about her being able to join in.

Not in celebrations like this at least. Have a drink by the sidelines and watch? Sure. Never letting go of that control. Can't let go of that control. His comment on her participating though wasn't malintended.

A brow quirks up, eyes gliding over to her, "no reason at all." His head tilts a little, "I did suggest it, Mito."

Control is such a finicky thing, but she can at least understand it. Even if it continues to baffle her why it must be with almost everything. But it's not her place to question it.

Even if she seems a little more prickly than usual. "I know." She states simply enough, letting her attention shift to the other groups of people celebrating whatever it may be. "I wish them nothing but the best, but I cannot help but feel like an outsider that shouldn't be here despite protests otherwise."

Because Tobirama losing control is a bad very bad thing. This aside, its the only consistant in his life. People come, they go, they usually die. He can control what he does, his emotions, his actions. Create rule, law, structure. Do something to create better for others. Its the thing that keeps him going, breathing, living, sane. Which will probably come up... soon. Given his anything means nothing here among these people. Topics for never.

"Something's on your mind," he comments quietly after some length of time. "beyond being out of place, or am I wrong?"

Isn't that how life is? People come, go, die, all of those sorts of things. But she could understand that much, given how much death there had been in her own life in things she absolutely could have done nothing about. But to try and hold it together and be some sort of pillar of stability. Topics for never, indeed.

Ah, of course he noticed. She glances towards him for a brief moment before pretending as if nothing's wrong, as she's wont to do. "Perhaps envious. Perhaps a little bitter. So you would be correct."

He had to. He had to, he had to, he had to. Keep it together. He had to keep it together. For the most part Tobirama did a fairly good job at keeping it together. For it is the way things were. Fight, and fight, and fight some more. Sacrifice everything. Your life, your love, your mind. Change had come, and perhaps it wasn't how the world was now, but it was how his world had been. Hers, too.

Tobirama exhaled a nod. Yes, of course he noticed. "Is it a talk about it never, talk about it later, talk about it over a drink, or talk about it away from other people sort of envy and bitterness?."

Never show weakness, never show how badly things were getting to you. Do it in private, away from eyes and ears. Pretend that it had never happened. That you were unaffected by whatever happened around you. Time and time again. Internally cursing everything above about why it was always them and never you. All in the name of some kind of peace that hopefully would be permanent.

She remains quiet for the longest moment, mulling it over. Which was it? "Let's just say that I'm starting to understand why people drink to excess. But perhaps it would be best to not be here for much longer."

Precisely. If she had the courage to change with this new experience than all he could do was commend her for it but he'd be pained to see her unravel. Time would tell, he supposed, and besides... there was a lot they needed to talk about so shifting to a different location might be better in general. Maybe not even in the public hemisphere at all.

"Let's head back," is his suggestion.

"The mistake is not drinking." Bulma smiles, perhaps a little too widely, perhaps obviously a little inebriated. She has baijiu in hand, not particularly in the mood to fuck around with something not as strong. Her mood has been all over the place since they arrived here, missing her family, hating the cold, and very much feeling the 'sads' as they land on her even through her coat.

But her flushed cheeks and cheeky smile belies none of that, and instead, she's looking around for a new glass.

"You need some baijiu..."

Edited 2021-12-15 01:37 (UTC)

Ah, why is she somewhat not surprised to see her out and about like this? And very obviously intoxicated at that? Normally she would have made herself the mom in the situation, but you know what? Who is here to actually tell her no? To tell her that she's being an embarrassment and can't act like that?

Tobirama? It's better to ask forgiveness than permission.

"I already had a glass, but you seem to be having quite a bit more fun than I am." This is going to end poorly for everyone involved.

Oh, Mito. Bulma has many lessons to teach you in the realm of not giving a single shit about people and what they may think about being an embarrassment. If there is anyone who can act embarrassing on a daily basis and fail to see what there is that may be wrong with it, it's the woman there grinning in front of her, flushed with drink.

"Well then have another." Bulma says it as though it's obvious, though she's already gesturing for the other woman to follow her. Follow her to booze and probably harass anyone that she very possibly can. This means she's getting a pretty sizeable glass of baijiu for Mito and passing it along, nearly shoving it into her hands.

"Here. Have one of these. It works a charm."

It's hard to not give a shit about what other people think when you were meant to be an ambassador of sorts, the delegate, the Hokage's wife. All of that sort of nonsense. But it means nothing here and, as far as she's aware and concerned, only one person here that would care about what she's doing in the first place.

She shakes her head slowly with a small bit of a smile as she follows after Bulma, hands finding their way into her pockets while she lets the other woman do whatever it is she's doing.

Oh, that's... that's a pretty large glass, isn't it? And it's being shoved at her. This is going to end poorly and she's certain of it, but she's taking it without dropping a single bit of it. "Does it?" You know what, she'll never know until she at least takes a sip of it.

It's not... bad. Not her usual kind of drink, but it's not offending her senses. "It's better than I thought it would be."

Don't ask how she's getting such heavy pours. It probably has a lot to do with chatting up whoever is pouring and, of course, a strategic lean here or there. Bulma knows her assets, and knows how to use them and when. It's something she's perfected over the years and with her brains on top of it... well. There's no stopping her now.

"It's a little rough on the first few sips, but..." Bulma shrugs her shoulders as if to say that the bite goes away once your belly starts to feel warm.

"It does what it advertises, right?" Bulma grins softly as she takes a deeper sip of her own drink, not even flinching at the taste of it, for the moment. "If we have the chance we might as well have fun with it like adults. I mean.. it's bad enough there's a ton of kids on here but then you can't even get a decent drink - "

Bulma huffs, another sip goes down. "It's terrible."

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The Waking of Neran

Mito Uzumaki | OTA

Night Two!

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