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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Inigo's heart has been absolutely racing, ever since seeing the message. He seriously didn't expect things to move this quickly - had been prepared to potentially wait months for this information, given how things usually moved so slowly on the train.

Perhaps the ministry does work a little quicker than that, huh.

And so he's barely been able to wait. Every single moment where he hasn't heard the news yet feels so tense, like he's a spring that's been wound up just a bit too tight, the thought constantly living in the back of his mind. Usually he would have dragged one of his friends along, if not just to - either literally or metaphorically - hold his hand through this, but on the other hand, Inigo worries. About his potential reaction showing to them. About the conversation hitting on something sensitive.

So when he does go to see Ten-Nank, he's by himself.

By the time the he's actually face-to-face with Ten-Nank, Inigo still can feel his heart practically beating its way out of his chest.

"I'm Inigo," he speaks up, his throat suddenly feeling very dry. Maybe it's the cold.

He nods though, politely, like it's a slighter form of a bow. If the ministry really came through for him, then he ought to at least show that much in respect, he figures. "I'm here because of the message I received about my request."

Edited 2021-12-16 18:33 (UTC)

It is a cold room, the firepit towards the other end of the room that Ten-Nank occupies a small, forgotten thing, and no other apparent means of heating seem to apply to the space. Ten-Nank is reclined when Inigo comes, everything turned to face them to the view outside, no lights inside turned on.

Only the falling sors give them an adequate source of lighting, for the exchange of also their chill.

"Your request." Their head doesn't turn, but they echo him closely enough. The green light coming off from the space of their eyes brighten for a second, and then do they direct their face in Inigo's direction. "You requested aid in the whereabouts of Yuki Sohma, a previous passenger on the craft originating from World #1129461094511218831384. Visuals were offered, would you like them as I give you your update."

Yes will bring out the representative's arm and hand, human-like, if metallic and ball-jointed, to show a few displays of holographic visuals of a world floating now floating midair. The world that Yuki Sohma hails from, if from outer space.

"We have located it, but we will need time to send in our scouts to search for Yuki Sohma. First we must gather before sending anyone in, and finding specific individuals can be difficult. But as they were a previous passenger, we do have interest in locating them, and to confirm their status.

"Or so is my assumption," they add, their arm already back down over their body. "I am not in charge of the teams or the particulars. I just have reports and experience."

It's a good thing that Inigo has already seen robots - thanks, Orisa, though she is one of many at this point - that their appearance doesn't seem as odd to him. Even though he is nowhere near qualified enough to be able to tell if Ten-Nank is a robot, or if that's only a helmet. He thought the inspectors before were just wearing suits, but.. honestly, who knows at this point.

It would explain how the other can tolerate the cold here so well though. Inigo finds himself sticking his hands into the pockets of his coat. Partially to keep them warm, but also so it's not noticable if he starts fidgeting as he nods at the question, waiting nervously to see what he assumes will be Yuki, or at least Yuki's world, but..

.. then the image is just.. that. Inigo recognizes it as an image of space, thanks to some missions he's been on, but that means it's just his entire world. The sort of view no one usually has of any world. Inigo sure hasn't seen Ylisse from space before, after all.

Inigo's expression noticably drops into something akin to disappointment. Before he can even stop it, really, though he isn't thinking a particular lot of what they might think of the reaction in the first place.

".. I see," he says, trying to at least maintain a professional attitude, despite the feeling starting to churn in his stomach. It's just a matter of time, he tells himself. This person is saying they are going to look for him. "Forgive me if this question is too forward, but.. do you perhaps happen to have any sort of estimation as to how long that sort of thing would usually take those teams?"

Reactions are hard to tell for one whose face lacks the apparent means of changing their own gestures. But they say nothing, not until the question is presented, and sound as they did before - informative, a slight underlying tone of tiredness, or even boredom, that might even just be a relaxing voice.

...For one who might not have lungs, given their lack of a mouth.

"Difficult to say, and time is undefinable when we are dealing in varying systems. You, in a space without time. The void. Where the craft usually is, as I know it. But we hope to keep contact with yourself and others on the voidcraft, so that we can give updates as they come."

.. dang. So that means there's no telling when they will get the information, huh. Inigo will just have to be patient all over again.

As if he hasn't been that already. For a year now.

"Is the train now accepting messages that come from you?"

A plural you, that is. From anyone within the ministry. Inigo still isn't so sure of that. After all, a message did come through before the train brought them here, but that came from Anan. Maybe the train is at least willing to trust her now, but going beyond that to something the train always seemed actively afraid of is probably hoping for too much.

".. I would ask if there is anything we can do to facilitate the process if it isn't, but the train doesn't tend to listen to us very often." Let alone if they'd ask it to accept messages from the ministry.

"A mixed amount of listening, or showing interaction with your requests."

It's an observation, if not entirely from everything Inigo has said. But they are a representative from the Ministry, and this isn't Inigo's first time speaking to one of their numbers.

"I will attempt a message on behalf of the Ministry, or someone else will, to see if there are any changes to our ability to contact with the craft and its passengers. We understand that it has allowed AX837BB21H communication with you, but also assume that there will be a difference with the Ministry as a whole. The voidcraft does not trust the Ministry. Individuals on the crew - many or most - do not trust, or appear indifferent to the Ministry. It isn't without change that we will be allowed to communicate more easily."

They seem to pause - and then sound a woeful sigh.

"And I doubt there will be much change to the situation. Doubt, but will not reject as a possibility. You, I wonder, I ponder, I ask: What trust do you have for the craft? For what it shared about the Ministry. Did you believe it? A voidcraft that has tethered you without consent, many of you, and coerces you by your instinct to aid others into missions. Or, would you prefer the word choice? Choice. Not servitude. Slavery. Force."

The visuals of the planet continue to hover between them, Ten-Nank's figure somewhat obscured by them.

"I am not you. I am not them. I do not understand. But, you have no reason to answer. But I suppose it would be useful, for us to better understand the passengers."

It almost feels weird to see someone who isn't part of the train crew speaking with such tiredness - or at least, Inigo can't help but read that into their tone, it might just be that it is how all people of their kind speak - about their situation. Despite the lack of personal investment. Perhaps the entire situation is just as much of a headache to the people of the Ministry.

"I think that if you are going to ask the passengers about these things, you might end up getting just as many opinions as the amount of people you talk with." Aka - everyone is going to have their own view on the situation. Inigo sure feels like his own is the most logical, but listening to what other people have been saying about the train, or about their situation.. that quickly made him change his conviction that everyone would think the same way as him.

If not just because some people seem to have a serious case of Stockholm syndrome - if Inigo knew the term, anyway.

"But as for me personally, I don't trust the train." He shakes his head. Inigo's shoulders grow a little more rigid, like he's getting more serious. Some princely diplomacy rules kicking in, somewhere in his subconscious. "I do trust it in the sense that I don't assume it would get us purposefully killed. But I do think that all information it conveys to us is coloured through its own lenses."

Does that mean Inigo trusts the Ministry?

Well, that's a big word, but so far they have done a whole lot more for him than the train. Even showing him Yuki's world from space is more than the train could ever do.

"It either refuses to or can't help us find the people we have lost, which is my own main focus right now. Not to mention that it can't seem to understand that it has taken people from worlds that were in peril, as if our own world's troubles don't mean as much to it as other world's problems."

Edited 2021-12-16 20:55 (UTC)

"It could be corrupted. A theory, but only one. The programming of a voidcraft, the brain, the will, can be adjusted to fit what is needed. Working on its orders, its settings, it will do as it knows. There may be room, a possibility to influence the craft's logic by that of its passengers, as is the design of most voidcrafts. It is connected to you. It feels you. But it can only understand what it understands."

Ten-Nank turns their head, looking back to the view outside.

"This is the same for us all. I, too, work only by what I know. My job here is to receive your testimonies, not expecting everyone to answer. Not expecting trust. But, with some expectations."

They go quiet, just for a second or so, before putting the back of a hand to their forehead, in a certain type of... pose?

"Individuals make everything complicated."

.. corrupted?

It's something Inigo himself hasn't really considered. In fact, if Ten-Nank had just kept to the 'programming' way of wording it, Inigo wouldn't be thinking of it even now. He'd just decide that it's something beyond what he can understand, as a simple medieval boy. But adjusting someone's brain or will - that much he can understand. Even if they do mention that it is a mere possibility, Inigo can't help but wonder if maybe someone made the train like this, rather than the train somehow having thought for itself all this time..?

Inigo shakes his head, seeming to disregard Ten-Nank's pose for the moment. Sorry, pal. It's just that he's busy thinking, which means Inigo's two braincells are entirely taken up by that right now.

"I'm not sure how far we are able to influence this one." This voidcraft, he means, but it feels.. weird to put it in those terms. It feels so far outside of his own world with its own terminology that it feels kind of uncomfortable, so Inigo figures the other will understand this much. "I have been on it for so long now, and I've sent messages to it plenty of times - and my friends even moreso than I have."

He's got to give Jingyi and Tidus some credit in that. Those two guys are unstoppable.

"And yet it still doesn't seem to understand the most basic of things, such as people having concerns about their own worlds. Does that mean it will just never be capable of understanding as much?" It seems Ten-Nank knows a whole lot more about voidcraft than Inigo does. And even though they might not necessarily know more about this specific train, the other would at least have a better idea from experience, Inigo figures.

Edited 2021-12-18 21:20 (UTC)

It's alright, Ten-Nank does this posing for themselves. And they'll keep holding it as Inigo goes into his own thoughts, comes out the other side with questions.

"Basic of things, basics. I wonder." If only for a moment, a beat. "--Tell me, what has been the response to the concern of your own worlds? Give me examples, I can't assume. Explain to me what it doesn't understand. Do you have examples?"

Time to continue rubbing those two braincells together, Inigo.

It seems like Ten-Nank is going to have more time to vogue over there, because Inigo does seem to need to think for a moment. Not because he needs to think back on particular instances though - it's more just that he's trying to think of how to best explain it.

After all, there's no way to truly feel the disappointment a train's general feedback response gives you without having ever experienced it for yourself.

"I have explained my situation to the train. My own world-- er, system?" It does seem like the terminology Ten-Nank is using more, so Inigo really is Trying over here. These braincells are hard at work. "-- is in dire trouble. I wouldn't say that my presence is exactly what is going to cause either victory or defeat when it comes to said trouble, but surely you can imagine that I am rather worried about the situation all the same."

It's perhaps a little too honest. Especially when Inigo thinks back on how Elidibus scolded him for being so open with the people of the Ministry, but.. if they're trying to help, then this is the least he should do in return. That's what it feels like to him, anyway.

"I have sent the train messages about it before, through its feedback system. But all it has ever given me are the default responses it would give no matter what sort of message you would try and send it. Not to mention that it doesn't seem like it has done any effort whatsoever to try to send me or people in similar situations back to their own worlds, even though it has been over a year now." Inigo shakes his head. He's not sure if this is coming across well, although Ten-Nank at least seems to be displaying a bit more emotion than the inspectors from before..

.. but that is a very low bar.

"If you would consider inaction a response, then you can call it that. It has never seemed to address our concerns about our worlds either, when it does speak to us."

"Your world is in danger." This is what they determine the point to acknowledge first, head shifting so that their gaze is on Inigo, while every other part of them stays in place. Quiet a few seconds, as-

"--I can't find a mention in your interview with the inspectors a request to check your world. No. 'My world' -- a danger you and your friends were up against."

If it seems like they're talking out-loud to themselves some, they are. Just for the moment.

"Explain to me the kind of dire trouble. A war? An outside takeover? A singular individual attempting to take control or destroy the planet? The planet going kaboom."

For the choice of word, their tone doesn't shift. Kaboom.

Even though it clearly isn't meant that way on the other's part, that sure is a callout there towards Inigo while Ten-Nank is just talking to themselves. Indeed, there was not a mention from Inigo to check up on his world - because he's just that stupidly selfless. Yes, he's worried about his world, so terribly worried, but he figured he couldn't ask too much from the inspectors from one go.

Just the knowledge that they'd look into Yuki was already a lot. How could he possibly ask for more, no matter how worried he was?

It makes Inigo's cheeks turn a faint shade of pink, and for a moment his gaze falls while he listens to them speak on before he finally looks back at Ten-Nank.

"A bit of a war, though that was mostly spurred on by the fact that we were trying to prevent the awakening of a dark dragon god who would destroy the world, while the other side was actively trying to make it happen."

It feels weird to sum it up so easily, but really, what else is he supposed to say after their 'kaboom'? Just that word alone is bound to make whatever explanation comes from Inigo sound weirdly casual in comparison to how awful the actual situation is.

Ten-Nank sighs.

"Always gods. Well, nevermind. Maybe I should request to take all your system numbers - that is, you tethered to the voidcraft. More work, but needed, eventually. So, you don't know if your world continues to exist or not. We can check. Show me your SCA, I will do a scan."

They finally moved their posed limb, hand not directly extended to Inigo (no, they made that mistake once already), but in a waiting position for he brings the SCA in view. Ten-Nank will stop him if he appears to be taking it off with a, "No need, keep it on."

But once the SCA is in view, Ten-Nank will point their hand at the man, and a green light will go across him, a darker green covering his SCA.

Inigo is being a good, obedient boy here and holding out his SCA. For a moment it does seem like he's about to take it off, but their words are enough for him to keep it on his wrist instead, waiting for the other to scan it, staring at the screen light coming out of.. his.. hand..?

Or light that's appearing as he's pointing, anyway. It's a little weird, especially to good old medieval boy over here, but he just lets it happen. It doesn't hurt, so he assumes that it can't be anything too bad.

"Ah.." He only now seems to realise something else, actually. "Having my system number might help you more as well. Two of the people that left the train came from the same world as me."

If they're trying to locate the people who disappeared from the train, then the more system numbers they have, the better, right? And it's not like they could scan people whose location is currently unknown in the first place..

"You knew them, the ones from your world, back on this world? Give me details, I can record it."

They might as well at this point. Record everything, do the file work themselves. Sigh, this job is never as simple as 'stick to A and B'.

Sorry for suddenly giving you way much work, Ten-Nank. But to be fair, they're the one who asked about Inigo's system number and to scan him and everything to begin with..!

The upside here is that Inigo doesn't mind handing this information over. Especially since those two could be caught up in only Naga knows what at this point, and it is important to find them as soon as possible..

"One of them is my mother. Her name is Olivia. She was only on the train very briefly before she left on the platform like so many do. The other is my friend Gerome, he was there for a little while longer. But both of them have already left.." Inigo's voice trails off. He has to think, even though it isn't exactly a pleasant thing to do, on when those two left. On the times when he had to watch them walk away.

He can still feel it faintly hurt in his chest, even now.

".. quite a few months ago. Though Yuki, the guy I asked those others to look for, has been gone the longest out of the three of them."

Inigo can't help but wonder if those were the details Ten-Nank was looking for. It feels very much like the basics though, the things that probably can't hurt to share, and that won't just be useless information.

"I am.. not quite sure what other details about them might help you." Though, honestly, he's willing to hand over any and all information now. He just wants to know what happened to those people, no matter the price.

"And this isn't typically my work." Inigo doesn't know what to give, Ten-Nank's programs aren't defaulted for this, and so with a suffering, "Wait, I will find a useful program," they fall silent...

...and there's a flash to their eyes.

"Details of landmarks, of possible locations - countries, republics, kingdoms, whatever it is your planet knows, uses." There's a sterner note to their voice now, of someone running through a list, getting down to business. "Any possible dangers, any known weaknesses to these dangers. Individuals who can be spoken to - a group is better. We are looking for a few beings on an entire planet, with nothing but system numbers."

Don't mind it if Inigo suddenly seems startled for a moment. No matter how many missions he's been on, seeing this kind of behaviour from people who also seem to act mostly human is still so weird to him. His eyes go wide for a moment, staring at them as their eyes lightly flash like that, and their tone changes..

So weird. So weird!!

He tries to quickly recover though, if not just because it feels important to convey this information clearly. It's about his world, after all. It's about his mom, his friend. He has to do his best for their sake now.

"On my world it would be the best to speak to the Exalt-- that is the ruler of Ylisse. His name is Chrom. I know that he will cooperate even if he may find the situation odd." After all, even if Inigo might not be sure how much Chrom would care about his disappearance, he'd surely be worried about Olivia.. "Depending on the situation back home, it might be that he's preoccupied, in which case the next best option to talk to would be either of the Khans of Ferox. Their names should be Flavia and Basilio."

Unless something drastically changed while he was gone, but Inigo is trying really hard to not think about that.

"There are common dangers like bandits, but those could easily be fought off. The same goes for the Risen.." His voice trails off, and then, realising he should add for usefulness: "Those are reanimated humans." He doesn't like saying it, but it's not like he wants to let a scouting party just get beaten by a bunch of Risen.. The last thing they need is possible Risen void people wandering Ylisse.

"The biggest danger is an enormous dark dragon named Grima, but if everything is going according to plan back home, it shouldn't be present." But.. again. Inigo knows so little about the situation in his world. He's been gone for a year now. That's so long. So much could have changed, and the thought makes him look slightly awkward, even as he does his best to convey all the information to them as seriously as he can in this moment.

"Clarification: reanimated humans." This is the first point that Ten-Nank seems to be worth speaking up for. "The kind with their intelligence, or without? Do they consume human flesh."

Inigo can have the moment to answer that, before Ten-Nank will go on.

"So, if Olivia and Gerome's bodies are likely to be safe, they will be with the Exalt, some member of Ylisse, or with the faction 'Khans of Ferox'." A beat. "And so would yours. You were working in some manner, some way, with the ruler of Ylisse and the Khans of Ferox?"

Look at this. For some reason they have somehow managed to hit a double whammy when it comes to awkward questions to ask Inigo. At least he's well aware that Ten-Nank has no idea how awkward said questions are, so he tries to swallow down said awkwardness before it shows up on his face.

Just putting on his pokerface here as he answers, because the last thing he wants to do is have to explain daddy issues to some odd metal person.

"The latter were our allies. The former.. is my father. So, yes, if any of us would be in that world, Chrom ought to know where." Though the usage of the word 'body' is also awkward there.. Maybe it's just one of those little Ten-Nank oddities, Inigo figures.

(He has absolutely no idea, but that's for the better for now. The freakout can happen later.)

"As for the Risen.. no, they don't eat people." Sweet Naga, it's getting harder and harder to keep this pokerface, but Inigo sure is trying. Why would they eat human flesh?! Ten-Nank?! "They have some sort of intelligence, but.. reduced, I suppose one could say? They are very single-minded, and are only interested in attacking humans."

"Alright. And only humans? --Are there only humans on your planet. And gods. Dragon gods."

That's a good question to ask and have answered, before they send off non-humans. Probably. Might not be a problem.

Edited 2021-12-26 11:30 (UTC)

"Not only humans. But.."

Inigo's voice momentarily trails off. He's trying really hard to think about whether or not this is a diplomatic thing to say, but his mind is coming up entirely blank as he's looking at them..

"Erm. Certainly nothing that looks anything like you." N-NO OFFENSE, TEN-NANK.. "We have human-like races that can turn into dragons called the Manakete, and the Taguel who look half-human, half-rabbit. But they all have at least some human-ish appearance. You know, with.."

..

"Skin and all.." Inigo gestures to himself, like that's supposed to clarify it. He's probably trying to soften the potential blow of his earlier statement here.

"...I see, as individuals say." Said, with the delay and a dubious hint to it that rather implies they don't see. Nevertheless: "I've recorded your words. Others will be able to review, deceipher it, to take what they will from it."

So, at least there's that.

"Your world will likely be checked first to see if it still exists, and then a closer inspection made. It will take time - how much, I can't tell you. If we had support from the voidcraft, that might speed things along, at least let us contact you easier, quicker. We will do what we can under the circumstances."

Inigo is just heavily chalking this up to Weird Ministry People Being Weird, but gosh, if that 'as individuals say' thing isn't weird. What, is the Ministry some sort of big hivemind? Or is Ten-Nank a hivemind with a group of people within it?

.. Inigo isn't too sure he wants to ponder this for too long. Even just thinking about it for a moment is giving him a headache, and he quickly shakes his head to get the thought out of here. He's already had too much information for any given day, thanks.

Especially since the idea of his world just being entirely gone is.. unsettling. Mostly since Inigo can't deny that the possibility is out there. Grima could have revived, could have wiped everything out already in the time he was out here, stuck on the train.

He swallows thickly, and resorts to just bowing his head.

"Thank you for your assistance."

Even though Ten-Nank - and the Ministry - might just be checking for their own sakes too.. but it's helping Inigo and everyone else in the end too. It only feels right to acknowledge as much.

"I am not sure if much can be done to convince the train." Unfortunately. Because Inigo would really like these things to go quicker, especially if it means he's going to live with a ton of anxiety in the meantime. Until he can know more things for sure. Right now he's burying all of those feelings underneath a pokerface though. "But I will see if there is anything I can do to help matters along on our end."

The Waking of Neran

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