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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>> A R R I V A L <<

A1 - K'zeka really doesn't do cold weather very well, so when it's announced that they're going to a cold planet, his enthusiasm for visiting it is just a bit dampened. But, he'll take being out in the cold over sitting on the train for a while, and puts on as many layers as he can that will allow him to still move freely.

"This means we're due to visit a warm area next, right?"

A2 - When not hanging out in front of the fire in the hotel lobby, K'zeka is almost always on the move, exploring the museums and galleries, sometimes just looking, and other times scribbling on a notepad. He can also be found in the gift shops, wondering if it would be possible to buy one of everything and if so, if said things would even fit in his cabin.

On the first day, he manages to find one of the candle-making classes. He's not a chandler by any means, so his candle definitely looks homemade, but he's proud of it nonetheless.

>> F E S T I V I T I E S <<

Day 1 - K'zeka does attend and watch the parade, but he's more likely to be found at one of the shrines, placing his homemade candle and sitting near it with some food--enough for two or three people--and a cup of something warm to drink. Those who know him might find him more quiet than usual, just sitting there despite the cold, but still receptive to conversation should anyone attempt to engage him in any.

Day 3 - The final night sees the cat far less subdued than he is two nights prior. He's most definitely participating in the dances and somehow managed to get his hands on not one, but two of the light ribbons used by the dancers in the parade. With his Dancer crystal back on Eorzea, his steps aren't nearly as sure or on time as they could be, but they're good enough and he seems to be having fun.

>> W I L D C A R D<<

Do you want to run into K'zeka somewhere that hasn't been mentioned? He's more likely to be inside than anything else due to the cold, at least when not joining in the festivities. Feel free to start something!

Edited 2021-12-15 04:52 (UTC)

There are many shrines but luck, whether good or bad, brings awareness of another presence. Nothing fancy at first, just the possibly familiar sign that another passenger is in near enough proximity for the SCAs to start bolstering one another.

That this other presence happens to be Elidibus is... well. It's probably not a surprise if a little thought it put to the matter. And the Ascian was not likely to turn around and leave his intended destination because K'zeka happened to be there first.

At first it appears he'll simply ignore the miqo'te and soak in the sight of the shrine, the various candles and people giving remembrance. Curious but distant as is typical. But if K'zeka hasn't been doing his best to ignore the Ascian's presence, he might see the addition of a candle to the shrine by Elidibus's own hands. Just the one, lit with a touch of magic and not outstanding. In fact once he's moved away the candle doesn't stand out at all from the others surrounding it. Except perhaps that it's been the most recently lit at the time.

If he isn't interrupted, Elidibus will eventually turn his attention to his fellow passenger.

"Who do you seek to remember, Warrior of Light?"

He isn't ignoring Elidibus, quietly watching as the man approaches and adds his own candle to the collection. Elidibus has been behaving himself on the train as far as K'zeka has been there, so this situation isn't nearly as odd as it would be if they were both back on the First or the Source.

"The ones who couldn't be saved." By him, by the Scions, by anyone he witnessed try and fail to save anyone else. "And those who were beyond saving." He made a promise to Emet-Selch that he'd remember Amaurot and its people, and while it might not be a grand gesture, he hopes that the Ascian might appreciate this attempt anyway, somehow.

Or else not consider him a complete and total idiot.

"And you?"

Elidibus will wisely not question which couldn't be saved and which were beyond saving by K'zeka's reckoning. What little peace between them would surely be shattered and this is not the place to start exchanging bitter, barbed words.

Besides, he didn't ask because he intended to cause strife. Nor to invoke a similar question, though he will answer when it becomes clear the miqo'te had seen his contribution to the shrine.

"For all that have gone before me." The people he gave everything to seek salvation for. The Ascians who diligently worked toward their goal of restoring the star. "And those recently remembered." Not the shades and shards of the present but those before that had so long remained lost in the haze of fragmented memories.

But it is unlikely his remembrance drifts toward anyone other than the ancients. Though perhaps there are a few mortals...

"...In your timeline, did you chance to meet one known as Unukalhai?" There had been a long pause. In fact so long that it was possible to think Elidibus had not been about to speak again at all. Yet he does. His gaze remains on the shrine rather than K'zeka.

K'zeka wouldn't really expect Elidibus to care for many, if any, who had lived or was currently living on the First or one of its shards. Emet-Selch was plain enough about not liking the present inhabitants, so it wasn't a stretch to assume that there wasn't really anyone Elidibus had gotten attached to.

"Unukalhai?" The sudden question is a little startling, as he'd expected Elidibus to be done talking altogether. "I...don't believe I did. Were they one of your lot?" Ascians, he means.

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.

"If the observable pattern repeats, we are likely going to a world that needs our assistance next," Orisa volunteered from nearby and a couple of feet up thanks to her size. "So we cannot predict the conditions there."

"Yes, but...two cold stops in a row isn't fair," he responded, trying to decide between keeping his ears sufficiently warm and sacrificing his hearing and overall comfort or potentially freezing them off. "Even if we're unable to predict anything."

Orisa made an amused noise, her eyeshields swiveling and then locking into a ^^ expression. "If fairness mattered, many of the places we have visited would have been completely unthreatened to begin with."

Naoya slides into the empty space next to K'zeka with the ease of one used to appearing out of nowhere. He's got to keep his mysterious aura up somehow, lest Q'uila ruin his entire reputation.

"I suppose you've got a lot of people to remember, if your path was like hers." He keeps his voice quiet, turning a candle over in his hands. "I'm not sure I like this whole... thing. It's too much like prayer for my tastes."

It's a good thing K'zeka's used to various people and creatures appearing out of nowhere near him, since it allows him to be much less surprised when Naoya suddenly arrives and simply turns to acknowledge him.

If it makes Naoya feel any better, Q'uila hasn't ruined any of his reputation yet.

"More than I can even put a name or face to." He glances sidelong at Naoya and his candle before glancing to where he set up his own lit candle. "In a way...though I'm not aware of anyone trying to petition any gods for favors. I take it you're not the religious type?"

"... No. Not at all. I lost my faith when I was cursed for... it's a long story. Suffice it to say I lost my faith in any sort of benevolent deity in my world a long, long time ago."

He closes his eyes briefly before opening them to follow the miqo'te's gaze. "I've lost a lot of people over the years. Too many to count. It... happens when you're effectively immortal. Children, parents, brothers, sisters... any sort of family and friends."

Except for the ones he has now, though that won't last forever. It might just last long enough, though. He lights the candle and sets it near K'zeka's. "I've grown numb to it in many ways... but I know it still can hurt. ... I'd say you're too young to know such loss, but there's no age limit on such things."

Zagreus has his collection of a dozen or more handmade candles tucked carefully under his arm, all a crimson shade of red, all marked in an alphabet K'zeka wouldn't wholly recognize, but not completely dissimilar from his own. He wordlessly settles in beside K'zeka, the SCA connection bringing warmth as well as the flaming laurels and ever-burning feet that come with Zagreus' existence.

"Who are you remembering tonight?" Zagreus asks, motioning to the newest candle, likely the one brought by K'zeka. As he asks, Zagreus carefully sets all fifteen of his candles up in a row, trying hard not to overshadow other mourners' candle shrines. "Me, I've got plenty of people to honor. It's easy to think of the dead in need of revering, when you live in the Underworld... most of the servants of the House being deceased mortals, and all."

If K'zeka knew Zagreus a little better, he'd be very tempted to attach himself to the god's side and not leave just for the constant warmth. He's not going to, but he is going to lean against the man when he settles himself nearby and stay there until Zagreus objects or moves.

"More than I think one candle can really represent, I think." But one candle will have to do due to time constraints, materials, and K'zeka's patience.

"Underworld? If that's your home...does that make you one of the deceased mortals, or...?" He's not even sure what the alternative would be--a death god? A living being who just happens to live in a place he shouldn't?

Zagreus will always be available for warmth cuddles, as long as K'zeka asks nicely first and the prince is not too busy.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Zagreus frowns slightly at the candle, thinking of how many people had to have passed on in K'zeka's life not to bring a candle for each one. "Would you like to talk about them? Or would that make things harder? I'm happy to hear stories about your deceased loved ones, if you've the strength to tell them." Zagreus reaches out to hold hands with K'zeka, assuming he'll allow it. Zagreus is not above supporting someone physically or emotionally with the burden of remembering their dead. It's all he's known to do his whole life underground.

"My Father is Hades, God of the Dead and Lord of the Underworld and so on and so forth. That makes me the Prince, though I really don't have much to do with the day-to-day administration of the Underworld. All I really do is live in the House." He shrugs a shoulder, noncommittally. "Thanatos does more for the business end of the Underworld than I do, since he's the God of Death. Basically, Than brings the recently departed Shades to the Temple of Styx, and my Cousin Lord Hermes helps him out sometimes. Than's brother Charon takes over then, and transports the Shades to Erebus until it's their turn to meet Father, who determines which level of the Underworld they'll be sent to."

Zagreus takes a moment to shift, mostly to ease the weight of K'zeka leaning against him without disturbing the miqo'te too much. "Generally, if you've been terrible in life, you'll be sent to Tartarus; if you were heroic in life, or especially virtuous, you'll go to Elysium; and if you were good but not remarkable, you'll end up in Asphodel. Of course there are always exceptions, but that's on a case-by-case basis determined by Father."

"MERRY STARLIGHT, 'ZEKA!" The joyous shout of the train's other Miqo'te happens just moments before Q'uila's arms wrap around K'zeka's neck to pull him into a hug with the somewhat tipsy Warrior of Light.

Q'uila was dancing most of the night away and throughly sampling the local brews but she still has enough sense to carefully bunt K'zeka without her glasses causing an injury.

"I had been looking for you, will you come dancing with me?!" Her ears wiggle as Q'uila shoots Zeka a pleading look that wouldn't be out of place on a Miqo'te twenty years Q'uila's junior, and her tail twitches and taps against K'zeka, "The music in the other room is far more upbeat!"

K'zeka's surprised by the Miqo'te necklace he's suddenly gained, but happily accepts the hug and bunt nonetheless, returning the latter almost automatically.

"Uila! Merry Starlight!" It may not actually be, but he's not going to be the one to tell her that. "I--of course I will...were you looking long?"

As he talks, he's also trying to free the borrowed light ribbon he had in his hand from where it's managed to twine itself partly around Q'uila's tail.

Q'uila laughs and waves her tail, tangling the ribbon a little more before she earnestly helps K'zeka get it off.

"Nay, your aether is like a beacon," One arm unhook from his neck and she gestures to the air around him, "Like a bonfire, warm and bright! 'Tis like home."

She gestures over to the doorway, "One of the rooms that way has Cèilidh dancing! And you normally need a partner!"

K'zeka would be upset, but he can't really be because he'd probably do the same thing in her situation.

"You'll have to teach me how to do that sometime."

He means the aether sensing, of course. Though it might take him a while to get the hang of it if she agrees.

"Cèilidh dancing? Haven't heard of that one, but I'll try it. Over there?" How well can he move in that direction with a cat partly attached to him? Time to see!

"But of course!" Q'uila trills, "'Tis somewhat tricky but I feel like you will be able to pick it up even if the range is not quite the same," She snickers, "Estinien hates it, poor sod keeps trying to out-range me. Oh! Did Krile and Tataru ever tell. You how they got him to work for them during our trip to the first?"

It's surprisingly easy for Zeka to manoeuvre him and his feline neck accessory towards the adjacent ball, though tipsy Q'uila is pliant and just seems to be enjoying his presence from the relaxed can't of her ears.

"Cèilidh is like Limsa step dance! But with a partner or group!" Her steps bounce in barely restrained excitement, "We do similar dancing at Q celebrations but there's a bonfire involved!"

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The Waking of Neran

K'zeka Tia | OTA

Festivities Day 1

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A1

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Festivities, Day 1

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Festivities, Day 1

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quietly offers k'zeka a panic attack over ShB

Festivities Day 3

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