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

Ten-Nank doesn't speak, at Curufin's request to wait, to the mention of notes. There is no show of impatience, no show of much as Ten-Nank continues to apparently view the outside world through the hole of a window.

It's not until the question that they speak, saying, "You are suggesting I look. Please wait," and the glow of their eyes brighten for a second or so.

"It is what it is," comes their answer. But there follows more, after a beat. "You have answered it without knowing the contents of the meeting. You may edit it, if you wish, or submit again with any change of thoughts. There are some, or one, that believe we are not open to 'asking', to 'speaking', when I am here to do that."

Well. "With the request that details of the meeting be given at the meeting. This is usually the process of meetings. For most. Not for you, I assume."

Curufin nods. "I'll edit it tomorrow after the 10 a.m. meeting, if that gives me any information that makes me want to change any of my answers. I suppose you are right, that some people don't believe that a Ministry official would be open to asking or giving information. That's one of the reasons I opted for a meeting with you instead of going to the group meeting. I thought that with so many people present, it might be hard for a speaker to answer all the questions."

And as for that last thought, "I've attended meetings on the train, and they were full of questions and answers. And long before that, in my own world, when I was the commander of my own Elvish military force, I called captains' meetings whenever there was a need. Those meetings weren't just me talking and giving orders. It was me giving information, and also, inviting anybody who knew or had observed things I hadn't to speak and inform the rest of us. And it always started with a summary of what we were going to cover. That was my style."

He smiles a little, then, and says, "You know my name, but I don't know yours. Would you be willing to introduce yourself? I imagine that you work very hard as a Ministry official, and I respect that. I'd like to remember who I was talking to." He approaches and holds out his hand for a handshake. He knows not all cultures have this gesture, but it couldn't hurt to offer.

"I'll answer questions, as long as they're wanted," the representative admits. "Multiple questions, I'm used to it. This, this time, is really meant to be what is called my 'downtime', but festivals hold no interest to me. But you come - others, general you, passengers of the craft - to ask questions. Say things. I suppose it's a good thing, as some say, that I'm like this."

There's no judgment, more of an observation with the forever lingering undercurrent of someone tired, or bored. It might just be their voice. Nevertheless, they listen to Curufin's next explanation. "I'll put that somewhere to remember. Excuse me, or don't, if I don't recall if, if it is relevant again, and if we meet again. I can store information, but I don't always think, assume, realise it might be useful. Thinking activities are very hard."

Sigh. Their head shifts to the sight of the hand extended, a moment before they start to stand, saying as they do. "There are many existences with those known as 'Elvish', 'Elves'; some stand to greet another. Some say, 'S Mae govannen' to greet another. Unable to find if that is rude for a non-Elvish to say, excuse me, or don't. Is that a familiar language? I can modify my verbalisation to use it."

By then, they have brought out a hand, positioned it as Curufin has his.

"There are many hand greetings. Do with my grasping organ, my hand, as you want. I'm called Ten-Nank."

Curufin nods. "As I was saying, you obviously work hard. It's probably just as well that you're here to meet one-on-one with people, though. There are others besides me, I assume."

"Pleased to meet you, Ten-Nank." He grasps the Ministry official's hand gently in greeting. "If we ever meet again, I won't worry about it if you don't remember everything I've said."

And with respect to Ten-Nank's comment in Elvish, his face shows astonishment and delight, and he replies, "That's a phrase in Sindarin, the Elvish dialect that was most common in my world. Apparently, there are Elves in other parts of the multiverse, or you wouldn't know the words. It's a greeting to a friend, and I don't find it rude that you use it. To me, Sindarin is a very familiar language. I learned to speak it as soon as I was exposed to it, and it became the norm for me and my family. If you have the vocabulary and syntax in your mind, feel free to speak it. Just if you feel like it."

And then he speaks a sentence in Sindarin that means This is most interesting!

Edited 2021-12-18 11:02 (UTC)

"My vocals can be changed to match the language. I will download the--the language pack is downloaded."

And mid-way into speaking, their language changes to Sindarin. There's something different, the accent used and way of speaking it not exactly as Curufin knows it, but close enough to his ears to be familiar.

The language keeps as they go on. "The void, multiverse, every verse, is vast, vast, vast, very complicated. There are other languages of Elvish, Elven, I tried to use a sample of your voice to find it. An action I usually take on work, but doesn't seem necessary for my work here."

They sigh. "But, I suppose I should do 'more'. Other interactions. More interactions. Fine, do you have time? I will allow it. We want to understand you - you, a general you, of those that are passengers of the voidcraft The Voidtrecker Express. You are not shy of words. Not every individual is like this."

Curufin grins with delight as Ten-Nank switches to Sindarin. He can understand it perfectly well, as he has had long practice listening to Elves speaking it with different accents. Or even mortals.

"It sounds as though you have a vast search engine to help you locate a language. That could be very useful!"

He looks at the official with a bit of sympathy. "If you're willing to do more, I am. I certainly have the time, and I am definitely not shy of words. If you want a general understanding of the passengers of the Voidtrecker Express, I can tell you much. But what questions do you have about us that remain unanswered? If you have even one question, or one to start with, please ask it."

"While I'll be making a general assessment of the passengers, I would ask for yours to reflect your own understanding, than theirs. But, you have given that to me: you see those on a craft as a community, who have choice in what they do. They are not any form of coerced, is this right? To take on missions, to help. 'Do you fear we might be pirates', you asked. Oh, I should have answered the question before that, the issue with unregistered crafts."

They pause, not an inch of them moving.

"Yes, alright. I will answer your question about the issue of unregistered voidcrafts, if you still want an answer, while I would like to know how you perceive your situation. You call yourself a Void Warrior, you get to be on the train, you get to help people. Do you believe there's no risk, no danger, in your circumstances? Outside of harm during missions."

"It's true that I feel that we passengers are a community. We aren't coerced to do anything; it is all up to us. The bright side of being on the train is exactly that. We get to create a community, and we get to help people on planets that are in trouble. I myself feel that this is fundamental to my sense of purpose in life. I'm not the only one who feels this way, there are others who do. And as for the problem of risk or danger, that goes along with taking on the helping role. Especially this type of help. Great projects historically always involve danger, in any universe. For us, there is always risk on the missions. And outside of the missions? -- it's possible. We came through a Void storm recently, and while the train protected us and itself well enough, there is no certainty that we will always come out of such situations unharmed. But as I said, projects that have to do with helping people always involve risk. And the more so in the Void."

Curufin thinks. "That's one of the reasons I commented in the Ministry form that I thought people who want to go home should be allowed to. The best way to do that would be for the train to go to their worlds and let them off. And the best way to recruit would be to go to promising worlds and ask for volunteers. That would take care of the lack of choice to be on the train."

"And what thoughts do you have in regards to people disappearing? The people who disappear. Others have explained your tethers as being unstable - do you believe this is true? How far do the risks of an unstable tether and their side effects, what is the wording, let me search- how do the risks of your situation outweigh the good you see yourself as doing? No, as you see everyone as doing. Many have disappeared. Do you know how many? Do you have any knowledge, in writings, facts, or in theories calculated by the mind of what is happening to them."

A pause. "And would the risks be worth your vision of your journey? As you say, 'projects that have to do with helping people always involve risk'. You help others. You have a community. You are suggesting you are happy. Your cause is worth the danger. Is the involuntarily tethering your only concern?"

"It's true that many people have disappeared. But they don't just disappear. Their names appear in gold on the passenger roster until the next platform day, when they walk across the platform to the turnstyle and vanish through it. That suggests to me that the train has something to do with their leaving, that it's planned. I don't buy that idea that it's due to an unstable tether. Most of the people I have known who have disappeared seemed not to be engaged with train life, or even if they were, they have become disengaged for a while before their departure. I'm thinking that the train is aware of that and chooses to send them back where they came from. I don't know how many have gone since I've been on the train; I haven't been keeping count. And I have no real knowledge of why or what happens when a person disappears, only theories. I think that unstable tether idea is merely a theory."

He scratches his head. "I still believe the risks are worth the opportunity to help planets that are in trouble. That's true for me, anyway, and it is true for some of the other passengers. I am just dubious about that unstable tethering theory, as I have said. And as far as my concerns go, yes, I still have only one -- the involuntary tethering. I believe that people should be asked for their permission before they are brought aboard the train, and the best way to do that would be to go to their worlds and set up a recruitment station and ask for volunteers. And give them all the information about the train and its missions, so everybody knows what they're getting themselves into."

Edited 2021-12-20 06:45 (UTC)

"Opinions and belief understood. Possibly. So, the voidcraft - the train, as you call it. You have high regards for it. Would you agree that your belief is that it is guiding and protecting everyone, attempting to give to them a chance for a better life, a way of helping others? That those brought on the train not suited to its own mission are sent back, and that it is unfortunate when this happens. It is the train's choice who comes and leaves. The train brings no intentional harm. Also with this belief, this theory, is that those that wish to leave should disengage with the activities that the train provides?"

"I do have a high regard for the Voidtrecker Express. I don't know what it is thinking, but I'd guess that that is right -- it tries to guide and protect its passengers, tries to give them a chance for a life of helping others. I do think it's unfortunate when a passenger just isn't suited to train life, and that person gets sent home, or wherever they came from. They may be happy about departing, but they are sometimes missed by those who stay. I do believe the train chooses who stays and who goes. I wonder if the train is aware of our emotions, as that would explain why it chooses to send some people away? I think that is likely. And if a person wants to leave, I don't know for sure if it would help if they disengage with the missions and other activities. Maybe it would, since as I have said, I believe the train takes that into account."

Edited 2021-12-20 11:44 (UTC)

"Voidcrafts are usually aware to an extent of one's emotions, but how to respond to those emotions can be difficult," Ten-Nank explains. "All crafts vary, depending on what has been programmed into their engines. But if The Voidtrecker Express has the standard settings, the tethers create a link to the individuals. But I would not conclude anything about the voidcraft without a better understanding of it."

There is too little data for definite facts.

"How does your view work with those who don't wish to be on the train? There are those who I have spoken to who have concerns about their worlds. They have been on the craft for quite some time, and said they have attempted communications with the train. Have all of those you have known personally to have become, as you say, disengaged with the craft, and wished to return home? Did none of them want to stay?"

Curufin nods. "I suspected as much, with respect to the Voidtrecker Express's awareness of our emotions. You think it's the tethers that give it that awareness? I understand little of how the train functions, and I suppose that maybe someday I'll know more."

Too little data, that's true!

"As for those who don't want to be on the train, there are several possible reasons for that. Some of these passengers feel they are needed in their own worlds, and it grieves them to be absent when they are needed. Others miss the people whom they left behind and they want to return to them. Some feel that they do not have the skills or abilities to participate fully in train life, especially the missions. Some don't have the social skills to fully participate. But I can't account for everyone. My parents, Fëanor and Nerdanel, both left, but they had not become disengaged, they were still engaged with train life. I believe they wanted to return home, however. I can't think of anyone who really wanted to stay but ended up leaving."

"So anyone who truly wants to leave will leave, in your opinion."

They allow a moment for Curufin to answer that, before offering themselves:

"If there's another means for the voidcraft to understand emotions, well - it would be unusual that it wouldn't be through the tethers. It's a by-product of the tethers, a link of yourself to the vessel that supports you in the void. It can be altered so that the voidcraft reads, understands the emotions differently from how they should. For example: translating fear and distress as positives, which are usually not seen so. Under certain conditions, that is."

"That's what I believe, yes. Anyone who really wants to leave the train will do so, eventually. Sometimes it takes a little while."

He listens to what the Ministry official is saying. "All right, then the train's understanding of the passengers' emotions probably is through the tethers. What conditions would cause the train to understand those emotions differently than how they should be understood? I don't think that has ever happened on the Voidtrecker Express, so far as I know."

One other thing. "The train did communicate with us just recently. It posted on the network to apologize for its lack of communication and for the events of the Void storm. It gave us a chance to ask whatever questions we had, and it really did answer them. I was pleased."

Edited 2021-12-22 17:34 (UTC)

"Manual adjusting," Ten-Nank explains. Starts to anyway, but there's a pause, then a sigh. "I'm not a voidcraft technician, but if you know what to do, you can go in there and make it so it interprets emotions differently than it should. Interpretation; this is what most forms of communication come down to. Some crafts have a stronger or weaker ability to comprehend, read emotions. For their own safety, as well as those on board."

But as Curufin talks about the craft's recent actions, Ten-Nank is quiet for a second. "Did it give reason for communicating with you now? Also, I do plan to answer you, why we're concerned that the craft isn't registered. Since you asked. If you still want an answer."

"As for the emotional interpretation, I don't know who or what entity would perform such manual adjusting on the Voidtrecker Express. It sounds like sabotage, to me. I don't think the train needs any such adjusting."

He waits while Ten-Nank is silent for that moment. "The train didn't really give us a specific reason for communicating with us now. I didn't feel I needed a reason, though. It was enough that the train had listened to those of us who asked for such communications. And as my question about the Voidtrecker Express being unregistered and why that mattered to the Ministry, I do still want an answer, if you're willing to give one."

"I'm simply explaining what can be done to a craft's ability to understand the tethers connected to it. What's been done before, if anything, cannot be said."

Only, that these capabilities exist.

"But the craft being unregistered matters to us as part of the requirements to using the void. Legal licences, being licensed: these are signs that a void vessel is up to the necessary standards to be travelling. But it is, really, the least of our concerns to do with the craft."

"True, we don't know for sure."

He nods. "The Ministry takes on the responsibility of making sure the Voidcraft live up to certain standards. But you say that not being licensed is the least of your worries? What are your other worries? You did say that collecting passengers without permission or training was one. Are there other concerns?"

"Well, a licence ID is the least of the worries. The file work, paper work. But everything that concerns tethering, the snatching of individuals from void inactive systems - there are issues with this. If your system is void inactive, there can be many reasons why beyond your level of technology, but I'll focus on the process of tethering individuals."

For a simpler time.

"Without a secure tether, without a means to protect the individual from their starting point, there can be issues. Bodies can perish if not in a secure location. Individuals can lose the connections to their bodies and their selves that remain in the void, and become what is known as a Void Spirit Echo. They can also suffer side effects once they do disengage from their tether. Individuals might not experience any symptoms on this side of the tether." Ten-Nank holds up a hand, palm open and flat.

"But that means nothing of what is happening back where their body is. Was. If you've already perished to the point where you have no anchor to existence anymore, well - there's little reason to care. But there can even be side effects in connecting the void to certain systems."

A pause. "Simply put, the void doesn't need a craft that traffics bodies to take on missions that causes harm, no matter its intent. It is a danger. Doing missions doesn't negate its crimes, the harm it causes."

"Wait a minute, what do you mean when you say, Bodies can perish if not in a secure location? Do you mean that tethered individuals are separated from their bodies?" His voice is incredulous.

Edited 2021-12-23 22:44 (UTC)

"Separated? Hm. How do I explain. An individual's body - their person, their form, is still present in the place that the tether is made. They are also present, made present in the void. So," Ten-Nank continues to explain, "if anything were to happen to their body - whatever shape or form it takes, some are not very solid - because it was tethered in an unadvisable location, what would happen to it, would happen to it. Such as death. Mutilation. So forth."

"I don't understand. A tethered person's body is present in the place the tether was made -- does that mean the world they were collected from? But the individual is somehow present in the Void, so do you mean there is a copy of the person on the Voidcraft? What does this copy consist of? Is it a second body, or is it merely an image of some sort?"

Curufin shakes his head in confusion. "What do you mean by an inadvisable location? I don't see how it would be possible to guarantee the safety of that body if it is in another universe."

"It is," Ten-Nank replies, answering the last point first. "Please remember that snatching individuals isn't commonplace to void travel. There are tethering stations, regulations. There is research, as some would point out. Machines. Buildings, places to home the body, the being. Ways to monitor them. Ways to safely break the tether, to recall individuals if there is danger in the void. But if a tether is somehow made without these pre-cautions - I have reports already from a few that they were taken from war. Where were a person the moment before they were tethered? Planets have many dangers. They are still exposed to those dangers. Your volunteered Void Warriors would be leaving their bodies behind to their planet. Which, I suppose doesn't matter to everyone. As long as you don't mind being bound to a craft."

They gesture now, a hand towards Curufin.

"This is you. It represents you as you know you: your essence, soul, spirit, life. Whatever word you use. Those things. It is everything you know yourself to be, including functions."

The Waking of Neran

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