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

"Future husband," he repeats, as if savoring the taste of the words. "We're going to be a-- family." He isn't expecting the wave of emotion that slams into him as he says that word, powerful enough to make him stumble on it.

Abruptly, he hunches into Koumyou, hiding his face in the fur ruff of the hood of his cloak and holding him that much tighter as a sob catches him off-guard.

Koumyou shifts his own hold on Devero's waist to up on his back, palms pressed in. "We already are family, Devero."

He laughs wetly into Koumyou's neck and lifts his head, dragging the sleeve of his coat across his streaming eyes. "I know," he says thickly. "But now everyone else will know too."

Actually, speaking of that-- Devero seizes Koumyou's left hand and turns out into the night. He lifts their clasped hands into the air (and moves his free hand in a few little gestures as he does), and then bellows, "HE SAID YES!" out into the sparkling night.

A wave of shouting and cheers from the folks close enough to hear, the ones watching from their roofs and balconies, greets his proclamation.

Koumyou's delighted laugh is very nearly drowned out by another volley of fireworks.

"No one's going to know what you're talking about, surely!"

Like the trajectory of their relationship has been anything but obvious to all observers.

"I don't care!" he proclaims happily. "We can explain if we need to!" But somehow he suspects that, at least to the people who matter the most to them on the train, he won't need to explain what he means by his broadcast.

Devero's ecstatic happiness is contagious, and Koumyou actually takes his hand back--

To scoop Devero up and do a spin!

Edited 2021-12-18 21:04 (UTC)

It's Devero's turn to laugh delightedly, his stomach taking that addictive vertiginous tumble it always does when Koumyou shows off his strength. Once his feet are on the ground again he crushes his boyfriend-- fiance-- close with a fierce hug. Bending his head, he presses his lips to Koumyou's forehead, just above the chakra. "I'm the luckiest man in the multiverse," he murmurs there, barely audible.

Of course, the priest immediately had to fight back the urge to argue.

"I'm glad that's how you feel," Koumyou says after a moment, and then tips his head up to kiss the edge of Devero's jaw.

"...So what are we now, then? I've never paid much attention to these customs."

Devero picks up on that moment of... hesitance, from Koumyou, but as the priest has decided not to pursue, so too does Devero. This is a night for joy and celebration.

His eyes close in pleasure when Koumyou kisses him, but he opens them again to look down at the priest. "Fiancés," he says warmly. "We're fiancés now!"

"So... I'm your fiancés, and you're my fiancés?"

...He... might be fucking with Devero, this time. Got that little gleam in his eye.

Edited 2021-12-19 07:27 (UTC)

Devero squints down at him, lips pursed as he tries to determine-- well, if he's being fucked with. "If you want fiancés, babe," he says drily, stressing the plural, "you're going to have to hitch up your britches and pop the question to Yondu."

Okay, that gets Koumyou to burst into laughter. Busted!

"I don't think we have that kind of relationship, Dev-chan!"

Devero puts his finger to his chin in very intense concentration, as if he needs to seriously evaluate the validity of the statement, then shrugs equivocally. "I guess you'll have to settle for having just one fiancé," he says blandly.

Koumyou does the same gesture in return.

"...I think I can handle that."

"That's all I need," Devero says softly. He steps in and hooks his arm around Koumyou's waist and looks over his shoulder.

"Want to go back under the alien kotatsu?" he asks. The fireworks are still mostly visible from the bench; Devero had just wanted them on their feet so he could kneel.

"In a moment," Koumyou tells him, and turns away just enough to face out over the rail again, without necessarily dislodging Devero's arm around his waist. He holds his hands up around his mouth, leans over the rail and bellows into the night, "NERAN!"

People in earshot seem pleased at the call, joining in, and Koumyou straightens with a smile, letting his hands drop. He turns his head to look over and up at Devero, "Just like I am the moon, my son is the sun. How can I not cheer him on?"

Devero beams at him, calling the name out as well as the residents turn it into a chant. They continue, voices rising and falling, but Devero doesn't join them any further.

He tilts his head as he gazes down at his Sanzo, before turning them back to their cozy seat. "Is he?" he asks once they're resettled among the warm blanket. "I don't think you ever told me that."

"He is," Koumyou confirms, draping a blanket over both their shoulders again and settling in nice and close. "The burning, intense, bright sun that will beat down anything in its path, and illuminate all."

Devero considers this as he nestles in with Koumyou, dragging another blanket across their laps to complement the first.

"That sounds just like the man I met in Diagad," he says once they're settled. "A beam of unflinching solar radiation, that kid."

"Mmhm," Koumyou leans the side of his head against Devero's shoulder, and then lifts his left hand to look at the ring again, turning his hand this way and that with the fireworks lighting up the sky, gleaming off the smooth surface looped around his finger.

"Do you want an engagement ring too, Dev? I could pick something for you, or have the train get another like this one in your size..."

They should both have bling!

Devero gasps softly, as if the possibility of Koumyou getting him something to reciprocate their engagement hadn't even occurred to him. "Yes," he breathes without hesitation. "I would love that."

Koumyou know his big soft romantic man very well.

"I'll do that as soon as we're back aboard, then. Same, or should I surprise you?"

"Surprise me," Devero says with that dopey, romantic expression he gets on his big soft face so very often. "And then we can pick out the wedding bands together, if we decide we want them. How does that sound?"

"Perfect," Koumyou twists his neck to smile up at Devero without lifting his head off his shoulder.

Then he just settles in to watch the fireworks from their cozy, warm nest, wiggling his booted feet under the alien kotatsu. He might have just boosted the warmth of the stones a little, possibly without even realizing it.

"You know..." he says after a while, "I... feel like the weddings I've seen on the train have been kinda rushed, you know? Like, I don't doubt the feelings behind them at all, or the meaningfulness for the couples, and I would never judge someone else's choice on that! Especially on a train where our tethers are so unstable. But..."

Between Koumyou's unconscious magic and the heat that Devero's big furnace of a body puts off naturally, their little nest of blankets gets comfortable quickly. The air (and the sake) are both still cold, as are the snacks their host had left for them (not that that stops Devero from munching on the crispy, fatty treats), but Devero's so warm otherwise, he hardly notices.

And really, it's not just the blankets or the heatstones keeping him that warm.

He has, perhaps, had a couple more little porcelain cups of sake when Koumyou speaks again, which probably explains why he's, ah, very candid in response. "Agreed. Real informal, too. Can we maybe not do that? I mean, I don't want to wait too long, because of the tether thing, but I..."

He kind of trails off there, draining the last of his current cup of sake rather than finish his thought.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject