middleofsomewhere | The Waking of Neran

"Good morning Voidtreckers and passengers. Today is day twenty one of the month of Orchestra. We will be arriving in System #78961112094711 later today and the dressing carriage is open for your use."

It is indeed, with thick winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves in all sizes. There are also some bags suitable for carrying food, for anyone who wants to add to the festival food with more food!

They have the morning to prepare before another announcement.

"Shortly arriving in System #78961112094711. The weather is extremely cold, voidtreckers and passengers should wrap up warm and wear their SCA's at all times. Arriving in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."
The train shakes as they leave the void and they will see dark skies with glowing flecks of light falling down around them. It's only a glimpse before there is rock to both sides as they enter the landing area.

The Waking of Neran

... ARRIVAL TO OSIGA

THE VOIDTRECKER EXPRESS PULLS INTO AN OPEN HIGH-STACKED PARKING STATION, FILLED ALREADY BY A VARIETY OF VEHICLES. Darkness and the cold spills into where they pull in, lights and signs around to guide the Voidtreckers who exit the craft where they need to go, elevator and teleporting systems available to choose from.

For those turn their gaze to where the cold comes, they will see a view of the world: a landscape of mountains lit in burning bright blue. Like Christmas and city lights, they can be seen in the far distance, and the sky too glows with a shimmering, falling blue. It looks like a slow rain, while farther up, the twinkling of actual stars can be glimpsed.

This will be their view of the world for three Osiga days - 210 hours, give or take.

The lower floor widens into a train-like station, shuttles ready to take them into Osiga proper in short five minute rides. They just need to figure out they need to scan their SCAs at the turnstiles, which will beep with approval, and send a map to their SCA of the grotto.

With a handy dot to their hotel.

... THE IRUE GROTTO

HOTEL. THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOTEL IS STONY, A WALL OF UNEVEN ROCK WITH SLITS FOR WINDOWS CLIMBING UPWARD. It gives off a sparse, cold impression, but the interior is anything but. Inside the floors are smoother, a carpet in the middle of a lobby, and the walls are decorated with colourful paints and endless rugs and furs. There's seating, a roaring fire in one corner, and lighting set to a cosy mood.

There's stairs that can be taken, but also elevators. The bedrooms are much the same as the lobby, with paints and furs all around - the furs especially covering the beds, along with hand stitched quilts. In the centre is a fire pit, set with heatstones than wood or coal, and extras in a container by a wall with safety instructions of how to move them (with tongs and gloves).

Outside the rest of the grotto can be seen, a mish-mash of layers closer to a labyrinth. There's curtains for privacy, and also a screen to help blot out the sound.

FOOD & SIGHTS.

NOW, THE IRUE GROTTO CAN BE EXPLORED. The grotto is easy to get lost in, with stone stairs and archways doubling as bridges to lead to different levels, but always with something to see. Museums and art galleries fill most of the lower layers down, a few shops between of traditional trinkets and garments for those who come out interested in taking a piece of Osiga back with them. There are also day classes, with candle-making a big one on the first night.

Water runs through constructed streams, small but always in travel. They fall off into small waterfalls, eventually gathering into pools that always ensure drink is around. But there's also drinking spaces around, wall coves where servers mind the drinks, and people gather around on crouched seating. Privacy isn't a big deal in Osiga; visitors welcomed into conversation freely. The drinks favour the strong, spicy and sweet. Their traditional drinks are a fiery whisky and a sweet creamy milk drink flavoured by spices that taste very much like cinnamon and nutmeg. It is strongly alcoholic though there is a non alcoholic version as well. There are other drinks available of course from other planets but visitors are encouraged in a good natured way to try the good stuff.

And let's not forget the food. Most traditional Osigian dishes are spicy yet sweet, fatty, and largely meat. There are also food baskets all over, filled with wrapped snacks free for taking, or to add your own. Never let your neighbour go hungry. What will you find, dipping your hand in: a treat, or a mistake?

SORS PARKS, OPEN SKIES. THE FARTHER FROM THE HOTELS AND STATION VISITORS GO, THE MORE THE SKY BECOMES VISIBLE, AND WITH IT THE FALLING SNOW. Except this isn't snow, and those who venture out will figure this soon enough. There are sors parks up ahead, hard to miss for how they glow a brilliant blue, tall erratic sculptures shaped like an abstract mess. They're cold, even colder than the rest of the grotto, and near every entrance are wooden racks with coats and scarfs hanging from pegs, a bucket of heatstones to stick in pockets.

Keeping company is better than not. Anyone who goes in alone will find the chill uncomfortable to those who have someone else nearby, SCAs working stronger together. Paths somehow stay free from being covered in the icy mess, and every few yards are grit bins with small bags to put the contents in, instructions as to what to do.

And that's to throw them at the sculptures, into the air, and watch as the hardened ice disperses into a fizzle of lights. The sight is considered beautiful, and especially fun for kids and couples.

... ANAN & THE MINISTRY

It's maybe an hour or so after their arrival when a message comes through the comms on their SCA's.

boop beep boop beep / boop boop boop/ boop boop/ beep//
beep beep / boop beep//
beep beep beep boop/ boop boop boop/ beep beep/ boop beep beep / boop / beep boop beep/ beep/ boop beep boop beep/ boop beep boop/ beep/ beep boop beep/ beep beep beep//

"It didn't close the hack. I think your Voidtrecker Express likes me." Anan sounds almost triumphant. "Glad you all came. I'm at the drinking space next to the Irue Museam of Osigan Art."

For those that wish to go and meet her, they can.

... THE WAKING OF NERAN

NIGHT ONE: REMEMBERING. It's hard to tell when 'night' begins when the world is in darkness and there are more hours in the day then they are perhaps used to. But things begin to wind down a little, the art houses and museums close and the day activities are wrapped up.

People begin making their way to the main streets where the parade will go. Some people may have made candles throughout the day but there are also long candles for sale and 'fire' bearers carrying large torches to light the candles. The main lights are all turned off, plunging the streets into darkness lit only by the candles and the faint distant glow of sors.

The parade itself has large lit floats, literally floating above the ground, the lights are in intricate shapes. There are light dancers- people dressed completely in black to blend in to the night, with ribbons of light doing feats of acrobatics to music- instruments and volcaless voices weaving melodies.

After the parade passes by people move to the streams, where their floating candles that can be lit and sent on their way. There are designated areas for the tall candles to be placed- almost shrine like with areas to pray or think or sing- the helpful guides will assist anyone and are very open to the different ways people from various worlds and cultures may wish to remember their dead.

Afterwards people are encouraged to drink, eat, spend time with the living and swap stories of the dead. Dance and sing. It is upbeat, joyous and the tears are meant to be cathartic.

NIGHT TWO: PERSEVERING. After another day of activities- or resting and recovering from the excess of the night before the grotto again is ready in anticipation. The side of the grotto open to the sky is packed with people, ledges and railings packed with people. Even the buildings on this side of the grotto have opened their doors to allow people up on their roofs to watch the firework display.

Sparklers are sold, as are snacks and drinks and a voice comes through speakers throughout the space.

"NERAN! On this night you fight!" The crowd cheers. "Hear our dedication, return to us! For tonight is a night of COURAGE!"

The crowd cheers again and the fireworks begin. Loud and colourful, beautiful shapes, almost like dances in the sky. It's loud and it's busy but the atmosphere is great, throughout the night within the crowd there are marriage proposals, declarations of new jobs, decisions to travel the void. Bravery and courage abound- helped probably by the strong whisky that is flowing freely.

NIGHT THREE: UNITY. The festival continues, though it's a slightly later start on day three for many who are nursing hangovers, having a well earned sleep in preparation for the final night or just frantically trying to remember what declarations they had made the night before.

But the activities are still happening throughout the grotto- though the guides might advise any obvious voidtravellers that they may wish to nap before 'night' time, especially if they are not used to day/night cycles this long. The final night doesn't stop til sunrise after all and no one wants to miss the sun rising!

As the time comes for the party to start every square and every street is packed, music blares through speakers. Traditional Osigan music mixed with styles and music from other planets in the galexy. The traditional Osigan music has many layers, deep bass instruments that seem to make the ground itself rumble.

There is dancing, led by guides and locals. They are big circle dances, loud energetic and done in unity. There are callers who keep everyone in time and remind them of the steps but it is mostly an exercise in organised chaos.

But very fun organised chaos. There's extra chairs and benches set around for people who would rather watch or need a break from the endless swirl of dancers. There's plenty of water in large barrels for people to help themselves and other drinks are available to buy.

The party goes on for hours but eventually the music stops and there is an announcement that they have an hour left until sunrise. People begin moving out to find the best spots to watch. Up high on the cliffs people spread out rugs and blankets and settle, waiting.

The atmosphere is one of anticipation, people passing around drinks and snacks. Then there is a hush, a cry as for the first time in a month the first ray of light streaks across the sky.

Neran has awoken. The sun has returned once more.

OOC NOTES

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yes. It is natural I think, to be concerned about your own world." She shook her head.

"It is honourable of you, to fight for those worlds, when none of this was your choice."

Sadly, Thanatos is used to not having a choice, though he knows well enough to not say that to Anan. She doesn't need to be burdened with his situation and insecurities.

"What have you been up to since we last cross paths? Did you and Chiff return to your normal line of work?"

"Not exactly." She shrugged. "We had to report on what happened and as expected, answer a lot of questions. Sealing a world from the void is not something to do lightly, we might have bent a few rules but we couldn't allow that entity to get away and an empty world was our best chance..."

She frowned. "So we've been mired in paperwork since then."

"... They were sealed away?" Thanatos's voice falls low. He hadn't been too aware of what was going on after the false Diagad. Maybe someone had told him this. Maybe no one had. Maybe the words used didn't register to Thanatos that the entity had been sealed in an empty world.

"Are they still there? Alone and locked up?"

It's official. Thanatos hates nearly everything about that mission.

"Yes..." She looks at him, her eyes intense as his voice fell. "Were you still locked in the illusion by the end?"

She had explained, as best as she could in the time she had. "They are still sealed yes, to prevent them moving to another system."

It wasn't the best solution, but she didn't have a better one.

"No, I wasn't, but I wasn't exactly myself either," Thanatos admits. Mort gives a sympathetic squeak, remembering how disassociated Thanatos had become.

"Something the entity experienced and shared with us was... It was something like what I've felt before and will likely feel again upon my return home." A world suffering as large swaths of its population fall to destruction. "That doesn't excuse what they did, but I have to wonder if there wasn't something we could have done for them."

"I understand." She nodded, "I wish there was as well... it seemed to calm at the end, Jin-Roh said from the readings he was getting. I am not sure what your crew did but they did... something." Anan had been a little busy leading a mass evacuation of those snatched from their proper place.

"There's many what ifs... If we had figured it out faster, if we had managed to get through to them before they were that far gone..." It seems almost impossible, after all the entity had caused so much destruction.

"From what your crew has told me... What the entity suffered on their homeworld was similar to visions they have had of the fate of your own voidcrafts world of origin."

"Yes, though I have to take their word for the vision on what happened to the Voidcraft's origin world. I wasn't part of the crew then." Sometimes Thanatos still feels "new" despite having been on the train for almost six months. It's a strange feeling he can't quite understand.

"Have there been a lot of worlds that have been destroyed like that?"

Six months was still a long time, to be away when the choice was not his. She frowned at the question. "Data is hard to come by. I was looking into, chasing rumours of worlds that vanished as well as worlds that could be touched by the chaos entity."

Before she had been pulled in for questioning and entered this paperwork hell she still was mired in.

"What I found was... Worlds have disappeared. There's a million rumours. I fear this problem is larger than we fear."

Hell is indeed filled with parchmentwork. Death is not an escape from that. Death has to do a lot of that. As do some of the dead.

Mort nuzzles against the edge of his jaw. Thanatos reaches up to scritch the top of the little mouse's head. "Do the rumors suggest the same entity or multiple? Any sort of pattern?"

"It's not the entity... If by that you mean the chaos entity. But it might be those shapes." She frowned. "I'm unsure, there are no witnesses. The only reason we know of the shapes is from what the chaos entity showed us, and your voidcraft."

It's difficult, that much is certain.

No witnesses but rumors and visions. That really isn't a lot to go on.

"Might as well be trying to listen to the voices in the Void at this rate." If only they made more sense, but they were like the voices at the furthest, deepest edges of the Underworld which bled into the infinite realm of Chaos. Heard but unintelligible.

"Let's not do that." She shook her head. She had no wish to listen to the Void.

"Once I am free from this paperwork prison I plan to investigate more. I will keep you up to date with what I learn."

Thanatos spends a lot of time in the quiet carriage because it's the closest he has to something the Underworld, and he shifts between places on the train. Not much opportunity to hear it unless he does so on purpose. No matter how vaguely familiar the Void seems to Thanatos, he avoids it more than others are able to.

"Thank you. Let us know if there is anything we can do from our end."

"Of course. I'll keep you updated and let you know if there's anything we can do."

She hopes to find something they can do. Anything. Rather than chasing whispers across the void.

The Waking of Neran

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