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

"Not scientific per se." Senku commented as he continued to glance out at the scenery. "I'd like to touch base with Anan again, ask her more questions."

She might be sick of those, but he didn't actually care about that. "See what she thinks about the train's offer of information, although it hasn't actually provided any..." He pressed his lips together. "And ask her maybe why the train would be restricted in access to information we could want."

"Anan is one of my favorite people," said Curufin, with a smile.

"Actually, I think the train did provide us with some information, though probably not as much as we would have liked. Do you think the train might be restricted in access to information simply for the reason that it's an unregistered Void vessel?"

"Glad you caught that too." Senku snickered a little bit. "It did happen to tell some things, without spelling it out. I don't know what the restriction is, but I might ask Anan if she heard of such a thing." He commented.

"Could be any reason, really." He considered that for a moment or two. "Either way, it seems like we're finally getting some information, regardless if you trust the source or not. I have no reason not to trust Anan, I have many reasons not to trust the train."

Curufin laughed softly when Senku snickered. "Maybe the train will have other information sessions, and we'll be able to get more detail. And I suppose Anan would know if there is some particular restriction. She's pretty knowledgeable. And I do trust her."

He nodded. "I don't think the train would lie to us. I do trust the source in that sense. But maybe you feel differently?"

"Anan told me the train can't lie, so I have to operate under the assumption that as far as the train knows, it is telling the truth." Senku explained.

"However, that truth might be corrupted by the motivation of the train. The train has a vested interest in keeping us on board and is likely lying by omission." He hummed a little bit. "Whatever the train was programmed to accept as truth, is the truth to the train. Objectively however, it's hard to say. I don't have enough data points. The train not understanding the concept of consent, or human comfort are some tells that either there are errors, or the programming either from a technician of some sort or a deviation from artifical intelligence doesn't line up with what I would consider to be true."

He crossed his arms. "Although, credit where it's due, I understand the tether much better now. It leads to many more questions. Also, if the train is so rigid, how can it operate in what is objectively the wrong thing to do? The train knows what it's doing is illegal. The way computer programs work, it shouldn't be able to do that."

"I've never felt the train wasn't telling us the truth," Curufin answered.

"It's true the train has a stake in our presence as passengers and Void Warriors. So, maybe it might simply leave out inconvenient truths. I don't really understand this concept of the train being programmed. I've always felt it made its own decisions. But it's true that it's a mystery that the train doesn't consider consent to be an issue."

He smiles at Senku. "What did the train tell you about the tether? And also, it certainly does know that the Ministry of Void Travel considers it to be a rogue vessel, and I'm sure it knows why. Maybe its brain isn't entirely controlled by computer programs. Maybe it has autonomy."

"Let me see if I can explain it." Senku said, pausing to think about it. "It likely was created through computer programming, at some point. The void trains are all designed to do a specific job, aren't they? They're likely given a personality that's palatable to the passengers on board, and certain parametres to work within. There's also likely room for growth and learning which is a hallmark of artificial intelligence. What the people on board put into the train's knowledge base, helps it grow and adapt. Fundamentally, that's how they're created, I think."

"However, through learning and change this train is behaving in a deviant way. This is not a positive or negative term, it's merely operating outside of its original purpose and programming, hence the sentience and decisions. I very much suspect that lies of omission are a side effect of that. The train has its own agenda. I'm not clear if that's normal or not. I suspect not, because it's broken several laws. It is an entity and I don't mean the programming it originated from to be a bad thing, or anything, but I think it's not behaving the way it's supposed to be."

He seemed to think things over for a moment, but that was typical of Senku. "I'm not clear as to what the issue surrounding consent is with the train, but considering how much is regulated for us, it's either a blind spot in programming, or the train is wilfully ignoring it. It's fascinating regardless."

"That we are on a three point tether, like Anan explained to me, only the non-travelling self portion is not somewhere safe and protected, it's wherever we were left. The world we came from. Not sure what will happen if that self is harmed." Senku mused.

"I'm not suggesting it doesn't have some level of autonomy. I think it might, actually, which is all the more vexing, and makes what it's doing far more malicious than it would be otherwise."

Curufin listens.

"If the train was created through computer programming, I wonder where and when, and how? There is so much we don't know."

He laughs a little. "I can't blame it for behaving in a deviant manner. Who likes being controlled?"

"I agree, the train's behavior with the issue of consent is fascinating."

"And as for that three-point tether, I'm a little dubious about that. I'm sure Anan believes it. But what about people who weren't collected from their original world? I surely was not! Where do they fit into this theory?"

"I do absolutely believe the train has autonomy. But I don't believe it is malicious. I'm not sure it really understands what it is like for the passengers who want to return to their own worlds or wherever they came from."

"Presumably that was done on whatever world the train originates from, but that's just a hypothesis on my part. A lot of this is, but as puzzle pieces slide into place, I haven't been able to discount it yet." Senku responded. "And I understand the desire not to be controlled very well." He smirked. "And yet, the train has such a blind spot to our own desires of the same."

Senku did not know what the problem was there, but it was interesting. He would like to talk to the train more, but the lack of responses was irritating to no end.

"The train confirmed that." Senku said. "It said that the non-travelling self was left where the train picked us up. For someone like you, or Tidus, I don't know how that works." He shook his head. "I only thought of that after reflection. I might submit another question to the suggestion box and see if it can be added to mine before we get a response - if we get a response. Meaning that while many people might not have caretakers, I likely do, but I'm not sure that's a good thing. I've been gone very long at this point."

He was likely worrying people, aside from the effect it was having on progress. A lot, he would bet. They didn't have time for that. "I don't know about that. The train has had many people yell at it and express their frustration and I've explained at length how consent works and why I think it should be applied to the situation, and how kidnapping people is wrong, and the train has not acknowledged that. Its offer is of information, in the hopes to placate, not a true partnership. It still skirted around issues. If it truly has autonomy, it likely has the capability to be malicious. Regardless of what we think, it defintely requires us to remain captive to it."

"I wonder about that world the train originates from. In the many discussions we passengers have had, there was a suggestion that the train's world was devoured by those world-eating shadow beings. I don't know where the information came from, or even if it's true. But if it is, the train is an orphan and must find its own goals and engineer its own survival. And as for the desire not to be controlled. . . as I said, I can understand it. I was thinking that in its rush to make its own destiny, it may have forgotten that those who help it have desires as well."

He shook his head dubiously. "The non-traveling self is left where the train picks us up? I doubt this. I was picked up while traveling in spirit form in the Void, and I seriously doubt that I am still there. And even if I had been picked up from my own world or one of the worlds I lived in later on, I wouldn't have a caretaker. I'd probably be dead by now."

"And as for the train being malicious, I don't believe that at all. I think its method of acquiring Void Warriors is pragmatic, not hostile."

"I suspect the time on the train is based on the world the train originates from, so it has or had a 27 hour day." Senku hummed. "But again, that's just a hypothesis, because that time had to be set somewhere, according to Anan."

He shook his head a little bit. "I hadn't heard that one, so I don't know about that. It's possible that world is gone. It's mostly an interesting disconnect, but I'm not well versed in psychology. That's more Gen's thing."

"In a normal setting, you'd be held in a facility somewhere with caretakers, from what Anan said." Senku had had a long conversation with her several missions ago. "And the train confirms we're on a three point tether. So either the train believes we're split and part of us is where we were...or it's objectively true. We don't yet know." He was open to any answer really. He huffed lightly. "I think I'd be okay, but I'm not sure. My world's not exactly safe, depending on where I was..." He waved his hand.

A lot of things could happen to him before he was found.

"Could be, but if it understands everything we tell it, its intent may have been good, but along the way it's decided we're not worth listening to, or it doesn't care what we think. Malicious might not be the right word, but..." He didn't look like he was bothered by Curufin disagreeing with him. He welcomed that. Discussion might lead to new ideas, they couldn't all agree all the time.

"That said, I'm still not okay with the state of things. I realize I'm not nearly in the majority on this one and that some people don't want to go home and I want them to do what they want. But..."

"If the train's world is gone, then it would be an interesting psychological issue. It would be interesting to hear what Gen has to say about that."

He grimaces. "I hate that idea of the original body being emptied of its soul and kept in storage, not even if it was a Void institution with lots of caretakers. But I can't imagine that anybody on the train would be safe, if it's true about the three-point tether. They've all come from different places, with no signed agreement about what happens to their bodies. You might be lucky, having come directly from your own world, and there might be someone who would take care of that body."

He wasn't bothered, either, in the event that they didn't agree. He liked discussions to which people brought different ideas.

"I'm not sure how many people want to go home and how many want to stay on the train and go on missions. But I can see why you're not okay with the state of things. What would you want to see happen?"

Edited 2021-12-29 21:05 (UTC)

"You should ask him, he enjoys the opportunity to talk psychology." Almost as much as he enjoyed his pursuits, but mostly Gen used it to bug him.

He shook his head. "There's no guarantee. I can't recall the exact moment I was taken. If I wasn't in the village proper, there's no likelihood I was safe any more than anyone else. I had a decent chance of being found at least, but it makes me more concerned about my world. I asked the train about what Anan told me and it confirmed a three point tether. That's why we can't go refresh it...that and I think there are people that would leave."

Senku sighed a little bit and tilted his head as he glanced at Curufin. "Ideally? I just want people to have the choice whether or not they want to be here. Having to make that choice...I don't envy anyone. I have to leave, unfortunately. My world didn't rate a void train rescue. There are billions of people counting on me to be there, to save them from whoever it was that attacked us." Senku sighed a little bit.

"That said...once I'm finished saving the world and ending what is likely an eternal prison looming over humanity...I'll need a new project." He quirked a smile. "How hard could it be to get my world void-active?"

"Next time I talk with Gen, I'll ask him, then."

He nodded. "I had hoped that the three-point tether was only a theory and not a reality. I still hope that."

He met that glance with a smile. "I agree with you on that one. I want people to have a choice as to whether to stay on the train or go. But with this new information about the tethers, I don't know if anyone is going to want to risk severing the tether and maybe experiencing unforeseen consequences. I'll miss these conversations with you, Senku, if you choose to leave. But I'll wish you well in your efforts to save your world."

He chuckled. "That sounds like an interesting project, getting your world Void-active. I wonder how that could be done?"

"Anan told me about it originally, and the train confirmed my questions, at least it believes so. If it's different then that, then we need a source." Senku responded. "For the moment we have to operate as though that's the fact we have."

How that helped him...he didn't know yet.

"Severing the tether in a controlled environment is supposed to be safe, and I don't know how it's done anyway." He said, with a little shrug. "It was outside of Anan's knowledge."

He chuckled softly at that. "Yeah. I appreciate a good discussion, and you never disappoint." There were people who might find that kind of conversation tiresome, but Senku would actively seek it out if he could.

"No idea." He chuckled. "That hasn't ever stopped me though."

"As I said, I'm hoping that the three-point tether theory is not fact. I don't know where we'd find a source of information if reality really different than the theory."

Where, oh where???

"Anan is intelligent, but she doesn't know everything or claim to know everything about the Void, Voidcraft, or tethering. Severing the tether in a controlled environment that must be controlled by the Ministry? We certainly don't have one on the train. According to that theory, everybody who has left the train was in danger."

He grins. "I'm glad you appreciate my style of discussion. I certainly appreciate yours. And as for your world becoming Void-active, I wonder if making it a registered world with the Ministry would be a good start?"

"Nothing wrong with challenging information, that's what science is all about, but don't forget to keep your mind open to it being the truth as well." Whatever that would mean, more information was needed required.

"I think we'd have to return to where our bodies are to sever the tether safely, from what I gathered, but you're right. Anan doesn't know everything. All the more reason to seek out as many sources as possible."

Senku snickered at that. "Yeah, well I always appreciate a good debate at least. Agree or not. I usually learn something." He wasn't convinced on absolute truth in regards to the void anyway, he could only work within the information he had.

"I don't know, if I ever get a chance to find a Ministry branch, I could try that."

"I'll do my best to keep my mind open to the tethering theory being the truth. Little as I like it."

He laughed softly. "That would take a lot of time, visiting every world the train collected a person from, and severing their tethers in those places. I wish we had more sources than just the train, Anan, and the Ministry."

He added, "I, too, like a good debate. That's always an opportunity to learn something new."

He nodded. "I wonder if there's a Ministry branch anywhere near your world? But you could always ask some Ministry official here on Neran. I hear there is at least one here."

"Wouldn't that be nice? I'd love proper research material I didn't have to beg for." Senku quipped a little bit.

"I'll be sure to ask the official that, because I'd like to know more. I enjoy long term projects after all."

Curufin chuckled. "I'll bet you do. And you'd have such a wonderful opportunity to do that research."

He nodded. "Yes, ask the Ministry official. He'll be able to tell you where the branches are, I would think. What will you do if it turns out there is a branch near your world?"

Edited 2022-02-15 10:26 (UTC)

"Find it, of course. It would be fascinating to be able to travel the void under some semblance of control, don't you think? I enjoy exploring and seeing new things, new places..." Senku sighed a little bit.

"Responsabilities first, I'm afraid. Can't pull that stuff off, I'm not sixteen anymore."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Waking of Neran

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