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

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Inigo glances back at the object they're standing in front of right now - as if he might be able to somehow instantly see what Xie Lian is talking about.

.. a few moments pass in silence. Not quite awkward silence, since Inigo is very busy thinking, but silence all the same, before Inigo speaks up again.

"So.. how do you see that history here?"

Because no matter how he looks at it, it does just look like a pot to him..

"Even if there's some story to it.. it's not like we can see it, right?"

"Someone can. The people who owned it, and passed it down to younger generations. And then those people passed it onto this place. They hold the stories. In some ways we might be able to guess what happened."

Xie Lian is probably still older then this vase but he can appreciate the passage of time that it has had to endure. "Each of these items has a little card that tells some of its history." He points to the little plague that is at the base of the item.

"A snippet of its life for all to see."

At least he isn't fully discarding the idea that there might be some real history in this thing. Inigo just longs for the concrete stories - so when Xie Lian points out the fact that there's a plaque, Inigo is quick to move over towards it, even squatting in front of it so he can sit there and reads it better.

He hums in attention.

"They say that this pot might have been damaged by an earthquake.. I guess that is pretty interesting. I wonder if those happen here very often. We didn't really have a lot of those in Ylisse, unless something really bad was happening."

"It might be a good idea to create a list of questions that we can ask someone from this world. These artifacts are clues towards what this world is like but the most helpful piece is the people who live here. But by looking at these things we will come up with questions that we might not otherwise ask."

And it is important to gather as much information as possible. No matter how small the piece of information might be.

".. hm?"

Inigo glances up from the plaque he was staring at, over towards Xie Lian. His eyes grow a little wider, like he's surprised.. or perhaps just slightly curious.

"Wouldn't it be weird to just randomly start asking people questions about this world? I mean.. it's not like we're on a mission."

"Even without a mission there is still things to learn. People might be happy to talk about their homes. They take pride in the place that they live and because they live here they don't usually get to talk about it."

And Xie Lian is a good listener. He has always been happy to engage with the mortals of his home world. He can't tell them about the Heavenly City or that he is a god but he can still be someone who listens to the tales they want to tell.

"Having a visitor listen to them might be something that makes them happy."

He seems to overthink this for a moment.

"Well, yeah, they might.." He won't deny that. There's probably people who would love to do that sort of thing. Maybe chatterboxes who usually don't have anyone to talk to, or people who are just really, really into the history of this place, or something..

.. but on the other hand.. "Wouldn't you just bother others though by asking?" If Inigo understood the concept of tourism, he might start talking about that here. But alas, that is beyond his little medieval brain. "Maybe they're just trying to go about their daily business, and then they get interrupted by someone they don't even know!"

"If someone is in a hurry then you know not to bother them. You have to be observant and notice which ones look like they would be willing to help." It is easy to tell whom is busy and whom is just waiting for a chance to talk.

He has been around plenty of older generations that are just excited to recall stories of their past. He is sure every world has people that are the same. Of course he is also part of an older generation but he doesn't exactly show it.

Xie Lian.. sure is a unique guy, Inigo slowly thinks.

It isn't the first time he's thought that, but this sort of settles it. Who can just tell by looking at a person whether they're open to talk about that or not? Sure, Inigo can recognize when people are in a rush, or look like they wouldn't want to be bothered, but he can imagine really cheery-looking people who'd still rather not be bothered..

He slowly releases a breath before shaking his head - though he's still smiling.

"You sure march to the beat of your own drum, huh?" What a unique guy.

"Ah...Do I?" He tilts his head as if he has to think about that a bit. He does seem to think about things very few others do. His outlook on life and how to spend it has always been different. Perhaps that is why his life has taken such a strange twisting kind of path. But he also has had eight hundred years to develop into the person he is now.

"Mm...I suppose I always have seen things a little bit differently."

See, that eight hunderd years thing certainly would do the trick. But since Inigo doesn't realise that might be - part of - the cause that's making Xie Lian seem a bit different from other people, he just figures he just has a slightly odd personality..

"Really? I guess it makes me feel a little better if I'm not the first person to point it out."

It's not like Inigo means to be rude with it, after all! It's just.. something about Xie Lian that stands out, that's all!

"There have been a few that have said similar things. You needn't worry. But I think I've just seen so much during my lifetime that I notice things that some people might miss."

Or think about things that others might not bother to spend the time on. But when someone has eternity they have to open up their mind to a lot in order to not grow too bored with what is around him.

"Was your life that exciting?"

Inigo's attention is now fully drawn away from the object they were looking at. After all, staring at that might have been interesting for another moment after reading the plaque, but it's certainly not something Inigo could stare at forever.

Especially not when there's something more potentially interesting here. Inigo knows that tons of people on the train have been leading lives that are so different and fascinating in ways - and judging by Xie Lian's personality, he's got to be one of them.

Hence the curiosity in that question - and the way it's reflected in his eyes.

"Ah..I suppose by normal standards it probably was. I was a crown prince..I ascended to the heavenly city when I was young...and the last 800 years have been quite busy."

He says all of this as if it is the most normal conversation in the world. Pausing as he says the last piece to think about some of those years. His early years were by far the most difficult. The fall of Xianle, the death of his parents, the fact that he became a god...then was kicked out...only to ascend again...only to leave by choice...and then to ascend a unprecedented third time.

His story would be far too long to tell just in their time on this world.

Ah.

Yes.

The whole 800 years sure explains a lot to Inigo about the other guy's faint excentricity. After all, living that long is bound to make anyone act very different than the people around them - it's something Inigo has witnessed in person before, so it's like a final puzzle piece that's completing his mental puzzle of the other here, making it all make sense.

It's why Inigo doesn't look surprised about this reveal at all. Instead he just calmly nods.

"So that's why." Great, that's one mystery solved. Though Xie Lian did just present a different one entirely. "What is this 'heavenly city' though? Is it some sort of afterlife in your world?"

Hey, it does involve the word heaven. And while heaven isn't as much of a concept in Inigo's world, he's learned it's an afterlife sort of thing in other ones.

"Ah...the heavenly city is where we ascend to when we become gods. But I much prefer the mortal realm." It's more interesting being around mortals then the gods that know they have eternity.

He still finds it strange to talk about all of this. It was against the rules of heaven to mention to mortals about being a god or about the city. It would only raise more questions. And when he left the heavens were in a bit of disarray because of everything that had happened. So he doesn't even know how the rebuilding is going.

But he knows that the rules of home don't necessarily mean much here and it is easier to explain what he is then try to hide it. Plus there are plenty of people with abilities and that aren't human.

".. ah."

This time Inigo is apparently making the sound out loud, rather than just in his mind. Because thinking he's dealing with some immortal crown prince is one thing. After all, Inigo is a prince himself, and while he isn't necessarily immortal, he's met some really old people. He's used to that by now.

But the fact that the other is - apparently - a god on top of all of that? It is a lot, and it makes Inigo faintly blush, wondering if he should've shown more respect? Gods are always a touchy subject with him, after all..

"If I may ask.. who is 'we' in that context, then? Do all people ascend to godhood in your world? Or just the royals?" Because in the latter case.. phew, Inigo sure is glad he wasn't born in that world! He can barely handle being royalty, let alone godhood! That's too much!

"It can be anyone who works hard enough for it. Cultivators goals are to ascend and train for that moment." Training their bodies, but also their heart, mind and soul for just the chance to be able to become a god and further their work.

"It doesn't have to be royalty but there are only a select few that ever reach that point. But even the most poor of people can be a god." He is currently a perfect example. He might have been a crown prince when he ascended the first time, but he was nothing but a poor busker when he ascended for the third time.

What.. an odd world, Inigo thinks. Though he's too tactful to say something like that out loud so easily - but the thought certainly crosses his mind. A world where anyone can become a god, just like that..?

"But wouldn't you end up with a whole lot of gods that way?"

Inigo's world only has two, and yet that's already enough cause for chaos. He can't even imagine having more than that! His brain is trying really hard to imagine it right now, but honestly, it's starting to fizzle out a little at the very attempt to do so.

"Mm...there are a lot of gods. But they are important. Some are over certain territories. Some are in charge of the elements. Gods of love, gods of wealth. Some are martial gods and help to keep the peace. Each god has a job they are intended for."

He figures that it seems strange to those that aren't used to that kind of world. And honestly it can be hard to keep track of everyone but he knows that each one is important.

"People will build shrines for their gods and a gods strength comes from the prayers and donations those people make to those shrines. So it is good that everyone has a god that they can chose to support."

"I.. guess that is good," Inigo slowly says. After all, he does fully believe in the power of having a god in general. In being able to have faith in something. In feeling like there is some sort of force out there that has your back.

But.. really, does that require so many gods? That's the odd part to him. Especially when everyone was able to agree on one god just fine back home in Ylisse.

"But doesn't that system mean that there might almost be more gods than normal people at some point? What would happen then..?" When there no longer would be enough people to worship certain gods?

He laughs softly, "Hardly. People don't ascend every year. It's actually a rare occurrence. So there will never be a time when there are more gods then humans being born into the world."

But he can understand how it might seem that way. The heavenly city is not crowded in anyway and doesn't have nearly as many residents are the heaviest of mortal cities.

Inigo scratches his head. Apparently the conclusion he's drawing from all this is pretty much just:

"I think I would get really confused in your world."

Please. Inigo is fine with just having one god around. More than that just gets confusing as heck, especially when it even involves humans turning into gods, rather than just having some gods that have been around forever..

"Well...you probably wouldn't really know about the heavenly city if you were on my world. Most mortals don't get told such things. They believe in the gods that they chose to believe in but they never actually come face to face with any of them."

So Inigo wouldn't be as confused as he probably is at this moment with just the bits and pieces of knowledge that Xie Lian has bestowed upon him. There is much more to all of it.

"Basically is more about believing...then understanding."

"More believing.. than understanding," Inigo repeats.

.. It's still weird.

"So they just have to.. believe these gods are out there? Without any proof of their existence?"

Clearly Inigo's own world is very, very different when it comes to religion.

The Waking of Neran

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