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

It is a little disconcerting, isn't it? The number of young ones here. And he could relate to being young himself when in the throws of war but those were times he'd wish on no one. Spent a lot of time setting up systems and infrastructure to ensure the future generations avoided his own fate even if it didn't end up being that way. This seems to be a different situation but he's heard some missions are dangerous.

Tobirama nods, glad that she has at least a few people here. "Must have been strange to see her grown up. I wonder if this ministry will be able to aid at all." A break. He considers his next question.

"If you could have your young daughter brought here with you opposed to returning to your world, would you take the offer?" A beat. "I have a feeling this train would add people before return people."

"It was like looking my teenage self in the face, with my brains, but knowing she can easily destroy the planet if she wants as well." But instead of seeming horrified by that prospect, Bulma instead smiles with that thousand-watt pride that only a mother can have. Look, she knew what she was getting in to, having children with Vegeta, but it's a whole other thing seeing their daughter in that same light.

"Bring our baby here?" Bulma pauses for a moment, and then - "No, no. She needs to stay where she is. It's too dangerous here when she is too little to walk and can barely fly on her own."

Granted, that's to say she isn't zipping around the place like a comet yet, as Trunks had, but she knows that it isn't too far away so far as half-saiyan development goes. "At the very least if she's with ChiChi or 18, I know that they can handle her. Bad temper when it comes to meal times and all."

He's a little surprised to hear 'flying around' but it dissipates fairly quickly. They had a lot of abilities back home but flight wasn't often one of them. Here, though, anything was really possible. This beside, the pride she beams with really touches him.

"I'm glad to hear there is faith toward those back home. You have good people surrounding you," it sounds fond, even warm. A few beats and then his head turns back toward the water. "Even still, I think you're allowed to mourn this absence." Because the truth was, there's no telling how long any of them will be here.

"Against all odds, yes.." Considering that many of the people in their world that were now parts of the team had once been enemies.. she's lucky to be alive, much less to have allies in odd places. Of course, if ChiChi couldn't handle her kids, then there was always 18, who she thinks has the sheer force to make sure that Trunks and Bulla listened, and listened well at that.

"It's just bizarre to go from carrying her pretty much all the time, other than when Vegeta has her, to now I've been without a baby on my hip for over a year now."

"Against all odds," he repeats, curious the story behind it and knowing a few things about... once enemies now allies. Though in his world it took quite some time to get there. Perhaps she had a similar story and this besides, one whole year.

Eyes drift for a moment to their surroundings, the celebrations if you could call them that, and mourning. "I hope for their sake you are returned soon."

"It's a long story." Bulma smiles, laughing lightly to herself at the thought. Yes, she understands that it's interesting to hear and all, but there's only so many times she can relive Piccolo, Vegeta, 18, Buu, and she's sure the list will continue to grow, going from aggressors in her world to someone they trusted as an ally. Who knew that she'd end up marrying one of those options, but then again.. perhaps it wasn't as far off as it was believed to have been to start.

"Thank you. But I'm going to be pissed if it's without Vegeta." And she's sure that he would be less than thrilled as well, judging by how he'd treated her month's absence not all that long ago. "And I say that selfishly and out of care for everyone still here."

"Most good ones are," he acknowledges, but wont push it. With time, and Tobirama is a patient man who prefers things to fall together naturally unless he needs to click the pieces together for some reason.

His chin tips upward though, considering. "Behind every great man is a greater woman, they say." Traditional as the statement was, "he would not take the loss too well, I understand?"

"That's for sure. The longer, the better." Such is the entire, stupid story of her running in to Son Goku, and then becoming his friend, and then basically family, and coming along for the ride. Who the hell knows what he would have done without her, but had she not been along for the ride, they probably would've blown up long ago.

"A woman with far too much patience, more like." She'd put up with a lot from him, after all. Much more than Bulma would have ever professed she would have had in patience with a man like Vegeta before. Color her curious, or thirsty, or whatever you may, at this point.

"No. I suspect that wall that meets you with equal force would get a true test of strength if I well and truly disappeared."

The Waking of Neran

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