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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It do be spicy but it also do be being sweet and that do be making it great." She told him with a grin.

"Do you be liking spicy food?"

"I will eat anything that has taste. Sometimes it takes more spice for me to notice it at all."

Perhaps a side effect of dealing with poisons. His own senses are sometimes a little different. Not that he would blame his experiments on it. But also he doesn't like to be bored and bland food is also that.

"Lots of food does be having taste. Sweet food do be being better than spicy but spicy do be being second best."

She's pretty sure about that.

"We were able to enjoy sweet last time. The spicy is to balance it out." Because he certainly indulged in plenty of sweets on that other world they were on.

She wrinkled her nose at him. "Maybe. But that did be being a long time ago."

At least two months.

Plenty of time for her desire for sweets to return.

He eats sweets while on the train so he doesn't really ever have a break. Might not be the same variety as the worlds they go to but it is still sweets. 'Maybe this world as sweets as well."

"I bet it does be having." She said with a grin. "But we can be finding some after eating spicy food."

Both were good.

"Not sure those are two taste that mix very well but it's worth trying." As long as they don't eat the sweets at the same time as the spicy. He starts in the direction of the food areas.

She grinned at him and followed. His opinion might differ from the rest of Osiga, but she is sure he will learn soon enough that sweet and spicy could be good together.

Or not. Then he would not like the food. But she's pretty sure he won't starve.

His opinion can be changed easily enough with the proof that the food will provide. He looks around at the different options. "Have any recommendations?"

"I did be trying some soup." She pointed it out. "It do be having some meat in it but also vegetables. It might be burning your mouth though."

Then again if he liked spicy things he might be okay with it.

"I doubt it is too spicy. I've had senior Wei's cooking and that tends to have some kick." Although he only has had it a couple times he is well aware of what his senior likes to eat and the kind of kick that it has. This world can't possibly be any worse then that.

"Yes he does be making the most spicy food." She had also eaten it and though she would never tell him, it burned her mouth a lot!

But she liked it. Mostly.

"If you can stomach that then this place is easy."

Not that it was bad cooking. It was enjoyable enough when he had the stuff on the train. And this food isn't there to cure poisons or cause them to be poisoned. They wouldn't make it if it wasn't meant to be enjoyed.

"Yes, we will be being champions of this food."

Since they had practised already. She would have to thank Wei Wuxian when she next saw him.

"Go ahead and order something. We can't exactly try everything like we did with the candy."

They would get full a lot faster this way and there would be a lot of wasted food if they tried. Xue Yang grew up poor and he still doesn't see much reason to waste the things he was given.

"That do be being true. There would be being too much."

She had also been brought up to never waste food, there had never been much to waste but she had also grown spying on noble houses where food was wasted all the time.

It was stupid and they were stupid. She and Xue Yang were not stupid. She looked at the menu and picked one of the dishes, she has no idea what it is but she is excited to try.

He selects a different dish, that way if he doesn't like it that can switch. Or that they can at least try two different ones so they know for the future what is good and isn't.

Once they have the food he takes it over to an empty table to sit.

It's a good idea. She followed him over to find a table not too close to every one else. She clambered up onto the seat and grinned at him.

This would be good and she liked sharing food with him. He was a good food tester.

He settles into his seat and picks up the utensils. He has gotten more used to the ones that the train has available over time. He could have been stubborn and just refused to use anything besides a spoon and chopsticks but that wouldn't do him well when they were on worlds when those weren't available. SO he has gotten used to all the eating utensils available.

So he picks up the fork so that he can poke at the food a little as if investigating it.

"Looks good and smells decent. Two good out of three so far."

Utensils were very stupid. She understood sometimes- spoons were useful and they had used them back in her world but the rest? Why? It was just more to clean when fingers could pick the food up just as well.

But train people had their weird manners. "Let us be seeing if it do be ticking the third box."

She took a decent spoonful, bracing herself as she knew it would be hot. But also knowing it would be good. So she is not worried.

He has no doubts that it will. There are few times when things that smell good don't necessarily appease the pallet. He has on occasion tasted things that are better then their smell though so it can be deceiving.

He takes a helping as well and sticks it in his mouth, taking a few moments to fully understand the flavor that is going to come to him. "Mine is decent enough." Hot but not overly so.

She grinned at him and took a spoonful of her own dish. She was quiet as she tasted it, letting the flavours flood through her whole mouth. It was spicy, but not so much that she couldn't cope.

She grinned at him and nodded. They had chosen well. She took another spoonful happily.

He continues to eat, wondering how long it would take to really feel the heat that all the spice is going to cause in his mouth. He knows eventually he will have to pause and take a drink of something. So far it hasn't reached that point.

It was a build up of spice and soon her mouth was starting to burn. It wasn't a bad burn, just a tingling that made her nose wrinkle and her tongue twist.

She did need a drink though and she paused in her eating to drink a bit, cooling down.

"I do be liking that it do no be being too hot all at once."

The Waking of Neran

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