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

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Their programs? In that case Ten-Nank really must be some sort of robot, Madoka thinks.. Although a much more futuristic one than anything she has ever encountered back home. A little like Orisa, then, since she could also interact with people as if it was nothing..

And while the idea of having someone who can speak to her on a slightly more even level with her does seem appealing to Madoka, she seems to hesitate a little at their choice of words.

"Would it.. be a bother for you to adjust yourself? You don't have to if you don't want to.."

Sorry, Ten-Nank. Madoka is too polite to not mention that. But at least she does continue with something more helpful, adding: "Though.. it might be a little bit easier to talk that way, yes.."

"It's all the same to me," they said with a sigh, per usual. "No, I think I know a useful one. Please wait."

There is nothing, a sort of emptiness that fills in easy around them every time they go silent; with the few motions, movements they make. Still as a statue, a piece of furniture, with only the soft glow coming from the slits shaped as eyes.

--And then, they glow stronger. A flash, and then Ten-Nank turns their head to Madoka again.

"There." Gentle. In one word, the tiredness that slept in each word has been lifted off; with that one word, Ten-Nank considers the room more than they have, searching, and their eyes find one of the seating pillows, the chairs.

They gesture out a slim arm and hand to them, a certain grace present that wasn't before.

"Would you like to sit? The room's temperature may not be good for you - I apologise. I've had my programming off to tell what's suitable for my guests, but we can sit near what remains of the fire. We can talk. You've been unable to - to anyone from the void, until now. I'd like to offer you what I can before our time ends. Some comfort. It may be small," they admit, "with the worries you have to carry. But I can listen. Let me."

Madoka initially looks a little awkward as everything goes silent for a moment, but then when Ten-Nank speaks up again, their tone so different, Madoka's eyes widen in surprise. It's not like regular people can't change attitude so suddenly, sure, but it's.. still odd to see it happen to Ten-Nank like this.

But she does realise they did it for her sake, considering what they said a moment ago, so Madoka quickly nods, not wanting to be rude. "T-Thank you."

A moment later she's already moving over to go sit down where it's a little more comfortable. (Although, close to the fire, it is getting a little more uncomfortable with the coat she had still been wearing all this time, considering how cold the room had been while standing closer to the doorway.)

"I'm really sorry if I've come across as.. maybe a little dumb so far.." Look, Madoka can imagine she has. Especially to someone who knows everything about the void, compared to the basically nothing she knows.. "Everything I-- and everyone else too.. Everything we know about the void and void travel just comes from the train. And it doesn't give us a whole lot of information very often.. So even though I've been out here for a year now, there still must be so much I don't know."

They sit themselves, taking a place to face Madoka to an opposite. Cushion or recliner chair, they'll mirror a similar manner of sitting as the young girl.

"A year can be a very long time. You've had to endure that, confined to a vehicle that travels in a space you don't understand, far away from home. And losing people - even if you are not fond of the voidcraft, I imagine you must have individuals you care for."

On a surface level, it repeats some of what Madoka says. But it's said with sympathy, an attempt to understand. An assumption on the end, but Ten-Nank continues first, than wait for an answer on if it was right or wrong.

"Don't discredit yourself. You are who you are, and it is the job of the Ministry to understand who everyone it comes in contact is. You have been to many places to help them, met individuals from different - and similar - areas of existence, too. But the void - it is vast, and the systems it can connect to are many, even more. Individuals are different. Societies are different. The rules and beliefs followed, different. For the same reason you would worry about coming across as dumb, I could give the same apology: for not being able to adjust myself to better empathise with the perspective of each passenger. I am limited. I have knowledge of the ways people can be, the ways they can think, but I have to meet individuals, gain information, to better understand. To find out what they understand. But this is the same with many people over different existences - to learn, we must experience. We are who we are."

".. yes. I have a family back home.. My parents, and my little brother.."

Even though Madoka isn't sure whether or not Ten-Nank has a family, she is sure they can imagine the concept of one, at the very least. If they have knowledge of the ways people can be, surely they know about that as well - and how important family can be to people.

It feels a little easier to speak up about that now, at least. Something about the other's attitude is just.. comforting, even if it's still a tad odd that they are able to just switch like this. But at least the end result is nice..

"I've been really worried about them all this time. And the way people walk away from the train on the platforms was also always.. um, very worrying. I always did my best on the missions, because I really wanted to make sure to help out people who were in trouble, but I couldn't stop worrying about any of that at the same time either.." It feels a little selfish. Like she's just venting. But Madoka tries to think about it. Maybe Ten-Nank can learn a little bit more about the way the people on the train think from this - and then that would be beneficial towards them as well, right..?

"People will always be in need. Just because you have the ability to help others, doesn't erase your own needs. You have been abducted. Your nature makes it more difficult not to help. Some will say you have choice, but the consequences of staying back - the guilt - would be too heavy."

They let the point sit on its own, to make sure that Madoka hears it, takes it in. A reassurance, never a criticism.

"We can attempt to search for specific people, if it's possible," possible for Madoka, "but it takes longer. Less prioritised. I know, understand, it would help the health of the passengers onboard too - their mental health, as it's called. But we will try what actions we can. We understand you're in danger."

She shakes her head. "No.. It's okay."

After all, who would Madoka even pick, if she'd ask them to look for specific people? She has lost so many people important to her at this point, all having walked off the platform. Picking one over the other might just make her feel bad at the end. Besides..

"You must already be so busy with all of this." And it's just one of their tasks! If they have to look after the whole void, that's just.. a lot, Madoka thinks. And the whole thing surrounding the train has got to be so messy and complicated for them too.. probably. "As long as there are things you can do to try to help us out in general.. then I'm already really grateful. Thank you for trying to understand all of it.."

They nod their head with Madoka's thanks, close to a bow.

"If you have any questions, you can bring them to me for as long as we're both present on Osiga. In the Irue Grotto." To be specific, unnecessarily. "The Ministry will continue to attempt communications with the voidcraft - the train, as you call it. You can continue to put together your questions, any thoughts you have - anything you learn about the train itself, any way you think the passengers need help."

They pause.

"Are you good with numbers?"

"W-Well, my grades in school are.. they're passing, but they're not exactly the best in the class.."

Was that the sort of reply they were looking for? Probably not. But this is just the way Madoka is - naive enough that it's the immediate thought that comes to mind after Ten-Nank asks her that. Too kind to even try to lie, or make herself seem better than she really is.

Even if she's not too sure where they're going with that question. She can at least keep the other things in mind, maybe inform new people about that one they show up, but.. numbers? She isn't too sure what's going on with those.

"I have an ID I am recognised by, with the Ministry. For files, better than names. I can give you the ID, but you will have to tell me if it's hard to remember. This is useful for passing on anything to me, if you meet another Ministry worker."

And then, with nothing more than a second's wait: "0011 DASH 0000 DASH 000 DASH 333."

It's honestly the way they move on so quickly to saying the number that startles Madoka more than anything else, realising she has to hurry up and remember it. She glances around her, as if she's panicked, but then she does seem to realise something.

Granted, by that time Ten-Nank is already halfway through the number. But as Madoka pats down her coat, she realises she did take her notebook along from the train in case she wanted to doodle. She quickly finds an empty spot in it - which isn't easy, again, due to the doodles - and then starts trying to write it down.

"Um, wait. Zero, zero.. one, one..? It started like that, right?"

Sorry, Ten-Nank, she wasn't prepared! But Madoka does want to make sure to remember that number now she's found at least one Ministry representative she's comfortable talking to.

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The Waking of Neran

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