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

OOC post. Ask questions here. The Ministry's testimony form is here

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"No, no magic for me. My abilities are all physical. Stronger, faster, sharper senses. But no spells or anything." Frankly, magic is a thing Soldat never had to contend with until Beacon, and even then there's a lot more of it here on the train than there ever was in Beacon.

(YOU'RE FORGETTING SOMETHING. Oh. Jesus, you're right.)

"Well, okay, I have one little power," they correct, and hold up the metal hand, letting the metal of their fingers ripple with the residual magic. "But it doesn't affect being able to protect myself from surprise attacks."

Idia's ready to just accept that answer from Soldat, to put him in that 'non-magic user' category he's been sorting people into.

And then he saw that arm. Just... what was it?

Idia moved forward a few steps, beyond that normal, rather large, personal bubble he tries to keep around himself, head tilted to try and look over just what was being shown to him. Was it a kind of sleeve? A prosthetic? Something else? He gives a wave of his hand, his skull-shaped floating computer that had been floating along with beside him and that followed him everywhere zipping forward and starting to scan that arm at an attempt to learn anything from it. Was it rude? Absolutely, but Idia has to know what this is, so fixated on the chance to see and learn about a new piece of technology he doesn't even consider asking Soldat first if he could do this.

Soldat makes a startled noise and scrambles back and away from the floating scanner thing, said metal arm whirring as the gears inside automatically tighten in anticipation of smashing something. "What is that doing."

Soldat's own scrambling makes Idia jump back as well, not ready for that sudden movement so close to him as he instinctively brought his fists up in front of his chest, as if to protect himself. It's not threatening, it's very much defensive.

Then realizing what was happening.

Oh, wait, maybe he should had asked first. Whoops. "I-I-I was curious about your, ah, your arm." He relaxing one fist enough to point a shaky finger at it. "It's my computer, it was doing a scan to see how it operates."

Soldat has the arm protectively against their own chest, in a somewhat ridiculous mirror of Idia's posture, considering how much bigger and stronger they are than Idia. They don't entirely relax at the explanation. "I could just show you. I don't. I don't like scans. Or surprises. I."

They swallow the worst of the explanation. They've learned by now that spilling their history on people without warning tends to upset them. "It wasn't installed with my permission," is what they say.

Oh.

Oh...

"I-I'm... sorry. I just... get excited with new technology." Even with stumbling over his words, Idia's tone loses that panic he had to it, sounding more confident, but also somber. Almost regretful. A brief wave of his finger moves the computer even further back away from Soldat, well out of the way and even behind Idia so it's not even in view anymore.

The obvious show of reassurance helps a lot. They've met other people with that particular reaction, just most of them didn't have floating computers that zoomed right up in Soldat's face without warning like that. That they're still jumpy from the fireworks doesn't help, either.

Soldat bows their head a moment, thinks of folding origami for a couple breaths to calm down, then uncurls their arm from their chest and pulls up the sleeve to show him. The metal definitely goes further up, at least to the elbow-- what little scanning the computer got in might even show how it goes all the way up to their shoulder. "Here. I can pop a plate open for you. And explain what I know about it."

"N-N-No, it's ok, you don't need to now." Idiot. He got too caught up in this all. It's less out of concern for Soldat and his situation, more Idia considering someone else. What if someone had done this to Ortho... though his little brother was never shy about his robotic body and how it was built. He was always so proud of what Idia had created for him.

But still... to think someone would just... force their way to try and work out how he operated, even if he said no...

Idia would want to tear them apart.

"It's not the right time." He answers, more calmly and with that worried stutter gone, sounding more confident but a little... distant. "It would be better in a location and time you feel more comfortable... if you're still ok with it then."

Soldat watches his face a moment-- no eye contact, but taking in the little signs of expression-- then nods and pulls their sleeve back down. "I'm sure that time will come." Then, "Thanks."

People taking their problems with touch and anything medical and being too close seriously is always a bit surprising. Nice, pleasant, a huge relief-- but surprising. Even two years free isn't quite enough to get used to no meaning no.

"Y-yeah." Idia managed to get out, his thoughts really not here anymore and spiraling a little.

He needs you, Ortho, why aren't you here with him...

"A-ah, I'll, ah, I'll just leave you... ah, to it, I guess." Idia awkwardly pointing his finger back towards where his room was, a moment to shuffling his feet that he felt was long enough to be polite with all of this, before moving to scurry away, this computer doing its normal floating bob behind him to keep up.

The Waking of Neran

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Am semi canonblind on this, is the magic canon or CRAU related?

the magic started in this game, couple months back, part of the last plot arc :)

ah ok, good good. Also I apologize for this brat

haha s'fine XD

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