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

Seeing the Sights

Taiki doesn't spend much time in the hotel room, just enough to leave his bag and put on some extra layers, it was very cold here. There's a pang of sorrow, cold places often reminded him of Tai but this place was different enough in every other way that he could distract himself.

He visits the museums and the sors parks, watching as ice burst into light. Despite the cold he is happy to walk around here for a while, fascinated by the sors, the sorrow they speak of and the way this world has turned pain into beauty.

He takes a candle making lesson and warily walks around the food stalls, though he did bring some food from the train, in case there was nothing he could eat.

Remembrance (cw: panic mentions)

He tries. He really does. He has his candle and he goes to watch the parade. There are people he wants to remember after all. Many people and that's the problem. Once he allows himself to start thinking about them it quickly gets overwhelming.

Because there's so many, and so many of them are his fault and he hasn't allowed himself to think on it all, in so long and it is very overwhelming. The crowds, the candles, the music.

He turns, people everywhere, trying to get out, but the crowds are too thick...

Then for those close there's a gust of wind and a horned creature stood, just for a moment before he dives up and over the crowd leaving a pile of clothes and a now extinguished candle behind.

Perseverance

He's a bit embarassed after the first night and so he can be found on the edge of the crowd, to watch the fireworks. He smiles at those he recognises near by.

"Are... Are you going to do something brave tonight?"

Unity

He joins in the dancing, nervously at first but getting into it after a while. It's fun, though he gets exhausted after a few dances and has to move to the side to rest. "Do you think they can keep it up all night?"

The nights were long here, it's a long time to dance, especially this style of dancing.

Watching the sun rise was more his speed and he finds a space, covering himself with a blanket against the cold. "It will be nice to see the sun, I can't imagine living in darkness for a month."

Even if technically they went without seeing the sun for a long time on the train, there was at least light and darkness.

[OOC: If you want to plot hit me at

damua or damua#1089. Also feel free to wildcard!]

Look at Taiki walking there by himself, all bundled up. Somehow the other guy is even cuter like this, wearing the extra clothes.. It makes him look extra fluffy. Adorable.

So of course Inigo can't resist. At least he gives a warning, a very loud calling of "Taikiiiiiiii!" that makes several people around them look up, before he's already latched onto the other in a tight near-tackle hug.

"Oh, Taiki, you're so warm and cuddleable!" So how could Inigo not immediately give him a hug right away?

Sure, sure, there's more of a purpose to approaching Taiki than just that, but he would like to lead off with this, thanks.

He turns at his name, he might have been embarassed to be hailed so loudly in a crowd like this but it doesn't matter because he recognises the voice as well. It's Inigo and so he is very prepared for the tackle hug that comes next.

He wraps his arms around him and gives him a small smile. "Are you warm enough? It's very cold here, are you wearing enough layers?"

Fussing, he doesn't want Inigo to freeze.

Thank Naga for Taiki. At least there's one guy out there who will happily return any hug he's given.

It makes Inigo smile, to be greeted so happily, and he at first just lets out something that sounds like a content sound before he manages to form any actual words following it.

"I'm fine, just fine!" .. granted, it's an answer that doesn't mean much when it comes to Inigo, since he always says that.. but he means it, this time. He made sure to dress up before going out there. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? I don't want anything to happen to my dear Taiki..!"

.. he may be cuddling up a little more to Taiki as he's saying it. Even while standing up. It's a talent.

It does get a pause, as Taiki figures out of he was really alright or if he was just saying that because that's how Inigo always answered. But he seems alright, and he can feel he has a good few layers on. So hopefully he really is warm enough.

"I'm warm enough too, though it is very cold here." He kept his balance somehow, despite the extreme hugging going on. "Did you try any of the food yet? I hear it is very spicy, that will warm you up."

He hasn't tried it, he hasn't found anything that isn't meat yet but he had witnessed some of their fellow voidtreckers trying it.

"Oh, yeah. I had some with Tidus earlier."

Though.. you can figure what kind of circus that must have been, when those two idiots and spicy food are involved..

But Inigo seems to be all smiles for now. This is not the time for Taiki to worry about him and whether or not he's cold! That is not Inigo's purpose for approaching the other! Instead he shakes his head, and seems to release his grip on Taiki just a bit - just enough so he can bounce on his feet in excitement.

"But this is about us now! You know, I saw a place, and I knew I just had to take you there!"

He smiled at that, he could only imagine... He was sure they had fun, if nothing else.

But he tilted his head when Inigo started bouncing, he was happy to see it. Inigo so often was sad and worried it always warmed Taiki's heart to see him happy and enthusiastic.

"Oh?" He tilted his head. "I would love to go there with you."

Wherever it was. Taiki was sure it would be wonderful if Inigo had chosen it.

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Remembrance

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