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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It seems that Madoka is exploring the grotto by herself for now - though it won't remain that way for very long. Because when she spots a familiar face - Nell, in this case - heading into one of the small food places, Madoka is quick to jog over towards her, shooting the woman a smile.

"Hi..!" It might have been a while since they really talked other than maybe brief interactions, but Madoka looks happy to see the other all the same. "Were you going to try out the food here..?"

"Madoka, hi!" Nell was happy to see her as well. "Yes, I was. Would you'un like to join me? It would be nicer than eating alone. I want to try some of this all spicy stuff."

She nods. "Of course..!"

She's more than delighter to actually be invited to come along with the other, considering it seems like so much more fun to eat together in this place, than to sit somewhere and eat all by yourself.

"Did you find a place that looks like it might have good food yet..?" Madoka hasn't really looked at the places you can eat here, so she doesn't know yet! But she figures that Nell probably has a better eye for it in the first place - if not just because Madoka usually tends to defer to the judgement of people older than her.

Nell was feeling the same way. More fun to be together.

"I was thinkin' of that little one over there." She pointed at it. "I think the smells coming out of it are awfully delicious. Unless you had another one in mind?"

"No, that sounds fine to me." Please, it's not like Madoka is ever all that picky - so if Nell wanted to go for that one, she will gladly go along.

And even moreso since the girl has absolutely no idea what all the food places here are like.. they could be eating absolutely anything here! It's an entirely different world than what she's used to, after all.

So Madoka starts heading in the direction of that little place, looking at Nell to make sure the other is coming along as well.

"I really hope the food here is nice..! I mean, it's a festival, so.. um.. you can't have a festival without nice food, right?"

At least, not where Madoka comes from. She remembers the summer festivals from back home, with all the food stands lined up all over the place.. It makes her hungry just thinking about it.

"I've never actually been to a festival before," Nell admitted. "But this one sure seems to be a lot of fun."

She smiled and nodded at one of the waitstaff then followed them to a table with Madoka following her, hopefully. "I don't have any idea what to ask for, do you?" Nell asked her. "Maybe we'uns can just ask them to bring us something tasty?"

Thankfully that remark does make a little more sense in the context of what Nell had told Madoka before about her life back home. Otherwise Madoka might have found it a little odd that someone didn't have much festival experience, especially given how often there were festivals in her own hometown..

But she doesn't question it with what she already knows. Instead Madoka just smiles at the other, focusing on the suggestion Nell brings up at the end there.

"Yeah.. that sounds good! I mean, I'm not a very picky eater.."

So that means that whichever food they would bring them should be fine.

"We could ask if we can have the special!" Not that Madoka knows what the special is, but if they're listing it as a special, it's got to be something good.

"That's what I was thinking," Nell said. "Or maybe one of us can order the special and the other one can ask the server what their favorite is and get that and then we can share. If you don't mind sharing that is."

She knew some people could be picky about those sorts of things and she didn't know Madoka well enough to assume.

Just then her stomach growled and her eyes went wide for a moment before she giggled. "I guess I'm even hungrier than I thought!"

When Nell giggles, Madoka laughs right along with her. "Then let's not waste any time..!"

She beckons the other over, before heading into the small restaurant. Madoka looks around for a moment, but it doesn't seem like there's someone to point people towards a table, so it doesn't seem some super fancy place to eat.. Though she's rather glad about that, since Madoka always feels a little awkward in that kind of atmosphere.

Instead she picks a cozy-looking table in the corner to sit down at, smiling at Nell as she does so.

"And.. um, don't worry. Of course I'll share. It's not like we'll be here super long, right..?" Three days, they said. "Sharing is the best way to be able to try a lot of different things before our time here is over, I think.."

"You're right!" Nell waved someone over and ordered the special and whatever they recommended as especially delicious. "Might as well try everything we can."

She sat back and smiled at Madoka. "I haven't seen you'un in a while. How have you been?"

"Oh.."

It's a good question, really. And there's a lot Madoka could say to it, but there's also a lot of it that she doesn't really want to get into. It still feels like she might burden other people too much when she talks about her own world, since it's such a heavy topic, even though it's come up a lot during the last few months..

So Madoka just shakes her head, and smiles slightly.

"I'm okay."

At least that isn't a lie.

"How about you..? I guess we've only really had that fake mission lately, huh..? And then everything got all weird on the train during the voidstorm afterwards.."

"M'okay, too," Nell said. "I'm thinking of asking the train if I can get a cat. Kitten really. I miss having animals around me. I'd rather have a dog, but it wouldn't be fair to have a hunting dog cooped up on the train. But cats, well they can get along pretty much anywhere, right? And I can see if I can still talk with animals like I could on Diagad."

Nell could talk to animals back on Diagad? It's news to Madoka. Slightly surprising news, but in the end she supposes that it's entirely possible. Everyone had odd powers there, after all, and considering that some people seem to have kept them even now, Nell might be able to still do that again too if she'd try..

"Cats are cute," Madoka easily agrees, a smile on her face. Not that dogs aren't cute, but she's a little biased towards cats. "I'm pretty sure anyone on the train can have a cat though, you know! All you have to do for it is pay points in the train shop.. I've seen a lot of people buy pets to have with them on the train that way."

"They are cute," Nell agreed. "Back home all my cats were mousers and mostly lived outside, but I think here, well... anyway, yes. Someone else told me that I could pay points at the train shop, I've just been sort of working to convince myself to do it."

She smiled a little sheepishly at Madoka. "When we get back on the train I think I will. It's just hard to think of buying something like that just for me."

"But.. you earned those points yourself, you know?"

Granted, no one knows for sure how exactly they earn said points - but there's still the fact that Nell did somehow gain more, so Madoka figures she must have done something good for it! If not just because Madoka is naive enough to think that good deeds always go rewarded in some way..

"Then I think you're definitely allowed to spend them on yourself.. Especially when it's something that might make you happy."

"There was just never enough money to go around back home, you know?" Nell said. "I had to scrape and save to get anything I needed, much less something so frivolous as something I just wanted." She's not complaining, it's just the price you paid when you lived off the grid and all alone.

"It's hard to convince myself that I can get something just for me that doesn't have another use. But I think I'm gonna be brave and do it anyway."

Madoka smiles when the other says she's going to be brave - wanting to encourage it. Sure, it's hard to be brave, but it can be good too! Like in this case, when Madoka really thinks Nell should be able to buy something. Because she's kind, and she deserves it.

"I know.. it's hard to forget for a moment about circumstances you've always lived in.."

Not that Madoka has ever lived in extreme poverty, or even slight poverty, but she too has habits that she's having a hard time unlearning on the train.

"But when you think about it, we mostly do all have enough points to go around on the train, right..?" The circumstances are different.

Nell nodded. "Yes, and we're certainly not going to go hungry - even if months with food like octopus are not my favorite," she said with a smile. "I have no real need for the points I have, so why not do this, right?"

She nods.

"Right..! And.. um, I think we all have a hard time on the train sometimes."

Or at least, Madoka does. It's why she looks a little shy as she says it. Sure, she has encountered plenty of other people who have had trouble with at least some aspect of their journey on the train, but it's entirely possible that Nell all thinks it's just well and good.. so she can't help but be a tad shy about expressing this opinion.

"So it's also good to be nice to yourself sometimes..! Y-You know.. To make up for it. And to keep you going."

"We do," Nell agreed, looking down. "It's a hard place to be even though most people are very kind." She sighed. "I miss my house and my woods and the mousers and just space and privacy." She'd been almost entirely alone for five years, so all the people on the train could be rather overwhelming.

She sighed, then looked back up at Madoka with a smile. "I think you're right. It's good to be nice to yourself sometimes."

It's nice to see Nell understand that.. though Madoka also isn't surprised that the other seems to understand it so well. Nell is older than her, after all. A responsible adult. And in Madoka's eyes, responsible adults must be capable of understanding pretty much anything by default.

"At least we have a little bit of space now..?" She offers, though it's with a bit of an awkward smile.

She knows that a few days here can't make up for all the time they're cooped up in such a narrow space as the train.

"Even if it won't be for long. B-But we can enjoy it while it lasts!"

"And I'm definitely enjoying it!" Nell assured her. "There's so much to see and do and, well... I have to admit, I really enjoy just sitting by the fire with a good book here."

Madoka was really so sweet. "We don't have much time, true, so yes, we have to enjoy it as much as we can."

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The Waking of Neran

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