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

"Saiyans don't tend to mourn. Ideally you die in battle, but since most of those are off planet the only way to know would be through their scouter communication, or when the didn't appear again." At least not from Vegeta's understanding of it all, however he was a child when his planet was destroyed, isolated in his training before that, and rarely actually interacted with anyone outside of immediate family and staff of the royal palace. It wasn't until his first mission he really got to be around others of his kind, and even then he was so focused on his goals he didn't care as their numbers dropped.

So it may be more a Vegeta thing than Saiyan. Most likely a mix of the two.

"Also, there's an afterlife in my world, I've seen it. Those who do good have a chance of keeping their body and continuing on in a suitable location. Or keep them as part of their punishment in Hell." Which Vegeta knew was his destination after his final death. He's done too much for it not to be. "Most stay shapeless spirits to roam about it."

"I don't know that we got an afterlife. Some of 'em might have gone to places like this? But for us, it's all bein' remembered and accounted for. If there ain't one, some people are gonna remember the bullshit they went through. But if there is one, it's better knowin' I settled their spirits even universes away. If my former first mate don't bother to take care of 'em, I can try to all the way over here.

"I reckon it'd make a hell of a difference if you'd already been there. And knew people who'd gotten tickets out of it. Y'all just be 'I ain't gonna be dead no more' and kick down the door like a prison break."

Still baffles him.

"In a manner of speaking." The dragon balls were certainly not as overly used as they could be for that, and in recent years they haven't had to be concerned about it. No huge disaster, no deaths that could jeopardize the planet. And when his time finally came... well, Vegeta had given up his desire for immortality a long time ago.

"Not that I plan on lying down and accepting it anytime soon." A bit of a smirk with that.

He cracks a grin at that, not exactly thinking it's funny and more thinking it's so very Vegeta. Not gonna let nothin' hold him down, and if it does hold him down sometimes that's exactly the target for his frustrations that he needs.

"Well, you got two kids that ain't quite lived up to their full potential yet so you better keep in the habit of crawlin' outa hell."

"Vegeta?" Bulma's voice is nearby, if louder than usual... but the flush on her cheeks and the glass in her hand is any clue, she's had quite a bit of baijiu and has no intention of stopping soon. She's been in an odd mood since they stopped here, and all the different things about remembering their friends and family...

Let's just say it's hit her a little harder than usual that she hasn't held their baby daughter in well over a year at this point, and guilt, among other things, has made her settle on forgetting about it via copious alcohol. At some point, she realizes she's misplaced her husband and sets about finding him in the group that's gathered. Thankfully it's not hard, with the tall hair and very familiar blue guy right alongside him.

For now Yondu is safe, as she's tugging at Vegeta with a dubious frown settled across her face. "I turn around and you're just gone? Rude."

"Provided I can even return to them." That whole conversation others had with the train... it had been a sobering moment, Vegeta listening in on those who asked questions. The idea of never going back... well, it just makes Vegeta all that more dedicated to Yondu's attempts to finding a way to travel without the train, maybe even break through other universes to travel between them.

However any possible chance to continue along that line of talk was interrupted by Bulma's call, he looking back over his shoulder to the direction of it and quickly noticing those very tell tale signs of her having too much to drink. Really?! "How much have you had to drink?! I left you for a moment!" Just what have you been drinking, Bulma?! He mostly ignored that tugging, but didn't stop her from doing so. "I came over to talk to Yondu."

"She's drinkin' the stuff I drink!" He sounds practically proud of her. Of course, he's got more girth to absorb some of that booze. "It don't take much." But then he snorts.

"I'll get you some water. I know the rice stuff don't tend to make hangovers but I'm sure Vegeta don't wanna carry you home Princess style. Lemme give you a hand there." Which, luckily, he does have water among the drinks too.

"I'm fine." Bulma insists even though she is very much toasty and not fine, in particular as she makes a point to quickly down the rest of her drink in an overly large shot before Vegeta can try to take it away from her. She is certainly not a large person, by any means, and the liquor has hit her harder than she intended, but like hell is she ever going to admit as much. In fact, she's shaking the glass at Vegeta almost as if she's making fun of him.

"See? Yondu knows how to have fun." Granted, Bulma fully expects Vegeta to give her hell for this, later. Not that she'll pay much attention while she's nursing a hangover and wishing for cup noodles, whenever that may be.

Though, at Yondu's mention of princess style, Bulma scoffs.

"No, he likes to carry me by my ass when he has the chance." .... Oops?

"Don't encourage her." Vegeta throws rather flatly at Yondu. He's not the one that has to put up with her while she's drunk, nor knew what she was like when she was like this. At least there was no gods around here for her to slap. Or none he thinks that would try and kill her if she did repeat that.

Vegeta ignores her little barbs at him, having heard it all before. That little reveal though was not something he wanted aired! "Bulma!" An instant flush of red over his face as she spoke. Goddamnit woman! This! This is the kind of stuff he's talking about!

"You say that like she ain't gonna go find her own inspiration in life." Lots of things will encourage her anyway. But hoooooo boy. She's going to be a mess.

He grabs her a cup of water and comes over with. "Alright, real quick. Get this'n in ya." He's not even fazed by ass carry comment. Come on Vegeta, at least she sounds like it's as fun for her as it is for him! That's the better way for a husband and wife (are they technically married? He thinks they're married???) to be.

"...Wait, are y'all actually married by some kinda convention? Just with no name changes?" Because 'Vegeta Briefs' does not role off the tongue and he thinks Bulma has the only surname in the lot.

"Why are you talking about me like I'm not here?!" Bulma looks between Yondu and her husband like they've personally offended her with that one, once again tugging at Vegeta bc she is... far more comfortable harassing her husband physically at this point.

Thankfully she's giggling heartily at Vegeta's embarrassment by the time Yondu returns with the water, and with the shift in her mood, she's not so prone to tell him to shove off for offering water. Instead, she's too caught up in amusing herself with making fun of her poor, embarrassed husband as she sips at the water much more slowly than her liquor.

"No." But the no is misleading, as Bulma dramatically rolls her eyes at the thought of the whole process of them getting married. "His name is legally Vegeta Briefs now. You wouldn't believe how many zenni I had to pay to get the West City government to recognize my monkey man child's father as a person, though."

The water isn't working fast enough, not by any means. Not if Vegeta wants to keep his dignity anyway.

"And then- !" Another indignant sip of water. "He tells me that it isn't a royal name!"

Of course she was enjoying this, she always enjoyed embarrassing him in front of others, one of the many reasons Vegeta would rather she stayed sober as events like this. But also knew the futility of that.

He then tried to clear up what Bulma said. "According to Earth traditions we are." It may sound like he's countering her, but in a way she's correct. "Because I'm an alien I had no form of official identity, and Earth marriages apparently require some sort of governmental approval." Or something like that, he hadn't really cared. She had gone on and on about all the trouble and money required to fake an ID for him and make it official enough that he was a registered citizen. Vegeta hadn't seen the point, but it seemed important to her for their marriage.

"I don't need a surname. No Saiyan would dare use a royal name, so why would I need another name to define me further?"

"Oh I'd believe it."

He listens to the odd little argument, knowing how governments work when it comes to identities. And he's from a culture where aliens are included and still this interplanetary business is a pain in the ass.

"If you ever wanna do the formal thing I'm still technically a captain. But the last one I officiated uh..."

He points up to the sky. "One half of that pair we're celebratin' an' one of 'em I put down myself for bein' a traitor. Politics does some shit to good things sometimes."

"It was for a marriage license." She didn't have to worry about things like money, in the end. Her parents enjoyed and approved of Vegeta (against all odds), and with the kids considered, none of them would go hungry or anything like that if something were to happen to her in an untimely manner. However.. she hadn't wanted to just let things go on principal and say they were married. Some parts of Bulma liked traditional things, though it really only came around marriage.

Not that she'd ever had reason to worry about Vegeta straying if they weren't married, but she did like buying herself a massive ring to flex on people with when they attended events.

"Because being a Briefs also has status! At least on Earth!" Hello, Vegeta? How many times had she name-dropped to get them into places to eat where they hadn't been able to get a reservation? How many others times has she flexed the name to get things that they wanted but may not have otherwise had access to? Anyway, she's distracted from proving the 'royalty' of her own name at the mention of a 'formal thing' for a wedding.

... The way her eyes light up probably means Vegeta is going to begin feeling even more dread, especially alongside the drunken flush of her face that won't fade for a fair few more sips of water...

"Well, I'd love to if it means we can turn around your luck with officiating!"

...if looks could kill, Yondu. He's lucky Vegeta never focused on the whole eye beam thing, otherwise there's a good chance he would had used them right then. Why would you even suggest that?!

"Why do we need another wedding?! We're already married!" Luckily for Yondu Vegeta's attention turned to Bulma's excitement over it all. Don't you make it a whole thing about Yondu's crew or whatever! Don't act like it's not something you want to show off some how to the rest of the train! He knows you, woman! He knows what you're like! He knows this will just get made a big fuss about it, far bigger than he would want!

Yondu is aware that he's very close to joining his crew in the afterlife because the force of them eyebeam lasers would have also likely ripped his tether clean out his butthole, but come on, Bulma's drunk-ass enthusiasm is worth it. Look at how happy she is!

"From what I gathered Terrans really like weddin's. Makes their day."

Look how often people get married on the train! Obviously they love this shit.

"Because - " Bulma begins it very intently, already turning to prod at Vegeta's muscled chest, pressing closer in that near-threatening manner that she always manages to. Her husband, a past destroyer of planets and worlds, it appears does not inspire one bit of hesitation in his wife. "- You want to keep your wonderful, beautiful wife happy, don't you Vegeta?"

Yes, this small, tiny human woman very obviously imposing on her strong, alien husband to drunkenly demand another wedding is so normal.

Absolutely normal.

That prodding and poking goes ignored, but it's only due to knowing Bulma wasn't really angry at him over this. Maybe annoyed or having a need to win this, but not really angry. He knew what she was like when she was actually angry... "Don't you start with that! That's not what this is about and you know it!" Sorry Yondu, you're going ignored for now. Maybe for the best actually. "You just want an excuse to show off and get people's attention on you!" Vegeta doesn't say this as if it's a bad thing, just that it was a matter of fact. His wife loved having attention and praise showered on her, Vegeta knew this too well. He's happy enough for her to be like this, just without dragging him into the limelight as well.

"Why am I even discussing this with you," Yes, this is still considered 'discussing', not yelling or fighting. "You're drunk." Would she even remember this tomorrow?

Yondu's been sort of figuring, considering she got into the strong stuff, that she'd forget real easy. And he was thinking of attempting an interception of, "How about you think more on it when you're sober, it'd probably take quite a few points to get what ya want." But then Vegeta goes and says that and Yondu, mid-drink, sputters and mutters a soft, "uh oh."

Because he don't know what kinda interception you go on that.

"Hey hey hey, take it easy ever'body. My men ain't here to place bets so have some respect for the dead." He needs a drink refill, give him a moment.

"And?" That's it - that's Bulma's entire argument for Vegeta about wanting there to be attention on her. Yes, weddings were great, and she's looking forward to even being a bystander just by virtue of being on the train too, but if they could have a second wedding.... Why not? It wasn't like it changed anything from what she intended by having the first wedding. In the end, they'd been married in their own way long before Vegeta was legally an Earthling and they were legally recognized as such.

After all, she knew Vegeta had no intentions whatsoever to share.

It's the comment about her being drunk that sets her over the edge, apparently, cheeks puffing as she well and truly leans in to let Vegeta have it - And then Yondu tells them to take it easy, and she's whirling to point a finger and, very decisively, without an inch of slur or chance in cadence, say :

"Shut up Yondu!"

Yes, that was a complete argument from her about this, wasn't it? Vegeta's not surprised at all by this. "Then why drag me into it?!" Look! Maybe he could be convinced... MAYBE, to do a small thing... but Bulma Briefs did not do small or unassuming when it came to celebrations. Everything had to be grand and over the top. To make sure all knew just how amazing they were. Part of him can appreciate it... just the most of Vegeta would rather stay private.

"Shut up, Yondu!" Vegeta echoed with the same timing as Bulma, maybe with less volume, but still in a 'keep out of this' tone. Maybe afterwards he will realize this was hardly a fitting place or time to be snapping at the person holding a memorial for his crew... but he did start this all with that stupid suggestion.

Then maybe a moment of that clarity coming through as he registers Bulma also saying that, he reaching out to grab her out-pointing hand to stop her having a go at Yondu next. "Stop it."

The great thing about having a friend like Yondu is that you can tell him to shut up without wounded looks. Whether or not he'll listen is hit or miss and dependent entirely on his whim, but he can take it. He knows the type of friends he chooses.

He's in the middle of a drink when the chorus of 'shut up' rings and he makes a couple of sounds into his drink, and whatever they were meant to say is completely lost because his mouth is busy. If it was important, it doesn't matter anyway.

"Because you'd be the groom, idiot!" Now Bulma's getting that grind in her voice, the kind that shows true irritation at what she's yelling about. This is a pretty normal marital spat for them, but she's already aware of the people around them (that aren't Yondu) beginning to shrink away the louder she gets and the more she crushes closer to Vegeta's face in doing so. Now whether that's because they aren't fond of her tone, or they know Vegeta and maybe aren't sure how he will react... Bulma doesn't care enough to really check.

Thankfully Vegeta doesn't give her time to ask Yondu what the hell he means, reaching for her hand and telling her to stop, as she's already shaking him off to stab at the chest plate of his armor with said finger.

(She's easy to distract, at least.)

"Stop telling me what to do! That's my job!"

In another situation Vegeta would be a pain and question just what was her job; telling herself to stop, telling him to stop, she wasn't being very clear. However that was not right for how she currently was. He's also certainly aware just how loud she was getting, not that that was unusual with her...

"We are not having this discussion here or now while you're drunk." There was no point to this, she would either keep going until she got her way, or just cause some other problem if someone else stepped in to try and quiet her down or calm her. Aka, someone else will get slapped.

He sputters at what she yells next, and that's the worst thing that could happen. If they wanted karmic retribution to fall on Yondu, they should be satisfied, 'cause he hisses a -"Went up my nose!" like god abandoned him in that very moment, and he grabs some napkins to salvage his sinuses.

The Waking of Neran

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stealing leilah's comment for a tag

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