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

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It is cold outside.

It's to be expected, in a month of darkness with snow - or something close to it - falling, but it's still breathtaking in an aching lungs sort of fashion.

Ryo is familiar enough with snowy winters to have brought warm clothes for himself from the dressing carriage; he's become familiar enough with this particular winter to bring the quilt and the fur from his bed to wrap up in, because he's not about to miss greeting the light. He follows his Sense more than his sight as he moves through the crowd, searching for someone he knows to share the moment with, and- there's Tidus.

Who looks absolutely freezing.

He kneels down and offers Tidus a hand up. "Come walk around for a bit. It'll warm you up." If he has to go bogart a hot drink from someone in order to warm Tidus up, he will, but the first step is to get the blood moving.

"Do I have to?"

You're never too old to sulk and complain. Tidus does take the hand along with his grumblings, reluctantly standing to his feet after a few seconds of wishing he was about to do anything else. He's got gloves on, which he uses to rub at his cheeks with once he's up, some mumbling noises made with the motion.

"Ugh. Skip walking, how about we dance? I wouldn't last a week in this place if I had to be outside all the time. It's just like the mountain mission!"

He's moving, he's moving, giving his limbs a shake and rocking on his feet in place, before he takes some actual steps.

"Yes." Whining is whining, and Ryo has learned to determine whether it's serious and whether to ignore it. This right here is ignorable whining, especially since Tidus takes his hand anyway.

"Dancing is good too - you just need to be up and about to warm up." They've got the up part figured out, at least, and it looks like Tidus is starting on the about half of things. "And it's a good thing we don't have to be outside all the time, then, isn't it?" He says that much with a smile - the temperature is harsh up here on the cliffs, but it had been much better deeper in the grotto in the press of people.

Of course, having light for the first time in months will probably help with that too, once the sun rises.

Tidus would comment that being up and about doesn't make for great viewing, but that's also his own problem. Mt. Gagazet, he was constantly moving then, a snowy maze of a mountain climbed and descended. At least they had Lulu's magic for that. Did he want to try and magic when his brain had found teeth to chatter?

"Aren't you cold?" We'll put away that question for now, bring up a new one, tucking gloved hands between his armpits. Brr! "I can't be the only guy feeling it."

As bad. Come onnn. Is this a suffering he will have to do in silence?

(Eventually.)

"Yes, of course - it's cold out here!" And it is, but that doesn't mean it's worth lingering on. "But if all you can think about is how cold you are, then you'll never warm up. Were winters not cold where you're from?" He remembers Tidus telling him about living on a boat, but that doesn't mean he didn't have seasons.

He's still holding the blanket and fur in a bundle in his arms; he'll set them up once Tidus is sufficiently warmed up to sit down again.

"Nnno?" It's not the cold making hum fumble with his words, but really, there's no difference. He continues kicking his feet back, tapping one on the ground and then switching the foot. A small fuss in place.

"We didn't have bad winters, not where I'm from. It was always warm and sunny, all the time. You got a few cold nights or days, some fog, but a real winter, with snow and that? It never happened. Didn't see any 'til I left Zanarkand!"

...and then he walked in a lot of it, which is a lot better than, as is Ryo's point, being idle in it.

"So you're really not used to this, then," he says with a bit of a smile. It's understandable - he's been there himself, after all. "The winters where I'm from were mostly mild - I didn't see my first real frozen winter until a few years ago, and I was not prepared for it. It helped to have friends who knew how to handle it." And right now, that's him.

"You know, someone might be willing to share their hot drinks if you ask." It's a hopeful suggestion - Ryo has absolutely no guarantee it'll work, but people here have been good-natured enough that it's probably worth asking.

What did winter meant to a city that didn't care about it? The seasons that mattered were the blitzball seasons - those dictated the times of years, what everyone lived around. What Tidus did, anyway; and how different was his life from anyone else in Zanarkand, except he was the entertainer that made sure those seasons played?

... ugh, Zanarkand was never fun to think about from its new lens. He stops rocking so much, thinking about Ryo's suggestion with barely a glance out at the others around, and shakes his head.

"Nah. I can put up with it," he decides. Not really in the spirit of bugging other people, and maybe his complaining mood easing some. Whether that's him warming up, or else. "You uh, looking for someone to sit and watch the sun with? Who're you close with?"

The Waking of Neran

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