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

He definitely hadn't been, promise! Her question makes him throw his head back and laugh. "Buttercup, I can squat, like, four hundred pounds. Unless you're a lot heavier than you look, I think I'll be okay."

She grinned at him, trusting that he was telling the truth. She wasn't heavier than she looked and so she nodded, stepping closer.

"Do you be wanting me to be climbing onto your shoulder?"

He answers her question simply by turning and presenting her with his back. Up you get, kiddo!

She grinned and moved to clamber up, she remembered this from when Soldat had done it so she knows to put her legs over his shoulders and how to stay balanced.

"I do be being ready." She told him once she was secure.

Once he's sure she's stable up there, Devero rises up to his full height. In a crowd of normal humans, he's usually head and shoulders above everyone else; here, surrounded by alien races, he's far from the tallest person in the crowd-- but his shoulders are still a much better vantage to watch the sky from than the ground.

Speaking of crowd, though-- "Can you see anywhere a little less crowded from up there?"

She grinned as she looked around the heads of the crowd. Being up here was so much better than being down in the crowd, being so small for her age was useful when it came to sneaking and hiding but it made crowds very overwhelming.

She looked around at his question. It was hard to pick out gaps at first, there were people everywhere. But then she spotted a wider place.

"There do be being a square over that way, it do be looking a little less packed."

"Copy that," he says, and starts heading in that direction. Letting her guide him, he weaves through the crowd as smoothly as he can-- although with this many people, a little jostling is inevitable. Sorry, kiddo!

She doesn't mind the jostling, she stays balanced and uses her high perch to be a look out, looking down at the heads of many of the revilers.

It's a good crowd, many people. "I bet if this world do be having pick pockets they will be loving this festival."

Exactly the sort of crowd that would be perfect to snatch from unsuspecting people, eyes in the sky, wits addled slightly by the strong drink.

Devero doesn't even know how to respond that at first. Of course there's no pickpocketing in his world of plenty, though the term is at least descriptive enough that he gets what she means.

Finally, he tilts his head to the side so he can peer up at her sidelong. "You haven't been picking any pockets, have you?" he asks delicately.

"No." She answered instantly, tilting her head slightly to look down at him, as if gauging his mood. It would be dangerous to make him angry, when she was sat up on his shoulders.

"You and Sanzo would be being mad if I did be doing, would you no be?"

Hypothetically of course.

Oh Buttercup, as if this man could ever possibly be a danger to you ever again

"I don't want to speak for Koumyou," he says, meeting her gaze for a moment before he returns his attention to weaving through the crowd. "His standards are very different from mine. Me, though...."

He trails off. Would he be mad? "I'd be very disappointed in you, kiddo. There's no need to steal when we there's so much available to us back onboard the train."

She meets his gaze back, watching carefully, calculating. She knows they think different things, he and Sanzo. He didn't like guns as much, he was less ready to kill.

But somehow they were able to care for each other regardless. She wrinkled her nose at the answer. Disappointment wasn't anger but it occurs to her that she doesn't want him to be disappointed in her either. That would be stupid.

"We do be having a lot." She agreed. "The train do be giving us food and anything we do be wanting. Even the really useless people."

No pickpocketing then. Or at least, no frivolous pickpocketing.

"Useless people?" he repeats, very carefully neutral as he does. "What do you mean by that?"

"You do be knowing." She waved her hand slightly, "People who can no be fighting or doing anything or do be whining and no doing chores or do just be being..."

Well useless.

When she had arrived on the train she had placed many people in that box, as she spent more and more time among them that box had gotten smaller, but there were still some...

"Even if someone did no even be leaving the train for a mission, did no be doing one chore and did just be lying and playing games all day they would be getting food."

Honestly she has to count herself in that, there had been a week where she had hired one of the hire carriages and ate snacks and watched TV, doing nothing useful at all.

"Hm." That's his only immediate response. He focuses on navigating the crowd, until they reach the slightly less crowded square. The view is partially obscured from here, which probably explains why it's not packed, but there's still plenty of open sky visible to be filled with the lights.

He's not really watching the fireworks just now, though. His eyes are turned to the sky, but they're distant and unseeing.

"Where I come from," he says finally, "there's no just thing as useless people. No one has to do anything to receive basic care from our government. Food, shelter, health care, security-- these are all basic human rights."

It was less crowded here, which let her breathe a bit easier and she sat on his shoulders watching the sky as lights exploded in it. Missiles Curufin had said. What kind of world was this that they could use their weapons to make pretty patterns like this?

She wrinkled her nose. "From the government? They do be giving people food? Do people no be working? What if they do be being really lazy?"

Surely this didn't work. She's always been taught that you only survive if you are strong, obedient, dedicated.

"What do you be meaning by human rights?"

She can sort of figure out the word. But it's...

His world is weird.

Devero doesn't respond right away, thinking about how he wants to put this. It's not the first time he's had to explain the philosophy of the World Government to someone on the train, but with Buttercup it feels important to get it right.

Start by answering the easy questions first. "People work if they want to, and if they're able," he says, "but it's not required of anyone. Most people do contribute in some capacity, at some point, but even a citizen who never contributes a thing in their life will have the same access to basic necessities as the rest of us.

"See, where I come from, we believe that there are certain things that everyone his a right to, simply by virtue of being alive." He still holds on to one of her legs with one hand, but lifts the other to start ticking things off on his fingers. "Good food and clean water; comprehensive healthcare; shelter and clothing; standard education-- stuff like that. There's more, but those five are the most important material rights, and I can never remember the ethical rights. Regardless, it's the job of Gov-- of the World Government-- to make sure every citizen has their basic rights met, no matter what."

Only if they wanted to? But people got the same things even if they didn't work? So why did anyone work? She liked her own job and she would like to think she would do it out of honour for the shadow god. But she's not sure... if she didn't get food and praise out of it...

But his world sounded weird. People had the right to so much just because they were alive?

"So even if they do be being lazy or they do be being rude or they do be disobeying the world government?"

Surely they had traitors? But then again would they? When they just gave people food for nothing?

What a weird concept.

"Basically," he says, nodding. "--Well, depending on what kind of 'disobeying' we're talking about. You can have your citizenship revoked if you break certain laws or accrue enough infractions of the right kind-- like if you infringe on the rights of-- others...."

He trails off a little at the end, and his shoulders tense up underneath Buttercup. Someone just realized that his idolized Administrator will probably have her citizenship revoked if anyone ever finds out about what she's done to him.

She tilts her head as he trailed off, wondering why. She can feel that tenseness and she's not sure what it is about. Had he infringed on peoples rights? Had someone else and he was worried they would have their citizenship revoked.

"They do be exiling them from your whole world? Where do they be going?"

It's an easier question, whilst she wonders how to even ask about what he is thinking about.

That is an easier question, and he seems to go back to normal as he answers it. "Not from the whole world," he says. "Remember, there's not a lot of people left where I come from, which means there's a lot of uninhabited space. There are outsider communities that ex-citizens can join, fringe groups and extremists and such. I think that's probably what happens to most of them."

Oh that would make sense, to throw them out into the wilderness. Outsider communities, extremists.

"And those groups do no be banding together? To be fighting your world government?"

If they were all the people who broke the rules their government imposed.

He snorts dismissively. "Most of them don't have the technology they'd need to band together."

But after that knee-jerk touch of attitude, he says more thoughtfully, "Most outsider groups just want to do their own thing. They're insular and misguided--" In his opinion. "--but ultimately they just want to be left alone."

"I would be wanting to be being left alone as well if the world government did be kicking me out."

It sounded very stupid. Especially if they didn't have the technologies that the rest of the world did.

"Do you be knowing all the rules you do be needing to be following to no be being exiled?"

How complicated was it?

"Of course," he says right away. "We learn it in creche, and then we all have to pass an exam when we graduate to become fully-fledged citizens of Gov."

The Waking of Neran

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