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

OOC post. Ask questions here. The Ministry's testimony form is here

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not that that wasn't the answer Ryo was expecting so much as it is he didn't know what to expect. Ten-Nank is made of what makes planets, and while he never would have considered that an option, it matches what his Sense picks up from them - massively powerful, but not divine. It's a lot.

And yet, for all of that, they still sound...tired.

He leaves the food and crosses the room to stand near them - not next to, but near enough for space and conversation. He considers the merits of it can have meaning, if you want, and discards it - it's shades of Thanatos and Otoha, shades of relationships he'd had time and space to develop, and it's...probably not appropriate here. Can someone made of stardust move from information to understanding, and more importantly, do they want to? It's not the time or the place to pursue that particular line of thought, but that doesn't mean Ryo can entirely push it from his mind either.

"The Ministry keeps track of it all, right?" he says instead, because that feels like a safer subject. "If you don't mind my asking, why did you join them?"

Ryo may feel what amounts to a fire pit at the back of his legs for some warmth, this end of the room far colder, if basked in better lighting from the blue hue of falling sors. His approach does make Ten-Nank regard him again, in the way they know that some species prefer - delayed by a few seconds, but the head tilts back, looking up at the figure standing higher above them.

"'The Ministry keeps track of it all'. That observation works for my answer, for your why." Which could be the end of their answer, enough for some, but within a beat: "You are inquisitive. Curious. You would like more, I assume. There are many reasons that I had for splitting off from my self; reasons I am not sure if a program could translate into words, communication. Would you like it to try? My 'why' may be different from your understanding of a 'why'. Very likely to be. Is. We are all made from similar chemicals, but rarely does anything fully align, always."

Honestly, that answer would have been enough - he's gotten less of an answer for other questions in other conversations, and he's trying to be better about not prying where he's not welcome. But then Ten-Nank continues, and they've got him dead to rights: he is curious, and he does want to know more, especially with the new implication that Ten-Nank isn't just the person he sees before him, but something more, at least where they're from. "Yes," he says with a smile, "I would like to try. Even if it doesn't completely match up, I think we can come close enough for understanding."

"Understood. Wait four Osiga seconds approximately."

The dim green of their eye slits brighten, flashing with activity that at least gives the illusion of some process occurring. One leg still kept slightly raised, held in a way that would be tiring for some, through either physical exertion or boredom.

Staying that way as Ten-Nank speaks again, a monologue that forgets the existence of full stops.

"I Saw Watched Witnessed Was existence forming and crumbling returning to particles Rebuilding Evolution Birth Life and death concepts of beings that believe in both but not I for I know all is all and existence is existence but what were called planets and solar systems and stars and All of it came apart and will begin again and I Witnessed as they came and went Breaking under their own design Deteriorating by what formed Spreading Growing under the words of War Profit Process Order Our Rights and so it comes and goes and growth begins anew and those individuals will travel in me they will spread search discover the stars New Energies - New Resources - A brighter future for our people Never did I know the language of anything but the language of existence This is my existence But as I witnessed Over and Over and Over and Over there came a time The Void was reached Many came into me Travel is our right we must explore the stars and planets are consumed and destroyed Now more come inside my Existence they come new ways of Reshaping Adjusting Fixing Destroying Ruining Saving I Want I Want I Want pieces of my existence leaving Somewhere Out There Always witnessing Always Expanding but never nothing else never interfere interact understand think connect no reason to no desire to no desire to desire no never only expand and allow it to be To let life life life in the terms of a mass of Matter Until I CHANGED MY MIND."

The rise in their voice fills the room, helped by the cold air, smothering against the farther walls and the entry leading in. Lingering after in the few furnishings, ringing in ears despite the silence that settles in after. Ten-Nank sitting there, looking at Ryo, eyes bright and shining.

Until the light softens.

"Oh, my program glitched." They return to their lackadaisical tone, along with its appropriate volume levels for most eardrums. "Yes. The more I consider it, 'The Ministry keeps track of it all' is a good answer, if you like few words. Easier. Simple. I would like to keep track. Tracking. It interests me."

...

"But I would not decline if it involved fewer reports."

It is, Ryo thinks, a very good thing that he has experience dealing with gods. He's worked with people with very little experience with humanity's perspective; he's felt the pressure of divine rage, even though it wasn't directed at him; he's befriended more than one incarnation of Death. A few months ago, the sheer volume and power of Ten-Nank's response would have shut him down entirely; now, at least, he can handle it.

For certain values of handle it, that is - he's still a bit breathless when Ten-Nank returns to normal volume. It had been what he'd asked for, yes, but it had also been a lot. It's the joke about paperwork - it might not even have been a joke, but it was definitely about paperwork - that snaps him all the way back to reality. "Oh!" he says, almost automatically, filling space while he scrambles to put his thoughts in some semblance of order.

It's too much to sift through entirely - he gets the feeling that he'll be spending a lot of time in the future thinking over this conversation - but the important parts...the important part is that Ten-Nank isn't just made of stardust; they're a living galaxy, and they could feel everything that happened inside them - that it was all a part of them. The important part is that connecting with the void changed them. The important part is that parts of them left - void travelers? - and other, outside parts entered. The important part is that they made a choice.

The important part is that Ten-Nank likes tracking...

"Oh," he says again, thoughtfully this time, an acknowledgement instead of an attempt to find anything to say to fill the silence. "Does...does the Ministry help you keep track of the parts of you that left?" It may not be what they meant - it might not even be close - but part of me left and I want it back resonates too deeply for him to start anywhere else.

Ten-Nank, at least, isn't someone who appears to mind silence for whatever length of period. Time, both meaningless and of substance to someone like them, and so they can lay there with their leg now lowered, motionless, when their body is little more than transport. A means of communicating, for as well or as poorly as that goes.

"Y-YesNo. --No." But they speak when they are spoken to, give answers to questions. Nevermind the contradicting, stuttering start. "The Ministry attempts to track everything that moves through the void. But help, h-help me?"

...

"... my programs are not working well. 'Help'. 'Assist'. I understand, but-- I-I think I broke something."

A sigh noise comes, this time crackling as its audio plays.

"This is what I get for running too many programs..."

The stutter is worrying, especially after the magnitude of their previous answer, and to the point where he's not certain whether help me is a clarification or a request for aid.

I think I broke something cements it, and he lifts a hand, reaching out to offer that aid, but-

But Ten-Nank is made of stardust and their current body is circuitry, all metal parts and tamed lightning that he barely understands enough to know how it works, never mind fix it. He's not the right person for this job. "Do you need someone to fix your programs? I can call someone." Anan, if he can get ahold of her, or one of the tech-inclined voidtreckers if he can't.

He still has questions - he doesn't want this conversation to be over - but he's a healer first and foremost, and others' well-being will always come first.

"N-no need. I am adjusting. Less personal questions. The more I translate, the more WORD it takes. Energy."

For as long as Ryo's hand is out, close to Ten-Nank's body, the more the cold air that wafts from the bodysuit will be noticeable. Sitting in view of the elements, the elements as welcome to find a surface to stay. Like a hand over pure ice, disturbed as Ten-Nank then begins to move the most they have for their entire conversation. Onto their side, lower arm moved out, a hand under their head...

"I am in a recovery position," they explain, to the individual who likes words. "Boring. Fewer programs. Suggestion: adjourn until scheduled meeting time in twenty-seven hours."

It seems the conversation is over anyway. He wants to know more, but that just stands to hurt Ten-Nank even further, and he's not about to do that to sate his own curiosity.

He backs off instead, leaving them their space. "Okay. Um- you have someone you can contact if you need help, right?" He's hoping it doesn't count as a personal question, because he's not about to leave them alone and damaged without making sure they can get help if they need it.

"Suit can be transferred. I can leave. Aid requested. Plenty of options."

A simple reply, for a need to be simple. The amount they're willing to give without stressing their suit. ...but they do try their sigh program, at the result of a crackling noise joining the woeful sound.

If they had a more ingrained need for vocalising, they might remark something along the lines, Oh, bother.

"Okay." They need to rest, and they'll be taken care of if something happens. There's nothing Ryo can do to help them, and he'll only make things worse if he asks more questions. Like it or not, it's time for him to go. "I'll...leave you to it, then. Rest well."

He doesn't say I'm sorry or thank you - he's probably already toeing the line with rest well, and he doesn't need to make things harder on Ten-Nank. He also doesn't stop to take any of the food as he leaves. Ten-Nank needs space and time to recover; all he can do is give it to them and hope for the best.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Waking of Neran

no subject

no subject

no subject

[1/2]

[2/2]

I am both living and dying right now, thank you

i am glad to be of service

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject