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

"Thanatos, Death Incarnate," they repeat in greeting - and unlike mostly everyone else they have met with, gone is the exhausted tone that always hovers in the edges of their words. They stand in the same room they've been for the duration of the Voidtrecker's stay on the world, without anything but the chairs and seatings around them. Turning to Thanatos, to better face him.

"I am Ten-Nank, yes. If you present your SCA, I will scan it, and send in what you submitted in your testimony in a separate report, to be reviewed for a scouting mission. You should provide any further details that may be useful: on the gods, on how you exact your work; if you believe the other gods will interfere with our own outside interference, if we are able to find a temporary solution; an approximation on the level of work you usually do; what you would consider the population levels to be. Anything and everything you can."

They take out a hand of their own, all steel, raised ready for some next move.

"I assume this to be no easy task. I promise no possible relief to all that have been affected. I will push to have this case receive higher priority, immediately."

If Thanatos has already presented his SCA, then it - along with himself - is already being scanned in a green light running over him and the SCA.

"All of your words shall be recorded."

( ooc: feel free to brush over some details if you want, that's cool. )

With a nod, Thanatos comes closer, but he stops at arm's length. He could simply extend his arm for Ten-Nank to scan the SCA at his wrist. However, given how Sisyphus first trapped him, Thanatos opts to remove his SCA, hand it over, and hope that works.

"It's difficult to say what the gods will do. This has not been the first time Death has stopped on the world. Only the God of War, Lord Ares, sought Death out then. However, the gods, especially the Olympians, are prideful. They may reject the idea that they need help, even if the problem stems from one of their own. Lady Demeter has thrown the world into an eternal winter that has lasted for many years, and they've done nothing despite how the mortal world suffers."

Thanatos frowns. That makes it sound hopeless (which Thanatos believes), that the gods would stop the Void Ministry at every turn. That won't help his case. There has to be something....

"I would find a way to get in touch with Nyx, Night Incarnate. She is my mother, and I believe she would be able to speak on behalf of the Chthonic Gods and tell you of the world's situation. I would speak with Lord Hermes as well. He is the god's messenger and one of the few who can travel between the Underworld and Olympus. We work together, and if direct influence is unwelcome, both of them could find ways to work around them."

And should the Void Ministry be a danger, they would be able respond accordingly. Mother Nyx is a force to be reckoned with.

"Stop," Ten-Nank speaks up, as it becomes clear what Thanatos is about to do, allowing him to get as far as to detach the SCA, but not to hold it out. With their own hand out, the tips of their fingers blush a green, and then a light comes over Thanatos, a deeper green covering his SCA.

It lasts for a few seconds, and then Ten-Nank lowers their hand, giving a "I'm done, continue," if Thanatos had stopped speaking. Listening from there without an inch of movement.

"Understood," they say finally, when Thanatos stops. "Do you have a signature, an insignia, some show of proof that we speak - we come - on your behalf. I may request a recording of your words, but it is not always enough. Further questions: how to contact Lord Hermes. Are there shrines, temples that the mortals use? Is entry into Olympus or the Underworld likely to be noticed."

"..." Thanatos stares at Ten-Nank. He believes he would be okay. Cold doesn't bother him, and languages are much of a problem when it comes to gods. (Although, Thanatos may be too confident in his ability to survive without an SCA on.)

He would say that attempting to enter the Underworld or Olympus would be forfeiting one's life, but without the presence of death, that isn't necessarily true. It's still not a good idea. "Do not attempt to enter the Underworld or Olympus. You will be noticed and dealt with using the full-extent of the gods' rule. There are temples to which you can pray to. Mother Nyx sees much at night. Lord Hermes can be found nearly everywhere. He is a god of travelers as well."

But what could the Ministry say that would let them know they are there because Thanatos spoke to them? Would they be able to piece together the truth since he had sent both of them messages through the river? Should he not depend on that? Then, Mort climbs his up shoulder and gives a small tug on Thanatos's ear. That could work. "Tell them that little Mort wonders how Battie is."

They would know who Mort is. Not many others would also know of Megaera's Chthonic Companion. (Hermes probably has learned about her through Charon. What Charon knows, Hermes knows.)

Ten-Nank does not respond to staring.

"Noted. Then, I will take a recording of a message of you, if you will consent to it. Further proof. I would request you don't speak entirely of your situation, of the void and the voidcraft, as words have a habit of travelling, of giving ideas to those who will attempt means to reach outside their influence. Not always agreeable to the existence of rules, as you spoke of, that are above theirs. Always a mess."

Especially when it came to gods.

"Leave the details for those you trust, when you meet them again, if you feel such a need to talk. Otherwise, ask for clarifications required, and then tell me when you are ready to record."

Neither does Thanatos respond to staring, much. They seem to speak a similar language. (And Thanatos can always appreciate someone doing their job.)

Ten-Nank doesn't know that the train gave them the chance for a one-way communication to people back home. Even if Thanatos doesn't mention those things in this message, they will have some related information already. He mentally sighs. He hates godly politics, but if he doesn't consider these things, his mother will have Words for him.

And even Death Incarnate is afraid of disappointing his mother.

"I believe I'm ready." Thanatos waits for some kind of sign to begin before he starts to speak. "Mother Nyx, Lord Hermes. Death approaches you with this message. The one before you has arrived at our world on my request for reasons you are likely aware of now. I trust you to make the necessary judgements and do the required actions for what's best for our world."

With Thanatos saying so, Ten-Nank brings out their hand once more, this time showing him their palm. It shimmers with a blue light, once that lightly sweeps across him, nothing to sting his eyes.

"Proceed," they say as their signal, their eye slits changed to the same blue, and do not speak as he does. Waiting once silence comes to ask, "When you are finished, let me know. My interruption will be removed."

"I am finished," he says with a nod. Thanatos will have to trust that it was recorded. He's still learning a lot about advanced technology, but he knows that sometimes one won't "see" anything happening despite it working.

"Do you have a rough time estimate of when I might hear something about my system number and state of the world?"

Eyes turn from blue to green, and the hand comes down with an eventual sigh.

"Do you know the length of time inside the craft and how it matches to your own sense of time? I can calculate, try, but more time may be added depending on cooperation with The Voidtrecker Express. It isn't a fan of being in communication with us."

Thanatos knows that to be true of the train, and as Ten-Nank talks about sense of time, he starts to realize how foolish his questions was.

"It is the month of Orchestra on the train. Beyond that time reference, I do not know." He gives a sigh, knowing that it can still be some time before he's able to hear anything.

"Orchestra. 'A large musical ensemble'."

Don't mind them, they're just reading a dictionary in their programming.

"I will...note it, but there's a chance the voidcraft is making up a calendar for the benefit of the individuals on it. Maybe. I don't know, calendars mean nothing to me. Give us... a month, maximum, whatever that translates to, but given some lengths of months, I would hope we're already working on the situation by then."

"..."

Wait. What?

"The train isn't using a calendar that the Void Ministry uses?" The strange names that changed each month don't match. It might benefit the passengers, but if it doesn't match anything anyone else uses.... "Then does Jelly, Kazoo, Llama, Merriment, or Nebula mean anything to you related to time?"

Thanatos had thought the calendar had been standardized, but it appears the train might have just as much luck as the Underworld does when it comes to keeping time.

"No." The answer, for once, is amused. "There is no singular method of tracking time; individuals tethered follow the time of their tethering, usually the system that the void hub is in. Time is defined by individuals, and the void connect to many, many systems, many existences. For what similarities exist, 'time' depends on your void hub."

They gesture out, towards the window holes bringing in the blue glow of the finite night.

"What constitutes as a month here may be a year to another, a day to another one. The voidcraft - the train, as you called it - runs on its own time. From the system it's bound to."

~~No matter what, the time for Thanatos is 7:48.~~

"The only good reference point for a conversion would be the false Diagad mission. It happened the first half of Merriment. And that was about two months ago from the train's time definition."

Thanatos sighs. Ten-Nank's words make sense even when he doesn't fully understand the full workings of Void Travel. Still, it sounds like a mess for the records department, and considering what Thanatos does know of how systems are numbered, records needs all the help it can get. There must be a great number of conversion charts required.

"Regardless, I thank you for hearing me about my world. It has been a source of great concern since I was taken."

"It is...appreciated, I think is the word, that you would come forward. It allows us to know more about the individuals tethered, the pre-cautions not taken. For who is taken. For the dangers."

They stop, perhaps the end, their shell showing nothing of what's going on behind it. But-

"I have a request. Maybe two. Two favours, a debt, however you wish to see it. Individuals are hard for me to interpret, and those with emotions, they're very hard to interpret. I would like your help to have individuals with locations, worlds they're concerned for, to come to me. To have their system ID scanned, and to let us investigate. The Ministry, anyway. Their void scouts. I have little to do with that type of investigating."

Oh, does Thanatos ever relate to Ten-Nank then, searching for the right word for a sentiment they're unfamiliar with even if it's tangentially related to their job.

"I could pass along a message. Off the train, the SCA can communicate to everyone." It's after he says this that he realizes that Ten-Nank knows more about what the SCA can do than him; he hadn't needed to clarify. He also doesn't feel like Ten-Nank will owe him anything for doing this, not when they are potentially helping him--his world.

Thanatos will give his message once to Ten-Nank before giving the message to the everyone. He doesn't waste time.

"Was that all?" Ten-Nank implied there was a second request.

"No," they answer, with that one favour done. "I wish to know: do you know how tethering works? What is done, what is the risk of tethers. Are you aware that it's likely your physical body is still on your planet?"

"What. No." Thanatos has little idea on how these tethers work and had assumed that he--body and soul--was tethered to the train. Not just a part of himself. He's felt physical pain. He's bled ichor. Thanatos feels physically present, and yet....

"Are you saying that I'm a shade now?" Sadly, his body being present back home still doesn't solve the problem of the lack of death. He had been locked in a chest for a month, still bodily present on his world, but death had stopped without Hermes or Charon able to pick up his slack.

Where would his body even be? On the surface or the Underworld? He remembers having been in the middle of shifting to a new location. He could be in either location.

"Possibly. Does a shade need to be dead? The tether brings in the equivalent of the soul into the void - your being, essence, who you represent. It is you in every way - your abilities, your capabilities, but also your limitations, your needs. So, if you were on a planet that allowed it, you could pass on life there - you can do as you can do. This is the tethering system that is used - physical bodies, the physical anchor of a person, can't yet travel the void."

A beat.

"Safely, anyway. Or maybe it perishes beyond existence? Into nothing. I never checked. But that's the tethering system widely used."

"Yes. Shades are what remains after death. They are what I take to the Underworld and who inhabit there for the rest of eternity. Ghosts, souls, spirits, they mostly refer to the same thing."

Which is still worrying as that would mean his body would appear as dead back home if his soul is here and not with his body. Anyone who came across him would think Death was dead. "I have been able to survive without eating and drinking for long lengths of time. But what of the mortals here? Are they going to have bodies to return to after all this?"

"The tethering process itself aids in some form of protection. They consume in this function, and so it provides to the body - as long as it stays intact. But," they continue, with that dreaded but, "--there are unknown factors. The conditions of the tethers, for one. Usually, the physical anchor - the body - is stored safely, at stations where they can be watched over. This is one point of the tether."

They sigh as they continue into their next words. "But, none of you are from void active worlds. Where are their bodies? Not just this, but some of you - the passengers - have brought up unstable tethers. Individuals disappearing, reappearing. Tethers can break; individuals can become lost from their physical presence, unable to be reconnected. They will notice nothing. They will act and be as they have before, as they always have."

To be dead in a sense, never knowing. The light of the falling sors drifts down Ten-Nank's impassive face.

"I asked if you knew because I wondered. Doing this job, I have to care about the wellbeing of individuals. So, I want the dangers to be known of their situation. They don't know the void - you don't know the void. There could be no reason to worry, but the information I have tells me there's a likelihood of it. You are an example of this. There are too many risks. We need to learn more about the tethers. To make sure they're healthy. That passengers can keep their physical self. Body."

Thanatos isn't an optimist, but that is a relief on some level. There is something, no matter how shaky, helping the mortals out for those necessities of life. They aren't just dead from starvation or dehydration... or even just a lack of breathing. "I do not think many of us are aware. Even if it had been mentioned before, nothing this clear. We knew the tethers are unstable, like when they disappear from the train, but the meaning beyond that hadn't been fully explored."

He looks at his hands, and Mort scrambles down his arm to sit in his palm and peer up at him with his dark eyes. Are they not really physically here? "I know being a god makes my situation different, but if studying my tether would help, I offer myself."

If only for the sake of the other gods on the train, like Zagreus, like Persephone, like Death even though she does not consider herself a god.

"You being a god doesn't mean much, but it isn't that simple. We would need cooperation from the voidcraft, as well as most of those on board. An agreement to allowing us to study the train, and to see what can be done for the health of the tethers."

To better figure everything out.

"I will attempt to pass on information about tethers and their risks. But I understand that the limitations of travels, of experiences and who you - general - are, makes it difficult to imagine risks, dangers. If they are experiencing unstable tethers, then there's nothing to say that any tether is truly stable. No one would know when that tether breaks. No one knows what has happened to their physical anchor."

They pause, something longer than usual. Before they sigh, and find their favourite seat facing the holes for windows.

"My time with the passengers and my time without them has set my programs to be worried for everyone. It's exhausting. Everyone will still exist in the sense of being part of the voidcraft, but we would like to avoid that, if possible. The Ministry we."

"I understand how you feel," Thanatos admits as Ten-Nank goes to their seat. He'll remain where he is, floating stiffly as he's wont to do. "It is exhausting."

If all life died on his planet, they would still exist in the Underworld in a sense, but he would like to avoid that. His worries have been ever present in his mind since he realized he was separated from his world, trapped. He's worried about Zagreus, his family, the Underworld in general, the mortals, and just... Life. Past experience taught him that the responsibility is ultimately his because he can't trust that the other gods will help him, help their world.

Mort stares at him a moment longer before finding a warm spot in his scarf. "Still, I will do what I can." It's all Thanatos can really say.

"And I will too," they reply, not needing anything more - anything to begin with, really. As still as a statue, their figure unmoving in its seat.

"If you have anything more to say, to ask, I'll be here. Fortunately, I'm incapable of 'enjoying' festivals. I have no predictable reasons to leave this space."

(no subject)

controlsthedie - 2021-12-28 01:13 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Waking of Neran

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

congrats to Ten-Nank for winning the 1st use of this icon

can't believe they chibified thanatos, death incarnate

They have more power than they realize

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)