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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"Oh--then give me a few minutes!" Persephone has left the bed much faster than seems possible, blankets left flapping in her wake and is already rummaging in her bag. Then, having grabbed far more things than it seems possible to need, she disappears into the bathroom.

A few petals float to the bed where she'd once sat.

"...I wasn't done looking," Zetta grumbled to the empty air. At a much more sedate pace, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, then wandered towards the bathroom himself. Nothing said 'good idea' like eyeballing your girlfriend while she's getting ready!

Persephone had been hoping to surprise him with the whole outfit and effect, but she probably should have expected him to peek. Still, it's not like she's naked and it's not like she's always that careful about changing in front of him.

She's leaning over the edge of the sink in full underthings (how she has time to manage a garter belt in that timeline is unclear) and snipping her hair into a pixie cut with a tiny pair of scissors.

"I'm just gonna kiss you so hard it grows back later, y'know," he commented, leaning against the door frame to admire the view.

Persephone jumps, almost snipping up a little too high but pulling the scissors away at the least second. She throws him a dirty look as she dips back in to get that last strand.

"I have better control over it now, you know." Mostly. Not every makeout ends in hair everywhere anymore.

"Besides, I think the outfit looks better with short hair."

"That's a challenge." And one he'd remember. "I like your long hair better in general, but... being able to just grow it back out, we both get whatever we want almost whenever we want, right?"

He hadn't even considered that, ever, in a list of things to look for in a girl, and now here it was, one of his favorites. Funny how that worked out.

"Not at the same time but true. I like long hair. It just gets heavy."

Persephone ruffles her hair to get out the loose strands and gives it a critical eye. A few more snips and then she moves on.

"And its not a challenge." She raises an eyebrow at him, "If you kiss me like that while we're out, you get to carry that mass of hair yourself." Though it's pretty funny to imagine it coiled around Zetta like a bright pink scarf.

"The way you do it, I bet it does. What if I get some minions to carry it for you?"

If he can pass off that duty, hell yeah, she can have hair that stretched back to the train from wherever they went!

"No no no. You have to take responsibility yourself. No passing it off."

Persephone lifts up her dress, then holds it against her chest as she turns to look at him.

"Have you gotten your fill yet? Or are you going to watch me the whole time I get dressed?"

"Persephone," Zetta said, using her full name to indicate how deadly serious he was despite the broad grin on his face. "Have I ever gotten my fill? Ever?"

"You might have! Besides it's going to get very boring for you after I put on clothes and start on my makeup."

It's not like she's can just go out in this. Though she knows him well enough not to say that. Persephone flips the dress in her hands to find the bottom hem and her mind wanders. She probably could go out if she put a coat over it. Didn't Eros have something to say about that? Oh. Oh no. Her cheeks start to burn a very obvious deep pink.

Oooh, naughty thoughts. Persephone was sooo obvious when she thought naughty thoughts, and boy did he love it.

"There's two ways this can go. You put on clothes that show off what you've got, and I admire that. Or you put on clothes that hide what you've got, and I enjoy thinking about what they're hiding."

Congratulations, Persephone! You've managed to overcome Zetta's impatience and short attention span! Yay?

Well it's winter, land of chill, so it was always going to be option two today. But maybe next time... Persephone tries very hard not to blush. Bold. She can be bold right? After all, she's standing there in front of him in this. And sure, maybe she wishes they weren't going out because curling up in bed and seeing if something happens sounds really nice right now.

No. No she wants a date too. She pushes back her hair, walks over to him and kisses him on the cheek before giving him a gentle push.

"Love you, but you're wildly distracting. Out out out."

"Nooooo," Zetta protested, without trying to defer her push in the slightest. Banished! Woe is he!

Token noise of protest aside, Zetta tapped his knuckles together in delight, already conjuring up potential outfits for her in his head. And then he set to work putting a backpack together, both to carry some extra clothing in case she got cold, and to carry any larger purchases back that she didn't want to just disappear into an arbitrary and nebulously-defined 'inventory'.

With him out of the room, Persephone presses her palms to her cheeks, feeling the heat. She raises her gaze to the mirror and contemplates what she sees. He likes her like this. He likes her in most things, so he professes, but she knows he likes her in this. He's not hard to read.

Maybe she'll buy another fancier set. A little more lace. A little less fabric. No, no, she has to stop thinking about this, because if she has to cut her hair again, this is going to take forever.

In the interests of actually getting out of the room, she yanks the dress over her head. When she pokes her head out of the bathroom a while later, she's poised with a long coat thrown over one arm. Does the SCA clash? Yes. But she can't do anything about that.

"Thanks for being patient."

Honestly Persephone could wear a potato sack and she'd rock it, in Zetta's opinion.

"Huh?" Having distracted himself with thoughts that were often about her and often about conquering a Netherworld, he'd lost track of time. "Oh, I, uh, you know I'm just amazing like that. Most badass freaking Overlord and all!"

"Uh huh." Persephone kissed his cheek, quite possibly leaving a bright pink lipstick print there. She's not grinning to herself, it's a trick of the light.

"Well, will the most amazing of Overlords escort me around town?"

"Damn straight!" Utterly heedless of any possible damage to his image or reputation by smooch-marks, Zetta offered her an arm like a proper gentleman. She really did look adorable in that getup... "With pleasure!"

There is no move to remove that lipstick either. Sorry Zetta, inevitably it will be found while passing a mirror or window and she will be found out. But for now, it's for her own secret amusement.

When they're out of the hotel and in the city, Persephone finds herself suddenly overwhelmed with choice. Oh. Oh no. Oh no where do they go first? She turns in a slow circle, forcing him along with her, because of course she took his arm.

"Should we eat first? Or shopping before they get too crowded? Then we'd have to carry everything with us. Of course we'd have to do that anyways."

Zetta shrugged. "I've got minions and an inventory, carrying stuff isn't a problem." She couldn't even make him stand around holding a purse without embarrassment, which made him a lot more tolerant of shopping. Usually he'd be buying weapons of war and video games, but for her sake he could branch out a bit. Or watch her branch out.

Heh heh. It was funny because branches were growing things.

"So let's go shopping first. Work up an appetite."

One day she will understand what exactly an inventory is but today is not the day to worry about it. Today she wants to enjoy this.

"Shopping isn't that strenuous. Probably? I've only gone serious clothes shopping once. But I do want a few more pairs of earrings. And maybe a nice blanket for our room? If I had a loom, I could just make one, but where would I put one?"

"Yeah, we're not exactly suffering from having too much free space." Their own room was nice, and 'Sephe was pretty teeny, but even still. Zetta pictured a loom as being about the size of a grand piano, for no reason other than that was what he had a reference for. "But if you've been getting cold, I feel like I've been slacking!"

"It's not that I'm cold!"

Persephone clings to his arm, floating a few inches up to be in his level.

"And you're a very good hot water bottle." Pat pat, "I just like more layers. And I'd kind of like something that is more for us. Personalize it. It's been four months and it still kind of feels like we're in a really tiny hotel room sometimes."

Walking was just way too easy when she floated. So easy to get used to. Sometimes he thought about saying she should just do it all the time, but... some instinct told him that it was much better to just let her do what she wanted, when she wanted it.

"Yeah, I'll give you that one. The place could use a little decoration. Not much point in a bigass TV, but... hmm."

What would he like to add to make it better? Well, if nothing else...

"So what colors are you thinking? I like reds, black, and gold myself."

"Gee, I wouldn't have guessed." Persephone can't help herself. Whoops. But really, his outfit some for itself.

"But--I like green and white. And gold is nice too. Or black." And pink obviously but that feels a bit too matchy matchy. She doesn't want to be the same color as the blanket.

"Green would pop with your hair, you know."

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