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

"We are." And Devero's expression is still incandescently happy as he sighs those words.

He meets Koumyou's gaze, listening with head slightly tilted. "That-- that is a great idea!" Sure, he's maybe thought about the logistics of marrying Koumyou a fair amount already, but always with the assumption that they'd be holding the ceremony on the train like all the others he's seen. But if they're going to risk their tethers holding out to delay....

"Oh, you brilliant man," he says, lifting the hand on Koumyou's shoulder to cup his head, smooching the top of it soundly. "I think both of those ideas are wonderful."

"Yeah?" Koumyou peeks up at him after the head smooch, pleased. "I mean, the train brought us together, after all. And neither of us is staying unwillingly at this point, right? We can make the offer once we're ready to do this at the next vacation stop, and if it parks somewhere usable that time..."

They can take it as agreement to attend, or something. Otherwise they can just go find somewhere else on whatever stop.

"Then it wants to be there!" Devero finishes for him. "I love it."

He's in the process of cuddling up happily to his boyf-- fiance-- when there's a knock on the door to the balcony. It opens a crack and the eye of their host peeps through. "I am not disturbing?" she asks.

His fiance is quite happy to help, too, all bundled up in the blankets together. Koumyou peeks out from the impromptu nest at the knock, and is quick to assure their host, "Of course not! Are we staying too long?"

"No, no," she assures him quickly. She shoulders open the door and enters with a tray in hand, kicking it closed behind her once she's through. "You stay as long as you wish. This space is yours tonight!"

She eyes Koumyou and Devero, little eyes crinkling in a round face as she observes how closely together they're huddled. Looking directly as Devero, she asks, "Were you brave?"

"I was brave," he says. Under the blankets, he hugs Koumyou with the arm around him. Looking down at the priest, he says, "And he was even braver. He said yes."

Koumyou's face colors a little at that, but he doesn't argue and he certainly doesn't seem upset. He wriggles his left hand out of the blankets to show their host the ring, guessing that whether it's the custom here or not, with so many interplanetary travelers it has to be a known of custom.

"Wonderful!" she exclaims with bright sincerity. "Congratulations to you both!"

She sets her tray down on the table and leans over, taking Koumyou's hand in both of her mitten-covered ones to examine the ring. She tilts his hand this way and that, assessing the way the light plays across the different bands of material in an almost proprietary way.

Bouncing backwards on releasing his hand, she claps hers together. "Lovely, lovely. How lucky you both are, to find such beauty in the darkness!"

"Yes, well," Koumyou's more than a touch bashful, pulling his hand back into the warm blankets, "Devero's very special."

And his cheeks remain warm.

With another of those bright laughs, she claps her hand on Devero's shoulder('s vicinity, under the lump of blankets). "He is bold, this one," she informs Koumyou. "Not afraid to ask for what he needs. Could almost pass as one of us, if he had proper ears, the way he is with people."

It's Devero's turn to color, hunching down a little in response to her bluff praise. He doesn't know how to respond to that!

She spares him somewhat, turning to wave a hand over the tray. Unlike the cold food that was waiting for them when they arrived here, this new offering steams in the crisp air. She picks up a platter of what looks like funnel cake, down to the dusting of powdered sugar, and offers it to them. "For the betrothed," she says. She eyes Devero. "You remember what I showed you?"

Koumyou sets his remaining drink aside to help take the tray, but not without accusing, "You two really planned this out, didn't you?"

The expression on the alien woman's face is knowing, but it's Devero who answers. "I wanted this to be special."

He helps Koumyou support the tray with one hand, and uses the other to break off a piece of the confection. "This is an Osigan custom. Kriketja--" He nods at their host. "--said that was her price for helping me out: that we do this if you agreed. Go ahead and take a piece."

"Well, local customs are always very interesting!"

Full of curiosity, now, Koumyou does as asked, breaking a piece off with his freed hand.

"And then we hook our arms around each other," Devero says, demonstrating and bringing his bite of food up towards his mouth. "And then we eat it, right?" He glances sidelong at Kriketja, who nods encouragingly.

"Well, alright," Koumyou's arm, already hooked accordingly, shifts angle so that he can bring his piece up too. "Ready?"

"Ready," Devero confirms, and pops his bite into his mouth in tandem with Koumyou.

At first, it seems an innocuous enough bit of fried dough and powder sugar, the kind of festival delight that crops up over and over in any culture that eats grains.

But between the dough and the sugar lurks a thin glaze. A thin glaze that tingles on the tongue on at first, then sharpens, and then starts to burn. Osigan cuisine is already spicy-sweet, but this is a kick in the sinuses even for Osigan food.

"Oww," Koumyou whines, muffled by his chewing. "No warning, huh?"

Devero's reaction is a bit more demonstrative, his eyes starting to water and his mouth falling open to pant in the cold air as if that will soothe the spicy burn. "Kriketja!" he objects plaintively.

Kriketja's covered her mouth with her hands to muffle her laughter. "I'm sorry," she says after the moment it takes to get herself under control. "A joke, a joke, I couldn't help myself.

"But the tradition, that is a true thing." She approaches and puts a hand on both of their arms. "You eat the cake thus, linked, to show your commitment through both the sweet times and the harsh ones."

Backing off, she grins sharply at them. "The marriage cake, it is even hotter."

"At least there's no tabi socks in it," Koumyou muffle-speaks, chewing gamely while his eyes stream with tears. "I guess we'll have to get one before we leave, then."

Devero and Kriketja both stare at Koumyou when he says that, but Devero's the one who dissolves into laughter. "He's eaten some outlandish things," he explains between wheezes to the baffled local.

"Ah, a seasoned Voidtraveler," she says, as if that explains everything. This time it's Koumyou she claps on shoulder. "I will recommend a bakery, if you wish to get a proper cake for your marriage."

Koumyou swallows his first bite of the pastry and says with absolute seriousness, "I'm dying."

But he reaches for a second piece anyway.

She laughs uproariously, and smacks Koumyou on the shoulder again. "This one is very brave," she tells Devero approvingly. Addressing them both, she continues, "Many congratulations, my adventuring friends."

"I don't know how I can thank you for your help with this, Kriketja," Devero says, expression grateful. "You've been so generous--"

She waves him off with a click of her teeth. "You needed something, I could provide it. That is what we do, yes?"

"Yes," he agrees immediately. He reaches out to her, squeezing her hands when she places them in his. "That's exactly what people should do. Thank you so much."

She beams at him. This time she squeezes his hands, leaning in to peck him on one cheek after the other. Taking her hands back, she pats him on the cheek. "Have more of the cake," she abjures him. Stepping back, she wags a hand at the both of them. "It is good luck for your union, to share and to finish it all!"

With that parting exhortation and one last congratulation, she withdraws, leaving them alone on the balcony once more.

"I'm not brave, I'm reckless," Koumyou informs Devero in a conspiratorial murmur, before popping his second piece into his mouth.

Muffled, "Owwww..."

"Who said you can't be both?" Devero asks him, before tearing another piece free for himself. He eyes it warily, but doesn't let him hesitate for long. In it goes!

Koumyou doesn't even reach for his sake. He's not going to down that fancy stuff in some futile attempt to put out the fire in his mouth!

Tears are streaming down his face, and he has to clear his throat mid-chew to avoid a cough.

"...Not sure if I want the wedding cake from this world," he croaks, "or if I want one just to make everyone who comes to the party eat a piece..."

Evil, evil priest.

Devero gapes at him for a moment, before starting to laugh. "I'd like the people who come to our wedding to still be our friends after it, thanks!"

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