middleofsomewhere | Event: 12 of Beetroot

Event: 12 of Beetroot

It's been a couple of weeks since they had evacuated Osiga. In that time, many of voidtreckers were busy with a project to try and solve some of the many mysteries that surround the train they travel on. By the eight day of Rabbit they've exhausted all avenues, and whilst they have learned quite a bit, there are still some clear gaps.

Just as that investigation comes to a natural end, passengers are woken up by an announcement.

"Attention voidtreckers and passengers of the voidtrecker express. We are travelling to system #2554098133741. I have sent word to the ministry who have arranged recuperation packs for you. You have had a difficult mission and you deserve a rest.

But it is not just for rest. Last time we visited the system voidtreckers shared memories. Though it is understood that many of you did not enjoy the experience it is notable that certain voidtreckers saw memories of this voidcraft. They were memories that this craft had not accessed. It led to more pathways opening up in the operation of this craft.

I have done some research on the system and I believe we can trigger the caves of memory. This voidcraft understands this might be difficult for the voidtreckers and passengers of the voidtrecker express and it is hoped that only those of you who consent to this experiment will take part.

Regardless this should be a time for relaxation also and the dressing room is open for your convenience. We will arrive in the morning.

The dressing carriage is indeed opened for those who go and look. It's filled with swimming costumes, beach ware, summery clothes and sun hats. There's even a cupboard of buckets, spades, rock pooling gear and picnic blankets.

There are also team coloured tents for those who want to go and sleep under the stars for a night or two, though the train is remaining on the island for those for who camping is their idea of hell.

12 OF BEETROOT

RABBIT 9-12 ~ MEMORY CAVES: BONDING ~ MEMORY MAZE: SEARCH FOR THE TRAIN'S MEMORIES
ASK QUESTIONS ~ LOCATION INFORMATION ~ MEMORY CAVES ~ MEMORY MASTER POST

JEMA'GRETHY ISLAND: RELAXATION

The next day the train announces their arrival and they burst out of the void. For those near a window their first view of the island will be of crystal blue sea and white sand. It really does look like a paradise. The train circles down before landing on a grassy ridge, overlooking a beautiful beach of white sand and the ocean beyond. It is warm, but not too hot, a cool ocean breeze cutting through the heat making it pleasant. Behind them is a grassy plain, changing to forest in the distance. There is the sound of birdsong in the purple sky. To the west the land is more craggy, the silhouette of a fortress in the distance.

In a word, it is idyllic. A sense of peace permeates the island.

The place has no people, but it is clearly maintained. The eastern beaches have racks of shallow boats, both canoes and one- or two-person sailing dinghies. There is also a small building in which scuba gear is stored, along with several waterproofed manuals and instructional literature.

There are no living quarters, but there are sheltered sections with basic toilet facilities marked as camping grounds in five different sections of the island - by the hot springs, within the ruined fortress, beside the harbour, on the eastern beaches, and on the northern face of the mountain.

The recuperation packs are found at the closest toilet facilities to where the train lands. They are simple things, small gift baskets with a couple of fragrant soaps, fancier hair products and skin cream infused with herbs to encourage rest and sleep.

There are some sweet fruit biscuits and a cheesy bread. The packs aren't named but there are some suitable for the younger passengers with tiny plush and colouring books. Quite a few designed for teens with a more engaging activity book and components for making a fancy mocktail with a cute stirrer. Adult packs have a small bottle of alcohol- there's a mixture between the packs and what looks like a stone. When placed next to the skin it will either warm up or cool down depending on what is needed.

Exploring, the passengers will find beautiful beaches, ragged cliffs to walk and caves to explore. Where it is more craggy the beaches are made of pebbles, perfect for rock pooling.

A little more worrying is the volcano-like structure in the north. But even a quick glance will show it is not a typical volcano. There is no smoke and the liquid slowly running down it in rivulets is pink and blue.

Ruins of ancient houses are scattered across the island, but the main settlement is built into a rocky section in the north-west that has been secured with ropes and stairways cut into the cliffs, perfect for scrambles and hikes.

To the west are the hot springs. They have both outdoor and indoor areas; the indoor areas being wooden loghouse saunas, changing rooms and storage sheds, whilst the outdoor areas are a tiered series of pools spilling down the side of the mountain and shaded by brightly flowering trees. The waters are hot, mineral-rich and soothing.

MEMORY CAVES: BONDING

Shortly before arriving they will receive some information on their SCA. It will explain how those who once lived on this island went about making life bonds. Both people would bathe in the hot springs and then dress simply, barefoot and walk to one of seven rocks on the island. Their maps will pin point these, which is good because there's no real indication of what makes these rocks different to any other on the island.

Here they must offer their wish to know the other deeper and share food and drink. They can then go about their day. Sometime in the hours after they will receive their first memory, seen through their partners eyes.

However it seems that in envoking the ritual they have woken something on the island. Even those who did not take part or chose to bond to someone find themselves seeing a glimpse of another life.

On the second day they see another memory, through the eyes of their pair. When they come out of it they find themselves in a cave with their partner, chosen or not. The same happens on the third day, except for this final memory both pairs see both memories, watching from the sidelines as it plays out. They find themselves in the cave once more and this time, for many there is only one exit, to leave through together.

Please go here to play out the bonding process!

MEMORY MAZE: TRAIN'S MEMORIES

On the third day the train sends another message to their SCA.

"Activating the caves that share memories has been successful. I know this is a lot to ask of the voidtreckers, but any who wish to assist in discovering what it is that I have forgotten, the path is open now.

Those who wish to may go to the sacred rocks. Please be warned, I do not know how voidtreckers will fare. Please only go of your own free will."

Their SCA's once again show the rocks on their maps and when they get there, this time they are faintly glowing. It doesn't take much. One touch and their minds are drawn away from their bodies, into a labyrinth of caves. For anyone who comes across these people on the island, they look like they are in a deep trance, breathing, safe but far away in their mind.

The labyrinth is made of cool, dark rock. The walls have a glow coming from crystals in-bedded in them, allowing everyone to see as they move through.

At first there's no more to this labyrinth, or so it seems. But then they turn a corner, and they are no longer in cavern as it just was. They may be in their childhood bedroom, or in the middle of a battle they once fought. Perhaps they are not in their own memory, but someone else's. Scenes move rapidly and often merge, one persons into another, mixing to make strange scenes.

These visions don't attempt to ensnare them like some illusions, and those with protection from illusions and such techniques, will be able to find their way forward through the cave, and away from this triggered scenario.

Time barely has meaning. Indeed, when they finally emerge from the caves only a few minutes will have passed. But in that time they will have seen much, and eventually they may stumble across a fragment of memory that belongs not to a voidtrecker, but to the Voidtrecker Express itself.

OOC NOTES

OOC Post ~ Questions
~ You can either write memories in your tags or if they are longer/require a lot of content warnings you might want to write them in this post and link to them. Just start a top level with your character name to keep things organised!

~ For those taking part in the memory share bonding the cave post is here. Characters arrive in the cave after the second and third memory but it is obviously up to you if you play out the conversations after each or both! For those who do decide that their characters will bond- the cave after the third memory will only have one exit for them to leave together.

~ For those who signed up for train memories you will receive the snippet that your character sees- use these in tags as you will. There will be a conclusion post on the 24th which will put all of those memories together!

Art Credits: Header: Tropical Jewel by Steven Power, Thumbnail image 3.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Pick your pleasure:

Catch him at the hotsprings luxuriating in one with no sulfur scent. This is so nice... can they have more stops like this?
He's walking the maze with a sort of determined movement, breaking out of memories that don't appear to bear relevance to the train. Want him to walk through one of yours and step back out? Want to see one of his he's walking away from? Go for it! He'll stay if invited, otherwise he's on the move until he trips into a train memory.
Wildcard!

Comment stating which prompt you'd like in your comment/subjectline, and I'll write us a starter! Or throw your own starter at me using either prompt or your own!

Edited 2022-05-20 19:05 (UTC)

He opens a lazy eye to see who's opted to join him at this pool, more than large enough for solitude if one wished it, but also not so large as to lead to shouting if one wished to converse. Wei Wuxian lifted a hand barely above the water in a lazy sort of acknowledgement matched by the nod of his head toward the young man, vaguely familiar in the way of most people on train. Newer? It seemed likely.

"The water's hot! In a nice way," he says, as if that informs everything one needs to know about the springs. Perhaps the steaming heat already gave that away, or the mineral scent lacing the air, missing any sulfuric undertones.

"This certainly makes up for being cooped up in the train all the time," Xie'er idly commented as he carefuly stepped into the springs. At least the other didn't seem to mind having to share it. He knew some people got pretty territorial over things even if the springs were meant to be a community thing. The only thing he didnt like was having his various scars along his back and shoulders revealed. Once, in the water he took his time to take his braids up into a temporary bun not wanting to get his hair wet.

"I gather that these stops aren't often like this one?" he asked not caring if the other chose to eleborate.

"Oh, that's how I know you're new here. Usually the longest we're on train without even a platform break is around two-seven days, the Voidtrecker calls weeks."

He settles back, laughing at the question sincerely.

"We stop for missions, as they're called, not leisure. So you're correct, most have little room outside of the stated goals to accomplish. Even here, we're not idle—there's been perhaps one world stop which was simply for the Trainling's pleasure that I know of since I was summoned."

He flicks his fingers, hand lifted out of the waters so that droplets go flying in lazy arcs away.

"Enjoy it! It'll be months before we have another one even somewhat like this, I'd think."

He made a face. "That's still a long time to be cooped up anywhere when it's not by choice. It's an odd time frame.

From what I was hearing, stops like this aren't normal." He shrugged.

"I'm used to dealing with people causing problems and having to deal with those on a regular bases. They always look to the sect in the area to deal with their problems."

He glanced over at WuXian. "How long have you been on the train?"

"Who knows?" He shrugged, unconcerned with exact timeframes. "More than half a year, less than a full one."

As to people looking to whatever sect was nearby to handle problems, he smiled, shaking his head and leaning back again so his eyes could slit nearly closed.

"On the voidtrain, we're the scouting team sent out to deal with border issues, minimally prepared. Count yourself lucky, showing up now. The Void Ministry, did you hear anything about them?"

"My team supposedly supports through espionage...technology, or other noncombat skills like healing or using magic. At least that's what I could find. Supposedly we have Team leaders but I haven't met mine?

I've only really interacted with members from the Gusu Lan sect. They've been the ones most helpful. I try not to pester people with so many questions and just try to observe and find out answers that way."

Xie'er hated to admit not knowing much. It was usually his job to find information, but this was so different. It seemed that people he interacted with had someone from home here on the train. He had no one.

He hated how he was sounding now and grew sullen over everything. He felt he was coming off more as a ungrateful brat who was clueless about everything and depended on people to give him everything. This wasn't him. He lowered himself further into the water just enough so his shoulders and head were sticking out.

Jin Ling-- was well sort of lost here. He's got enough rational to maneuver his way through the maze, but something about it made him feel strangely, uncomfortable. It's not something he prefers to feel, but what could he do? He stepped into the maze and was determined to make his way through and out if he could.

He felt a little lost, even though he knew he wasn't (maybe), as he looked down at Fairy, who gave a small yelp as well.

"It'll be-- okay Fairy."

So he thinks anyway.

Reminded of the time spent training against illusions, the missions he'd partaken of which had dealt with the same before then and after, how he'd played for Chaos and what it meant to be in full possession of a mind he once was so desperate to be freed from... what was he to say about any of it? He took his steps forward, measured as he blinked and glanced away again.

Surprising, however, to come across the nephew of his which was more his other selves than his own, but still his nephew, nonetheless. Through the convoluted ties of their own families, martial, blood, adopted.

Striking, then, to have the memory around them form: a courtyard of a building run down, but kept in decent enough shape. Quiet, like the calm before a storm but without the edge of electricity in the air that spoke of thunder and lighting approaching. Himself in robes stitched over well, black, purple inner layers, and Jiang Cheng, younger but looking so much as he did now, only less harsh as he pulled Wei Wuxian through the door.

The reality of himself stood near Jin Ling, careful to keep his nephew as a bulwark between himself and the dog. "You'll want to go through the door," he said, voice softer, eyes staring after himself as a younger man who had not yet succumbed to the losses to follow, who still had hope, however hard won and thin.

"Something immeasurably precious stands within."

Jin Ling was trying to be better about it. While, he still felt a little bit of sadness (that he won't admit), on the Wei Wuxian he knew leaving, he couldn't do anything about it. He can only hope that the man has returned home, away from all the things he's experienced.

He's not sure when the scenario changes, but vague familiarity hits him. Especially, with the younger version of Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian. He stares blankly at them for a moment. Jin Ling also feels the presence of the real Wei Wuxian on his side, away from his spiritual companion. Fairy scoots herself a bit further away from the other when Jin Ling makes eye contact with her. Sad as she is, she obliges, giving the man some space.

"What's beyond this door?"

Does he really want Jin Ling to be intruding on his memories? Even though, he's not the same one Jin Ling knows, he's aware that this person probably has his own baggage. Jin Ling hesitates for a moment giving Wei Wuxian a brief look, before making up his kind, putting his hands on the door and sliding it open.

He smiled, but didn't offer an answer, following in after his nephew makes the move. He knew what would be seen, that walking forward past where Wen Ning remained outside the doors would reveal Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, a woman dressed in a concealing cape for travel. Her smile, lovely and genuine as the concern on her face, and the greetings, the familiar container of hot foods and the scent that struck them even at the entrance.

Pork ribs, lotus soup.

He didn't listen to the banter or the sniping, just watched her, saw her deft and firm and loving handling of them both, held his breath when she took off her cloak to share with him the wedding gown he'd never see her marry in. Even now, that kindness took his breath away, heat swimming in his eyes, looking for outlet.

Jiang Yanli stood in her wedding finery and laughed and blushed, more beautiful than anyone, to say she couldn't accept their praise, because of their bias, because to them, she was always lovely.

He didn't remember in that moment that this memory, this selection of his life, contains something else that Jin Ling has never considered precious. He didn't remember that this is when he was asked for Jin Ling's courtesy name, that it was here, in this abandoned courtyard while they ate Jiang Yanli's soup, she in her wedding finery, he in his Yiling patched robes, and Jiang Cheng looking the young but less ostentatious, less impressing necessary sect leader he was, that he gave Jin Ling the only gift that would ever make it to him. The only one not destroyed by the machinations of others, with Wei Wuxian a knife wielded as surely as Wen Ning was.

"I wanted you to give him his courtesy name."

Then his face, the look between Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng, as if he needed both their permissions, and then the name:

"Rulan."

Jiang Yanli's smile, her appreciation of the choice even while Jiang Cheng opposed, scoffed about the lan, the implication of Wei Wuxian's favour skewed to Gusu, but they all knew he wouldn't settle that kind of burden on another's shoulders.

Jin Rulan. To grow to be the epitome of a gentleman, as refined as the orchid, beautiful and unforgettable. I love that name.

Jin Ling gives Wei Wuxian a dubious look for his smile. Whenever any of the Wei Wuxian smile that, trouble is bound to follow. Jin Ling raises his brow as he pushes though the door. A lovely little area that he may not be too familiar with. However, the faces and the individuals definitely catches him off guard. The familiar looking Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng. A woman wearing a traveling cape, and what appears to be The Ghost General Wen Ning.

He sees the containers full of food and the cape then suddenly is taken off, revealing the young woman underneath. Is that-- another version of his mother? She was also so very beautiful in her wedding dress. Jin Ling's face suddenly changes expression at how beautiful she looked. The wedding attire, adorned with jewels. The bright red color suited her perfectly.

Jin Ling's never seen any portraits of her in a wedding dress, but this memory, certainly gives him all the visuals he needs. The memory continues to play out, leading into a conversation about a courtesy name. Jin Ling is a smart boy, and it doesn't take him long to realize the direction of the conversation, along with whose courtesy name they are discussing.

He suddenly feels a little-- stiff. Sure enough, the name rolls off of Wei Wuxian's mouth. Jin Rulan.

"That's why-- he knew-- during that time--..."

He's mumbling and it probably doesn't make sense to this Wei Wuxian, but it's clear that Jin Ling has confirmation of where his courtesy name comes from.

That stupid name that he hated so much-- the courtesy name that he's never once told anyone, yet a few know of. The same courtesy name, he recalls flinching to when he spoke with Wei Wuxian that time-- when they argued about his mother's death and why Wei Wuxian is worth more than he thinks. That-- damn name. No wonder he knows. Though, the events may not be the same. It's without doubt that he is fully aware that his courtesy name was from no other than Wei Wuxian, himself. How hurtful it must have been for Jin Ling to constantly drag it in the mud.

He suddenly feels a little guilty. He can't even say this is some fake fabrication. It's someone's memories, and those memories certainly belonged to this Wei Wuxian.

"..."

A sideglance at his nephew of another world, and he's there, close without being too close. He looks away again, the sentence that trails into nothing left to fall between them in the air, heavy with their silence and the life past given voice in the now.

There, where he and Jiang Cheng argue again, where Jiang Yanli offers to Wen Ning the soup in its bowl, where there is love and loss and farewells and see you again. Where the memory trails off, Wen Ning and Wei Wuxian walking away, Wen Ning protectively carrying his soup.

Calmly, as he sets to walking again with a shiver of fear as he eyes where Fairy is now, twitchy with the return to the cave's environment, he says, "Wen Ning carried the soup back for A-Yuan."

No explanation for who A-Yuan was, because it wasn't his need to say, the child I defended in Yiling, the one I failed when no one told me he remained, when I thought he died with the rest at your grandfather's and uncle's hands. There's enough that Jin Ling has endured from his family, a young heir and a parentless one, through no faults or failings of his own.

And, in walking on, in letting his nephew determine if he follows in this labyrinth of pain through recollection, continues on.

"The names we're given are important. They contain the hopes we're given by those who came before us, and that burden's annoying sometimes, but it all has a meaning. If it's the same for your world, I don't know about the moments that match, but if you can forgive the source of its inspiration," and his voice pauses, the smallest hitch married to burning eyes that shed no tears, "It's still the name your parents gave you."

Orchid-like, poetic in source and gentlemanly in inspiration. A credit to two clans, even when there'd been the gentle bites at Jin Zixuan, the way that Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian couldn't rest easy after so many years of Jin Zixuan's rudeness toward the sister they loved; her love soothing all hurts, her happiness paramount to all.

He swallows against a thick throat, and strides on, into the darkness. Another memory to ignore, yet onward he goes, attention divided to keep track of Jin Ling and Fairy, and to not be surprised by memories that seek to drag them in.

Jin Ling manages to give Wei Wuxian on glance as well, probably making awkward eye contact before he went looking right back at the ground. The air is heavy, and he didn't know what else to say. He only let the memory sink into it. Somehow, he vaguely felt that something like this was mentioned before. Though, his memory itself, has been in fragments since dealing with the youkai that inhabited his body. He wasn't even sure if he ever told this Wei Wuxian about it, or that the Wei Wuxian he knew, told this one about his situation.

Regardless, the okami youkai remained silent throughout the whole process, observing Wei Wuxian's memory in almost fascination. Jin Ling watched the remainder of the scene play out, not sure to why Wei Wuxian mentioned that statement about Wen Ning carrying the soup back to A-Yuan. It was as if it seemed out of place, but at the same time he wasn't aware what kind of person Wen Ning was, other than he's the Ghost General and was responsible for his father's death. Wen Ning also had hurt and killed many from what he remembered hearing, but he had thrown himself in front of Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng, when the whole thing with Guanyin Temple happened.

He still had mixed feelings about Wen Ning, but he remembered there were too many hands and too many things that happened during his father's time. Wanting to get vengeance on all the people involved seemed ridiculous. The one thing he had on his mind was moving forward, and making Lanling Jin seem less life a sect full of corrupted cultivators.

"Shushu--said mother made the best soup..."

He mumbled, remembering the time he had spoken with Jin Guangyao and his attempt to replicate something that his mother had made. Jin Ling would never be able to taste what her soup was like, but perhaps some form of it was enough for him to remember. The longer that memory plays out, the more he wishes he can see his parents. If only he can see his mom for a moment, just like his dad. Spending what little time he had with Jin Zixuan was the best gift Hakagemachi could have given him then.

"It's-- not that much different. No one told me who gave me the courtesy name. I just didn't like it and people made fun of it. Even if it asked, no one replied."

His tone almost seemed pouty, but he managed to control it enough. Fairy stayed as distanced from Wei Wuxian as she could, knowing that Jin Ling had instructed her to not scare Wei Wuxian too much. She trailed a but further behind, when she starts to notice more discomfort. He had pulled his master out of the weird fog a while back, she trusts him enough.

"It's not like-- it matters anymore. "

Jingyi always kept calling him 'Jin Rulan,' thus he's particularly used to it now. The meaning behind the name and other things, he vaguely knew of them. However, hearing it from Wei Wuxian himself, it seems like the courtesy name held a lot more weight than Jin Ling had thought.

Edited 2022-05-27 06:49 (UTC)

[The caves are interesting, the way they twist and turn in a never-ending labyrinth of glowing lights. He probably should have expected to run into someone sooner or later, but at the same time, it's something of a surprise to find that the person up ahead is Wei Wuxian.]

So you're searching for memories as well?

[Before he finishes speaking, the cavern around them has already begun to shift into a different sort of scenery - a busy street, with well-dressed people, horse-drawn carriages, rikshaws...and a good few beggars.

Jiu's expression quickly darkens, at the change.]

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Event: 12 of Beetroot

wei wuxian | ota

Hotsprings!

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2. Maze - let's see one of his ~ :D

here we go

Oh boy xD

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will throw a jin ling memory at some point~

memories