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.

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The concept of sharing memories isn't new to him and he didn't intend to intrude like that. At least, an answer meant the man would be okay explaining some things to him. Jin Ling knows the events in his own history are quite different from what he's seen here. However, things that happen from the perspective of Lan Wangji, definitely are new to him regardless.

Jin Ling is guided away from those memories, and in doing so, he's not sure if something will trigger on his end. While many of his memories are pretty simple, there are ones he rather not share with people, such as when the incident with Wei Wuxian happen, or when he cried holding onto Suihua. He gripped the sword at his die tightly. There's also the memories of Guanyin Temple. So many things buried and he doesn't want them to be aired out. Maybe they can get out before all that happens. He hopes so, anyway.

"How long ago are we talking? Time is, weird here."

He honestly asks. He keeps his steps even.

He knows how difficult time can be when traveling on the train. He finds it hard to believe he has been here as long as he has and already wishes his time was over. He has much he needs to get home to check on and the fact that time seems to pass there while he is here is unsettling. But so it putting times to the memories the boy has seen.

"The first was before the train...a few months." That one is the easiest. The next one is the most difficult. How many years has it been since that first meeting...They were so young at the time and so much happened after that.

"over 16 years ago for the others." Because it was sixteen years since that moment when he saw Wei Ying disappear to the moment they met again. The fact that they were even younger for the middle memory should already be clear. He will not elaborate on exacts.

Jin Ling doesn't know how much time has passed either. When he left Hakagemachi, he was seventeen years old. Even before that, he was a bit younger. It's almost been a year and some. He doesn't even know if his birthday has passed. So, those feelings are understandable. It feels as though they all have something to do and no one is able to get back to it because of the train.

The memories don't help either. Years on years in the past. Then the things that happen in the further future. Things that appear familiar, yet not at the same time. The view of it all really makes him miss home. He's sure that everyone here, including Lan Wangji will like to go home at some point.

The first memory feels the most familiar, though, the remaining definitely are foreign and different. They all looked young and he's not sure what is going on.

"Sixteen years is a long time."

He furrowed his brows, "Why did he do that...? The Wei Wuxian in my world-- his passing was described differently."

Edited 2022-05-25 06:15 (UTC)

He closes his eyes as the pain of that day still burns fresh in his heart. Even with Wei Ying returned it is hard to just forget the regrets he had because of his actions leading up to that moment. he should have been able to prevent all of it.

He is silent for several minutes as he considers his answer. "He had his regrets. He felt he could atone for them." Destroying the amulet and himself so that no one could have that kind of power. Removing the cause of everyone's fear and hatred. Wei Ying did not deserve that treatment but at the time none of them were aware of it.

At least the memory hadn't started any earlier...at least the boy was spared from the death of the mother he never got to know. Wangji can be thankful for that much. "Many were dying and he wanted it to stop." Not that he can be completely sure of Wei Ying's thoughts as he tried to fall from the mountain but he can at least assume a little.

He knows that Wei Wuxian has had a rough past. There are things that were mentioned that Jin Ling could tell weren't the whole truth. The whole situation with his shushu, and even the things he thought he understood then, made no sense now. It was a lot of adjusting to get used to, but Jin Ling was past hating Wei Wuxian for things that didn't seem like they were his fault to begin.

Not expecting an answer, Jin Ling is taken back by those words. Lan Wangji, will always be Lan Wangji-- whatever the version, past, present or future. They reacted similarly.

"He's done more than enough, if you ask me."

He doesn't know the Wei Wuxian of this particular version of his world, but he knows that the one he is familiar with most has done more than enough to atone. This one probably isn't any different.

That memory, while it may be vague and disjointed, Jin Ling can tell where exactly it came from. Unfortunately, he's already experienced seeing that particular memory. He just remembers the look on his mother's face, her action and Wei Wuxian's reaction. All of it was a huge blur, and a rush all at once, but he remembered them.

"It wasn't his fault-- not really. They--the cultivators were being unfair to him."

Perhaps, those words came off unexpected, because they came from Jin Ling, but he was past all of this. What's the point in hating and killing every single person that was part of his father and mother's death? Would he truly be happy, if he got revenge on everyone? He still didn't know the answers to that, but he certainly didn't seek vengeance. Not anymore.

Edited 2022-05-27 06:51 (UTC)

Those words are a bit of a surprise, not that Lan Wangji will show the emotion too clearly on his face. In a way it is a relief to know that Jin Ling of some world might forgive Wei Ying. That perhaps they could have a positive future. He would want nothing more then for Wei Ying to be able to enjoy the comfort of his nephew's companionship instead of his distrust.

"Mm..." It is a true statement and he doesn't feel he needs to add to it. His agreement is clear. It is obvious that this Jin Ling has had enough time to consider the facts and what has happened even in times he was not present for. It is good that he might be able to move on at some point because of it.

None of them knew that this wasn't any of his fault or that there was a deeper plot going on they were unaware of. The answers are there now but everything was just confusing at the moment. Too many emotions, too many tempers, too many lies.

Many things happened in his previous location, thus it was only natural that he adjusted. Perhaps, Hakagemachi was a blessing in disguise. Jin Ling wasn't sure. All he could really recall was that Wei Wuxian did spend a lot of his time keeping Jin Ling safe. He also kept his promises among other things.

Jin Ling felt extremely guilty for stabbing him with Suihua during the squabble at Koi Tower. There are many things he'd rather keep to himself as they were walking. If memories were starting to present themselves, he couldn't control that. At least, they're navigating to the best of their abilities.

There was a lot that he had to process. Jin Ling wanted to know more, but it didn't look like it was a topic that he could openly ask about. Even now, he probably wanted to ask.

"I don't know a lot-- maybe I'll never know, because he isn't the type of person that would talk about his problems-- but I wanted to know. What happened then..."

It isn't in Lan Wangji's nature to tell other people's secrets. He isn't one to even reveal his own. If Wei Wuxian doesn't want the facts known then that is his choice and Lan Wangji should honor that. But he knows that the boy also deserves answers so he is a little torn about what to do in this instance.

"It is his story to tell."

He says simply, hoping that the boy will understand at least that much. If he pushes or if this cave decides to show more then of course he will have to continue with that information. But he knows the exit of the cave is soon so all he can do is hope that they reach it before the questions become too prying.

"What would you do if you had the answers? Would it change anything?"

Jin Ling figured as much. He knew his inquiry was probably going nowhere. It's something he'd have to confront Wei Wuxian about. Though, the Wei Wuxian he knows versus the one currently here, are two different people. He can't say he's confident enough with the current Wei Wuxian to simply ask him about those things. However, he might consider it after this conversation.

Things may be different in different realities that are similar to his own, but the the results feel the similar enough. He just sighed, while giving up. He didn't know this Lan Wangji well either to barrage him with questions. He couldn't say he was comfortable with any of them, but it was progress. At least, he didn't stutter as much per usual.

"I don't know."

He replied, honestly after a moment of silence, "I've been told all these stories and a lot of is a load of-- misinformation."

The way he remembered Wei Wuxian being depicted, and how much he hated the Yiling Patriarch during that time period.

"At-- the very least-- I think there'd be less misunderstandings."

He didn't want to have to see some of these things in people's memories. Though, thinking about his past self, he wasn't sure how well he'd take that either.

Edited 2022-06-15 04:12 (UTC)

Lan Wangji hums in acknowledgement. It would make for fewer misunderstandings but he also knows that the full truth could hurt this boy as well. But he also knows that the truths that he is aware of might not completely match up with the world that this Jin Ling is from. And he wouldn't want to say something that might not be true for the world that he exists. Having discovered that they all come from different places it makes it difficult to know exactly how to proceed with any of them. He finds that truth to be uncomfortable. He believes the Wei Ying that is here is the one he knows...but nothing can be confirmed with any sort of certainty.

"It is possible the truth that we know would still differ from the truth from your home."

The easiest way to put what he is thinking. He hopes the boy can understand. Based on everything that they have been told by the train, there are still too many uncertainties. he would like the boy to have some closure but he isn't sure that it is him that can provide it.

"That-- isn't wrong."

He replied slowly, frowning. Lan Wangji was right. They were in realities altogether. While it's still a conundrum for him, Jin Ling had accepted some realities and truths would never be what he wanted. It wasn't like any of these people would be in his own reality.

He couldn't argue with the man's words and remained silent, thinking about those words some more, letting them sink in.

"I don't like it-- these uncertainties."

Was all he could muster, but he didn't press for more answers. There wasn't much he could do and the closure he wanted, he probably couldn't find it with Lan Wangji to begin with. It was best to talk to Wei Wuxian. Just as Lan Wangji was saying.

"Our entire existence with the train is an uncertainty." Besides just the uncertainties their own realities back home give them..they now have an infinite number of even more of them. And they answers they seek for those are even harder to come by then the ones the boy seeks about home.

There is a lot to not like and Lan Wangji is right there with him. He wants to have as much knowledge as he can which is why he has started to work through all the books on the train. But there is a limit and he understands that some answers will only be revealed in time and in some cases...not at all.

"There is much not to like."

A simple agreement so show that he also doesn't like uncertainties but accepts that there is little he can do about it.

"You can say that again."

He didn't even bother to deny that fact. His existence was always in question. Especially, with the youkai buried in his body, and having powers he never asked for. On top of having to deal with multiple versions of people knew, along with adjusting to their differences.

He's mostly gotten it down, but at the same time, he always questioned it. No matter what happened, or what he did, he never found answers for those questions. Not then, and definitely not now. He knew he wasn't going to receive the right answer or the answer he wants from his home. There's not certainty of it. He hates that Lan Wangji is correct about it.

"Let's-- just get out of here-- or find some way out of here."

He muttered after a moment. Lan Wangji's agreement was more than enough for him. He'd have to just keep pressing forward, just like the other. They'd find a way out, even if they had to swim through all kinds of memories.

If Lan Wangji were to receive any of Jin Ling's memories he wouldn't mention it. He isn't one to push the other about what he sees. The sharing of such things is an intrusion that they shouldn't have to endure. ANd he knows that the boy isn't one to want to share his thoughts and feelings about certain things.

He views Jin Ling as one of the precious junior disciples that needs to be nurtured, protected, trained and encouraged to grow into the fine cultivators they are destined to be. Even if he won't say it, that is how he feels. So he hopes that the boy can get the answers that he wants even if he is not the one that is able to offer them.

He will stay silent as he guides him the rest of the way to the exit. He can see the light before them and knows that their time in the tunnel is reaching its end. He is just grateful that no more of his own memories are going to be put on display.

Lan Wangji would probably see various memories regarding Jin Ling and his childhood, if anything. Things such as him being bullied by the other disciples of Lanling Jin, and a young Jin Ling breaking expensive objects in the household.

Perhaps, the most bittersweet of memories was the one where he had received his spiritual dog, Fairy. How he had lightened up when she was given to him and how much she meant to him. Those kinds of things, really left Jin Ling feeling nostalgic. If Lan Wangji didn't say anything about them and decided to not say anything, Jin Ling wouldn't either.

He would appreciate those thoughts. He wanted to be the best he could be without letting Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian down. He wanted to be his best, and he would certainly strive to be just that. If it meant that he would get nurtured and protected, he'd learn to accept it as is.

He would silently follow the man until they found the light at the end of the tunnel. He didn't want to see anymore of Lan Wangji's memories, with the same mindset. No one should have to see anyone's personal memories.

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Event: 12 of Beetroot

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sorry for the late reply!!

Re: sorry for the late reply!!

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