Into the Unknown Part Two

[voidtreckermods]

On day twenty-five of the month of Symphony, everyone is gathered together, at least everyone who follows the request for a meeting to be held.

One of the head scientists - named Till - stands before the group, a look of excitement on their face.

"We have found something, an anomaly in the void. We are not sure what it is exactly, but there is a lot of activity coming from its coordinates. More penitently, initial investigations have picked up readings that are constant with a void storm.

I believe from your own reports you have experienced void storms before, and you know they can be dangerous, but always fleeting, never lasting more than a few days. However, this storm seems to be static. It has not moved or changed since we first detected it.

We understand there may be people who do not want to venture into this storm, and we understand. The loops we have added to your tethers will allow you to stay on the base long enough for those investigating to return. You may experience some discomfort and disorientation during the time your craft is away, but it should only be mild and temporary.

For those investigating, we know little of what you will face. Every storm is different, and this one is already stranger than anything we have come across before."

The scientists stick around to reassure people and help them make their decisions. Those going to investigate are told to report to their craft in the morning.

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INTO THE UNKNOWN: PART 2

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SYMPHONY 26-29 ~ OOC POST ~ QUESTIONS ~ FIRST PART

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JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN

Those willing to go will leave on the Voidtrecker Express first thing the next day, with only warnings and well-wishes to be careful to go with them. There is an estimate for how long it'll take them to reach the anomaly, about half a day's travel by the train's clock, give or take. But there's no telling the true time it'll take, nor the effects of the void that will be waiting for them. Keeping away from the windows or putting up blinds is advised as a precaution, just in case, and to monitor each other's health.

"Warning: Approaching Voidstorm, please take precautions." The train warns as they arrive on the edges, all the usual train precautions have been taken, the lab cart has been shut down, the ovens in the kitchen are disconnected. The train begins to shake as it enters the first layer.

LAYER ONE: CHANGING SHADES

They first experience changes by sight - literally. Around them, objects start emitting an aura that's unique to each passenger, colouring it to match their mood towards that particular thing. Coffee machines? Amazing, paint that gold. A boring book? Ugh, the entire thing is turning grey.

It's a small effect at the start, yet objects aren't the only things being affected - so are the people on board. Their own moods are changing their hair colour, eyes, and skin, shifting more rapidly than the furniture's paint job. And as time goes on, passengers will be able to affect one another's colouration and aura, giving away how they may feel about that person at that moment, if their feelings are strong enough. Never noticed how fondly one feels about you? Now you do.

LAYER TWO: LOOSE LIPS

Going into the next layer, there's an itch that starts to gnaw at everyone - an itch to talk. To friends, to strangers, to anyone; you have a need to chatter, and it has to get out. Attempting to isolate yourself only makes the need worse, and you won't be able to sleep it away. It doesn't matter if you don't know what to talk about - you'll find something.

A good chat will subdue the need for a while, but it will eventually return. So while listening to others talk might help keep it at bay, it won't forever.

LAYER THREE: CONFESSION - I THINK YOU'RE OK

The changes become stronger, and with them the urges. Passengers will feel compelled to tell those they know their feelings for them, whether it's as simple as finding them okay, to having stronger inclinations of friendship, dislike, or even love.

These urges can be held back on for a time, but it's easy for it to slip out; and many may still be suffering from the previous layer, where they get the sudden need to talk.

LAYER FOUR: A CAKE FOR MY BELOVED

Talking is simply not good enough in this layer: actions speak louder than words. You want to create ways of expressing your desires, regardless of how creative you actually are. Building a shrine to your loved ones, challenging rivals to duels. You can't stay idle, and your hands and brain need to be at work! What can you manage on this train?

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EYE OF THE STORM

Finally, all of it stops. The colours, the emotions, the compulsion of dramatics; their minds go from being caught in the storm to completely calm (or, as calm as they ever are). It is much like waking from a dream, or going from one very noisy overwhelming place to complete silence.

A second passes, and then another, and then... there's a feeling. Fear, terror - even those who normally have no ability to feel the emotions of others can feel it, emanating from the train itself.

With it comes an invitation. Hard to describe, but a tugging at their mind. They can push it away no problem, but if they accept...

They are looking out. The familiar colours of the Void are all around them, but they can't turn to look. Ahead is a hole where space should be, nothingness curving and spiralling out from a point deep within that wound in reality, tearing and tugging at the unfortunate observer. The chaotic nimbus at the edge of their vision spins inwards to meet it, and vanishes at the edge of the hole. A void within the Void. And within that terrifying chaotic darkness there are shapes.

The train rocks as energy rushes past it, tossing the craft from side to side. It spins, lurching out of control, the connection snapping as everyone is thrown back into their own awareness as the train starts vibrating to at full speed.

But the tell-tale signs of movement isn't there, and a creaking of metal can be heard. The train shakes more as the view outside the windows shows them inching forward towards where the hole had been, and parts of the roof start to bend inward, water pipes burst and the electricity fails in multiple carriages.

Until there's a rush, a shaking and twisting, and the void flashes violently in the windows. The ever distant choral singing becomes a roar as a kaleidoscope of colours fills the interior of the train itself.

Then there is stillness. It calms, and there is no storm, no terrifying darkness. Just the void, as it ever is, ever changing.

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OOC NOTES

NOTES: They will be in the storm for three days, each layer takes about half a day.

Comments

[crowneddragon]

There's a wide, round-eyed look before Esteban opens his mouth, closes it, considers his next words very carefully before he says anything. Right. He's never told Seto. Actually, he's never told anybody on the train, has he?

Um, how to go about this?

Another breath gets him started, and he very, very deliberately adds "well, Melchor w'ld keep in mind that y' don't have wings." It's... a start, at least. Poor little Snapper is almost abandoned when Esteban is so focused on not saying anything dumb. Or at least not saying anything too dumb.

"He'd be safe. You'd be safe with him." At least there's that. And he really does not want Seto to grow mistrustful about this, truly. But...

"I never told you how dragons teach their hooklings t' fly, did I?" he asks, but he already knows the answer to that. Just by the way the conversation has built up to this point, he knows that. Well. Now's his chance?

[najaran]

"Point him at the bigger threat then do my best to be his next target. And stop him, somehow."

[blue_ice]

Seto can sense the tension and hesitation in Esteban's words, and he scoots a little closer. Is something the matter here? He takes a breath and focuses, offering his silent support.

"...no, but. You can tell me. I don't exactly have a solid parenting experience to compare to here."

[crowneddragon]

It's not the trepidation that Seto expects. Esteban struggles again, a half-grin forming onto his lips, but his brows keep on pinching and his nose scrunches as he tries to figure out his next step. Snapper is tucked close to his chest, and he rubs a slightly distracted stroke along her spine, before his free hand comes to rub at the back of his head.

"So, um." Okay, first steps. "In my world, there's a legend. That dragons hatched from the first moon." He pauses, and the smile that perches on his lips is easier at least, joy returning, seeing as he's far more comfortable with this bit.

"It's act'ally my fav'rite story." A full grin, and little skritches under Snapper's chin accompanies his words. "Melchor used t' tell me that they heard a song, and they woke up, an' the egg cracked down th' middle, an' out they fell, wings stretchin', sky an' wind their only companions. The shell cracked an' shattered an' scattered, racin' 'cross the night sky t' become the pinprick of stars, an' they fell, eyes full of the moon an' night an' stars. They were born in the sky 'cause they belonged in the sky."

Confidence grows with his comfort. Words he'd repeated a hundred times, and had heard uttered a thousand more. A shard that, in Esteban's eyes, means far more than the simple words he shares.

"'Cause, you see, the first lesson of flyin', is learnin' how to fall."

[deferences]

[clearly, this means he'll have to bind jin ling's hands and-slash-or arms to keep him from doing that! mostly because he finds it rather nice that his friend is being so open and wants him to continue, even if it isn't difficult to imagine how embarrassing it must be to say all of this while they're face-to-face. maybe if it were a different situation and they were simply speaking over the comms, it might not be so bad? but either way, it's true, sizhui's far better at expressing himself than most people.

how unfortunate, it's going to partially be his undoing and he'll reveal something he's been keeping close to his chest.]

Do you really think your uncle will make fun of you? Come now, Jin Ling, he cares about you so much, I'm sure he would love to receive anything you gift to him!

Oh, and to be fair, there is one thing I've been particularly bad at. [wait, no, don't say that! his turn to try and shut his mouth, although the words are still bubbling up, prompting him to try even harder by dumping the little paper snake into the box and raising the hand to clap over his mouth.]

[to_rise_above]

Sometimes Jin Ling wishes there will be clean endings to things and all of that, but he know it's unrealistic and there's not much he can do about it. He still gives Wei Wuxian a glare for that, while his face is still a little flustered from the embrace earlier.

At least, he has some distance now to fix his composure.

"Only you would say that. No one is more unreasonable than you!"

Jin Ling replies, crossing his arms and huffing at the same time. He at least doesn't shake off the shoulder squeeze before he finally maintains most of his distance and Wei Wuxian isn't being oddly affectionate. He can't seem to get used to it, no matter what.

There's a perplexed look for Wei Wuxian's words as he processes them. He frowned before speaking. Perhaps, because it was the way the train functioned at the moment, that allowed him to say this.

"...Why aren't you coming to if you spot him?"

feel the love but also weeeps ;A;

[to_rise_above]

[ If Jin Ling feels that he's wronged, he would have honestly said it to his jiujiu's face. However, that isn't even the reason at all. There's just a lot to process for him at the moment, and perhaps remembering those who have left and moved on, he can't help but feel emotional.

It is like a lid on his emotions suddenly overflowed. He has no control over it, nor does he know how to. Something, he'll probably have to keep trying. He's not very good at holding things in and Jiang Cheng knows him too well, down to the reasons why he suddenly started crying like his life depended on it. His content mixed with his affections for his uncle. Someone who really helped him with through many things.

Those arms wrapped around his crying form, and pulling him into his lap. The ground was unpleasant and probably not the best place to have a hear to heart, but screw it. Jin Ling doesn't care either and manages to keep his head there where he's situated with tears soaking those robes and him trying to maintain his composure once more.

Trying to form words right now is hard and he can only furiously continue to nod his head and give choked responses. ]

There's--no way I'd forget, jiujiu.

[ He knows in his heart that Jiang Cheng's words held ground. It still makes him a little insecure thinking about it. However, it's definitely something he won't forget. The small comfort, care and protection his uncle has given him to this point. Jin Ling is far beyond grateful and words can't express that. If it isn't for Jiang Cheng, and many others he's ran across, he'd be so lonely. Those last words really do mean a lot to him. He knows that his uncle isn't different from his father, but he has been closer to a father figure to Jin Ling for all this time. It's a nice feeling to have and he only nods his head to those last bit. ]

[seacub]

[This is so hard, you two. Emporio keeps looking back and forth between the two, slowly having to raise a fist in front of his mouth to keep from blurting anything out. Guys. You're neon freaking lights. You're lighting up the hall.

GUYS.]

Uh- ...Well, so far we're doing okay...it's not actually as bad as the storms I've been in before, I don't think...

[borntolove]

[The Doctor gives a wave and smile at the other]

Hallo, I'm The Doctor and you are?

[strings_theory]

[Emporio, you are the holder of the brain cell and you know this! Because Jolyne is continuing to be an idiot even while looking towards her companion and... okay, why's he acting like that? Huh.]

Ehhh, you know. Not too keen on some of it, but hasn't been that bad, yet. [It'd be worse if she hadn't found Emporio to rattle off asinine shit to, but that's neither here nor there.]

Guessin' you're looking for something to occupy your time with?

[xue_yang]

He looks at him curiously. He doesn't really understand that this could be different for everyone. "Why is it less predictable?"

Perhaps this one has a special ability that makes things change colors whenever he wants or something like that. These kinds of things don't really surprise him any longer since he has met so many different types since being on the train.

[xue_yang]

"That might be true but something about this feels different. We don't often have things happen to us while still on the train."

It does happen on the train but it is rare. Usually this kind of thing is saved for the worlds they end up on. This makes traveling just a little more exciting.

[xue_yang]

"We better not have to go through that again." If they had to come into this place and feel that...then does that mean they will feel it if they leave this area? He doesn't want to think that it will happen again.

[xue_yang]

He huffs a little bit, not wanting to admit to any such thing! He hasn't quite realized that the colors are indicating feelings and are giving him away without saying a word.

"I planted them. I don't have feelings about plants."

[soldier_blade]

[Finding her would've really not been that hard, given Red's designation for cleaning the passenger areas. The sort of busy work may've not been her preference, but least it wasn't the bathroom areas.

She does look up when she sees Cassie approaching, managing something of a grin-and then a slight frown at the man's introducing himself.]

I've been trying to avoid other passengers. [That earned a flinch.] Just..the Doctor?

[blue_ice]

Seto is trying to listen with an open mind, he really is. He knows Esteban comes from a vastly different culture, with different norms. But his friend seems happy and proud of this memory, so he'll set his own worries aside.

Or try to. His eyebrows shoot up. "...not even baby birds get kicked out of the nest immediately. It's a good thing?"

[tactlesstantei]

Yup. It's not that bad so far, but I don't want to see what happens if I hang out in the game carriage this time. Besides, I like hanging out with you.

[There's a story in there about what happened last time, but Masumi's not telling that story right now. She's more focused on trying (and failing) to stay casual, especially since Emporio is standing Right There.

...Actually, what's going on with Emporio right now?]

...Something on your mind, Emporio?

[weisexual]

He slowly shakes his head, lowering the cup back onto the table. "Wei Ying sparkles like gold." Precious and rare. Whether he meant to actually say that out loud or simply think it is unclear.

But he does try to lower his eyes very slightly so that he isn't staring and making his companion uncomfortable.

[seacub]

Uhhhhh...!

[Emporio, predictably, panics the minute he's addressed. This entire situation is one he's trying desperately not to immediately highlight, because then it's probably going to get really weird really fast. They'll both start going 'huh?? no, it's fine! we're not pink!' even though they're lit up like fairy lights in a summer party.

So Emporio does the only safe thing he can think of in that moment.

Which is lie.]

N- Nothing, not really! I guess I'm just...hoping it's nothing like last time...?

[Nailed it?? Nailed it.

NAILED IT.]

[redprayer]

Esteban’s compliments are flattering, in a bemusing way, as Rezo doesn’t really consider himself a storyteller. And his little aside of how Melchor had been telling Esteban stories since the younger man’s early childhood makes Rezo reflect a little.

Some of Rezo’s earliest memories were of the priestesses teaching him and the other children at the orphanage the story of Flare Dragon Cepheid and his subordinates; but he feels like he didn’t hear proper storytelling until he was an adult, and married with a child just old enough for bedtime stories. His wife had been the one telling the stories while Rezo had discreetly eavesdropped, nonplussed by the animated way she narrated the stories, most of which he had never heard before. He’d gotten better at keeping their son’s attention just by imitating her.

While Rezo doesn’t try to explain all this, he does say, “Myths and folktales are one of the areas I have researched for a long time. There is sometimes a grain of useful truth hidden in a fairytale. But even when there isn’t, they’re useful to distract patients with.”

Speaking of distracting- Oh, he’s being guided along. With everything being as much as it has been lately, Rezo decides to cooperate with Esteban’s rearrangements, while he tries to find a tactful way to ask about the claws and tail and wings and extra height that Esteban’s taken on.

Rezo does not grin when Esteban begins to speak about Lioriley- or ‘Glimmer’ as Esteban has apparently nicknamed her- but he does smile, the expression soft, small, and sincere.

“Yes, she’s very easy to talk to. She’s so thoughtful, and intelligent, and patient- I can spend hours just talking about nothing with her, and still find it enjoyable,” he says.

If Esteban’s observant, he may notice the way Rezo’s ears turn pink as he realizes he’s in serious danger of gushing over his girlfriend to Esteban. With a quiet ahem Rezo goes ahead and changes the subject.

“...Speaking of unusual food, have you eaten any mysterious candies recently?”

(It’s going to be a long time before Rezo trusts little hard candies again.)

[knifewithnoname]

"Yes, we better not be needing to be going through the storm again." That would be stupid.

She sighed. "What do you be thinking it do be meaning, the shapes do be coming from here?"

[nutkrusher]

Yeah, apparently that's his name. Like The Edge.

Realized the two of you hadn't been introduced, so...

[borntolove]

Yes, just The Doctor.

[That was interesting, why did they flinch?]

Sorry, The Edge?

[Ten glances between them]

Wait... Are you her, mum?

[crowneddragon]

There's a pause as Esteban quirks an eyebrow up, curious as to what Seto is implying. His smile still remains, ever-present at the corners of his mouth, but he needs a bit more time before he catches onto what his friend might mean, the thought never having occurred to him. Snapper gets another nuzzle as he ponders on his friend's statement.

Were the first dragons babies? Melchor had never indicated it. Esteban had always assumed that they, like the other races, had been created fully-formed. It makes him wonder, for a moment, before he shakes his head.

"Nah, First generations 're created, more th'n born." That was true for all the races in Esteban's world at least. "An' Dragons 're born wing-less. First stage is hatchling, an' there's only lil' stumps on the back. Completely defenseless-- never ever 'pproach a hatchling. The parents wouldn't be far, an' they are not." His grim-faced warning gives away to his smile again, as Esteban shrugs.

"But y' sh'ldn't worry 'bout that." And anyways, he was getting distracted on a tangent that had nothing to do with Seto's worried statement.

"Dragons, Elves, Gnomes, Humans, Dwarves; all the first-generations of every race were born fully-formed. Didn't have parents, see? It'd've been a mess otherwise." He shrugs an easy shoulder. "Most of the first generations're dead by now though. It's been a few thousand years." And, no matter how slow the clock turned onto immortal races... changes came. Whether they wanted them, or not.

[strings_theory]

[That sounds like a lie, Emporio. And Jolyne can't help but frown for a moment at the answer, because she's certain that... can't be why he's acting like that. But best to ignore it.

For now.]

Doooo you? Doubt it'll be as interesting as last time, I'm afraid. [That's... clearly supposed to be a joke and to keep it vague, even though she's not remotely afraid of what Emporio may or may not glean from all of that.]

Wouldn't mind the extra company~