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middleofsomewhere2022-08-20 08:40 pm
voidtreckermods) wrote in middleofsomewhere2022-08-20 08:40 pm
Into the Unknown Part Two
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.
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.
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.
INTO THE UNKNOWN: PART 2
SYMPHONY 26-29 ~ OOC POST ~ QUESTIONS ~ FIRST PART
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 SHADESThey 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 LIPSGoing 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 OKThe 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 BELOVEDTalking 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?
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.
OOC NOTES
NOTES: They will be in the storm for three days, each layer takes about half a day.
Layer Two
Wow, that's a really amazing story that explains a lot about what your whole deal has been these past two weeks. I think you have a good heart but you have numerous emotional issues caused mostly by trauma that will likely require professional therapy and a robust support network that one person can't provide, and even if they could I'm not really that person and that's always kinda gonna be a thing about you I'm a little uncomfortable with even if I want you to get the help you need since I'm overall cool with you.
[She breathes deeply, sharply, and quickly before continuing.]
I've had a complicated relationship with my mother for my whole life - she's a Special Forces general and is also my commanding officer. My dad is a martial arts movie star and descendant of a Mediterranean war cult that was bred to fight Elder Gods, who had a one-night stand with my mom after they saved the world and apparently forgot to wear a condom because I was born nine months later. They got married but the fact that her military life kept her from being around most of the time strained their relationship and made me think I hated her for a while.
I joined the Army instead of going into show business for a lot of reasons but the main one that I'll never admit to anyone was that I wanted my mom's approval. It started badly when I went AWOL from basic training and got kidnapped by a cult run by a kleric of Chaosrealm who brainwashed me and tried to destroy Outworld. Wasn't until that whole fuckin' thing got cleared up that I started to appreciate the sacrifices she'd made and how serious the commitment to service was.
A few years later I was given my own international inter-service command that I didn't feel ready for and probably wasn't ready for. Then the fallen Elder God Shinnok escaped from the amulet he was imprisoned in and started trying to merge Earthrealm with the Netherrealm to make Hell on Earth. But I got my team there and used my war cult powers to save the world by kicking Shinnok in the nuts real fuckin' hard.
I tried to say a cool one-liner after I won the fight but the only thing I could think of was "You got Caged" which in retrospect I think was pretty laaaaaaaaaaaame -
[She practically gasps out the last word and finally takes another breath, leaning over and panting.]
Re: Layer Two
Rose could. Martha and Jack. They all could by themselves. They could stop me. Make everything better by just holding my hand.
[Ten is quiet and listens and does some calming circles on her back]
It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
It's perfectly natural for off-spring to want the approval of their parents. Did she acknowledge you?
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[Cassie looks up, then gathers enough breath to stand straight again.]
As for me and Mom, it was about more than acknowledgment. We understand each other a lot better now.
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Good. I'm glad to hear.
[The Doctor gives her a smile for a moment]
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[She rather senses what's going through the Doctor's head right now, as she is not in fact completely deaf and blind.]
Think you might find you've got things in common if you talked to her.
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[At least rubbing his hand down his face stops.]
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but even with the weird goings on, it was still preferred to their last mission.
She'd tried to keep to herself in that case, or as much as one could given their location. still, anyone who knew her would have a good idea or two of where she could be found.
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Hey. How's the mission been treating you so far?
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Hallo, I'm The Doctor and you are?
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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?
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Realized the two of you hadn't been introduced, so...
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[That was interesting, why did they flinch?]
Sorry, The Edge?
[Ten glances between them]
Wait... Are you her, mum?
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[She turns back to the Doctor.]
I'm guessing your deal is the same as his. Like, I don't think even the pushiest parents want their kid to be a doctor that bad.
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Guess, I'll havef to look into him when I'm back on Earth.
[The Doctor makes the Rock N' Roll hand gesture for a moment. Then goes quiet, because he does remember, oh so long ago. His parents fighting over whether he'd be a Time Lord or Solider.]
Yeah, doesn't work like that where I'm from. We don't have the choices you lot have.
Right! So! Hallo!
[The Doctor clasps his hands and appears a bit awkward. He knows what they should be here to chat about but he is having a bit of a hard doing so.]
Your daughter said we might have some things in common..
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[Said smile faltered slightly at his last words.] You also have an issue with work and family balance?
[This was, of course, putting it mildly.]