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

Layer three

[healerscorned]

Ruby!

[Nia was never one to mince words, so this wasn't affecting her quite as much as some others. However, "not as much" is still very far from "not at all." She nuzzles into Ruby's hug, purring freely at the presence of her Driver.]

Fine by me, long as you understand that Gormotti don't do exclusive.

Re: Layer three

[silver_eyes_rose]

I’m all messed up with affections. I like the idea of being able to share my love. If I have to share you with others, then they get me with you!

[She returns the nuzzle in turn, holding her closer.]

[healerscorned]

I'm sure Rex and Pyra'd think you're great. Mythra too, if she'd ever admit it. The girl clearly cares, but she's stubborn as Immovable Gonzales.

[silver_eyes_rose]

I hope so. If I have to share you, I have to impress them and it wouldn’t do if I didn’t, huh?

[healerscorned]

You've already impressed me, and that's the hard part. Rex is impressed by a particularly shiny rock, and Pyra's not much better. Mythra's harder, but there's good odds she'll just take my word for it. Just keep in mind, the more she complains, the more she likes you.

[silver_eyes_rose]

Well, then, I guess I already did the hard part…

[Her hands move from around Nia to cup her cheeks.]

[healerscorned]

[An attempt to kiss Nia is met with... her palm acting as a barrier.]

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to, it's just- I haven't even kissed Rex yet! Or Pyra or Mythra! There's an order to these things, and I need a bit more time to decide whether or not I want to break it.

[silver_eyes_rose]

Buh?

[Ruby’s surprised by Nia stopping her, but she listens and nods, blushing as she did.]

S-sorry, I didn’t realized…

[healerscorned]

Ahh, it's fine. You got caught up in the heat of the moment, and I'm pretty damn sure this storm is still messing with our self-restraint.

[silver_eyes_rose]

I’m glad you understand. That being said? I guess I should show you something I’ve been hiding…

[And her hair shuffles around before her own set of cat ears pop up.]

I got these from the world I was dragged to before the train. I keep forgetting I have these because I hide them for so long.

[healerscorned]

Did you forget that I've already seen those? I guess there was a lot going on at the time, but you showed me that around the time I told you I'm a Blade. Still, they do look good on you. Just give you some fangs and you'd be a proper Gormotti!

[silver_eyes_rose]

I did?

[Really is scatterbrained. Weiss would never let her hear the end of it.]

Eheh, I guess with everything going on, I forgot. Though…

If you’re accepting of me, then I’m sure you’ve guessed I’m following you back home.

[healerscorned]

I'm accepting that you'll get a bloody voidcraft and visit regularly, and I'll do the same. Your world still needs you, Ruby. You've got friends there still, family too. If you gave all that up and just settled down in Alrest I'd punch you.

[silver_eyes_rose]

But…!

[Ruby looks away, uncertain]

I’m sure everything’s fallen apart without me. When we visited our worlds, the cities I was trying to save before all my world-hopping had already been destroyed. I don’t know what else is happening or if my friends are still safe or if my world is still standing!

[She tenses up and shakes her head.]

I shouldn’t of said that. I hate these storms, but I’d prefer being giant and naked again over this!

[And she tenses again.]

I said nothing!

[healerscorned]

I knocked Rex's lights out when he gave up, and I'd bloody well do it to you too! Have some faith, will you? It's your team, they're not going to bite it that easily. I bet they're all fighting as hard as they can, waiting for you to wake up and help them out. Or do you really think they're so incompetent that they can't do anything without you?

[silver_eyes_rose]

What?! No! Never! If there’s anyone incompetent, it’s me! When they need me the most, I’m out here trying to save the multiverse with only the barest hints on what to do, being asked to trust people who are probably hiding secrets! Again!

[And she breaks down in frustration, hugging Nia.]

I’m sorry, I’m scared! I’m scared of what’s waiting for me…

[healerscorned]

If we had stopped just because we were scared, Malos would've destroyed the world. Fear isn't strictly a bad thing, but let it control you and you'll find everything you care about slipping away in an instant. Or worse, you just stop caring. I should know, I'm speaking from experience. I let the greatest man I ever knew die because I was afraid of people knowing I'm a Flesh Eater. Don't let that be you, Ruby.

[silver_eyes_rose]

Nia…

[Still can’t kiss her, but she can certainly nuzzle her silly.]

I won’t. I’m sorry… I’ll do better.

[healerscorned]

I know you will. And if you still need some help, I'll haul Rex, Tora, Zeke, and Mὸrag's arses into a ship and have them lend a hand. Having a small army of Blades on our side can't hurt either.

[silver_eyes_rose]

Hee, no it wouldn’t.

[And if Nia’ll let her, she’ll scoop her up into her arms bridal style.]

[healerscorned]

[Nia is, indeed, scooped, blinking in surprise.]

Wow, stronger than you look.

[silver_eyes_rose]

Carrying Crescent Rose’ll do that. But, now that I have you in my arms, what should I do now?