middleofsomewhere | Into the Unknown Part Two

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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.

"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 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?

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.

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[ He wears his emotions on his sleeve most of the time after all. It doesn't take very long for him to suddenly react in several different ways. His red face is more than enough to give Sizhui the answers and evidence he needs about his origami dog.

He doesn't like that Sizhui seemed pretty content about it as well. Of course! He doesn't want to mess up anyone's hard work. Those origami rabbits he made took him so long to finish. He can't imagine how long it took Sizhui to make his. ]

You--you made it sincerely, so of course I'd appreciate it--!

[ He internally curses. That's not what he wanted to say at all. ]

It's--it's fine! You made it-- that's enough. There's no need to make it any differently. [ He wants to say that he doesn't mean it but he can't even say that. Instead, he just shuts himself up before he ends up saying more sappy words. ]

[how lucky for sizhui, most of him is pale blue, aside from the pink-bleeding-into-purple on his face, which doesn't really bother him all that much. sure, it's strange to be changing colors, but they've gone through worse things than this, feeling compelled to talk, and (metaphorically) spilling their guts to each other.

though jin ling may be suffering, he's relishing this moment far more than he probably should, outright beaming as his friend expresses his gratitude.

it doesn't stop there either, he just keeps right on digging the hole deeper and deeper, which sizhui's trying not to bring too much attention to, but he can't help himself when it makes him laugh so genuinely.] Alright, alright, then I won't make them any different! [and while jin ling's silencing himself, sizhui isn't going to make it easy for him exactly.] Look at this new one I tried out, though.

[again, he dips into the box, removing another origami that he twists around until it's set upright in his palm, then he outstretches the hand toward jin ling.] It's a snake!

[ Jin Ling isn't too much different. The pinks blend into red and vise versa. The color stays worm and sweet. It is driving him completely insane having to deal with his emotions being further worn on his sleeve.

Not that it's hard to determine how he is feeling with his facial expressions alone. Jin Ling can't even stop his loose lips from confessing more than he like to Sizhui. It's earnest and caring at most. Sizhui has been nothing but kind to him. Sizhui and Jingyi, even all the Lan Wangjis, his jiujiu, even the Wei Wuxian that he doesn't know very well. There are just too many people. Yes, that hole is dug pretty deep and Sizhui is winning this game clearly. Jin Ling tries to keep himself collected at the laugh. ]

You always said that it's the thought that counts right?! Who cares what it looks like! [ Well, that's something he will normally say, but not with such emotions. Woops! ]

... That's a snake right...? [ It reminded him of a serpent actually, but it's not bad. ]

[wow, how dare jin ling use his own logic against him? because ‘it's the thought that counts’ is definitely something he's said more than once, especially to jin ling, of all people. being fair, sizhui just never wants anyone to feel obligated to give him anything; the fact they're thinking about him is enough, right? or that's what he hopes the sentiment conveys.]

Yes, I did. [and all those origami jin ling gave him were very thoughtful, of course! he just also would've been fine with a plain ol' ‘happy birthday’ too.

see now, when he thought he could help his fellow junior actually open up, sizhui never thought it would've been this way, in his defense— but jin ling ought to be proud that he's finally learned to accept that he has friends and family who are here for him, no matter what. maybe it's something he still struggles with accepting at times, the first step is admitting it to himself, so this has to be a start and whatever strange goings-on aboard the train is simply helping him along.]

Mm-hmm! You should take one to your uncle, I even have a couple that are purple.

[ Well, he's being blunt honest, because of this confessions thing. There isn't much that Jin Ling can stop himself from earnestly saying. Especially, when he clearly appreciates Sizhui and all the other juniors. If there is a hole in front of them, Jin Ling will have already thrown himself into it and buried himself.

Unfortunately, for him, he can't actually do that right now. Jin Ling did what he did of his own volition. He definitely didn't feel pressured to wish Sizhui a happy birthday in his own way. The train definitely helped him a lot with being more honest about how he feels about people. Perhaps, it's because he doesn't want to lose them. ]

G-Good so you don't have to say anymore.

[ He replies with a huff, his face still perfectly red as a tomato. ]

I don't know if they'll like it. What if it's silly?

[ Cripes, someone sew his mouth shut! ]

[and if jin ling did that, sizhui would be desperately unburying him at the speed of light. they shouldn't be so embarrassed that jin ling wants to bury himself of all things! but, in the opposite vein, he also understands saying stuff when your mouth suddenly has no filter and you're helpless to stop words from tumbling out.

luckily(?), sizhui's in the same boat, even though his inability to stop letting everything slip out is slightly less flustering in his case.] I'll try my hardest, but we both know how awful I can be at that sometimes. [...what? ‘slightly’ was the keyword there.

his fingers gently close over the origami, drawing it back to himself, although he doesn't put it back in the box just yet. no, no, he can't be deterred so easily, not when he sincerely thinks other people like them too.]

So what? The worst that can happen then is they get a good laugh out of them.

[ Sizhui will be struggling with unburying, as Jin Ling will keep trying to throw all that dirt over himself and all that fun stuff! Sizhui is a bit more honest and earnest about his words than Jin Ling is. Some of the things he's saying doesn't sound like him at all, but what can he do?

He can't even clamp his mouth shut. He's tried to do that a few times and avoided all his close friends and relatives for that reason. Unfortunately, he can't seem to catch a break with Sizhui at all! ]

As if! You're good at almost everything you do! There's no way you could be bad at it!

[ There goes more honesty here. ]

I don't know if they'll like it or laugh at it. I don't want to be made fun of for it.

[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.]

[ That's too much! He doesn't need to do that and Jin Ling is fine doing what he's doing, even if Sizhui doesn't take matters into his own hands. ]

I--I don't know! Maybe he won't! Maybe he will!

[ At least, he sounds a little deflated now at the thought. ]

I don't need to hear that from you! I know---that!!

[ UGH! Why did he have to say it aloud! It's embarrassing enough! ]

Wh-Wh-- huh?! What do you mean?!

[ Jin Ling stops freaking out on his own and looks directly at Sizhui. Sizhui doesn't seem to be the type to hide things without a good reason. In fact, it's concerning that he even starts off the sentence that way. ]

There's only one way to find out, [he suggests,] and that's taking him one to see his reaction.

[sizhui imagines jiang cheng might think it a bit childish, initially, but being gifted anything from his nephew would no doubt please him; it'd work out extra well because the man likes dogs, which isn't something lan sizhui knows, but wouldn't that just be convenient?

too bad this isn't something he can focus on instead of desperately trying to smother himself so he doesn't spill his secrets with wild abandon. much to his dismay, no matter how hard he tries, there's nothing stopping everything from coming up like endless word vomit.] W-Well, you see . . . [keep stalling and perhaps it will wear off soon? yes, right, if that were only an actual possibility.

he wrinkles his nose, pinches his lips, lowers his hand from his mouth and grips the box tight in both hands before finally continuing,]

I've been lying to you. [deep breath in, hold a couple seconds or so, e x h a l e and then:] I'm one of the last surviving members of the Wen clan.

[ The whole situation is embarrassing, to say the least! The fact that Sizhui is egging him on, makes him feel a little confident, but at the same time, Jin Ling feels childish even thinking about doing that. ]

I--I'll do it okay! Just-- let it go!

[ Augh! He said it! There he said the damn thing. He'll do it! God damn it Sizhui! Jin Ling continues to eye Sizhui after his outburst, waiting for him to spit out what he wanted to say. Of course, the words that left his mouth left Jin Ling more than a little stunned. ]

W-Why are you telling me this now?! What am I supposed to do with that?! Are you joking!?

[ Jin Ling's obvious reaction is that he doesn't believe what Sizhui is saying. Granted, he can't even find himself to be angry on the matter. As much as he wanted to be, there has always been so much confusion with the information he's given. Wen Ning also saved him and his jiujiu from demise.

As for Sizhui, he is Jin Ling's friend. What kind of person will he be if he became biased because of someone's origin? After all, he is trying to be fair about how he handles Lanling Jin and striving to serve as a better example to his sect. He's tired of fighting and arguing over things that have happened in the past. What's forgiven has been forgiven, even if he can't forget. ]

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Into the Unknown Part Two

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I thought I replied to this but clearly I somehow missed this sorry. ;w;

it's okay, friend, i'm clearly here forever

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2/3 oops sdgskgs years later aaaaa >_>

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