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

Najaran | OTA

[najaran]

Layer 1 - Garden Car

Okay this colour thing was kind of cool. And she was just so happy to be off the station that she just kind of loved everything she saw at the moment. So very nearly all things were lined in purple and very nearly all people were lined in gold. She loved purple and gold, after all. She'd be doing some food prep in the Garden car as usual. But not cooking. Since they were heading at a Storm, and they didn't know what to expect, she didn't want to risk a fire. So she was making salads happily. Her creature Cards that could be summoned were, and were all glowing gold as well. The Woodfolk might have been lined in green for... reasons. But still, she was glad they were there. Even if that gladness was tinged with the guilt she still felt towards them....

Layer 2 - wandering the Train, looking for people
You know, it should have been hard for Najaran to even notice this one. And to b fair it did take her a bit. In fact it took her until she recalled suit of armor and brought the two Eidolon and Gremlin and Cait Sith along with her to help her pass out bowls of salad to anyone who looked hungry. Because until then she had been chatting with her Cards and Goligan, which was typical. But now she was realizing how chatty she was being with random other people. Weird...

"Hey, so one storm we saw people who used to be on the Train who left, do you think we'll see them again this time?"

Layer 3 - Still wandering the Train

You know, she hasn't noticed this transition yet. Wanna insert quarter get the truth about what Najaran thinks about you? Step right up. Then again, if you've ever spoken to her before, then you probably already know. Najaran isn't really one to keep things to herself. She's always worn her heart on her sleeve.

Layer 4
Najaran suddenly felt the urge to talk dry up. But a new one was taking its place. Thoughts of wondering what the Storm would bring - unaware she was caught in it - faded as her eyes widened. "I KNOW HOW TO BEAT THEM!" she exclaimed.

No, no she didn't.

She sat at the first table she could find, recalled all her creatures and then spelled all her Cards from her pouch onto the table.

She had to build a deck for Zenith! Why hadn't she seen it before? Every time she was in this far over her head with a world ending disaster... Zenith showed up to try and fight her and wound up having to help! So all she had to do was build a deck strong enough that Zenith would want to show up and try to kill her! All she had to do was survive - and keep everyone else safe - long enough to aim him at the World Eaters... She was pretty sure she could do that... so long as she came up with a solution to his Flame Lord. And Juggernaut. And Tempest... Hmmm... this was going to be tricky.

After a while she scribbled out a sign that said "Building my strongest deck yet, open to ideas!" before getting back to work.

And as a side note, anyone in the Garden Car... this is the first time since the Woodfolk arrived that they'd be absent from their small patch of dirt....

Eye

From where Najaran had been building her deck two voices could be heard once everything turned to Chaos.

Goligan: "LADY NAJARAN WHAT DID YOU DO THIS TIME?!"

And of course Najaran' rejoinder of: "I DIDN'T DO THIS! I DIDN'T USE MY SPELL CARDS!!"

Layer three

[silver_eyes_rose]

Ruby’s eyes lit up upon seeing Najaran. Oh, perfect! She would run up t her, wrapping her arms around her.

“Najaran!” She called out.

Re: Layer three

[najaran]

She returned the hug warmly. "Ruby! My friend who I love and admire and want to be so much more like! How are you? Everything okay today? What do you think this Storm is going to do?"

Re: Layer three

[silver_eyes_rose]

Ruby’s cheeks still lit up even with the storm affecting her, giggling as she responded.

“I don’t know, my wonderful friend who I love and cherish so much! But, it couldn’t make this day be bad, could it? It’s so wonderful, especially with you around!”

Re: Layer three

[najaran]

"And even better with you here!" she said happily. I made salads while waiting, want to go get some from the kitchen while we wait for the storm to hit? My Cards helped out, and Goligan did too. I tease him lots, but I really love him, you know!"

"Aw, lady Najaran, I love you as well."

Re: Layer three

[silver_eyes_rose]

“Of course! I’d be happy to join you!” Ruby said. “I love being around you and your companions so much!”

She smiled wider as she took Najaran’s hand.

“And I like holding your hand, too.”

Re: Layer three

[najaran]

"They love being around you too! Except maybe Gargoyle, but he's surly around anyone who never met Kigi... Why do you like holding my hand?" she asked, curious.

Re: Layer three

[silver_eyes_rose]

“Because it’s soft and reassuring.” Ruby said. “It reminds me I’m not alone. And, well… I like being around you and all.”

Re: Layer three

[najaran]

"Oh! Okay then! Just so long as you let go if we're in danger so I can summon my Cards!" she said with a bright smile.

Re: Layer three

[silver_eyes_rose]

“No problem!” Ruby said, nodding. “Besides, I need my other hand so I can use my weapon, too! We can protect each other!”

Re: Layer three

[najaran]

"Like a team! Like when I was with Alta and Joaquin and Ganz! I miss them! Even if I'll probably never let Joaquin cook for us again."

Re: Layer three

[silver_eyes_rose]

"And like my friends Weiss, Blake and Yang! I miss them, too, but I'm sure we'll see our friends one day! For now, it's us two and your Cards!"

Re: Layer three

[najaran]

"Yep! And our other friends here, like Esteban and Leia! They're amazing!"

layer 4

[blue_ice]

"...build...what, now?" There was Kaiba, exhausted from the emotional wringer he's just been through. Staring blankly at a sign. Who was this incredibly strong duelist he had yet to encounter?

"Whose deck?" he called, a little louder, as if the answer would come from nowhere.

Re: layer 4

[najaran]

Her head snapped up. "I'm building my Book... um people here call it a deck. So I can beat Zenith. So he'll show up and try to kill me!" she said, as if that made sense. And was at all a reasonable thing to want. Most of her attention had gone back to her Cards as soon as she had seen who it was that had spoken.

[blue_ice]

Kaiba glances at the cards. Not his game, not his circus, not his problem....but wait. That sounded too bizarre for him to just ignore, especially in this state with emotions running high.

"...you're kidding. You want him. To try to kill you."

[najaran]

She considered a Card and shook her head. "Yes. But I mean... not really. I don't want him to try and kill me, and I have always been afraid of him showing up, but I think I can keep everyone on the Train safe from him.... But every time he shows up to fight me, we wind up in a bigger battle... so if he shows up when we're fighting the World Eaters, then we can finally defeat them!" As if that was obvious.

[blue_ice]

"So this is a way to summon the World Eaters?"

Kaiba looks...incredibly alarmed to hear that. "Shouldn't we consult the rest of the train about that first? And get back to the rest of the crew?"

[najaran]

"What?" she asked, startled enough to drop her Cards. "No... I wouldn't do that!" she shook her head.

"Not that Zenith is that much less dangerous...." Goligan muttered.

"I mean, if I make my Book based on getting stronger, Zenith will show up to fight me. But he always shows up at the worst time when I'm fighting big world ending monsters. So if I can get him to find me, he's sure to do it when we're fighting the world eaters!"

[blue_ice]

Kaiba was incredibly dazed and confused from the last few days, and it probably showed.

"...Okay, but. You still intend to face this dangerous person alone?"

[najaran]

"Well, not alone. I'll have my Cards. And Goligan. But he's a Cepter and he generally doesn't care who he hurts... So I'll need to keep him away from the Train somehow after we stop the World Eaters. But if we stop the World Eaters, then... it'll be worth it. Right?"

[blue_ice]

Kaiba understands....very few of those words.

"Possibly, but these things are stronger than anything else we've been up against. They devour worlds in seconds. You've seen them before, right? On Anan's world?"

[najaran]

Her hand stuttered over the Cards on the table. "They killed me once already," she said, her voice hollow and distant as tears blurred her vision. She lowered her hand, resting her fingers over the image of Knight on his Card.

[blue_ice]

"You..."

Oh. Oh, that was right. She'd let them get her, to let the rest of them know what it was like. He clenched a fist and bowed his head.

"I forgot. Sorry. But...you're not eager to go through that again, right. And that's why. You're so determined?"

[najaran]

Some of the dazed look fled and she turned to face him. "I'm determined to never let down the people who are counting on me to save them again. Even if it means dying again! And I'm getting tired of people yelling at me for that!" she snapped, fighting tears.

"I stood with people who were only trying to defend their home. I'm here and they're not. They died because I couldn't do it. So I'm going to find a way to bring someone who can. I don't care if he tries to kill me, so long as we end the threat of the World Eaters. That's what matters right now!"