middleofsomewhere | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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?"

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!”

"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."

“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.”

"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.

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

"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.

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

"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."

"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!"

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

"And Amaya and Guri, too! They're just as amazing!"

She'll stop and get in front of Najaran, taking her other hand and squeezing them both.

"Oh, I'm so glad to have so many amazing friends! And I'm so proud to have you...!"

"I need to meet them then! And I'm so glad to have all of you guys too! I just wish everyone who left was back. And" her mood dropped some, "That I knew if Leia was right about Duo."

Ruby tilted her head at that. “What happened? You can tell me!”

"He... um he came back... but he doesn't know me. And I still like him, he's still my friend, but Leia thinks that he is a different Duo... so I'm not sure any more. I mean, Duo is my friend either way, I just wish I knew if Leia was right."

“Oh, Naja…” Ruby uttered, releasing her hands so she can pull her into a hug. “I’m sure things’ll work out…”

She returned the hug. "Same Duo or new, the one who showed up on the platform is absolutely my friend though!"

“That’s the spirit!” Ruby replied, hugging her a little tighter. “You’re warm…!”

"I am? Do you think I have a fever? I don't want to get you sick!"

“Oh, lemme check…!” Ruby, then, brushed back Najaran’s bangs and leaned in, pressing her forehead against hers. “Nooo… at least, I don’t think so.”

"Oh okay! You said I was warm so I got worried!"

“No, no, you’re fine!” Ruby said. “I guess I got carried away there!”

She isn’t moving from where she’s resting her head, though, causing her to blush and smile bashfully.

“Want me to move? I can if you need me to.”

"Well it is going to be hard to get to the yummy food just standing like this," she said with a laugh. She was utterly unselfconscious about this. Largely stemming from being utterly oblvious.

“Ha! Of course!” Ruby said. Finally, she pulled away. “C’mon, let’s get something to eat before we get caught in that storm!”

Re: Layer three

najaran - 2022-08-28 05:44 (UTC) - Expand