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.

---

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.

---

OOC NOTES

NOTES: They will be in the storm for three days, each layer takes about half a day.

Comments

Oh boy oh god

[seacub]

[Emporio hasn't turned any colors...Yet. Hasn't turned any yet. He's with Jolyne himself of course- the two are practically inseparable- but unfortunately being with Jolyne means seeing what's going on with Sera.

...And also with Jolyne.

With both, actually.

Emporio's eyes slowly, but steadily, go right up.]

NOW IN THE RIGHT PLACE

[strings_theory]

[Don't you dare, child. Because she's dumb as a box of rocks and totally hasn't realized any of this yet. Even if she's raising a brow slowly as she notices Sera. That's... a lot of pink. She's not entirely sure what that means, but that's new.]

'Sup? [Be casual. Send help, let her have the brain cell.]

[tactlesstantei]

Some voidstorm, huh?

[That sure is a lot of pink! Masumi has by now noticed all the pink, but hasn't quite connected the dots just yet.]

Anyway, how are you holding up so far? [She is also trying her hardest to be casual.]

[seacub]

[This is so hard, you two. Emporio keeps looking back and forth between the two, slowly having to raise a fist in front of his mouth to keep from blurting anything out. Guys. You're neon freaking lights. You're lighting up the hall.

GUYS.]

Uh- ...Well, so far we're doing okay...it's not actually as bad as the storms I've been in before, I don't think...

[strings_theory]

[Emporio, you are the holder of the brain cell and you know this! Because Jolyne is continuing to be an idiot even while looking towards her companion and... okay, why's he acting like that? Huh.]

Ehhh, you know. Not too keen on some of it, but hasn't been that bad, yet. [It'd be worse if she hadn't found Emporio to rattle off asinine shit to, but that's neither here nor there.]

Guessin' you're looking for something to occupy your time with?

[tactlesstantei]

Yup. It's not that bad so far, but I don't want to see what happens if I hang out in the game carriage this time. Besides, I like hanging out with you.

[There's a story in there about what happened last time, but Masumi's not telling that story right now. She's more focused on trying (and failing) to stay casual, especially since Emporio is standing Right There.

...Actually, what's going on with Emporio right now?]

...Something on your mind, Emporio?

[seacub]

Uhhhhh...!

[Emporio, predictably, panics the minute he's addressed. This entire situation is one he's trying desperately not to immediately highlight, because then it's probably going to get really weird really fast. They'll both start going 'huh?? no, it's fine! we're not pink!' even though they're lit up like fairy lights in a summer party.

So Emporio does the only safe thing he can think of in that moment.

Which is lie.]

N- Nothing, not really! I guess I'm just...hoping it's nothing like last time...?

[Nailed it?? Nailed it.

NAILED IT.]

[strings_theory]

[That sounds like a lie, Emporio. And Jolyne can't help but frown for a moment at the answer, because she's certain that... can't be why he's acting like that. But best to ignore it.

For now.]

Doooo you? Doubt it'll be as interesting as last time, I'm afraid. [That's... clearly supposed to be a joke and to keep it vague, even though she's not remotely afraid of what Emporio may or may not glean from all of that.]

Wouldn't mind the extra company~

[tactlesstantei]

I don't know, there's a reason I think the train should ban Monopoly during voidstorms.

[Just what did Masumi do involving Monopoly during the last storm?]

But I wouldn't mind the company either, it's better than worrying about what'll happen and we haven't talked in a bit~

[Masumi grins, one snaggletooth on display as she continues to miss why both her and Jolyne are bright pink right now.]

[seacub]

[He can't tell if this is deliberate or not.] It's definitely different from last time already...

[Did he say that? Ignore that.] ...Maybe I should uhh...get something while you guys talk though?

[He's begging you two take a hint.]

[strings_theory]

[Taking a hint? Never ever, he should know her lack of brain cells in most times.]

Why do you think that? It ain't like this is private. [And there it is, the clear fact that she has no idea what the fuck is actually going on.]

'Sides, we were just kinda... walkin' anyway, yeah? [Sorry, Emporio.]

[tactlesstantei]

Yeah, we're just walking and talking, Emporio. [And an equal lack of brain cells at the moment from Masumi!]

It's not like we're saying anything weird, right Jolyne? [In her eyes, this is a Normal Conversation that is totally unrelated to their current colour scheme.

Because you know, Normal Conversations definitely involve barely veiled romantic tension.]

[seacub]

[..................They are, in fact, this oblivious.]

I guess...

[Just....well....the pinkness...]

[strings_theory]

[Entirely oblivious and she really does seem to be genuinely so.]

Yeaaaah. It'll be fun or... something? [Unless things go like the pool, in which case... She pauses for a second, deep breath to steady herself. Mm. Well, maybe a little more pink there, that's fine.]

'Sides. Gotta stick close, never know what might happen?

[tactlesstantei]

Exactly. We gotta stick together, just in case someone starts seeing their loved ones in the void or something and needs to be snapped out of it.

[Masumi also starts turning a bit more pink in response to the idea of spending time with Jolyne, despite the current situation with the voidstorm.

She also starts looking between herself and Jolyne, a slight look of thought on her face. It seems her brain cell is kicking in finally...]

[seacub]

[He can't take this!]

....I don't think seeing them in the void will be an issue...

[AAAAAAAAAGH!]

[strings_theory]

[Is it kicking in? Because she's looking between Sera and Emporio with a small frown. Okay, something's going on now, but she's not quite sure what it is. Something to do with the colors? Something awkward that happened before? It's weird.]

... So spit it out, what's up? 'Cause you're acting weird as hell, Emporio.

[tactlesstantei]

[Masumi's still thinking, glancing at poor Emporio off to the side, then at (a very pink) Jolyne, then at her own (also very pink) hand. Something's up here, and she's right on the edge of figuring it out-

Oh.

Oh.

Just when you thought Masumi couldn't go any pinker, she goes pinker. She's practically the World's Pinkest Pink right now.]

...Jolyne, I think he's saying we're in love. [Which does make sense, in hindsight. It's just that Masumi's not sure how this flew over her head.]

[seacub]

[Excuse him, he's burying his face in his hands, black cap sliding upward awkwardly.]

You're both glowing PINK.... [he half wheezes, half whispers.] It's only getting worse while you both talk to the other even...

[strings_theory]

[What? They're pink and...

Oh.

Love, huh. It's... been a while since she's had to recognize that particular emotion. But it makes sense in hindsight, even if she's internally screaming about how stupid she is for not realizing that sooner. Sometimes she's not the most observant, she knows that much.

Give her a second while she rubs her face with one hand, getting herself together. Or, well, as much as she can while emotions are visible like this.]

Oh. [That's practically a squeak, good job, Jolyne.]

[tactlesstantei]

[Masumi, now getting past the initial shock of 'oh shit, we're in love', sees Jolyne's own shock and responds in the only way she can.]

...So, still wanna spend time together?

[By attempting to fluster Jolyne while she can. She might still be dealing with the realization that she is in love, but gosh darn it, she's going to try and get a reaction out of Jolyne.]

[seacub]

[GGGGGGGGGGGGGGUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYS-]

...I'm gonna go to my ghost room....

[goodbye....]

[strings_theory]

[It's too bad, for Jolyne at least, that she's easily flustered when caught on the wrong foot. How she can managed to be a darker shade of pink is anyone's guess other than she's hiding her face in her hands for a moment to silently scream.

Bless Emporio for saying anything in that moment to give her an excuse to find some semblance of not this for a brief second.]

S-sure, don't do anything I wouldn't. [Which leaves him open to... a lot, actually.]

[tactlesstantei]

See you, Emporio.

[Masumi says bye to Emporio before returning her focus to Jolyne. Seeing her state, she grins, briefly, happy that she's finally gotten to Jolyne after how Jolyne got to her during their meetup in the pool. That smile fades into something a bit more unsure though, as she thinks more about her feelings and how this happened.]

Fuck, I never thought I'd actually fall in love with a girl on the train. I kind of thought it would happen later.

[Not that she's complaining, of course! It's just that Masumi was a bit uncertain about possibly falling in love with someone who could leave at any time and hadn't had too much time to think about the topic before.]

[strings_theory]

[Now they're alone and she's focusing her attention on her, a brow raising slowly as she notices the smile fade. It calms her nerves a little in turn, but that's because they can focus on something else other than ridiculous teasing. Not that it'll probably last long, but that's a later problem.]

Mm? Kinda bound to happen with a lot of people in close quarters for a long period of time, right? [She would... know... not that she had much time to think on anything of that caliber. Even if she'd seen enough in that prison to tell her how things worked.]

'Sides, sometimes "fate" or whatever works like that? Though can't say I much expected it, either... [What with being dead and all, technically.]