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

[ Without as much of a warning, tears started to well at the corner of his eyes.

Did he feel relieved? Did he feel happy? Jin Ling doesn't know but, his vision is now fuzzy as he tries to wipe the tears from his face. All he can really do is mumble a an awkward 'thank you,' to his uncle as he tries to stop the waterworks from coming.

Maybe, he had bee more insecure about this than he thought. The relief he feels that he's accepted as he is, and nothing more or less. He doesn't know how else to express his feelings other than to cry them out once more. ]

Edited 2022-09-03 21:23 (UTC)

[ For a moment, Jiang Cheng imagines he has done something wrong.

It wouldn't necessarily wrong to call Jin Ling a cry-baby - but it is simply that he feels his emotions well, that he is wrapped up in them in the same way his mother was. Better that than the strangeness of his father, who took so long to admit to any feeling that he risked losing what he wanted altogether. Jin Ling cries when the emotions he feels are so overwhelming they cannot be contained, and thus Jiang Cheng imagines that he has stepped over a line he should never have even approached.

But then he is thanked, and the strange, melting relief he feels inspires him to move forward, to wrap his arms around his nephew and tug him close and into his lap in the middle of the corridor of the train, the dirt on the ground surely staining his robes. For this brief moment in time Jiang Cheng does not care, because his nephew is crying and needs comfort, as he has always been there to give.

Slowly, his hand begins to rub along his back and he sighs softly. ]

Of course, you idiot. Any Jiang Cheng would choose to keep you by his side. You are - [ his voice hits a low note ] - you are like a son, and always will be. Don't forget it.

[ If Jin Ling feels that he's wronged, he would have honestly said it to his jiujiu's face. However, that isn't even the reason at all. There's just a lot to process for him at the moment, and perhaps remembering those who have left and moved on, he can't help but feel emotional.

It is like a lid on his emotions suddenly overflowed. He has no control over it, nor does he know how to. Something, he'll probably have to keep trying. He's not very good at holding things in and Jiang Cheng knows him too well, down to the reasons why he suddenly started crying like his life depended on it. His content mixed with his affections for his uncle. Someone who really helped him with through many things.

Those arms wrapped around his crying form, and pulling him into his lap. The ground was unpleasant and probably not the best place to have a hear to heart, but screw it. Jin Ling doesn't care either and manages to keep his head there where he's situated with tears soaking those robes and him trying to maintain his composure once more.

Trying to form words right now is hard and he can only furiously continue to nod his head and give choked responses. ]

There's--no way I'd forget, jiujiu.

[ He knows in his heart that Jiang Cheng's words held ground. It still makes him a little insecure thinking about it. However, it's definitely something he won't forget. The small comfort, care and protection his uncle has given him to this point. Jin Ling is far beyond grateful and words can't express that. If it isn't for Jiang Cheng, and many others he's ran across, he'd be so lonely. Those last words really do mean a lot to him. He knows that his uncle isn't different from his father, but he has been closer to a father figure to Jin Ling for all this time. It's a nice feeling to have and he only nods his head to those last bit. ]

Good.

[ Perhaps he should have done more of this, he thinks. He had been so keen to raise Jin Ling to be strong, to raise him to be able to stand on his own and lead a Sect, to have the confidence that he needs without having parents. There had been some level of spoiling, he can't deny that, he can't go back and undo it all, but he had wanted for Jin Ling to have pride.

His own vice, passed on to his nephew; pride, anger, wrath. He knows that now.

Hand rubbing gently over Jin Ling's back, palm flat for a moment before he breathes out softly. ]

I will take care of you, just as he would. Nothing will ever change that. I'm glad you know.

[ While he tries to compose himself, Jin Ling wrinkles the hems of his uncle's clothes. His unkept state forgotten for a brief moment as he's being consoled. It weighed on him for a long while and having some closure on how Jiang Cheng truly feels about him, he's grateful.

Regardless, of which version of his uncle he's with, their core hadn't changed at all. It's a rare moment, where he let his barriers down and being honest about his feelings.

All he can do is nod his head furiously at those words and accepting this small moment of comfort and acceptance. He truly is very grateful to Jiang Cheng. ]

Edited 2022-09-29 01:53 (UTC)

[ For the first time in a while, Jiang Cheng simply doesn't care. He lets a-Ling do whatever he wants to his clothes, his robes, and shrugs it off and away as his arms wrap around the boy. Maybe this is what he ought to have been doing for years - it's the sort of thing his sister would've wanted.

If he was to ever have children of his own... Well, maybe.

Lifting his hand, he pets at a-Ling's hair gently, just savouring the moment. ]

[ The comfort is welcoming. He really did take those hugs in the past for granted. Even a little bit of it right now truly touched his heart.

Whatever Jiang Cheng was doing, worked. Jin Ling seemed find himself slightly calming down, while his face may have been a snotty mess, he feels a lot better. The warm hand on his hair as well gives him mixed emotions. It's very rare-- so rare that his uncle shows his this sort of comfort to him. However, it's the little things that matter the most.

After a long moment of that, he slowly pulls himself up, hands on his tear streaked face, wiping away the tears with his sleeves. ]

Into the Unknown Part Two

okay I'm done I'm sorry but not . ;W; you broke your nephew bye.

i do it with love ;3;

feel the love but also weeeps ;A;

no subject

sorry! this is so late! I hopefully we can continue ;W;

ofc!!! ;3;

aahhh ;w;