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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

layer two

"Hey, so...how are you? Holding up? It's getting pretty weird in here, isn't it. And did the whole world turn into a drug-induced haze for you back there?"

Jake's not really sure what to expect, as he's not super-well versed in void storms, but he's trying to hang in here. He's idly passing from car to car, even more loud and chatty than usual. Even if he doesn't know you, he'll be stopping by to check in.

layer three

"Hey, hey!" And there's a Jake swiveling to try to catch your character's...arm or appropriate appendage, if there is one. "I don't think I ever told you you were awesome."

And he's willing to say that to just about anyone. If he doesn't know them too well, he'll go off impressions. If he does know them a little better, he'll be louder. Please don't go. He needs cool friends. He's using the pleading eyes.

layer four

And then all hell breaks loose. Jake is thrown into a seat sideways from the aisle, and it takes a moment for him to recover from the whiplash. He's pale and clammy, and definitely looking a little worse for the wear.

"...yeah, okay. Definitely something big and scary wants to kill us. Worst---worst part is, probably can't reason with it." They're so up a creek, probably.

((ooc: for layer 3 especially, he is somewhat likely to be in a gushy mood for characters he knows from fiction! if your character was well known to mainstream male geeks in the US in the mid-2010s, a common sight at Comic Con and the like, he probably knows who they are. I have a permissions post related to that here, or you can leave a note opting in. It's opt-in by default, won't add this without permission.))

Edited 2022-08-22 22:00 (UTC)

"I'm glad things are back to being just the colour I expect. I think I'm okay with just seeing things are they physically are. Leave the rest to Jedi." She's not sure what happened in that last phase was anywhere close to the Force, but she's still sure she'll stick to her own vision.

"Force stuff? Yeah, I bet that's a headache and a half," Jake agrees softly. He leans against the wall to try to get a hold on his spinning head, and then looks over at her.

"But...man. You're a super awesome pilot. I've gotta try harder in lessons if we're going to be going into stuff like this."

"It brings more danger than I'd like." Which is rich given that she's actively trying to overthrow the government and it's not exactly safe. "It's a wonderful gift and I'm sure it's better than not being able to see anything, but that last bit was so overwhelming with the extra information."

Jake wholeheartedly agrees as he slumps down. "Yeah, I mean....I like most of you! But that was a headache. Not you, though...you're really awesome."

Why did he feel the need to clarify? He blinks in confusion a moment before continuing. "You take command so easily, and you risk things, and you take care of everyone...no matter what gets thrown at you. I admire that."

"Thank you." She's really not sure how to respond to that but she feels like she needs to keep talking. "I've always done what needs to be done. I appreciate that you're willing to play a part, even when it's not glamorous."

No one ever mentions how unglamorous large tasks get.

Jake ducks his head and scratches the back of his neck, a little bashful.

"Hey. Somebody's gotta support the front line, so why not, you know?"

He's still smiling. "I'll be cheering you on. Rebellion forever."

"SOmeone does, but the train is partial to the kind of people who insist on trying to solve every problem themselves." Especially for Red team, but Purple just tries to solve it as a team.

"Well. Hopefully not forever. It sounds like there may actually come a time when we don't have to rebel any longer." It's a nice thought, even if she doesn't dare ask for details.

"Oh, duh," and Jake ducks his head, a little embarrassed---but it doesn't last long, he's still smiling. "Of course. You definitely deserve to have peace. It's...something people take for granted until it's gone and your life flips upside down."

He sighs lightly. "But that's what we're here for, I guess. Trying to save peace."

"Yeah. I don't even remember peace, but I hope my kids get to really experience it." She's not against experiencing it herself, either. She just knows nothing is promised. "We're doing important work here, but I worry about them left back in the warzone."

The Doctor is running down, looking for whatever broke on the train and has the mindset of fixing as much as possible. He spots how Jake looks and embraces the other in a hearts-filled hug, "It will be alright. And whatever, we all just saw, well, you know me." However, The Doctor has a feeling that Jake might be right but he also wants to hope, "Big fan of hope, me."

"...Doctor?"

Jake sounds surprised, but he returns the hug with gentle enthusiasm anyway. He's a little scared, and...hey, the Doctor's here. They can make things right.

"Hey. Yeah, you're right. We can work this out. We've gotta, can't leave everybody hanging, you know? 'Cause it might be the end of...well. Everything, if we lose this one."

"It will be alright, promise." Even if he's not sure, himself. He is trying to reassure Jake. The Doctor gives a head nod, "All of existence comes first. If it has to come to that." There's a tired look on his face that looks sort of like War Doctor. Ten is hoping, it doesn't have to come to that.

Q'uila, through the power of being somewhat cat-like and a dragoon, managed to maintain some more stability as the carriage jerks and she sees Jake go ricocheting into one of the seats and hurries straight over to him.

"Are you alright?!"

"Q'uila...?"

Jake's still a little dazed, sorry. He does manage to get a grip on one of the seat armrests under himself and push upright, but boy does he feel a mess. Everything looks a mess too.

"It'll stop spinning in a minute. It's just...man. That was a nightmare."

"Aye, 'tis me." Q'uila frowns and pushes Jake down into the seat. "Let me check that you have not done yourself an injury. This should take a few moments."

Calling her aether into the form of an Esuna to cleanse any possible confusion isn't too challenging and she follows it up with a Vercure, the green healing magic washing over Jake.

"Does that help?"

"...hey?" Jake doesn't really resist falling back. He focuses on his breathing, feels the healing wave flood through him. It's so weird, but definitely helpful. His thinking had been muddled by pain before, but his head's at least clearer now.

"Okay. Yeah. That's...wow, thanks." He flashes a little smile up at her. "That was pretty terrifying, not gonna lie. But we escaped, right?"

The tingling of the duelcast builds up at the tips of her fingers and so Q'uila gives Jake another shot of Vercure instead of trying to hold the magic back until it fizzles out. Patting his head almost absently in acknowledgement, Q'uila casts a weary glare around them.

"I... Do not know. Though usually the end of such troubles are announced with a little more fanfare than this."

Just to prove Q'uila's point the train jostled once more startling a hiss out of the cat woman.

"Mayhaps we should head to a different part of the train. We should probably see if everyone else is okay?"

Jake relaxes a little. He's fine, he's better, nothing too weird's going to go down. He'll hang in here and help out.

He manages to get up without the difficulty this time, falling into step behind her. "Yeah. And making sure we're not dealing with gas leaks, or anything like that? But you saw the void inside here just now, right?"

Q'uila's ears fold back and she hisses, "Let us hope 'tis not a gas leak, if there was an explosion because if it I do not think that the Train would be able to withstand it. If the void was able to get in..."

She trails off, it obviously means nothing good that's for sure.

"Is there anyone who might need assistance that we should specifically find or shall we work as we go?"

"Don't know anyone in specific, but I'll fix what I can. Definitely didn't train for this, though."

Jake looks around the darkened room, flicking on his SCA's flashlight. He sees some damp patches and exposed wire...yeah, better leave that to the experts. But he can clear debris out of the aisles and help people get through safely.

"We definitely want to make sure the greenhouse and rock garden's walls aren't cracked before anyone goes in, though. They're the most fragile."

"Good idea," As they walk, Q'uila starts to go through a mental list of the materials that she has on hand incase she needs to construct any blast doors or other physical barriers.

"If you see anything on fire or electrified let me know, I should be able to neutralise such things, at least temporarily."

The glass littering the floor as they progress at the very least seems to mostly come from various cases and glasses which can only be a good thing. But before they reach the greenhouse Q'uila holds Jake back a moment.

"One moment, please let me give you a shield to offer some small protection against whatever state the areas ahead of us are in. The aether may tingle slightly but if you want it I shall provide it to you."

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Into the Unknown Part Two

Jake Peralta (Orange) | just being a chatty mess

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