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

---

---

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.

Comments

[blue_ice]

"As long as the damage isn't critical---"

Kaiba's breathing hard as he makes his way over, the sound of his footsteps a little off as he's leaning on the seats. "I see damage to the lights and some pipes. I've heard we can sometimes get hallucinatory side effects if the void leaks inside the train...so I'd be aware of that."

He stops to assess himself. "Head spinning and a few bumps, nothing serious. You?"

[redprayer]

“Easy there,” Rezo says, because it certainly sounds as if Kaiba is having some difficulties, although he’s able to rattle off an inventory of issues for Rezo.

Lights. Not a serious problem as far as Rezo is concerned. Pipes are more of one- god knows exactly how the train’s internal plumbing works but at the very least it is going to be wet and unpleasant in several places. Hallucinations are also not great, but may not be an issue if they’re lucky.

Okay. Rezo moves slowly closer to Kaiba.

“Rather the same as you,” he says. “You didn’t hit your head, did you?”

[blue_ice]

Kaiba pauses to assess his aches and pains. There's throbbing here and there, not on his skull thankfully.

"I think it's just neck and body aches from whiplash. No pain in my skull...the knee, though," he murmurs, reluctantly looking out the window. "I definitely think there was a hull breach. I saw the void in here briefly..and that brings the bizarre dreams we've had sometimes. But everything appears stable...for now, until we sleep."

Not looking forward to that. "I'll fix what I can."

[redprayer]

Ah. And of course, Rezo wouldn’t have been able to see if any void leaked into the train. For that matter, he’s one of the few who’s missed out on the dreams he’s heard bits of gossip about.

Still, he’s not entirely useless in this situation.

“I can help with the injuries,” Rezo says, holding out his hand. “Even if they’re not serious, it will be less unpleasant to do repairs if your knee isn’t aching.”

[blue_ice]

"...All right." Shock and awe, Kaiba's getting better at accepting help when needed than he used to be. He takes a deep breath and awkwardly reaches out, placing his hand against Rezo's to give him an anchor point.

"What do you need me to do? All magic is different."

[redprayer]

Kaiba may notice a flicker of confusion in Rezo’s expression when he takes Rezo’s hand. However, Rezo does his best to keep his surprise to himself- Kaiba’s response is fairly normal, just not what Rezo had expected.

“Place my hand over your knee, and try to keep the joint straight until the spell is finished.”