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

Jin Ling really wants to throw himself into a hole right now. The person speaking to him is unfamiliar and their appearance throws him off a moment.

However, instead of immediately removing himself from the situation, he seems to want to-- well chat with this person.

"I-- hardly understand half of this 'data' that they're collecting."

He replies frowning.

"Still trying to understand all details myself. Not a physicist. Fascinated though." It's new information, who wouldn't want that? It doesn't have to be his specialty for him to realize it's really cool. "Will have to leave analysis to specialists."

"No kidding. This place just keeps getting more confusing as we go."

He replied frowning at the other's words. It makes sense that there's nothing for them to do if they don't know any lick of information regarding what is going on. Especially, when technology is involved for Jin Ling anyway.

"Something like that. I'm sure they know more than we do."

"But fascinating to explore." He's aware that this is not in fact the afterlife, but for him it still feels like Science Heaven.

"Void scientists have better knowledge foundation. More time to determine."

"This science thing is really complicated but I guess it would be fascinating if you're into that kind of stuff."

Jin Ling prefers swords, bows and arrows to be honest. Smart as he is, he has little to knowledge of the present day sciences. He's only fairly aware of what he knows of his own world. Science and advance technology being very different to him there than here on the train.

"If they'd use their knowledge for something better than letting people be affected by so many different things."

"Start with basics. Build up to more complicated matter. Get to continue learning." It's all Mordin's ever really wanted in life.

"But comes with responsibilities. Use knowledge wisely. Do more good than harm." He grimaces. "Fix mistakes."

He's trying to grasp what kind of information this person is trying to relay to him. AS much as it made sense to learn about it, he's not sure how useful it will be to him. He heaves a sigh.

"Naturally, that's what anyone has to do, but what if you come from a place that doesn't have this kind of advance knowledge? How do you even grasp it and use it properly?"

He frowns more, "It doesn't sound like they're taking responsibility for that knowledge either-- or fix any mistakes."

Given, how it seems all the people on the train are always constantly cleaning the train's messes. Least, that's how he feels about it, anyway.

"Steeper learning curve, but few familiar with all implications of train. Falls outside own specialization as well." Though of course not nearly as far as others. "Voidspace falls outside previous knowledge of physics."

He shakes his head. "Ethics may fall out of train's previous knowledge."

"Are you just saying there's no logic to this place? No rhyme or reason? Then what's the point of trying to learn about it if nothing makes sense?"

Because, Jin Ling is sure as hell confused and hates everything about that explanation there. Though, did he stop himself from asking those questions, certainly not. Especially when he feels extremely chatty.

"Has to be logic. Different from previous frame of reference. Will become apparent with sufficient data." He's still bound and determined to figure it out. Just because he doesn't know yet doesn't mean he never will. There's always a way to make sense of the world around you, that's just how science works.

Well, he's not wrong. It's not that Jin Ling can't figure it out himself with due time. It's the matter of it being vastly different from what he's used to. Even spending time here, he's still not used to all the futuristic technology.

"Then I just have to keep looking into it."

Into the Unknown Part Two

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