The Drift
To Lay in the stellar waters
Flying high
The Drift floods a lebha's brain with adrenaline, or at least something similar to adrenaline. It doesn't tire them out when leaving the system. It doesn't compel them to fight or run away. It compels them to drift, to see where the solar wind takes them.
The first time is always the strongest. Neophytes report hallucinations. They see strange geometric patterns and hear whispers in the dark, as if the stars could speak. They report seeing vast unknowable creatures watching them out of bored curiosity. They will never experience it to that degree again.
With each recurring exposure to the void, the effects steadily decrease. It's as if the void is toxic and they are building an immunity to it. At best, an adult of the species feels extreme euphoria. They are calm, serene, and in their element. On a rare occasion, the untrained will find themselves in a fugue, forgetting what they are supposed to be doing and even who they are.
The Horrors of the Drift
Remember those unknowable creatures I mentioned? Sometimes they aren't so indifferent. Some lebha on their first spacewalk report being attacked by them. It's a violent assault, as if these demons in the void are offended by their presence.
For the eden who "survive," It's an ill omen. Some believe it means you're destined for The Loop, an affront to nature. Others believe it means you'll be a breaker of chains, a mad rebel unable to escape your fate.
While it would seem to be nothing more than a bad trip, the eden take these hallucinations very seriously. They study them, using what little information they can glean from neophytes training for life in the void. Due to their nature, they haven't come very far in their studies.
A Form of Sleep
The drift is similar to what we call sleep. The eden sleep like we do, but they don't dream. Their bodies enter a sleep-like state that shuts down most nonessential functions. It's somewhere between sleep and hibernation.
They can use it for more than rest. They use it to pass time and some have used it for survival. If jettisoned into the void, they can enter this state to conserve oxygen or to limit the need for food in case help arrives, though it's unlikely.
When it comes to rest, it's a rapid process. By human standards, it's more of a power nap. Within an hour of "sleeping" they can wake up and feel perfectly refreshed. How lucky for them...
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Cool reads: Reaching the Meeraz | University of Delavar | Meeraz Morrow | Catoblepon's rambles