[mingle] the space (april).

[fracturamods]

interim mingle

( WELCOME BACK, TRAVELERS. )

There's nothing but the clatter of train tracks, and the odd feeling of almost floating.

When you wake, it's hard to tell exactly what it is that you're missing - only that you are. There are pieces that aren't quite right, even if you're not sure where those pieces would normally be. Pieces of what, exactly....? Well, if you had to put a word to it, it would be - yourself, probably. Or did you get something back recently? In addition, characters will find that they've been allowed to bring back souvenirs from this most recent trip - trinkets, nothing violent, but items that can fit in your character's pockets, whether that be sentimental or otherwise.

The place you've found yourself in is strange, certainly. It's probably worth exploring a bit. For those who have been here a while, they might notice some expansions. Though it just as easily seems that the only form of welcome or explanation that you have, comes from nothing more than a slab of marble.

It might've changed since the last time you saw it. Today it reads:

(*´ω｀)o That wasn't so bad, was it?
Hey, you know how that old song goes?
Do you believe in magic? (☆▽☆) Do ya?

Hope you found what you were looking for!

You might have changed since the last time you saw yourself too - perhaps with a new emblem on your clothes, or a portrait on your skin. In addition to that, it seems like Home Base is on the fritz again…?

It seems that suddenly and at random, characters will be able to suddenly see visions of memories that aren't their own flash before their eyes. Pieces of your lives or where you were before this will suddenly slam into other's heads, as clearly as if they experienced the event and the feelings themselves. You might have an inkling of where your memory went and what it was - but you'll need to talk it out with that person in order to recollect it in all its strength back to yourself. Don't you want to keep those precious parts of yourself? It's best if you don't fall more to pieces while you're here. (Memories that have been lost in fragments cannot be sent to others - that's more fun for the future!)

There's no need to fret that much though. You've already gone through the ordeal once, and you might be able to see results from it. Or maybe you'll get a glimpse of where you're going next. Even so, it's best that you don't get too comfortable, because there is still the unshakeable feeling:

There's still much more ahead of you.

Comments

[stressweets]

[ ara why are you making me break shinobu's heart. why do you do this to me.

tsukasa startles a little, the voice and face both unfamiliar to him, but perhaps she's a fan of knights...? they Are very popular, but usually not fans of him. 🤔 at least she's fairly cute, though not as lovely as his producer. ]

Ahaha... I simply seem to be having a little trouble with the dish I picked to sample. [ tsukasa sort of pokes it with his spoon. just a bit dejected. ] I've only had something similar to this once, so I was eager - at first - to try it once more, but now that I have it within my grasp, it feels more like an ancient foe.

[ ): miss he just wants to enjoy simple commoner sweets again please help ]

[wisterin]

[ Her heart will be fine.

Because if canon Tsukasa calls her a fan, he may have to fear for his well-being for a second. His speech patterns do seem a little different to her. A bit more... refined? Lofty? ]

... What's the last thing you remember?

[stressweets]

I was in Florence with my seniors - we were visiting our newly-graduated unitmates, as well to practice a performance we were planning on having there.

[ ...Wait- ]

Why do you ask?

[wisterin]

[ There's a sinking realization. This is even more confirmation that this isn't the Tsukasa she knows. ]

I believe we don't know each other. May I ask for your last name?

[ ... ]

Mine is Kocho. I'm Shinobu Kocho. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[ She smiles because she has no other expression she wants to show. ]

[stressweets]

[ But she knew his first name -- Tsukasa frowns slightly at her, leaning back a bit. More people know his last name rather than his first in the first place - that's just what being a scion gets you.

But he'll oblige after a moment, though he can't smile as readily as she can - he's ever an open book, more cautious than anything. ]

The pleasure is mine, Kocho-san, but please forgive my rudeness in not answering your question for the moment... I have one of my own: how can you call me so familiarly before, yet claim you don't know me?

[wisterin]

Would you believe me if I said I've met a Tsukasa before? I believe his is an alternate reading of your last name, but I don't want to jump to any conclusions.

[ She says it all plainly, honestly. There's no use in trying to be anything other than frank with something she knows sounds so strange even for someone who's just been transported to some strange space. ]

Please forgive how familiar I was with you earlier.

[ There's a flash of sadness she couldn't hide quick enough. ]

[stressweets]

[ ah -- tsukasa is weak to girls still, tragically, and his caution slowly subsides. not completely, but... there's no reason for her to lie to him, he supposes, and the sadness doesn't seem false.

and, growing up in high society, he can at least see through people's lies a little. ]

...It's Suou, written with the kanji for red and cherry blossom. Does that match up with the Tsukasa you knew, Kocho-san?

[wisterin]

[ It's fine. She's smiling again. There's no sign of sadness here. Not anymore. ]

Yes. Life is a little funny, don't you think, Suou-kun? [ It fits. The surname that was used in the academy. The surname she's almost positive Suzakura mentioned once outside of their world traveling.]

If talking to me is too odd for you, I understand. I can avoid you.

[stressweets]

No, that's far too cruel to you. [ or maybe it's crueler to give her the opportunity to speak with him. she called him tsukasa, and without anything added, too -- they must have been close.

but he's already said it!! ah... ] And... to everyone else he undoubtedly made friends with here. It's not feasible for me to avoid everyone. Whatever oddness I may feel will pass - though if it would make things awkward for you, then please, do as you must.

[ is... that the right thing to say? he was never taught how to deal with this growing up. ]

[wisterin]

[ That's far from cruel to her. Even if she'd be sad, she can live with it. ]

It may be difficult to avoid everyone, but I don't mind giving you the option to deal with one less person, at least for some time.

[ She's only disrespectful and awful to those who deserve it or remind her of someone specific she knows. ]

I do believe I'm still one of the few here who has some medical knowledge.

[ So please go to her if sick or injured. ]

[stressweets]

[ Ah, so she's like a nurse or a doctor - though she's kind of young for the latter, isn't she? Well, he's also young for what he's taking on, at least in his seniors' eyes, so he won't begrudge her. ]

I'll keep that in mind, Kocho-san. [ ...mmm. It does feel a little odd to talk to someone who knew you before, but you don't remember - but was that person really him? Another him... ] For now... Would you like to share this sundae with me? I believe it's able to be defeated by a pair of swords, rather than just one.

[wisterin]

[ He's smoother. That much she can tell in this short conversation.

It's a little funny even if she doesn't know how much Tsukasa is aware of it. ]

All right. I'll help you, but I don't have the largest stomach for sweets. It may be easier, if we had something salty to go with it.

[stressweets]

[ something salty... big think, glancing around - ah. ]

Like a giant pretzel, or something to that effect? There is a place selling... Rather, that has them.

[ hard to refer to it as selling Considering. ]

[wisterin]

[ She nods. ]

That's a good idea. Please wait a moment.

[ She goes to get two. Since purchasing them is something they can exactly do. ]

I find the juxtaposition between the two more palatable.

[ Less easy to get sick from the sweetness. ]

[stressweets]

I never considered it... Rather, naturally there's things such as sea salt Chocolate or salted caramel, but those still fall under "sweets" to me.

[ they're not really that salty after all. ]

Regardless - let us do battle, my fair lady. ♪

[ he says that but looks very thoughtful. should he alternate bites or can he use the pretzel as a spoon... no, it's too soft for that... alternate it is. ]

[wisterin]

[ She alternates, too, taking small and dainty bites of each. There's the idea of treating the sundae as dip for the pretzel, but it honestly doesn't seem too appetizing to do it that way. ]

I don't often fight losing battles, but I must admit I'm a little worried about this one.

[ They're not favorite foods even if she doesn't dislike either. ]

[stressweets]

If you think like that, Kocho-san, then you've most certainly lost the battle already. We'll simply have to adjust our strategy as we go.

[ and call a strategic retreat if necessary, but tsukasa's never run from a battle before!!! he won't do so easily now. ]

...If it comes to it, we could always allow it to melt and drink it instead, but I'm not sure it would taste much better that way.

[wisterin]

[ The confidence in this Tsukasa.... and the more terrible ideas to go with that.

Her smile freezes. Unlike the ice cream that Tsukasa suggests should melt. ]

Part of the appeal of ice cream is its frozen state. If we must win, let's carry on.

[stressweets]

It is. ♪ Letting it melt should be a last resort plan... No, it was a last resort suggestion.

[ But if they let it melt they could pour it --

ooogh, something is very, very wrong with him. He's just going to pick up the pace on eating - he'll just. Try not to get sick. ]

...Honestly, this shouldn't be that much of a challenge... I've eaten an entire's page worth of sweets before... [ siiigh. ]

[wisterin]

[ Hello? ]

An entire... How much?

[ How big is his sweet tooth usually? ]

... Did you lose your love for sweets, Suou-kun?

[ She's asking, but she is 99.9% sure the answer is yes. ]

[stressweets]

[ me softly: am i remembering this story right

doesn't matter he ordered an entire page of sweets and then proceeded to try all of them and then probably also had most of it himself period. AND THEN HE STILL EVEN WANTED THE CAKE SET TWO OF HIS SENIORS ORDERED WHEN THEY CAME IN. ]

That's... [ ...um. ] Doesn't that sound too outlandish, Kocho-san? [ ): ] Yet I'm afraid that's how it seems... Normally, I'd be more than happy to have something like this, especially considering how my Stress levels are growing with every second that passes -- you see, I wouldn't say I necessarily love them, but they're wonderful for easing worries.

[ he stress eats. also, he definitely loves sweets, he's just tsundere about it. ]

[wisterin]

[ She can tell. Why are people tsun about the silliest things?

She smiles. ]

As outlandish as it may be, it's not going to help our present situation. Perhaps we may need to call in reinforcements. I know someone who hasn't lost their desire to eat an unhealthy amount of sweets—due to stress or otherwise.

[ She sounds pleasant, but there is the slightest lilt to her words that someone observant enough may be able to tell that she's calling Tsukasa on his shit. ]

[stressweets]

[ ....he feels like he's being called out, and that's enough make his cheeks burn even if he doesn't know exactly why-- ]

I-Is that so... Then perhaps we should enlist them indeed. Umm, where might we find them at the moment?

[wisterin]

Have you met Wei Wuxian yet?

[ Although

she is sure Wei Wuxian will be a terrible influence, but he's the only one she knows will eat this melting sundae without a second thought. ]

[stressweets]

[ why did i know she was going to get wwx ]

Not yet. [ He hopes that this Wei Wuxian... Did not also know him before........ Please. ] ...Are they our next ally?