[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

[lqg]

Then get the hell out!! [ he's used to binghe's speed, able to parry and block the attacks, moving just enough where he can roundhouse kick binghe in the side ]

[huanhua]

[ hey, that hurt. liu qingge is no one to shake a stick at, golden protagonist powers or otherwise. it's almost enough to knock him off of his feet.

...but like hell he's going anywhere, anyway. in fact if liu qingge wants him to leave he is absolutely staying here forever. he recovers the blow to grab his ankle and is about ready to just yeet him into the nearest wall, throwing his strength into it. ] I don't have time for this--you've interrupted me looking for shizun, so get lost!

[ unless

liu qingge knows where shizun is and is hiding him?


that sounds like a completely illogical jump in thinking that binghe would take! HM. ]

[lqg]

[ holy shit, it's been a long time since anyone's tossed him like that, but he manages to at least land on his feet.

he's not that far, but far enough where it makes sense to shout:]

YOU'RE SEARCHING FOR HIM LIKE THAT!? [ NAKED? the fucking disrespect ]

[huanhua]

[ LISTEN. your existence is interrupting his search for shizun his state of dress is IRRELEVANT.

he's on a one track mind now!!! completely blowing right past that, he lunges out of the steamy bathhouse and this time towards liu qingge to grab him by the throat, aiming to pin him to the nearest surface with it. if he misses he misses, but he's coming at liu qingge with much more intent this time around. ]

Where is he. [ binghe, ]

[lqg]

[ welp. he tries to put his arm in the way but that just ends up with his arm and his front getting grabbed so he's that much more pinned and out of options.

still. he knows this look, he still remembers how he acted when shen qingqiu fucking died, and liu qingge isn't having it. even if he could tell him he doesn't know and be done with it, his pride won't let him. ]

As if I'd tell you. [ pushing back against the wall gives him the hair of leverage he needs to kick binghe so gets off of him ]

[huanhua]

[ i am so glad neither of them has a braincell. ]

Kh- [ the kick is easily powerful enough to send a grown man flying. binghe doesn't take it lightly--OP as he might be, liu qingge is incredibly strong, the true leader of bai zhan, and binghe's sent flying backwards. he's able to get a hold of himself and lands a bit away, righted on his feet, but it smarts more than usual. it would probably be easier to fight him if he wasn't doing it mostly one handed, considering the state of dress.

doesn't matter!! now he's even more incensed, though. the irrational jealousy runs hot in his veins and binghe lunges for him again, roaring - ] LIU QINGGE!! [ this time, he's on the offensive, fighting style as aggressive and dangerously well calculated as ever, a series of rapid fire punches and kicks backed by his qi. how dare he think he can just--hide shen qingqiu from him, like liu qingge thinks he's the best thing for him! like he could ever even bother to understand! ]

[lqg]

[ the smile on his face is nearly feral, it's so good to make binghe squirm, even if it means he's coming at him that much harder in rebuke. liu qingge doesn't care, he hasn't had this much of a challenge since he got here, and liu qingge lives for each parry, each returned blow of punches and kicks.

however, the aura he emits with his blows activates that static in liu qingge's mind again, and every time he blocks one of them it sends it into overtime. it's difficult to think about how he's moving his body all of the sudden - it's as if his body is operating on it's own, something there real and huge and he cannot fathom for the life of him what it is.

it's starting to scare him. but he'd sooner die than let luo binghe know he's afraid of anything. ]

Get! Out! [ he goes for a side kick of binghe's occupied hand on his hip holding his towel, attempting to knock him back for space, and not thinking through what it means if he connects with it. ]

[huanhua]

[ do you really want to see the Heavenly Pillar that badly??? because that's what's about to happen!!!!

fuck. there's an opening, but he has to jerk his hand out of the way. in doing so, he drops the waist of the towel, and catches his hand against the rim of the hot springs. pushing himself back into the recoil of the motion requires two things. the first is his other arm, now freed up--he uses it to connect a punch to the solar plexus, ideally sending his opponent splashing back into the hot spring.

the second thing it requires is him to totally lose that towel so he's naked now! good job! ]

[ absolutely not here ]

[peakfan]

[lqg]

[ the blow hits and sends him into the water, but it hurts his pride more than his actual gut. the hot water is overwhelming and liu qingge shoots up through the water - his face red from exertion and the heat, collar now askew, the white robes becoming more and more see-through now that they're fully water logged.

he leaps from the spring, not letting the water or the heat get to him, and he keeps his eyes trained on luo binghe's face instead of looking down, and rushes in to grab luo binghe so he can hip throw him back into the water. so they're even.

(somewhere far away, airplane bro somewhere is crying with joy and he doesn't know why) ]

[huanhua]

[ this sure is a scene right out of proud immortal demon way... except they're both dudes, so...maybe a scene out of the new proud immortal demon way?

thankfully it's time to FIGHT so even he's not that concerned with his sudden state of undress. there's no time for such a thing anyway, because if he loses focus liu qingge will get the advantage and that is not happening anytime soon!! binghe's got a record with the loser of bai zhan he's not planning on giving up anytime soon. when he's grabbed onto, he latches on with the same force, because if he's going into that water, he's going to use gravity and drag liu qingge back in with him. as he starts to go down, he grabs around the edge of his waist and shifts his hip to change the distribution of his weight. it's not enough to keep him out of the water, but it's enough to jerk them both down into the depths in a mess of hot water and waaay too much hair.

the amount of research i had to do into martial arts to tag this dUMB THREAD ]

[lqg]

[ they both fall into the water, arms around one another, and somewhere bad 80's r&b music starts playing as it would in the scenes of new pidw.

but. enough about weird sexy times. right now, all liu qingge cares about is the fact that he fell into the water second, so he's able to hover over luo binghe, becoming the barrier between him and breaking the surface. and this close it's easy to press the sharp bone of his forearm against luo binghe's throat, shoving him back toward the bottom of the pool. it should be enough to get his arms off of him, but underwater it's hard to tell. underwater, in this heat, with a shallow pool, liu qingge can barely keep his eyes open, let alone feel like he can move at his usual strength and speed. at the very least, this is a hazard both of them have to face equally, but neither of them are going to be able to handle it for long.

the second he can he's out of luo binghe's grip he shoots up for air, ready to push luo binghe back down when he tries to follow. ]

[huanhua]

[ this isn't ideal. it's not the best arena for a fight, considering. the heat of the springs and the water both are choking, and liu qingge's forearm smashed into his throat is not helping matters any. he does release his grip, forced to keep himself from choking.

there's just enough time for him to open his eyes, and from underneath the water, there's a faint red glow. though he's unaware of it, the mark on binghe's forehead glows red, and as he gets his feet underneath him to push himself up and out of the water properly, he sends himself to the surface with a blast of that qi energy, sending water flying out of the spring. it's backed by demonic powers he doesn't even realize he has, the force of it overwhelming.

he's not interested in blasting liu qingge to pieces because shizun would be upset with him, but if he can knock him out for an hour maybe he'll let binghe go back to searching in peace!!!!! ]

[lqg]

[ the red glow is strange, and then it's terrifying because it's accompanied by binghe fucking hurling his body out of the water faster than liu qingge thinks he's ever seen him move. or - no, it has to be, that movement is unnatural, people can't just glow and fly, not him, not binghe, not anyone. the fact he even has to think about it, and it isn't just totally obvious sends his mind reeling again, and so he misses the chance to properly dodge the sudden surge of water out of the bath. it sends liu qingge backwards and under the current, leaves him tumbling back toward the wall.

but his pride doesn't let him stay down. the water flows past him and out, and liu qingge gets back on his feet, glaring up at binghe through wet hair. ]

[huanhua]

[ there. there's a moment of reprise between them both. binghe's hair is sticking to his face, his back, and he's still completely naked, but aside from that, he's in perfectly fine condition. any lasting damage liu qingge caused--in particular, a bruise had started to form at his ribs--is already vanishing. ]

Why do you insist on getting in my way even here? [ he's glaring right back, eyes ice cold at the sheer sight. even if his blood's pumping--liu qingge puts up a good fight, but it's never enough to be an even match--he's feeling more frustrated than challenged, singlemindedly after one goal. why does liu qingge hate him so much? is he jealous? maybe he should have been a better shidi if he wanted more attention. besides, it's not like binghe's a demon or anything! why can't liu qingge just leave him and shizun alone? he was the one obstacle to luo binghe protecting shizun's body and now he's the only reason he can't find him? this is bullshit. ] What do you think I'm going to do?

[ besides kick your ass!!! STAY DOWN FOR ONCE GOD ]

[lqg]

[ liu qingge opens his mouth to answer, and then suddenly he can't. there's a clear reason, he knows there is, but when he tries to pull at it it feels incomplete and he doesn't know why. it's not the jealousy (his pride wouldn't allow such a thing) and it's not just for the thrill of the fight (he wouldn't feel this angry), but something else, something far more fundamental that feels warped under his hands. he hates this feeling, he hates how many times he's felt it just because luo binghe is in front of him and acting all high and mighty.

he grits his teeth before he bites back, grabbing at the few things he still can without feeling like he's losing it. ]

Haven't you caused everyone enough grief with your selfish actions!? If you want to leave this place then get out! [ no, really, he'd like to see you try ]

[huanhua]

[ it sticks in his ribs and stabs there. haven't you caused enough trouble?

what a familiar adage. as always, luo binghe is a troublemaker. from other members of cang qiong to the adults on the street when he'd been rescued out of that icy river, luo binghe caused problems wherever he went. even when he did his best to be the best he possibly could, when he did everything right, it still -- he had still ended up in that pit, somehow, not that he can remember how, or why. just the ice cold rejection that came with his practice of demonic cultivation, and shen qingqiu dying in his arms years later, when he had returned. his precious, selfless, ideal teacher, driven to such things because of the obstinate inability to accept someone who practiced down a different path.

he'd come back, of course. no thanks to liu qingge, who nearly ruined it, but the matter stands. being kicked, called a beast, being told to leave--these stubborn things feed a monster in binghe who just wants to stay out of spite. ]

Haven't you? [ he retorts back, ] Keeping him away from me like a toy from a selfish child. [ that's extremely hypocritical but okay binghe ] I have every right to see Shizun. I'm a disciple of Cang Qiong, of Qing Jing, and a sect leader, so where is he.

[lqg]

As if you're any better, demanding all of his attention and time!

[ they really do sound like children arguing over shen qingqiu huh

but let's not focus on that. liu qingge focuses instead on how he will not give binghe an inch, even with all his accolades and titles that he knows down to his bones were earned in the crude ways of a broken path. besides, binghe's head is big enough, no need giving him anything else ] If you're so great then go find him yourself!

[ seriously, leave him alone, and also, to the best of his knowledge, shen qingqiu isn't even here. it'd be better to watch him run around on his own and find that out himself. ]

[huanhua]

[ why are you both five years old?

it's frustrating. he isn't so great. he knows it, and so does liu qingge. he could gobble up every title, strive to be the strongest demonic cultivator in the whole world for the rest of his life, and it'd wouldn't be enough. it'd never be enough. he has to take and take and take, because nothing has ever been given, and he'll continue to do so. greedily, selfishly, trying to prove his worth to a world that always kicked him down. traces of the original binghe still linger sometimes, when he's hurt and cut down to his shards. ] I will.

[ also: YOU STARTED THIS? YOU STARTED IT.

he glowers at liu qingge from across the way, furious with his very existence in this place. binghe refuses to believe that his shizun isn't around. ] If you're the only obstacle in our way, then I'll see it removed.

[ but with that fuck you he's gonna go try and find shizun ]