[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

[souheki]

I believe it depends on the person. [Which is probably not the most reassuring information, but it's what he knows.] I received nothing after the first world we visited.

[Some people did, though. If there's consistency, he hasn't found it.]

[lqg]

What a pain. [ this place sucks can we get a refund ]

[souheki]

[They spent all their refund points on monster trucks.]

Did you? [Regain anything, that is.]

[lqg]

[ holds up his sword, which like, is very clearly a cultivator's sword, but he doesn't know that. all he knows is that he's just real proud about having his sword back ]

[souheki]

[HM. Lan Wangji's eyes narrow the tiniest bit, and a couple of things start to make themselves clear--but he isn't familiar with Liu Qingge's world, and he shouldn't make assumptions. Perhaps they really can't fly on their swords, where he's from.

...Or perhaps this world has taken that from him, or his memories of it, or both. It really is too difficult to say, without anything to reference.

He knows from experience that trying to talk about it won't accomplish anything, so he doesn't bother with that. Instead--]

Are you able to wield it properly?

[It's a nonjudgmental question--and a valid thing to wonder, honestly, since Lan Wangji was just talking about his own skills being ROBBED.]

[lqg]

Of course. [ showing off is too much, but he can't help but take out his sword to at least show lan wangji the elegant and fierce blade.

also he's totally channeling spiritual energy, but only the exact amount needed to wield it and not a drop more. ]

[souheki]

[HM. THAT SURE IS A THING HE'S SENSING.

Lan Wangji stares at the sword for a minute, his expression unreadable. Then, he looks up, nodding once.]

It is a fine blade. [Lan Wangji can appreciate that much, even if the rest of it is complicated!!]

[lqg]

[ it sure is complicated, and liu qingge doesn't even realize it. he sheathes the blade, understanding exactly nothing about the weight and magnitude of what else he's lost. ]

Thank you.

[souheki]

[IT IS VERY COMPLICATED and honestly, Lan Wangji wishes he could help. He's been drained of his spiritual energy before, and he's willingly locked it for training exercises, but that isn't the same. And while he's lived through two alternate lives without his cultivation, it's thus far been incredibly relieving to get it back, once they return.

He wouldn't want to experience what Liu Qingge is experiencing, and the other man doesn't even know it.

But he knows, already, that nothing he can say will help. So instead, a touch awkwardly because Lan Wangji still isn't great at small talk--]

Are you acclimating well?

[lqg]

Hm. [ it's hard to say, if he's honest - one minute he was barely getting used to this place, the next they're in a another world, being a different person but not quite, and then they're back again. and even then, the place is different from before. it's hard to say acclimated when really nothing is the same. ] ...Hard to say.

[ like, he's not dead, or constantly injured? but also? still really confusing and weird all the time. ]

[souheki]

Mm.

[You know what, that's totally fair. This is the third world Lan Wangji has returned from, and while he remained himself for the very first, that had still been extremely jarring. This past world was simple, on its surface, but that hasn't made it any easier to cope with back here in The Space.]

The return continues to be disorienting.