[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]

[The only saving grace here is that Lan Wangji would've been supremely angry no matter who said something like this. He's always been this way--utterly unconcerned about people's opinions of him, but instantly ready to pull his sword on anyone who so much as looked at Wei Wuxian with disrespect. It shouldn't be surprising that Lan Wangji's entire demeanor turns to ice, and when he snaps his head up to look at Jiang Cheng, his glare is fierce enough to kill. Truly, Jiang Cheng is the only person who earns these expressions from him. WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.]

Will you never be satisfied?

[Wasn't it enough that he was proven right? Lan Wangji will never, ever be convinced that Jiang Cheng couldn't have done more to save his brother, to protect him without forcing Wei Wuxian to compromise his beliefs. He believes the same of himself, and probably always will. But it's different, now.

Before, Wei Wuxian was usually present, and Lan Wangji's tried very hard not to upset him. He's stood against Jiang Cheng to defend him, but when Wei Wuxian asked him to stand down, he did. And it was never about this--even in private, they'd never discussed the circumstances of Wei Wuxian's death.

Before that, Wei Wuxian was dead, and no amount of fighting with Jiang Cheng would bring him back. It wasn't worth the energy to engage beyond petty actions here and there.

But Wei Wuxian is alive and well, here. He's not present to defend. And so, Lan Wangji can't help himself--hasn't Jiang Cheng done enough damage?]

[goldenrepair]

[Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng, converging at their anger.

He actually looks a little surprised by Lan Wangji's wrath over it. He's a fool. Why is Lan Wangji so mad about... the truth? It's the truth, as far as Jiang Cheng is concerned. It doesn't diminish the bitter love for Wei Wuxian which can't be uprooted from within him. In the end, he can dunk on his brother as much as he wants without it ever changing the fact he gives a little of a shit, somewhere deep within him.]

Are you going to stand there every time and excuse him? [Now he's overly defensive.] Just because you don't want to look at his faults?!

Whatever you... feel about him is irrelevant! If he created the Seal, he could have easily found a better way to destroy it! We could have... we could have figured it out! Sacrificing himself--it was idiocy!

[souheki]

I am not excusing him.

[That was never a choice for him to make. The things Wei Wuxian did--who has the right to forgive or condemn him? Who can weigh the lives of those he saved over those he killed? Never mind that he could easily remind Jiang Cheng how he'd supported the extent of Wei Wuxian's vengeance; no doubt that would lead nowhere.

Normally, even with tensions running this high, Lan Wangji wouldn't bother to engage. But Jiang Cheng has already seen his heart, through his memories--and what does he have to hide?]

He never realized that I wished to support him. I did not know how to make him understand. I regret that I could not make it clear. I will regret it for the rest of my life.

[He will not let it rule him, not now that he has the chance to make it up. But it is a weight that he will never fully shake off, even if he spends the rest of his days walking in Wei Wuxian's shadow.]

But you, Jiang Wanyin, you have no right. [No right to judge him, no authority to speak--if they are to throw stones, then let their houses be made of equally fragile glass.] What was the last kind word you said to him? When was the last time you stood at his side? You have used him, scorned him, and you have done nothing but cause him pain since he returned. If that is how you treat him, you have no right to feel hurt that you lost his trust.

[when will wei wuxian show up and put them both in the time-out corner]

[goldenrepair]

[It takes a single sentence to set him off, nevermind everything else. One single sentence. When was the last time you stood at his side? He loses it. A dark, rolling fire explodes up inside him.]

Me? [It's, at first, a strangled and humorless laugh almost. And then it's a wrathful bellow:] Me?!

[His hand fiddles mindlessly with the skin around one finger. He craves the cool spin of the ring that's missing. He longs for the bitter smell of ozone and the crackle of electricity. A comfort to know he can grip the one solid thing he has when he's angry.]

I lost this trust a long time ago when he defected for the Wens! [For some reason, he is so hurt and upset by this, but he cannot recall why. It doesn't matter when he just needs to cling to it, no question.] It's my fault he chose to abandon the people and the place who gave him everything when he had nothing!

It's my fault he was supposed to be the one, who told me he would be the one beside me when I was the Sect Leader! Who ate his words! Who made promises and broke them like they weren't anything at all!

He died because he thought more of being a hero than he ever thought of the two of us!

[souheki]

[For all that Lan Wangji's rumored to be made of ice, his eyes are positively burning now. Finally, he's on his feet again, and while he doesn't draw his sword, he advances anyway, as if he's going to attack with his bare hands. As if all their spats and terse exchanges over the years, as if what was left unfinished at Lotus Pier has all been leading up to this.

--But he stops, abruptly. His hands curl into fists by his sides, shaking with the effort of holding himself back.

There is so much he wants to say. So much he could say, that would be perfectly true. If nothing else, Jiang Cheng deserves to be punched at least once, for his treatment of Wei Wuxian when he'd first arrived here. Wei Wuxian may have forgiven him before his fist ever landed, but Lan Wangji does not forget, and he will not forgive.

It isn't the memory he just saw that's holding him back, either. He gave it back; he refuses to acknowledge it beyond that, when they're still in each other's company.

No, it's... at the end of the day, Lan Wangji is just a man. Like so many others--like Jiang Cheng himself--he is driven by love. And Wei Wuxian would be terribly disappointed in him, if he lashed out now. When Jiang Cheng has the truth all wrong.]

You are still missing your memories. It is useless to discuss this with you.

[As if what's happening here is a discussion.]

[goldenrepair]

[Lan Wangji has become a man who can be truly terrifying in strength. Jiang Cheng knows this, and he respects this like most other people. He especially understands this now, having seen what he saw.

But he's not a simp, or a coward, and he has a lot of his mother's pride. So he bows up, not moving, when Lan Wangji comes toward him. He's ready. It might be stupid, or futile, or a disaster, but he's ready.]

What am I missing?! Nothing that would change my mind!

[There's a seed of doubt. They're all missing something. He's missing some things, too, and he's been given some things he realizes now he had been missing before. So Lan Wangji is right, but Jiang Cheng doesn't want to give Lan Wangji the satisfaction of deflecting a good, honest brawl over something so stupid.]

[souheki]

When you remember, you will know.

[...The way he talked to me, it was like we were kids again. Even if he tried, Lan Wangji doubts he could forget the look on Wei Wuxian's face, the sound of his voice, when he'd said those words. It feels like so long ago now, but as with anything Wei Wuxian-related, it's as clear as day in Lan Wangji's mind.

He's wondered, more than once, why his memories seem to have remained intact, while everyone else's have been so noticeably affected. But now isn't the time to contemplate that. What Lan Wangji really needs to do is leave, before he gives in to the incredibly strong urge to fight Jiang Cheng anyway.

He's still a petty bitch, though. Which is why he adds--]

If you still see fit to hurt him then, we will continue this.

[With fists. And guqin. And possibly Bichen.]

my acct expired in the middle of this tag im losing it

[goldenrepair]

[This is wild to him, makes him fearful. What is he missing?! He doesn't want to ask. The point isn't being ignorant; that he hates. The point is he doesn't want someone like Lan Wangji, or Wei Wuxian telling him. The humiliation of it.

He's bitter, but he's loss exactly how bitter he should be. It's trickling back. Jin Ling. The core.

His jaw tightens.] I never claimed I'd hurt him. [At least, not in the way he burned with for thirteen years, at least not right now. Not yet. They are almost like kids again; throwing punches and being bitter. It's simple for now, but crumbling away the more places he goes. He's losing it, like he lost it before.]

But we will continue this.

the morons are being punished

[souheki]

[Despite every last ounce of common sense he possesses telling him not to, Lan Wangji can't stop himself from giving Jiang Cheng a look of clear incredulity.

"I never claimed I'd hurt him"--so, what, every threat was totally empty? Every demonic cultivator he'd caught and tortured, that was just for exercise? He arrived in a new and mysterious place, and his first instinct was to hit Wei Wuxian, but he "never claimed he'd hurt him"?

If Lan Wangji clenches his fists any further, he's going to draw blood. So he turns, striding away with the clear intention of putting as much space between them as he can, as quickly as possible.

He has nothing more to say.]