[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

[disreguarded]

[ ... oh.

there's a split second where it looks like she's been slapped. she pulls her hand back, clenching it against her chest, trying valiantly to control her expression. he doesn't know her. he doesn't know her at all. ]

I -- [ a pause. she swallows hard, and then, quieter: ] No. Sorry. Must've mistaken you for someone else.

[ hm, she's just gonna... turn around and head back into the kitchen of the food court. dig through the cabinets again. ]

[counterclocked]

[Hm. There isn't any ignoring that reaction, and though he pauses as she immediately starts to head for the kitchen - he's following her.]

Hey, are you okay?

[disreguarded]

Fine. I'm fine.

[ she pulls the beanie down a little further over her head. as she's digging through a cabinet to see what's in it: ] Just thought I was going home. [ but no. ]

Did you just get here? Or have you been here a while? How much do you know about this place?

[counterclocked]

...Okay.

[There's a little bit of skepticism in his voice, like he isn't quite sure whether to believe her, but—]

Wait, you weren't home before you came here? Where were you...? [A beat, and then:] No, I've been here for at least a few months. It's basically like... we all get sent to weird different places so we can remember things that we've forgotten for some reason.

[disreguarded]

[ she immediately glances back at him, expression hopeful despite herself. ]

Things we've forgotten? So - you've forgotten stuff. [ aaaaaaaaaaaaa ] ... I wasn't home before this, no. I was a prisoner in a sentient mansion that was eating people's souls to prove it was better than everybody.

[ a pause. ] Me and the others helped kill it. And I got out, and I was supposed to go home, but.

[counterclocked]

[He's giving her a curious look at that reaction, but he continues after a moment.]

Yeah, we all have. [His interest piques at that description, though, as he tilts his head.] Wow. That sounds... really horrible, but also kind of cool? Like, cool in concept. I'm not trying to say what you went through was cool or anything, just, you know.

[At the last detail about how she was supposed to go home, though...]

I'm really sorry it didn't work out that way, uh... Oh, shoot, I didn't ask your name yet, sorry. [...] Actually, come to think of it, how did you know my name...?

[disreguarded]

[ her whole heart clenches in her chest. it's really only been a couple of hours since she's seen him last, but. she missed him already, and she misses him now. ]

I get it. [ she says, amused. ] It was pretty fucking dope, past all the horrible trauma. You should've seen the tooth I pulled out of it's mouth.

[ a pause. ] My name's Beauregard. Beau's fine. And - uh. You sure you really want to know that?

[counterclocked]

Aw, man, they didn't even let you keep it as a souvenir? Super lame.

[He nods, giving her a smile.]

Beau it is. [But, hm.] Uh, now that you said it like that, I definitely do...?

[disreguarded]

[ she looks hesitant. but. ]

You were there too. In the mansion that I just came from. [ beau says, awkwardly. ]

[counterclocked]

[...]

Uh, that's - are you sure?

[disreguarded]

No, I just made that fucking up for no reason, dude, because it's fun to wig you out.

[counterclocked]

Okay, but you understand why that might be a little bit hard to just accept out of nowhere, right?

[aaaa]

I mean, I know you knew my name, but... Sorry. I'm not trying to say that you're lying. It's just...

[disreguarded]

No, I know it's weird. [ she sighs. ] Look, I'm trying not to make this fucking weird for you, okay? You don't remember me. That's fine.

[ it's not fine but ] You asked. I'm not gonna make it weirder unless you really need to know the details, ba -- Hunter.

[counterclocked]

No, I... You don't have to worry about that. It's, um, it isn't that weird.

[It's really weird, but he feels like saying that isn't really the best thing right now.]

Okay. Okay, wait, if you're right and we were stuck together in a soul eating house... Were we close?

[disreguarded]

[ hey is this a good time for a memshare?? it SUPER IS

hunter gets - a flash, the two of them in a cramped bathroom, beau cleaning cuts on hunter's face, cleaning away gore, leaning up to kiss his forehead when she's done; a flash, beau sitting in front of a cage in tears, I know you're scared, but I'll be here with you all night; a flash, beau laughing and trying to grab hunter to pull him down to noogie him -

and then it's done, and beau pauses. ]

Uh. [ eloquent, beau. ]

[counterclocked]

[It's bizarre, seeing it through her eyes - watching himself in a variety of situations he can't actually remember experiencing. He blinks a few times as it ends, expression colored with confusion and mild distress, as he looks back towards her.]

That's - okay, so you were telling the truth. I...

[disreguarded]

[ beau looks - embarrassed, almost. ]

Sorry. I didn't - do that on purpose, wow, that's something that happens here, too. Fucking great. [ she clears her throat. ] Sorry, I was gonna say no so you didn't have to...

[ she doesn't know. obligations. she pulls the beanie down a bit, and pulls herself up on the counter. ]

[counterclocked]

No, I know. But I have, like, a thousand questions now. I mean - if that's not asking you to bring up anything uncomfortable or anything.

[He sounds very intent, though.]

[disreguarded]

[ a beat. ]

I'll answer whatever you want. [ she keeps having to stop herself at the end of sentences - she can't call him babe, here. ] It's not uncomfortable for me, I just don't want you to feel like you owe me anything. You don't.

[counterclocked]

Sure. But, just... [He hesitates, too, but—] I'm sorry. It must be hard.

[Even if it isn't his fault.]

I guess, just... What was happening in all of those moments?

[disreguarded]

I've been through some shit. It sucks, but - I'll manage. [ she says, with a sigh. but okay, yeah, she'll explain. ]

First one, you just got out of a room that fucked you up. I was taking care of your wounds. Second one... [ she hesitates. ] The mansion turned people into monsters, once a week. You got... turned. But we healed you.

The third one I think was just us fucking around.

[counterclocked]

[He looks a little bit troubled to hear both of those things, but - well, it was probably a good idea to omit the detail that she did, if his very low level of distress is anything to go by.]

Okay. And... You said everyone got out okay?

[disreguarded]

Yeah. People died, but we got them back when we beat the house. Everybody was supposed to go home - and we were gonna be able to visit each other, too.

[ she shows him one of her little portal things! it doesn't work. ]

[counterclocked]

Well... Not to discount how much it sucks or anything, but - if you almost made it home from there, I bet you'll make it home from this, too.

[Even as he looks very curious about the portal.]

[disreguarded]

[ her lips twitch. ]

Yeah, if I can gather all my soul bits, I guess. [ bleh. ] Guess I didn't come out of that place as good as I thought.