[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]

[ 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?

[wisterin]

[ who else is there ]

He will be the one we'll force to eat vegetables for days after this. Please don't listen to most of his ideas or suggestions for your own good.

[ That's a simple warning in advance. ]

[stressweets]

[ ..She's kind of like Izumi huh. Well!!! That's fine, he likes her anyways. ]

So he's that type of person... Worry not, Kocho-san. I won't be dragged into his pace. I'm veeeery used to those kinds of people.

[ this is what he genuinely thinks But It Is A Lie ]

Let us fetch... Mmm, I suppose that's easier said than done, isn't it.

[wisterin]

[ She smiles. If at the core both Tsukasas are similar, she knows he'll be influenced. Used to or not used to, that's the kind of person he is. ]

I can find him fairly quickly. It will be as easy as said.

[ It's not confidence; she's just sure.

Will he believe her? ]

[stressweets]

[ ...She sounds so sure of herself - she must be close with this Wei Wuxian, to know him so well. ]

Then I have complete and total faith in you. Ahaha... I'll see if I can't eat a little more of this in your absence as well.

[wisterin]

[ She stands to go. ]

I wonder what it would take to have that part of you returned to you.

[ Just eating sweets doesn't seem to help. ]

[stressweets]

[ i know exactly what it'd take but sadly tsukasa does not, so he shrugs a little, picking a gummy worm off his sundae. ]

...In the grand scheme of things, it's a fairly small part, isn't it? It's not something to rush over. [ even if it does make him feel not quite whole, and his expression is an open book - as it ever has been.

still. he smiles at her again, small and bright. ] Please don't worry yourself over it, Kocho-san... Though I admit, as ill-mannered of me as it is, that it warms my heart to have your concern. [ ... ] I'll do my best to find out how to reclaim it regardless.

[wisterin]

Is it that small?

[ When he always looked so happy in her memories when he ate sweets? All Shinobu wants to do is protect people's happiness, and for Tsukasa to have lost one...

She smiles, too, but there's a tinge of regret. ]

I'm afraid I'll be concerned for a while yet. Even for someone I've just met, I'd like them to stay safe.

[stressweets]

[ It isn't that small, but it's embarrassing to think of it as one of his defining features (even though it is). It's just... not very knightly, or noble, or mature -- it's such a kid thing.

Still. He takes a big scoop of his sundae - maybe he just needs exposure therapy. ]

Thank you, Kocho-san. You're very kind to say so. [ mmm. ] I'm the same way though [ especially to cute, kind, determined young ladies ] so if ever you should need my sword, simply call my name and this Tsukasa Suou shall come charging in.

[wisterin]

[ For a missing soul piece, exposure therapy is more like suffering, she thinks. They've only just met (again), so she won't try to insist.

But... ]

Your sword? [ She tilts her head. ] Are you able to use one?

[ Or is he just being metaphorical? ]

[stressweets]

[ (hard think) does being able to swing one elegantly around
on stage count, even if it's not really real

probably not. ]

Ah... No. [ so: metaphor. ] But I am trained in archery, so perhaps it's more apt to say you'll have my bow...?

[wisterin]

[ That honesty is, as ever, refreshing. Her smile is gentle. ]

I would be happy to call your name for either your sword or your bow.