[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

[huanhua]

[ his househusband skills are probably the best thing airplane bro ever wrote for him, it's true... a convenient throwaway plot device becomes one of the best pastimes for bonding with shizun.

everything is a breeze once he's figured out how to use the tech. binghe makes quick work of the meal he was finishing. it's a big, delicious bowl of noodles, topped with vegetables, rich cuts of meat... only binghe could turn a notsco kitchen into magic, but he serves up the bowl he's made in a short amount of time, pouring one for each of them!!

clasping his hands over his food politely, he peeks over at shizun waiting. let him see your face... let him see... praise him.... ]

[peakfan]

[ in this one (1) instance, airplane bro was valid. it's the only reason shen qinqiu hasn't actually kicked him off a cliff happily fanning while whispering perish yet. he will eventually, but as long as binghe continues to feed him food of the gods, he can deal.

without his fan nearby, he can't particularly hide the way his eyes close in bliss at the first bite, daintily slurping his noods like he's the happiest old man in the whole store. all he needs now is the gentle lackadaisical air of a quiet day at their cottage and it would be perfect. ]

Mm. Very Good.

[ his expression shows nothing but approval for once, a hint of fondness he normally wouldn't show crossing his face. it seems like being stuck in a new place without the need to play along to the plot has caused him to unclench a little, the weight of burden temporarily lifted. ]

[huanhua]

[ shizun's precious expression....!!!! binghe practically drinks it up, suddenly grateful for the fact that his mentor seems to be missing his fan. he's not even thinking about the implications, or the fact that he doesn't have xin mo. (actually, that's kind of nice? it usually gives him a headache. can't remember why right now!)

he'd put his cheeks in his hands if he wasn't also eating. binghe just shines under the praise instead, soaking up shizun's perfect expression and lifting his shoulders, looking more like a bashful maiden who was just asked out by her crush than the lord of huanhua palace luo binghe. ] Thank you, shizun. The ingredients available weren't as high quality as usual--I'll do better next time.

[ could one hypothetically kill their own meat somewhere in the space? hm. things to ponder.

well, later. let him just be a pleased happy white lotus over here, eating his lunch with his shizun and not thinking at all about the problems that come from being kidnapped away from home. ♥ ]

[peakfan]

[ BRIGHT. TOO BRIGHT. IT'S LIKE LOOKING INTO THE SUN AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FACT THEY WERE EATING HE'D DIE! ]

For what you could find, it's quite delicious.

[ honestly, it remains completely mind boggling that his Blackened Binghe can still make such White Lotus faces at him even with everything that's happened. even if he does understand a little bit better now than merely a few days ago, it's still quite the thing to experience it. ]

Where does Binghe wish to go after we finish. There's much to see in this place.

[ ..............he's acting like this is a date. IS IT A DATE? HAVE THEY PROGRESSED THAT FAR? THEY'RE IN A WHOLE NEW WORLD AND THIS IS WHAT COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH? HE'S REALLY GONNA SPIT BLOOD NOW ]

[huanhua]

[ shizun is being so forward........swoons like a maiden

anyway, as usual, he's completely oblivious to his cool and strong like jade shizun's internal turmoil. even just the slightest of reactions on his face is a gift, and from the outside, that's about all that's happening. he's so lucky... just the slightest smile...the praise... this could feed him for like twenty four hours. (and then he's greedy so that's the end of that).

he tilts his head, pausing mid bite. ] Has shizun been many places so far? How wise that you've explored. As always, I have much to learn. [ there's a smile on his face already, at the idea of walking around with shizun... maybe he'll hold onto binghe's arm or something. maybe he'll hold his hand. (every outing with shizun is a date now in his stupid eyes especially if it's shizun beating him up.) ]

I've only spent time here, and the [ ... nose wrinkling, briefly, he airquotes: ] 'train'. [ wtf is a train. ] But if shizun has places to show me, then this one will follow.

[ ♥ together!!!! ] ...After all, you've truly recovered, and everything can be put behind us. I'm happy to accompany you anywhere, or nowhere, as long as it's you and I. [ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥!!!!!!!! what a concerning thing to just Say. ]

[peakfan]

[ if only he had his fan to start going 40 miles an hours while he sweats internally right now ]

It reminds me of places I had been to before, many, many years ago.

[ add a couple of more dozen centuries to that and you might be close!

the rest of binghe's words gets him to blink, startled and he glances away, minorly shamed at his own behavior. how many things did he think he understand only to realize nothing was as it is? it seems like he has to learn about his beloved favorite character all over again- even more so now that they've been taken out of the novel's plot and transported somewhere else entirely. nothing will be as he expects it to be and fanfic plots tend to spin wildly in any direction anyway. there's no telling what awaits them both...! ]

....Mm. We can go together.

[huanhua]

[ you know, there is almost a sulk here. where'd you go without him!!! >:( (binghe you are at least ten years younger than him.) but!!! but, the last part soothes him completely. ]

Together. [ binghe repeats, and it sounds utterly pleased. he looks like a glass hearted maiden again, smiling at his shizun at the thought. after all, his shizun had just been returned to him, after a misunderstanding about demonic cultivation. after they visited the holy mausoleum, so many things made more sense--and all binghe had ever truly wanted were answers, which he got. also attention? and confirmation that shizun Would Protect Him, actually, so he's feeling pretty great right now!!!! who cares about being transported to a new world, not him!!

so let him just smile across the table at him like he put all the stars in the sky. (he may as well have.) ] Let's make new adventures, and new memories.

[ and also, let's not remind shizun that he hasn't seen anyone else from home. who cares just binghe now ]

[peakfan]

[ binghe, despite being big and tall now, you’re still Baby compared to this old man. ]

…….Mm.

[ but now he really feels half his age and like a blushing maiden! he’s forgotten words entirely and he really is gonna expire for good!! binghe’s delighted expression to Too Pure to be used on an unworthy fool like him.

without his fan it feels like his entire face has forgotten how to control itself and instead his eyes lower demurely at the idea of exploring with binghe. for all that’s happened, he truly did miss him the most over the years they’d been apart. his companionship has always been the one he has loved the most after all.

to have that again, it truly does soothe something in his heart ]

Whenever you are ready then.

[huanhua]

[ THIS FACE? HAS HE DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN?

someone call the gods because binghe must have just ascended. to see that look on shizun's face is probably the greatest thing he's ever seen in his entire life (except for the incident with the immortal binding cables but that was great for a different and more confusing reason).

the smile on his face grows, and he feels something thick in his throat, welling up tears. he could cry. shizun, so happy to spend time with him...shizun, so happy to eat his food... binghe loves him so much that his entire body aches with it. he knows that now (has always, really, known that) but it feels even more stark after the events in the holy mausoleum, and being able to just sit here in this strange place is so unbelievably novel. how lucky he is, to have his shizun again, after everything.

luo binghe pushes away from the table, remembering his manners .1 second after rudely shoving out of the chair and pushing it back in with his foot, but otherwise hurries over to shizun's side, his eyes big and wet and shiny like the giant baby that he is. ] I'm ready, shizun...

[ he's ready now. watch him vibrate with the amount of self restraint it's taking him not to throw himself at shen qingqiu in a hug so he doesn't knock him out of the chair. ]

[peakfan]

[ binghe......

sqq sighs exasperatedly at his teary apprentice, reaching out to pat that fluffy hair of his again. there, there. how did he ever think his binghe's blackened self would rid him of this precious heart of his? he's certainly learned his lesson (loudly, perhaps with a brick to the head he truly deserved) since and now.... ]

Then this master shall accompany you.

[ he stands up, eyeing him like binghe's gonna bowl him over the second he's in touching distance. think of his back! but. he might not mind walking alongside him, hands briefly brushing as they go. ]