[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

[bywolves]

[ we're going to say they don't even see anybody on the way there, just so royce's good mood stays in place.

royce is happy to settle as well, watching the snow. he's not a talkative person in general, so he's fine with the silence unless wen ning breaks it. even so, though, he's relaxed. it's the kind of look wen ning might be familiar with, after two worlds. ]

[deadened]

[they absolutely don't, this is fine.

wen ning stays like this for a while, appreciating the quiet, the scenery. the comfort of being able to relax like this, of royce being able to. that alone makes him a little hesitant to speak up, but he does eventually manage.]

...you said it was hard to know how-- how far things extend, a little bit ago.

[he glances aside, briefly, watching the snow continue to fall. wen ning's been hesitant to say anything, uncertain, but royce saying that specifically... well, if he hadn't known in montevallo, there's no way he'll know now. and while normally wen ning would leave things as they are, not wanting to disturb them--

'i don't do this with anybody. so i suppose you don't need to wonder too hard.'

that still echoes in his thoughts, along with a few others' words, from various worlds and here as well.]

It isn't the same as it was back there, I know that w-we really haven't known each other nearly as long, but I...

[he takes a slow breath in, exhales.]

Is it... all right if I want you to stay with me here, too?

[bywolves]

[ royce tilts his head just a little to the side to acknowledge wen ning speaking up. he listens, eyes still on the snow.

and as wen ning does speak, his pulse picks up. it's not as if this is the first time wen ning has even asked this, and the more time that passes, the harder it is to push away the way he's felt in both worlds. once is a coincidence - twice is starting a pattern. and he likes this, and he likes how he feels, when he's sitting here.

he worries, because he knows he's missing pieces of himself. if he gets those pieces back, he's not sure how this is going to change. but he's not one to deny himself what he wants, not really.

and he knows wen ning won't ask a lot out of him. they're not that different from their other selves. ]

... Yes. [ he hums, finally looking over at wen ning. ] It is all right.

[deadened]

[he's still nervous, up until he gets that answer-- and then the lingering tension of it eases from him, his smile even fonder than it already has been.

things will probably change, in the future. there are things he's missing too, parts of himself he doesn't know are gone-- but he doesn't think they'll change who he is at his core. and even if he loses this second chance at living...

royce already knows. he thinks it might be okay.

there's not much he trusts himself to say, at the moment, so instead he just draws from memory-- he lifts their joined hands, presses a hesitant kiss to the back of royce's.]

[bywolves]

[ sometimes words aren't needed. sometimes it's just easier to let gestures do the talking. when wen ning brings their hands up, royce doesn't pull away or startle, he just smiles, small and soft. he likes that. he likes... how gentle it is. he's not used to being handled so carefully. not like this, anyway, not like he's something to care about.

he waits, just a moment, and then carefully turns their hands over in order to kiss the back of wen ning's hand - it's silly and easy, meant as something to break the tension, but also... well, he means it. ]

[deadened]

[wen ning will handle him carefully as long as royce doesn't get tired of it-- it's in his nature, and he can't stop smiling as that little hand kiss is returned. it's nicer than he expected, to have this sort of thing again. to know they can have it as their usual selves, not only in separate lives.

it doesn't feel like any more words are needed yet, so wen ning just... lets himself lean against him, like he'd begun to do more often in montevallo.]

[bywolves]

[ royce - stiffens up, when wen ning leans, but it's only for a second. it's like letting a cat get used to a new house, honestly. he relaxes after a moment, and shifts enough to make it more comfortable for wen ning to lean.

he rests his head against wen ning's, and watches the snow fall. this is good for now. ]