intro log.

[fracturamods]

welcome mingle

( AND SO IT BEGINS. )

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.

The place you've found yourself in is strange, certainly. It's probably worth exploring a bit. 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.

Well - that, and all the people who seem to have woken up alongside you, lost and also probably Doing Their Best™.

There's no need to fret that much though. It's hard to say exactly where you're going next, even though some places might feel a little bit more like a clue, but what you do know is one unshakeable thing:

There's still much more ahead of you.

Comments

[amberspirit]

(inception voice) you're waiting for a train

[It's not the inside of the train that's the concern. In fact, the inside is quite cute. There's plenty of windows to look out while riding--

--actually, looking out the window, something whizzing along beside the train gets all the attention. A dragon is cruising along beside, the eyes focused forward. Except... strange. It's grey all over from head to tail, no color at all. After a moment, it zooms ahead and disappears out of sight near the front of the train.

Several minutes pass, and the door at the far end of the car opens. A boy steps through, glancing around.]

generic merchant costco

You will have to take all of them to be able to leave.

[Helpful advice, but it comes straight from a young boy with a level voice. There's a basket strung over one elbow. Inside of it, almost overflowing, are charms in different colors.]

generic merchant costco

[messianic]

[Minato has one of those massive boxes of pocky because he couldn't find anything smaller, but honestly, he's just been staring at the counter until Haku interjects.

He clears his throat.]

... I was looking for someone to pay, but I can't find anyone here.

[amberspirit]

What are you paying with? I haven't found an owner or an employee.

[Hm. That pocky is fucking huge, honestly. He regards it for a long moment.]

I have been able to leave without issue.

[messianic]

[That.

That is a good point.

Minato pauses as if he didn't think about that, digs into his pocket with his free hand, and pulls out..... a few crinkled yen notes.

He squints at them, and then at the price tag.

It's just numbers.]

... I wonder if they take yen...

[...]

But I don't want to just take it...

generic merchant costco

[givethemhell]

[Charms? Charms?? He's leaning over to peer at Haku's basket curiously, looking over all of the unfamiliar little packets. He's so old they don't even have omamori yet, goddamn. The concept is familiar enough that he can take a guess at what they are, though.]

—Oh, I know! [What other horrors has he dragged from Costco to unleash upon the world...] Haha, a little inconvenient, right? I can take some of those off of your hands for you! We can do a trade, if you want.

[He points over to a cart he's left nearby, which is just fuckin full of cantaloupes.]

[amberspirit]

[While he doesn't recoil at all to keep the demon wuxian from looking in his basket, he also doesn't move to offer anything. His eyes slide over to the cart, and his brows tug together in consideration.]

I will trade you five for one melon.

[He sounds so serious.]

[givethemhell]

[HE SOUNDS SO SERIOUS... TERRIBLE, HONESTLY, because it means Wei Wuxian is immediately endeared. He loves serious kids?? He loves bullying serious kids. Even if he can possibly sense this kid is not a Normal Human Kid, he's just immediately getting lumped in anyway.]

Hm! You must either really love melons, or these must not actually do very much.

train

[suddenlybees]

[ A dragon... how cool. It definitely feels like he's tripping on something. Kano watches it go until it's out of sight, before pulling back from the window and minding his own business, aka eavesdropping.

When Haku enters the car, Kano puts a finger to his lips. Shhhhhhhhh. ]

[amberspirit]

[That definitely wasn't him at all.

He watches Kano for a moment or two, and then he moves farther into the train car, not rushed. Wow, just an average young boy!]

Have you been riding very long?

[suddenlybees]

[ Haku doesn't understand shhhs... That's okay. They can disappoint each other. ]

Hmm... huh... Like, less than two hours?

train

[souheki]

[THAT SURE WAS

A DRAGON OUTSIDE

honestly what kind of a stressful day is he having that it's almost comforting, because at least he knows what a dragon is. Not that that makes it any less startling--even Lan Wangji's normally stoic face shows distinct, if understated, surprise.

When Haku enters, he's still looking out the window, though the surprise has been replaced with understated thoughtfulness, one hand at his chin.

And since Haku came from that direction, he asks directly--]

Did you see where the dragon went?

[Just, y'know. Just making sure there's not a dragon gearing up to eat this bizarro metal contraption they're on]

[amberspirit]

[His head turns to the rows of windows. He isn't straining to look out, just gazing. And then he glances back at the man.

The thoughtfulness is reassuring at least.]

You don't have to worry. It won't harm you unless you try to attack it.

[souheki]

[He sounds confident, so Lan Wangji relaxes; unlike probably half the people in this place, he has a healthy respect for mystical creatures? Potential deities?? Plus he spends most of his time dealing with spirits, corpses, and the like, most of which simply want peace--he isn't about to attack something for no reason at all, especially something like a dragon.

The sword at his waist radiates pure spiritual energy, but it remains untouched.]

You are familiar with it. [It's not a question, just a calm observation.]

train

[osuni]

[Okuni's whole face is glued to the window even when the dragon seems to disappear, because that was a DRAGON?? dang!! she only knows (1) dragon back home, and that's more of a serpent demon thing that she's never seen in person so. Her eyes glance to Haku when he enters,]

Do you think the dragon will come back if I stick my head out the window? Do I look appetizing enough for it?

[gl on trying to open those windows okuni]

[amberspirit]

[OKUNI, STOP LOOKING FOR DRAGONS TO EAT YOU.]

The dragon won't harm you if you don't attack it. [Out of all the people here, he finally gives one person a somewhat judgmental look, and it's Okuni. RIP.] It doesn't eat humans.

[osuni]

[IT WOULD BE FUN!! Okuni truly is Blessed to be the first person to receive Haku's judgement... if only she knew...]

Really? So you personally know that dragon then?

small>[Okuni turning her DRAGON gaze onto Haku now, clearly interested]

train

[foxweddings]

[Hmph.

Well fox girl's ears peel the fuck back when she spots that dragon, and the look of exasperation hasn't quite left her face by the time the boy shows up.]

Dragons... ha.

[Well. Anyway. She'll fold her arms with a sigh, draped in her kimono, and send a glance to the boy]

Goodness, we have quite a colorful assortment of travelers here.

[amberspirit]

[Ah. Well, hello fellow spirit.]

There are a lot of humans. [Coming from someone who is not use to, like, hardly any humans.] Do you know where we are?

It isn't the place I was before, though it feels... similar.

[foxweddings]

[-- Arches her brow immediately but her expression neutralizes quickly]

No, I do not recognize this place at all.

... Though I agree, the number of humans is higher than I would prefer.

[A shrug at that]

Just who are you, child?

train

[fishingforcompliments]

Oh...! Wondrous!

[Flayn presses her face to the window to get a better look at the dragon, but looks a little disappointed when it disappears from view.

A few minutes later, though, the door opens, and she looks to Haku excitedly.]

Did you see that dragon out there, before? It was amazing, was it not?

[amberspirit]

[After his eyes flick around the car, they shift from Flayn to the windows, but he doesn't break his neck trying to look out of them.]

It won't hurt you.

[This... does not answer the question.]

train

[counterclocked]

[As soon as Haku walks in, Hunter, who looks like a kid in a candy store, turns to him. It's clear he's been looking out the window, because he's still sitting on the seat next it, half turned around, and his hands are gripping the windowpane even as he speaks.]

Dude, did you see that from your compartment? There was a dragon!

[So! Cool!]

[amberspirit]

[In the end, he was the dragon.

He watches Hunter at the window for a moment, and then moves over to stand in front of the seat facing the windows.]

I saw it. It won't bother you.

[survivaltricks]

[it is established canon that Haku is the reason Akira left fantasy costco with a cart full of cat years. because he sure is holding a single pair, staring forlornly at the exit he isn't allowed past with the merchandise in tow. when Haku speaks, Akira glances up and blinks at him from behind his glasses]

I don't think I can carry them all with two hands. . .

[amberspirit]

[STOP. He isn't the cause of mass cat chaos.]

You have to use a basket. Just bring it back when you're finished.

[Like the one he has that is--full of Japanese good fortune charms.]