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

[merrygopound]

Got it.

[ Then-- to the store! The store of wondrous delights and apparently pocky, unless Haku just keeps pocky in his clothes. ]

[amberspirit]

[To the store!

Yeah, there's pocky, which he got from someone from the store, but he does squirrel it away in his clothes when needed. At least the store gives them something to do instead of being idle.

Unfortunately, he doesn't get to wave his hand to open the door because it does that automatically. :(]

[merrygopound]

[ Sorry, Haku. Magic < automatic doors.

Mizuki goes a little wide-eyed, though, as soon as they step inside. ]

It's huge!

[amberspirit]

[ST...O...P. HE'S GETTING... WEAKER... THE LESS YOU BELIEVE... IN HIS MAGIC...]

Yes. It has things here I've never seen before.

[Well. A few. He steps confidently ahead; maybe because he has been here, but maybe because he's just always like this anyway.]

There is no employees or owner, not that I have found. The store has a rule, however: if you want to buy, you have to take as many as there are, or you have to take one that is large.

[merrygopound]

Isn't that taking "buying in bulk" a little too literally? What a weird store.

[ She has never been here, but she also isn't fond of trailing behind anyone like a duckling, so she'll match her stride to Haru's like she totally knows where he's going. ]

[amberspirit]

[The rhetorical question gets a glance out of him, but that’s all. He leads them down one of the first aisles they come across after entering, pace slowing mostly for her benefit.]

I would take only what you will need. In case there happens to be a curse we aren’t aware of.

[merrygopound]

I always only take what I need. Anything else is just pointless and it'd weigh me down.

[ Well, then. ]

So, a flashlight, matches, a canteen, a flash grenade...

[amberspirit]

[As different as Mizuki is from a certain other girl... surprisingly, they have some things in common. He gives her a look, though at least he knows of everything except...]

"Flash grenade"?

[merrygopound]

[ … okay, Medieval Lordling. ]

You pull the pin and when you throw it, it gives off this really huge flash of light so whatever's causing you problems can't see! It's great!

[amberspirit]

[listen,,]

I see.

[Thoughtfully, he glances down the aisle. This explanation didn't exactly tell him what a grenade looks like, but it's fine. Even fantasy Medieval Lordlings can throw things and cause mayhem.]

I can make you one if we don't find it.

[merrygopound]

… What do I owe you?

[ The correct question is "HOW DO YOU MAKE ONE AND CAN I LEARN HOW TO DO IT", Mizuki, but sure. ]

[amberspirit]

[Oh. Hmm. He looks her over as if he's trying to decide what he thinks she can do for him that may be beneficial on his end.

With the straightest face ever:]

A roasted newt, if you ever find one.

[merrygopound]

[ Also with the straightest face ever: ]

That's an aphrodisiac. You sure you don't just want ramen?

[amberspirit]

[WOW.]

It's a good bargaining tool. [Don't punch holes in his plans, geez.] I can get ramen on my own.

I'll think of something later. [Again, he starts walking.] I'm going to look for something. I'll find you in a bit.

[merrygopound]

[ Okay but why is he bargaining with an ancient Japanese aphrodisiac--

She's a Little Concerned, now, but also still very much Mizuki, so she drops the subject and nods, turning to check out another direction. ]

Got it. I'll go check things out.

[amberspirit]

[Sometimes, that's a coveted snack among adult otherworlders in the spirit world. It's fine? It's fine.

With grace befitting his stupid hairstyle, he silently turns the corner at the end of the aisle and disappears. He's gone for maybe five minutes or so.

Well, he's still gone technically, but Mizuki will definitely hear a loud, crackling pop from a block over and several aisles down. And then there's a little bit of crashing. And there's some blackish smoke rising up over the top of the aisles? Hm.]

[merrygopound]

[ Hm. That definitely sounds like something one might expect to hear in a store.

Mizuki gives her cart of fifty first-aid kits a longing glance, but then she sighs, rolls her shoulders back and does the responsible thing of immediately jogging in that direction to check out the Thing. ]

[amberspirit]

[The closer she gets to the right aisle, the better she can hear the quiet fumbling and the fall of a few more things onto the floor.

Haku seems to be currently in a battle of strength with... a soup thermos? His hair is very Ghibli, like someone has rubbed a balloon over it and held it away. He’s trying to force the lid onto the canister and tighten it. Shards of extremely fluorescent light spill out of the edges. The rest of the poor aisle is a mess of shattered... burnt? things.]

By the power of the flame within thee, submit!

[But Haku manages to snap and screw the lid down in time.]

[merrygopound]

[ Even Mizuki knows better than to go sprinting into a fight that she doesn't quite understand. But that's definitely a soup thermos. Filled with light.

And that is Haku, wrestling with it and also dealing with a bad case of static, prompting her to stay right where she is until he gets the lid on and she can speak up. ]

Want me to find a brush for your hair?

[ Look, she has questions. But. Still. ]

[amberspirit]

[Whew.

Turning around, he glances at Mizuki with the thermos clasped between his hands.] What? [Quickly, he reaches up with one hand to touch—to smooth down the wildness of his hair even if it has mostly settled itself. Kinda. The ends might take a minute.]

No, I’m fine. Here. [Ignore his mess.] It’s like your flash grenade.

[merrygopound]

Really...?

[ Mizuki takes it gingerly, wondering if she just has to flip the lid to unleash it or chuck the whole thing. Well.

It's a thought for later. ]

You really made one for me... okay, then it's official!

[ Why are you pointing at him, Mizuki. ]

[amberspirit]

You have to undo the lid and—

[????

Why is she pointing? He looks at her, confused.]

Official...?

[merrygopound]

We're friends now. Officially. You can't have the status of Super Ultra Mega Best Friend Forever, but for now, you can be my Favorite Person Here.

[ With a decisive nod. ]

[amberspirit]

[He actually looks somewhat bewildered by the bold declaration. Friends...? He’s not sure anyone has ever thought of him as a friend. Not at the bathhouse at least.]

...Alright.

[That? simple?]

[merrygopound]

Good. If anyone tries to make you do sorcery things that you don't wanna do, I'll beat them up for you.

[ She's serious. ]