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

[survivaltricks]

[definitely picking up on that change in demeanor, but he doesn't comment on it]

Huh. That's pretty neat.

[onmyoji was just the first thing that popped into his mind with respect to charm-spells, that's all!1]

I'm fairly certain that back home, those are the sorts of things people only read about in myths and fiction.

[amberspirit]

[It's fine. He looks twelve, but he's had a long time to be a sour spirit.]

That's the way it should stay in the human world. The less you all know, the safer you are. But you do seem to forget about what you can't see.

[survivaltricks]

[oh. now that gets a small, knowing smile from Akira]

It's easy to cling to ignorance when there isn't anything reminding us of what we don't know.

[amberspirit]

[No, stop smiling like that!]

I'm aware. Humans have left all of their myths and legends behind.

[survivaltricks]

[NO!!!!]

Have they?

[a thoughtful hum, and Akira lifts a hand to tug at his bangs]

Those myths and legends continue to affect them, whether they conscious think about it or not.

[amberspirit]

[Even if he doesn't snort, the expression he makes would go along with one.]

Humans have forgotten the spirit world exists. They make excuses with myths. It's better that way even if it often causes trouble.

[survivaltricks]

[well, Akira doesn't argue. but he does look a bit amused, like he's mulling over an inside joke that only he understands]

Mmm. I get the feeling you know better than me.

[a pause]

Are you a resident of the spirit world?

[amberspirit]

[He just gives Akira a look. There's no use trying to hide everything, he doesn't think. Not in this bizarro place.]

Yes. I'm an apprentice to a sorceress named Yubaba.

[It's... not a lie!]

[survivaltricks]

[Akira has no reason to think it is anything but the truth, so!!]

What sort of things does a sorceress's apprentice do?

[other than enchant mops and brooms to clean for them--]

[amberspirit]

[Please question the validity of things a little more, Akira.]

Assist her with her needs. [Mizuki thinks he might be a sex slave, but really he's just a gremlin slave to a gremlin witch.] While learning magic as payment.

[survivaltricks]

[he would if he had reason to!!!]

Mmm. It sounds like a pretty good deal.

Unless she's a slave driver, in which case it sounds like it sucks.

[amberspirit]

[Ha ha...]

I don't mind it. [Which isn't an agreement or a denial.] She's the proprietor of a bathhouse. I have shelter and a job, so I can't complain.

[survivaltricks]

You could, if you wanted to, but I understand why you don't.

[totally noting that he isn't agreeing or denying, so he's just gonna assume she is KIND OF A JERK but also kind of not. somewhere in the middle??]

Is it. . . a bathhouse for spirits?

[amberspirit]

I have better ways to spend my time than complaining.

[Ghibli grey area. It's fine.]

Yes. When night falls, spirits come to the bathhouse to be replenished.

[survivaltricks]

What does that mean? Replenished?

[Akira Kurusu of a thousand questions]

[amberspirit]

[He sort of looks at Akira as if he isn't sure how he can clarify it any more.]

Replenished. [A pause.] They go to be pampered. To soak, or be washed, and be fed so long as they have money.

[survivaltricks]

Aha. "Replenished" is just an interesting word for it.

[but he sees what Haku means]

[amberspirit]

[His brows pull together.]

They're spirits. You think humans are the only ones who need to be replenished?

[survivaltricks]

"Replenished" isn't a word I'd use for humans either. To be fair.

[amberspirit]

[Don't bully him, he's sort of ye olde, he just looks twelve!]

Then what? Rested? Spirits don't need to sleep for the same reasons.

[survivaltricks]

[a twelve-year-old YE OLDE]

Refreshed, maybe?

[amberspirit]

Mm. It isn't the same. They're refreshed, too, but their bodies and stomachs are... filled again.

[survivaltricks]

[. . . ooooooh]

[suddenly the use of the word replenished makes sense]

So it's kind of like eating?

[amberspirit]

They do eat. Some only come to relax in the baths. Some come to be cleaned. Everything depends on what they're paying. But the bathhouse serves food, too.

When they leave, they should feel replenished, or we haven't done a good job.

[survivaltricks]

Hn.

[an understanding nod. NOW IT ALL MAKES SENSE. you're still a ye olde though, Haku]

How do you get into that sort of business, anyway?