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

[foxweddings]

[There's only one prompt, wary traveler, and that's of a woman in a kimono screeching as she runs through the train, her head and torso covered in towels???

Oh and also there's a floating mirror following close on her heels]

Egeeeeeeeh!!!

I'm being attacked!!

[doublesmall]

[Excuse him while he just. Reaches out to try to poke that mirror as it passes, seeing if he can apply gravity to the thing and weigh it down? It's floating okay he has to mess with it.]

By this thing, or should I be worried about what else might be following you?

[... not that he really sounds concerned about that at all, but you know.]

[foxweddings]

[It will shiver in the air as if it's about to be affected by the gravity application-- and then just fuckin shakes it off and merrily returns to following the Lady of Towels.

Since he's watching, he'll note the mirror is doing jack shit to her. Just hovering nearby.

Towel Lady is still very unamused]

It is a floating ornate mirror that doesn't take no for an answer -- of course I'm talking about that!

[doublesmall]

Doesn't take no for an answer and takes gravity as a suggestion, apparently... damn thing won't let me weigh it down.

[he's frowning at the mirror with his arms folded, because damn, that should have worked?]

I'm going to guess you've already tried breaking the glass.

[-he says as he's readying a fist, clearly about to try it if she says she hasn't.]

[foxweddings]

... My, you are a vicious sort.

[BINCH YOU'RE THE ONE WHO ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE--

Also apparently the mirror ain't about to sit still and get cruelly manhandled. If Chuuya winds up for a punch, it's going to float right on up to the ceiling.]

Were you what caused it to shudder? What power is that?

[suddenlybees]

[ Oh. Well. Um...

Breaking mirrors is probably bad luck that Kano doesn't need more of, but he'll just try to grab the mirror with the entirety of his body wrapped around it, and if the mirror is strong enough to also lift him up and carry him along for the ride, at least he tried. ]

[foxweddings]

[The mirror

does indeed

lift poor Kano along for the ride, refusing to be deterred from following Towel Lady. Though if nothing else, it doesn't seem interested in doing anything besides floating.

-- But eventually even Towel Lady can't let this injustice slide, and turns from trying to flee into the next train car, expression flat]

... I have to say, I'm almost impressed by how durable that thing is! Look at how well it's holding you up!

[suddenlybees]

[ OKAY cool, this is happening and Kano tries to adjust himself so he can hang more comfortably on the mirror, but there's really no way to hang comfortably on the mirror. ]

Isn't it? I wonder how much it can carry? Here, here, grab some stuff to put in my pockets to weigh me down~ We'll find it's limit!

[foxweddings]

... Huh.

[A shrug]

Why not, I suppose?

[Funny how the mirror immediately stops moving once Tamamo stops fleeing. Also, she's gonna busy herself with grabbing some stray snacks from the cart, walking over to shove them directly into this guys pockets.

-- It doesn't matter how much she shoves into him, the mirror just keeps right on floating.]

We're going to need something heavier to truly test its prowess, it seems.

[fishingforcompliments]

Stay back!

[Flayn darts in between Tamamo and the mirror and... shouts at the mirror with the most fierce-looking expression she can possibly muster.]

Run, Miss! I shall... [Hm.] I shall hold it off!

[foxweddings]

[HER HERO!!

Towel Lady actually turns around to watch this development, eyes wide with surprise at being defended. Her screaming for help actually worked? Amazing.

... Even though the mirror just floats right on over Flayn's head like a troll and immediately corners the woman, who squeaks a little and backs up against a wall.]

To think, this is how I meet my end after just coming back--! Ah, Mizukume-chan, you've really gotten yourself into it now!!

[fishingforcompliments]

[Wow! Rude, mirror!

Flayn, frowning, turns on her heel and marches right up to the mirror, reaching out in an attempt to grab it by the sides and pull it back from her. This will probably go poorly.]

Why is this thing following you?

[Also, how is it following her, but they'll just address the why first...]

[foxweddings]

I haven't a clue! I've never seen the accursed thing in my life!

[And hey, the mirror isn't going to attack Flayn!

... It'll just lift itself higher and drag her along for the ride if she doesn't let go.]

Oh by the gods, now it's got you!

[pseudonyms]

Hey! What the hell?! [She's dodging out of the way and watching this mirror chase Tamamo down.] Lead it into another car and lock it in!

[foxweddings]

-- That would just lock me in with it!! Do you see how fast it's moving?!

[Not to immediately turn down a lady's plan of attack but--

Actually y'know what, fuck it.

It'll take some maneuvering but she barrels at the second train car door like she's about to go in -- ducks suddenly, allowing the mirror to sail over her head -- and then the moment the mirror is in the other car, closes the door shut.

... It appears that, indeed, Rise's plan worked. Huh.]

[pseudonyms]

[Tamamo dodges and weaves around the mirror as it soars into the other car, and as the door shuts Rise looks very pleased with herself.]

Looks like you were faster after all. [Bye mirror!!] Why's that thing chasing you anyway?

[foxweddings]

[yeah about that.

The mirror is indeed now on the other side of the door.

And is just.

Smashing into it.

Viciously.

... She's just going to very carefully back away]

Frankly? I've no idea. It was with me when I woke up and simply won't leave, no matter how fast I run.

[spitefires]

[ should lio be chasing after something when he's missing a certain important part of himself? probably not. he will regardless.

making sure that the rest of the cart is empty, he quickly gets behind one of the snack carts as tamamo runs through and, timing it down to the exact second—he kicks the cart right into the mirror, right against one of the aisle seats.

food and cart bits might go flying. did it work? ]

[foxweddings]

[GODDAMN.

She-- actually turns around? Expression frozen is awe because that certainly got the mirror to stop floating for a time.

Though give it a second: the mirror will just as quickly bolt back into the air, shaking itself free of any food and cart bits that might be stuck to it. There is not a scratch on the thing, or even a crack. Guess this floating mirror is as durable as it is tenacious.

But regardless, the lady draped in towels and a kimono gives a light applause from behind one of the seats she threw herself at.]

Mikon!!! How impressive!! A stylish prince has come to my aid!

[Or is a princess? Listen with those delicate features, she can't very well tell. And doesn't care.]

[spitefires]

[ lio is probably rightfully preoccupied with the magic sentient mirror shaking itself free of the remains of the snack cart (rip). the thing hardly looks like it's taken any damage at all, and lio immediately tenses. is there anything else he can throw-?

before he can consider it for too long, that towel-lady is talking. he whips his head around to her, blinking, brows furrowed. ]

'A stylish prince?' [ of all things lio's been called, that's definitely never been one? wow

the mirror shakes off more debris, capturing lio's attention quickly. he quickly gets in front of tamamo, spreading out his arm. ]

Go to the next car. I'll hold it off. [ but how, lio ]

[foxweddings]

[LISTEN HE'S AN AESTHETIC.

Plus he is literally trying to fight off a demonic mirror for her. She stans an icon.

Though before she can respond -- or run, for that matter -- the mirror makes its next move and just. floats as high as it can, against the ceiling of the train car, so it can drop behind them in an instant.

... And then remains there in the air, unmoving.

Not that it stops the woman from howling and then immediately backing into poor Lio, arms flailing.]

Aaaah! Is this another curse?! Truly? A woman of my stature doesn't deserve such horrific luck!

[souheki]

[WELL THIS IS. DEFINITELY A SCENE. HM.

But Lan Wangji's job is helping out people like this, and he's seen cursed artifacts before, so he'll move almost automatically to assist. He even has a lovely sword that's giving off pure spiritual energy!! A sword that he lifts up with a smooth confidence--

--only for a very mild look of panic to cross his face?? And a brief hesitation before he just

fuckin

slams the hilt of his sword down towards the mirror like a hammer]

[foxweddings]

[YIKES WE'RE OFF TO A GREAT START.

There's a gasp from her -- the sound of the sword smashing into the mirror is loud and abrasive, after all -- but despite how the mirror is forced back, it remains completely unchipped and simply floats around in circles like it's dizzy.]

... Well. That... did something, didn't it?

[Sloooowly peeking around him. The towel on top of her head twitches like something underneath is moving]

Still, I thank you, brave traveler, for your assistance. That accursed thing has been following me around all day!

[souheki]

[THIS IS A TERRIBLE START!!! Honestly, Lan Wangji hasn't felt this properly embarrassed since he was a teenager... he stares at the mirror for a minute, then puts his sword back at his waist so that he can give her a proper, very formal bow. His ears are faintly red.]

I deeply apologize for my recklessness.

[WORDS HE NEVER THOUGHT HE'D SAY... his uncle would've had an aneurysm on the spot if he'd seen that.

...An...yway... MOVING ALONG, let's just pretend none of that happened. HE'S GOOD AT HIS JOB, HONESTLY, PLEASE LET HIM REDEEM HIMSELF. He looks back at the mirror, considering.]

Is it familiar to you? [Even if it didn't follow her here from wherever she's from, he isn't entirely sure he can do anything if it's a cursed object, but he can at least try and stick it in his Qiankun bag so it stops bothering her...]

[foxweddings]

[OH NO THIS POOR MAN... She ain't even upset and looks vaguely bemused by the fact that he's bowing, though of course she accepts it for what it is anyway -- even gives him a little nod in return]

You are excused; after all, you merely responded to my cries for help.

[As for the mirror, the woman gives it a faint scoff and folds her arms in front of her, shaking her head. Already it's going to attempt to make its way back to her]

I've not once seen a mirror like that -- and certainly none that floated after me no matter what I did! Perhaps it is cursed...?