[mingle] the space (january).

[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?

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. It might've changed since the last time you saw it.

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.

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. 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

[merrygopound]

I don't like it. Isn't that just a little too creepy?

[ Mizuki doesn't need anyone to read her mind when she's irritated; she sounds exactly the same. ]

[suddenlybees]

Uh, yeah?

[ Kano will provide the shrugging this time, hands stuffed in his pockets and shoulders hiked up high before he lets them drop. If 9S thinks he's the least normal person here, maybe he just hasn't met everybody yet. I mean, look at Haku; no way he's more normal than Kano. ]

I'm, like, one of the most normal people here! Isn't it just your perception of normal that's screwed up? Like, what about me is so off and how would you normalize it? Bet you can't name ten things.

[osuni]

[can't believe Minako endeared herself to Okuni in TWO TAGS.....

She doesn't say anything for several moments, then she lets out a neutral 'hm' and tilts her head.]

Would they still be a jerk if they were telling the truth? That's how people usually are, aren't they? If they see something they think is a monster, then they'll point it out -- regardless of the accused.

[osuni]

[IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S FINE...

Okuni just Stares back at Lux for like an uncomfortable length of time probably, then she reaches into her kimono sleeve and pulls out a little plastic package of hostess cupcakes. hm. she just splits the package open neatly and offers one up to Lux,]

Would you like one? They're sweet and a little nauseating if you eat too many at atime, but eating just one should be fine. Here!

[she WILL try and palm it over to lux if not stopped,]

[osuni]

[A single thought -- shouldn't a samurai be a lot more annoying runs through her mind... can't believe Shigure's lack of shame is now vaguely endearing him to Okuni]

That stubborn nature of yours really is just like a samurai's.

[she can think of a FEW who are absolutely the type to also say this, wow]

[osuni]

You say that now, but we'll just end up meeting again, you know? This place looks big, but there really isn't anywhere else to go. Even if you can fly.

[cheerily!!! as Okuni pivots on after her, though she maintains the exact kind of distance needed to avoid bat wing slaps. Okuni LEARNS exactly (1) lesson.]

can't believe i have to make okuni see for HERSELF THEN

[osuni]

[CULTIVATOR??? god who is wwx.... who made up these words...

Upon hearing Wei Wuxian's answer though, Okuni pauses. And then she just breaks chunks of snow and ice off of WWX's twink body, releasing him from his ice prison because he deserves freedom now. He doesn't deserve the fate of being stuffed in a snowball and thrown down a track to eventually end up getting run of by a train, no sirree.]

You said in the front, yes?

[and Okuni places her hands on his robe and just tries to pull it open right then and there to get at the GOODS A SECOND TIME!!!!!!!!!!!]

[ittoryu]

Sort of? I don't really understand the details of it, but they're distortions in time and space, or something to that effect...

[ittoryu]

Hahaha! That just means we're a bunch of fools, I suppose.

[decryptic]

[ 9S is a walking computer, so luckily he has stronger memory recall than most. There's no hesitation as he starts listing: ]

One, you asked me to name ten things in order to prove my point. Who does that?
Two, you're keeping a packet of relish that's been open for month.
Three, your pants are full of ketchup and Pop-Tarts.
Four, you go by "Gel-P", which is barely a name even by my standards.
Five, you were trying to make off with an entire crate of tomatoes when we met.
Six, everything you said about being a "Burnish".
Seven, your first instinct when I told you about my hacking was to break into a cash register.
Eight, you're allergic to disclosing any kind of meaningful information about yourself.
Nine, you're clearly a nice guy, but for some reason, you don't want me to know it.
Ten, you've basically admitted that you're trying to come across as weird, so the the claim that you're normal now is crazy in itself.

[ He feels like this entire list was pointless, honestly, but Kano can't say 9S didn't provide proof... ]

rubs hands

[osuni]

[wow..... that sure is an angel's chorus in the distance!!! Hearing that is almost making Okuni feel bad, like... is it right to involve Xie Lian in the numerous pranks she's going to pull in the future on all the people unlucky enough to encounter her? It'll be fine, Okuni reasons, it's not like I'll physically involve him in anything? I'll just drop his name after filling someone's shoes with ketchup? Like a 'Xie Lian told me to pay it forward, so I set your pants on fire' kind of thing? So ultimately, he's not really that involved at all!

Okuni doesn't politely bow back because she's a gremlin thinking gremlin thoughts, but she at least produces a sunny smile for him!!!]

Okuni Kumou. I'm the head of a shrine back home, but here -- I guess I'm just the same as you!

[this big ass LIE]

[osuni]

[SURPRISE WEI WUXIAN IS TO BLAME FOR THAT

Okuni kazoo's on after Kara, though she maintains enough of a distance that perhaps is a hint that she's losing interest in this hellish scheme of hers, even her old town road rendition is pausing every now and then like a record scratching to a stop... freedom is near...

Then it just stops completely, long enough for Okuni to hold the pink kazoo carefully in both hands and try to dunk shot it at the back of Kara's head as perfectly as possible.]

[osuni]

I know. That's the point!

[DUH!!! Okuni beams back.... lwj please she's a gremlin, this is how they are]

It does get old rather fast though. [making children cry... it's too Easy.] It's better when the adults do the crying.

[anyway she's going to carefully pick up her LWJ snow statue now]

[osuni]

Hm. It doesn't sound very satisfying when you put it that way...

[it doesn't sound like an INSULT AT ALL]

[osuni]

[im gonna beat up itaru for being so rich wtf

Okuni immediately looks confused?? how many oldies will itaru be forced to meet]

...A historical museum? Is that a place where kimonos are made?

[suddenlybees]

[ He's honestly taken aback by the rapid fire responses. Maybe he would have stumped 9S at 20, but more likely is that he would be given the full set anyways. A lot of these things Kano would argue— condiments are conveniently portable rations, for example, and 9S disliking his fake name and fake race is just him being rude. ]

N... nah. Number nine's just plain wrong, isn't it? I was gonna steal your leg and sell it to the black market back then.

[ This is the one he will fight tooth and nail to dispute. Maybe he was going to give it back, maybe he was going to sell it, 9S can't know which. ]

[osuni]

[Okuni immediately thinks about fisticuffs once again, just because she's mad that Chuuya is as stubborn as she is. Instead she tosses her head with a HMPH,]

Yes, well, when it turns out I'm right, you're definitely going to have to owe me something.

[no one said that but okay]

[doublesmall]

Seriously? Well...

[chuuya hums to himself, idly swirling the cocktail in his own glass as he considers-- and then he raises it to baren's.]

To good booze-- and company that could be worse.

[you little shit.]

[doublesmall]

'When', huh? You're pretty confident in that.

[but he shakes his head, reaching up to adjust his stupid hat.]

I don't see it happening, so- sure, whatever. If you're right, I'll owe you one.

[he will REGRET THIS.]

[doublesmall]

Just a little bit.

[he can't help looking kind of smug about it.]

It's my ability-- at least I didn't lose that getting dragged into this damn place.

[crudest]

Presumptuous...

[Does he mean about the booze or the company - but he smirks a bit regardless and clinks their glasses together.]

Gotta admit it'd be hilarious if we were sworn enemies or something and we just forgot.

[but also he's drinking and doesn't seem mad about it!! but he's keeping his expression from giving away that he's pleased]

[decryptic]

[ Oh. 9S watches with rapt attention as Wei Wuxian folds the slip of paper. While he has a vague awareness that paper-folding is some kind of art, it's interesting to see it done in person, and so fast. An android would never think to fold paper into silly little shapes, but that's part of why humans are so oddly charming. ]

Hm? Alright...

[ He holds his gloved hands out, pinkies together. ]

[doublesmall]

Eh, I'll just have to fight you later if that's the case.

[he takes a long drink from his glass, there, watching baren. yeah, it'll be a pain in the ass if they do turn out to have hated each other before, but...

well, he doesn't hate him now. he could have been enemies with literally anyone here and forgot, he can just make up for lost time if he figures it out.]

Well? Don't tell me you're going to leave me hanging.

[givethemhell]

Hah! [BAREN IS TERRIBLE and of course Wei Wuxian finds it hilarious, being a gremlin himself.]

I am, I suppose - it's the nature of the field I work in. [He'll never get tired of these STUPID FUCKING GHOSTBUSTING NECROMANCER JOKES.] But that's the way this place seems to work in general, from the very few possible patterns we're seeing built up so far.

[givethemhell]

[20 people trying to fit on one queen sized display bed...]

Ah! The "trying to see if you're in a dream that you can be woken up from" thing, right?

[Helpfully, he reaches over to pinch her arm! Not too hard, at least.]