[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

[ittoryu]

Hm. Can you fight?

[he just assumes there will be violence down the line because that's how he rolls]

[descried]

It's a university city, so kind of? I've never heard of Colnora.

[infinitesadness]

Mm, indeed.

[ but he is vaguely gesturing to the 100 box crates and the 100x sized box ]

But also the difference- no, the need for having both options.

[deadened]

I can. Y-you're... warm.

[And with how close he is and how touchy he's being, Wen Ning's face is absolutely flushed, quickly proving he does in fact have proper blood flow. Not that he isn't used to this sort of inspection, but-- usually he at least lacks any kind of sensation.

In that inspection he'll also probably notice that the front of Wen Ning's clothes are torn at his torso, and it looks like there's scarring under there? Hm.

His facial muscles are definitely back in working order, too, because his expression droops at that question, brow furrowing-- likely all the answer Wei Wuxian needs, even before he speaks.]

When I went to Koi Tower, with... with--

[Oh. There's a deeper frown, there, as he pauses; who was he with? That's a troubling thing to forget, but- right. The question. Wen Ning gives his head an awkward little shake and moves on, though he still looks unsettled.]

It's... been a long time since then.

ii

[descried]

[... well, that's a new one.]

Uh... why me? Why can't you roar?

[actually, wait. why is this cat's best friend a lion?? does he want to know?]

[rateup]

[ so a fellow otaku... itaru still has reservations in exposing who he is in such an bizarre place, but he figures that his situation right now is bizarre enough as it is, so maybe it wouldn't matter if he talks about it a little. ]

There are so many kinds of idol games out there, though? The market's oversaturated with the stuff, like how isekai's dominating the light novel world. But it's been a while since I read one, so who knows what might've changed since then.

[dianxias]

i. this is fine

[ one minute you're about to pop back up to heaven --now that you've finally ascended again!!-- after pretending to be a bride to catch a ghost bridegroom, and the next, you're not at all in ling wen's study and instead riding on something. this is something much smoother than the rickety bridal sedan. for a brief moment, xie lian thinks it might be a distance shortening array, and reacts with some sort of startled panic, but stops, hand pressed to the glass as he realizes the. ground is moving? it's moving like he's in the sedan still. this is a

he has absolutely no idea what this is.

so! if you're walking down this train minding your business you might see someone with their nose plastered to the window, hands on either side of his face. his butt's sticking out in the air, even. either way! there he is. technology! who'da thunk! ]

ii. fantasy costco!.

[ ah. well. having a soul shattered is a bit surprising, but not at all that odd. it's even kind of normal for his world. xie lian doesn't really remember how it happened, but honestly, xie lian's so unlucky he's not that surprised... it's not the thing he's going to dwell on. a quick glance down and yep, he's still got his cursed shackles and-- not ruoye--which is scary. his fingers touch his throat, the black line now visible, and it's not perfect, but... it'll have to do.

xie lian's not the type of person to take anything from anywhere if it's being used. especially not what... has to be some kind of overwhelmingly large, fancy store of some kind. after poking around and calling out for other human beings, xie lian gives up trying to ask to pay for things and instead figures maybe there's something outside. so. there's a rattling noise as there is in fact a person poking around in the fantasy costco garbage, even if there's nothing there. he's really got to be thorough, and he is quite small, so xie lian is just gonna hop right in this garbage can.

however! there's nothing. eventually, he pops out of the can itself, hands on his hips, and huffs a little "hm, hm" noise. no scraps at all...

well, maybe he can use the lid? since it seems unused.. examining the lid to the can, he's just going to take this metal thing in his actual bare hands and crush it into something roughly the size of a box. crunch goes some solid metal.

yes! that will work nicely to store things in. ]

iii. post fantasy costco

[ well, after failing to find anything in the garbage, he has to resign himself to taking something from the fantasy costco. new lid box in his hands, xie lian starts to poke around the actual fantasy costco itself. there's so much food... everything looks delicious... and something smells good... what's a churro, he doesn't know

eventually, he has to solve his problem. xie lian leaves a nice note - "Please allow me to pay you back for this somehow! If there's anything I can do! - Xie Lian and emerges eventually with A) one thousand packages of green tea (it's in bags? why would you do that) and a big ass bag of rice (his tea is in the trash-can-lid-turned-box, the rice over his shoulders) huge pack of fluffy, extremely long knit scarves in many colors. it's not perfect, but he finds a white one and winds it around his neck over and over, underneath his straw hat.

the rest... well! he could probably resell these, couldn't he? or use them for others? if he sees someone who looks like they have a bare neck, he steps forward and will loop it right around your neck. don't mind the rest of his odd packages. ] Ah, here! I have too many...! Please, let me pay this forward to you.

wildcard.

[ you can assume later on he'll crunch this metal lid down into a cup and have a nice cup of tea.

also i'm tired this is all i got its way past my bedtime. ]

[deadened]

It's strange... I don't know of anything like this. I-it's very large, for a market.

[He frowns slightly as he glances at the nearby shelves, squints slightly as he looks up into the lights.]

And those don't look quite like lanterns... do they?

[infinitesadness]

Land, workers, and everything needed to keep up such demand.

[ like. he can picture it but he certainly doesn't sound happy about it? he's seen what it takes and it's Not Great, Space Bob ]

It's certainly something to have such access though. I imagine one bag of these would be enough to keep a good number of us satisfied for months.

[ if an average bag of rice is 20lbs, clearly offbrand costco's over 2000. he's a little impressed. ]

[lightmage]

Yes.

Though I don't seem have a weapon. If they've taken them from everyone, that's a comfort in its own way, but... [ Still sucks being unarmed. ]

[infinitesadness]

[ like knows like and even the Force is like AH YES, THIS ONE. HERE IS PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IN A TRYING TIME. ]

Hm... [ he'd check his comm but, again. it's dead in the water so ] It couldn't have been more than the past hour or so.

[souheki]

[STOP DON'T BLUSH YOU'LL MAKE HIM BLUSH TOO!!! It's hardly even visible on his ears, though, and while he's clearly thinking about Wei Wuxian, there's too much going on inside his head for anything remotely resembling coherent thoughts to slip through. For now.]

There is no one you are close to?

[Chuuya's clearly not dumb so he's not going to act like he is, okay. This clearly looks like something broken in half, which means that, logically, someone else has the other piece.]

[lightmage]

You can think of them as lanterns without flames. They're common in some regions.

[ She says, as if the rules of her world apply to his? As if she's not just trying to look smart for having seen lights before, when her own kingdom doesn't even use them? ]

[lightmage]

[ She'll eat, obviously, but she does look a little bit.. Pouty? ]

I hope we aren't putting anyone out by partaking in this...

[infinitesadness]

[ bless u kind stranger ]

One could say I'm simply used to it. [ IS HE THO. MORTIS WAS A TRYING TIME. ] But I simply cannot find the need to panic. My instincts shall guide me to where I'm being led to.

[infinitesadness]

[ oh he knows that feel ]

With the sheer amount and variety present, I would assume anyone looking for this place will be well cared for.

iii

[ittoryu]

[okay but the scarf had better not clash with his outfit, that's important.]

Oh? Hahaha, well, I won't say no to a gift, kind stranger! I'll be sure to pay it forward as well.

[ittoryu]

... Well, it seems that you've been struck with misfortune there, Miss—or Missus. [whichever. he pats the hilt of one of two swords hanging at his hip.] I appear to remain armed, for whatever reason.

[deadened]

[Oh, okay, this is closer to the type of reaction he's used to-- but he still withdraws a little, shrinking back slightly as he shakes his head.]

I-I... I was imprisoned?

[It feels a little wrong, to have to actually answer that question. Looks like his reputation isn't known here, though-- well, maybe even people who did know it wouldn't recognize him as a living person. He's not entirely sure yet how much to say, in this kind of situation.]

[souheki]

[CHIPS... well, it could be worse. At least they're not rainbow-colored.

They don't look very filling in the pictures on the packaging, though? They look more like snacks to him. But then again, this is Notsco, so--]

Are you aware you must purchase all of them?

[ALL OF THEM]

[lightmage]

[ She was thinking more on the front of production... It's her family's duty to look after certain other families, including farming families, so she's still very ??? about this whole situation. ]

You're probably right. Besides, in the end, it won't do much good to fret over it.

ii

[suddenlybees]

[ Ah, yes, the old song and dance of holding your phone up towards the sky to no avail. Kano kicks his feet a little as he sits in his train car, so that the bottom of his boots just barely graze whoever's walking through the narrow aisle. ]

Looking for reception? You gotta be patient~ We're almost there!

[ittoryu]

[THAT'S A LOT OF CHIPS]

... Then I can only hope that I have enough money to buy them all! But if I can, then the solution is simple, is it not? I'll just have to share!

[lightmage]

—Miss.

[ But more importantly. Hrm. Lux frowns. ]

How unfair.

[stressweets]

[ DON'T LUMP HIM IN WITH THE LIKES OF YOU. ]

It's still pretty isekai from what I remember... [ hmmmmm. ] But the "My Name" novelization was pretty popular! It was really good, too.

[ he likes shoujo ok ♪ ]

That probably doesn't count though... [ since it was originally a movie. ] ...Do you play a lot of games then?