[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

[infinitesadness]

[ do you ever realize obi-wan's only 2 years older and have to reevaluate your entire life? ]

A journey to find one's self, hm? [ though with the most dubious concent he's ever seen ] Usually there would be more warning than 'have fun'.

[stressweets]

[ HEY......... ]

This is such a terrible idea... [ but if it'd been one of his best friends offering it he would've gotten dragged in without that much of a fight, so okay. ] Get in, I guess.

[stressweets]

Was it very pretty there? What was the food like? Do you have any pictures~?

[ calm down boy damn -

he catches himself at least, reddening a little and clearing his throat. uh. ]

—Um, s-sorry. I've never actually left the city I was born in until now [ technically. technically the place he was sent to was under the city so this. THIS STILL APPLIES? ] I've always liked learning about other places, though.

[rateup]

[ (asanuma voice) nice, suo...!

so itaru happily hops onto the cart and holds on. they're really going to do this. ]

All right, I'm all set. Ready, and--

[glooming]

Yes. We hung in there.

[ Their walking... their exploring... is getting them somewhere, not that Utsutsu knows where.

It's a pretty place, but it doesn't help much.

She hesitates before she asks: ]

What... about you?

[wisterin]

It wouldn't count if you forget, so let's hope nothing will affect our memories too much. Otherwise, the connections you make and the feelings you share... shouldn't it count?

[ She's smiling, but if he's observant enough, he can get the sense that she'd be quite enraged if that happened. ]

You'll find someplace soon that has cake and decorations. It may not be what you want in the quantities you'd like, but you'll have access to them.

[souheki]

[NEVER. He enables Wei Wuxian and Wei Wuxian ONLY.

That said, he is actually going to stand back... and watch her do this... mostly because he's thinking she's going to either fall on her ass or end up with frostbite and he has to be there to exude "I told you so" vibes]

[wisterin]

[ Hmm... ]

I'm fine with that. I don't think it's natural to unload my entire life story on you at once, so we'll take it bit by bit. Will you do the same in return?

[ That's the road to friendship.

She's going to friendship 9S somehow even if it kills her or it kills him. Or one of them gets killed. ]

At home, I'm called the Insect Pillar, for how I fight. [ That's the simplest explanation unless 9S wants to ask follow up question for Breaths and all of that. ] My family consisted of my parents and my older sister. I have a younger sister who's not related by blood.

LSDKFJSD it's the power of sailor v

[osuni]

[STOP JELLE I FORGOT THAT MINAKO WAS USAGI'S BODY DOUBLE IN THE mANGA CLOSES EYES

Okuni laughs because the idea of a Little Women/Birds of Prey situation in Fractura would have been pretty great actually... WOW]

That would make things a lot more interesting, but unfortunately, I did see some men! [UNFORTUNATE... but then she perks up] And my brother is here and he's as beautiful as any woman, so... Perhaps beauty is a factor?

[wisterin]

[ What a glowing response. He seems a bit blasé about it. Well, it's not like everyone has to be passionate and in love with their jobs. Not everyone has that opportunity. ]

There's a chance of that, that you'll be notified of a different life you've lived but you haven't lived. Or you could... become that other you. It's a little... unsettling.

[ Either way, it's unsettling. ]

[osuni]

[Another succinct agreement... The next part gives Okuni some pause though, an image of the Kumou Shrine flashing through her mind at his words. The Kumou Shrine, dear to her heart for the precise reason that it's home for her and Baren, always in a state of neglect or constantly torn down by the other villagers.]

Well! If you're so terrible at making your own shrines, then I suppose I can help! [she and baren aren't the eighth heads of the kumou shrine for no reason!!!

though they're the eighth heads because they were the only ones around to inherit the title but anyway]

And I know a thing or two about repairing torn down shrines. I suppose this could be my way of paying it forward back to you? It's perfect!

[osuni]

[HAH SHE'S NOT GONNA DO EITHER OF THOSE THINGS SHE'S GONNA GET TO THE TOP

or at least up to the dragon wings, so she can sit snugly on the crook of one and look around, one arm slung around the LWJ statue,]

Hey! [HEY!] Wizard-san! Are you sure you don't want to come up? The view is pretty nice!

[decryptic]

[ 9S doesn't get it... He watches as Wei Wuxian doubles over with laughter, mildly perplexed. He thought he did a pretty good job with the drawings. And yet he's never seen anyone laugh so hard in his life. How should he feel about this... Happy that Wei Wuxian is happy?? ]

Glad you like it. I think?

[ Once the paperman is done high-fiving (high-oneing?) Wei Wuxian, 9S plucks it up and deposits it back on his head since it seems to like it there. ]

Anyway, shall we keep going?

[ I have to find 2B, his thoughts whisper, a mantra never gone for too long. ]

[stressweets]

[ He's usually observant enough to catch most things, but he's currently talking to a Kind, Pretty Girl who was Sympathetic and Soft towards him, so there goes that —

luckily, the thought of him forgetting anything makes his lips twist anyway. ]

...That sounds, um, a little ominous, Shinobu...san? [ Should he call her -san? She's not that much older than him, but... ] But I'll take your word for it.

[ A beat, and he sighs. ]

I'd hate it if we forgot anything... Mm, but would we know if we did? [ He tilts his head a little, thoughtfully. ] I guess that'd have to be something we'd have to learn from other people... You know, like in movies where someone has amnesia, there's always someone else trying to remind them of whatever they're not remembering.

[givethemhell]

[9S absolutely does not deserve this... He's just going to have to live his life with Wei "may burst into a fit of wild laughter at the slightest provocation" Wuxian now that they've become FRIENDS (in his mind at least, god).]

It's wonderful! I love it! I think that little one does, too. You do, right?

[He grins at the paperman where it happily perches on 9S's noggin once more, patting its little hands rhythmically against his head like a bongo drum. But ah - right, right. The search. His joyous amusement softens, and he hums out a little sound of agreement.]

Mm, yes - let's.

[And so they tried and failed to find 2B but at least 9S has a new little friend to wipe his tears away with his little Emil head-hands later...]

[reloves]

I guess that's good, but the potential danger still isn't too reassuring..

[ She sighs. Oh, the woes of a girl who's never ever been in a dangerous situation in her life! Cl.. early..! ]

Did everyone even come out of that other world okay?

[reloves]

Did you figure out anything so far then?

[ Somehow she sounds a little calmer as she says it, especially compared to the dramatics before. It's more serious. It's not even meant sarcastically or anything, she seems like she genuinely wants to know. ]

[stressweets]

[ go!!

the start isn't as slow as it could be - you can thank years of horseriding for that - as tsukasa pushes them off!!!

and after a few solid strides, making sure they're at a good pace, he hops up too. despite his words earlier, he's grinning... like a kid............ he never gets to do anything like this. ]

[rateup]

Oh, we have our own android back home... Kind of. He's gone through some character development of his own, so now he's trying to adapt the concept of human emotions. You know, typical coming-of-age stuff when it comes to robots.

[ even though Guy is probably much older than the rest of them... he's a cool dude, ultimately. ]

Still, for an android you seem pretty human yourself. I mean that as a good thing, of course.

[rateup]

Oh, that makes sense. They're noodles, basically. Thin, long strands made of flour. They're served in broth with meat and vegetables of any kind you feel like eating. We're looking for instant ones where we can just pour hot water in them and wait for it to cook.

[ itaru leads them towards the instant food aisle, where he pulls out a couple cups of instant ramen -- beef and chicken flavor. ]

[stressweets]

[ is it wrong to kin obi-wan kenobi

kinobi


oh my god ]

Mmm. [ ...oh!! ] It's been nice to talk to you, sir... I'm glad I'm not the only one worrying about this.

[ :sweats: ]

Tsukasa Suzakura. It's a pleasure. Umm, just Tsukasa is fine, though.

[stressweets]

Then let's try it right now. I'm always happy to, um... try new things with a new... a new friend?

[ best friends...... art club....... be proud of him he is TRYING. ]

[twitter]

Wow! It's super handy! You can bring it anywhere, isn't that cool?

[ this is like when a four year old tells you about a basic fact you already know but you pretend to be shocked ]

And it makes it easy to share with others.

[twitter]

Ah, me too! It's a fun way to bond, isn't it? You get to learn new things about each other.

[ they're friends now.

she's going to grab onto his arm. to the potatoes. ]

[reloves]

Ah, well..

[ Her voice trails off for a moment. It almost seems like she needs a moment to remember it, but it's more just that Minako is deciding just how honest to be about this. ]

Nothing special. I was just going to school with my friends. [ It's not a full on lie, but she's definitely leaving out the part where they just defeated a literal destroyer of planets. ] So all of this is pretty weird to me. I mean, it sure beats having math class first thing in the morning, but still!