[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

[supersoldier]

[It’s one way to people-watch. Sephiroth has been known to indulge in it time and again, as well, but maybe not to this degree.]

I see.

[The next question is obvious, then.]

So what have you learned so far?

[givethemhell]

[ABSOLUTELY NOT he's got Wen Ning locked in a death grip, he is NOT LETTING THIS BOY GO. What if he trips over his own two newly undead feet and breaks all his bones himself?? Bad.]

It's fine, it's fine! This is the least I can do. How's your balance? The feeling in your legs? Any pain?

[While talking, he'll also start shuffling forward. ONWARD, TO THE END OF THE AISLE.]

[givethemhell]

It's the view I want, the view!

[The view of the VAST WHITE NOTHINGNESS THAT IS THE VOID... It's fine. He also waves the pretzel, gesturing vaguely toward some of the tracks looping around off in the distance.]

It's a very good pretzel, I can guarantee you that. The food carts in those trains have a lot of nice things!

[He's nowhere near as bad as Xie Lian but he does eat just whatever the fuck lands in front of him that looks appetizing.]

arrival!

[givethemhell]

[Well, she's not wrong... It's kind of hilarious to watch! But he'll step forward soon enough at least, to offer his terrible gremlin help. Which is just to stand below the shelves with his arms open.]

On the shelves in the cookware aisle of the biggest store to ever exist, it seems. Anyway, if you jump, I'll catch you!

[In his cursed arms it's fine.]

[deadened]

[PLEASE LET YOUR BOY GO HE'S GONNA RE-DIE

He's about to answer those questions, but... then he realizes something.]

Um, I- I can't really tell how my balance is, if you're holding on to me...

[Wen Ning is following along like the dutiful sort-of-bodyguard he's used to being, though, because what else can he do!]

[givethemhell]

Oh.

[Oh yeah, huh, that's true. FINALLY WEN NING WILL BE FREED... as Wei Wuxian slowly eases his grip so he can start stepping away. He absolutely looks like he's ready to dive back in the second Wen Ning so much as teeters where he stands, though.]

—How is it? Everything's still alright?

[deadened]

[He exhales a breath when he's freed, taking a moment to make sure he's calm before he takes a step on his own, the chain on his ankle dragging behind him. Another step, and he frowns slightly, glancing down.]

...I think-- these were easier to ignore, before.

[But he keeps going, because he's fine, he swears-- they don't seem to actually be impeding him so much that he can't walk, it's just that, you know. He actually notices they're there now, and they're a little heavy.]

iii

[supersoldier]

[Who is this man, drawing close and coming at him with a scarf? Sephiroth raises a gloved hand to stop the object from being wrapped neatly around his neck, but in the end, his attempt is circumvented.

This leaves him with a scarf half looped around his neck, and half caught against his palm. Which means it’s honestly just dropping around his shoulders.]

That’s not necessary. I don’t need it.

[Is it BLACK does it even MATCH]

[givethemhell]

[Yeah it's WAY PAST THE TIME HE WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF THESE CHAINS, HUH!! He can't even offer to handle it himself because Suibian's fuckin gonezos again, so he just taps at his chin, frowning.]

Mm... We can take care of that with Bichen soon. [Rather, Lan Wangji can take care of that with Bichen, as long as he doesn't baseball bat the sword through Wen Ning's arms. It's fine.]

Are they too much of a bother? I could probably tie them out of the way for you in the meantime.

[Just fuckin duct tapes his chains to his limbs so they're not dragging on the ground.]

[deadened]

[please do not let Lan Wangji just put a sword through his fuckin arm he can't pop it back on anymore.]

They're not t-too much of a bother, but... [There's a soft, thoughtful hum as he thinks about it, pausing for a moment. ] It might be a good idea. They-- they might alarm others.

[Seeing someone walking around with these chains is a little wild, huh... but he realizes something else a moment later.]

...Bichen-? Then young master Lan is here as well?

i

[twingenuity]

I don't know if it's magic, but there's definitely something up with this place. Like, otherwise, we wouldn't be having this super weird creepy-crawly kinda tingly feeling about everything, right?

[ she cocks her head to the side, though, as she takes a second to pause and think... ]

But I guess I wouldn't totally rule it out, though!

[foodbin]

[She can get to the store part in a second, although it's fairly clear how helpful she thinks it was judging by the look on her face. Anyways, after about three seconds of staring at him very, very flatly:]

Yeah, there is precisely a 0% chance that's going to happen.

[givethemhell]

[HE WON'T LET LAN WANGJI CHOP HIS ARM OFF look it's fine... Wow though what a very Wen Ning Answer™. He sighs a little, reaching forward to somewhat absently tap at the metal encasing one of his wrists.]

It's not going to be comfortable for long like this. [But hey, at least this time he's not wearing them in a prisoner of war camp, ha... ha.]

I'll find something to wrap it up in so it doesn't chafe - ah! And we can get you some new clothing, too. [A little tutting noise as his hand drops down to tug at the ripped fabric again.] How did you even manage to get yourself so torn up this time? Honestly.

[Honestly!! He also nods at the question, because of course Lan Wangji is also here.]

We showed up together a while ago. Let's get you to a chair and then I can give you a rundown of what to expect. I want to take a closer look at you, too - make sure everything's working right.

[Just casually, it's fine. He means it in the most mad scientist way possible.]

[givethemhell]

There aren't any ladders here, so you can jump or you can keep trying to climb down the rest of the way.

[JUMP! JUMP! JUMP! He helpfully keeps his arms extended in case she changes her mind. Doesn't he look like a completely sturdy and reliable landing pad??]

center

[haw]

[ yeah guess who's gonna be judgin before she gets the chance to ask the question... girl, u good... ]

Well, yeah, no shit. What else did ya expect from tryin' to curbstomp a giant rock?

[foodbin]

[She looks down at him for several more seconds...

Before silently resuming her downward climb. Farewell to his jumping dreams.]

[deadened]

I-I'm sorry I'm late, then, if you two have already been here.

[He sounds a little concerned, but-- well, if there were any two people who would be fine on their own, surely it's Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, so it's only a little! He just sort of assumes Wei Wuxian would mention anyone else he needed to know about.

Wen Ning continues to follow, trying to gather up the chain lengths hanging from his wrists a little so they aren't just dangling along the way, doing his best not to think about Wei Wuxian wanting to give him a more thorough examination. Please save him-- but also, maybe he can figure out what happened to bring him back to life.]

Do you... not remember what happened? You were there. You told me that-- that it looked ugly.

[foodbin]

I wasn't trying to...

[But she lets that thought go with a sigh, because she was maybe trying to do that just a little.]

It's been a long day. [That isn't really an explanation, but—] Besides, I dare anyone to read this and not want to break it.

[givethemhell]

Aiyo, stop that - you apologize too much.

[It's not Wen Ning's fault he wasn't here, god!! There's another little tutting noise, and he reaches out after that to help Wen Ning gather up some of his chains. He can at least do this if he can't be Wen Ning's crutch... ONWARD THOUGH, as he leads the way to the... lawn furniture.]

Did I? That does sound like something I'd say. [He glances back over... IT'S A NASTY-LOOKING SCAR he can only imagine what caused it?? God, did Wen Ning just get his wholeass abdomen punched through?? Oh, but right, probably important--]

This place takes people from everywhere and any time - all different worlds, years, you name it. Lan Zhan is a little further ahead than I am, so I'm guessing whatever happened to you happens in my future. [...] Well! It is possible I've just forgotten it, too. Memory loss seems to be a bit of a problem here. If we're to believe what we've been told, our souls have been fragmented and we're all missing this or that.

ii

[twingenuity]

[ while i too am hopping aboard the bandwagon of kitty shenanigans, hina straight up doesn't even stop to think of questioning the absurdity of the request, instead nodding with determination and vigor. ]

Say no more!

[ does it end up coming out sounding like a raaaawwwr or a gaoooooo due to different languages having unique animal onomatopoeia while we players try to maintain some sense of in-universe cohesion? it's a goddamn mystery, but no matter what, she is very definitely, very spiritedly roaring her heart out for this poor cat. ]

[haw]

Look, I usually solve my problems by throwin' down, too, but what good is that gonna do any of us? We're already in a shady situation, I ain't addin' broken bones to the stuff I gotta worry about.

[givethemhell]

[Wow funny thing about that... As she continues her downward climb, it might feel like the next thing she tries to set her foot on is, like. Moving?? FUNKY.

And then it just YOINKS OUT FROM UNDER HER like a carpet getting tugged. IF SHE WON'T JUMP SHE'S GONNA HAVE TO FALL!! Is she or is she just going to spiderman cling with her arms of steel...]

i

[haw]

[ there's just a blank uno eyed stare coming from this dude when he's approached. maybe even a bit of a squint. ]

Uh, do I look like the kinda guy who just happens to have answers an' know things?

[ ... it's half sarcasm, half honesty... ]

[deadened]

[They're just going to chill on the lawn furniture, it's fine...

That sure is a troubling answer, though, and Wen Ning's brows furrow again as he takes it in. Different worlds, different times-- and if even the two of them don't match up, then maybe it wouldn't be surprising if he really is from Wei Wuxian's future. The soul fragmenting thing is EVEN WORSE, and there's a flicker of a thought there: Is that why I can't remember who...?]

Then... what was the last thing you remember happening, before you arrived here?

[givethemhell]

[Yeah they absolutely are. Wei Wuxian scouts out the softest-looking hammock bench and trots over there with Wen Ning in tow, stepping to the side and gesturing for him to take a seat.]

Falling out of a tree. [HE SAYS WITH A GRIN... But he'll helpfully add:] We were in Lotus Pier and we'd just finished discussing what to do about our dear friend Sect Leader Jin. I've been told a little about what happened after; Lan Zhan isn't much farther ahead.

[Like the fact that a certain SOMEONE blabbed to a certain BROTHER about a certain THING HE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO MENTION... But it's fine, it's fine. There are other things to focus on right now, like--]

—Who, what? Who was with you when you turned yourself in?

[Hm boy he'd been hoping his initial guess was wrong.]