[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

[deadened]

I w-was just alive when I arrived here-- this place has... done something.

[He doesn't know what the hell it is that's happened, exactly, it just is. Wen Ning's here, he's living and breathing for maybe the next 5 seconds, and he's trying to back away as soon as Jiang Cheng lets the chains go.]

I don't know where to f-find young master Wei, either.

[He doesn't even know where this is, he hadn't been here before he was unceremoniously yeeted this direction??

-and maybe he at least knows where he last left Wei Wuxian, but he's not about to tell him.]

[dianxias]

En. [ xie lian just makes a little noise in agreement. yes, this is definitely Something Else. he's completely unaware of wei wuxian's thought process towards the fact that he's quite odd. a daozhang... yes... that's definitely all he is... that's all he has to think....

anyway!! wei wuxian is also exactly right in the fact that xie lian is a bit overwhelmed. he looks from thing to thing and eventually his eyes land on the light. ] I thought that might have been a spirit torch... [ .... wait, wait, air planes... trains... this is a train, and it can ...

hm. ok.

xie lian closes his eyes for a long, long moment. ] I... alright. [ sure!! sure! why not. ] You're very knowledgable, young master. It seems I have a lot to catch up on...

[dianxias]

[ hm.

well, xie lian doesn't let go, his brows furrowing together, smile unmoving. ] Are you sure? That seems wasteful. It would be a shame.

[dianxias]

[ !!!

he clasps his hands together, pleased with this. what a perfect task for a scrap collecting god! ] I'd be glad to. Will you show me around? If it's not too much trouble.

[dianxias]

Ah. [ .... whoops.

well. ] I should put this back, then, shouldn't I? Thank you for letting me know, I would never have thought to steal it.

[ there's a beat of a pause as he examines his newly created lid...and then starts nearly effortlessly bending it back to its original shape.

yeah. ]

[merrygopound]

....? Yeah, of course I did. It wasn't exactly super quiet.

[souheki]

[He will support this child in their curious hunting, even if he has no particular desire to learn it himself!]

Some. They are easy to distinguish.

[The antisocial ones make it clear they are VERY ANTISOCIAL. They'll probably be able to tell pretty easily.]

sparkles.

[dianxias]

[ actually that's more along the lines of his normal interests, okuni. you somehow got closer

xie lian makes a little, surprised noise at that when the stretching silence ends. he's not the type to underestimate anyone, but he shakes his head, lifting his hands and finally letting the scarf flop back onto its new owner to deny this. please don't challenge him okuni don't do it... ] I-- no, no, of course not! I absolutely don't want to fight you. At all. [ he'd sooner un-ascend for the... third time. ]

[ ...anyway, clearing his throat ] - I just hope if someone was kind to you, you might spread the favor, is all.

[givethemhell]

Ah, an excellent idea! Let's try standing, first. Maybe we can call it to us!

[Like a cat... Pspspsps @ the light.]

[givethemhell]

[Clearly the guy hanging off the side of a train holding a casual conversation with him.]

Hm! Never heard that one before, but I can't say I disagree. [WHY ELSE WOULD THEY BOTH BE UP HERE.] Still! Why save the best views for smoke alone, right?

[givethemhell]

[WEI RADXIAN the best nickname he'll ever have in his life.

Also he has no fuckin idea WHAT AN ARCADE IS, but Minako's delivery already has him sold...]

Arcades! What is that? I've never heard of it before, but it must be impressive if it can beat out airports!

[His bar... is low.]

[souheki]

[



he half-suspects this isn't a serious question, but he's going to answer seriously anyway, because that's who he is.]

No. They lack dexterity. Those that are violent often favor physical attacks.

[rateup]

Ugh, pass. The only thing I wanna lift is my phone from my pocket.

[ ... ]

Thanks.

does wn know i'd die for him

[dianxias]

[ god if anyone deserves this cute scarf it's wen ning.

xie lian's eyes slide from wen ning's face briefly to his outfit, and then down to his shackles. oh... oh. those aren't quite cursed shackles. a prisoner of some kind?

....this person?

xie lian's voice takes on a soft, warm tone, and he nods, adjusting the ends of the scarf carefully so it loops around again. extra warm and cozy. ] Of course it's fine. I have many more than I know what to do with, and you look like you might need it!

[ he leans back a bit, glances down, and then smiles. ] I like this. [ and gives a little tug on the sweater. (bad.) the scarf itself is very long, a pale green in color, and clashes terribly with this sweater. it is perfect. ] You look very nice, and warm, too.

[ jfc. ]

[glooming]

... I'm gloomy.

[ But he's right. They should be able to do something, but what? ]

[rateup]

A new unlocked location...

[ hm, hm. ]

Well, LMK if we're gonna be off. Don't wanna be late for it.

[glooming]

You could get sick.

[glooming]

I'm gloomy.

[ Very helpful with how she says it with little inflection.

That's all the answer Minako gets. ]

[rateup]

I do, but...

[ "holy shit im seeing things other people can't it's just like high school with gwen" his mind chatters excitedly.

he turns to shinobu with an unassuming smile. ]

I'm more than all right, actually.

[glooming]

[ It's fine. She's seen a lot of alien powers in her life. She doesn't know if the man in front of her is an alien or something else, but

It's fine. ]

I'm gloomy.

[ She seems pleased enough with smallest curve to her lips despite what she just said. ]

[souheki]

[Patrolling fantasy costco, stopping hooligans from destroying the displays...

Also he is perfectly willing to use his beautiful spiritual energy-infused sword as a fuckin vegetable chopper, so he's fine with that! Carrots always make him think of his bunny horde at home, though, and he spares a thought for them. He hasn't done that in a while... hopefully they're being properly cared for in his absence.]

Carrots are good. Cucumbers as well.

[They'll probably be able to carry about one each with the size of these things, but hey, they won't be hungry?]

nobody can die for wn if he dies for them first

[deadened]

[He shrinks back just slightly when inspected, doing his best to tug the sweater sleeve back down to cover his wrist-- but then Xie Lian just carries right on, being entirely too nice to him, and oh no. He really can't say no to someone like this, especially not when he's being... complimented? Is that what's happening? It's still so weird to have completely normal interactions with strangers...]

Do you think so...? Y-young master Wei certainly has interesting taste in- I think this was called a sweater.

[It's much bolder than anything he'd have picked, that's for sure-- but oh, he's forgetting something here, and he pauses to bow to Xie Lian.]

Thank you, um- [Give him a second to glance up and look him over and decide, before he hesitantly settles on:] D-daozhang? Forgive me if I'm assuming wrong, I-I know not everyone here is from the same place-!

[givethemhell]

[WHY IS THIS WORLD JUST OUT HERE SNATCHING GOLDEN CORES... More importantly why would this place give a cultivator back a body that is essentially "incomplete"? If they were capable of doing all of this, then the rest should be a cinch. He pulls back a little, folding his arms across his chest and giving Wen Ning a scrutinizing look.]

--Might be one of the things you're missing too, maybe? I don't see why they would handle things like this otherwise.

[Though, haha. He's definitely already starting to get an inkling of what might actually going on with Wen Ning's body here, and it is Probably Not Good. When is anything in their lives anything less, though! It's fine.]

[givethemhell]

[He's definitely keeping an eye on that hand thanks very much, he doesn't particularly feel like getting socked in the face or anywhere else today. IT'S FINE, THOUGH - once he's released, he takes a step back after he regains his balance from the stumble, absentmindedly patting down the fabric of his clothing and flicking away a fake eye stuck to his robes. Really...

Well, it's not like he could blame Jiang Cheng for being angry. Or wary. Especially depending on where in the sliding scale of chaotic events he's come from. It doesn't stop the stab of annoyance that shoots through him, though.]

The only thing I've done is manage to arrive here a little earlier than you. If you're looking for answers, I don't have them!

[FOR ONCE.]

[souheki]

[THE ACHIEVEMENT IS THAT HE ISN'T FUCKING PARALYZING AND SILENCING HER AGAIN OKAY be grateful!!

He's keeping an eye on that pillar though. What are you doing, Okuni. HE DOESN'T TRUST ANYTHING.]

You are disappointed. [An observation... should he be offended?? He doesn't know he's about to be Haku's dad but listen he's kind of already Haku's dad and he doubts Haku would appreciate these assumptions!!]