fracturarpg | [mingle] the space (january).

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[mingle] the space (january).

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.

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[Good news, he's already looking up at that thought! It sounds familiar, and his eyes are already a little wide as they land on Wei Wuxian... but he looks even more surprised at that hand on his shoulder.

He can feel it there.]

Y-young master Wei-! You're here too...

[He's here and his touch is warm and reassuring, and oh no, Wen Ning is so unused to this.]

What's... w-what's happening?

[WHY IS HE ALIVE, DID WEI WUXIAN DO THIS... but if he did, why does he seem just as surprised?]

[If only Wei Wuxian was a normal person who could read the atmosphere so he didn't add to Wen Ning's general sense of Being Overwhelmed by immediately cupping his face with both hands and leaning in too close! Because that's exactly what he's doing, wow. Granted he's studying Wen Ning with the sort of intensity that is not at all soft and cute - it's more like, to be too on-the-nose, a mortician whose corpse just sat up on the dissecting table. WILD. He turns Wen Ning's face from one side to the other before dropping one hand to his neck to feel for his pulse point.]

Hah— Now that is a good question. [FOR ONCE, HE DOESN'T KNOW... He doesn't even pretend to know because what's the point?? This world is wild and he's just along for the ride.]

Can you feel that? Wait. [MORE IMPORTANTLY.] Those chains - do you remember how you got them?

[Just In Case he really is dealing with some timeline shenanigans... somehow.]

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.

[HM THAT'S A BAD PAUSE. Wei Wuxian's brow furrows a little in turn, and it's only because he's so distracted by the whole Wen Ning Is Alive Again For Some Reason thing happening here that he doesn't pursue it immediately. But he will! Of course he will there's no rest for the weary or the Wen Nings.

Case in point: him immediately just reaching for the hole in his clothes, pulling it aside so he can get a closer look at the scar below it. He purses his lips, and the thought that follows is a chiding: And where in the world did this come from? WEN NING!!

At least he doesn't poke around for too long, but only so he can reach up and slap the back of his hand over Wen Ning's forehead like he's testing for a fever. Clearly that's why he's red??]

—If you can feel again, we'll need to get you something warmer. Can you stand?

[He looks a little puzzled after hearing that, not entirely realizing it was only a thought-- he'd glanced down, as well, while Wei Wuxian poked at his clothes, so he has no idea his mouth wasn't moving. But then there's suddenly a hand on his head, which is absolutely not making the flush go away, thanks for NOT HELPING WWX.]

I... haven't tried to.

[Wen Ning has literally just been right here since he arrived, it's... it's been a Time.]

[LOOK true to his nature, every time he tries to help things go horribly wrong. It's fine. Sometimes these things happen!

He's also obviously sizing Wen Ning up, as if trying to decide whether or not his cursed twink arms can deal with carrying someone taller than him around. Maybe Wen Ning won't be so heavy so much now that he's living weight instead of dead weight?? But he'll decide not to test his luck that much, since the last thing he wants to do is drop his ex-zombie and break all his bones or something, wow. Instead he'll just sidle up right next to him, side-to-side, and wrap an arm around his shoulder. LEAAAN OOON HIIIIM--]

Hold on, alright? I'll help you up and we'll go somewhere a little warmer. It's not that far from here.

Y-young master Wei-! You really don't need to-- p-please, I can manage, it's all right...

[Ohhhh he's going to die again, probably, why does his young master need to be so TOUCHY ALL THE TIME... but he doesn't want to let go and maybe fall and risk Wei Wuxian coming down with him?! So he just leans on him until he's standing, and then... gently tries to step away... PLEASE, HE IS FINE.]

[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.]

[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!]

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?

[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.]

[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.]

[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?

[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.]

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.

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.

[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?

[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.]

[He takes a seat as directed, quietly marveling at how comfortable it is... it's been a long time since he could enjoy simple things like that, and Wen Ning spends a moment just... running his hand over the fabric of it, though he's still listening.

-he definitely flinches slightly at the mention of being told what else happened around that time because YES, A CERTAIN SOMEONE DEFINITELY SAID CERTAIN THINGS... but he also doesn't look up at that question, biting his lip.]

I-I know that I didn't go alone, but... I don't know who it was. I can't... think of who else would have been there. None of the others should have...

[-oh. The mention of the others reminds him, and his eyes fly wide open abruptly as he reaches for his shirt, pats the fabric of his clothes, seeking something out-- but he exhales a relieved breath when he pulls out a few pouches, just casually using the hole in his clothes to do so.

They're still here, at least. Good. Maybe they should also add finding him some sort of bag to the shopping list so he's not just wandering around with these in his eventual sweater.]

[Wow literally everything about this is sad, from the way Wen Ning touches the fabric of the hammock to the fact that he forgot his WHOLEASS SISTER to the bags he pulls out of his clothes from the hole in his shirt that was probably also through his gut at one point.

Wei Wuxian will probably suggest something for him to place those in soon enough himself, but first! Fun times ahead! They're about to find out exactly what happens when someone who knows a thing another person forgot tries to remind them of it. He carefully looks Wen Ning over while he talks, paying attention to his expressions, his body language.]

Your sister, Wen Qing. The two of you were asked to turn yourselves over together.

--what?

[All he gets from watching Wen Ning's expression is a blank sort of confusion, before he frowns slightly and reaches up to uncertainly touch one of his ears.]

I can't-- I didn't understand you... d-do you think there might be something wrong with my hearing?

[Haha oh boy does that suck. He can't even give Wen Ning a head's up... He doesn't bother trying a second time, simply reaching out to gently clap a hand on his shoulder, a complicated look on his face.]

It's not you - it's this place, most likely. I'd say we've just run into one of your missing pieces, but it seems you'll have to rediscover it on your own. [Bad!]

You're probably missing a few other things, too.

[He doesn't even yet consider that his fuckin corpseness might be one of them because CLEARLY THAT'S NOT SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO LOSE, so much as being alive is something important to gain. He thinks he gained Chenqing outta nowhere so he assumes? Something similar-ish may be happening here??]

I-I'll try to.

[That comes with a small nod; this time the hand on his shoulder is a little more reassuring than startling, and he lets out a slightly shaky breath. Now that the initial panic has faded, everything is settling in more-- his newly-alive status, the reality of being in this place-- and he doesn't pull away from that contact.]

Oh... but I don't think that you don't remember my injury because of this place, young master. [Wen Ning glances up to him there, pausing briefly, looking slightly uncertain.] About what you said you remembered-- I... I think I must be ahead of you both.

[rip Wen Ning, hopefully he enjoys his 5 seconds of peace.]

Is that so? Let me guess, then; that scar of yours is from some sort of scuffle with our dear Sect Leader Jin himself - or something involving him, at least. I can't imagine it would have been much longer before our paths crossed.

[This stupid asshole and his one braincell that he only uses for things like this when he should be using it to read the room and not put his Wen Nings in flamingo shirts. OR DO THIS:]

Speaking of - take off your clothes, would you? Let me have a look.

[He nods in affirmation, but before he can say anything else to explain... well.

Wei Wuxian tells him to fuckin strip, and his eyes go wide as he tries to scramble back a little, another thought slipping out. Th-that was one thing when I was a corpse, but now--!

He's alive and he can't just go around taking anything off in public! This is still a store! What if someone were to walk by!!

...unfortunately for Wen Ning, in his attempt to shift back and away from Wei Wuxian, he just tips backwards right off the hammock bench they're on. Good thing he was still holding those pouches close, so they don't go rolling off-- but he is definitely now a heap of limbs, fabric, and chains on the floor. Rip.]

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