fracturarpg | [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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Hm. Chains. Bad.

But they're clearly not - what she was expecting, so... Lux crouches down in front of him, keeping a careful distance between them and not reaching out. ]

Are you alright?

I-I'm not hurt, at least.

[He's pretty sure, anyway. It seems like he would feel it, now, if that were the case, which is a very strange concept...

But in any case, the safest thing to do is probably not let strangers know anything is horribly off! He is doing his best.]

Small blessings are still blessings.

[ But she says that like she knows it's a low bar. ]

Have you just arrived here, as well? In this... World?

I have. I... don't really know where this is.

[His brow furrows at that, expression pulling into a frown as he glances back down.]

If you just arrived too, then I-- I'm sorry I can't tell you anything about it.

We're in the same situation - there's no reason for you to apologize to me.

After all, I can't tell you much about it, either.

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?

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? ]

Without flames... is it spiritual energy lighting them, or--?

[As if the rules of his world would apply here-- but listen, he does not know an electricity, they just use magic to make flames.]

I'm not as knowledgeable about it as I'd like to be, but... It is some kind of energy.

[ Wtf is spiritual energy. She doesn't want to ask and look dumb. ]

Maybe someone else here will know about them...

[He might not have had his own ability to use that kind of energy for A Longass Time, but he's still curious about it.]

H-have you been outside this place?

Hopefully. It's best to learn what you can when you find yourself in a new place.

... That said, I haven't explored the other areas very much, yet. I've seen the other places the train stops, but only briefly.

[ Mostly she was just trying to, like, get home. But that didn't work out. ]

The- what?

[He's not modern enough for this, what is a train... but that's minorly less important right now.]

What were the other places like?

[ She only learned about trains recently, to be honest. ]

Mm... Confusing. It's difficult to describe them; they're full of things I don't recognize. They're - amazing and impressive. But confusing.

[in this space we all learn about wild modern inventions... they're doing great.]

So is this place. I-I suppose it makes sense, for it to all be the same way...

It must be following its own set of rules, even if I can't discern them.

Maybe... maybe if you see more of it, it'll be easier to tell? Surely s-some things are consistent.

[he has zero clue, though, he has not left the floor of this store.]

At the very least it is a... Unique learning opportunity.

... Would you like to come explore with me? Cowering here won't do you much good. [ Kind of harsh wording, but she says it without judgment, at least. ]

Ah... y-you're probably right.

[He just- needed a minute. Several minutes. And while he looks a bit chastened, he doesn't seem hurt or offended; he cautiously pushes himself to his feet, taking a moment to wrap the chains attached to his wrists around his forearms so they're not in the way.]

If you don't mind it, then I- I would appreciate the company.

Me too. It's rather unnerving to be alone in a situation like this.

[ Lux. Eyes the chains again. ]

... May I ask why you're in chains?

O-oh--

[Right. Those. He's not used to needing to explain, and his brow furrows uncertainly for a few moments before he finally manages:]

I was... imprisoned, before. Normal tools won't break them, so...

[So he just lives like this, basically, it's fine.]

Imprisoned for what?

For... for someone's death.

[Technically.]

You're being vague.

[ Which she doesn't sound pleased about, but... ]

... But I suppose you don't owe me your story.

It's-- I haven't really needed to explain it before.

[A little shake of his head, there. Less vague. He can do that.]

It wasn't intentional, but I... still killed someone, so... I-I turned myself in for it. That's... that's why.

Tragic accidents happen.

Not everyone would be honorable enough to turn themselves in. That's a show of good character, at least.

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