[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

[quickpersuader]

[Probably not, anyway.]

Do you know what those symbols mean, sir? I can read most of it, but...

[At least they're polite?]

[souheki]

[They are!! That's a good sign. At least they didn't walk up to him and go "HEY WHO ARE YOU" like Taka did]

I am told they symbolize facial expressions. [He still doesn't see it, but honestly he hasn't spent much time trying to decipher it after that first day, so.]

[quickpersuader]

Facial expressions?

[They peer up at the slab again with open curiosity, trying to make out these faces.]

...Oh! I think... I might see them now?

[souheki]

How so?

[Please teach him, someday he'll acquire A Phone and very determinedly use one (1) kaomoji in his life.]

[quickpersuader]

These parts are eyes, I think. And these parenthesis are the body, and these are the arms.

[Pointing at the pieces, bit by bit.]

...Right?

[souheki]

[Dutifully, he stares, trying to make sense of it. It's difficult to tell whether he actually follows or not, since his expression doesn't change at all, and all he says is:]

Hm.

[WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.

Apparently he's not going to clarify, because he just continues on.]

Some here are already familiar with this form of writing.

[quickpersuader]

Have you asked them to explain it to you?

[souheki]

No.

[He. He doesn't care. HE CAN READ THE IMPORTANT BITS he's too old for this.]

But they may be willing to teach you, if you are interested.

[quickpersuader]

In that case, I'll be sure to ask around.

[This child is definitely too curious to leave it at that.]

Are the people here generally friendly enough to explain things like that?

[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.]

[quickpersuader]

[Huh.]

In what way?

[Is this a mannerisms thing or like a cultural thing.]

[souheki]

[UH... BOTH MAYBE?? It's unclear.]

They are rambunctious.

[aka they'll probably drag Kino into their chaos and shenanigans and also maybe volunteer some information while they're at it.]

[quickpersuader]

...I think I understand.

[Maybe.]

I'll keep an eye out. Thank you, sir...?

[souheki]

[He has faith that they'll understand soon enough.]

Please call me Lan Wangji. [It's easier to introduce himself this way, he's found, even if it's less polite.] And you?

[quickpersuader]

Mr. Lan Wangji?

[Does that work?]

...I'm sorry, but I don't have a name I can give you.

[souheki]

[That's fine! Not that he... gives any indication either way, but he's not arguing or correcting them, so good enough.

That's quite the predicament, though. He can guess the cause, but that doesn't really help in the current situation, does it? Well, in the meantime--]

What would you like to be called?

[quickpersuader]

...I don't know. It's not like I expected to be called anything other than my name.

[This is all very inconvenient, and although they remain calm, it's also sort of a sulk.]

[souheki]

[What a coincidence, Lan Wangji's the master of "outwardly calm, inwardly sulking/being generally not poised at all". If he notices, though, he doesn't say anything.]

If you cannot think of one you like, I am sure others would be glad to give you one.

[Or two. Or like seventeen. Who even knows]

[quickpersuader]

In that case, what would you call me?

[souheki]

[Please don't ask that question of a man who named his own instrument after himself

At least he's so serious that it barely matters, god.]

Whatever you would like to be called. [Though he's saying it again, he doesn't seem bothered; he just isn't usually one to change his mind.] I cannot make that decision for you.

[quickpersuader]

Then I'll have to think of something good...

[But in the meantime:]

I'll have to eat first. It's no good to think about something like this on an empty stomach.