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.

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[His brow arches faintly. He doesn’t even answer that question.]

Wouldn’t you prefer to explore, instead? There’s only so much you’ll learn from a single spot.

You'd be surprised how much I can learn from sitting here. It isn't the environment I'm watching out for.

The people here already inspiring distrust for you?

[If that’s the case, it’s practical if nothing else. But even Sephiroth, who likes to assess a situation with careful consideration, isn’t lurking from afar and spying on others.]

Yes, but they aren't unique in that respect. People everywhere inspire distrust. It's how people work.

[ He shifts where he's sitting, pulling his hood down further. He sounds matter of fact, more than anything. ]

[That says something for this man’s mindset, doesn’t it? But he keeps that to himself, just another quiet observation in his head.

A little dryly-]

How people work in a bulk supermarket.

[In this case, at least.]

How enlightening is that?

Very. Don't have these where I'm from.

[ He plucks a box of gum off the shelf next to him, examining it. ] A man walks into a bulk supermarket. What does he go for first? Does he stop to talk to anybody? Why is he in a bulk supermarket when he could be looking for a way out from this place he's been kidnapped to? Is he panicked? Is he calm?

There's a lot to see if you look for it.

[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?

[ Royce hums low, turning the box in his fingers absently. ]

Why would I tell you? [ It's not accusatory - mostly curious. ]

What’s gained by keeping it to yourself?

[Reason and practicality is easy for him to fall on, and form an argument based on that alone.]

Share your information with someone like-minded, and the favor can be returned. Assuming distrust is something that can eventually be overlooked.

[ Fair enough. He seems satisfied with that explanation. ]

I've heard a few things. A few people passing by have been searching for wi-fi. [ He says it like it's a foreign language. Why-fai. ]

[wi-fi.... What thrilling information, Royce.]

They’re looking for an online connection? That’s not surprising.

[A beat.]

And not that worrisome either.

[ look he's from ancient medieval times what do you want from him ]

A - what? [ He scowls. ] I don't know what that is.

[Another pause, because this man’s world must be a far cry from what’s available to them here.]

A connection.

[Right, he just said that. But how to verbalize something unseen?]

...They’re looking to connect their devices to an overarching network of information. But the means to do so is missing.

[ Oh. Okay. That makes... some sense, at least. ]

Hm. [ He shifts, glancing down the aisle. ] I'm not surprised. Whatever it is that brought us here is bent on isolating us.

Someone else I spoke to thought that this is -- [ what was the word he used ] Hell.

[The concept is not foreign to him (bc there are canon enemies with the name “hell” in them, thanks ff7) though the implications are not particularly welcome.]

That would imply that this is an afterlife — that we’ve died. That isn’t the case.

You sound very sure of that. [ He lifts an eyebrow - not that it's visible under the hood, but his tone implies it. ]

I would have remembered dying. Wouldn’t you?

Maybe. Maybe not. [ Sniff. ] Sometimes the mind blocks out memories.

Maybe it's one of those things that was broken. Your memories, I would argue, are part of the soul.

[He would like to think that a well-trained SOLDIER’s mind would be focused enough, steeled enough, to not block out a memory on a whim. But the point the other man makes it valid — it might not be on a whim, if that is a part of what’s missing.]

It’s possible. [He’ll admit that much.] But unless there’s a very large portion of my memories missing, it’s also unlikely.

[ He tilts his head to the side. ]

It was also very unlikely to have just been picked up and dropped into a place like this. I really have no other explanations. [ A beat. ] That someone I spoke to thought that an enemy of his had plucked us from our worlds and dropped us into hell. It's about as reasonable as anything else I've heard.

Meaning that any theory is a valid one, considering everyone is in the dark.

[Which is not that much more reassuring.]

Maybe we’re asking the wrong questions.

Probably. Any ideas on what the right ones are?

Why us, for one.

[But at this point, even Sephiroth is getting tired of having to crane his neck up.]

And another— have you considered coming down here to engage in a proper conversation yet?

[ Royce was wondering when that was going to be a thing. ]

No, I haven't. [ Royce says, idly examining his gloved hands. ] I like it up here.

[Well, someone’s being cheekily stubborn, he can see.]

I’m only willing to talk to you like this for so long.

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