[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

[descried]

[nightless city?]

I dunno, people can get intense about groceries.

[deadened]

Oh-- I guess it makes sense. I-is food scarce where you're from, or...?

[descried]

No. People are just weird.

[deadened]

I-I see.

[it makes sense, he guesses...]

Um, have you... seen what else is here?

[descried]

I'm still looking around. It's a pretty big space.

[deadened]

It-- it is.

[it's too damn big is what it is.

but he hesitates a moment, shifts a little nervously, before-]

In that case, w-would you mind if... I accompanied you? I... have someone I need to find here, as well.

[and sitting here won't help, probably. time to set all the internal screaming aside and start looking.]

[descried]

... Sure. The more, the merrier, I guess. Who're you looking for?

[deadened]

H-he's...

[oh hang on he doesn't know how wei wuxian would be introducing himself here, abort abort abort]

Um, a little shorter than me, with long black hair? And he usually wears black, too... he isn't very quiet, so I think-- I think he shouldn't be too difficult to find.

[wen ning really can't see him holing up here unless he got distracted by something to study... but even then he won't be hard to find.]

[descried]

... Well, here's hoping there aren't a lot of people who fit that description. Hey, mind keeping an eye out for my friends too?

[deadened]

Of course-!

[if he's letting wen ning come along, how is he going to say no, he's down to help.]

I-if you'll tell me who to look for, then I'll try.

[descried]

Let's see... someone with long black hair and white streaks? Two of them, actually—they're twins, a girl and a guy. They're around my age, and Japanese.

The third is a younger, Chinese girl. Tiny. [he gestures a couple of inches down from his own height.] All white hair.

[deadened]

[he nods along as kangai describes them, committing those descriptions to memory-- and finally nods, a slightly more determined expression in place.]

I'll be sure to watch for them, um--

[a pause as he realizes he doesn't know his name yet, and then oh no, I forgot to give him my name too-- slips out as he hurries to his feet, stumbling a little thanks to the chains getting in the way.]

F-forgive me, young master, I... forgot to ask your name. [and with a little bow:] My name is Wen Quionglin, but... most call me by my birth name. Wen Ning.

[descried]

... Young master?

[what the heckie

hearing what seems to be this guy's thoughts also catches him off-guard—okay, I'm not the one with the telepathy kansei comes to mind. also, as he's reminded of the chains: I don't want to know what those are about, do I?]

I'm, uh... [there is a suspicious pause here] ... Kangai.

[deadened]

[he probably doesn't! wen ning looks a little uncomfortable at that thought, but he's just... pretending he didn't hear it... it's fine don't worry about it. he just nods in return, though he also looks slightly confused at the name.]

Kangai, then. Is- is it really all right to just call you by that...?

[does he only have the one name, wen ning isn't used to this!!]

[descried]

[it's fine wen ning it's a fake name anyway]

Why wouldn't it be?

[deadened]

I don't usually meet anyone with... with just the one. It must be more common elsewhere.

[everything is weird here, he can go with this.]

[descried]

You're Chinese, right? Then yeah, it's a cultural thing. We usually just call people by their first name where I'm from.

[deadened]

I see...

[on the plus side, he totally will not identify it as being a fake name either, so! wen ning just nods.]

It's strange to think we could be brought here from different places, b-but-- thank you. For letting me come with you.

[descried]

It's not really something you need to thank me for. We're helping each other out, right?

[deadened]

-right!

[he brightens there, smiling at the thought.

... and then realizes something, as he glances around the aisle they're in.]

Do you know which way leads out?

[descried]

[he pauses. awkwardly.]

Weeeee... might be stuck in here for a while.

[why is fantasy costco so huge]

[deadened]

[why is it this big!!

when peering around the corner doesn't give him any clues, wen ning just... picks a direction, gesturing that way.]

As long as we remember what we've already seen, I... think we'll have to find it eventually?

[descried]

Getting permanently lost in a grocery store would be pretty sad... All right, let's go.

[deadened]

W-we won't.

[he at least has faith in his own ability to remember where they have or haven't been, it'll be fine, maybe.

off into the notsco they go! wen ning isn't the fastest, mostly because he keeps catching sight of things that are totally unfamiliar to him-- kangai might have to remind him they're doing something here, he's looking at a shelf of condiments.]

[descried]

[...]

You a ketchup fan?