[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

[ittoryu]

[run now]

First, are you unmarried?

[lightmage]

[ Hm. Bad! ]

I... [ Actually, let's not get into the details. ] Yes.

[ittoryu]

[he nods. cola stop this]

Second, do you like children?

[lightmage]

[ I wish I could stop this. ]

Of course. The youth are the future, after all...!

[ittoryu]

[COLA]

Well said! Third, are you interested in Eastern culture?

[lightmage]

[ I'M SORRY BUT ALSO THIS ISN'T MY FAULT ]

Oh, yes! I love travel - I'm interested in learning about cultures all over the world!

[ittoryu]

Excellent! Fourth, is there anyone you currently hold in your heart?

[lightmage]

[ ... ]

Why do you ask?

[ The rest of these questions she's used to; she's nobility, you kind of get vetted by other nobles all the time for political reasons. Or, like, maybe it's a 'getting to know you' thing from his culture? Who knows??

But that question is. Uh. Hm. ]

[ittoryu]

Oh! Simple. I would never propose to someone who already loved another!

[you know how shigure said people call him shameless? yeah.]

[lightmage]

... But you would propose to a stranger?

[ittoryu]

If they're unmarried, like children, and would be interested in the East? Yes.

[he sees nothing wrong with this?]

[lightmage]

[ But he didn't even ask enough questions to establish that it would make a beneficial political marriage! ]

That's not enough reason.

[ittoryu]

Why wouldn't it be? Of course, I would go through the proper courtship, but if both sides said yes, it would be fine, wouldn't it?

[lightmage]

No, you should go through courtship before even asking, shouldn't you?

[ittoryu]

Isn't the most important thing to make sure she'd be interested first, though?

[lightmage]

No one is going to interested in someone they barely know. That's a decision that comes later.

[ittoryu]

Hm! But doesn't it make things easier if you know beforehand that you're both interested in a relationship?

[lightmage]

I think that a lot of people would only decide if they're interested in a relationship after getting to know someone.

And even if it's a marriage born of strategy, aren't there more questions you would want to ask...?

[ittoryu]

Like what?

[lightmage]

W-well, for example...

You would need to know about one another's roles from home, right? Family duties, political expectations... That sort of thing.

[ittoryu]

None of that matters to me!

[lightmage]

But it's unlikely that it won't matter to the other person.

What does matter to you, then?

[ittoryu]

Then of course I would give what I have to offer.

That she's willing to come back to the East with me and that we'll have children.

[that's it.]

[lightmage]

... Is it really so hard to find someone who wants to be a mother? Enough that you need to go propositioning strangers?

[ittoryu]

[he nods, before letting out a laugh.]

In my hometown, everyone tells their daughters not to marry Shigure of the Itto-Ryu Clan. So, to find a wife, I must travel further.