[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]

Amazing! The future really is full of wonders...

[rateup]

It's not all puppies and rainbows, but I guess you could say that.

[ he lets the convo trail off for a bit, watching the surreal landscape rolling past. ]

You think it's safe to lie down on this roof? My social battery's running out.

[ittoryu]

Go ahead. I'll make sure you don't die.

[reassuring!]

[rateup]

[ look at least shigure's got his back ]

Thanks, man.

[ and down he goes, stretching a bit as he lies on his back. ]

[ittoryu]

[and then the train speeds up and they all die

no jk, itaru will get some moments of peace. despite being such a loudmouth, shigure seems content to remain in silence, watching the view as it whizzes by.]

[rateup]

[ nooooo don't launch us into a early bad end youre so sexy aha

he appreciates the silence like the introvert that he is, but it does get boring as it wears on. in a force of habit, itaru takes his phone again and just... goes through his apps, leafs through pages upon pages of mobage he'd installed before getting here, wishing that he had games that he can play without the use of wifi. but even that's going to suck out what little battery life it has...

and he lets out a deep sigh. ]

[ittoryu]

[!! sounds of distress!!]

What's wrong?

[rateup]

I'm bored. Being on rooftops shouldn't be boring.

[ittoryu]

Perhaps it's just a matter of your outlook!

[rateup]

Outlook?

[ headtilt ]

There's nothing to look out there.

[ittoryu]

Really? I find the scenery fascinating, personally. Imagine, paths in the sky! Or are such things common where you're from?

[rateup]

Closest thing I can think of are constellations. They're clusters of stars that make up an imaginary shape in the sky if you connect them like dots, like shapes, animals and people. They're pretty neat if you have a huge imagination, I guess.

[ but all he can see from here are train-tracks that go nowhere. ]

[ittoryu]

Hm. Well, I've always been fond of heights, so I suppose that's what makes this enjoyable. Do you not?

[rateup]

I guess. Especially when we're on a moving vehicle --

[ that's picking up speed all of a sudden, causing itaru's grip around his phone to loosen and it clatters away to the very edge of the roof, with half of it already dangling off. ]

Shit!

[ittoryu]

Whoa—!

[shigure immediately scrambles for the phone, despite DANGER signs flashing around it, because it seems important to this guy?? he manages to grab it—

though as the train continues to speed up in bursts, he momentarily loses his balance, and off the edge he goes...! bye he's dead now.

no, he grabbed onto something at the side of the train, so he's fine, if. sort of hanging in there. but the phone's okay!]

[rateup]

[ stop!!! raising so many death flags!! he just met you, for crying out loud! itaru immediately scrambles to the edge of the roof where he thought shigure has kicked it with his phone, and reaches his hand out. ]

Here, grab on --

[ it's definitely one of those quick-time events where you button-mash to hell and back, and itaru's a physically weak guy as it is to successfully pull up a guy with his upper arm strength. still, he won't let go. ]

[ittoryu]

[shigure is oddly okay with this potential life-and-death situation but maybe he's just an adrenaline junkie

honestly he feels like it might be easier if he just climbed up himself instead of relying on itaru's weakass arm?? but he appreciates the sentiment. itaru's a good guy! won't leave him to die!

which is to say that even though shigure knows he's probably supposed to take his hand, what he does first is put itaru's phone in it. here you go!!]

[rateup]

[ itaru blinks, and quickly pockets his phone before he accidentally drops it again for good. ]

...D'you still need my help or nah?

[ he's super useless but if he needs to buttonmash...! ]

[ittoryu]

Why not? I won't say no to help!

[let's see your best efforts, itaru...]

[rateup]

[ okay, second attempt at this quick-time event then. he grabs shigure's arm and puuuulls with all his might, but he's already winded at managing to tug the guy a good couple of inches up. ]

Can't you like... work with me here?

[ittoryu]

Of course, of course.

[he'll make his own attempts to climb back up, then, with his free hand.]

[rateup]

[ it's easier to pull shigure up now, but tbh he'd be doing more work than itaru, who's this close to giving out. once the guy's fully secured on the roof, itaru collapses on his butt to catch his breath. ]

God... Either you're heavy or my arms don't have what it takes.

[ittoryu]

[itaru tried so hard... shigure appreciates it!]

Hahaha, perhaps you should work out more, my friend!

[rateup]

Ugh, pass. The only thing I wanna lift is my phone from my pocket.

[ ... ]

Thanks.

[ittoryu]

To each their own!

[he shakes his head.]

That "phone" is important to you, right? It would be unfortunate to lose it.