[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

[glooming]

[ What...? Why would she wanted a vomited cherry?

She stares at him, and there's no shift in her expression, but maybe there's something in her eyes that says she thinks something's not quite right.

In a moment, there's the ring of a bell and another Shirley Temple appears, complete with a cherry. ]

[suddenlybees]

[ So she can be less gloomy... But here is the bartender to save the day, and maybe she won't be so upset once she has her cherry while Kano watches her closely. She can see for herself how terrible it is and understand she's not missing out. ]

[glooming]

[ He doesn't get it. That's okay.

She picks up the cherry from the new drink and nudges it towards Kano. It's for him. ]

[suddenlybees]

[ Oh. This is his punishment for making her gloomy, isn't it. He takes it and holds it by the stem so it can drip onto the table, but doesn't eat it. ]

For me, huh? How generous... Are you sure you don't want it?

[glooming]

[ ...

That's not what she meant. She takes the cherry back and pushes the glass towards him. She nods at it.

Take the drink. ]

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano mirrors the nods, slow and unsure, and holds the glass in both hands while he contemplates what he's supposed to do with this in order to make the girl less gloomy. Oh! What if—

the bell dings, and he starts on his stool, looking over to see a bottle of cherry cocktail syrup on the counter. It's like concentrated maraschino cherry in liquid form, aka the most disgustingly sweet thing in existence in the universe, but he tips the bottle to fill the glass up to the brim and carefully slides it back. ]

Here, here, try this~ Guaranteed to make you less gloomy~

[ Can be gloomy if you're sick. ]

[glooming]

[ That is the worst. This is the worst. Utsutsu goes along with a lot of things, if only because it's easy to pull her along, but she gives that glass a (subtly) dubious look. ]

... It was for you.

[ Did he not want it? ]

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano looks down at the glass and gives it a blatantly dubious look, because this girl must really have it in for him after he stole her cherry the first time; he doesn't want to drink this. But if it'll stop her from being gloomy, he pinches his nose, picks up the glass, and chugs the drink in one go so he can dramatically slam the glass down on the table in the end.

It's sweet. Terrible. He is never bullying this girl ever again. ]

[glooming]

[ He doesn't have to drink it? He's the one the poured the syrup in? This is literally all because of him, and Utsutsu doesn't know what Kano is thinking at all. She doesn't think he has to drink it either.

She wanted him to try the drink as it's originally made sans cherry.

She's confused because he doesn't have to drink it all? A sip would've been fine, but she watches him with an impassive look on her face.

He said he didn't like the cherry.... Her thoughts filter out. She doesn't expect him to like the drink he created. ]

[suddenlybees]

[ He didn't like the cherry and he doesn't like the syrup and he gives her a wary look over the rim of his empty glass because what is that thought? He doesn't like the cherry so... she's going to give him more cherry. She knows his weakness now. That's no good, so it's time to abort. ]

Mm. Yeah. This is...

[ Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. He pours the rest of the syrup into the empty glass and pushes it in front of Utsutsu. ]

This is for you! I'm gonna go, like, recycle this bottle or something. See ya!

[ He's going to go stand outside in the downpour until the train comes in six hours. ]