[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

[dianxias]

Mm... if Ruoye didn't respond when I called, then I'm not sure it's here.

[ he taps against his throat. ] It's a long strip of silk. I usually wear it here, but it's my spiritual device, so it's quite sensitive. It'll respond to its name and commands, like any sort of spirit. [ mm...... ] It can be a bit finicky, though. I wonder if something's scared it.

[ you're talking about a piece of silk? ?? ]

[ittoryu]

[well, he's heard weirder.]

Sounds rather like a cat, if you ask me. Perhaps it doesn't like new places?

[dianxias]

A bit. [ that makes xie lian chuckle, imagining it. ruoye would be terribly cute as a cat, wouldn't it. ] You're exactly right, but it tends to cling to me when it's afraid. I've had it for...mm, eight centuries or so.

[ A Long Time. ] I'm not sure where to look beyond here.

[ittoryu]

Eight centuries!? [a beat.] Well, sir, you look amazing for your age, I have to say!

... Maybe it's lost? Or stuck in a crevice somewhere?

[dianxias]

You're very kind. [ please! he is but a simple cultivator. or a simple immortal. you know how it be.

....this person makes a very good point. xie lian sighs. ] It could be. Ruoye, come!

[ xie lian calls out the name of his spiritual device and listens, trying to sense it...but there's nothing. the wind even whistles dramatically for effect. ] Mmnm. I guess I'll have to look in this strange place...

[ittoryu]

I'll come with you! Two are better than one in this case, right?

[dianxias]

En. [ yes, yes!! xie lian nods, pleased with this new development! what a nice person. ] I really do appreciate it! Let's get to work.

[ which means he's going to start calling for ruoye like a lost cat. off they go. ]

[ittoryu]

[shigure will help! even though it's not his and therefore his efforts amount to nothing.]

Ruooooye!

[dianxias]

[ shigure you're such a bro.

xie lian continues to call out for ruoye, trying to get it to come. he hasn't misplaced ruoye literally since the day he got it.... not that he can remember where it was. catch him on his hands and knees peeking between the cracks in the sidewalk at his point.

huff!!! ] Mm.... any luck?

[ittoryu]

[he shakes his head.]

Maybe it really isn't here...

[dianxias]

I couldn't tell you a time I was without it before, and now this... What a troublesome child.

[ xie lian, your fabric strip is not your actual child. he reaches up to touch the cursed black mark around his neck with his fingertips. ] ...until Ruoye turns up, I'll have to make do. Do you think I could find fabric scraps somewhere here?