[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

[doublesmall]

I've been dealing with it for a couple years already.

[BIG SHRUG... you just get used to it, past a certain point.]

But it was sort of like this, yeah, except-- none of us knew we were from different worlds, at first. We all figured it out as we remembered things... I didn't know I was supposed to have an ability until I got it back, and I knew people who didn't know they weren't human until they started changing.

[givethemhell]

Really? That sounds absolutely miserable.

[Stated very matter-of-factly. HE'D HATE IT??]

I guess our missing pieces function in a similar way, but at least it isn't everything. What in the world was the point of handling things that way?

[doublesmall]

Something about keeping our souls stable...? Dumping it all on us at once was risky, I think.

[a brief hum, there, before:]

Mine went a little unstable or something once, and I pretty much got reset. Had to get it back all over again.

[givethemhell]

That sounds even worse! If people don't know how to handle souls without being able to keep them stable, they really shouldn't be doing it.

[SAYS HE, MASTER OF DEALING WITH WEIRD SOUL SITUATIONS.]

[doublesmall]

I mean, in their defense I don't think they expected me to die.

[he says that SO FUCKING CASUALLY, just shrugging...]

[givethemhell]

[Chuuya... His head cants a little to the side and he squints at this very alive-looking man quizzically.]

You died but you were brought back alive? Pulse, breathing, bloodflow, all of that?

[That's some wild shit if he's ever heard it.]

[doublesmall]

Just like that, yeah. I managed to get a hold of some of their records afterward, and it looked like they had to pretty much start me over in the process, so...

[a hum, a wave of one hand.]

Real pain in the ass to deal with, but I'll take being alive, you know?

[givethemhell]

I'm sure most people would, hah. [HAH...] I've never seen anyone properly come back to life in that way, though! There really are all sorts of places out there.

[He seems to be looking Very Thoughtful about this for some cursed reason - so much so that he's apparently temporarily forgotten about the dog. Granted, he's also been careful this entire conversation to just barely have enough of Chuuya in his line of sight to not be looking entirely away. SORRY MARSHMALLOW.]

[doublesmall]

I didn't think it was possible, either-- took a bit for people to convince me I'd actually died.

[His brows furrow a bit there, and Marshmallow whines softly, headbutting him for pets. Distraction dog is Here To Help.]

But they seemed to know what they were doing. I'm not sure it'd work out anywhere else.

[givethemhell]

Makes sense that if it were to work out there, it could probably work out elsewhere, yes?

[HM, HM, his braincell is in motion, that's always bad. Good thing he's snapped out of his considerations when Marshmallow WHINES, reminding him of HIS EXISTENCE. Wei Wuxian's gaze snaps back over that way automatically before diverting again.]

—I'd really like to pick your brain a little more about it, if it's something you don't mind talking about! Some other time, maybe?

[doublesmall]

I mean, they seemed to know more about souls in general, I don't know how many people I'd trust to experiment with that.

[It sounds EASILY DISASTROUS.

But he doesn't miss the way Wei Wuxian quickly looks to the dog, and gently tugs Marshmallow back a little.]

...I don't really have anywhere safe to leave him alone right now, but if I can find somebody else to watch this guy, I'll let you know.

[givethemhell]

[IT IS EASILY DISASTROUS, HE WOULD KNOW...

But he'll spare both of them from his wild delving into topics like soul shattering and patching ghosts back together, mostly because! He always hates having his fear of dogs just OUT THERE. It's a miracle that his reputation was so monstrous and horrifying that literally no one would ever believe he was afraid of dogs, and so no one ever brought dogs to the elephant graveyard.]

Ah...haha, it's fine - I'm glad the two of you were able to find each other again even in a place like this! [He knows good dog owners! They always adore their dogs and vice versa.] But I think I'll be on my way for now, if it's all the same. Take care, yes?