[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]

[he nods.]

Mm-hmm! We're standing here and talking, aren't we? And as long as we're capable of looking for a solution, we'll be fine.

[glooming]

[ He's so bright and cheerful, so sure of himself. It's almost like—

.... ]

How do you know?

[ That they'll be fine as long as they can do something. ]

[ittoryu]

That's how I've always lived my life!

[glooming]

... I'm gloomy.

[ But he's right. They should be able to do something, but what? ]

[ittoryu]

Why? What now?

[glooming]

[ She'll never admit that sometimes, it's just something she says, especially when she doesn't know what else to say. ]

Where do we go from here?

[ittoryu]

First... we explore our new surroundings! Knowledge is power, after all. It would not do us well to be caught off-guard.

[glooming]

[ The look she gives him isn't expressive, but the question in her eyes is, will he explore with her?

It's not a question she voices, so hopefully he's a mindreader even if her thoughts aren't being accidentally thrown out to the world to hear. ]

[ittoryu]

[he's not a mindreader, but luckily, their thoughts are on the same wavelength—as he points in a random direction.]

All right, that way!

[glooming]

[ She follows, not unlike a duckling. ]

[ittoryu]

[he has no idea where he's going.

but eventually, they hit a train spot, and would you look at that, the train is coming.]

Shall we board?

[glooming]

[ Utsutsu doesn't expect anyone to know where they're going, but there's just something about Shigure that makes her want to follow him. It's... weird...?

She nods and gets on when the train stops for them. ]

... Origami.

[ It's an echo chamber because her thoughts sound at the same time as her speaking. ]

[ittoryu]

[he blinks.]

Hm? You want to make origami? I'm afraid I don't have any paper...

[glooming]

To pass the time.

[ Because who knows how long until the next train stop? Also, because she likes it. She technically has paper, but... it 'd be bad to use that specific paper.

She looks at her feet. ]

[ittoryu]

... Well, shall we look around, then? I'm sure we can find something to use, even if we have to get a bit creative.

[glooming]

[ She nods, and if she looks a little brighter, it's no one's imagination. When she comes across a snack cart, she pauses. ]

What about a napkin?

[ittoryu]

That should work. It might be a little flimsy... but there's nothing wrong with a challenge!

[glooming]

[ A challenge...

Well, she is the one who wanted to do this, so she's going to go through with it. She grabs a napkin and starts folding a very, as Shigure predicted, flimsy bird.

A very misshapen flimsy bird. ]

[ittoryu]

Oh? Not half-bad! Let me try...

[to be honest his attempt is probably worse]

[glooming]

... I'm gloomy.

[ That's her trying to be neutral about his attempt. About both of their attempts.

She gives it another try, though. This one is more upright. Her expressions becomes more animated, and she looks at it intensely, as if praying for it not to droop. ]

[ittoryu]

Ah, that's a good one! You've got a talent for this, huh?

[prays with her!!]/small>

[glooming]

[ Her cheeks color from the praise. The napkin bird... doesn't look like it can take flight, but it also looks like it won't drown. ]

... I like it.

[ She wouldn't call it a talent, but it's fun and pretty and it's something she can do without penalty. ]

[ittoryu]

[weeps over my html]

It's a good hobby! There's something about making art that cheers people up, isn't there?

[glooming]

Mm. It makes things less gloomy... and you can see it again.

[ It won't disappear. ]