[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

[survivaltricks]

[ah. his smile is crooked, but understanding and sympathetic. he thinks he kind of knows what she's talking about, if the sudden appearance of a strange marking on the inside of his own right wrist a few weeks ago is any indication]

Sorry. . . that does suck.

I wonder if there's a way to get it back. . .?

[lightmage]

I don't know. That welcome message mentioned... [ Hrm. ] Goodies.

But I don't understand how I'm meant to go about doing whatever it is they want me to do.

[survivaltricks]

That makes two of us, and I've been here for a month. Give or take.

[the passage of time in space is WIBBLY WOBBLY but he is pretty sure they spent about. . . a month?? on the Isle of Champions]

If the pattern holds, we'll be shipped off to another world at some point in the future. It's there we're supposed to. . . [a beat] "Rebuild ourselves," so to speak.

[but since Akira didn't get anything back from the last world, he can't really say how that works just yet]

[lightmage]

A month?

And - in that time there's been no progress towards getting home? [ And judging by the way he's talking... ] And you still don't know how we're meant to rebuild ourselves?

[survivaltricks]

[oh no she seems panicked. time to try to soothe that with a smile]

Supposedly, a few people here did get something back when they returned from the last world.

So at the very least, we know it's not impossible.

[and that's a bright side, right??]

[lightmage]

[ Her shoulders do relax a little bit. That's... Better than nothing. Better than no information or expectations, and that's where she had been until now. So... Thanks, Akira. ]

But it's not a sure thing.

[survivaltricks]

. . . what you lost must be very important to you.

[which isn't surprising, considering what Akira himself lost]

It isn't, no. But is that the part you really want to focus on?

[lightmage]

... You're right. At the very least, I'm glad to know there will be a chance.

It was my family crest. I know it doesn't mean much when we're in a world without my family, but... I'd like it back.

[survivaltricks]

[shakes his head]

No. It's meaning doesn't change just because your family isn't here. If it means a lot to you, then I hope you get it back.

[he lifts his chin up a bit, adjusting his glasses as he does so]

And if I figure out a way to help you with that, then I will.

[lightmage]

Thank you, that's very kind of you. Hopefully I can be of some use to you, as well. Though I don't know how much we can assist one another with... Rebuilding ourselves.

[ But oh well. ]

I'm Luxanna, by the way.

[survivaltricks]

We'll figure it out somehow.

[mostly because they have no choice, and Akira doesn't have the same sense of urgency that Luxanna does]

I'm Akira. Akira Kurusu, but just Akira is fine.

[lightmage]

It's nice to meet you, Akira.

[ She's hearing so many foreign-sounding names, but she supposes pointing that out is pretty pointless when they're from different worlds. ]

May I ask - what was the last place you were spirited away like? Maybe the next will be similar.

[survivaltricks]

[there's an easy way to describe the last world, but unfortunately it relies on knowing pop culture references from his world, sooooo]

It was called the Isle of Champions, and it was-- well. Do you know what the Olympics are?

[lightmage]

[ Haha... Isle of Champions... This unfortunately means nothing to her.

She shakes her head. ]

I'm afraid not.

[survivaltricks]

[he is far from surprised, so he just lets out a little huff and offers her a lopsided smile]

Think of it as a giant sports event, where athletes from all sorts of different countries compete against each other. The Isle of Champions was like that.

But with magic.