[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]

Neither have I.

[Mementos was. . . definitely different]

But I think it can be considered some kind of hub space. A between worlds resting area?

[quickpersuader]

So the worlds thing is actually...

[Like. True??]

[survivaltricks]

Yyyyyep.

[popping that 'p' for emphasis]

But we've only been to one. The Isle of Ch-- ah. Well, I suppose it's the Isle of Unity now.

[quickpersuader]

What was it before?

[survivaltricks]

The Isle of Champions.

Home of the magical Olympics.

[he sure hopes Kino knows what the Olympics are]

[quickpersuader]

Magical Olympics?

[That's gonna be a no.]

[survivaltricks]

[. . . well, it's less fun if he has to explain it]

Back home, there's an event called the Olympics where athletes from all sorts of countries compete against each other in various sports.

This was like that, but with magic.

[quickpersuader]

[They seem legitimately surprised to hear this.]

Which countries? I've been to many different ones, but I've never heard of any Olympics.

[survivaltricks]

Ah. . . well. You know. . .

The United States? Russia? Japan? Australia? Great Britain?

[to only name a few]

[quickpersuader]

[...Sloooowly shaking head.]

I've never heard of those places. Are they all near each other?

[survivaltricks]

. . . [aha. this person must come from a world completely different than his own]

Noooot at all.

What countries do you remember?

[quickpersuader]

I've traveled all kinds of places. Some spread out ones would have to be...

[They then proceed to name off like eight or so countries that definitely don't exist on Earth.]

Those are probably some of the bigger ones I've visited.

[survivaltricks]

[. . . . . . . . . . . WELL]

[he's just gonna be blunt]

Iiiii can say with complete and utter confidence that your countries don't exist in my world.

[quickpersuader]

[Thinking about this for a few seconds before nodding.]

That makes sense.

[survivaltricks]

[just. nods along with her]

Yyyyep. It seems about par for the multiverse course.

[they're both too chill about this]

[quickpersuader]

[I mean. What else are you gonna do when you're already stuck for the ride.]

One world is already so diverse. It's not surprising that different worlds wouldn't share the exact same countries, either.

[survivaltricks]

[KINO GETS HIM]

Yeah. I'm glad you seem to be absorbing all of this really well, too. You're not panicked at all.

[quickpersuader]

This is probably one of the stranger things I've encountered, but... I've seen a lot.

[Going with the flow is usually the best way to deal in general.]

[survivaltricks]

Hn? Have you?

[with idle but genuine curiosity]

You'll have to tell me about it sometime.

[quickpersuader]

Sure. I don't mind. People often ask me to tell them stories of my travels.

[So even that's pretty normal.]

[survivaltricks]

That's because travelers generally have extremely good ones.

-- I'm Akira, by the way.

[quickpersuader]

It's true. Traveling stories is what made me want to travel, too.

It's nice to meet you, Akira. I'm afraid I don't have a name to give you in return.

[survivaltricks]

Ah?

[gives her a quizzical look]

Is your name what you lost when you got here?

[quickpersuader]

[Just a silent nod. It's not been great.]

[survivaltricks]

[yeeeeeah that sounds like it sucks]

[Akira pauses for a moment, expression thoughtful]

What if you took on a temporary name, just until you remember your real one?