fracturarpg | [mingle] the space (january).

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[mingle] the space (january).

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.

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I've also just arrived. The more I learn, the more questions I have. [ Royce sighs, rubbing at his face. ]

Right. What gets rid of the chains? [ He's not going to admit it, but the chains bother him. ] The Art? A specific sword? Knife with a name on it?

Not... one specific sword. We would have to find a cultivator with one. But if-- if there aren't any here...

[His face falls a little, at the thought of being the only one from home. It can't be just me, though, at least young master Wei should...

He should be somewhere, he hopes.]

There will be something. You can't walk around with chains on your wrists. [ He says, briskly. Royce pulls himself to his feet. ] Stand up. You'd know what a cultivator looks like better than I would, I imagine.

I-it's not that bad, really, I've... had them for a while. But I should be able to tell, yes.

[Sometimes you just live like this and it's fine!

He stands when he's told to, though, cautiously shuffling to his feet while he tries not to let the chains get in the way, looking... down at Royce. Oh. He's small? He didn't look like he would be.]

Having them for a while doesn't change the fact that you can't walk around with them on.

[ Royce, unfortunately, is used to everybody being so much taller than him. His expression just sort of sours for a moment under his hood. He thought Wen Ning would be smaller. Huff. ]

Are you missing anything? [ Royce asks, adjusting his cloak. ] And can you protect yourself?

I can walk well enough...

[He thinks, probably. They're more of a hindrance than they used to be...

The questions make him hesitate, though.]

Sh-should I be missing anything...? I didn't have much on me- [Though the idea that he might be prompts him to quickly check that something is still tucked away inside his clothes, after which he exhales a relieved breath. Also I forgot but now that he's standing, it's clear that there's a hole in the front of his shirt, scarring visible beneath it.] Mm. No, nothing's missing. I... don't think I can defend myself very well like this, though.

[ Royce zeroes in on that hole plus scarring combination. Interesting. A detail he'll keep in mind. This kid's been through some shit. ]

I was missing something important when I woke up. [ Royce says, vaguely annoyed. ] Not sure if it was just me.

In any case. I'm not exactly in the business of protecting people who aren't paying me. I hope you know how to run. [ Royce. ]

[please do call him a kid so he can tell royce his actual age because that'll be as fun as learning he's actually tall, tbh.]

I-I do! I won't... I won't cause you any trouble, um-

[Oh no, he doesn't know his name. Wen Ning stops short there, so that he can give Royce a proper little bow.]

--my apologies. I never introduced myself, did I... Wen Ning, courtesy name Quionglin. Though n-nobody really uses it.

[ royce is in for a wild ride

And that wild ride starts here, because he isn't expecting the bow. He almost takes a step back, hand going to Alverstone at his belt, which. Isn't there. Sigh. It's fine though, since Wen Ning is just introducing himself. ]

Wen Ning. [ Royce repeats. It probably sounds terrible with his vaguely posh British accent. This would be the part where Royce should introduce himself, but uh. ] Never heard of a courtesy name.

[thanks for not using the courtesy name because I TYPOED IT pretend that said qionglin.]

They must not be used where you're from. I-it's all right, though, I'm more used to my birth name.

[ tbh I would have never noticed it oops anyway ]

Do you prefer your birth name? [ He actually sounds kind of curious, now. He's also going to start leading the way out of the store. Slowly, so Wen Ning can keep up. ]

It's... it's difficult to say. I don't mind either one. Normally others wouldn't use it unless they were close, or being too familiar, b-but it's... the name others usually know me by.

[It's the name his unfortunate reputation is attached to, so maybe he should like it less, but... hm.

He seems to keep up well enough, at least; he's slowed down a bit, but he doesn't seem too encumbered to move.]

Hm.

[ Royce is quiet for a moment, mulling that over. Names are weird. He's had a whole journey with his own. Maybe he should see where it gets him, if anywhere. ]

Duster. [ Royce says, after a moment, glancing over his shoulder. He's got his hood up still, but. ] Is my name.

[Pardon him for a second while he has a moment of crisis over exactly how he's supposed to refer to him.

Eventually, though, he decides to just ask.]

I'm... I'm not really sure how anyone is supposed to be addressed by your customs, sir.

[he only has one name!!]

[ Royce snorts without meaning to. The name doesn't mean anything to anybody here, which is something he'd sort of already guessed, considering half the people don't even know what Elan is. Still. Worth a shot. ]

It's just Duster. Just the one name. Just call me that. [ congrats wen ning you're the first person to get a name out of royce out of like all ten people he's spoken to ]

[he's used to people having like, three, this is so strange... but he'll try.]

-Right.

[He nods, as if affirming that to himself. Okay. Just the one. It's fine. It's not being rude.]

Th-thank you for your help, Duster.

[it still feels WEIRD but he can do this.]

[ Wow, someone saying thank you. That's new. Royce's eyebrows shoot up, surprised, but - maybe he shouldn't be. ]

Don't mention it. [ Royce says, after a pause. ] I don't like chains.

[ Which is - more than he means to say, and he clears his throat before continuing on. ]

I have a question or two for you.

Mm. I think most people wouldn't, but... many wouldn't do anything, either.

[He knows how people are, he's not naive to how the world works; he's just relieved he's met someone who will.

Wen Ning gives him another nod, though-]

I-I'll do my best to answer.

[ Normally Royce wouldn't bother helping strangers. Not for free, anyway. But chains are a sore spot for him, and so he's pretty much obligated to at least put in some effort.

His thoughts are all over the place, but he's remembering the sound of crying people in cages, and because sharing is caring, Wen Ning can probably hear it too. Thanks, Home Base. ]

What is the name of the world you come from? [ A beat. ] And do you have any enemies that are capable of this?

[That sure is something, and it throws him off at first-- both because he's not sure where the sound is coming from, and because it strikes a chord that he really can't place. It seems familiar, but he can't put a finger on it now that he's trying to--

Wen Ning raises a hand to his head, giving it a little shake to try and clear it, though his expression's a little distant.]

Huh-? Oh, I'm sorry-

[he doesn't entirely catch the first question because please I can't google whether it would have been earth in ancient fantasy china... but he does shake his head after a moment.]

Something like this... I don't think it would be possible at all, back home. There is a way to transport oneself to another location, but- not to a completely different place like this one.

[ Royce just assumes it's another world anyway, since he's run into all these people who have been telling him about places like North America. Why is there a north? Is there a south? Is there an east or west? So many questions. ]

I don't think it'd be possible where I'm from, either. I've never even seen... what are they called? Trains?

[ He gestures at the train in the distance. There it go. ]

There has been... a lot to take in.

I-I see...

[That's almost more of a whisper, he's busy watching that train in awe and a little bit of alarm-- but mostly the former.]

What a strange thing. There's... there's nothing to pull it.

[ He's already had his mini freak out about the train - now he's curious, if cautious. ]

It moves far faster than a horse can, too. I haven't been on it yet, if that's even possible. [ A beat. ] Wonder if it can actually run into people.

I wonder if it's faster than a sword...

[He doesn't explain that, like, at all, just continuing to watch the train as if what he said made perfect sense to him. Fortunately this is also before his experience getting yote by the train, or he'd have nothing to do with this.]

Mm, but it seems to stay on that-- that metal pathway. It seems easy to avoid running into it.

[ Royce watches the train as well, having paused to let it pass. He's not really even sure where he's going, since find a cultivator is a nebulous goal. Standing and watching a train zoom by seems just as productive. ]

What do you mean, faster than a sword? [ Because that was such a weird thing to say and Royce is determined to just be mystified by 95% of the population here. ]

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