[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

[descried]

... Young master?

[what the heckie

hearing what seems to be this guy's thoughts also catches him off-guard—okay, I'm not the one with the telepathy kansei comes to mind. also, as he's reminded of the chains: I don't want to know what those are about, do I?]

I'm, uh... [there is a suspicious pause here] ... Kangai.

[deadened]

[he probably doesn't! wen ning looks a little uncomfortable at that thought, but he's just... pretending he didn't hear it... it's fine don't worry about it. he just nods in return, though he also looks slightly confused at the name.]

Kangai, then. Is- is it really all right to just call you by that...?

[does he only have the one name, wen ning isn't used to this!!]

[descried]

[it's fine wen ning it's a fake name anyway]

Why wouldn't it be?

[deadened]

I don't usually meet anyone with... with just the one. It must be more common elsewhere.

[everything is weird here, he can go with this.]

[descried]

You're Chinese, right? Then yeah, it's a cultural thing. We usually just call people by their first name where I'm from.

[deadened]

I see...

[on the plus side, he totally will not identify it as being a fake name either, so! wen ning just nods.]

It's strange to think we could be brought here from different places, b-but-- thank you. For letting me come with you.

[descried]

It's not really something you need to thank me for. We're helping each other out, right?

[deadened]

-right!

[he brightens there, smiling at the thought.

... and then realizes something, as he glances around the aisle they're in.]

Do you know which way leads out?

[descried]

[he pauses. awkwardly.]

Weeeee... might be stuck in here for a while.

[why is fantasy costco so huge]

[deadened]

[why is it this big!!

when peering around the corner doesn't give him any clues, wen ning just... picks a direction, gesturing that way.]

As long as we remember what we've already seen, I... think we'll have to find it eventually?

[descried]

Getting permanently lost in a grocery store would be pretty sad... All right, let's go.

[deadened]

W-we won't.

[he at least has faith in his own ability to remember where they have or haven't been, it'll be fine, maybe.

off into the notsco they go! wen ning isn't the fastest, mostly because he keeps catching sight of things that are totally unfamiliar to him-- kangai might have to remind him they're doing something here, he's looking at a shelf of condiments.]

[descried]

[...]

You a ketchup fan?

[deadened]

I'm not sure. I don't know what it is.

[please put a stop to this, kangai...]

[descried]

... Well, you've had tomatoes, right? It's made of those. Tastes... a little like sweet and sour sauce, I guess? Kinda?

[deadened]

[me, googling and learning ancient china didn't have tomatoes & therefore fantasy china probably didn't either:]

N-no, I haven't.

[so he's fortunately going to leave the ketchup alone, he has no idea if it's any good or not. they can move on.]

They store everything so strangely, too.

[what's a plastic]

[descried]

[wow get on that wwx]

Really? Seems normal to me.

[deadened]

I think-- my home must be further from this place than yours is.

[kangai is definitely more knowledgeable about these things...]

[descried]

I think plastic is pretty widespread, though?

[deadened]

We don't have containers like this... I didn't know they could make any that you could see through.

[i had to research glass for this tag why have i done this to myself.]

I-it seems useful, though.

[descried]

I guess. Never really thought about plastic containers that way.