[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

[sworders]

[ a. what are you, nanako? ]

[ He may seem a little out of place in a bar setting, and even... more out of place given that instead of nursing any alcohol, he's instead content with a mug of what looks and smells like coffee. As he lifts the mug to his lips, he'll glance at you rather calmly over the rim. ]

So are you a sugar and spice and everything else type or do you kind of lean towards the darkside?

[ He's asking about coffee preferences. ]


[ b. every day's great at your notsco ]

[ Look. He's just. Seeing how many golf clubs he can fit in his arms. The current answer appears to be "eleven" and not the whole forty that he's supposed to be taking with him, because whenever he tries to fit another one in, he's dropping one more. He's murmuring something about needing to have grabbed a cart, but if you pause to stare too long at him, he merely tilts his head. ]

It's important to have a weapon, just in case.

[ Yes, he is still holding golf clubs. ]

i

[crudest]

[baren has a drink - but it seems like it's just a traditional sake cup, which keeps well with traditional appearances but doesn't quite fit with his words, which are considerably less refined]

Well-roasted darkness, splash of cream, and a few generous shots of hot sauce?

[sworders]

... Hot sauce? Does that bring out the flavor?

[ Look, he's not going to judge, he's eaten grass before. ]

[crudest]

Yeah, it makes the caffeine work faster. Wakes you right up!

[he

has never made this drink for himself, but for pranks only]

b

[quickpersuader]

[This kid... maybe a young boy? Is definitely staring. Most of their clothes are pretty well-fitted, save for the brown adult men's coat that's absolutely swamping them.]

...I suppose it would do in a pinch. And you don't have to worry about ammunition, either.

Are you concerned about a possible attack?

[sworders]

[ After Naoto, he assumes Nothing. ]

Concerned...? Well, you could say that. I just want to be prepared.

b

[deadened]

[Wow. That's a lot of... whatever those are? Metal sticks of some kind? They look a little thin to make a proper weapon, he thinks, but then he hasn't seen any real ones around here either.]

I-I haven't seen anything that seems like a threat, so far...

[And he probably doesn't look like much of one himself, honestly. He's wearing a flamingo sweater with light-up shrimps on it and a baggy pair of pants, though the forearms of the sweater are a little suspiciously bulky. That's fine. Please don't mind the very faint jangling noise.]

Do you need help with them?

[sworders]

If you don't mind, I'd gladly take the help.

And maybe where you got that sweater from. [ Souji, no. ]

b

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano nods solemnly, because there sure are a lot of dangerous in this place warranting golf clubs! The most pressing one is standing right in front of Souji, offering him a bland smile. ]

Yep, that's right! Is a bundle of golf clubs really the way to go, though? You're gonna, like, want a rope or something to keep 'em all together, probably!

[sworders]

One should be fine. Though you have a point that having a bundle of them would hit a lot harder.

[ He's frowning so solemnly. ]

b

[supersoldier]

[He watches, silent and stoic, as Souji picks up a golf club, only to drop one, just to pick one up again. And drop it once more. A bothersome cycle to watch, even for Sephiroth.

Being spoken to first, he finds himself compelled to comment in return.]

...It isn't much of a weapon if you can't manage to hold onto it.

[Does he need that many? Unless he's thinking of doling them out, it's impractical.]

[sworders]

I really only need one, but...

[ The laws of this land, etc. ]

They could help anyone else, so I don't mind lugging them all for now.

a!

[givethemhell]

Spice! If there's a choice between any of that, it would be spice.

[He's absolutely thinking of the wrong kind of spice, but he would also absolutely be the kind of person who enjoyed cayenne hot chocolate...

Gesturing toward his cup, though! He's familiar with coffee now, even if it's not his favorite.]

What about you?

[sworders]

I like a little cream in it in the morning, but otherwise, black is just fine. Are you thinking spice like peppers?

[ Sure, he's for it. ]

a

[unfriendliest]

[ what the fuck does that mean. he stares at souji with a frown, but that isn't giving him any answers, so he just shrugs. ]

Does it matter?

[ kara doesn't know what he's talking about but why does this guy need to know this about an absolute stranger anyway ]

[sworders]

It says a lot about a person and their fighting style.

[ Very mildly. ]

a.

[survivaltricks]

[GUESS WHO ELSE IS HERE WITH A MUG OF COFFEE!!! if you guessed Akira then you are absolutely correct]

I like to live on the edge, so I always go darkside.

[. . .]

[casual sip of his blackened brew]

It makes me feel villainous.

[sworders]

I think if you have to drink coffee feel villainous, then you're probably not very villainous in the end.

[ Siiiiip. ]

a

[descried]

[without missing a beat, as he gets his own cup:]

Triple shot mocha latte.

[it's like he drinks a hell lot of coffee or something]

[sworders]

Ah. A seasoned connoisseur.

[ As he... lifts his mug in a toast?? ]

a.

[messianic]

[Souji may be asking after coffee preferences, but Minato just walked into this space.

He blinks blankly.

And then taps a finger to his chin.]

I think... I probably couldn't do too well with someone too dark, but I do like a little bit of spice and passion, too...

[...useless Minato.]

[sworders]

... All right, so you're into intrigue.

[ He's just going to roll with it. ]

a

[rateup]

[ can't really blame the kid for being in a place like this when they're only limited to the bigger-than-life store, the various trains passing by, and the space with the not-so-welcoming exposition slab. so here itaru is, swirling iced coffee in a glass because he is a responsible adult who doesn't drink in front of high schoolers, okay. ]

Hmm. Definitely the sweeter side, but I don't mind the dark side myself. Anything to keep myself up at night, really.

[sworders]

[ Wow, what a nice responsible adult he's (finally) managed to run into! ]

At night? Does your work involve being up that late?

b

[stressweets]

[ ...You don't need to justify yourself, Souji. It's okay. We all have our special interests. ]

I... suppose that's true. Um - do you want some help? I can take a few for you.