[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

[givethemhell]

My cousin...? Ah! [This is literally the first time he's connecting the name "Kano" to the face. THANKS 9S, MYSTERY SOLVED. They never introduced themselves and he wasn't AU'd so he DIDN'T KNOW, THIS WHOLEASS TIME...]

Haha, right - I ended up with quite a few relatives back there! Never heard of a Burnish before, though. [Tragically the only real Burnish never REVEALED HIMSELF!!

As for that, he says with a simple grin:] Spirits, mostly!

[decryptic]

[ WWX PLEASE!! But to be fair, 9S only got Kano's real name thanks his robo-database... ]

Spirits? Huh. [ He has a lot of questions... It's only by virtue of their souls apparently being all broken that he isn't taking Wei Wuxian for a whack job. ] Do you just... grab 'em out of people somehow? And what do you do with them?

[givethemhell]

[SEE!! Sometimes you could use a robo database in your life but all you have is your own very poor memory and apparent inability to ask for names.

Also, he bursts into laughter at that, rapidly waving both hands.]

No, no! Nothing like that, haha. It's more like - hm. "Exorcist" is the term I heard, I believe? We deal with ghosts, monsters, things of that nature.

[decryptic]

[ 9S looks at Wei Wuxian with wide eyes when the man erupts into laughter. Though the upper half of his face is obscured, the twitch of his body and slightly parted lips betray his surprise. Wei Wuxian sure is... vibrant. ]

Oh, I see. Have you met Miss Shinobu? You guys might have a lot to talk about. She's a demon exterminator.

[givethemhell]

[Vibrant sure is one way to put it... He's got an amused sparkle in his little demon eye.]

I have, yes! She's quite wonderful, isn't she? Almost killed me with a snowball once!

[DON'T SOUND SO HAPPY ABOUT IT.]

Our work is a little different- [Mostly because he is a demonic cultivator, it happens.] -but shares a few similarities, probably. Part of our job is to get rid of unruly beasts that wreak havoc.

[decryptic]

[ He can see her killing someone with a snowball. He can definitely see it... ]

I didn't know humans had so much trouble with monsters and demons. Do you have a special sword like hers too?

[givethemhell]

[He is very fond of both Shinobu and the fact that she could absolutely put him in the dirt with nothing but a snowball, honestly.]

Haha, well, you know. We're always getting into some kind of trouble! [WAVING A HAND it's fine, they collectively do their best. As for a sword, he offers a little quirking smile and waves a hand dismissively.]

Had one once, but I haven't used it in some time.

[decryptic]

How are you getting rid of your unruly beasts without a sword?

[ 9S could probably ask questions all day... The human v. demon/ghost/monster struggle isn't very well-documented and he's a hungry hungry hippo for new information... ]

[givethemhell]

[HE'S ALWAYS HERE TO DISPENSE USELESS INFORMATION especially if it can maybe help temporarily distract this poor guy from his (possibly futile, Wei Wuxian thinks) search.]

For me? Talismans, things like that! Cultivation tools don't just include traditional weapons, though a lot of cultivators use swords or the bow and arrow.

[decryptic]

Talismans, huh?

[ If it weren't for sportsworld, he would have no idea what a talisman is supposed to be. And even then, he only knows it as a vague hocus pocus superstition kind of thing... ]

I don't suppose you'd be willing to demonstrate?

[givethemhell]

Haha, of course! If it's something you'd like to see, I don't mind at all.

[But it's not a talisman 9S gets OH NO!! Talismans are good for sparkly, fancy, show-offy type things. He wants to give 9S something fun.

Excuse him as he rummages around in his robe for a slip of paper, which he promptly begins folding into the shape of... a little man.]

Hold your hands out, if you'd please!

[decryptic]

[ Oh. 9S watches with rapt attention as Wei Wuxian folds the slip of paper. While he has a vague awareness that paper-folding is some kind of art, it's interesting to see it done in person, and so fast. An android would never think to fold paper into silly little shapes, but that's part of why humans are so oddly charming. ]

Hm? Alright...

[ He holds his gloved hands out, pinkies together. ]

[givethemhell]

[After he's done folding, he gently deposits the final product into 9S's cupped palms. As he withdraws his own hands, there's a little spark of what looks almost like red static electricity between his fingertips and the paper. A few seconds later, it shakes its little body like someone shaking off a daze and then starts climbing to its wee paper feet. It waves up at 9S!]

There! How's that? [The first bit to 9S, and then, to the paperman:] Be kind to your new friend.

[The paperman trots over and fondly pats 9S's nearest thumb...]

[decryptic]

[ ?????????

9S tenses with surprise and confusion, his mouth dropping open, but he carefully keeps his hands stable so as not to disturb the little paperman as it gains its bearings. 9S is no stranger to things like remote puppetry, but only where there are electronics involved -- clear modes of technological transmission that are measurable and traceable. This, though... It's just paper, isn't it? There was that bit of red shock... 9S is hesitant to use the word, but perhaps that was true magic. ]

That's... amazing.

[ His voice is full of sincere awe. He keeps the hand the paperman is on steady and moves his other hand to give the thing a gentle poke. ]

Are you controlling it? Or is it... alive?

[givethemhell]

[It responds to the poke by wrapping its little paper arms around 9S's finger, and then attempting to swing around and pull itself up. Apparently it's a fan of climbing! If he leaves it be, it'll start shimmying up his arm, giving off the impression that it's having a grand time even without an expression.]

Mm, not quite either! I can pass on directives - things like "grab that book" or "lead the way", and they'll move on their own from there. They're just extensions of the energy I control, though. If it's not dispersed, it'll fade on its own in a few hours, usually.

[Leaving just a sad little paperman husk behind... Tragic.

Being an extension of his own chaotic energy means they too are chaotic though, which explains why it seems to enjoy scrambling and hopping around.]

[decryptic]

Oh...

[ That is a little sad. It's such a carefree little guy. 9S will keep the husk whenever the paperman does stop moving... A gift from a human isn't something he can just throw away. It can stay safe in his backpack.

For now, 9S lets it inch up his arm and go wherever it wants to go. Live fast, die young, buddy. ]

I have to say I'm impressed. I used to be able to do a similar kind of thing, but only with electronics. Your method seems more flexible.

[givethemhell]

[THAT'S TOO CUTE... 9S IS TOO CUTE!! His new paperman friend is having a great time swinging around on any button or belt or stray piece of cloth it can get its little demon hands on, and will eventually make its way up to 9S's shoulder. After patting his cheek, it hops and flutters on up to perch merrily atop his head.]

That sounds useful! Is that something that all, ah-- androids, was it? Something all androids can do?

[He makes a vague hand-flappy gesture, as if indicating The Entirety Of This Space.]

We don't even have electronics to use normally, where I come from.

[decryptic]

[ What a cheeky paperman... 9S huffs softly when it pats him on the cheek, but doesn't stop it from sitting atop its new throne on his head. ]

No, it's a pretty rare ability, actually. I was built specifically for it. Hacking into enemy Machines lets me extract all kinds of information from them. Or... it did, but I haven't been able to hack into anything since I got here.

[ He motions toward a nearby airplane because I guess they're on the tarmac now?? ]

Take that plane, for example. I would've been able to seize control of it from here.

[givethemhell]

[It surveys its kingdom from Pride Rock, delighted and occasionally drumming its tiny paper hands on 9S's noggin.]

I see...! I think, anyway. [He's a quick study but the entire concept of technology and how information is stored in various pieces of it is still a LOT. He taps a finger against his chin, glancing toward the plane just chilling in the snowdrifts.]

Could you fly it from over here, then? What about things like - like lights or gameboys? [The two most important electric inventions...] Can you do that with any sort of technology?

[decryptic]

Heh. That's what you're interested in?

[ Though to be fair, lights and gameboys are both objectively good. ]

But you're right on the money. If there were lights or gaming consoles to be turned on, I was your android. Might still be, if you give me the right tools.

[ He carefully plucks the paperman off his head so he can look up at Wei Wuxian without fear of it falling off and into the snow. ]

How about it? Any technological problems you need fixing?

[givethemhell]

They were the first things to come to mind!

[So yes. Yes, they are. Those and microwaves, top of his list of Favorite Technological Devices From The Future.

This all sounds so interesting, though!! The paperman reflects his enthusiasm, gleefully kicking its little paper feet even as it's removed from its favored perch.]

Hah, I wish that there were! I'd love to see that ability of yours in action. I don't think I have anything like that on me, though.

[Give him a second as he starts to pat down his robes as if to check... The only shit he pulls out are like, sharpies and churros and tiny plastic kazoos, though.]

[decryptic]

[ What the heck... 9S watches him emptying out his crazy person pockets. ]

Are you sure you and Kano aren't related? Or do humans always keep weird junk in their pockets?

[ ... He eyes the sharpie, though. Points at it. ]

Could I borrow that, actually?

[givethemhell]

[At least he's not carrying open old relish packets!! Though he does seem amused by the notion of being related by virtue of weird pocket collections... He laughs, waving a hand.]

Most do, of course! Where else would we store all of our things? Our talismans, our sticks of cinnabar, our extra sour gummy candies!

[Hm. That's more of a Wei Wuxian problem, maybe. The sharpie, though - he hands it over without fuss, head canting to one side curiously.]

Here you go. What do you need it for?

[decryptic]

I'd recommend a sturdy backpack, myself.

[ But that's only because he doesn't have pockets so he might be a little biased...

He uncaps the sharpie with one hand and, having never actually used a pen in his life, holds it like a paintbrush as he raises it to the head of the paperman. ]

He seems like he could use a face. Hold still a second, little guy...

[ Or don't. 9S will attempt to bestow a visage on it either way, and there's no good ending in store here because he'll be shooting for the face of a certain friendo by the name of Emil. ]

[givethemhell]

[When are they both going to get the hammerspace pockets they so clearly deserve...

Anyway, Wei Wuxian watches curiously since no one's ever tried giving his papermen faces before?! The paperman seems to reflect his curiosity, largely sitting still. It pats its little paper hands excitedly against 9S every so often, though. It gets a FACE! How neat is that?]

—Goodness! [AND WOW WHAT A FACE IT IS. His brows shoot up...] Quite the artistic rendition of an expression, there!

[WHAT EMOTION IS THIS.]