[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

[doublesmall]

I have no idea, all right? I don't even know how I met you, just that I did, but you-- looked a little different, I think.

[There's a longer pause, there, before he exhales a sigh.]

This is going to sound fucking crazy, but I might have known a different version of you. The place I came from-- it was modern, but a lot of us remembered other lives we'd lived. Other worlds we lived in. So there's... a pretty good chance I met that life's version of you.

[It sounds wild, he knows, but he also sounds entirely serious as he explains all of that.]

That doesn't explain the earrings, but- fuck, I don't know, maybe it's some weird coincidence and they weren't even your brother's.

[osuni]

[It sounds SO WILD and he sounds SO SERIOUS while saying it -- either he really does believe everything he's saying or he's the best bser of all of Oumi and he's gunning for Okuni and Baren's jobs. Either way, one thing's for sure --]

It's absolutely not a weird coincidence! Those are his earrings! [Okuni marching on over to cross the last bit of space between her and Chuuya just so she can poke her fan right at one of his earlobes.] Recolle and other worlds and different versions aside --

[she pauses there because it's hard to wrap her mind around all that even now, but look she can move on maybe a little -- zero in on something else that won't require her to think about the possibility of there being a place where someone who's like Baren and isn't exists.]

Maybe the reason you can't remember is because of this stupid place and what it said. About our souls being broken.

[doublesmall]

...maybe?

[He draws back a little as she pokes his ear-- let him live!!-- but otherwise stays where he is, trying to consider that.]

It still doesn't make sense, though. I don't think we're from the same place, so how could I forget that much? They had to belong to somebody else.

[Later he's going to look back on how stupid he's being and kick his past self, but! He's doing his best.]

[osuni]

[Okuni immediately thinks about fisticuffs once again, just because she's mad that Chuuya is as stubborn as she is. Instead she tosses her head with a HMPH,]

Yes, well, when it turns out I'm right, you're definitely going to have to owe me something.

[no one said that but okay]

[doublesmall]

'When', huh? You're pretty confident in that.

[but he shakes his head, reaching up to adjust his stupid hat.]

I don't see it happening, so- sure, whatever. If you're right, I'll owe you one.

[he will REGRET THIS.]

[osuni]

That's a promise then!

[can't wait for the day when chuuya regrets this]

You can't let your master back out, Marshie, all right? Bite him really hard for me if he does!

[have a few more belly rubs marshmallow]