[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

[goldenrepair]

[ray, you're valid]

Guns? [It's almost like he should be a sword himself. He doesn't even know what the flying fuck a gun is. Unfortunately, not knowing what half the stuff here means, including guns, just makes him feel... inadequate. His jaw tightens.] Explain.

[unfriendliest]

[ you know, normally, he wouldn’t bother? unfortunately over the past 73 years or so, kara’s learned more about this terrible thing that humans call a heart, and part of it means not wanting to see some fool running straight to his death. granted that’s mostly because jiang cheng seems to respect his sword, aside from the flying or whatever, but surely that counts…? ]

It’s a newer kind of weapon - long range, faster than arrows, and harder to deflect or dodge. Hit at the right angle, it can break a sword, but it’s more likely that it will injure or kill you instead.

[ kara raises an eyebrow. ]

Swords can’t do much against them.

[ acknowledging his own weakness sucks, but like. at least he knows about it. ]

[goldenrepair]

[Faster than arrows?! TCH. A bit of a swell comes to his chest. He has so very little left, at least let him keep his meager pride. Don't think he won't just take a bullet! Fire a gun at him!]

There's more to me than only a sword. [Here goes master material, "attempting the impossible."] Even if that's true, I could hold my own.

[But he does, like... look around again like he's wondering if this "gun" will go off like before.]

[unfriendliest]

[ jiang cheng you fucking idiot. ]

Not against a gun. [ he looks jc up and down for a moment. ] Especially not without armor.

[ but eh. who is he to tell this guy what to do. he turns as if to leave. ]

If you want to get yourself killed, that’s your problem. I won't stop you.

[ though if he feels a small, teensy tiny little fragment of sympathy for the guy’s sword, kara will never admit it. ]

[goldenrepair]

[He follows Kara's gaze to himself, brows pinching. What the fck. He's being appraised!! Quickly, he looks back up, offended.]

Underestimating me would be your first and last mistake. I'm not afraid of... guns. My cultivation is sufficient en--

[DON'T JUST LEAVE. Wow, is this how everyone feels with him?]

Who are you?

[unfriendliest]

Ookurikara.

[ he'll give you that much but he's not stopping. ]

[goldenrepair]

[There's a pause. Kara isn't stopping, but he thinks if he doesn't be--not polite--formal, he will just shame the Jiang name. Even if he wants to yell.]

Jiang Wanyin. [He can't stand it. He starts marching after Kara.] Stop! Have you been here for longer than... recently? Like some of the others? Is that how you know what a gun is?

[unfriendliest]

[ he's

still not stopping. unlike some people, kara has no problem coming off as super rude. ]

No. They were starting to be used more often when I... [ when he first came into masamune's possession, but he can't just say that, so... ] ...when I served my old master.

[ let jc believe he was a soldier or whatever. it's not like it isn't technically true, given the mission he just came from. ]

[goldenrepair]

[Listen, sometimes you're trying to be a good boy and your temper gets the best of you. A lot. But Jiang Cheng is as stubborn as he is prideful, and he doesn't stop following after Kara.]

You're a servant? [WEH WUSHYAN and all that.] Is your master here, too? I haven't seen any of the Jiang disciples here.

[unfriendliest]

No.

[ which question is he answering? you decide. ]

[goldenrepair]

[There is something soul ascending about being treated the way you sometimes treat others, but anyway. He’s trying his damnedest to be sect leader material here, and all he can think about is he wishes he had Zidian.]

Stop and speak to me like an equal! What was the last thing you remember before waking here?

[unfriendliest]

[ this is the most equal treatment he will ever get from kara lmao ]

I don't intend on getting friendly with you.

[goldenrepair]

I don't want or need friends.

[HA. Common ground. Friends just hurt you anyway.]

I want answers. Are we dead? What were you doing?

[unfriendliest]

I'm not dead.

[ though he can't speak for you, buddy. ]

I was going home from a mission. That's all.

[goldenrepair]

[This tells him almost nothing, and the sigh he lets out is more of a growl.]

It was over, and you were fine? Did anything strange happen?

[unfriendliest]

[ what is he, a mind reader? what do you want from him! ]

The only strange thing that happened is that I'm here instead of home. But I don't plan on staying here.

[goldenrepair]

Neither do I! It's imperative I return. I don't trust whatever is written on that pillar. [Time to suffer some memories before going back home.] I'm going back, or I'll die trying.

A leader doesn't abandon his sect, and I'm not abandoning my family.

[unfriendliest]

[ then don’t chase gunshots.

kara wasn’t going to say that because it’s a circular conversation that neither of them needs or wants, but this fun little telepathy thing did it for him. so that’s cool. ]

I haven’t found a way back yet, so you can stop following me.

[goldenrepair]

[Very quickly and suddenly, he pulls up short. Heavy insult settles across his brows and his eyes.]

Fine.

[Surprisingly, he doesn't Hogwarts fly away on his sword, but instead turns around and stalks in the opposite direction.]