[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

[deadened]

I don't think he would.

[...that's all he says for the moment, though. Possibly because he's still trying to keep up with Jiang Cheng, and it's been a while since he actually felt any physical exertion.

After a short period of silence from him, though:]

Is it... really necessary for me to come with you? I didn't think you would want me near you for this long...

[goldenrepair]

You believe just because you aren't the "Ghost General" in this place, I'd let you wander around? To do what, cause more trouble?

[At this, he does finally look back again, his dark eyes sharp.]

If you try to run, I'll break your legs and drag you.

[deadened]

[Ah. Well, that's to be expected. Jiang Cheng has to sleep eventually though, right...?

-oh, no. He'll also need to now, won't he.]

Then... wh-what are you going to do with me?

[goldenrepair]

Keep you supervised.

[So no one can see those GOD AWFUL clothes. WEH WUSHYAN!!!! Terrible. Horrendous. Very fitting, but completely stupid.]

Can you cultivate?

[deadened]

...no.

[It takes a moment to answer that, with a brief shake of his head.]

My core is-- it's still gone.

[goldenrepair]

[It's strange. On one hand, Jiang Cheng feels a kind of flare of superior, awful pride at hearing the news. Wen Ning doesn't have a core, even if the flesh is soft and supple and alive again. On the other hand, Jiang Cheng also understands the hopeless, defeated weight of a core being gone.

He's not sure if he should be smug or sympathetic, so he's, annoyingly, both.]

So you'll do nothing but get in the way.

[deadened]

[He knows Jiang Cheng understands what it's like, so that response stings more than he'd like; there's a slight flinch at it, because for all that he thinks being alive is enough, it's still a reminder that being alive is... all he has, right now. No core, no undead strength and resilience, no bow to use-- just this average body.

(But it's one that breathes. One with a beating heart. It's enough.)]

I'll... try not to.

[Wen Ning wants to say he can still make himself useful, but he's also aware enough that Jiang Cheng probably doesn't want to hear it, considering who Wen Ning generally likes to be useful for.]

[goldenrepair]

Trying doesn't mean you won't.

[Yeah. :unamused: Be useful for Wei Wuxian's absolutely chaos! GOD! This just makes Jiang Cheng trudge a bit harder and a little faster, as fast as he can in the snow. Who knows if he can keep this sort of marching pace up, but damn if he isn't stubborn enough to try it.]

At least be useful enough to assist us in getting away from here. Is that too much to ask?

[deadened]

I-I will.

[He'll do his best...! Even if it means returning to his usual body... the others don't deserve to be stuck here for his own sake, after all, and he still isn't sure he deserves to be alive. So. It's fine!

What's not fine: the fact that Wen Ning has had a VERY LONG DAY, and has completely forgotten that he needs to sleep now that he's living... trying to keep up with Jiang Cheng has already tired him out further, and he stumbles slightly as he trots along after him, the chains tripping him up a little. He frowns at it, because he shouldn't be this uncoordinated, and his limbs shouldn't feel heavy... is it the cold? Maybe it's just the cold.

He keeps telling himself it's the cold up until he passes the fuck out behind Jiang Cheng.]

[goldenrepair]

[Without realizing anything that has happened, Jiang Cheng keeps trudging through the snow still... up until he doesn't hear Wen Ning's tromps behind him. Angry, he twists around to start barking,

but finds Wen Ning face-first in the snow.

UGH. Whatever, he thinks. Wen Ning can freeze to death in the snow. So he turns to keep going through the snow. Fine, he'll find Wei Wuxian and say that the stupid NOT zombie is lying somewhere in the snow. But Jiang Cheng only gets maybe a yard or two away before he slows to a stop.

He does remember Wen Ning and Wen Qing helping them. Above all else, Wei Wuxian will always, unfortunately, annoyingly, frustratingly be his big brother.

Closing his eyes and huffing the thickest, steamiest breath, he goes back to get Wen Ning. The chains make the man extra heavy, so he has to... honestly, he has to struggle to get Wen Ning up on his back, but SHUT UP, no one is here to see or look, it doesn't matter.]