[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

[decryptic]

[ How was Akira able to pull off that cheesy fingergun... Somehow, this is more what 9S expected out of Akira back in sportsland. ]

Do you think the people of that world still remember us? Did anything we did there really... matter?

[survivaltricks]

[it's easier to be like this when he isn't scrambling to keep up with a life he knew nothing about!1]

Hm. . . well, did you see what happened to the airport? It's called the Isle of Unity now.

[his mouth twitches]

I'd say whatever we did had a profound effect on that world. For better or worse.

But I like to think it's for the better.

[decryptic]

Yeah... I guess so.

[ Truth be told, he isn't entirely convinced that world was even real. It felt more like a playground built around them, magicked into being. What's more likely: that some thirty people collectively entered a simulated reality, or that an entire world was edited to allow for the entrance of thirty otherworldly visitors? Thirty perceptions versus the memories of millions, if not billions. 9S has his doubts, but without proof, he'll keep them to himself. ]

I guess that means we'll have to do our best to leave a good mark on the next world, too. What do you think it'll be?

[survivaltricks]

[they're fair doubts, honestly. Akira isn't philosophical enough to question things that much. he's always been the type to just. . . go with the flow]

Beats me.

[he can't even begin to take a guess, there are too many potential options]

But personally, I'm hoping for a place with unicorns.

[wh]

[decryptic]

Unicorns?

[ wh indeed

9S knows what unicorns are thanks to Sportsland, but... ]

What's so great about unicorns? Aren't they just horses with horns on them? You'd get a better deal out of a moose.

[survivaltricks]

[gentle gasp]

Unicorns aren't just horses with horns on them.

They're magical horses with horns on them.

[said like there's a DIFFERENCE]

[decryptic]

[ Good thing none of this came up on the Isle of Champions, or I really would've thought he came from another dimension. ]

Oookay, then. What kind of magic do they do?

[survivaltricks]

[halfway to himself, halfway aloud]

Bless magic. Sometimes healing magic, too.

[THIS IS. . . AN INSIDE JOKE]

[decryptic]

Really? That does sound impressive.

[ 9S's head turns ever so slightly. He gives Akira a tiny bit of (unseen) side-eye. ]

Don't tell me you've seen one in person.

[survivaltricks]

[somewhat wistfully and half to himself, though Nines can still hear him]

It's a long, long story. . .

[decryptic]

[ Hm. A note of genuine interest lifts his tone. ]

Well, I'd be happy to hear it.