[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

[amberspirit]

i.

[Praise be to everything, he is once again in his silly little robes and shorts. He's going into Fantasy Nostco with a rather serious expression. The only thing different about him is... there's a particular dark tattoo twisting out of his collar and coiling up the side of his neck. Even with the hime hair, it's not hard to spot it.

When he passes by, there's a,]

...different worlds . . . How are . . . strange.

ii.

The things that have been missing--did you get them back yet?

[That's it. That's the whole conversation starter. He just stops whoever is wandering around with him to be nosy.]

i

[merrygopound]

Haku! Hey!!

[ Incoming ponytail. ]

[amberspirit]

[GOD. He pauses for half a second before--well, it looks like he's trying to gather a bit of composure. Not extravagantly, just in the face. He sure does remember being princess carried.]

Mizuki.

[merrygopound]

Are you normal again? You look like you're trying to be normal again.

[ She's so loving. ]

ii

[doublesmall]

[He wasn't going to stay out in the snow forever, so! Here's Chuuya, and here's his dumb giant dog with him also, who he gestures to in response to the question.]

One of them. Seems like he's okay, however he got here.

[and because dana has enabled this-- as the dog wags its tail and watches Haku, there are a couple fleeting impressions from it, mostly restrained eagerness. He wants to investigate this new person, but now that he's a little calmer he's behaving, staying at Chuuya's side.]

What about you-- any luck?

[amberspirit]

[Oh. A good doggo. At first, Haku doesn't do anything but give it kind of a side-eye while he continues to face Chuuya.]

No. As far as I know, I haven't received anything...

[Again, he glances at the dog. Hm. Maybe the only dog he can really relate to is, like... a komainu and those are also lions, but regardless... he finally bends down to rest his arms on his thighs. He holds up a hand. Sniff?]

Is this what you got? I didn't see one before.

[doublesmall]

Huh. I guess it's not the same for everybody...?

[He hums thoughtfully at that, idly petting the dog's head, and when Haku offers his hand Chuuya gives the dog a little nudge.]

But yeah, he's what I got. I didn't have him with me when I first showed up-- I wasn't sure he would be able to get here somehow.

[Here he is, though! And he's very excitedly snuffling at Haku's hand, shoving his head into it to demand pets.]

i....

[givethemhell]

[It's Haku's favorite big brother ever!! COMING OVER TO-- not be immediately obnoxious for once?? Not as obnoxious as he can be when he's trying, at least...

He skirts behind him as he goes about his whatever-he's-doing-in-Notsco, reaching out to tap at his shoulder. He doesn't say anything about the tattoo initially, or the drifting strain of thought he's picking up on. Instead, first and foremost:]

Back to normal and all in once piece, are you? Nothing missing, out of place?

[amberspirit]

[Bits and pieces of idle, almost diligent thought waver through until Wei Wuxian taps his shoulder. He doesn't startle when he turns around, but the thoughts cease abruptly before,]

Him,

[and that's the only other scrap Wei Wuxian gets for now.] I'm fine. [And whole, looks like. Back to his silly mini Gusu adjacent robes. Though he does seem to be looking Wei Wuxian over with his eyes, like an inspection.]

[givethemhell]

[JUST "HIM". It wouldn't be the first time someone has thought him!!! in response to seeing his big dumb face but it sure is the first time he's ever heard it for himself. The only indication he has is his smile growing just a little wider, though.

His inspecting look will turn up NOTHING because Wei Wuxian is also back in his ye olde robes, which cover up a good 97% of him. He does hold his hands out helpfully, though. Teasingly:]

No plates or rollerblades this time, don't you fret.

ii

[bakaomi]

No.

[ that's it. that's his answer. ]

[amberspirit]

[Taka why.]

So some of us had things returned and some didn't.

[bakaomi]

Did you get something then?

[ :/ ]

ii

[genrouzan]

[ hey there. ]

Nope. Not much of a clue what I'm forgetting either.

[ He doesn't seem wholly bothered by it though. ] It'd be nice if they made it obvious, but that'd be too easy I guess.

[amberspirit]

[You're not help, Yuri.]

It's probably something important to you. [Hm.] Is it something we did in the other world?

[genrouzan]

[ don't be a rude dude. ]

That's the implication. But knowing that doesn't help us remember any quicker. It could be a full on memory, or maybe it's a person or a place? Either one's kinda unnerving to think about.

ii.

[messianic]

[What up, Haku.]

Not yet...

[Minato just shrugs a little, head tilting.]

Has anyone else, do you know?

[amberspirit]

[What up. But also dangit.]

Have you seen a dog?

[messianic]

[what]

Er... no, I haven't.

[He has no idea why they're looking for one, but--]

What kind of dog...?

ii.

[survivaltricks]

[this time Haku meets Akira while he's pushing around a cart full of coffee supplies. WHAT'S UP]

No. Not yet.

Though I felt like I was pretty close. . .

[and here, he trails off]

[amberspirit]

[This uno coffee boy. Haku peers at the cart without looking exceedingly nosy, only curious. He's more of a tea guy, but only because... ye olde spirit bathhouse.]

You felt close...? How?

ii.

[souheki]

No.

[That's fine with Lan Wangji. Please spare him from small talk, he's already having to concentrate extremely hard on not thinking his Big Gay Thoughts loudly enough for everyone to hear. He also has a fucking cloud tattoo right in the middle of his forehead?? THIS IS A BAD DAY.]

However, I was mistaken about something.

[amberspirit]

[Ah... The... cloud tattoo. Haku gets it because of the one he has been given so brazenly across the neck, but still... Forehead... Cloud... Luckily, he's a good boy, so he says nothing about it.

Very briefly, for a second, he closes his eyes. Please don't bully him with Big Gay Thoughts like other juniors have been bullied.]

Mistaken? About what's missing?

i.

[suddenlybees]

[ Kano spits on his hand and rubs it on the side of Haku's neck. ]

Hold still; you got a spot of dirt—-

[amberspirit]

[As soon as Kano spits in his hand and says "hold still," Haku realizes this isn't going to go politely. He takes half a step back and raises his own hand.

He gives Kano a taste of what Wei Wuxian had, a nice little bubble around the head that suspends time momentarily. It doesn't last very long before it pops, and Kano is free to be plunked on the ground in place.

And Haku hasn't run away either! Wrow.]

You're still causing trouble.