[Open Broadcast + Sensory Livestream & Memory Sharing]

[detectivewonder]

[Tim's voice starts talking against a blank, black viseal, and then he projects himself, picture-in-picture, as a talking head in the lower right corner of the "screen" as images start to play across it.]

Hi. I'm know I'm not always the most social Traveler, so let me take a minute to introduce myself. Tim Drake. Vigilante, barista, accredited forensic technician. I've got a decade-long background in criminology and investigative science, a lot of it based in computers and media.

I'm giving you the resume because I've been working on a project for a while now, with Mai. And she doesn't seem to be around right now. So, just in case I vanish too, I wanted to bring you up to speed, because it could be important. Watch this now, or don't, but at least it'll be archived on the network.

[The first image that pops up is a computer screen, glowing green against a dark backdrop - a cave of some kind? - with a series of stylized images on it.

A valentine heart, a kneeling statue with hands cupped in supplication, a pair of easter island heads, facing one another, mouths open; a conspicuous blank space, a theatrical mask with an almost comic expression of alarm, and finally, a rosebush sporting a damask rose over a spray of red berries and pale blossoms. Both types of flower called May Roses.

The images vanish, replaced one at a time with words framed in brackets.

[PSYCHE/LOVERS][WANT][TALK/CONVERSATION][YOU OKAY?][WORRIED][MAI]

Mai's voice speaks, replacing his for a moment.]

I really want to talk to you again. I want to know if you're okay. I've been worried.

[Tim's voice cuts back in, and he re-appears in the corner of the screen, which is now filled with a four-by-four grid of images, mobile Liminal Space 'videos' seen from a Robin's-eye view. Flying between dark spheres in white colored space; hanging like a gargoyle over a sinister highway full of angry, animate cars; flopped in a giant marshmallow like it was a beanbag; using gummi worms and licorice to catch gummi fish out of a ballpit moat... the playback continues on a loop.]

Mai and I believe that the Trumps communicate with us through Liminal Space, constantly, using symbolic communication and archetypal imagery. We were looking for a way to talk back. Her messages are... probably a little friendlier than mine. But as hostages, striking up a dialogue is the first step to negotiation, and that's the first step towards release. Or... the first step towards building a good, predictive profile of what the Trumps want from us. Either way.

I'm looking for people to review images with me, and try to puzzle out what their messages have been, as specifically as we can.

And I want for people with a good grip on Liminal Space, who can help me sculpt a few responses, just in case they're paying attention - our own little message in a bottle.

Anyone interested?

Comments

[mysunnydisposition]

Since when are you a barista?

[ Because yeah, that's the important part of this conversation. Shh, she's moving on. And trying not to think about the possibility of Tim vanishing. ]

You know I'll help if I can. Do you... think they've responded to any of your messages before? Do you think they're actually listening?

[detectivewonder]

Actually, I owned a coffee shop for a couple years. It sat on top of the headquarters bunker for a covert paramilitary organization, but we really did serve coffee.

That was in between Gotham and becoming a Traveler. When I was stuck in Limbo. Or New moore - same difference.

[mysunnydisposition]

...okay, yeah. That makes sense. I just keep forgetting you had this whole life between here and Gotham...

You didn't answer my question, though.

[detectivewonder]

I think so. Maybe only if you're marked, but the way they come into Jaunts to interact with us, the way they pick only a few, it all adds up to an open-ness to communication. If they can prefer some of us to others, and need to interact directly to get a feel for their preferences, there's room for dialogue.

[mysunnydisposition]

That's true. Maybe we should try to get some of the marked people in on this specifically? Try different Trumps, with people they're already attached to, see what happens?

...I wish I'd known more about them when I had that phone call. I might've thought of some more useful questions.

[detectivewonder]

What did you ask?

I'll look for Marked participants.

[mysunnydisposition]

Not much, before he hung up. Why they even need us, when they've got all this power. Might as well've asked a magic eight ball.

[detectivewonder]

My theory?

They need people to take on roles, blend in, act human. They can't infiltrate themselves. We almost always spot them when they try to blend in as human.

[mysunnydisposition]

That... actually meshes pretty well with the answer I got. Something cryptic about hands and mouths...

[detectivewonder]

Yeah. We're their sockpuppets.

[mysunnydisposition]

Well thanks for putting that in the creepiest way possible... even if it's probably true.

[detectivewonder]

That's what I'm best at, right?

[mysunnydisposition]

Wouldn't make the top ten list of your best talents, but yes, you do have a knack for it.

[detectivewonder]

Do I dare ask about my top ten list? Do you really have a top ten list for me?

[mysunnydisposition]

Well. Not off the top of my head... And some things probably need reevaluating, since you've been away from home so long...

[ She's totally thinking about it now, though. ]

[detectivewonder]

I really shouldn't want to hear this list as much as I do.