[walkabout, audio] - a new voice appears

[neverfeltthatway]

Hello? Is this working? This is Armin, talking from over jauntside. Assuming you're all getting this, I've probably only got about 40 minutes. [He does, though it will end up being more like 5 hours for everyone on the walkabout, given the time differential. But then, that's one of the things he's here to ask about.]

This may seem like an odd question, but how long has it been, on your side of things? We're only at the start of the third day, here, but with the way liminal space is behaving, we're wondering if time is moving faster over here, like the Expo on the walkabout in Chikyuumaru.

Beyond that, where did you end up? Have you figured out if there's a purpose behind your presence there yet?

Let me know quickly if you have any questions for anyone jauntside, or if there's any help I can provide with my network abilities. If we're right about the time differential, this is the only time I'll be able to contact you before the end of the jaunt.

Comments

[galvanizer]

[She's been listening in quietly to the other conversations and chimes in when it quiets a moment.]

Hello Armin, everything all right, over there? I'm a diabolin again and it's annoying. The colours won't stop dancing.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Try as he might, Armin doesn't quite manage to keep the involuntary shudder away from the network at the mention of being a diabolin. He doesn't want to have that reaction, but recalling more than a century of slavery, among other things, has it pretty ingrained. When he speaks, however, he has his voice perfectly under control.]

Hello, Asa. We're currently organizing a rescue mission for several Travelers - investigators and infiltrators - that were kidnapped by government agents searching for an escaped shapeshifting alien. So I'm not sure I'm able to claim that everything is all right. [That was very nearly a joke.] At the very least, there haven't yet been any serious injuries, that I'm aware of.

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your form. I was never a Diabolin, but I knew a couple fairly well, so I have some idea how strange and disorienting it can be.

[galvanizer]

I'm not alone in this at least.

Anyone tried teleporting out of the facilities they're being held in? It might be a bit more danger than it's worth if they do since... that's considered supernatural in that world, I'm guessing?

[neverfeltthatway]

Got it in one. They have lots of lights and cameras, so there's little chance of portaling out without being seen to do so. We're trying to avoid that if at all possible.

[galvanizer]

Hmm... and no chance of storming the place? Cutting the power, breaking in and getting everyone out? Make it clear humans did this, but make it impossible to track them down?

[neverfeltthatway]

We're working on the escape plan right now. I'm not sure exactly what our plan is yet, but storming the place is within the realm of possibility, at any rate. So is invisibility or illusion magic, I imagine.

[galvanizer]

As long as the magic doesn't falter, otherwise that could just cause more panic... I don't suppose anyone has the ability to wipe memories? Might be handy in case of trouble.

[neverfeltthatway]

I don't recall if anyone has that specific power. I might be able to, but that depends a lot on if the guards are infiltrators or natives, and how well they've learned to protect their minds. And I think that's a little too much uncertainty to rely on, as a first option.

[galvanizer]

Mm, that's unfortunate... At the very least, I guess you could just knock people out by the back of their head with a good hard blow?

[neverfeltthatway]

I'm sure we'll come up with something.

[galvanizer]

I know you will, you're too smart not to. I'm just trying to distract myself from the hallucinations on my end. [She sounds cheery even if she's really not. She hadn't enjoyed being a diabolin the last time and she's not liking it any more now.] How much longer do you think the Jaunt will last?

[neverfeltthatway]

Ah. Of course. [He briefly wonders if he could help in some way, go in with partition mind and try to make things a bit easier on her - before dismissing the idea as too dangerous and too uncertain, especially since if he got it wrong he wouldn't be around to undo any damage.]

Three or four days, probably - but unfortunately, that would be weeks on your side.

[galvanizer]

I was afraid of that. [Mental sigh.]

Still, it gives me a rough estimate to keep in mind.

[neverfeltthatway]

I'm sorry there's nothing I can do to help. It sounds very frustrating, and exhausting too.

[galvanizer]

[There's a flicker of amusement and calmness.]

It's fine, nothing I haven't dealt with before. I'm sure I'll manage.

[neverfeltthatway]

I'm sure you will as well. I know how capable you are. [He's seen her in Moebius, anyway, and if that isn't a test of what people can do, Armin doesn't know what is.] But I know that doesn't make it any more palatable.

[He pauses, suddenly uncertain.] ...If it would help, I could make you an infiltrator for the rest of the jaunt. It comes with the usual disadvantages, of course, but at least you wouldn't be so uncomfortable in your form.

I understand if that's not any better. But I figured I might as well offer while I can. [He wouldn't have, had she been on the main jaunt. But they've all said there doesn't seem a purpose to being there, so it's not like the fate of the world hangs in the balance. And if he can help her avoid a month of extreme discomfort...]

[galvanizer]

You can do that over the psychic network? Without even being in the same 'world' as me?

[neverfeltthatway]

I-I think so. I've never tried before - this is the first time I've even spoken across the divide - but that side of the network feels just the same as this one, so I should have access to all of my abilities.

[galvanizer]

And this infiltrator state would only last until the end of the Jaunt, or if I got killed during...?

[neverfeltthatway]

That's right. It would function exactly the same as if you had started the jaunt as an infiltrator. I've used it on myself before, if only by accident. [So he knows how it works, and that it's safe - or as safe as infiltrating ever is.]

It... it's even possible you wouldn't be infiltrating as a diabolin? I can't promise that, but there's nothing saying your 'greatest resonance' and what they choose to disguise you as as an investigator have to be the same species, that I know of.

[galvanizer]

Hah, I suspect my 'greatest resonance' has to do with appearance for the most part. Anyway... nah, best not risk it. If I do end up being made full diabolin, it could be dangerous for the others, given how violent they can be, you know? It's okay, I'll... meditate or something. Thanks for the offer, though.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin doesn't agree about her greatest resonance, but he doesn't know her well enough to feel comfortable saying so to her straight out.]

I know. [His response is quiet and just the tiniest bit haunted.] All right. If you're sure.

[galvanizer]

I am. Take care of yourself, Armin.

[neverfeltthatway]

You too.

I'll see you in a few days. ...Or weeks, I suppose.