[Video, psychic bridged to the walkabout]

[neverfeltthatway]

This is Armin, attempting to reach the Travelers on walkabout from the jaunt in Harrogate.

What's going on over there? Where are you, and is everyone all right?

We're still working out what's going on over here. It's 123 years later than the last time we were here, the year 2020 - in many ways it seems like a modern earth so many Travelers are familiar with. We arrived during the funeral of a local beloved celebrity. There are a number of ghosts hanging around, and several Travelers are investigating or infiltrating as ghosts. We're investigating several leads as to the cause of this, as well as to the hints of eldritch dealings at work.

I can only keep this connection open for about half an hour. I may be able to contact you all again in a few days - but I have to use psychic bridge to speak with the investigators on the ghost side of things as well, so that's not a promise.

...Is Eren around? [Because, of course, that was second half of the motivation for making this connection - and for bringing Mikasa along.]

Comments

[rustyhonesty]

Hey Armin. Are you guys alright?

Eren is here, but he's infiltrating.

[neverfeltthatway]

Everyone's fine so far, though some people are very annoyed at infiltrating as a ghost.

...Ah. I see.

[rustyhonesty]

Sounds like something I'd be annoyed about as well.

Once we settle in a bit, I'll tell Naoki to snap him out of it. It's what he'd want.

[private to jean, mikasa]// psychic protection ii

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin abruptly looks alarmed.] ...That's not what Mikasa and I want. If he manages to break through to our side, then he's in danger for nothing. There are no enemies you can punch or stab over here.

And if he doesn't, he's going to blame himself and be miserable the entire jaunt. Maybe even enough to throw him into a dungeon.

/speedtags on a break

[callyourname]

NO. [ YES THAT IS ALL YOU GET, GUESS WHY. ...though she'll move to that private thing right after this.]

[leftbehindagain]

We're on a desert planet bracing itself for the hatching of a bunch of baby dragons. They're not Misericordian dragons, thank everything. [Not that that's really making Naoki feel any better, as of yet.]

If you've got a network divide on that side of things, it may be better for you to save your bridges for that. There's at least two of us here who can get through to you guys.

Eren-san's infiltrating. Jean and I were wondering if we should do anything about that.

[neverfeltthatway]

I see. Bracing itself... in what way? [After all, people brace themselves before battle too, or a storm.]

That would be helpful. Would you mind trying to do a regular bridge, then? So if something happens on this side we know when the next bridge is likely to be.

...It would probably be better if you didn't.

[leftbehindagain]

The good kind of anticipation, instead of 'oh god everything will be on fire.' So that's something.

We should be able to do that, though I can't promise we won't get a hold of the ghost side of things. Still, at least they'd be able to tell you it happened.

[private, double protected]

Better how, exactly? I don't know him that well and I definitely know that if I do de-infiltrate him, he'll claw his way to you guys if he has to. You guys are in danger, yes, but he'd happily take that on if it brings you comfort.

[unconventionalelf]

This is Tal, we have dragons here...

And I don't think I have seen Eren yet, though I have been busy to see who is really around. I think the days are longer here, which will throw me off. One day is slightly longer than my normal cycle.

No one has been hurt as far as I can tell. I did see Jean, Hajime, Shiro, Matt, and another traveler near my age that I did not meet in liminal. Sara is infiltrated.

Is Mikasa with you? I did not see her here.

[callyourname]

Yeah, I'm here. And I'm glad you're there.

[unconventionalelf]

I am guessing what others were worried about is bad? Stay safe alright? I will be worried about you. Though I will attempt to stay near the others here.

[neverfeltthatway]

Yeah, Mikasa is - [And then Mikasa answers herself.]

...I guess I don't have to answer that one, then.

I'm glad you're there, and safe - and not alone. I heard about the dragons - apparently they're not a threat? Which is nice.

[unconventionalelf]

No, from what I have heard, they are what we are to protect.

[crouching_sin]

Naoya here.

... Eldritch things, hm? I have some experience with that, though the beings there may be different. I did hear all of you trying to organize for defenses before you left, so don't neglect that even while you're still there.

As for here... we're on a desert planet, it seems. There are dragons. Several different varieties. One of them spits acid, and one of them in particular seems fond of burning holes in my clothing. Other than that, there's been no injuries that I know of. Traveler-wise, at least. Some of the dragons are injured here, but there's a hospital so I suspect that's not an uncommon occurrence.

Really, most of all it seems peaceful and our biggest enemy is the sun. At least to people who don't know enough to prevent sunstroke.

[neverfeltthatway]

Just hints, so far. But something's happening.

At least the dragons seem mostly friendly, from what I've heard. That's a marked improvement over previous experiences with them, though I can see how the acid could be worrying.

There's no question which side is the jaunt and which is the walkabout, then.

[crouching_sin]

Next time you pop in, if you have more information, let me know. I may be able to help, if the information still works the same.

The acid is mild, it just eats through clothes. Skin seems fine if you wash it off. It's not the worst creature I've encountered.

Walkabouts tend to be milder, then? Heh. I suppose I got an easy one for my first outing.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Tachibana here. Kenzaki and Hajime are here as well, as is Lyall. Garren, Blade and Ryo are also with us, as dragons. No signs of pressing issues as of yet.

...Have you seen Kinji or Yakumo, where you are?

[neverfeltthatway]

Good to know, thank you.

Yes, they're both here - all right, but infiltrating. [It might be somewhat alarming how quickly he has that answer, considering they're two people he's never even really met, and would have zero reason to check on.]

[triggerhappytraitor]

[[Considering the pair of them, even infiltrating, he's sure that they stick out like a spotlight's on them. Kinji just by his nature and Yakumo by being caught in Kinji's exuberance.]]

Even infiltrating, as long as they're together, that's good.

Thank you.

[senpaidol]

Hi Armin, hi everybody. Everything seems pretty low-key over here...everyone seems to have covered what we're doing, unless you want about a million memory-shares of baby and juvenile dragons.

I'm sorry I'm not over there, though. I got all hyped up to help people get through Harrogate when I saw Durga-san's statues in Liminal Space, and now I'm over here where the worst problems are sandstorms and poachers...

[neverfeltthatway]

Hello, Rise. Ah - after the jaunt, perhaps.

...Just do your best over there. The problems might not be as bad, but the peoples' lives are just as important. [Just like yours. He's glad you're not in Harrogate, though he knows better than to say that aloud.]

Private, Protected

[senpaidol]

Well...if nothing else, a lot of my friends are getting a break they need. I don't think Kanji or Chie-senpai could handle what you all were describing, and I wouldn't want to see Naoto try.

Although...I haven't seen Souji. Is he with you?

[dino_zarf]

Looks like Rose's Imperial Godparents didn't want her anywhere near Harrogate. There's dragons here, but the only serious danger is the climate. Pretty hot, but that's definitely manageable. Rosie's pretty smitten with the baby dragons.

[neverfeltthatway]

I'm glad they're looking out for her. And you, even if its only by proxy. I wouldn't want either of you to have to experience this.

...I'm sure you probably know this, but be prepared for the fact she might bring one back with her.

[dino_zarf]

I've already horrified myself with the thought.

[Rose would like it, no doubt]