[Video]

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin image appears suddenly, and though his face is composed, his thoughts are both cautious and alarmed.]

Everyone - be alert in liminal space, and avoid the men's bathroom four floors above where the portal let us into liminal space. The sign of the King in Yellow is still with us.

Comments

[neverfeltthatway]

...I'm not really the best one to talk to about these things. It's not part of the mythology of my world, and I wasn't present for most of what happened.

However, as best I understand, the King in Yellow is some kind of god or demon, a being of fear and madness. Three jaunts ago, in H-Harrogate, he tried to manifest into a version of Earth. We stopped him, but only narrowly.

[He stumbles over the word 'Harrogate' a little, and the 'we' is generous, but he really doesn't want to get in to his role in that jaunt.]

There's evidence that his power is such to rival the Trumps. He interfered with both liminal space and the telepathic network during that jaunt, and this is the third time his sigil has appeared in liminal space since - every time on some sort of pipe or drain. And both times previous there have been some sort of creature in the drain, though last time it was never fully released.

[It's not an easy subject, but Armin delivers it all with a crisp military tone and discipline.]

[creativefool]

Well, shit.

[There's a mental sigh.]

So there are things out there that could be worse'n the Trumps, who ain't even as cooperative as they are... and they're screwing with us too. As if gettin' dumped on the edge of hell wasn't bad enough news.

Stay clear of any weird signs on the plumbing. Got it.

[neverfeltthatway]

More likely they're screwing with the Trumps, and we're stuck in between. [There's a dark humor in his voice for a moment, though he's not truly amused.] That should be a familiar enough feeling, after the last jaunt.

Though I suppose they might be holding a grudge against us for stopping them. I suppose it's likely we'll find out - and sooner than we'd like.

[creativefool]

No kiddin'. [Kanji snorts briefly.] Yeah, they don't sound like the sort to let anyone go with a 'you beat us, well done'.

[neverfeltthatway]

The question is whether they blame us for their defeat, or simply see us as tools of the Trumps. Beings on this level... they may see us as nothing more than a sword in the hands of their enemy. [And, of course, you don't blame a sword when it injures you - though you may still attempt to break it, or take it away from the wielder.]

[creativefool]

Or as the Trumps' favourite pets.

[neverfeltthatway]

...In my experience, you don't generally send your pets to defeat your enemies. That may well be how the Trumps see us, but I find it unlikely The King in Yellow shares that view,

[creativefool]

Tch. Yeah, good point there.

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin briefly streams a close-up of the sign, the twisted gold bands on the pipes below one of the urinals.]

This is what it looks like.

[creativefool]

...Thanks, man. I'll keep an eye open for it.

[neverfeltthatway]

Let me know if you find it. Following the pattern, there should be only this one, in the bathroom I mentioned - but if it starts to spread, that's definitely something we need to know.

[creativefool]

No kiddin'. Sure thing: I'll pass the word on. Anything else lurkin' around that I oughta know about to look for?

[neverfeltthatway]

[Armin's answering nod is brief.] Thanks.

As for anything else... nothing I can think of, at the moment. The King in Yellow was a first for us, in many ways - there was no precedent for a lot of what happened there.

[creativefool]

Huh. Learn somethin' new every day. Just gotta hope there ain't anythin' worse than that hanging around, then... Thanks.

[howexciting]

... let me know if you find it as well. Please, Kanji, I beg of you, if you ever spot it, tell me immediately.

[creativefool]

[...Okay, he wasn't expecting this sort of reaction...!]

Huh? Y-yeah... I wasn't plannin' on keepin this a secret. Sure. I'll tell ya.

[howexciting]

Thank you. It is imperative to everyone's safety that you alert me at once.

[creativefool]

...what're you gonna do if or when I do? If ya ... don't mind me askin'...

[howexciting]

I will make sure that he nor any of his monstrous servants make it into Liminal Space, of course. I was too late the first time and it almost got people killed. Thankfully the second time, others stopped it before it became worse.

I am not going to let that happen a third time.

[Your dad's not fooling around, Kanji.]

[creativefool]

[...well, crap.

Kanji doesn't want to lose a second father.

He's quiet for a moment, before he adds-]

Can I help?

[howexciting]

When the time comes, I will definitely need your help. You will have to protect me while I put the necessary safeguards in place.

... for now, though, simply make sure there are no more of them. Armin is helping me with this one. We should be done soon.

[creativefool]

Alright. I can do that for sure.