[Video]// backdated to the first liminal space

[neverfeltthatway]

...I found the King's sigil again.

[Armin projects a brief look around, so people can know where he is, and then looks down to a manhole cover in one of the underpasses - where, just as he said, the golden sigil sits. Uncharacteristically, his tone is short and abrupt.]

Avoid this place.


[Private to Leo]

I'm not sure the same protections will work here, with all the traffic. Any ideas?

Comments

Perma-private

[howexciting]

... not again...

[A weak, mental sigh. Focus, Leonardo.]

My Lightsphere would provide a barrier that could feasibly stop traffic. Or I could try creating a bridge over it, enough for us to draw the protections.

Either way... we can likely expect a crash.

[neverfeltthatway]

...We should probably first test ways to stop traffic somewhere away from the sigil. We don't want to accidentally set the creature free by trying it without knowing what will happen when there's a crash.

action; timeskip to after the sigil is dealt with

[neverfeltthatway]

[Once the crisis is dealt with, Armin gives Leo some time to rest - but before the day is out he's knocking hesitantly on his door in the workshop. He doesn't want to bother him, but depending on one person for something this important is just too risky, especially considering the circumstances. Someone else needs to learn the defenses.

Still, he's a little nervous - he's never been certain where he sits with Leo - not after Harrogate. He doesn't blame him for what happened - but it's also impossible to simply ignore it. And Leonardo has acted strange toward him ever since as well.]

Leonardo? Are you here?

[amadine]

Again?

How many times has this been now?

[neverfeltthatway]

...At least four. And there may be times we're not aware of.

[willyousee]

The pools. The shopping center turned crypt.

It would not surprise me if there had been one in the menagerie or the depths of the gaming parlor, though I did not seek them out at the time.

[purseownerisme]

Has he ever heard of a restraining order?

[Yua is in no mood to deal with this shit.]

[neverfeltthatway]

...What's a restraining order?

[hakodate]

[Armin sure seems to find the sigil a lot, doesn't he.]

If I didn't know better I'd think you were looking for trouble on purpose.

[he is absolutely joking OF COURSE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TROUBLE, ARMIN. what are we gonna do with you.

Aside from help you keep everyone the hell away from this thing, of course.]

[neverfeltthatway]

...Better to find trouble before it finds you. I don't like the idea of these creatures catching us unaware.

[Sorry, you get a 100% serious answer - Armin is not in the mood for joking right now. It's possible he didn't even pick up on it.]

[canbebrave]

You're not the only one.

[ IS SHE JOKING OR NOT??? DOES SANSA STARK EVEN KNOW WHAT A JOKE IS??? ]

[chalicejoker]

The who's sigil?

[He has no idea what's going on here.]

[neverfeltthatway]

The King in Yellow. He's... some sort of god or demon, a being of fear and madness. He tried to manifest in a version of earth several jaunts ago, and we stopped him - but only barely. His sign has been haunting liminal space ever since - I think he may have gained a foothold here.

[wholeheaded]

You'd think it would learn to stop leaving calling cards and try to emerge somewhere innocuous.

[neverfeltthatway]

I, for one, am rather glad it hasn't.

[mysunnydisposition]

Maaaybe this is a stupid question, but who's the King and why are we avoiding him?

[neverfeltthatway]

It's not a stupid question - I was just more concerned about keeping people away while we work to contain it than explaining it to newcomers.

Four jaunts ago, The King in Yellow - some kind of god or demon, a being of immense power, of fear and madness - tried to manifest into a version of earth. We stopped him - but only just barely. His sign and creatures have been haunting liminal space ever since - this is at least the fourth time it's appeared.

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. The first two times the sign appeared, there were sort of creatures in the drain, though the second time it was never fully released. But I think it's safe to say he may have gained a foothold here.

[shiroganeheir]

If someone is attempting to put up any sort of protection against the opening of the manhole, I can Assist the operation. It will make it go faster.

[neverfeltthatway]

I'm sure Leonardo would appreciate the help. Can you find your way here?

[loyalrebel]

You cannot just tell people to avoid somewhere without explaining why.

It is like telling a child not to eat the sweets you put in plain sight.

[neverfeltthatway]

For any Traveler who was there at the time, the King's sigil is reason enough to stay away - and I was more concerned with keeping people away while we place the necessary precautions.

The King in Yellow is some kind of god or demon, a being of fear and madness. He tried to manifest in a version of earth several jaunts ago, and we stopped him - but only barely. His sign has been haunting liminal space ever since - he seems to have gained a foothold here.

If the sigil is disturbed, creatures of madness who serve the King may be released, or worse. I still have the scars from the first time that happened, and we were incredibly lucky we were able to stop it when we did.

[In other words: Stay. Away.]

[bloodysaint]

Forgive my ignorance, for I am still unused to this place and have much yet to learn. Please, what is this sigil? From the way you speak of it I assume it is quite dangerous.

[neverfeltthatway]

It is.

The King in Yellow - honestly, I don't know that much about him. He's some sort of god or demon - immensely powerful, a creature of fear and madness. Several jaunts ago, we foiled a plot of his to manifest an avatar into the world - but only barely. His sigil has been haunting liminal space ever since - it seems like he might have gained a foothold here.

The first time his sigil appeared, someone tampered with it, and it released some of his creatures into liminal space - many were nearly killed or driven mad, including myself, before we managed to seal it.

Since then, I've been exploring each liminal space in case the sigil manifests. When I find it I warn everyone away, stay to guard it - to make sure nobody goes near and nothing gets out - and I inform those among us who have a way of guarding against the threat.

Not here

[shantiprayer]

[NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

She'd managed to miss all the talk of the sigil being around before so what does he mean again!?

If Armin's physically in the upstairs area of Leo's workshop he'll hear a surprised scream as soon as he makes the announcement and the sound of Sera's door slamming shut. Don't mind her she'll just be hiding under her covers and freaking out a little bit.]

Also not here

[howexciting]

[For at least a few brief moments, Leonardo will go to Sera, hold her tight, and reassure her that she is safe. That no harm will come to her. That he will handle this. That he will make sure The Unspeakable One has no chance to return.

He has to leave shortly to put up the appropriate protections, but for now, he can soothe his figlia.]

action

[callyourname]

[He can't just... say something like that and expect Mikasa to stay away. Except well, yes he can since she is new and he's not and as much as she hates waiting for his return... She does that as if it's some kind of a promise to stay safe. Not that she's very safe herself or wants to avoid that place but--- well, just this time.

Mikasa harumphs and tries to stay calm. She'll be just sitting on the stairs and doing this thing called waiting. You better come back safe, Armin!]

[neverfeltthatway]

[It's an hour or two before they're done - diverting traffic was not easy, and they had to manage for long enough for Leonardo to work his protections - but eventually Armin comes back, maybe looking a little tired, but otherwise no worse for wear.]

...Mikasa? [It hadn't occurred to Armin how scary that must have been for Mikasa, not understanding what's going on, getting much of the conversation without context - but still trusting him and staying away. He'd been entirely focused on containment, and keeping everyone safe - he hadn't had time to consider anybody's feelings. But now that he sees her sitting there on the steps, he feels bad for not thinking of her, and explaining things better.]