[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

[howexciting]

The third was during this Jaunt, in Liminal Space. It was a building made up of words.

[willyousee]

A building of words. I should like to hear more of that some other time. This is larger than a drain... Do we know if the portals have been growing?


[Private]
You are going to seal it. [Not a question.] How may I assist?

[howexciting]

They seem to vary in size, depending on where they are found. Sometimes they could fit in the palm of my hand. The first time, it was large enough for me to hide behind, when the Byakhee went after Kongou.

PRIVATE
... Alcuin, please, do not ask this of me. If, because of me, you were hurt - or worse - I could never forgive myself. Especially not after failing you all.

[Perma-Private]

[willyousee]

......... [So many arguments he won't make because you are who you are, Leonardo. One does not argue with one's mentor. Master. Lover. He'll simply have to find a way to work around you.] How quickly can the seal be made?

Perma-private

[howexciting]

With time, I will teach you the basic protections. I swear it. But putting you that close to it with no knowledge of how to defend your mind would be...

[Foolish. Oh, how that word stings now.]

... irresponsible. I did not even want to tell Armin when the third was found, but... of course he had no reason to trust me alone with a Yellow Sign. Who would, after what Leonard did...?

[He carefully contemplates his options.]

To make it as safe as I'd like, having warned everyone over the Network to stay away... thirty minutes, though it will exhaust all my energy. If I go slow it will take longer.

Perma-private

[willyousee]

I have no desire to risk my mind a second time, I assure you, but Leonardo, we can divert people for longer. It will do no good to run yourself to the bone and make a single mistake at the end. What would you consider a safe distance?

[howexciting]

[The mental pressure between them releases, as if Leonardo was there in person relaxing his shoulders and sighing in relief. He listens, carefully.]

... you're right, it would not.

[I can't fail the Travelers again. I can't fail you again.]

I will take a little more time. I promise. I would... I would say as far away as possible, but several hundred feet on either side should do.

[willyousee]

Save your strength for the sealing. I will see if I cannot arrange to divert the traffic. I promise to you. [He pauses briefly for emphasis.] I promise you, I will remain beyond your perimeter. But we must have you at your considerable best if this is to work. Won't you let us handle the rest? Please?

[howexciting]

... very well, tesoro. I will leave you to it.

[Alcuin will suddenly feel a press against his lips, a mental brush not unlike a kiss sent over the Network.]

Just make sure, whatever your solution, I have enough space to get to the drain. The more space to write around it, the better. Too small of a space and the wards may not hold.