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[what_do_you_see]

[The voice coming across the psychic network is probably completely unfamiliar to most of the Travelers - Rorschach talked to very few people on his first time in Liminal Space, and during the Jaunt, as Vilmos, he didn't have the same rough, growling rasp.]

Who allowed this?

Cold, suffocating dark goes on forever, we are alone, and yet some force can bend a man's mind, put him in another place, give him another's memories, make him lead a life he never had? We suffer in oblivion and make our own choices to keep us as hell-bound as those that came before us and yet some corrupted, corrupting force plays the part of a non-existent God and twists those choices, the only thing to give a life purpose, to make them meaningless?

Who is responsible?

Comments

[turbedon]

... Dude, try to calm down. The Trumps pick randomly who'll Infiltrate or Investigate.

What's your name?

[what_do_you_see]

Not important.

What is important is how they do it and stopping them.

[Definitely not calming down, nope.]

[turbedon]

I've been here for months. As far as I know, there is no stopping them. At least, not how we are right now. But if you keep growling like this in everyone's minds, you're going to freak some people out and a lot of them aren't coping too well from the last Jaunt as is.

[what_do_you_see]

Been here a few months and you've given up already?

Useless.

Pacify the mewling children, then, I have other business.

[turbedon]

Hey, some of those mewling children are actual kids, and they don't need you panicking and lashing out in their heads. Yeah, it's disturbing, heavy on the dis, but you're not helping anyone by freaking out.

If you want to make sure you get unplugged from the Matrix fast next time, get a buddy. Some of us know how to force Infiltrators back into Investigators, one way or another.

[what_do_you_see]

[There's a pause, because 1) Rorschach is starting to recognize that voice and 2) Dick has brought up one of the few things that can get him to modify his behavior.]

Can you do it?

[littleladyluck]

Deep breaths. I completely sympathize with how baffled and frustrated you must be, but none of us on our own can control what we've been set out to do.

Do you need someone to talk to?

[what_do_you_see]

Not baffled. I need to know who is responsible and what has been discovered about stopping them. Do you know anything?

[turbedon]

... Not the nice way, no.

[what_do_you_see]

Nice doesn't matter.

Can you do it?

[littleladyluck]

I know that the Trumps are in charge, supernatural entities that we rarely get to interactive with on any level. I've only gotten the chance to speak to one during my time here. The Lovers seems sweet enough, but I don't know any of the others well enough to hold any sympathy or hope for them.

[brokers]

We call them the Trumps. They do not walk among us here.

[In her experience. She's heard a few whispers, but none she's inclined to share at the moment.

There's a brief pause.]

We do, however, have reason to believe they can hear anything discussed in this fashion.

[what_do_you_see]

How did you get to them?

[what_do_you_see]

[pause]

Can they hear things discussed in person?

[littleladyluck]

In that Jaunt, she spoke to everyone disguised as a computer trying to assist the student body. The computer's name was PSYCHE, like Psyche in ancient myth, so... if you see any vague allusion to a tarot card, give it a look.

[brokers]

It's possible - even likely, here in Liminal Space. We cannot be entirely certan that there's any way to keep them from overhearing if they wish to pay attention.

But anything you say here is broadcast directly to everyone connected to the telepathic network unless you make a conscious effort to do otherwise. Even then, those with enough skill are capable of listening in.

[what_do_you_see]

Anyone can learn to make things private?

[He recognizes that it still would likely to be heard by those in power, but still, that sounds like a useful skill.]

[what_do_you_see]

What else do you know?

[littleladyluck]

They see, hear, and know everything we do. They have the power to create other worlds, and other people with our faces and entirely different minds. The Lovers is either sweet or a talented actor, and I must applaud them for that, but the others... they're creative. That is the only good thing I've seen from them so far, and if I don't have anything nice to say about people who can kill and revive me as often as they like, I'd rather be quiet.

Otherwise, I know nothing. Some people speak of being 'chosen,' but what that means is completely beyond me.

Also, just so you know, I was completely serious when I mentioned talking about what's making you feel so stressed. Keep an eye out for ribbons if you need me.

[brokers]

It is simply a matter of focus. Concentrate on reaching one mind, or a small handful, rather than on merely pressing your thoughts outward.

[The switch to private conversation is seamless.]

As I am doing now. Learning to protect your thoughts is more difficult, but not unachievable.

[someonetocarry]

Nobody's found the Trumps here to manage to do anythin' against 'em. I imagine there are folk here who'd want to, but like the lady said, though, good luck surprisin' 'em.

Name's Zoe Washburne. I got turned into somebody else this Jaunt. Last one, too. It ain't exactly fun, I'll give you that. Don't think I met you yet.

[Why yes, she's steering this conversation into introductions. Maybe it'll calm him down a little? It worked with Jayne, sometimes.]

[whydoyoushine]

...do you need a mint? Do they have that? Psychic mint-things? You sound like you're having some throat trouble.

[Look, he's going to be instantly drawn to any talk of darkness, even if he's not going to be serious about it.]

[turbedon]

Yes, but I won't.

[nicotinized]

Yeah, welcome to hell, etcetera, etcetera.

You can try going after the Trumps if you can find them, but unless you have some sort of addiction to dying you're not going to get much out of it.

[what_do_you_see]

Why not? [frustrated growl, you're losing him again]