[Open Broadcast + Sensory Livestream & Memory Sharing]

[detectivewonder]

[Tim's voice starts talking against a blank, black viseal, and then he projects himself, picture-in-picture, as a talking head in the lower right corner of the "screen" as images start to play across it.]

Hi. I'm know I'm not always the most social Traveler, so let me take a minute to introduce myself. Tim Drake. Vigilante, barista, accredited forensic technician. I've got a decade-long background in criminology and investigative science, a lot of it based in computers and media.

I'm giving you the resume because I've been working on a project for a while now, with Mai. And she doesn't seem to be around right now. So, just in case I vanish too, I wanted to bring you up to speed, because it could be important. Watch this now, or don't, but at least it'll be archived on the network.

[The first image that pops up is a computer screen, glowing green against a dark backdrop - a cave of some kind? - with a series of stylized images on it.

A valentine heart, a kneeling statue with hands cupped in supplication, a pair of easter island heads, facing one another, mouths open; a conspicuous blank space, a theatrical mask with an almost comic expression of alarm, and finally, a rosebush sporting a damask rose over a spray of red berries and pale blossoms. Both types of flower called May Roses.

The images vanish, replaced one at a time with words framed in brackets.

[PSYCHE/LOVERS][WANT][TALK/CONVERSATION][YOU OKAY?][WORRIED][MAI]

Mai's voice speaks, replacing his for a moment.]

I really want to talk to you again. I want to know if you're okay. I've been worried.

[Tim's voice cuts back in, and he re-appears in the corner of the screen, which is now filled with a four-by-four grid of images, mobile Liminal Space 'videos' seen from a Robin's-eye view. Flying between dark spheres in white colored space; hanging like a gargoyle over a sinister highway full of angry, animate cars; flopped in a giant marshmallow like it was a beanbag; using gummi worms and licorice to catch gummi fish out of a ballpit moat... the playback continues on a loop.]

Mai and I believe that the Trumps communicate with us through Liminal Space, constantly, using symbolic communication and archetypal imagery. We were looking for a way to talk back. Her messages are... probably a little friendlier than mine. But as hostages, striking up a dialogue is the first step to negotiation, and that's the first step towards release. Or... the first step towards building a good, predictive profile of what the Trumps want from us. Either way.

I'm looking for people to review images with me, and try to puzzle out what their messages have been, as specifically as we can.

And I want for people with a good grip on Liminal Space, who can help me sculpt a few responses, just in case they're paying attention - our own little message in a bottle.

Anyone interested?

Comments

[volving]

[ Cass really dislikes this stuff and tunes it out as much as she can, but this is... possibly something she can understand. Maybe. Some things are too steeped in understanding things she doesn't understand or know, but...

Images aren't body language, but it's wordless, and can still be expressive. And if anyone here is inclined to conversing that way, it would probably be her. ]

I'll help.

[detectivewonder]

Cass!

[ He needs a moment just to be taken off guard. Cass is quite literally the last person he expected to hear replying to this. ]

Uh. Sure. With the analysis? Or, how are you with Liminal Space?

[thornsofmalkav]

Holy crap this is so cool.

[No really, this is amazing. Not only is it basically a vlog inside of everyone's head, but people are trying to communicate with the Trumps. Which is something she's very much in favor of if only so she can ask her own patron Trump what the fuck she was thinking marking those other two assholes.]

Like, I don't know how to do much Liminal stuff besides portals and hammerspace right now, but, like, when I learn I'd totally want to help out. This is a really rad idea you've got, dude.

[detectivewonder]

It was her idea more than mine. But I would have wound up more 'Moses and Pharaoh' with it, so that's probably a good thing.

[loyalrebel]

This is good.

[Malik's trying very hard to not question why it took this long to share but... it's something.]

I am not as good as Leonardo, but I can create things in Liminal space as needed.

I also know a bit of cipher making and symbology but I suspect that part is archaic in comparison to others.

[detectivewonder]

[ Because Tim is a habitual paranoid who thinks of himself as the smartest kid in the room, and it takes something like the disappearance of a friend to crack his shell. ]

When it comes to symbology, a variety of perspectives can only help. You'll miss things that are obvious to some of us - but the reverse might be true, too.

[turbedon]

Happy to help if I can.

[detectivewonder]

Knew you would be. Where do you want to start?

[shiroganeheir]

[Criminology and Investigative Science sounds a lot better than 'Detective Prince who has been solving mysteries since she was twelve', but Naoto is certainly not going to let this one go.]

I am afraid my credentials are... less impressive, however. I am Naoto Shirogane, an independent consulting detective, and I would be more than happy to lend my assistance.

From my experience, and the things I have discovered myself, I agree that Liminal Spaces are how the Trumps communicate. I have not done a systematic analysis of them, however. This is excellent.

[detectivewonder]

After what I've heard about the Inaba investigation, I'd be honored to have you on my analysis team, N- Shirogane-san.

[willyousee]

Intriguing. If I may ask, when did you and Lady Mai first attempt to create that message? Or had you been holding it in reserve?

[detectivewonder]

Neither of us had the Liminal Skill to make it. We started working on the details right after we came across PSYCHNet, but after half the Travelers got a phone call, we shelved it for a while.

[mysunnydisposition]

Since when are you a barista?

[ Because yeah, that's the important part of this conversation. Shh, she's moving on. And trying not to think about the possibility of Tim vanishing. ]

You know I'll help if I can. Do you... think they've responded to any of your messages before? Do you think they're actually listening?

[detectivewonder]

Actually, I owned a coffee shop for a couple years. It sat on top of the headquarters bunker for a covert paramilitary organization, but we really did serve coffee.

That was in between Gotham and becoming a Traveler. When I was stuck in Limbo. Or New moore - same difference.

[neverfeltthatway]

[He wants Tim to succeed. This has potential. Even if it fails, they might learn a lot about the Trumps, or even find an opening in which to strike. What he can't quite decide is whether he should be active in the process - or if he should stick to the sidelines, lest his own plan for facing the Trumps will come out.

Either way...] I, um. I have notes about all the liminal spaces we've been to since Moebius.

[detectivewonder]

Do you know if there are any you missed? I've got sixteen on record, but I infiltrate more than most people. I'm trying to get as complete an archive as I can...

[chalicejoker]

I'll help if I ever get that whole "making stuff" thing figured out.

...I'm pretty much crap with symbolism, though.

[detectivewonder]

Hey, 'making stuff' is the only way we can turn analysis into action. I won't turn down the help.

[nicotinized]

Ngh. Reminded me when I'm not hung over. [because wow, all those sudden shifts are not helping right now]

Worked counter-terrorism for... a long time. [math is hard okay] Didn't do all the hands-on forensic stuff, but I oversaw it all.

[detectivewonder]

I'll be sure to get back to you.

[wholeheaded]

[ hearing Mai's voice and knowing it could be... a long time before he hears it again hurts. but this was important to her, and if he can do something to help her even when she's not present he absolutely will. ]

I can definitely help with making things, machine and electronic gizmos included. Or just snacks if folks need them.

[detectivewonder]

Can you make coffee?

[howexciting]

I have notes on the Liminal Spaces I have observed so far, all with the exception of one. Furthermore, I might be able to assist with the symbology aspects, and I am, of course, available for anything that might need to be made in Liminal Space. Just tell me what you need, Tim.

[detectivewonder]

Well... I'd say the best place to start is consulting your notes.

[nicotinized]

Okay, uh. Sorry about that earlier.

So what do you have for organization so far?

[detectivewonder]

Well. Travelers. It's like herding cats.

If there's a Liminal Space you feel like you have some insight into, we can start by calling up and livestreaming memories and going over it to look for deeper meanings.

[tailforbrains]

I thought they were monitoring everything we do and say. How would they need special messages to communicate when they could just... y'know... listen in on this network or watch us through whatever scrying glass they've got.

[detectivewonder]

Maybe they are. Do we know?

But even if they're monitoring us, that doesn't mean they're understanding us.