[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

[howexciting]

First, if I may - the one Liminal Space for which I have no notes is... right after Harrogate. I am sure I do not need to explain the reasons for my terrible bookkeeping. I had mentioned over the Network that I had thought it originally to be a mockery of the underwater city of R'lyeh, the domain of the great Cthulhu, who is the half-brother of the King in Yellow.

But now... now, I am not so sure. I believe both Judgment and The Devil were responsible for Harrogate, based on my observations of the Liminal Space afterwards.

[detectivewonder]

Water and chains. That makes sense. And the dead walking, or the Hellfire Club, during the Jaunts... holds together.

Do they always work in groups of two? Would there have been silent partners when the Fool or the Lovers showed up?

[howexciting]

Precisely. And it is safe to say that the Devil lost that particular round, given that the chains were all found underwater... but he lost only barely, I would suspect. Leonard... made sure it was no easy victory.

[He's not including your name in there publicly, Tim. You're welcome.]

There... I am not sure. Heartbeat Academy was most assuredly the Lovers' domain. As for the Fool... he did appear by himself on that atoll, with his dog, but the symbology fits his Rider-Waite card. Still, multiple Trumps appearing together has been the prevalent scenario, of late.

[detectivewonder]

I'll go back over what I can of the Academy and the Shoals, see if I can find any hint of someone else's symbolism sneaking in there.

Thanks.

[howexciting]

Di nulla. I am happy to help.

Now, as far as Liminal Spaces, I have experienced and written about... the first I found myself in was when I first arrived, in the candy museum, though I admit to not being on the Jaunt before it... therefore, I do not know what it might symbolize. Sweetness? Child-like wonder? Whimsy? I am not sure there.

[detectivewonder]

At the time, I thought it was just a party. Congratulations on winning and getting out alive.

While I have you here, I've also got some questions about the Grid, if you don't mind.

[howexciting]

Just a party, you say...? Was Brooklyn truly that dangerous?

[Well that has him worried.]

But... you said at the time, did you not? Does that mean you do not think so now?

Of course, I will happily answer what I can. What would you like to know?

[detectivewonder]

I'm less sure now.

I'm trying to piece together what happened to SAGE. Specifically, if we know why he became a dog. Is it related in any way to the Fool and the dog that was with him, or is that pure coincidence? do you know, or are there any other former Cryptos who might?

[howexciting]

Hmm... I will try to go back through my notes and find anything.

That, I am not sure about, though I believe it might be coincidence, since the Fool did not seem to have anything to do with the Grid. I do know that one of the Cryptos who was... not extremely well liked by my Infiltrator persona, KALI, used data from both Vilari and Alcuin's Infiltrator selves to form a new body for SAGE while fusing them into one.

... but I do not know why she chose to shape that extra data into a dog. All I know is that it was brought to us on-site in its dog form.

[detectivewonder]

KALI. Callie? The Familiar Face?

[howexciting]

... I am not sure. One moment.

[He creates a painted statue of her in front of himself, then livestreams his senses to show the last image of KALI he saw - dressed in Crypto colors.]

Is this Callie?

[detectivewonder]

That's her.

[shantiprayer]

...The King has a family!?

[The response is in Sera's actual voice, tone high and shrill with fear and disbelief.]

[howexciting]

Not in the conventional sense that we know family, no. Cthulhu and the King in Yellow... they are both of the same substance, born of Yog-Sothoth, but one has domain in the water and the other over the air. They both wish to take the world for themselves, and are in constant opposition. Their rivalry has lasted since their conception many eons ago...

... that perfectly describes my relationship with my half-brothers, actually.

1/2

[shantiprayer]

Oh that's a relief. I don't know what all of that means but if they're fighting each other then hopefully we won't have to worry about the King being able to call reinforcements. Hopefully nothing will make them band togeth-

2/2

[shantiprayer]

[...Wait.]

...Your brothers sound like a bunch of meanies.

[howexciting]

It is... a long story, and one I do not care to explain. Knowing too much is dangerous, in these instances.

My "brothers" are brothers in blood only. [He is very pointed about this distinction.] Not all of them are terrible, in truth; only the brothers on my father's side are heartless stronzi.

They will not drag me through a legal dispute over my father's estate for a few years yet... which I will lose. But they will not succeed in keeping my uncle's estate from me, at least, though I would much prefer to not have to relive that case in my future.