synopsychic | [video]

[Armin tries to look professional, but this liminal has been trying, in a number of ways. He keeps his face neutral, but he looks tired - and there's a tension to his expression, just a hint of sadness.]

I have the list of those Travelers who are no longer with us. To be clear, I am only including Travelers who have been here for at least a jaunt. There are too many who both arrived and vanished in the last couple weeks for me to include them all, since I never met most of them. If anyone wants to know whether somebody who showed up during the last couple weeks is still here, however, I can find out.

Nicholas. Istas. Elliot. Byerly. Zatanna. Mikleo. Doujima. Robin. Neeshka. Hal. Sorey.

[He goes quiet for a long moment, before continuing on a different vein.] Most of you will probably have noticed, but this liminal space seems to be messing with our heads - making people more cynical and paranoid.

Eldritch defenses work against this influence.

I'm not sure exactly what this means, but we should be on guard. However, I have searched thoroughly and I can find no trace of the King in Yellow's sign.

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[It's a while before she replies to this.]

We should speak in person. Tonight, or whatever passes for it, should be soon enough.

...All right. I'll find you in a few hours, then?

I'll see you then.

[Although possibly one of the least strictly necessary skills he's learned, psychic detection is possibly one of the most useful in terms of convenience - among other things, it saves him lots of time playing psychic tag trying to find people.

When he sets out to find Sabetha that night, he's able to head straight to her room, even though he's not sure he's ever been there before. The dark wood and eclipsed moons are distinctive, however, and definitely her style. He knocks solidly on the door, and hopes that she asked to meet him in person because she plans to share what she knows about all things eldritch.]

Sabetha? It's me.

[She pulls the door open and gestures him inside, the movements quick and sharp, telegraphing her tension. The lights she'd shifted out for Thorne's visit are back in place and burning brightly, leaving few shadows in the visible portion of the small room. Perhaps the screened-off space at the back - likely holding the bed - is dimmer.

The room is lightly furnished, with shelves holding a handful of books built into the walls, and a small counter and heavy trunk set in one corner serving as a kitchen. The space is dominated by a large table made of the same dark wood as the door, with two places set with large mugs of coffee, and a carafe between them.]

You're prompt. Have a seat.

[He moves inside swiftly, picking up on her tension but not immediately questioning it. Thinking about the King in Yellow, he's not entirely relaxed himself.

He looks curiously around the room when he gets in, eyes lingering on the books, but sits when invited - savoring the smell of the coffee, though he doesn't reach for it right away.]

Thank you. [Now that he's actually in her company - and they're alone, safely isolated in her created room - he switches to speaking aloud.] I take it you don't want this to be overheard.

If there is an Eldritch influence on the next Jaunt, inciting panic will only serve its interests. Better to have a plan in place before we takt that risk.

[She takes a seat as well, leaning forward to rest her folded arms on the table.]

I assume, since suggested training replacements for our lost defenders, that there are those you would hate recruiting less than other options.

[He grimaces once more.] At any rate, there are those I would trust more with it - both to have the information in the first place, and to keep calm and use it properly in a crisis.

Alcuin, Daneel, Mikasa, Cassandra. Joscelin. Maybe Phedre. A couple others - depending on who wants to learn, anyway.

[Sabetha considers the list for a long moment, eyes narrowed in thought, before shaking her head.]

Interesting choices. All friends, I presume?

[Armin shrugs.] No, actually. I'm not close with Daneel, and I don't think Joscelin likes me. But I trust them with this, and the welfare of the Travelers.

Daneel, I'd agree on, and Joscelin, over-pious ass though he may be. Alcuin...possibly. If the wounds inflicted on him in Harrogate have healed, he knows the threat better than most.

[She drums her fingers against her arm, slight frown deepening.]

Which Cassandra do you speak of?

[He considers for half a second before letting out a small snort.] Both, actually, now that you mention it.

I don't know the dark-haired girl, but the swordswoman... She fights well, from all I've heard, but she reacts poorly to unfamiliar situations, and she's not swift to adapt. I had her on my ship a while, in Nova Venezia...

[She pauses, and shakes her head.]

She's too uncertain. Faced with something that can prey on the mind, there's too much risk she'd freeze. Even if she were willing, teaching her would be feeding her to the sharks.

All right. I don't know her as well - and I've seen her skills, but I haven't seen her in action very much. I trust your judgement.

Cassandra Cain, however - I have no doubts she could handle it. Physically, at least, she's the best fighter I've ever seen. She has no problem keeping her calm, and she has experience facing unusual and, as I understand it, even superpowered threats.

[One corner of Sabetha's mouth turns up slightly, though it's barely a smile.]

So do most of those who've been here for more than a handful of Jaunts, but I take your meaning. Very well.

[Armin simply blinks, abruptly considering that he also could be said to have experience remaining calm while facing supernatural threats.] I suppose that's true.

And Mikasa and Phedre? [Since Sabetha has stated opinions on all the rest of the names Armin had brought up.] Do you have any names to add to the list?

[He pauses, a little unsure about bringing up the next point, given what it reveals. But considering the stakes...] ...I was also wondering if you might be willing to teach me more about all this than just the basic defenses. [If they get into a combat situation with these things, the basic signs and sigils won't be enough - and in battle, uninformed decisions can get people killed. Or worse.]

It would be best to see if Phedre will remain in our company before determining whether or not she can be relied upon for this. As for Mikasa, the judgment she's shown doesn't inspire confidence, particularly when any of us might be compromised by exposure to eldritch beings, doubly so while Infiltrating.

For my own additions, Raidou. Possibly Thorne, if she can curb her impulsiveness.

[She leans back in her chair, eyes narrowing as she studies Armin.]

And why, exactly, should I trust you with that knowledge?

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