[Open Broadcast: All Investigators]

[detectivewonder]

[Tim's mental voice is a drill-sergeant's whip-crack command, coming only moments after the Travelers are plunged into the water.]

Nobody panic! Try to keep the airwaves clear unless you need help. If you can't swim, shout out right now and someone will come for you. If you're a strong enough swimmer to help someone, let us know - but if you're not sure and not trained, don't try it. Find something in the water to hang onto. Get rid of shoes or boots if you have to.

Once we're sure we have everyone floating, tell us what you can see. All I have so far are rocks, in the direction the wind is blowing, and the remains of a sailing ship - Coelestis Maria is the name on the plank I'm hanging onto. Cute.

Unless the Trumps are trying to drown us, there must be something else out here somewhere. Land, or another ship.

Comments

[pseudologist]

I'm starting to believe we should just assume that everything's real somewhere.

[The only lie there is in 'starting to'.]

Still, folklore's more than I've got, and I'm probably not the only one. If we have even a hint of what to expect, it might prevent any unfortunate incidents, especially since some of these people are our friends in another skin.

[detectivewonder]

Well... they seduce sailors. Sometimes save them, sometimes drown them. They can sing magic songs, manipulate the weather, foretell bad omens, lead ships astray, grow to giant size... they might be cursed humans, might be ghosts, and might be soulless water spirits.

Now you know what I know.

[pseudologist]

So there's no common theme, aside from 'magic and dangerous'.

Some day, someone's going to have to write a handbook for all of this crap.

[detectivewonder]

If we get any writers, we should put them on the job. Honestly, it would be useful.

[pseudologist]

As it so happens, you're talking to one.

[detectivewonder]

You feel up to the project?

[pseudologist]

Assuming I can find some dry parchment and ink that isn't half seawater? Absolutely.

Although come to think of it, it wouldn't hurt to store some of the information in here, too, for quick reference.

[detectivewonder]

You have access to the network's archive?

[pseudologist]

Yeah. Comes in handy, on occasion.

[detectivewonder]

Well. Where should I start?

[pseudologist]

From the beginning's usually a good bet.

[detectivewonder]

The beginning's subjective. The beginning of what?