Conversation Space I.

[powersthatbe]

The room is small, intimate. You are alone. There is no sign of a way in or out. Ping-pong balls crunch underfoot, and empty giftboxes, meticulously wrapped and ribboned, are lined up against one wall, while a humming wall of server blades are racked on the opposite wall. A high-backed, gilt chair with red velvet cushions faces an ornate, full-length mirror, and beside the chair is a mug of steaming hot chocolate on a tiny side table, steaming invitingly from beneath a layer of fifteen half-melted marshmallows.

What do you do?

Comments

[virioncomplex]

Try not to have a panic attack.

Last time he was kidnapped and put in a little room he ended up being murdered in horrible ways. Repeatedly. So he takes a few deep breaths before heading over to inspect the servers, trying to kick the stupid little balls out of the way so he doesn't land on his face trying to get there. He'll try to use his ComBand to hack in, or pull one apart if at all possible.

If something bad is going to happen to him, he might as well see what mess he can make to earn it.

[callmemeibe]

There is a sense of comfort that washes over him, and warmth that pervades the room, just enough to keep the chill away. With it comes the smell of mandarin oranges, lily-of-the-valley, and lavender.

"Hello, master Faed," whispers a gentle voice, as a woman clad in pink steps up to the servers. She pauses, glancing at his work, before asking, "You're... dismantling it?"

Something about the cadence of her words... it's similar to another woman.

[virioncomplex]

He pauses when he feels his anxiety slipping away. He's done enough drugs in his life to recognize when something's changing, and if it isn't for the fact that he's not all that bothered by such things any more he'd think there was something in the air.

The tiny insect looks up at the woman from where he's working, trying to come off as nonchalant and uncaring about his situation. "The best way to learn how something works.'

[callmemeibe]

"I suppose I'll have to take your word for it, master Faed," she muses, a twinkle in her eye. "How do you think it works, now that you've seen its insides?"

[virioncomplex]

"A peek isn't gonna tell me shit." He says with a faint but still somewhat irritated smirk, turning his attention up at her for a moment. "You're one of them, aren't you.

[callmemeibe]

"I believe you underestimate your abilities," she answers, her tone similar to their talk in prison. "I am Empress, the third Arcana. Call me Mei, if you wish. You are my Chosen, master Faed."

[virioncomplex]

"Mei." To say he has negative connotations to the term 'Empress' is an understatement. At least this explains the whole 'queen' thing. He'd been smart enough to read up what he could on the arcana as they'd been explained to him, but he's not sure how much is actually going to apply here. "Chosen for what? You guys ever going to bother telling us what the hell you're trying to do?"

[callmemeibe]

"We are competing," Mei answers as simply as she can, her fingers fiddling with the ends of her sleeves. "We Arcana call this tournament Synodiporia. You are on my... what was it Lady Claudia called it, again? My 'dodgeball team'?"

You darn Travelers and your slang.

"You will be my representative in the third phase."

[virioncomplex]

"Is that supposed to be a game?"

Darn humans and their slang. How the hell are there so many of them all over the multiverse anyway. Razzafraggin mammals.

"That still doesn't tell me anything. What's the third phase and what the hell am I supposed to do about it?"

[callmemeibe]

"As far as I understand it, some humans enjoy dodgeball as a pasttime, wherein the goal is to eliminate the other team by hitting them with rubber balls, without letting them catch it."

... yeah, she seems to be about as confused as Faed is on this one.

"It is the final leg of our mystic journey. It is what determines everything from this moment onward." She pauses, her doe eyes dropping to the floor. "I would like to work with you, master Faed. As well as with all my other Chosen, preferably. If we win, I will personally see to everyone's safe returns to their homeworlds, if they wish it. I cannot say the same for other Arcana, however."

[virioncomplex]

That sounds pointless, but he's more concerned with what else she says.

"You kidnapped us. None of us were given a choice here. What makes you think any one us here would be willing to trust any of you?" He's less hissy now, but he's not relaxed either. "You still haven't explained what you want from me. Work with me how?"

[callmemeibe]

She actually seems rather hurt by his words, and grasps onto one of his arms with a gentle hand as her voice takes on a pleading sound, even in whispers. "Each of you were selected by chance, master Faed. The rules for this round clearly stated that sentient beings with drive were to be selected at random. We didn't kidnap any of you."

Her delicate fingers slowly trace down Faed's arm to gently grasp at his hand. "I only want... to help you. I want to spread beauty, comfort, delight. I need my ideals upheld so that I may win the tournament. If my husband or I win this... you can go home, but you will never be without your found family here."

[virioncomplex]

Hurtful or no, he stands by them. He can't afford to feel sympathy right now. "You are still using us. All of you. We still don't have a choice." It's hard to say if he'd have come willingly at the point he'd been taken him from. He didn't give a shit about his own life let alone anyone else's back then, but he'd wanted so desperately to run from everything.

He practically laughs at the absurdity of it. "Lady... I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not beautiful, I tend to make everyone uncomfortable by existing, and I'm hardly a delight to be around."

[callmemeibe]

"But you will decide everything, now. You do have choices - you have been making them since the beginning. You Travelers will decide the fate of the World."

As he continues speaking, Mei’s face grows very worried. Slowly, she reaches up and presses a warm hand to his cheek, a comforting gesture meant only to soothe - though she does seem to wish him to look at her as she whispers. "I measure beauty by more than the surface, Faed. There is beauty within you - I’ve seen it myself. What of the companions you’ve built, or the bonds you’ve made here? Are they not also beautiful, in their own way?"