Conversation Space III.

[powersthatbe]

A poured concrete floor and cinder block walls are lit by a single bare light bulb hanging overhead. Shackles dangle from brackets on every side, and the chair in the center of the room is clearly an electric chair. A tall glass sits on top of a stool made of what looks like pure gold - but the liquid inside it is almost definitely blood.

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[photonicfighter]

Being taken away to a strange room isn't entirely a surprise to Dakki. She's been listening to things. It seemed like something that was likely to happen. But still, she tenses and draws her photon saber, for the surroundings are unpleasant and ominous.

She's still and ready to fight. Nothing in this room seems inviting. Up until now, she had been somewhat neutral-to-mildly-negative on the idea of some greater power bringing them here and putting them in strange situations. Now, she was ready to entirely suspend that neutrality. "If there's anyone here, show yourself!" And prepared to escalate this to a fight, if need be.

[adastraea]

"I am here," a voice says from wherever Dakki has just looked away from. "I am Justice," she says. "By our reckoning, the eleventh Arcana. I have also taken the personal name 'Astræa' for convenience."

[photonicfighter]

The moment she hears the voice, she's turning right back to the source, saber held up defensively. It takes her a moment to re-assess the situation and decide that the best choice is to lower her weapon but still keep it out and in hand. "Astræa. Alright." A name is a good start. She nods once, taking it in and accepting the answer. "What do you want?"

She's not afraid. Not really, not exactly. Tense, perhaps, if just because she doesn't entirely know what to make of the situation.

[adastraea]

"To speak with you," Astræa says. "You are to be one of my Travelers for the third phase of Synodiporia."

[photonicfighter]

"What?" It's not that she didn't understand. It's that her immediate reflex is to dislike what's been said. Dakki straightens, and seems prepared to take a step backwards. "I don't get to pick this myself? I'm just... yours?" She does not like having her decisions made for her. Not without some sound reasoning, at minimum. She has to push back.

"What if I say no? What's... what's Synodiporia?"

[adastraea]

"This is Synodiporia, Dakki Sigal," the woman answers. "It mean 'walking together' or 'Fellow travelers.'"

[photonicfighter]

"...I see." That wasn't the most important of her questions, but it's a start. "So I was picked to travel with others?" ...wait. An idea comes to her, and her voice raises in volume and urgency. "Was I even picked? Is this on purpose?"

[adastraea]

"There is a purpose to Synodiporia," Justice confirms. "Our goal is to see ourselves reflected throughout reality."

[photonicfighter]

"No, that's not my question!" It's good information, but not the information that she wanted, and the lack of precision here is starting to become irritating. "When you say 'ourselves', does that mean 'yourselves'? You and the other Arcana?" And, being so full of questions, she continues along without even waiting for an answer. "What does this have to do with picking me?"

[adastraea]

"Yes," Justice says. "That is who I mean. I picked you during the division of Travelers, Dakki Sigal, because I believed you fit within my archetype."

[photonicfighter]

"And that would be Justice." She repeats it more for her own sake than anything else. Does that suit her? She'd like to think that it suits her. She'd like to think that when she fights, she fights for good reasons. But why isn't that at all comforting right now? She looks away, down at her photon saber, then flicks it off and tucks it away.

"Alright. You've picked me. What does that mean? What do you want me to do?"

[adastraea]

"Be yourself. But I would also hope that you might act in ways that are favorable to my goals," Astræa says.

[photonicfighter]

Dakki's uncomfortable expression does not go away. "How will I know what your goals are? Seeing... 'yourselves reflected throughout reality' is very vague, you know."

[adastraea]

"I may tell you. You may also figure them out yourself. You are an intelligent being, Dakki Sigal."

[photonicfighter]

Is that a compliment or a statement of fact? Dakki needs to take a moment to try and figure out which, and so she pauses. At least it implies that Astræa here trusts her. That's... somewhat encouraging. "Do I get any benefit from this? Or are you just giving orders and expecting them to be followed? I don't like the expectation that I'll do things at someone's command simply because I am what I am."

[adastraea]

"Yes," she says. "There is recompense. My favor. And through it, some few special abilities that I may grant you. You may be a CAST, Dakki Sigal, but you are not a slave."

[photonicfighter]

The promise of abilities is tempting and interesting, but it's the way that Justice addresses her that really hits home. She knows just what she is and she understands what that means. And so, Dakki's expression softens.

"What sort of abilities? I've already started to pick up new things, just by being here and trying new things. What would I be able to do?"

[adastraea]

"Work effectively in concert with my other chosen," she says. "Slow your perception of time in a moment of crisis. Allow those guilty of transgressions to feel that guilt. Ensure that those physically close by speak truth. These abilities are not constants--there is time you must wait in between when you use them--and you will not receive them all at once. But these gifts I may give to you."

[photonicfighter]

There's only a brief moment of consideration before Dakki speaks again. "Those all sound useful. And it sounds like I already agree with your goals. Still..." She pauses, somewhat uncomfortably, for something about this still isn't sitting well. "...if I didn't agree, would you let me refuse?"

It's not much of a choice if you don't actually have one. She has been in uncomfortably similar positions before.

[adastraea]

There is a long pause. "No," she says, with something akin to regret in her voice. "All Travelers must now be marked upon entering Phase Three. The only exception is the Infant Rose, who is as much a native of this realm as we. But I would not require anything of you other than to wear the Mark and I should otherwise not interfere with you."

[photonicfighter]

The answer does not surprise her, but it does not feel good. It's never good, to not be fully in control of your fate, and to have some greater power making demands. Her eyes close.

"I've been put in worse positions than this." And, having been in worse positions, she knows how to navigate them. She actually begins to smile, hearing that the limits this places upon her are relatively light. "Does this have an end? Is this what I'm supposed to do, from now on? Or... or can I go home, when it's done?"

She misses Parum so, so much.

[adastraea]

"Yes," Justice says. "There is an end and it is finally in sight. Phase Three is conducted as a tournament. There should be seventeen more matches, with the final determining the achievement of the World. If you are taken home will be determined by who wins it, but should I be the final Victor, I would be able to return you home. Is that what you wish, Dakki Sigal?"

[photonicfighter]

Her eyes have opened again by the time that Justice starts to give her answer, but it's upon learning that if she wins, she can go home, that her head lifts sharply. "That is absolutely what I wish."

The circumstances and the lack of choice in the matter can be put aside. If she agrees with the task and agrees with the goal, there's no need to be upset any longer. "If that's the case, then I'll do everything I can to make sure it happens."

[adastraea]

For the first time since the start of their conversation, solemn Justice smiles. "Thank you, Dakki Sigal. Is there anything else you wish to address or shall I return you from this conversation space?"

[photonicfighter]

A smile in return is a nice thing. Maybe a nice note to end on, too. But before she can declare that she's done here and would like to go back, a thought hits her. "Um..." She gives an uncertain look around at the room. "...why is it like this in here? It's not a very good setup if you want to have a calm conversation with most people, I don't think...."