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

[callmemeibe]

"We don't necessarily have to have a proper conversation," she answers teasingly, her red lips curling into just a hint of a flirty smile. But that's all it is, because she busies herself preparing the table, with a honey bottle and some sugar cubes, and a few scrumptious finger-foods.

"I remembered the honey, this time," she says, smiling. "Is there anything else you need with your tea?"

[claudiometer]

"...Yeah, you'll want someone else for improper conversation. I'm not fluent in flirt, and that's not what got me here regardless." Claudia's extremely good at the Family box. If you want a good flirt-style conversation, you want Helena.

"I think I'm good, thanks. This is already one hell of a spread."

[callmemeibe]

Mei lets out a silvery laugh, but does not continue further.

"You have questions. You must have. I will answer what I can." Her teacup levitates into her hands, and she blows gently on the steaming cup before taking a sip.

[claudiometer]

"What's your end goal here?"

There has to be one, or they wouldn't be going to all this trouble. And she'd rather know what it is she's working toward.

[callmemeibe]

"Now that would be telling, dear," she teases, eyes twinkling with amusement over her teacup. "But I can say I mean you Travelers no harm, lady Claudia. In fact I only wish the best, for all of you Travelers. You are... very precious to me."

Her eyes droop, then, and she slowly lowers her teacup, her expression falling. "I will tell you one thing. If I win... I want to revive whom you would call Star. The ones you call Hierophant, Wheel of Fortune, Temperance... I would revive them, as well. But with Star..."

[claudiometer]

"So it is possible to revive them. I'd been wondering." Maybe not as strongly as she's considered some of the other questions in play around here, but.

"Star's family in a way the others aren't. I think I get it."

[callmemeibe]

"It is... difficult. Improbable, perhaps, but... theoretically not impossible. And I will stop at nothing to save them."

Her fingers tighten into fists as Claudia speaks further, and she falls silent, her head bowing and her shoulders sagging. They suddenly begin to shiver with silent sobs.

"It’s been unbearable. I miss her - Hoshiko - so much," she answers, her hand quickly rising to hide her tears behind her long pink sleeves, trying not to give away her crying in her voice.

[claudiometer]

"I know the feeling."

And she does - every last bit of it.

[callmemeibe]

Her sleeves brush at her eyes to clear away her tears, and she tries to keep it together, mostly for decorum's sake - though it is clear she is still upset.

"I'm sorry, I... do not mean to dump my feelings on you."

[claudiometer]

"You might've noticed I've stumbled my way into being Liminal Therapist. Next to Malik's back catalog of issues, grieving a loved one is cake - especially when I've been there myself."

[callmemeibe]

She smiles at the words, despite her tears. "I knew I liked you for a reason, love." Mei continues drying her tears, before finally resting her hands back in her lap and pulling as aloof of a mask as she can muster. "But a mother must not burden her children with her own troubles. Particularly one who is already burdened, as you say, by another's troubles."

[claudiometer]

"Doesn't mean I won't listen. It's probably not good for even you guys to bottle this stuff up. On the other hand, wallowing in it won't help either, so if you'd rather not dwell on the topic, I totally get it."

But hey, she wants her family back and will do everything in her power to make it happen? Been there, done that, got the nosebleeds.

[callmemeibe]

"One day, perhaps," she answers, "you might hear the whole story. But not today. Today is for next steps, no? We should talk of moving forward, of our strategy."

[claudiometer]

"Fair enough. You're more likely to have something resembling a strategy than I am, though. So what is your plan?"

Not 'the plan.' Claudia will decide for herself if it's one she wants to back. (Given the emotional stakes involved, it's likely she'll be on board, but she promises nothing.)

[callmemeibe]

"For now, we do nothing but wait; our time has not yet come, lady Claudia. We must conserve our strength for times to come."

So... her next time to run this show isn't for a while.

"As for next steps... it depends on the victors. Who wins going forward from here. That will change the plan completely."