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.

Comments

[adastraea]

"It is an aggregate representation of our archetypes," the woman explains, "filtered through zeir sense of aesthetics. The chair, for instance, is meant to symbolize Death. The beverage, the Devil. We understand that mortals enjoy chairs and beverages."

[teamsad]

She raises her eyebrows, taking one step toward the stool so she can get a better look at the so-called beverage sitting on it. Yep, that's blood. She thought so.

Jess looks back at the woman with a slightly pained expression. "You might want to narrow that understanding slightly. Most of us would find this threatening."

[adastraea]

"So I am finding," the woman says. "Welcome, Jessica Drew, to this conversation space. I am Justice, ranked eleventh of the Arcana. I have taken the personal name of 'Astræa' if that is easier."

[teamsad]

"Justice?" Jess can't help a flicker of a smile, amused despite herself. "I suppose I should have expected that. And what part of this charming decor comes from you?"

[adastraea]

"The light," she says, "and the stool."

[teamsad]

Jess nods. Okay, those are some of the better choices in this really regrettable room.

"Great. And... is this the point where you explain why I'm here, or is that too much to hope for?"

[adastraea]

"You are here as one of my Chosen," Justice informs her. "I shall grant you my favor and later skills. In return, I ask you to serve as my agent in these Jaunts ahead and more particularly, in my matches."

[teamsad]

This she understands. Story of her life. She still can't imagine why anyone would choose her instead of, say, Steve or Carol, but she's here now, and someone needs her to do a job.

...usually that someone isn't a baffling and terrifyingly powerful extradimensional entity, but she can work with this.

"Your matches? Am I supposed to be fighting someone?"

[adastraea]

"Not necessarily," she says. "However, Phase Three is played as a tournament."

[teamsad]

"And what happens if we win? Or if we lose?"

[adastraea]

"If we win, I shall achieve the World and the power it contains, which should be enough to benefit my Chosen within reason. I will be reflected throughout reality. If we lose, I shall be removed from play, though my chosen will remain in the game until the tournament is over."

[teamsad]

Okay, that first part sounded a little too much like the megalomaniacs Jess usually finds herself punching in the face... but she'll try not to take that personally right now.

"By reality, you mean... all of our worlds? Or just the places we visit, or... Give me a scale here. And some idea of what you reflected through reality actually means."

[adastraea]

"Think upwards," she says. She hesitates for a moment, then says, "A reality in which I was reflected in would be one in which the core concepts of my archetype are given more weight. Quite simply, a more just universe. The current iteration was once Fortuna's. Fortune's. It is one in which, among other things, random chance and luck have been given much weight."

[teamsad]

Jess draws a short breath. "Oh. Okay."

She thinks for a moment, and then asks, "You've played this game before, then? I know that time is a little abstract in this context, but how long ago was Fortuna's win? We make a change, and how long does it last before it's someone else's turn?"

[adastraea]

There is a long silence.

"You would have to ask SAGE," she says finally. "Or Mortimer. Perhaps in concert. Their conception of linear time and cyclical events respectively far exceeds my own."

[teamsad]

She smiles wryly. "Got it. There's a reason I toss some questions to my super scientist teammates, too. Is there any actual chance I could get an audience with your colleagues to get those questions answered?"

She's expecting that answer's going to be a no, but it's worth a shot.

[adastraea]

"It would be possible for me to ask them to come here to talk with you," she says after another long silence. "At least, in the case of Mortimer. SAGE does not converse in his current base form. I cannot guarantee that they would come at my call."

[teamsad]

"I'd like that, if you don't mind. If they don't feel like talking, I'll live, but a little more understanding about the situation wouldn't hurt."

[adastraea]

"I shall ask them now."

[callmemeibe]

Not a second after she has finished speaking, someone clears their throat. Sitting in the electric chair is a gaunt-looking man, dressed in a nice black suit. His blue eyes are focused not on the blindfolded woman, but on Jess. "You called?"

[teamsad]

"That was quick," she comments, eyebrows raised. "I take it you're Mortimer?"

[callmemeibe]

"Time is a different concept to most of us than it is to Travelers," he answers calmly, before standing and extending his hand. "I am indeed. A pleasure to meet you, Jessica."

[teamsad]

"Same to you... I hope, at least."

She's actually not sure how she feels about the Arcana yet... and respect for authority - or, at least, power - has never been her strongest suit.

Jess turns to face him directly, turning slightly away from Astraea to do it, and folds her arms over her chest.

"I'm trying to understand this... cycle. You've played this tournament before, from what I understand?"

[callmemeibe]

... okay, don't take his hand, then. Death frowns but pulls his hand away, mimicking her posture by crossing his arms over his chest, somewhat uncomfortably.

"Yes, we have." There is a slight pause, before he turns his gaze to the other Arcanum. "Might I ask for context here, Astraea?"

[adastraea]

"Jessica said: 'You've played this game before, then? I know that time is a little abstract in this context, but how long ago was Fortuna's win? We make a change, and how long does it last before it's someone else's turn?'"

Astræa's voice suddenly echoes Jess' cadences exactly, although it's back to its normal measured tones in a moment.

"To which I replied: 'You would have to ask SAGE. Or Mortimer. Perhaps in concert. Their conception of linear time and cyclical events respectively far exceeds my own.'"