Conversation Space IV.

[powersthatbe]

The small room is painted a dark beige, with stained wood paneling on the lower half, and lush burgundy carpeting. The ceiling, however, is cracked and bowed, sagging alarmingly, occasionally shedding chips of plaster. Wrought-iron lamp-posts in the corners suspend pale, wan globes of light, and between them along the walls run rows of painted sunflowers, all turned towards the center of the room as if listening attentively. A jutting spire of granite rises from the floor on a diagonal, its flattened top sporting a cracked wineglass from which the wine (a white) slowly spatters teardrops across the plinth. And there is no chair, but a therapist’s couch, blue with gold trim, and ornate scrollwork on the legs, beside which the fluted horn of a phonograph player pipes music into the room, quiet enough to just be background ambience.

Comments

[callmemeibe]

"The losers will be eliminated from play. The winners will advance to the next match, until one is victorious."

[venetianprince]

Feliciano tenses slightly. "What- but what about their chosen pieces? Those of us marked by the losers... they won't be hurt, will they?" he asks, worried and anxious.

[callmemeibe]

"If you wish to hurt them, then yes. I shall leave you to judge the fates of those who are unworthy of my mark."

[venetianprince]

That... was certainly not the answer Feliciano expected.

"I... I-I see..." Feliciano murmurs in response, letting it all sink in. "Do you know what the others would do if they won?" he asks curiously. If each Arcana has their own unique goals, then... well, it's a lot of things to think about.

[callmemeibe]

"I have what you beings would call... educated guesses. These are based on the beliefs of the others in question. But I do not plan on letting the others win, so it is a superfluous question. I expect you to perform your duties admirably."

[venetianprince]

Feliciano hums at that, considering her answer, and he falters. Suddenly, he feels under a lot more pressure than he ever had since starting to Travel...

He wants to win. Judgement seems... well, reasonable, and if anyone had to win, they certainly weren't a bad person to be victor. Maybe it could all still end peacefully, then...

He nods. "I'll... I'll do my best. But my duties- what would you have of me?" he asks curiously. He remembers their initial meeting faintly, but even then, his "duties" were vague at best.

[callmemeibe]

"I would have you reflect my virtues," they answer calmly. "Use your best Judgment."

[venetianprince]

This is still vague. Feliciano somehow feels like this is perhaps too much freedom to be giving someone like him.

"Then... I'll do it. I- nn. I'll try." He knows keeping a level head isn't exactly his strong suit, he's too flighty and panicky, but he's going to try his damned hardest to win. Judgment seems pleasant enough, and certainly not someone likely to raze the others down if they won.

"...and if we win? What becomes of us- is there a..." He thinks a moment. "...a reward, or a prize?" If this is all just a game. He briefly and whimsically wonders if they get something cool like a wish.

[callmemeibe]

"I will vanquish the wicked Cabalists who have gone beyond the limits of redemption," they answer, "And you will become the Shepherd to the Traveler Flock. You will decide what fate awaits them, and finally, yourself."

[venetianprince]

Feliciano freezes, and before he realizes it, resolve is burning in his chest.

He- Judgement- must win.

"Then I'll do it."

To decide their fates... isn't that the best way to protect everyone?

[callmemeibe]

"I am glad we are in agreement. That is all I will ask of you, my Chosen."

They pause, and then place a hand against Feliciano's cheek. "I will be there to guide you."

[venetianprince]

Feliciano blinks in surprise a moment, before he melts into the touch, relaxing considerably. "Grazie..." Even through such a small gesture, Judgment has earned more of his trust.

"...you wouldn't hurt us, would you?" Feli asks softly, although his tone indicates that he (at least for the moment) is holding them in higher regard. "All of us- the Travelers- we're all lost, in this game."

[callmemeibe]

Though the touch is gentle, it really feels off, somehow. The warmth of the hand is there, but it's not right. It's clear the thing touching him isn't living in the sense Feliciano would know it.

"I will not harm my Chosen. And I have no interest in harming Fortune's selections, be they worthy or no. But I cannot play the game for you. If you are irreparable, Death will restore you to functioning order."

[venetianprince]

Feliciano notes the strangeness of the touch- but he is not as put-off as he should be.

He too is inhuman, after all.

And any touch is comfort to him. He relaxes and shuts his eyes. "Thank you," he murmurs.

He ventures one more question.

"Which of the other Arcana don't you like?"

[callmemeibe]

"The Antisticides and the Exploiters, as I have deemed them," they answer unhelpfully. "If we win, I will punish them according to their crimes."

[venetianprince]

"Ah... but what about the names Travelers would know them by?" Feliciano asks next, confused still. Judgment is going to be hard to understand at this rate, which makes him a bit antsy.

[callmemeibe]

They seem equally confused. "I believe one of the Antisticides goes by SAGE for you Travelers," they answer. "I know not the names the others have chosen. The Exploiters have flaunted the rules set forth by Fortuna in this round of Synodiporia, and as such will be barred from the next round. One of them is Mei."

[venetianprince]

"Ah~ So that's how it is," Feliciano murmurs, mulling over this new information. "I see. So the rulebreakers won't be allowed next time... but some of the others you don't like are still playing."

"Well~! We'll do our best to knock them out."

[callmemeibe]

"That is all I can ask of thee," they answer patiently, though they seem to be waiting to see if there will be any further questions.

[venetianprince]

"My last question," Feliciano says after a moment's thought.

"What, if anything, would you never want us to do?"

[callmemeibe]

"Sully my virtues. Breed chaos and deceit which is anathema to me. Deny who you are, and what I represent. That is what I never wish you to do."

[venetianprince]

Feliciano listens quietly, before nodding. "I understand. I'll do my best," he murmurs, finally letting himself relax and settle down. "So is- is this it? Is this the only time we'll get to speak with you...?"

[callmemeibe]

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. It is usually ill-advised to interrupt the path of one's Chosen, as it could... bring one's victory into question, should one win." They frown, displeased at the thought. "But I can speak to my Chosen, indirectly, through the Mark."

[venetianprince]

"Oh! Through the mark... then we'll be okay," Feliciano chirps, perking up. "Ah, mine's on my back, though, so I guess I'll have to check it more often," he says brightly, feeling a little better. If he's playing a game, it'd help to have a coach, so to speak. Even if the coach can only speak through vague metaphysical messages.

[callmemeibe]

"It matters little. You will know when I require something of thee, Chosen."