network: @dramamamba

[prozaic]

Arcanas, Personas, and elements. All quite interesting, isn't it? According to the forecast app, I am a Hanged Man, though such a term means nothing to me, outside of it seeming quite ominous.

What I am truly most interested in are the magical elements given to us. I did speak to our dear RA about such things, but it seems Braphine didn't gift her with much knowledge, merely that these were a potential power within each of us. However, I do find it a little odd that there was "potential" for ice-element magic within me, given who and what I am.

[Anyone who has seen Shalem in action would know that he just... flops over like a dead fish in the cold. Or tries very, very hard not to. It's as if Shalem is just forever doomed to fucking himself up, no matter what Arts he uses.]

I have half a mind to ask Braphine herself for more information, perhaps even attempt to plead her into fixing this as it's become a problem. However, I'm well aware that the key to summoning her lies in a connection with other people. Consider this a request from assistance from your local serpent.

Comments

[prozaic]

So my earlier assumption was completely off the mark. Modern cards being derived from the minor arcana instead makes sense now, though I would need to check those cards myself when I have the time.

Playing with a tarot deck seems interesting though, I'm given to understand it's assumed to be fortune-telling, but it seems there's more? I'm interested in giving that a try. Shall we play a game? I have an idea.

[metagame]

I've never had a chance to play with a tarot deck! They weren't that common where I lived. But I'm sure enough of the rules of a few games to make it work.

So yes, let's play!

[prozaic]

I am considering summoning Braphine for the answers I'm seeking, but she requires a show of companionship, thus it's an endeavour that cannot be accomplished by one person. Thus, I am inviting you to a game or two in her temple. I'll have to scrounge up a tarot deck myself but hopefully it should not be too difficult.

[metagame]

I see... I'd be more than happy to join you.

[...]

You'll have to give me a day so I can prepare.

[He heard it was possible to summon her through acts of companionship. That part doesn't bother him. No, not at all. Actually, it sounds very nice to call a goddess with friendship opposed to what he used to do.

But he... he never wanted to summon Braphine.

To summon a goddess after so long? He hasn't even properly cleansed-- modern bath tubs and showers are so convenient! Such dereliction of his duty... His father... would be so disappointed in him...]

[prozaic]

Take your time. I understand it's a bit of a daunting task, especially when we don't know if it shall even work, especially when we barely know each other.

[metagame]

I'm not worried about that, Shalem. We might not have known each other for long, but I enjoy your company. Braphine's sure to see that our bonds are true.

It's more to do with me, and how she's a foreign god to me.

[prozaic]

[Wait, hold on. Hold up, hold-- please hold--]

You're all right with my company?

[metagame]

Of course I am.

Snakes are sacred and offer protection.

I have no reason to believe you're any different after what you've done to help.

[prozaic]

[Is he actually reading what he's reading? Is this real? He's going to have to check his temperature, go to sleep, maybe take some medicine, just to make sure he's not hallucinating. It's not like it's the first time he's hallucinating, after all, even if this is the first time he's hallucinated a declaration of companionship and camaraderie. He'll wake up from it eventually, right?

Right?]

I beg your pardon? I don't understand what you mean. Any of it in fact

I really dont

[Oops he's slipping in typing anymore.]

[metagame]

Did I say something wrong?

network -> action

[prozaic]

No

Nothing

I'll see you tomorrow

[And with that, he'll really stop responding because he needs to calm himself. He's losing his mind...

At least, by the next day, he has control over himself, enough that he can keep a straight face around Atem. Even if he's still a bit worried. He probably should withdraw a little more in the future, as to not encourage further terrible opinions.

He's waiting at the temple, newly-bought deck of tarot cards in hand. If his disguise hadn't been up, his tail would be visible, and Atem would have seen it scrunched and curled around in stress.]

[metagame]

[He arrives a moment later.

They're summoning a goddess so his need to be punctual is... a little obsessive.

As is how he presents himself. His shoulders tightly forward, his expression stony. He's not even wearing the usual long-sleeved sweater and joggers to account for the September weather, nor does he have his hair tied up in a messy ponytail. Instead his appearance is excessively polished: his linen tunic and apron nary a wrinkle, hair done carefully with bangs pinned back by the wing piece of his crown, and his eyeliner and deep jade eye-shadow impeccable.

(Sorry to anyone who needed the shower this morning on the 5th floor!)

He wants to be excited to play a new game... But he can't, not with Braphine's summon looming over him.]

Well met, Shalem.

[He can't even bring himself to say yo instead!!! It would be improper, and the thought terrifies him that a goddess may find him lacking.]

[prozaic]

[Needless to say, he feels a little underdressed. All right, maybe a lot. He's simply in his regular suit after all, the outfit he's most comfortable with. It's office chic, not formalwear by any means.

His surprise over Atem's conduct is obvious on his face for a second before he smiles, and gestures towards the temple.]

Hello, Atem. I'm assuming you'd just like to get down to it?

[metagame]

Yes...

[Right, the game. He shouldn't worry about Braphine and enjoy his time with a friend. But still...]

Where should we play?

[prozaic]

We've many tables to choose from. [Given this is apparently the local community centre... but given they're attempting to summon the goddess, not have some fun-- well, they're supposed to, but that's not the main priority, is it?-- Shalem casts his gaze over the tablets and further into the sanctuary, at the table meant for offerings.

And he points right at that.]

Come on, that place is just as good as any. It's supposedly the closest to her, after all.

[metagame]

That works for me.

[He steps off in that direction.]

Where'd you find that tarot deck anyway?

[When they're at Braphine's offering table, he holds his hand out for the deck. To see what they're working with to decide what game they should play. Shuffle it, too.]

[prozaic]

At the bookstore, an odd little section at the back for occult games, occult religions and whatnot. [Not even the board and table top games area! Sheesh. Sometimes he has to wonder what bookstores consider good organization, when they don't even follow proper book organization systems.

Shalem sits by the offering table once he reaches it, and slips the cards out of their box, beginning to shuffle them.]

Do you have an idea of how we shall play?

[metagame]

Occult games...

[Ehhh? Like a ouija board..?

He quickly flips through the cards to get a good feel for them... Mmm...]

I think standard tarocchi should work since we've got all 78 cards.

[He holds up the World card since it feels fitting.]

The 22 Major Arcana and Kings are worth five points. Queens are 4, Knights are 3, Knaves are 2, and Pips are worth half a point.

Tarocchi plays a lot like Egyptian War. The goal is to capture the other player's cards. We draw five cards then place one card into a pile like this...

[Places the World on the table for his example.]

Only another Major Arcana or King can trump another one another. The others go by points... So Pips are trumped by Knaves, so on and so on.

After we place a card down, we have to draw a new card. We play until the cards are gone, then we tally our points at the very end. Whoever has the most points wins.

Sound good?

[prozaic]

That's acceptable. [And reasonable! Shalem doesn't need to keep rules for a new game in his head for the entire duration of it.

He gathers up the cards again and begins to shuffle. When he's done, he sets the deck down in the middle of the table.]

After you.

[metagame]

[More cards means more math to keep track of... There being 26 cards to end a round means he needs to play rather conservatively to accumulate the most he can.

So he takes a good look at his hand and starts off with a Pip, the Ace of Cups.

They play quite a few rounds, and though Atem's still quite distracted by summoning Braphine, Avrae decided he was going to win anyway.

Because King of Games, I guess.]

Heh, that was a lot of fun!

[His grin is huge on his face. But uh. Uh... Short-lived, too, as he clears his throat and schools his face back to stoic indifference. That feels more acceptable to meet a goddess...]

[linkmakers]

[And, just like that, something in the air changes - like they are no longer in the ordinary, mortal world, and are instead in one charged with powerful energies.

A golden-haired woman now sits at the throne, a golden scepter in her hand. Her gaze is amused, fuchsia eyes fixing on the two and their card game.]

What fun! It's been a while since anyone played about here.

What is it you two needed?

[prozaic]

Ah, you-- [Shalem stops in congratulating Atem for his win, his mouth and nose filling with the scent of something not unlike ozone, but also still unlike it. He shuts his mouth and turns his head to look at the newcomer... The goddess herself, the game actually worked.

Shalem stands up and straightens his posture, and adjust his speech to be formal. That's how respect works, after all.]

For my audacity in summoning you, I apologize. However, I came to request assistance, the magic I use to serve your purposes are, unfortunately, detrimental to my health. [Perhaps saying detrimental is borderline hyperbole, but Shalem does think using Ice magic is a nightmare for his efficiency.]

[linkmakers]

Oh, really?

[Please elucidate.]

[prozaic]

[First, Shalem reaches behind himself and shows off his tail, black-scaled, iridescent. It's very obvious that he is some sort of reptile, but he's not about to leave it just to assumptions, he knows how to make a proper speech!]

I am a man and a serpent, [well, it's close enough, he's being very simple about this because Terran biology is very odd and not at all his field of expertise,] and while I look more like a man, I am, unfortunately, affected like a real serpent when in the face of cold.

[Then he places his free hand on his chest.]

I become tired, and sometimes incapable of coherent thought when I become cold-- I have already become a burden to the others due to this. Unfortunately, when I wave my hands, what comes out is ice magic.

[metagame]

[Atem remains silent as Shalem speaks with Braphine.

There isn't anything he needs to discuss exactly... But yeah, actually, it makes sense Shalem wanted to summon her with how Ice magic messes with him. Snakes go through brumation when they're cold.]