A Fortune Teller reads fortunes

Characters in this scene: ~~Lady~~ Fortune Teller, Marcus, Levi, Mainstay

Setting Location: Sanctuary

Stirge — 03/21/2021

Lady sits in the cafeteria of Sanctuary, a little cardboard cut out 'storefront' framing the table she's sitting at. 'Fortunes - $1' is written out in big, childish marker. She's wearing sunglasses and wide, sun hat doing her best to look incognito - but isn't fooling anybody.

Stirge — 03/21/2021

"Greetings, greetings." Lady says, trying her best to sound mysterious, "Today I shall play the role of the mysterious 'Fortune Teller.'" "oooo. Aren't I spooky?" she says,

thestarsseeall — 03/21/2021

Marcus gives a tired smile, dusting his hands slightly cleaner. "One could say that, yes. "

Stirge — 03/21/2021

Lady shuffles cards with the deck, it seems very clumsily - should that even be possible? She always seems to place cards on little wooden placards and no one ever knows how they get on there. Maybe she spends hours getting it prepared for people.

But nonetheless, she pulls out three cards, revealing them to Marcus: The Eight of Swords, the Page of Cups, The World

The Lady of House LimBOT — 03/21/2021

"I speak the following fortune of this to a hypothetical 'you' based on my interpretation of the cards." she prefaces

"At first blush - You are trapped by your circumstances. You want to reach out, knowing intuitively that there is another level of of the world that is yet accessible to you. You are correct about that."

thestarsseeall — 03/21/2021

"Well, that sounds good to know. "

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"You have taken that step, asking for a vision of the future that may lead you out of your circumstances."

"But the circumstances of the next world you want to find yourself in - isn't it one where all others may be trapped? And you would be the one holding the key?"

"A world like that exists within you, a vision that can be shared - and if you process it, you will find your key to freedom."

Lady pushes the cards ahead of her on the table, indicating to Marcus he may keep them if he wishes. "Ambitious one, it was an honor to read for you."

thestarsseeall — 03/21/2021

Marcus looks at her hesitantly, then reaches to the table and grabs the cards, sliding them into his pocket. "We thank you, for this... this." He says awkwardly. "You have given us much to think about." He looks back at the Sanctuary gift shop, where some of his other coworkers and co-members are still installing the shelves and the display. "Yes, much to think about... and I'll do more of that later. Now, though... back to work." He bows to Lady Lim one more time, then goes to get more support braces for the grill.

Stirge — 03/21/2021

~~Lady~~ The Fortune Teller bows back to Marcus.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

~~Lady~~ The Fortune Teller looks at the small line forming. "I apologize but today I will only be taking 3 clients. This next lovely individual will be my second." Other people in the line grumble but disperse.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/21/2021

"Heh. You flatter us, ma'am." As one hand moves to place a dollar on the table, the other hand unconsciously drifts down to fidget with Levi's hole-filled leggings, one claw accidentally poking a new hole before too long.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"Do I? I hope the Lady doesn't hear you, she might decide such a lovely individual - or multiplicity I should say - as yourself would be gainsaying themselves for denying it." She smiles.

"But alas, today I am a Fortune Teller."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"You seem to come to me as if in defeat, unsure if the world you see in front of you is yours or will the next place you visit be home? You have come to my table not looking for an answer per se, but for inspiration."

"But you are the person who is making the decision, not me and not your circumstances - your fate is in your own hands. You already have found the spark of an idea, but something about what you've found has you feeling pre-emptively defeated."

"Within your selves is a spark, one that ignited after you had already faced defeat, after you already left behind a situation - this is the reason of your conundrum. You are hesitant that there is a place for you after feeling like you've lost once already."

"The spark is demanding something of you now - that *you* are the one who makes the decision, that within the defeat you have already suffered - you are indeed exactly the multiplicity you seek to be."

The Lady pushes the cards ahead of her, indicating that Levi/Seafom is welcome to take them.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/21/2021

"...Huh. Interesting." Levi takes the cards and tucks them into its purse. "You've given us a lot to think about, Fortune Teller. Thank you."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

The Fortune Teller bows to Levi. "Next?" She says, to her final client.

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

You’re seeing Lane, with Dredger close enough to the front to maybe impact things? She looks like death, physically: ragged, stomach growling, clearly hasn’t slept in days. There are misty black lines tracking over her arms, and hints of whispers when her hair moves. Her eyes are darting this way and that, and she sounds distracted whenever she speaks to others in line. She’s trying to keep it together, but you can see the first two fingers on her left hand shaking, and her face bears signs of recent tears. Nevertheless, she talks in a cheery voice, and is clearly trying her hardest for some level of confidence.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"Welcome to my Table," ~~Lady~~ The Fortune Teller says. She seems entirely unperturbed by the deathly aura that Lane emits. In fact, it seems as if she in her Sun hat and Sunglasses was basking in it. "You are blessed by the Spirits." she says, simply.

Lane frowns, but nods slightly and gives a forced smile. “I appreciate your saying so.”

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"You are most welcome."

Lady raises an eyebrow at the cards and for a moment breaks character, then she refocuses.

"A great harrowing has occurred that has left you and yours in your current state. Instead of an Ending in it, you find yourself at a new Beginning, taking on a Role of Power."

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"Within this new chapter of your life you find yourself in a world very much unlike your previous one, a world that seems to be defined by who has power and who does not, and even those with power are one moment away from great destruction."

"Within yourself lies a great power, but while it is under your control it is a dangerous one. It's capable of wreaking great destruction unto others - powerful enough to reshape the world around you."

"But should you find it within yourself to master the force you work with, find partnership between passion and your goals - you will be given everything that you desire, a new stage of life...but at the same time, forever more you will be touched by the harrowing your new life began with."

~~Lady~~The Fortune Teller nodded, "And with this last fortune, I resign my Role." She takes off her hat and sunglasses, and offers her hands out - palms forward, indicating that Lane take her hands, if she would like.

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Lane reaches out to take them, then stops. Her brow furrows, and the tattoo-like mists on her arms grow slightly thicker. She looks The Fortune Teller dead in the eyes, smiles widely, and takes only The World. Then, as quickly as it came, her smile vanishes and she looks down. After a moment, she mumbles her thanks and scurries off.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

Lady calls out and it can be clearly heard despite the distance: her voice is gentle "You touching me will not Harm me, for I am Full of Life. I have a few more words of advice to say to you, if you wish to hear them. I will sit here for the next 10 minutes drinking tea. Come by or not, your choice, with no pressure."

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

An Other walks into the cafeteria. He has leathery wings protruding from all over his body. Black mist pours off of him, and each trail is whispering something different. Little hints of those whispers float away from him. “—take it apart—“ “—if it finds—“ “—succor...sucrose? scrap it, we can—“ He swaggers up to the booth and says, “Am I late?” A laugh underlays his voice, not one of mirth or malice, but of simple joy in existence.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"You are both not quite the person I was talking to earlier, and exactly the same - and just as beautiful, from my point of view." Lady smiles, small but genuinely, "Hello Other and thank you for returning." Lady offers her hands out again, palms turned upward, calm and still.

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Without hesitation, the Other lays one of his hands (if a writhing mass of whispering mist can even be called a hand) on her palms. “I like someone who can appreciate me.”

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

Dredger's hand is night to the Lady's day. They do not quite feel each other physically, but a small, localized energetic storm forms between the two of them. Twilight. Lady clasps her hands against the whispering mist as if it were solid, giving an indication of camaraderie, "If no one has said it yet, welcome to this world, beloved Other."

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

The Other cocks his head slightly, but backwards, and says soberly, “Y’know, no one yet had. Been here a long while, though. Prefer to keep to myself, usually, except when curiosities like her—“ he thumps his own chest “—come ‘round.” He looks her dead in the eyes, as he did earlier through Lane, but says nothing, this time holding her gaze.

The Lady of House LimBOT — 03/21/2021

Lady smiles beneficently, her gaze is steady, "Of course I cannot understand in the same way as you, but I believe I relate."

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

“Oh yeah?”

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"I much prefer to keep to my own company. But with the advent of Occult Magic Online, I found myself in a world full of interesting people - curiosities as you might say. And so I wanted them to come 'round."

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

“Hmh. Suppose so.”

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

The Other reaches out almost carelessly with the hand that’s not on the Lady’s palm, and little motes of dust and grime come to him. At the same time, his chest protrudes a little outside the mist surrounding him, exposing some gunk that looks like it’s made of metal and stilled fire, and smells of wilting lilies. He motions again with his free hand, and the grime and gunk combine into a chair – almost a throne, really – with irregular edges and protrusions. He reclines into it fluidly, almost as though he’d been making to sit before he moved his hand at all. The entire process takes no more than four seconds, and still he holds Lady Lim’s gaze the entire time.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"You're an artist!" Lady exclaimed, joyfully. "Very impressive."

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

He laughs that same laugh, but this time, there is a tiny bit of mirth. “I am.” Then his tone grows serious. “So, why’d you call me back here, huh? Exchanging pleasantries is fun, but you sounded like you were talkin’ some bigger shit.”

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"Well, since you ask I meant to call you *both* back here. Would it be rude for me to ask if Lane can also listen in a bit more presently alongside you, if that is possible?"

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

The Other chortles, and the mists begin to ripple around him. “Sure thing. It’ll mean you see more of her than me, but I’ll be around.” The mists swirl rapidly, and melt back into the form of Lane, tiny and out of place on the hodgepodge throne. The rippling tattoos slowly appear on her arms again, and one of her eyes leaks mist. “Hi,” she says, her tone the inverse of Dredger’s joyous confidence.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"A shame. Maybe someday there will be a way I can speak to you both equally at once." says as Dredger leaves.

"Hello again." Lady greets Lane, holding now, her hand, "Is it okay if I remain holding your hand or would you prefer to keep to yourself? I understand you may have a deleterious effect on most living beings but...I am in a unique situation."

"...a unique situation and am largely unaffected by auras of decay or of similar nature.\*"

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Lane seems almost surprised by the placement of her hand. It twitches, and the shudder runs through her body, but she doesn’t remove it. “It’s...not exactly like that. I’m not worried about harming you.”

Lane gives a little gasp – of pain, not surprise – as her misty eye turns black. A masculine, gregarious voice speaks with her mouth. “And I don’t make shit decay. Well. Not permanently. Usually. You know what, you’re safe anyway, the details don’t matter.” The eye loses its blackness, the mist returns to its lower concentration, and Lane is left looking more irritated than afraid.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"Pardon for the assumption. I have met many a young person who has been touched by something of the dark side of the Practice and they have often been afraid to touch others for fear of hurting them. What might your concern be, so that I can hopefully ameliorate your worry?"

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Lane shudders again, and her fingers twitch a little more. “I just...people are...messy. You’re people. I don’t know how to...” She trails off.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"Please, feel free to let go of my hand at any point."

"And, would you possibly still happen to hold that World card on you?" Lady indicates the spread in front of her, "If you do - would you mind, temporarily, returning it? It will help me explain my story."

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Lane looks stricken. “I don’t want to let go. I’m...scared.” Another gasp, another darkening of the eye. “She wants to hold your hand, oh matronly one,” Dredger laughs. “She wants *someone* to hold her hand. Not you, or anyone who can, really. But you’ll do.” He reaches into Lane’s skirt pocket and pulls out the card, depositing it with care onto the tabletop. Then it’s Lane again, looking even more stricken than before. “I wouldn’t have...said it like that.”

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"However it's said, I'm glad it's said. And I am not at all offended if you wish you were holding someone else's hand," Lady sighed wistfully, "I understand that feeling very well, myself." "Would it be alright if I told you a story?" Lady continued.

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Lane looks spent, but her hand is now still. “Go ahead,” she says in a small voice.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"I don't know how much you know about the Demesne ritual, but while it is fairly simple in concept, the difficulty scales depending on the amount of space you claim."

"Choosing a hotel as large as the one Sanctuary was before it was Claimed was...an astounding challenge. I had of course, plotted for well over a year how I would do it...but the day the Ritual began, I was, quite understandably, very nervous."

"And so I did as I did back then and often do today - I gave myself a tarot reading." "And that day, I pulled the exact same three cards I pulled for you today, in the exact same order." Lady pauses, waiting for that piece of information to sink in."

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Lane says nothing, but her eyes are fixed on Lady Lim’s now, and they’re clearly hers.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"A one in over 450,000 chance, a mathematician might say. Of course, I don't believe in coincidences." Lady gave to Lane a confiding grin.

With her other hand, she removes the black ribbon around her throat. There is a dark, thin, but very noticeable line where the ribbon was, with a dark, sticky fluid crusted over the line.

Lady stared into Lane's eyes, unashamed. "It appears you do not like unclean things, but my neck should be fairly sanitary. Please either touch it to feel or use your Sight so you can see a Similarity between us."

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Lane’s eyes flash with orange light. Her expression doesn’t change, but she begins shaking. “What...?”

Lane’s Sight uses amber light to highlight connections related to protectiveness. For the first time in her life, Lane sees a being entirely *made* of amber, with little strands of it – almost liquid – extending in all directions, including toward her. She sees the Wrongness twisting around the Lady, but she can’t comprehend it.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

"I was born by the name, 'Christine' - it literally means, 'Follower of Christ' - my parents were Catholic, at least in word, as are many in the Philippines after the Spanish conquered our people." "I became the 'Lady of House Lim' the same week all the rest of my family died to a devestating curse. In a way they were responsible for the curse. In a way, I was responsible for that curse." Lady said, explaining no further. "The reading I received the morning of what would be my Demesne Ritual I wonder if I felt much like you did, today, after receiving your version of the reading. I already knew what the devestation was and as I read it left, to right, I began to be hopeful that the new world - a world where I had the power to make real change, would come to light."

"At that point in my understand of tarot, I did not read as I do now, where I interpret in the order left to right, then middle, right, left, then right, left, middle, and finally: right, middle, left." "I thought I could escape the fate that created the Lady of House Lim."

"Since that time I have learned differently - and while your fate is not and does not necessarily have to be the same as mine, I hope that you find solace in how this same reading played out for me." Lady said, she broke eye contact, looking around Sanctuary and seeming to invite Lane to do the same.

"For me, I will always be touched by the tragedy of my past. It colors everything I do and every part of my being. But while it may be ever part of me - it does *not* define me." Lady says simply and matter-of-factly, "I define me."

"A tarot reading is a bit of a mystery, a bit of an oracle, but also a bit of a game. As human beings or complex Others, we as individuals or multiplicities are beautiful gems with many, many facets."

"A tarot reading is simply a look into one particular facet, for one particular moment. It reveals exactly as much truth as you wish it to."

"And so if you are empowered by this reading, please take it with you - and the parts that may scare you, if you feel brave, take that with you too - but if you don't? Discard it." "Take just the World if you like, or take all Three. Make what of this reading as you wish. I know I have." Lady gestures with her hand, indicating Sanctuary again. "Thank you for coming to my residence, it is an honor to have you and yours here. Please enjoy your stay and let me know if there's anything I can do to make that stay more comfortable here." Lady finishes.

Yasmin (IC: MainStay) — 03/21/2021

Lane says nothing, but the tattoos disappear from her left arm, and her right hand turns bright orange. From her chest, a third, misty arm emerges. The misty hand immediately takes The World. The orange right hand takes the King of Wands. And Lane’s own left hand hovers over The Tower for a few moments...then takes it, too. As one, they stand and walk away, and their voices swirl together. The result isn’t comprehensible, but the appreciation is clear.

The Lady of House Lim — 03/21/2021

Lady nods and smiles and is grateful to the universe for her Role. Silently, in heart head and heart and spirit and in the whole of her body, she wishes Lane and those she Hosts well.