[open]

[ofinspiration]

Would someone like to tell me why my friend and I found ourselves with surprise tattoos? I'm fairly certain they weren't there before we returned to Liminal Space - mine would have been... noticable.

Second question: how do I get rid of it? They're pretty, I'll give you that, and points for appropriate symbolism on her, at least... but I do have an aesthetic to maintain.

Comments

[turbedon]

Welcome to the club. We have cookies for new members usually. But things are a little wet at the moment.

Who got to you anyway?

[ofinspiration]

If I knew that, would I be asking?

What club?

[turbedon]

The club of people who got marked by the Trumps. They're not the best at dating, so no dinner or flowers are included.

What's the design of the tattoo like? Any specific image or numbers?

[ofinspiration]

Rude. [ She's one to talk... ] I'd settle for a drink and sex, but I assume that's not in the cards either.

It's a pomegranate. Both of ours are.

[upcard]

Ah... um--those are...

[Shake it off, Mai, be firm and certain!!]

... Those are from the Trumps, I think. Sometimes they, um--mark people...

[ofinspiration]

...wonderful. Just what I needed.

Why do they mark people? What's the point?

[upcard]

...We're not sure.

[A hesitant pause.]

I mean--we don't know for sure. Everyone has their own theories, but... either way, it's definitely to...mark us as theirs in some way.

[ofinspiration]

Because kidnapping us didn't make that point clearly enough...

[leftbehindagain]

...There was a Trump around last jaunt? Granted, I was a little preoccupied, but after the Grid I would've thought they'd be more obvious. [But then, not all of them signify anything anywhere near as blatant as ROSE. Or the Devil, for that matter.]

Other people who've been snapped up can probably explain it better, but in a nutshell, the entities sending us on all this world-hopping occasionally decide they like someone and give them a surprise tattoo accordingly. As of now there's no way we know of to get rid of it, nor do we know the possible side effects of trying.

[ofinspiration]

I don't know what a Trump is supposed to look like, but I didn't meet anyone who seemed particularly in control of... anything there. Then again, I wasn't exactly myself, or looking.

[leftbehindagain]

I doubt they have a set shape, which only makes this more difficult. It was probably someone you interacted with, though - that seems to be the common pattern so far.

[ofinspiration]

I ran into a lot of people. That doesn't really narrow it down.

[howexciting]

[Dick and Mai seem to be explaining the Trumps tattoos well enough, but there is one more question...]

... what does it look like? Are there any numbers, symbols? Something that might indicate which Trump marked you?

[ofinspiration]

No numbers. Just a pomegranate, on both of us. Different art styles, but... pomegranates. I don't know or care enough about tarot to even guess what that means.

[howexciting]

Then it is either the High Priestess, or the Empress. Those are the only two cards in the Rider-Waite tradition which possess pomegranates on their faces.

[What do you know, learning tarot came in useful.]

Of those two, I think the themes of the Jaunt fit much better with the High Priestess, than the Empress. Wisdom and intuition. Relationships. Mystical vision. Higher powers.

[ofinspiration]

Huh. Not the one I would have guessed would show an interest.

In me, at least. It sounds perfect for L- Persephone.

Private:

[creativefool]

...It's High Priestess, yeah.

She got Phillip.

private

[thornsofmalkav]

You're Leonardo, right? We met when I was Charoite. I don't seem to have any new tattoos I can see, but I want to make sure there aren't any on my back. Could you, uh, help me with that?

I don't really want to ask the ex-fish for, uh, reasons.

[And this would set up a perfect opportunity for supper.]

[howexciting]

The... "ex-fish"?

[Not even going to try and figure that one out on his own.]

Of course, I would be honored to help. Where are you? I can meet you in a few moments' time.

[thornsofmalkav]

I don't know her name. She's the jerk who started the whole topic of discussion and she used to be a spirit animal thief.

I'm in the, uh, workshop, I think it's called. Upper left corner from the door.

[shantiprayer]

I think Papa - Uhm, that's Leonardo - already did a lot better explaining than I could. Let's see though... Did you make a deal with anyone? Or a promise? Besides the other Travelers I mean.

And uh... Is your name really Luci? My real name is Sera, and that was the first time I haven't been a girl.

[ofinspiration]

I don't make promises. And if there are deals, I'm usually on the other end. So... no.

[ She remembers Ser - Sera - a bit from the jaunt, a little lingering familiarity holding over, so she gets a more straightforward answer than most would. ]

My name's Lucifer. But you can call me Luci, if you like.

[shantiprayer]

Well, that can change sometimes when you Infiltrate! So it doesn't hurt to ask. I was lucky, the Trump that marked me was very plain about making an agreement. Some try to trick you though. Others seem to just grab you without ever saying anything. Those are the ones that are big jerks.

That's a very pretty name! It's good to meet you for real, Luci.

[It's not that Judeo-Christian mythology doesn't exist in her world, she's just very sheltered and doesn't know squat about it.]

[oftoomuchfaith]

Hullo, Ser! Er, Sera, sorry.

[ What? Laura liked Ser. Kore liked Ser? It's very complicated, but might as well be friendly. ]

[shantiprayer]

Hi Kore! Or uhm. Is that your real name or do you have a different one?

[Sera's been doing this for so long that she just rolls with it at this point.]