Arcana-talk time [A day or two into the new liminal]

[professorwolf]

We're still assuming that the liminal space before a Jaunt represents the Arcana competing in it, yes? I know someone's mentioned this earlier, but it definitely needs to be highlighted-- I think it's pretty obvious this time that the contest will be between Chariot and Tower. The giant wooden horse running through a thunderstorm really couldn't be more blatant. For once.

[He's not great at understanding symbolism, but damn if this wasn't an easy one.]

So if that's right, it'll be a contest of motion and persistence, versus dramatic change and catastrophe. I think it's easy enough to decide who we want to support, in this case. We'll just have to find ways to make sure we see what sort of conditions make for a win for each ideal.

Any ideas for what to look for and how to keep things from devolving into a catastrophe? Those seem to happen a lot when we're around, unfortunately.

Comments

[papacerberus]

"I understand." Lupa speaks gently, and fondly. "Chariot has helped you and become important to you."

He remembers Kanji's dungeon and the toy. "I wish I could have gotten a chance to speak with Chariot. I've only spoken with two, and if my suggestion is even possible in the future, knowing the Arcana as individuals rather than concepts will help us."

Lupa takes a sip of the provided drink. "I regret the timing, but I don't regret making the suggestion to try to change the game so that all of the Arcana will be reflected equally at the end. If you're agreeable to that part, perhaps we can discuss what preparation needs to be done to set it into motion."

After Malik and Kanji have objected to the forcing of a stalemate, Lupa isn't going to actively pursue it--if some kind of middle ground does look to be the best option, he'd pursue that, but Lupa also doubts that's likely. He'd do that for the good of the world and not with the intention of forcing a stalemate anyway.

[truerevelation]

"...Yeah. It has," Kanji says softly, looking back up. "Crazy, I know. When it didn't even stop to say 'hi' when it dumped a mark on me. But ... I dunno. Hard to be mad when I've talked to it."

He's thoughtful for a moment. "I getcha, though. Changing the game ... maybe we could make it work. Maybe it would work out best. It's worth looking into anyway. Why they don't think there's another way or anythin' like that... But we ain't gonna do it without the Arcana themselves."

[papacerberus]

"Yes, exactly. We do need to discover who might consider working with us, and find a way to contact them to discuss it. I know that Emperor will not; he represents rules and order too strongly to even conceive of changing the game, even though he works so closely with Empress all the time."

Kanji is more of an expert on Arcana than Lupa is, so Lupa gives him a hopeful look. "Perhaps this is the best first step towards investigating the plan's feasibility, if we remain ourselves during this next jaunt. Can you think of any Arcana that might be willing to consider such a change and more than that, to work with us?"

[truerevelation]

Kanji takes a sip of his drink as he ponders the situation. "I don't know enough of 'em in person, but the first thought that comes to mind's Death. I mean, change is kinda his whole thing, and not in the everything-fallin'-down way that Tower is. Only talked to him for a bit in January, but I ... get the impression he's alright."
He frowns briefly. There's something bugging him about that idea that he can't lay a finger on for the moment. "Dunno what Chariot would think. Even if it wants to play fair, I don't think that the idea of someone not winning the thing is gonna work for it. But I'll ... ask it more stuff next time I get the chance."

[papacerberus]

"Mm, that does match up with what little I know. I wonder if I could use the fact that so many of them wished to Mark me as a means of initiating contact?"

Lupa pauses, wry. "Although I can't be certain which of them did wish to."

And that makes sense, but-- "I've been thinking of it less that only one will win, and more that all of them will win together, if that might make a difference."

[truerevelation]

"Popular, huh?" Kanji says with a grin.

"And ... maybe." His smile softens out, thoughtful again. "Makes sense to me, but I ain't an Arcana." No matter how many might be represented in his head at any given time. "I figure it can at least tell me some more stuff about how this whole thing works as a competition. How come it is one and all that." He shrugs. "Can try, anyway."

[papacerberus]

"That would be very useful information to have, if Chariot is willing to share it with you." Lupa grins. "And yes, very much so, according to Emperor. I only know of one other that definitely wished to claim me, however. Starting there won't hurt."

[truerevelation]

"...okay, I'm curious," Kanji says, seeming a lot more relaxed now the worst of the conversation's over. "Mind tellin' me who?"

[papacerberus]

"I spoke with Justice briefly. To see if he was willing to entertain suggestions, and therefore show a little trust, I asked if I could speak with one of the others who wanted me. Justice was the one who came."

Lupa was surprised, and if not for other issues, might even consider Emperor a major contender if just one must win. Well, until the last jaunt, anyway.

[truerevelation]

Kanji pushes a stray thought of thank ... Fortuna it wasn't Sun again aside and nods. "Ain't talked to 'em," he says. "At least ... I dunno, unless we said 'hi' in passing in January and I don't remember anything like that. I can see it, though."

[papacerberus]

"Justice did seem very honorable, yes. I'm not certain Justice would approve of changing the rules, especially mid-game, but if I do get a chance to talk with her again, I might get to use the time to learn more about the rules of the game as they stand."

Justice did seem very fair to Lupa, and Lupa can see how changing the rules would be less than fair. It gives him something to think about, and helps him feel more sure about his idea, even if there were objections.

[truerevelation]

Kanji's not certain it's the best course of action, but ... there's definitely no harm in investigating why the rules are what they are, and what can be done, he thinks. He nods again. "Yeah. No use breakin' rules without getting why they're there."

[papacerberus]

"Yes, exactly. Thank you."

Lupa is glad to have a goal to work towards. It helps stave off the general feeling of uselessness he has on jaunts--or at least when he's investigating. He knows he's not actually useless, but not being able to do as much as he wishes to in order to help is difficult. He's so lucky that Kanji agreed to be his officer, and Lupa shows that gratitude with a bright smile.

[truerevelation]

Kanji returns the smile happily, then sighs. "Yeah. If it's 'cause we say so...'" Only one Tribe may reach Nirvana crosses his mind briefly. "That's one thing. But ... I don't think it is. Whatever's going on in this game that ain't just who's best to win the World... we need to know."

[papacerberus]

"It may be that they just aren't able to contemplate a joint win, and that inability was worked into the rules when they started this game. Assuming, of course, that they are players and creators. If it was created for them..."

Well that's a whole other deal, and potentially very worrying. The Arcana are powerful enough without having some power over their heads that's higher than them.

"We definitely need to discover the origin and the reasons for all the rules of the game. It's a shame I didn't think to ask Justice while I spoke with her. If the rules specifically fall under any of them, it would probably be her, I think?"

[truerevelation]

Yeah, Kanji's definitely not looking too happy at the thought that something else is playing with the Arcana, too... There's more nodding on his end. "Makes sense to me, yeah," he says. "Playing fair..."

[papacerberus]

"So I'll make that a goal."

He has no idea of when the chance to work towards it might happen, but he'll be prepared for it.