[open to all] Trump speculation + calling

[howexciting]

... Perdonatemi, I have an announcement.

I am not sure anyone else is aware of this, but the payphone by the door can connect to the Trumps. Or at least, when I attempted to call a Trump, it went through. I am not sure if all the Trumps are available for a call or not. I have heard some of them are dead, so they are likely not, at least. In truth, I am not really sure why they are allowing us to speak to them, now. We should all proceed with caution.

Further... if anyone has information on any of the Trumps that appeared this past Jaunt - The Magician, going by ROSE; The Hermit, going by SAGE; and The Devil - please, share it. I am not well versed in the mystical meanings behind the Tarot, only the cards and their numbers. The Magician is one, The Hermit nine, and the Devil fifteen. While I cannot say I know much about The Hermit, I am aware of many aspects of SAGE, as I was a Crypto this past Jaunt. I... I can tell you what little I know about him, if it would help.

... lastly, if anyone was Marked and feels comfortable coming forward with that information, I would be much obliged to hear it. Private or public, it does not concern me; I shall not come forward with that information unless you are comfortable providing it publicly. With so many Trumps amongst us, I cannot believe any of them would leave empty-handed, as it were.

Comments

[willyousee]

[Debating... debating... Sigh. No, it is better that it be out in the open. Keeping the line very public:]

The Moon chose to mark me, though they have not seen fit to contact me since. Thank you, Leonardo, that is certainly intriguing. What precisely did you enter in order to reach the Trump you spoke with?

Private to Alcuin

[howexciting]

[Nope, he's not going to tell the newbies how to do it. Not when it could get them marked. So he opens a private channel with Alcuin.]

... two digits. Are you intending on speaking with the Moon?

Permaprivate

[willyousee]

.........I am not yet certain. Truthfully, I am not certain they would speak to their travelers at all. They were very intent on playing games and speaking in riddles. Hiding their face and nature as much as possible. I don't believe they would allow something so easy as a conversation, and if they did it would be full of twists and ambiguity. The time may be better spent discovering whether or not other Trumps will speak to the chosen of another.

[howexciting]

And yet they spoke with R1DK-B - er, my apologies, Riddick. I do not think they would turn you away.

... perhaps. But they might not wish to speak to you much. They may in fact be hostile.

[willyousee]

They did, but that was when he was subsumed beneath R1DK-B. And furthermore, when he gave them little choice by appearing before them. This is a different mechanism and far more within their control.

It is true, they may be. [It's a calm, thoughtful sentence, but does not seem to indicate a change in his position.]

[howexciting]

If you believe it best, then I will not stop you. I only ask that you be careful. I...

... I could not bear seeing you hurt.

[willyousee]

I have not decided anything yet - there are too many aspects to consider to make a snap judgement - [Gentle warmth and affection washes down the mental link, underscored by a delicate shy wonder.] ...and I promise you that I will be as careful as it is possible to be. I have only just found you. I never want to cause you pain.

[howexciting]

That is wise. Thank you.

[And his mental voice in return holds new passion and tenderness within it.] I am glad for it, tesoro. But I would argue we found each other many months ago.

[theanguissette]

Will you be attempting to speak with this Moon, or another of the Trumps? [ She is careful to keep the worry from coloring her thoughts, but Alcuin knows her better than any other here... ]

If you do...will you consent to let me be present?

[willyousee]

[Calm, warm reassurance floods a quick, private line before he responds publically.]

I am not yet certain if i will or not. I should like to discuss the merits of that with you, if you would, in person.

[Not committing to the other one way or the other? No. No he's not.]

[theanguissette]

Of course. [ She respects him keeping his options open, and would likely have counseled him to do so if he'd asked her opinion, but she will not force a choice (or a non-choice) upon him. ]

Whenever and wherever you wish.

[willyousee]

Are you in the workshop at the moment? [AKA are you open for visitors, or indisposed?]

[theanguissette]

I am. Shall I meet you downstairs? [ She doesn't care to screen the thought from anyone else. The conversation is prosaic and vague enough that any eavesdroppers will not be likely to gain much, if any, insight ]

[willyousee]

I shall be there shortly.

[shantiprayer]

Alcuin! You were marked by the moon!? But weren't the Moon and the Sun against each other? Oh. Oh no... When did it happen? Why didn't you tell me?

[willyousee]

[Sera? Ah, Elua help him, why does he seem to only bring her distress? Some traces of sorrow and regret accompany his calm words.]

We do not know that they are more set against one another than any other of the Trumps. There are too many things we do not know to say for sure. [The Trumps who appeared this last Jaunt seemed to have no concerns about using Travelers against one another however.] I discovered that I was marked after the Masquerade. [Wry humor flicks across the line.] You may recall that we found one another by you dropping from the branches to discuss my Singing at the time. Forgive me if you startled it from my mind. The Sun has chosen you? I didn't think the Sun had come to the Grid.

[shantiprayer]

That's true. I hope they're just rivals and not real enemies. I don't want to be used against anyone, but especially not you. Not Embryon. [There's what can only be described as a mental wince as he explains why he didn't tell her.] I'm sorry, I really hadn't meant to frighten you. I was surprised and I'd forgotten you hadn't actually seen my demon yet.

About the Sun... [She hesitates, uncertainty and worry coloring the mental link.] The didn't come to the Grid.

[willyousee]

[There's the briefest pause as things click on his end.]
You spoke with the Sun on the phone and they chose you?

[His voice remains calm and gentle, not upset or disappointed. Maybe a little tired, but that's all.]

[shantiprayer]

[That almost makes it worse than if he'd yelled. Anger she was used to. Tired and disappointment? Not so much.]

Yes, but... [Was it possible for a mental voice to shrink down as small as possible? Because that's the impression her voice had.] It was a, uhm. Willing agreement.

[She's quick to try and explain herself with more than a little desperation, before he can respond.] The last Jaunt, if things had gone just a little bit different, I would have been marked by the Devil! So I. I wanted to do it now, when I know what I'm doing, and can be sure I can live with the Trump I'm marked by!

[willyousee]

[He is quick to reassure her, even if the pace of his speech is slower than his wont.]

Sera, it was a good choice. I do not know much about the Sun, but it is better to make such bargains on your own terms than to be passively chosen. You knew what you were choosing. If their intent is to choose each Traveler until there are none of us left free, even more important to choose for yourself.

[Private]
In truth, I agreed to work with the Moon of my own accord, though she seemed intent on choosing me regardless. I am not angry with you, Sera.

Permaprivate.

[shantiprayer]

Thank you. Thank you so much for not being angry. I thought for sure everyone would be.

[There's a short pause before she continues.] In a way, making a deal with the Sun was rebelling against the Trumps. On the Grid, I spoke to some of them in the I/O tower. They told me to remember certain numbers, which I didn't understand until I heard about the phone booth. Only before I could use it Naoto told me about her talk with the Sun. So I decided to call that number instead. He seems to choose people that want to make their own path, and was a lot more honest and less cryptic than a lot of the other Trumps seem to be. That's why I felt I could live with that choice the best.