[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

[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.

[howexciting]

I did not expect the Fool to choose me, either. We did not know the Trumps took physical forms, then.

... your friend is named Persephone? As in, the queen of the underworld and goddess of vegetation and maidenhood? That is almost a little too apt.

[And celestial knowledge has also come in useful. Huh.]

[ofinspiration]

No, she is Persephone.

[ It's sharp and defensive, the bristling almost audible. Question that she's really Lucifer, and she'll shrug it off with a smirk and a wry comment. Question the identity of her friends, and she's ready to fight. ]

...though I don't know about maidenhood. You'd have to ask her about that.

[howexciting]

... what do you mean, "she is Persephone"?

[There are about a million questions after that, but he's holding back for now.]

[ofinspiration]

[ There's a long moment of silence before Luci answers. She's going to need several more cigarettes to deal with this conversation. Explaining herself is getting old, fast. ]

I mean she is a goddess. I am a god. We were called and we ascended and we always have been. We inspire.

If I explain it much more than that, it takes all the magic out of it and it just gets depressing. No one needs that.

[howexciting]

You mean to tell me that the Trumps can... can kidnap gods?

[He's going to be sick. Now it's his turn to take a long moment of silence.]

... may I ask which god?

[ofinspiration]

Apparently, they can.

I'm the morning star. The lightbringer. The great dragon. Accuser, destroyer, deceiver, adversary...

[ He seems clever. Let's see how many names she can run through before he guesses. ]

[howexciting]

[He knows the instant 'morning star' is mentioned. There's this mental undercurrent of knowing that flows seamlessly into their connection, though he says nothing for a long while.]

Then forgive my impertinence, Signore. Or would you prefer Signora?

[ofinspiration]

Signora, if you don't mind.

But don't apologize. I can't always promise an answer you'll like... but questioning is what the devil's for.

not here

[thornsofmalkav]

[OH MY FUCKING GOD OF COURSE SATAN KIDNAPPED HER BUNNYFLY.]

[oftoomuchfaith]

Exactly what it says on the tin, shockingly enough.

Though I'm pretty sure I'm more about the queen-of-the-underworld part than the spring-and-maidens part.

[howexciting]

[Pardon him for a moment, he's a touch busy panicking over the Trumps kidnapping gods to Liminal Space]

I... I see. M-my sincerest apologies for my impertinence, Signora.

[oftoomuchfaith]

[ she mostly sounds amused ] It's all right. It's... sort of a new development. We're not so much the gods who've been around since the dawn of time as we're... destined incarnations of them?

It's kind of confusing to try to explain to people whose worlds don't have the Recurrence. And more than a little depressing if you think too much about it.

[howexciting]

If I may be so bold, Signora... may I ask how many of you there are? Are all pantheons represented?

It makes some sense. The Catholic tradition holds a second coming of Jesus. Is it anything like that?

[oftoomuchfaith]

Not quite, though I'm sure Luci would find that amusing.

[ she pauses to consider how to explain without getting too wordy ]

So basically for all of recorded history, every 90 years there's this thing called the Recurrence. Um, it's... Basically 12 young people awaken as gods, to inspire humanity, and die after two years. Usually there isn't overlap between pantheons. Not these days, anyway, and the gods don't remember previous times they've showed up. It can be any sorts of religions, though Jesus has yet to make an appearance, I'm not sure he's even part of it.

And in return for the two-year deadline, we get to be adored. Remembered. Something more special than just another fucked up teenager.

Private:

[creativefool]

...It's High Priestess, yeah.

She got Phillip.

[howexciting]

... Dio... well, thank you for telling me. I will... try speaking with him later, in private.

Where is he, anyway? Last I saw him he was across that star-sea from where I was.

[creativefool]

Alright. Last time I saw him we were in the workshop. So he's gotta be around somewhere...

[...right?]

[howexciting]

I will keep looking for him. If you find him, let me know.

... how are you faring, figlio?

[creativefool]

Sure thing. I will.

...me? Eh, I'm doin' okay. Mostly just been chillin' out [...wait, does Leonardo know that one? He forgets...] since we got back. Trying a few new things...

How've you been?

[howexciting]

Chilling... out?

[No. No he doesn't.]

I have been better, to be honest. But I am... surviving, and that is enough.

[creativefool]

Ah. [Mental laughter here-] It's ... relaxing, taking a break.

Man. ...If there's anythin' I can do, let me know, okay? What's wrong? If ya don't mind me askin'...

[howexciting]

Oh, I see. Well, I suppose it is important to... chill out, sometimes? Am I using that right?

[Geez, first one thing then another... modern slang is difficult.]

It is... a lot of little things. Not one big trouble in particular.

[creativefool]

[Aww. Kanji's smiling back here.] Yeah. Yeah, you are.

...Damn. I see. Just - just hang in there, okay? [Pause-] Uh. Just keep goin'.