4♠ | video

[solitaire]

_{( Remy’s hanging out in what passes for one of the classier taverns, leaning back in a wooden chair as his hair falls over his eyes. He’s eyeing the communicator a little devilishly, and, as ever, he’s shuffling a deck of cards. And though the process is constant, he eventually pulls out exactly the card he meant to: the Ace of Diamonds. )}

Diamonds are called Coins, sometimes. If it was gonna be an element, it’d be Earth. Has ta do with the physical, your body an’ your wealth. People who do work like that, too—merchants, traders.

Sometimes it jus’ means you’re an achiever. Y’like gettin’ things done.

_{( He nods, solemnly, before replacing the card in the deck and continuing with his shuffling. He pulls out the Ace of Clubs, next. )}

Clubs’re different. Called Wands, in the old days. They’re Fire, willpower. People who do hard work, wit’ their hands. If you’re someone who likes destruction, that’s your suit. But that’s no so bad. The world needs breakin’ down an’ buldin’ up.

_{( Another nod, another tilt of his head. The next card is the Ace of Hearts. )}

Hearts’re special, some people think. Used ta be called Cups. They gotta do with Water, with emotion. People who do things spir’tually.

Hearts’re socializers. They like other people, more than things.

_{( He kisses the card lightly before shuffling it back in, pulling out the last. The Ace of Spades. )}

Now, Spades. Also called Swords, sometimes. They’re Air, freedom. But wit’ that comes unpredictability. If you’re a Spade, y’like havin’ authority. But that comes wit’ responsibility, an’ consequences.

Spades’re explorers. They like the unknown, seekin’ out what they might be ‘fraid of o’ what might bring ‘em joy.

_{( That card goes back into the deck, too. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle. Remy smiles at the communicator once more. )}

So, here’s a question. Which’re you?

Comments

[solitaire]

That's the kind choice. The compassionate one.

I'd like ta be a Heart, but it ain't always so easy.

[moralperil]

[A little flustered:] I - I try! That's sort of my mission in life, to help others, so...

Not everyone can do it. Not everyone should, honestly. Whatever card you are, I bet you're really good at it.

[solitaire]

Very noble.

An' that's the goal, ain't it? Whatever y'do, do it well. Some people are luckier that way, though.

[moralperil]

It's very kind of you to say, but I'm really not noble or anything.

What are you good at? It seems like you know a lot about cards. Aside from the personality stuff, they can be used to tell fortunes, right?

[solitaire]

I'm good at gamblin' an' takin' things that don't belong to me.

_{( he's usually not that good at being honest but hey, what the hell. )}

The fortune tellin' isn't always so easy, but I can make it work from time ta time.

[moralperil]

[Mahdi tends to have that effect on people: there's a sort of sincerity about him that almost begs to be returned.]

Oh. So you're kind of a scoundrel, huh? [He smiles, but speaks with a tone of gentle, fond criticism. He has a friend who could be similarly described, one he hasn't seen in a long time.]

[solitaire]

That's one word for it, sure. More complimentary than I us'ly get, too.

[moralperil]

Well, I don't know what you've taken and the gambling isn't my business.

I can't say I like that you do either of those things, but it's not my life.

[solitaire]

Sensible attitude, that. What is your life, then? Or your business, your game...

[moralperil]

Oh, oh I know this one! [Clearing his throat, he speaks theatrically with a pretend-British accent:] Mankind is my business!

[solitaire]

_{( he laughs. )}

An' how's that workin' out?

[moralperil]

[warmly] It has its moments.

[solitaire]

Then maybe you've got the right idea.

[moralperil]

I like to think so! To me, it just makes sense. I have the power to make others happy. How could I ever do anything but that?

[solitaire]

How, indeed. An' I'm sure everyone else 'preciates that.

[moralperil]

I like to think so! I've made a lot of friends in the time I've been here.

[solitaire]

That takes some kinda skill.

[moralperil]

Skill, and tons of free cookies!

[solitaire]

Ah. That's the secret.

[moralperil]

I just go that extra length and make cookies that can help improve people's day! If people are feeling happier or calmer, they're more likely to do the right thing, at least I hope so.

[solitaire]

Or y'might give 'em a sugar rush, an' send them on their way ta do the wrong thing.

[moralperil]

I don't think that'll be a problem. I wasn't being metaphorical about the effects of my cookies. They're magical or whatever.

[solitaire]

_{...and people tell me explodin' playing cards are weird.}

That's quite the use for magic.

[moralperil]

It's not magic so much as a form of emotional projection, but magical is a simpler explanation! [An easy laugh.] And it makes what's considered a pretty lame form of reality alteration by my kind sound impressive!

[solitaire]

Way I see it, any kind a' control or influence over emotions is gonna be stronger than people think.