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]

I'm not sortin' anyone, fille. They're sortin' themselves. An' maybe it ain't so easy, but it makes for a fun game, no?

[argentite]

Even if they're doing it themselves, the categories are a little bit limiting.

[ she smiles though. it's one way to pass the time. ]

What about you?

[solitaire]

Maybe. But so's a Zodiac sign or a birth month, an' people use those ta tell fortunes all the time.

_{( he winks at that smile. )}

...'s like askin' an astronomer which star's his favorite.

[argentite]

Fortune's different from personality. Unless there's more meaning behind these than you're letting anyone know.

[ there's definitely a curiosity to her tone now. ]

Wouldn't you give an answer for the sake of the game?

[solitaire]

It's easy ta guess. Ever heard a' Tarot?

Well, if I could choose, I'd be a Heart. But I never end up that way.

[argentite]

I thought that usually required a different set of cards.

[ heart — yeah, that'd be a good one to aspire to. allison's knows a few people who'd fit that one like a glove, scott being one of them. but she also knows, it isn't one she could easily end up as either. ]

Are you and want to be are pretty different things.

[solitaire]

They were the same, once upon a time. Fifty-two grew outta the minor arcana.

True 'nough. Most people I know are Diamonds or Spades, I reckon. I prob'ly end up as one a' them.

[argentite]

Would you be able to tell things, even with this deck?

They don't sound like bad choices. [ after a moment of thinking about it: ] I could see myself as a Spade.

[solitaire]

Sure. My Tante Mattie used ta do it all the time.

Spades're strong. I think they have ta be.

[argentite]

Like you said, they can't be afraid of seeking things out. It takes a certain kind of courage for that.

[ not that she's presupposing anything of his description onto herself. ]

I've never had a Tarot reading done before.

[solitaire]

Courage in the face a' the unknown, c'est vrai.

_{( he chuckles. )}

Most a' the time you get just a lot a' nonsense. But every once in awhile you'll find someone who knows what they're doin'.

[argentite]

[ teasingly: ]

Are you included in those someones?

[ and then she adds as an afterthought ]

You're French?

[solitaire]

Maybe. If the mood strikes me right.

_{( he laughs again. )}

Cajun, darlin'. As American as I'm guessin' you are.

[argentite]

Californian. [ she laughs with him because at least he's sweet in correcting her. ]

I didn't want to assume. [ especially not with knowing that there's the possibility of other worlds out there. ]

How long've you been here?

[solitaire]

I lived up by the Bay, past few years.

_{( he pauses thoughtfully, then says: )} It'll be a year, come November.

[argentite]

My family moved around the area a lot.

[ give her a moment, she's stomaching the reality of being here that long. ] A year's a pretty long time.

[solitaire]

My family was there for a long time. Now they're all back in New York.

_{( his "family." )}

Yeah, maybe. Mos' people don't last so long. But I'm adaptable.

[argentite]

Adaptable seems like a good quality to have in this place. I don't know how else anyone would survive in unfamiliar conditions.

[solitaire]

Oh, I dunno. Sometimes bein' stubborn's a good skill, too.

[argentite]

Sounds like some contradictory advice.

[solitaire]

Nah. I just figure that, if y'can go about it the right way, y'can make anything work ta your advantage.

[argentite]

I'll try and keep that it mind. It'll be good to try and remember that the longer I'm here.

[solitaire]

Can't say I hope you stick 'round... but if you do, an' you need anything, you can let me know, fille.

[argentite]

Thanks for the offer. I don't think I got your name, though.