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]

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.

[moralperil]

When you say it like that, it sounds kind of scary! [A bit of a laugh.] I just make people happy. It's not going to change the world or anything, but it might make it nicer. That's what I hope.

[solitaire]

Well, then I'll hope so, too.

[moralperil]

That's sweet! I'm Mahdi, by the way. What's your name?