[An invitation to be a nerd? Lobelia has gotten so spoiled these last few weeks. He briefly considers passing on the invitation for his own reasons, but ah, isolating himself is not going to make matters easier to parse.
After agreeing to meet up, Lobelia strolls into the relaxation nook and greets Childermass and Urianger with a genial wave. He looks a bit tired, but aren't they all?]
Bonjour messieurs. I hope I did not keep you waiting long.
[ If he had passed on it, it would have been understood, but that only makes his arrival all the happier. Presumedly, anyway. Lobelia will find the two of them idly working on one of the puzzles that the place offers. It is not, admittedly, Childermass' preferred way to pass the time, but it is not a large one, so a few hours spent on it is no real burden.
Of course, they're here to talk about cards, not puzzles, so Lobelia showing his face means Childermass can escape puzzle hell. All the better. He'll set the piece he was trying to match up down and look his way, offering a nod to him. ]
[Urianger likewise turns his attention away from the puzzle to nod toward Lobelia with a smile.]
Good day to thee, Lobelia. 'Tis well to meet once more, under lighter circumstances. I have been curious to speak with thee since John told me about thine own affinity for tarot.
[It's giving Ye Olde DND group... Lobelia makes his way over to the two and takes a seat. A shame he arrived empty-handed, but he supposes Childermass may have The Tower on hand. In that case, he has a treat for them yet.]
Fate works in unusual ways, non? So the cards tell us. Tell me, Monsieur Childermass, do you happen to have the card I gave you on hand? You should allow Monsieur Urianger to examine it.
Much to my chagrin, I have shown it to him already, for it was in the deck I was using for those readings the week before.
[ He will reach for his deck, however, and set it out upon the table with the puzzle. It is a simple enough task to pick Lobelia's Tower out of the rest, for the make is much different, and so he does and lays it face-up between the three of them. ]
Ah! Your perception hasn't let you astray, Urianger. I would imagine you picked up on the same, Childermass?
[The Tower certainly has a presence... but these two don't know the half of it. Lobelia leans forward and taps the face of the card, the imposing figure within seeming to shift slightly with each tap.]
I regret that I can't show you the full extent of what this card can do... but I can at least introduce you to my partner.
[ From the moment he touched it, although when Lobelia mentions a partner, he gives a surprised look. It's one that flits between Lobelia and the card itself. ]
[Oooooh. Now that has Urianger's attention. He's far less surprised by the idea than Childermass, leaning in to watch the shifting of the card's illustration.]
[ lobelia don't go around handing your husband to strange englishmen what even ]
...I see.
[ Childermass watches the card with rapt attention, those small movements. Shy indeed. He had not even seen the image move before now. ]
If I had known someone dwelt within, I would have kept it apart from the rest of the deck. Does it have a name besides the Tower? I would not want to greet it with anything less.
Non, no proper name. It will respond just fine to Tower.
[If the Tower has ever wanted another name, it certainly hasn't expressed that desire to Lobelia. He turns his attention back to Childermass and Urianger.]
Now then... Won't you ask it nicely to come out and play?
[ How strange this is, gazing down upon an entity living in one of the major arcana, about to call it out of the card itself. If it has no other name, then Childermass will reach out to set his fingertips against one edge of the card. ]
Very well. There is no need to hide, sir. You are among friends here. Why don't you join us?
[Urianger joins Childermass in looking down at the card, eyes twinkling ever so faintly. To think there'd be just enough magic left for it to escape the card at all...]
[Lobelia places his palm over The Tower and the face of the card begins to glow brightly. The earth faintly trembles, the lights flicker... and a palm-sized Tower pops out of the card. It's standing there like π§ββοΈ slowly turning its head to look at Childermass, then Urianger, and finally Lobelia.]
Go on, go on. You're among friends. No need to be shy.
[The Tower... sighs under its breath before finally speaking up.]
[ It... can speak? It can even manifest! With Lobelia's help, clearly, but even so, Childermass cannot help but lean back at first, surprised, then lean in again for a closer look at the Tower.
Logically, yes, he knows he should have expected this. They were asking him to come out, after all, but! ]
...so you are not. It is an honor to meet you, Tower.
[Not even past the introductions and the Tower is already frustrated, but it becomes evident pretty quickly who the subject of its ire truly is. It turns to stare down Lobeliaβ a steely gaze met with an effortless grin.]
I am not here to perform party tricks, Partner.
[But as frustrated as the Tower sounds, Lobelia only pats it gently on the head.]
Je sais, je sais, but it won't kill you to make a friend or two, oui? Even if temporarily.
[The Tower ignores Lobelia's explanation in favor of turning to Urianger and answering his query.]
You understand correctly, Visionary. This place refuses to allow me my proper form. Consider yourself fortunate to be stronger than I.
[ Why would Lobelia give such a card over into his care? Especially one that considers Lobelia as a partner... And isn't going to be shy about saying so after a moment of thought. ]
I find it strange that you would add the Tower to my own deck when it is a living being, Mr. Lobelia.
[ He's still watching the Tower with some mild amount of awe. He has so many questions, but seeing as it does not seem happy about any of this. Perhaps it will add its own two cents on the matter, perhaps not, but surely it should get a say? ]
Ah, thou mayest call me Urianger, if it pleaseth thee.
[Though, yeah, seems like Lobelia has a bit of an ornery partner summon. That almost felt like a vague threat.]
Childermass and I are diviners and utilize tarot, which did lead us to inquire with Lobelia on the nature of thine...home, I suppose. I must say, 'tis fascinating to see the embodiment of a tarot card in the flesh.
[Lobelia will let the Tower speak for itself regarding how it must feel, as his lone partner, to be handed off to another.]
It has been some time since my partner utilized me for my intended purpose. I exist to usher in chaos, to destroy what lies before me. Not to stand idly by while he does anything but.
[Lobelia chimes in, leaning forward with a grin.]
Oui, this is true, and I'm afraid my promise to do no harm has led to some... disputes between my partner and I. Ah, but the Tower represents more than chaos and destruction, oui? In the right hands, it's a force for changeβ building something new in the wake of chaos.
That is why I believe it belongs in Monsieur Childemass's hands. His is a more appropriate home, non?
[ Sir, he was not expecting to be given a sentient nuke (not that Childermass would know what a nuke is). Childermass will lean back in his seat and shift his gaze from the Tower to Lobelia now. ]
It can be a force of change, sure enough...
[ But it is a change that follows in the wake of annihilation. That immediately offers him some concern, but to discuss it so openly in front of the Tower, would that make it reject him? See him as weak? ]
Very specific kinds of change. [ That's a good enough way to put it. ] And the change coming to England will indeed be chaotic, should magic return fully, as is my own hope.
Non. I have never been much for the part that comes after the destruction. You both understand what this card represents... but also that fate intends specific roles for us all. Mine is not to create.
[Only to destroy. Therefore...]
...In the right hands, Monsieurs, you may be able to prove that fate can be rewritten. Certainly, your hands are more fit for the task than my own. That is why I've entrusted my partner to you, Childermass.
[ What life has Lobelia led, then, to be someone who does not create, but only destroys? It's no wonder so many are conflicted over such a man... ]
It is a daunting task you lay at our feet.
[ But he isn't going to push back on it. He will keep the card, for as long as it will tolerate him. His gaze wanders back to the little Tower, where it stands on the table. ]
And I can only hope your partner does not take a dislike to me too thoroughly. [ Might make working together a little hard. ] Although the Tower here is not the only reason I did ask you both to meet...
[ Card nerds have another pressing matter at hand. ]
Have you wandered into one of these dreamscapes hounding us this week? I have noticed some alarmingly familiar motifs within them.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 3, tuesday
After agreeing to meet up, Lobelia strolls into the relaxation nook and greets Childermass and Urianger with a genial wave. He looks a bit tired, but aren't they all?]
Bonjour messieurs. I hope I did not keep you waiting long.
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Of course, they're here to talk about cards, not puzzles, so Lobelia showing his face means Childermass can escape puzzle hell. All the better. He'll set the piece he was trying to match up down and look his way, offering a nod to him. ]
Not at all. I am glad you decided to join us.
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Good day to thee, Lobelia. 'Tis well to meet once more, under lighter circumstances. I have been curious to speak with thee since John told me about thine own affinity for tarot.
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Fate works in unusual ways, non? So the cards tell us. Tell me, Monsieur Childermass, do you happen to have the card I gave you on hand? You should allow Monsieur Urianger to examine it.
[smooshes urianger with the tower]
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Much to my chagrin, I have shown it to him already, for it was in the deck I was using for those readings the week before.
[ He will reach for his deck, however, and set it out upon the table with the puzzle. It is a simple enough task to pick Lobelia's Tower out of the rest, for the make is much different, and so he does and lays it face-up between the three of them. ]
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'Tis as John hath said, I chanced to examine it with the rest of his deck.
[He looks down at the card now that it has been placed on the table.]
It seemeth to thrum with an energy of its own.
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[The Tower certainly has a presence... but these two don't know the half of it. Lobelia leans forward and taps the face of the card, the imposing figure within seeming to shift slightly with each tap.]
I regret that I can't show you the full extent of what this card can do... but I can at least introduce you to my partner.
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[ From the moment he touched it, although when Lobelia mentions a partner, he gives a surprised look. It's one that flits between Lobelia and the card itself. ]
Your partner? Surely you don't mean the golem?
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Is it an entity to be summoned?
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[Be nice to his husband. :) ]
I doubt it can be summoned at full strength... but you can say bonjour. It's shy, so give it some words of encouragement, oui?
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...I see.
[ Childermass watches the card with rapt attention, those small movements. Shy indeed. He had not even seen the image move before now. ]
If I had known someone dwelt within, I would have kept it apart from the rest of the deck. Does it have a name besides the Tower? I would not want to greet it with anything less.
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[He'll wait for Lobelia's answer on what to call their friend within the card.]
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[If the Tower has ever wanted another name, it certainly hasn't expressed that desire to Lobelia. He turns his attention back to Childermass and Urianger.]
Now then... Won't you ask it nicely to come out and play?
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Very well. There is no need to hide, sir. You are among friends here. Why don't you join us?
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Aye. We would be most pleased to meet thee.
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[Lobelia places his palm over The Tower and the face of the card begins to glow brightly. The earth faintly trembles, the lights flicker... and a palm-sized Tower pops out of the card. It's standing there like π§ββοΈ slowly turning its head to look at Childermass, then Urianger, and finally Lobelia.]
Go on, go on. You're among friends. No need to be shy.
[The Tower... sighs under its breath before finally speaking up.]
I'm not shy.
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Logically, yes, he knows he should have expected this. They were asking him to come out, after all, but! ]
...so you are not. It is an honor to meet you, Tower.
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Well met, Tower. I thank thee for paying us a visit.
I imagine thou art much larger at full strength?
[It bears such an grandiose presence on the card, so he has to imagine it's usually the size of a primal or something.]
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[Not even past the introductions and the Tower is already frustrated, but it becomes evident pretty quickly who the subject of its ire truly is. It turns to stare down Lobeliaβ a steely gaze met with an effortless grin.]
I am not here to perform party tricks, Partner.
[But as frustrated as the Tower sounds, Lobelia only pats it gently on the head.]
Je sais, je sais, but it won't kill you to make a friend or two, oui? Even if temporarily.
[The Tower ignores Lobelia's explanation in favor of turning to Urianger and answering his query.]
You understand correctly, Visionary. This place refuses to allow me my proper form. Consider yourself fortunate to be stronger than I.
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I find it strange that you would add the Tower to my own deck when it is a living being, Mr. Lobelia.
[ He's still watching the Tower with some mild amount of awe. He has so many questions, but seeing as it does not seem happy about any of this. Perhaps it will add its own two cents on the matter, perhaps not, but surely it should get a say? ]
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[Though, yeah, seems like Lobelia has a bit of an ornery partner summon. That almost felt like a vague threat.]
Childermass and I are diviners and utilize tarot, which did lead us to inquire with Lobelia on the nature of thine...home, I suppose. I must say, 'tis fascinating to see the embodiment of a tarot card in the flesh.
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It has been some time since my partner utilized me for my intended purpose. I exist to usher in chaos, to destroy what lies before me. Not to stand idly by while he does anything but.
[Lobelia chimes in, leaning forward with a grin.]
Oui, this is true, and I'm afraid my promise to do no harm has led to some... disputes between my partner and I. Ah, but the Tower represents more than chaos and destruction, oui? In the right hands, it's a force for changeβ building something new in the wake of chaos.
That is why I believe it belongs in Monsieur Childemass's hands. His is a more appropriate home, non?
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It can be a force of change, sure enough...
[ But it is a change that follows in the wake of annihilation. That immediately offers him some concern, but to discuss it so openly in front of the Tower, would that make it reject him? See him as weak? ]
Very specific kinds of change. [ That's a good enough way to put it. ] And the change coming to England will indeed be chaotic, should magic return fully, as is my own hope.
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[A thought occurs to Urianger as Childermass considers his hope for change in England, and he looks over to Lobelia.]
Dost thou not also seek to rebuild, Lobelia? Is that not thy purpose for venturing to these lands?
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[Lobelia can't help but smile.]
Non. I have never been much for the part that comes after the destruction. You both understand what this card represents... but also that fate intends specific roles for us all. Mine is not to create.
[Only to destroy. Therefore...]
...In the right hands, Monsieurs, you may be able to prove that fate can be rewritten. Certainly, your hands are more fit for the task than my own. That is why I've entrusted my partner to you, Childermass.
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It is a daunting task you lay at our feet.
[ But he isn't going to push back on it. He will keep the card, for as long as it will tolerate him. His gaze wanders back to the little Tower, where it stands on the table. ]
And I can only hope your partner does not take a dislike to me too thoroughly. [ Might make working together a little hard. ] Although the Tower here is not the only reason I did ask you both to meet...
[ Card nerds have another pressing matter at hand. ]
Have you wandered into one of these dreamscapes hounding us this week? I have noticed some alarmingly familiar motifs within them.