It's a Persona game, time to get some readings done.

[grancenturio]

Who: Nessiah and everyone else
Where: The entrance to the Libra Ward hotel
Summary: Nessiah has a mind to see what magic still works in this place - and he's chosen Tarot cards to experiment with.
Warnings: None so far, none likely.

[In the lobby of the hotel, there is a strangely-dressed man - well, he looks younger than that, really - set up at a table with a deck of Tarot cards. A small sign says only "Tarot readings".

Nessiah rarely did this. He was known as the Prophet for the ability to manipulate events as much as an actual gift at prophecy; however, he did possess a knack at telling the future with a bit of help. It seemed time to see if this still worked in a foreign place.

For the moment, the readings would be for free, as he had no idea if they would be accurate or not and was merely trying to test his own skills rather than make anything out of it.]

[Tarot readings will be real readings from an actual deck.]

Comments

[meaningdies]

Why not? I might as well.

[It was always interesting to see how much other people could See.]

[grancenturio]

[Nessiah hands over the deck.]

I presume you know how this goes.

[meaningdies]

Indeed.

[He shuffles the deck, concentrating on the only question he ever asks. It's the only one that needs asking, though the phrasing sometimes varied.]

[He hands it back after shuffling to his satisfaction.]

Will I eventually succeed in my goal?

[grancenturio]

[Nessiah takes the deck and deals seven cards.]

Your past is shown by the Four of Cups. Self-absorption and apathy. You have trouble connecting with others and ignore the gifts in your own life, focusing only on this one thing.

Your present is shown by the Two of Cups. A truce or a connection - for the moment, you have come out of your shell to acknowledge those around you.

You will be helped by the Three of Wands. Exploration, foresight, and leadership. Of course I cannot say what your goal is, but you will certainly strike out on the path towards it.

You will be harmed by the Page of Pentacles. A young person, practical, prosperous, trustworthy - but perhaps not entirely in line with your desires.

Those around you are represented by the Wheel of Fortune. They are swept up in a sense of destiny and fate. Everything is in movement constantly for them.

Your actions should represent the Star. Keep up your hope towards the future.

Finally, the result is shown by the Two of Wands. Boldness and originality, personal power and having your own authority.

Did that help?

[meaningdies]

[He chuckles softly as he watches the cards being revealed and Nessiah's explanation. The Page of Pentacles is interesting, though - referring to the one in his timeline, not the one here.]

It's accurate, yes. All but the result have come to pass before I came here, and no doubt the Wheel of Fortune will take them around again. I've seen it turn many times before, and it will likely take many more turns before the result is achieved. The fact that the Two of Wands showed up is encouraging, however, given the accuracy of the other cards to my situation.

[grancenturio]

Is that so? Then it seems a positive result for both of us, if the cards read true. Thank you for indulging me.

[meaningdies]

It's no trouble. It's been a while since I've had my cards read.

[General readings just tended to turn up indicators of tragedy anyway, which he always expected.]

[grancenturio]

I tend not to have readings done for myself very often. I always assume I know what they'll say.

[meaningdies]

Heh. Same for me. It comes with having a cycle repeat over and over.

[grancenturio]

Life is made of cycles. It just is usually stopped by death before you learn to recognize what's coming, for most people.

[meaningdies]

For most people. Not for all.

[He stares back down at the Wheel of Fortune. Tch...]

[grancenturio]

Ignorance is bliss, I've heard. Certainly a long lifespan isn't to be envied.

[meaningdies]

I know that firsthand. My lifespan, so to speak, is... incredibly long.

[grancenturio]

Long enough to be tired and wish for rest? Or does your purpose still burn within you?

[meaningdies]

My purpose is my rest. Everything else is secondary, though still quite important.

[grancenturio]

Hmhm. I see, so that's how it is...

[Nessiah still puts revenge above being laid to rest, though they're close.]

[meaningdies]

It's been five and a half millenia. I've earned the rest.

[grancenturio]

Ah, I've only had a millennium and a half. I didn't realize I was speaking to a senior or mine.

[meaningdies]

[He chuckles a little bit.]

It's fine. I don't make it a habit of telling people. In my world, I really haven't told anyone. My true name is somewhat notorious in some circles, so it's better to simply keep it under wraps.

[grancenturio]

There's every possibility that I wouldn't know it even if you told me. But as I'm not willing to tell you mine, it would hardly be fair to ask for yours.

[meaningdies]

True enough.

[He looks around the lobby.]

Have you had many takers today?

[grancenturio]

A few. Some locals of little importance, and some of my fellow new residents.