ironwood: (MISC / people)
ɪʀᴏɴᴡᴏᴏᴅ ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ ᴇsʜᴀɪ ([personal profile] ironwood) wrote in [community profile] tushanshu_logs2016-02-13 01:12 am

[EVENT; TRUTH COMPULSION] AFTERMATH OF CLAN JAGAIZ BATTLES

Characters: Everyone, NPC and Foreigners alike!
Date: February 12th-18th.
Location: All over Keeliai, with a grand party in the Courtyard of Public Opinion on the 17th.
Situation: As the main family heads return to Keeliai, they bring with them a very strange thought virus that seems to spread rapidly throughout the city. Before long, anyone who's been exposed to the source of the virus finds themselves not only incapable of lying when asked a direct question, but actually compelled to tell the truth.
Warnings / Rating: None yet; please warn in individual threads as necessary.

OOC NOTE: This is an opt-out event, but the compulsion will still affect Keeliai as a whole. That is, even if you choose to leave your character unaffected, nearly every kedan your character meets will be affected, and will act accordingly. Questions regarding this event can be asked on February's itinerary, located HERE.


The Inciting Incident:
In the Jagaiz exhibition matches - the ones the Keeliai family heads were invited to - several Tavimbian natives present kedan and Foreigner combatants who win their matches with odd little crystals. The crystals aren't very different from the Xunutane, for those who have been lucky enough to take a tour through the Artery Levels; they're meant to be little good luck charms, or souvenirs (though no one actually uses the word souvenir.) Each family head's combatant takes that little crystal home when they return to Keeliai.

The Problem:
Within twenty-four hours, anyone who's touched one of these crystals directly is physically incapable of lying, and strongly compelled to tell the truth when they're asked a direct question. The strange virus seems to spread by touch as well; within twenty-four hours after that, anyone who's come into contact with anyone who's touched a crystal is also affected, and so on and so forth, spreading out across the city.

The more removed a character is from the little crystals, the weaker their compulsion to tell the truth. On top of that, variances in the crystals themselves can also dictate how strong the compulsion is, which means how badly a character is affected is entirely up to their player. Has your character been fighting in Jagaiz matches? Chances are they're telling the truth to anyone who even looks like they're about to ask a question. Has your character been avoiding Hatal completely? Then they probably aren't affected, or are only affected at the lowest level. In between those two extremes, there's a lot of wriggle room for determining how affected you want your character to be and how badly you want them to screw up.

Please note that if a character is affected, then they are physically incapable of lying. The compulsion to tell the truth is what varies. Some people might get by simply by keeping their mouths shut tight; others might wake up one morning and feel so compelled to tell the truth that they can't stop themselves from turning on a console and telling it all their deepest secrets. (There's a spate of console posts from the kedan combatants who fought in the exhibition matches, for example, confessing everything from trips into the red light district to open hatred for the Snakes.) It all depends on how exposed to the source they've been, or on variances in the crystals and in the Dreaming -- how badly a character is affected has nothing to do with the character's own mental resilience, though characters are free to ICly assume that!

The really odd thing about this strange virus is that it seems to affect everyone regardless of circumstances. This means even characters without organic brains can be affected.

Anyone who asks the residents of Hatal about it will receive congratulations! Apparently it's not an uncommon effect, but not always a reliable one; the stones can be passed down but leave entire generations unaffected. Unsurprisingly, the effect has been appropriated by the Sabonile as evidence of the Xunutane's favour -- the priests will assure the residents of Keeliai that it's an opportunity for them to prove their character to one another (or an opportunity to change it, if need be!)

While the Sabonile can't cure the effect (and won't understand why you'd want to, being radically honest themselves), they will be able to reassure Keeliai's populace that the effects wear off given time. They also willingly provide 'comfort rooms' in their temples. These rooms are places of solitude for those who would rather meditate on their truths than blurt them to everyone they pass. Physically they don't really do much, but they're an option for those who are driven to interact with others yet don't want to embarrass themselves, and provide assurance that the Sabonile won't let anyone be bothered if they want to ride out the effects in (relative and non-harmful) solitude.

The Coping Mechanism:
Party!

No, seriously. The family heads, about halfway through the week, decide that if nearly every kedan is going to be compelled to tell the truth, then we might as well celebrate that fact and get everyone's dirty secrets out into the open.

All day on February 17th, kedan gather in the Courtyard of Public Opinion for a grand party. Several have bandanas or scarves tied over their mouths (or around their heads or necks) to indicate asking them questions might be dangerous; others gather in large drinking games, to which they'll happily invite any Foreigner who wants in. Each of the family heads will be in attendance, and each will be -- however grudgingly -- open to questions.

There will be a starter for the party below. For all other shenanigans related to the truth compulsion, please feel free to put up starters for your own characters! Threads can take place anytime during the week, and anywhere on the turtle's back or in Hatal.
redlightgreenlight: (cocky)

Yunxu | Yunxu's Mansion | (This is a horrible idea, what am I doing?)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2016-02-13 07:00 am (UTC)(link)
The moment Valdis realized what was going on, mostly by virtue of a helpful resident of Hatal and the fact that she not very tactfully told one of the Igheeri that they were unattractive and arrogant, she was headed, perhaps ill advisedly, toward Yunxu's mansion. It was a chance to learn some things about Enon that she would probably never find out otherwise and she had very few concerns about the affects of the virus, doubting that Yunxu could ask any questions that she would truly regret answering.

At the moment, Valdis really didn't feel like playing politics with Meisheng or messing with the lesser Snakes, so she bypassed them, her voice brisk as she made her way into the mansion and tried to get to Yunxu's office.

"I need to see Yunxu. No, I won't speak with anyone else, that would make him unhappy. Kindly move before I make you. Try to touch my sword again and I swear to God you will regret it. I'm really not in the mood to dance with you pathetic underlings. I said I need to speak with Yunxu. You know, your handsome, but incredibly annoying leader?"

Wow, who knew telling the truth could be so freeing?
Edited 2016-02-13 16:41 (UTC)
gistful: ([Midnight Hotel])

MIDNIGHT HOTEL; OPEN

[personal profile] gistful 2016-02-13 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
Although the functions of the Midnight Hotel worked essentially the same way even after the truth--no pun intended--came out, there was a bit more hassle in making sure emotions didn't come to a head. With the gang-members, especially, the peace was kept by judicious forgetfulness of their histories and rivalries.

A few times Anton was forced to break up a burgeoning fight with careful punches and ejection from the Hotel for the culprits to cool off somewhere else. Though these fights were always shut down before they really gained traction or infected more than the two involved, and nothing reached the point of permanent banning, by the time of the party tempers in the Hotel were frayed. Anton himself got the stink-eye a bit, though no one contradicted him to his face (or behind his back). A few of the patrons just seemed to think it was unfair that they needed to exercise especial restraint on hearing words like 'I shagged your brother last week' from a rival gang-member.

Still, aside from a handful of pointed and forceful reminders not to come to blows, the Hotel's workings continue apace.

Anton himself is affected, but the only noticeable difference is that he's more inclined to answer questions about himself in a little more detail than usual. He never was much of a liar.
Edited 2016-02-13 07:51 (UTC)
lasergrenades: (Pleased)

Yunxu

[personal profile] lasergrenades 2016-02-13 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
Pepper pretty much only ever lies to parents and teachers back home, so this whole 'truth virus' thing isn't ask that much of a big deal. Plus, she seems to be far enough removed from the source vector that she's about as much of a talker as she usually is, although she does seem to go off on longer tangents and explanations than usual.

It hasn't escaped her notice that this could present an extremely useful opportunity, or in fact several. Going to chat up Yunxu presented some risks, to be sure, but Pepper considers them well worth taking. The guards are a bit of an annoyance, but she doesn't really cut an intimidating figure outside the armor.

"Uh, mind if I cut in?" she asks one of them. "Your boss deserves some thanks for putting on the party."
problematical: (good things in life are hard to find)

River Tam - various sectors | OTA

[personal profile] problematical 2016-02-14 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ OOC: Please check out River's permissions post for her abilities, thanks! ]

nosy bird;

River was absolutely fascinated by the change that had undergone Keeliai since the crystals had started affecting people. Normally, she saw such a disconnect between what people said and what people were, it was like they were strangers to themselves. Her unique ability to read others, even when they weren't speaking, was a constant source of alternating insight, frustration and fear for her.

But right now, nearly everyone had lost that peculiar sense of double-imagery for her. It was astoundingly unnerving, really... but exciting at the same time.

So she was hanging around public places, watching people's conversations -- watching, it seemed, more than listening to them -- with a look of wonder on her face. Certainly enough to attract some attention, whether it be those wondering what was wrong with this poor addled girl, or annoyance at the thought of her eavesdropping on conversations that had nothing to do with her.

experiment;

River hadn't handled too many of the crystals, but she found that the compulsion still affected her. It was almost like a drug, and after a few tentative experiments, she almost reveled in the experience. Combined with her unusual method of Reading people, she quickly found that making statements that others were unable to deny was incredibly fun... if not a little dangerous.

Really, what reaction could have been expected from pointing out that no, he hadn't been working late the night before, because there had been a very pretty Igheeri lady who's appreciated a shapeshifter's ability to--

And then the burly kedan who'd tried to grab River to silence her -- after blurting out against his will that everything she said was true -- found himself on his back, flipped effortlessly by a teenage girl who was a third of his size.

"Lying's bad anyway," she said wisely, while he was momentarily stunned.
ironrule: (pic#8585007)

[personal profile] ironrule 2016-02-14 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
The guard in question glances back at Yunxu, who gives Pepper a searching look before sighing and waving a hand in permission.

"Yes," he says as Pepper comes closer, "I do mind, but in your case I'll make an exception. The party wasn't my idea, nor can I take any credit for its organisation. What you're enjoying is the collective effort of several people I don't know very well. But you haven't come to find me just to express your gratitude, have you?"

He sounds tired. Or perhaps faintly exasperated. Whatever it is, it's a tone he normally endeavours to hide, and no longer can.
ironrule: (pic#8585012)

[personal profile] ironrule 2016-02-14 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Meisheng didn't spend very long trying to stop Valdis's inexorable journey into the mansion. If she were a kedan, she absolutely would have been cut down where she stood by now, but the Foreigners required a subtler touch, and Yunxu had spent a lot of time making sure every last Snake was aware of that.

So by the time Valdis made it to the stairs, Meisheng had already left to tell Yunxu of her arrival. By the time she made it to the top of those stairs, Yunxu was waiting for her.

"I'll take it from here," he assured everyone in her path. As they - somewhat reluctantly - dispersed, Yunxu turned his attention back to Valdis, but this time there was no smile. There wasn't much of anything, really, except perhaps a small helping of irritation. Yunxu couldn't outright lie, but he had years of experience hiding the truth in a myriad of other ways. "What do you want, Lady Valdis?"
redlightgreenlight: (Happy 2)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2016-02-14 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Pity, Valdis had been hoping for a bit more resistance, but then again, picking a fight with the Snakes wouldn't be very good for the rest of the Foreigners. Unlike Yunxu, Valdis found it in her to smile, not at him, more in a cocky, proud kind of way. She waited until his underlings had completely dispersed before answering.

"I want to talk about Enon."

ironrule: (pic#8585004)

[personal profile] ironrule 2016-02-14 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Yunxu's expression didn't change. He couldn't smile, but that didn't mean he needed to wear his heart on his sleeve. His manipulation of emotion was such that he could fool even himself in the rare circumstances when he needed to.

"Of course," he said shortly. "And I suppose it can't wait until next week."

Next week, the truth compulsion gripping the city may well have faded. Valdis wasn't going to take that chance, not if she was here for the truth. So even as he asked, Yunxu was already turning to lead the way into his office, resigning to another of their friendly little chats.
redlightgreenlight: (Unsure)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2016-02-14 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
She didn't deign to comment on his statement, simply following a few steps behind him despite knowing the way to his office quite well by now. If the man thought this chat would be like their others, he was mistaken, for once, she held the majority of the cards right off the bat. There was risk involved, but her willingness to take it couldn't waver. Valdis waited until they were in the office and the door firmly shut behind them before saying another word.

"When did Enon die?"

Best to confirm what she already knew before adding new knowledge.
redlightgreenlight: (cocky)

Xuiyu

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2016-02-15 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
She had buried Dante's sword, but her reluctance to do the same with his twin pistols had led her to the idea of offering them to Xuiyu. Surely the leader of the Metalworkers could find some use for them and it would keep them out of the hands of the Snakes for the most part. Perhaps it would even help the Metalworkers.

The woman's laughter drew Valdis in the right direction. As she passed the beverage table, Valdis snatched two drinks and then crossed to the woman, offering her a drink to replace the one she had just finished.

"I have a proposition for you."
forgediron: (xuiyu } a little funny)

[personal profile] forgediron 2016-02-15 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm pretty susceptible to propositions from pretty women with drinks," Xuiyu said genially, waving Valdis to a seat on one of the many cushions strewn around. She was most definitely relaxed--for one thing, her pant-leg was rolled up and her false leg removed, her knee resting on a cushion of its own. She clearly wasn't intending to go anywhere tonight, or at least not in a hurry.
lasergrenades: (happy)

[personal profile] lasergrenades 2016-02-15 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
It was a pretty thin excuse for coming to talk to Yunxu, but regardless she could thank him for providing this opportunity. He's here, after all, and he doesn't have to submit to conversation.

"No, that's not the only reason," she confirms, smiling pleasantly at him. The shift in his tone is noted, and it piques her curiosity immensely. "But thanks for talking to me anyway. What'd I do to earn an exception?"

Yunxu is sharp, and he can easily guess what her motives might be, so it's more than a little interesting that he'd agree to speak with her, even with the banhammers lurking around him.
denyamenti: (must recall a man that neither love)

Bakura | OTA

[personal profile] denyamenti 2016-02-16 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
at the dojo;

Bakura was keeping a closer eye than usual on the patrons at the dojo, as putting weapons (even practice ones) in the hands of kedan who suddenly had no brain to mouth filter was an interesting twist. He threw out more than one pair of idiots who decided that sparring had taken a decidedly personal turn, without bothering to discern who was responsible for the first hit. So long as both were participating, they were equally guilty.

So passersby might witness one aggravated white-haired thief hauling kedan out and kicking them onto the lawn. So far there hadn't been a need to get the more impressive Shadow creatures intervening, but the day was young.

at the party;

The kedan have gotten out the good liquor for the event, it seems, and Bakura's found a comfortable seat with a bottle of it near one of the fire pits for warmth. The alcohol, of course, is providing its own warmth. He's not roaringly drunk or anything, but he's certainly looser than most are used to seeing him. He's also not wearing any covering indicating questions are off limits, but that's questionable as to whether he intends it that way, or it'd just get in the way of his drinking glass.
wolfstrike: (hand on hip)

Yuri Lowell - OTA

[personal profile] wolfstrike 2016-02-16 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Yuri's got it bad. He was one of the people who won a crystal and as a result has become very blunt to any questions asked of him. And he might occasionally blurt something out that he was thinking about but wasn't really appropriate to say.

He's pulled back from fighting in the rings as much, but still does occasionally. Instead he's focusing more on work for Brave Vesperia since they kinda got behind during his Jagaiz excursions. He can be found nearly anywhere in Keeliai as he runs around fulfilling jobs. Sometimes he can be found in Hatal too.

At the party:
The truth thing was starting to get a little annoying, but the idea of a party definitely gets his interest. Yuri shows up and is very glad that it's a more casual thing than the masquerade awhile back. He's more comfortable with this. He'll be meandering around talking to whoever wants to talk. Hopefully his mouth won't get him into anymore trouble.
redlightgreenlight: (Kinda Happy)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2016-02-17 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
Valdis took a cushion and made herself comfortable, taking a delicate sip of the beverage to test it. Of all the family heads, she actually liked Xuiyu. The Kedanese woman was confident, no nonsense and generally more agreeable than Zanru and Yunxu. She smiled.

"How is your family doing?"

Small talk before business.
backwordscompatible: (glance)

[personal profile] backwordscompatible 2016-02-17 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
Admittedly, she was drawn by the idea of a party. Curious as to what it might entail.

Definitely a dress-down event, especially to the last one she'd been in attendance--(the masquerade, not her Valentine's movie night, of course)--so she showed up in comfortable slacks and slightly oversized sweater. And a noticeably un-blackened eye, as she approached one of the first familiar faces to come into view.

"You know, I've been around a lot of eye masks before..." she thumbed in the general direction of a small group that were wearing gags over their mouths and eyeing the drink selection like they'd made a poor choice in their life. "...but this is new, even for me."
hellboundheart: (another man another place)

[personal profile] hellboundheart 2016-02-17 07:52 am (UTC)(link)
John himself was infected so to speak, most likely thanks to Obi-Wan that he had so happily shoved into service in the fighting rings. Then bet against him. That had put a dent in Constantine's spending money. Who would have thought a man who looked like he starred in some wandering kung-fu master show would win against that?

Hmph.

The honesty part hadn't bothered Constantine too much so far. No one knew enough about him to ask anything pointed. If they had, John would have pointed out that truth was a double-edged sword.

"Trembly! How are you doing this fine day?" he asked, not trying too hard to skirt the man despite the bottle of booze in the pocket of his trenchcoat. "Surprised this place isn't covered in more blood. Seems like there's something going about."

John had figured it out, of course, but he liked to let others tell or not tell him what they knew.
gistful: (why give in?)

[personal profile] gistful 2016-02-17 08:11 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing had happened yet today, though Anton was making himself visible at the desk due to some of the looks some gang-members were throwing one another. None of them were making a move (although some had learned and exited the Hotel, and Anton had seen them return later bruised and bloodied). Anton had received a few looks himself, but as long as he was visible, no rules were being broken.

"On guard, but nothing worse," Anton answered calmly without looking up from the ledger where he was going through those liable to make a fuss under the circumstances. "Have you not heard about the truth syndrome yet?"

A question that would, perhaps, answer itself just for the asking.
hellboundheart: (skulls)

[personal profile] hellboundheart 2016-02-17 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
The metallic snap-hiss of Constantine's lighter was starting to become commonplace in the halls of the Hotel. Setting it between his lips, John made himself comfortable in one of the chairs near the front desk. Space was good, but he didn't want to be shouting back and forth. Plus, he knew that watchful look in others, realized he needed to stay a little back in the event something Bad happened. While he could take care of himself, Tricky didn't know that or so John believed.

Taking a deck of cards from his pocket, John began shuffling them. When done, he flipped over the top one. First it was the Queen of Spades, but a twitch and the image was that of the Ace of Diamonds. A pass down of his fingers, and it was the plain blue backside Bicycle design of the makers.

"Heard it. Affect with it. Having a wonderful day. No one has been able to cheat me. Did you know the bookseller down the way has been overcharging all we Foreigners? Bad for business, that. Not to mention the fellow that knew of caves. Been a busy, busy day. Hoping it spreads even further."

His dark eyes glinted at Anton, fair warning for the man to run while he could or face whatever John might blurt out next. The Hellblazer owed him that much since he was his landlord. Wasn't his fault if Anton did know that look for what it was.
gistful: (no longer)

[personal profile] gistful 2016-02-17 08:56 am (UTC)(link)
It was a strange enchantment Constantine had used to make sure his smoking didn't interfere with anyone else. Anton didn't know what it was, except that it involved Constantine's coat, though he did wonder if Ghastly could replicate it. (Ghastly could replicate anything, when it came to enchanting clothes; more likely, he'd ask why.) Still, as long as it was there, Anton didn't object to the smoking, since only Constantine was affected by it--though some of the glares going around transferred from other kedan, or Anton, to Constantine himself.

Though Anton was still ostensibly looking at the ledger, Constantine was near enough that Anton could catch the quick movements, if not the actual exchanges. It had been a long time since he'd seen hand-tricks in motion well enough to be able to pick the exact moment the trick was played, when performed by someone so adept.

"I did," Anton acknowledged, finally looking up. "It would be one more reason not to go to him, if I enjoyed reading more." Most of his books were for business or research. It wasn't that he disliked reading. It was more that he'd only learned it once he was three centuries old. He turned to other things as hobbies first.

For almost the first time since Constantine had come to the Hotel, Anton felt like the expression the man wore wasn't a mask of some kind. Or at least not completely one. There was humour there, a dark sort. A warning sort. There were a few men Anton had seen wearing that look, at home. Most of them hadn't been nice, or good, men. (One or two were.) "You enjoy pulling the wool over others' eyes, don't you? Do you do it for protection or for fun? Or both?"

Anton was not known for running.
hellboundheart: (this isn't going to be good)

[personal profile] hellboundheart 2016-02-17 09:33 am (UTC)(link)
John Constantine was setting himself up for a terminal case of lung cancer. Should someone do a deep scan of him, he already had the precursors of it, although it would be some time before it was discovered.

He had a plan in place for just that.

Looks from others were easily ignored. Hate or dismissal were things he was long used to. If Anton (or others) had watched John long enough, he had a habit of making himself less there, something that the human eye skipped over as if he didn't exist. Confident in his abilities as he was, John had never asked himself if Anton, Erskine or someone else could see him when he was like that. He'd gotten used to being unnoticed.

The same routine was run through again. The King of Clubs this time replaced in a fraction of a second's tap with the two of spades. The backing of the cards was a crimson red this time like the soulgem John wore on one wrist. He lifted the card before him, the ace of spades. A flick of his fingers and it was an empty white space.

"Both. Protection for me and you, fun for me." Question answered truthfully there. "You know, there's a difference between Lucifer, the Devil and Satan. Lucifer is an archangel, created by God and cast down when he rebelled. Always wondered why he rebelled and none of the others had the bright idea first unless it was all a big plan by God to show that rebellion doesn't work. The Devil is any one of the First, Second or Third of the Fallen. They all answer to it. 'Satan' is the First of the Fallen, a copy of God to hear him or it talk."

He took a draw from his cigarette, smoke drifting around him as he exhaled, although it really never left his area. Looked like it did, but the magically observant might see it drawn right back into his trench.

"My point, Trembly, is that from one point of view, they're all the leaders of Hell even if Lucifer quit and the other two keep the First in check. Multiple truths can exist at one time."

A last warning from the conman before his easy smile returned and he asked his own question. The nine of diamonds was held between his fingers, dark eyes locked on Anton's face.

In that single card so many saw different things. A picture of the person they loved or wanted the most. A credit card without limit. A magic spell beyond power here on this plane. An ID card for any agency that would have brought them comfort. Anything. Everything. Blood had been shed on and over that single card and the power it had.

"What do you see?"
gistful: (it never is)

[personal profile] gistful 2016-02-17 10:13 am (UTC)(link)
It was almost a chilling sort of play. Lazy, in its own way. Practically seductive. Even when Anton watched Constantine's fingers, even after having gone through centuries of seeing Larrikin and Ravel fiddle with dice and cards, he couldn't quite pick the moments the switch happened. It was as though his gaze skipped over it.

Protection for me and you. Well, Constantine wouldn't be the first man to be aggressively hedonistic to drive people away for their own sakes.

"I never cared much for the nuances of the Christian belief," Anton said. When he'd been young, Ireland had been Catholic. There hadn't been much else. He'd thought the gist was a demon to be purged, at first. He'd gone through exorcisms, slaughtered monks. It had been a very long time before he'd accepted there wasn't much religious, divine or otherwise, involved.

By the time Ireland wasn't wholly Catholic anymore, he no longer cared.

But it was an idle comment, made more because of the subject matter than the point Constantine was making. It did make Anton smile, though. Skulduggery always had said the truth was subjective. Then, because Constantine had asked, because Anton was intrigued by the man and because the resemblance, for a moment, was enough, Anton looked at the card. It was a magical card. There wasn't much else to call a card which showed things like that.

"I see my brothers," he said quietly. "Alive and whole and hale in body and mind. Together. Happy." Not marred by war or torture or bitter fury at stupid, misguided mistakes. Together.

Unbroken.

Anton had never really hidden that the Dead Men were his cause, either.
hellboundheart: (drink to end the day)

[personal profile] hellboundheart 2016-02-17 10:23 am (UTC)(link)
Anton had once again hit on the heart of what made John Constantine so dangerous, so hated among the magical community. Those stubby working class English Liverpool fingers flipped the cards as if they were made of air, the suits and faces changing immediately. Magic came to his fingers like the dog of the Fool of the Tarot, trying to pull him back from the edge.

"You don't, no, but have they given up on you is the question. Not that easy to walk away. The things that we own will always come home to us."

The picture, the nine of diamonds, the ace of spades, the joker, his brothers whole and laughing with hands reaching for him and the unsettling empty card of a promise not delivered on.

John brought it towards his face, sharp brown eyes watching him over it as the blank space covered whatever expression his mouth had.

"Your turn, Anton, or I can ask you why you and your Grand Mage of Ireland went to war."

A rare choice for him to give, but John often played his cards close to the vest and on his own counsel.

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