#poker symbolism is the best we need more

[railroadbible]

I find it neat that Near’s surname is River because in poker terms, a river is the last card dealt in a game and it often breaks a hand and decides the outcome of a showdown. It’s adjacent to Near being the last person in ending Kira

[rafemotherfuckingcameron]

YOU LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE

Word Count: 1.7k

Pairing(s): Dark!JJ x Reader, Sarah x Reader, Rafe x Reader

Warnings: domestic abuse, physical abuse, strangling, gaslighting, alcohol, mentions of blood, toxic relationship, controlling behavior, trauma, rape, 18+

Summary: Y/n trusted JJ, who initially seemed to be the love of her life, but ultimately became the source of her deepest fears.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Part 2 - Humiliated

Weeks passed, and he apologized for causing you to miss your best friend's birthday, but there was no acknowledgment of the injuries he had inflicted.

He then continued, insisting that some guys were coming over for poker and he needed his "lucky charm" there to serve drinks.

His tone grew ominous as he warned that if you didn't dress the part and comply, what happened last time might repeat itself—a threat laced with a chilling promise of violence.

-

Fear gripped you as you realized the extent of his control and the danger of defying him. He grabbed a shopping bag from the wardrobe and hurled it at you, insisting that you wear its contents tonight, with a stern warning: "I don't want to hear any complaints."

The bag hit you with a thud, its weight symbolic of the suffocating control he exerted over every aspect of your life.

You reluctantly took the outfit out of the bag, your heart sinking as you revealed a costume that was shockingly revealing, clearly not meant to be worn in front of others.

Dread washed over you, realizing that JJ expected you to wear this in front of his friends, a humiliating display that would strip away whatever dignity you had left. As you held the costume up, its provocative design mocked your discomfort.

The neckline plunged dangerously low, the hemline scandalously high. It felt like a costume meant to objectify, not to celebrate. Tears welled in your eyes as you imagined the leering gazes, the crude comments you might endure.

JJ's insistence echoed in your mind: "I don't want to hear any complaints." His words were a command, a reminder of the consequences if you dared to defy him.

When the boys arrived for the game, JJ proudly announced, "We have our very own waitress joining us tonight." His voice was laced with a smug satisfaction that sent a shiver down your spine. The men's eyes immediately fixated on you, their gazes predatory and full of crude desire.

"Damn, JJ, you really know how to pick 'em," one of them leered, his tone thick with innuendo.

Another chimed in, "I'll take a drink... and a lap dance," eliciting boisterous laughter from the others.

You felt exposed and objectified as they made lewd comments about your appearance, their words dripping with misogyny and entitlement. JJ stood by, his grin widening with each degrading remark, reveling in your discomfort.

As you moved around the room, trying to ignore their advances, their hands occasionally brushed against you, sending a jolt of revulsion through your body. It was a nightmarish blur of suggestive remarks, lingering touches, and the sickening realization that you were nothing more than an object for their amusement.

As the game progressed, JJ's mood darkened with every losing hand. He grew increasingly frustrated, his temper simmering just beneath the surface. "Get me another drink," he barked at you, his tone sharp and demanding. When you moved too slowly for his liking, his hand slapped your ass leaving a red mark behind. 

JJ's losing streak continued. His frustration turned to outright anger, the tension in the room growing thicker with each lost hand. Finally, the game reached its brutal conclusion: JJ lost. He owed more money than he could afford, and his friends were not willing to let it slide.

"You gotta pay up, man," one of them said, his voice demanding and unyielding.

JJ's eyes flicked to you, a dark idea forming in his mind. "I don't have the cash right now, but I can offer something else," he said, a sinister edge to his voice.

The room fell silent as the men exchanged glances, understanding dawning on their faces. "What are you talking about?" one of them asked, though the predatory gleam in his eyes showed he already knew.

JJ looked at you, a cruel smile curling his lips. "How about you entertain them for a while?" he suggested, his voice dripping with malice.

Your heart plummeted, a sickening realization washing over you. The men began to murmur in approval, their gazes turning even more predatory. JJ's betrayal was complete, his desperation and cruelty pushing him to offer you up as payment.

You stood frozen, a wave of dread crashing over you as the men advanced, their intentions clear. They closed in around you, their hands reaching out, grasping, pulling you into their circle. Their words were a cacophony of lewd suggestions and vile laughter, each one more demeaning than the last.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's see what you can do," one of them sneered, his hand roughly grabbing your arm.

Another man whispered something filthy in your ear, his breath hot and rancid against your skin. "You're gonna have to work off JJ's debt," he chuckled, his hand sliding down your back, making you shiver with revulsion.

JJ watched from the sidelines, a twisted smirk on his face as you were pulled into their midst.

As JJ walked away, his cruel laughter echoing in your ears, the reality of your situation sank in deeper. He had left you there, defenseless and at the mercy of these men.

The cold, hard truth hit you like a sledgehammer: JJ didn't care about you. He never had. You were just a pawn in his twisted game, a tool to be used and discarded.

One of the guys pushed you down to your knees, his grip on your shoulders firm and unyielding. "On your knees, sweetheart," he ordered, his voice dripping with condescension. You felt the cold, hard floor beneath you, the sense of helplessness overwhelming. You fought the urge to scream, knowing it would only amuse them more.

The men's hands were all over you now, their touch invasive and demeaning. You could hear JJ in the background, talking on the phone as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

"Yeah, we're just having a little fun," he said casually, the sound of his voice making your skin crawl. One of the guys unzipped his jeans, letting them fall to the floor. He pulled down his boxers, and his cock sprang free.

He stroked it a few times, his eyes locked onto yours with a predatory gleam. "Open your mouth," he ordered. You shook your head, refusing to comply, but the others grabbed your hair and forced your jaw open, their grips painful and relentless.

The man moved closer, his intentions clear and disgusting. You tried to pull away, but they held you in place, their laughter and taunts echoing around you. You felt utterly trapped, the sense of violation and helplessness overwhelming.

His cock hit the back of your throat, and you gagged around him, which he loved. He fucked himself into your mouth at an unforgiving pace, leaving drool running down your chin.

The room filled with their crude comments and laughter as he continued to thrust into your mouth, your eyes watering from the lack of air and the force of his movements. You could hear JJ in the background, his voice mixing with the others as he encouraged their actions, further cementing his betrayal.

"That's right, take it all," one of them jeered, his hand tightening in your hair.

Another chimed in, "She looks so good like this, doesn't she?"

JJ's voice cut through the din, cold and detached. "See? She's good for something after all."

The man in front of you thrust harder, making you choke and gag. The sensation was unbearable, the feeling of helplessness overwhelming you as tears streamed down your face. The taste and smell were revolting, but there was no escape, no way to break free from their grasp.

As he continued, the others watched with sick fascination, their eyes gleaming with perverse delight. You could feel their hands on your body, groping and squeezing, adding to the humiliation and degradation. Each second felt like an eternity, the nightmare stretching on without end.

After he had unloaded himself in your mouth, he pulled you off and roughly picked you up, placing you on the table, pushing the poker chips out of the way.

You felt the hard surface beneath you as your heart pounded with fear and humiliation. He looked at JJ with a twisted grin and asked, "Can I get her wet?" JJ, lounging back with a drink in his hand, shrugged nonchalantly. 

"You can use her any way you want." The words sent a shiver of dread through you. The man flipped your skirt up and tore your panties away with a vicious yank, exposing you to the leering eyes of everyone in the room. You tried to close your legs, but the men held you down, their grips like iron. "Look at that, boys," one of them said, his voice dripping with lust. 

"She's dripping wet and all ours tonight." The man who had you on the table leaned in, his breath hot and rancid against your skin. He spread your legs apart, ignoring your struggles and pleas.

"Let's see how tight she is," he said with a cruel chuckle, running his fingers along your most private areas, the sensation making your skin crawl. He didn't wait for you to respond; his fingers invaded you, exploring with a roughness that brought tears to your eyes.

The others watched with twisted enjoyment, their laughter and crude comments filling the room. Your body trembled with a mix of fear, shame, and pain, your mind screaming for this nightmare to end. JJ looked on, a smirk playing on his lips as he sipped his drink. 

"Enjoy her, boys. She’s feel so good.” The man's fingers were soon replaced by something far worse. He positioned himself between your legs, his weight pressing you into the table, making it hard to breathe.

"Don't worry, sweetheart," he whispered in your ear, his voice laced with sadistic glee. "I'll make sure you feel every inch." The violation was excruciating, every thrust a reminder of your helplessness. The men around you egged him on, their words a barrage of filth that assaulted your ears. Your cries were drowned out by their laughter, your pleas for mercy ignored.

As he continued to use you, your mind struggled to dissociate from the horror, to find some corner of peace amidst the chaos. But the pain and humiliation were relentless, dragging you back to the cold, harsh reality of your situation.

In that moment, surrounded by predators you felt betrayed by the one person who should have protected you.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Mini costume meta

Gonna throw in a very mini costume meta because now I’ve got a proper look at Bucks velvet jacket I am having a lot - and I mean a lot of feelings about it.

For starters this jacket is not maroon - it is burgundy and that is an important distinction. maroon is a more brown toned colour while burgundy is a more red and purple toned colour and they have very different meanings. 

I’m not sure how easily you can see it from these two pictures, but the tee Buck wears when he tells Christopher about Eddie getting shot - in 4x14 - is much more brown toned, while the velvet suit jacket has much more of a purplish tone to it (i’m hoping for better pictures of the suit jacket when the episode actually airs as the screenshots I grabbed are not the best!!)

So Like I’ve said in previous metas, maroon has been used in scenes where a character is taking on some form of parental role - this is something thats been going on since season 1 and its been used on pretty much all the characters. Buck telling Chris about the shooting is the most obvious example, but Eddie in the last episode when Buck went over to the Diaz house was making Christopher's lunch - a parental thing. We’ve also seen Bobby in maroon a fair amount when he’s needed to step into a parental role - think back to Bobby telling Harry he needed to clear the table - that he couldn’t be best buddy Bobby anymore, and needed to be step dad Bobby and so on. 

Maroon is thought to promote comfort and warmth, it is also a colour of strength and maturity - all things associated with parenthood. It is also a colour often associated with drying blood which connects it to the idea of blood ties - which equals family ties.

Then we have burgundy - a colour of sophistication. It’s a powerful colour commonly associated with refinement - stemming from the idea that a Burgundy wine is among the best and most expensive in the world. This association also means Burgundy is associated with wealth - the perfect colour for Buck to be wearing while he’s winning at poker!

The other thing about burgundy though is that it is also associated with lust, passion and desire - it is a colour very much connected with romance and deep love as it is a deep form of red!

Combined with the black of the rest of the outfit, including the black wide peaked satin lapels, which is a colour of elegance, sophistication, power and seduction, as well as the choice of velvet and satin for the blazer - two fabrics considered to be symbols of wealth luxury and sophistication I think it’s safe to say that this outfit is very much an outfit one would chose for a date. Peaked lapels are an interesting choice - they are the most difficult lapel to achieve and are considered the mark of an accomplished tailor - hinting at the idea that Buck has been on a difficult journey, but will achieve success with it. it can also hint at him being accomplished at cards!

Its also worth mentioning that velvet as a word is a slang term for money acquired through gambling 👀👀👀 

Last thing to note is that Eddie is not the only one wearing a new and more blingy watch - Buck is also wearing a new one - we only get a couple of very brief glimpses and I’m hoping we’ll see a bit more of it once the episode airs, but I am very literally screaming over it. (you can see a tiny glimpse in the still below)

Buck has had the same watch since season 1 - no deviations, just the same watch! and now - now we get a new one! Post dying, post coma dream, post Buck going to the Diaz house and sleeping on the couch and post Buck appearing all contemplative and figuring things out at the end of last episode we see Buck in a new watch!!!!

The fact that they both appear to be wearing metal watches means we have the possibility that their watches are going to potentially match up, because metal watches are more showy and confident - they’re less practical (especially if you’re a fire fighter) and are therefore much more about making a statement of some sort. Them both wearing them for the first time at the same time is a choice! Not to mention the fact that while Eddies watch is out and proud - on display for everyone to see, Bucks is mostly hidden - we only get to see a tiny part of it for a moment. The idea that Eddie is confident and essentially putting this new version of himself out there for people to see, while Buck is ‘on the same page’ but still mostly hiding his new self - he’s still uncertain about it etc is a choice - especially as we’ve seen watch theory around Buck expand much more this season than previously! I should also mention the fact that the show very loudly made a big thing about Michael buying David a watch as an engagement gift - rather than a ring - and we don’t see any other (male)  characters wearing metal watches, so for them to choose now to put Eddie in a metal watch as well as possibly Buck is making a very purposeful connection!!

I really can’t wait to see if we’re going to get more of these watches - if we do I’m expecting we’ll only see them connected to Buddie developments and that they’ll revert to their normal watches for other non work scenes (I’m expecting the brown leather strap watch for whatever date(s) Pepa has set Eddie up on!!)!

[chalkeater]

I think you need to have a serious read of this post:

http://undertale-science.tumblr.com/post/137797519093/ive-settled-the-issue-of-frisks-design-once-and

This is a racist post?

The reason yellow is used because the first “smiley” was made to boost moral,so a bright yellow color was used as a green face often represented poisoning or sickness, a red face was evil or angry, and a blue face was sad. Black on yellow stands out the best compared to other basic colors. It’s why our school buses are yellow, so they are easy to find and see. Because of this and the historic use of yellow for smileys, that shade of bright yellow gold is what is considered the standard for race neutral.

I was talking about how Frisk being drawn with yellow skin is way too close to racist propaganda. I am talking about Yellow Peril and Yellow Face. The color theory of SYMBOLS and graphic design in Logos is a stretch when talking about HUMAN representation.

The yellow face has nothing to do with Asians, or with race at all.

In emojis it wasn't meant to present any one Asian at all- this is especially because there is more than the -_- emoji. When I talked about yellow face I'm talking about yellow peril and how yellow face was used against Asian people. Asians never PICKED yellow, it was assigned by racist people.

Instead of making a bunch of options and eating up coding time to make it so you can customize the sprite to look as much like you as allowed by the options, Frisk’s design relies on something far stronger: your imagination. such a blank face can be interpreted in a number of ways. It’s a default poker face, watch poker, people actually make the real life version of that face, squinting a bit, trying to have relaxed eyes, flat mouth.

No one is saying to make Frisk customizable BTW!

I bolded "squinting a bit" because this is where this post admits that people will interpret it this way. And I never said that people were even inherent malicious for seeing it this way-- it is racist, but it's INGRAINED into our society to read stuff like this AS Asian. Just like how Goblins and what we associate them with are so normalized to us and we don't see it as anti-Semitic even though it is.

Frisk cannot be a caricature of any race, because by design, they are as close to raceless as possible while still maintaining a form instantly recognized as human, which is important considering the monsters versus humans story of the game.

There's a reason why POC have said that Frisk is heavily implied to be POC, even if they're bright yellow. Since this post mentioned Color Codes, I'm going to point at the difference between Frisk and Chara.

Chara is literally closer to white. I bring this up because I've said before that Chara being pale-skinned next to Frisk is ODD and can imply that that Frisk is a POC! Especially matched with their face/eyes design. If Chara is white-skinned (how humans classify white skin colors) then it's odd that Frisk, who literally in the color codes is darker than Chara, is colored in yellow.

Asian people are nowhere near that color. Just like how Native Americans are not actually naturally beet red, Africans are not actually pitch black, and Caucasians are not actually printer paper white.

Yeah, Asian people are not yellow! And while I know this post is not directed at me, you sent me this post to review carefully. I'm happy to tell you that yes: obviously Asian people are not yellow. I look at the mirror and don't think I look yellow at all. that's the point of what I'm trying to say, too! Asian people aren't yellow. Trying to explain that "Frisk being drawn with yellow skin and closed/squinted eyes has weird coincidences with yellow face and yellow peril" does not mean I think Asian people are yellow or that Asian people are literally yellow.

I don't think white people are Gesso-paint white, either.

But here's an article that briefly mentions how Dr. Seuss had to have his work edited to remove the yellow skin because it was racist to depict this.

According to the facial muscles, the “-_-” face is about the closest way you can depict the resting face when you only have 6 pixels.

Not really. I'll add on to this in a bit.

you are at the base “neutral” face that most people have when completely unconscious.

So is this an argument for Frisk is unconscious? I'm not saying it's a bad headcanon or that no one can use this. I think it's a fun idea that Frisk might be unconscious the whole time, but I'm not sure why this was mentioned.

Your eyes do not actually squeeze shut all the way when sleeping, some people even have eyes that do not squint as much and appear to be sleeping with their eyes open.

Yeah, this is the kind of thing asians, especially east asians get made fun of for, and it's been a long-time issue. "Can you even see?" "Are your eyes even open?"

"Appear to be sleeping" "appear to be closed when it's actually open" in order to excuse Frisk's face design? People with monolid eyes or epicanthal folds are not closed.

This is racist! Hope it helps.

Going for such a neutral character, Toby would not go and give the character a canon iris color. The only way the eyes could be changed is to make them 1X1 black pixel with no white pixel sclera (white part of the eye) to avoid making it appear like they have black colored irises.

There are people out there who have REALLY dark brown eyes that it looks basically almost black. There's nothing wrong with that. Also, as pixels, like this post suggests, we as humans have seen black colored irises in media ALL the time, and make our own interpretations.

See: Adventure Time, Gravity Falls, Loud House, etc. Adventure time doesn't need a white sclera to be seen as eyes, and Something like Gravity falls are still seen as eyes even with a sclera. If you look up Fanart of any of these media, a lot of people make their own interpretation of eye colors even if their irises are black.

A 4x4 eye is too big for that size head, as we see when Chara shows that look with their creepy face. 2 tall by 1 wide eyes would look too surprised and awake. When making a neutral face, this was the best way to go while still looking relatively human.

There is no mention of 2x2, so I feel like this is an unfair argument. Below I edited their eyes to quickly show how even this part isn't so hard.

If someone draws Frisk yellow with slanted eyes, just imagine them with whatever race, sex, gender, and emotion you have in your “headcanon”.

If people draw Frisk with yellow skin and slanted eyes, I think we should be upset, or at least tell this person not to do this.

Here is the image Dr. Seuss illustrated, again. This has gone through several revisions years after it was first published because of the racist depictions.

There is no true race or gender or sex or emotion or age or body type. It’s done on purpose.

This ignores one of the most widely spread headcanons and/or analyses of Undertale: which is that Frisk is their own person (which Flowey and Chara reinforce), and while we start the game by projecting ourselves on them, we literally learn through the pacifist route, that Frisk is NOT us. We play AS Frisk. Especially because no matter what name we give the True Name, Frisk will always introduce themselves as Frisk when asked by Asriel in the end of the game.

Again, we are NOT Frisk. We play AS Frisk. As we play the game through Pacifist, we learn more about Frisk- they like to Flirt, they are the ones who choose to call Toriel "mom". Players might just not associate these with being Frisk traits, because we originally project onto them until the reveal.

"No true gender" is also frustrating to see, because this is going to be the same argument to say that Frisk does NOT use They/Them, and that we shouldn't advocate for people to use They/Them for Frisk.

I also saw in another post on their blog that they believe that Chara does not necessarily use They/Them either (that Chara is also someone to project onto), even if Asriel uses it for them during the epilogue. "[Name] wasn't the best person."

Source: Undertale, images derived from this dialogue dump.

When it comes to Deltarune, if this argument was used for Kris as well it would be incredibly false due to the fact that it's even more so canon that Kris is NOT the player, and that the player is NOT Kris.

That's all! Thanks for the post. It was frustrating to read.

Here's some sources I also looked at to make sure what I'm saying made sense; some of these are repeated links that I mention earlier just for reference.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/dr-seuss-got-away-anti-asian-racism-long-rcna381

https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691140315/becoming-yellow

https://caata.net/yellowface-what-it-is-why-its-bad-and-action-steps-to-fight-it/

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/asian-eye-surgery-and-media-racism/279770/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-passport-error-idUSKBN13W0RL/

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article249528800.html

https://digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/student/exhibits/show/race-in-us/asian-americans/asian-immigration-and-the--yel

https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/fox-eye-trend-asian-cultural-appropriation-trnd/index.html

[drstonetrivia]

Ace of Spades

Cards come up a lot in Dr. Stone, such as joker cards, trump cards, or even the whole deck, but the concept of aces, specifically from the spade suit, come up a lot more.

We'll start by considering aces as a whole...

...Or aces in the hole, as Ginro and Suika have been referred to in the past. chapters 107 and 108 have matching ace-related titles thanks to them hiding away on the Perseus. Together, the pair make the double aces that save the day!

For those not familiar with the term, an ace in the hole means "a hidden advantage or resource kept in reserve until needed", which suits the way the Kingdom of Science operates. They wait until the last moment to reveal their plan, to dramatic effect.

If it's not spoiled beforehand, that is.

On the topic of double aces, the poker game that occurs in chapter 144 results in 5 aces being shown at the end.

The doubled card? The ace of spades.

(If you were wondering who had the imposter card, it looks like Senku had it. The size of the middle spade is smaller than the other cards, comparatively.)

So who was the ace? Senku, for winning the game? Ryusui, for getting what he wanted with the casino? Both of them had the ace of spades card, which is generally considered the highest card in the whole deck, but everyone involved in that game is an ace in their own right.

The only one who didn't get what they wanted in that particular instance was Gen, who was frustrated by his loss.

So let's look at one of Gen's ace-related wins: the gambit against Moz on Treasure Island.

Gen's opening move was to distract Moz momentarily using the still-unstabilised drone. The drone here is an ace for two reasons: first, to draw Moz's eye away from Gen so he can sneak closer, and second to make the Kingdom of Science seem more powerful than they actually are.

Gen uses his weak card against Moz, who is the strongest card in the Treasure Island deck.

Gen may have bluffed his way forward, but ultimately Moz never stood a chance against Gen, the man whose entire skill set revolves around manipulating cards...

Being the highest and most valuable card in the deck, the ace of spades isn't immune to superstition. One of the main superstitions marks it as an omen of bad luck.

This seems to follow in Dr Stone too with those associated with the card: Moz's loss against Hyoga, Ryusui's 5 petrifications, Senku's constant bad luck, the fate of the drone, ace pilot Charlotte crashing, Tsukasa's deaths*...

(*I'll get to that last one in a moment)

The other superstition around the card is how the ace of spades became known as the "death card". Military units used to use it as their symbol as it was the highest in the deck, and during the Vietnam war scattering the cards was used as a fear tactic.

The origin of the suit is also military in nature: the design is based on the pike or halberd, two European polearms.

The name itself likely came from the word for sword, similar to Spanish's "espada".

So now we have the final question:

Who in Dr Stone encapsulates the ace of spades card best? Who is simultaneously the strongest, unlucky, surrounded by death and also has roots relating to warfare?

If you guessed Tsukasa, you're right!

He was introduced as the Strongest High School Primate by Taiju, has a sad backstory and is constantly being separated from Mirai, has died twice now and uses an enormous sword wider than a shovel (that sword is the real spade here).

In case you still have doubts, even Stanley agrees! In chapter 189, Stanley's mind conjures up the ace of spades for Tsukasa, along with the ace of hearts for Kohaku and the ace of clubs for Hyoga.

Interestingly, cards with enemy faces printed on them were issued during the Iraq war (most-wanted Iraqi playing cards, if you're curious), so I wonder if this is why Stanley was thinking of them in terms of playing cards...

Also going back to the Vietnam war connection, both the battle in c.188 and the Vietnam war used guerrilla warfare tactics: launching attacks from hiding and using the terrain to your advantage.

In conclusion, the ace of spades repeatedly comes up in Dr Stone, but the only person it truly suits (haha) is none other than Tsukasa Shishio.

[gladstones-corner]

Let's Talk Divination

This was originally going to be a much more specific post, but I decided to take in in a different direction. Today, I'm going to cover divination as a general topic, including how to practice it. 

Like my post on ritual magic, let's get started with a definition. What exactly is divination? Merriam-Webster nails it, I think: 

"The art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge, usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers." 

I dig this definition a lot. It tells us that: 

Divination is both an art and a science 

It is both natural and supernatural 

It can be used to uncover information 

It can be used to tell the future 

That's all well and good, but why is divination important? Let's take a look at those last two points there: uncovering information and foretelling the future. 

Uncovering information spans a wide range of applications. Did you misplace your phone? A crude map of your home and a pendulum can help you remember where it is. Had something go worse than you were hoping? A tarot spread can help you examine why. 

Foretelling the future seems self-explanatory, but it's more complex than that. Divination can certainly tell you likely outcomes, but it won't set your fate in stone. If anything, it's part of being a proactive force in your own destiny. 

Alright, cool. We have some ways divination helps us out. But how do we practice it? The good news is, that's up to you! 

If you're new to the skill, I suggest starting with a pendulum. These are great because they're portable, versatile, discreet, and easy to make. All you need is about 8-10 inches of string and a small weight to tie onto the end. 

To use a pendulum, hold it by the non-weighted end and let it swing freely. Before divining, I tend to ask my pendulum to signal to me the following: 

Yes 

No 

Maybe 

Answer unknown 

That helps me calibrate the pendulum so I can clearly understand its responses. 

If you're less comfortable with freeform interpretation, there are plenty of divination mats to try. Some are simple, others are more complex and mimic spirit boards. I encourage you to make a couple out of paper and see if you like them before purchasing one. 

Mastered the pendulum? Try something a little more complicated, like Elder Futhark or Ogham. These are rune sets that are rich in symbolism but easy to make and learn. You can use wooden coins, index cards, or anything of regular size and shape to make your own and get started. 

Runes not really your thing? Or maybe you've mastered them too? In this case, I can't recommend Lenormand highly enough. It's a 36 card deck with beautiful, easy-to-understand art on every card. The best part? Each card has a playing card equivalent; you can purchase a set of poker cards and draw your own! 

Where do we go from here? I'd say oracle decks! These are unique in that they're non-standard. Each deck is highly personal to its creator and differs from all others. I suggest doing a lot of research to find one you like, and really taking the time to learn its methods and meanings. A good oracle deck will carry you very far. 

And now we come to the final divination method I'll discuss here: tarot. I kept this one for last because I consider it the hardest to learn. 

Despite the consistent 78-card requirement (22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana), there is considerable variation between decks. Finding one you like seems impossible at times, and trying to find resources can be a pain if you're not reading a RWS or one of its variants. 

But don't let that get to you. Finding a good tarot deck and learning at least the Major Arcana will net you a lot of experience in divination. Is it any more rewarding than the other methods? No, not really. But besides the pendulum, it's my favorite. 

Are these the only divination methods available? Absolutely not. Geomancy, augury, bone-casting...the list goes on. There are as many ways to divine as there are people divining—and I didn't even cover scrying, which is a topic all on its own. 

Give these methods a try! Let me know how they work for you. 

As always, blessed be~ 

[mdmotalebhossainraju]

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Rolling the Dice: Exploring the Excitement of Lucky Block Casino

Lucky Block Casino is creating waves in crypto gambling with daily giveaways and non-fungible token (NFT) games. The fast-moving crypto casino prioritizes trust and security by offering a premium casino experience with a wide selection of online slots, original games, live dealers, and unbeatable VIP bonuses and exclusive rewards. There has been much wondering about the hype surrounding the Lucky Block Casino. 

To clarify things for gamblers, we have delved deeper into its unique features and functions and discussed its product offerings in this article, including Lucky Block casino games, responsible gambling tools, and more. We will also explore the importance of Luck and Strategy in casino games.

The Lucky Block Concept

Lucky Block is a popular decentralized cryptocurrency casino and sportsbook that was launched in 2022 by entry Entretenimeinto, Rojo B.V. It is one of the fastest-growing blockchain platforms that offers increased transparency and broader accessibility to gamblers around the world. The Lucky Block project operates with the following goals: absolute protection against manipulation, guaranteed distribution of profits, and end-to-end transparency. 

Lucky Block Crypto Casino’s LBLOCK is a form of social crypto that develops a fair and transparent gaming practice, builds a global gambling platform with enhanced winning odds, and provides an effective strategy for lottery ticket buyers. Remember, the casino started as a blockchain-based lottery protocol that later became a fully operational crypto casino with many games and bonuses, including a Lucky Block Casino no-deposit bonus offer and exclusive promotions.

Popular Lucky Block Casino Games

Slot Machines

Lucky Block casino has over 4,000 slot machines with at least three reels, each with several symbols. Slot machines have RNG (random number generators) that generate multiple numbers per second, each associated with different combinations of symbols. Lucky Block Casino offers Bitcoin slots that can be played using a variety of cryptocurrencies. There is a balanced collection of high and low-volatility slot games to meet the different gambling styles of slot lovers.

Roulette

Lucky Block Casino has multiple variants of roulette games, including American Roulette, Hindi Roulette, European Roulette, French Roulette, and Lightning Roulette. Irrespective of the Roulette variant a player chooses, the rules are similar. There is a dual setup between the spinning wheel and the betting board. The aim is to correctly predict where the ball will land on the numbered wheel. 

The beauty of playing Roulette is that anyone can play the game, irrespective of skills or experience. However, players can employ a few tips or strategies while playing roulette at Lucky Block casino, including balancing risk and reward from the game, taking advantage of bonuses, and always sticking to the budget. 

Blackjack

Lucky Block Casino offers genuine, state-of-the-art casino action with the best blackjack variants, including Speed Blackjack, VIP Power Blackjack, and First Person Blackjack. While playing the game, the player's decision is based on the value of their hand and the dealer’s up card. Players can increase their chances of winning and maximize earnings by making the correct decisions. They can go for hit/stand/double down/split based on the cards they receive to make the next move. The basic strategy is to get a hand with a score as close as 21 without going over it. This is why the blackjack game is also known as 21, as players need to go over 21, or he is out.

Poker

Lucky Block Casino has about 25 poker games, including Joker Poker, Caribbean Poker, Turbo Poker, Indian Poker, and Casino Hold’em. At Lucky Block, players can bet on their hand’s strength and try to win money by having the most poker cards. Playing poker strategically requires playing fewer hands, attacking as soon as the opponent shows weakness, folding if the player is unsure, and defending the player’s big blind with the right hands.

Luck vs. Skill: Finding the Right Balance

While playing casino games, luck denotes the outcome is unpredictable and unquantifiable, which leads to massive wins or unexpected losses. With every spin of a roulette wheel, draw of the poker card, or roll of a dice, there is an element called luck that plays a significant role while playing games at Lucky Block online casino. However, no one can say with 100% assurance that a player’s fate in online casino games is entirely out of their hands. There is some amount of skill or strategy required to maximize winnings. 

Unlike luck, skills can be honed and developed over time, and strategies can be used to flip the betting odds against the house and allow the players to win more. While successfully navigating the ever-evolving world of gambling, players need to find the right balance between the two forces. This requires mastering casino strategies to enhance the chances of winning at Lucky Block online casino games.

The Thrill of Risk and Reward

While online gambling can be exciting, it can harm the player’s mental and physical health. Participating in gambling activities comes with risks and rewards and many psychological aspects that may result in problem gambling behavior. The exhilaration of taking more and more chances at gambling appeals to many people worldwide. Keeping aside the rewards of online gambling, players must understand the risks associated, such as financial ruin, addiction, and mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Responsible Gambling and Problem Gambling

Problem gambling behavior occurs when gamblers have difficulty restricting their gambling activities, which ultimately harms the individual, their family, and the entire community. Identifying problem gambling behaviors, such as being distressed, depressed, irritated, aggressive towards others, and obsessed with lucky items while gambling, can minimize the potential harm. 

Players must talk with healthcare providers when they recognize problem gambling behavior. Lucky Block Casino has a page dedicated to responsible gambling and partners with organizations like Gambling Therapy and Gambler’s Anonymous to help customers deal with gambling responsibly.

Conclusion

To conclude this Lucky Block Review, the casino has proved its worth in the online gaming space, with its crypto casino and sportsbook that adds to the dominance of the gambling platform. Thousands of games can be played profitably with the correct balance of luck and skills or strategies. 

However, no matter how fun gambling seems, it must be performed responsibly. Seek help immediately from professional organizations or connect with Lucky Block agents if there is any hint of problem gambling behavior.

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Judi slot online games are a popular way to make money. They’re fun, they’re easy to play, and they offer players the chance to win big. In fact, Slot Machine Reviews has uncovered that online slots are turning into some of the most popular methods for making money—especially in states like Florida where gaming is legal. Whether you’re looking for a new game to play or you’re simply curious about what all the fuss is about, we have just what you need.

How Online Slot Games Are Becoming More Popular.

Slot machines, also known as video poker machines or simply "slots," are devices that allow users to win money by playing a series of games. Slot machines typically consist of five or six different pre-set games, with the player Randomly selecting one from these games at any given time to play. These games can be based on themes such as slots, blackjack, and roulette.How Do Slot Machines Work.

Slot machines typically require players to insert money into a machine in order to play. Once the player's money has been inserted, they are then asked to select one of the five or six pre-selected game options. These game options may include ones that are based on slot machine themes (e.g., fruit slots), blackjack variants (e.g., craps), or roulette variants (e.g., Horse Racing).What is the Purpose of Slot Machines?

Slots machines can be used for a variety of purposes aside from just winning money - for example, they could be used as gambling devices, or they could be used in connection with other online offerings like e-commerce websites or social media platforms. Additionally, many online slot machines offer games that can be played for real money, as well as games that allow you to win virtual currency known as " rake."

How to Make Money Playing Slot Machines.

One way to make money playing slot machines is by playing for free. If you’re new to the game, start by playing the games that are most popular and offer the best chances of winning money. Then, increase your income by playing more games. You can also sell products that you win in slot machines, such as software or buttons. Finally, make money by playing for real money! This can be done through online casinos or through other methods such as blackjack or roulette.

Slot Machines for Fun and Profit.

Slot machines can be a fun and profitable way to spend your time. Whether you’re looking to simply enjoy a quick game of slots or amass some serious chips, online slot machines are an excellent way to do so. Not only do they offer a lot of different games to choose from, but they can also be paid out in both real money and casino cash.

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2. Play as often as you like and make as much money as you want – there’s no need to worry about leaving money on the table! The more times you play, the more chances you have of winning big!

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Getting the Lay of the Land with Online Poker Games

Poker is one of the most popular games on the internet, and for good reason. It’s simple to learn and can be played at any time of day or night. Plus, there are a ton of different variations to choose from, so no two games are ever the same. If you’re ready to start playing Online Poker Reviews , it’s important to have a good understanding of the game before you start. That’s where this blog post comes in. We’ll take you step-by-step through the basics of how to play poker, so that you can get up to speed as quickly as possible.

What is Online Poker?

Online poker can be a confusing game for players who are not familiar with it. There are a lot of different hands and rules that need to be learned in order to play well. In this article, we will go over the basics of online poker and help you get started.

The first step is to choose a game. There are many different types of online poker games to choose from, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Caribbean Stud. Each has its own unique rules and strategies. Once you have chosen a game, the next step is to learn the basic hand rankings.

In poker, each card has a value that determines its rank. The Ace is the highest card, followed by 2 through 10 in order. A player's hand ranking is determined by the combination of cards in their hand. For example, if you have an Ace, two Jacks (jacks plus any other face card), and a 7 in your hand, your hand would be ranked as follows: Ace-3-2-Jack-7.

When playing online poker, you'll usually want to aim for hands with high rank so that you can make more money per round of betting. For example, if you're playing against someone who always plays hands with ranks 5 or better (Ace-3-2-5-6), it's usually best not to bet unless you have a better hand than their five cards (Ace-4-

The Different Types of Poker Games

There are many types of poker games out there, so it can be hard to know which one to play. But don't worry - we're here to help!

Here are the different types of poker games:

PC Poker: This is the most common type of poker game. It's played on a computer with a deck of cards and involves two players who compete against each other.

Sit & Go Poker: This is a popular format for online poker. You join a pool with other players, and then compete against them in hands until somebody loses all their money.

shorthanded Pai Gow Poker: This is a very fast-paced version of Pai Gow that usually only has four players playing at once. It's great if you want to try out poker before playing in more traditional formats.

How to Play Online Poker

When it comes to getting the lay of the land with online poker games, familiarity with the different hands and whatnot is key. However, if you're feeling intimidated by all of these card symbols and wild cards, don't worry - we've got your back! Here are a few helpful tips for playing online poker:

Start by reading up on all of the different hands that can be played. This will give you a better idea of what to expect when you get dealt one. For example, know that a straight has five cards, including the two jacks, two queens and a king.

Once you have a general understanding of how each hand works, focus on learning as many different poker hands as possible. This will help you to understand how some hands play out over time and which ones are more favorable than others. For instance, learn how two pairs (two cards of equal value) play out, as well as three-of-a-kinds and full houses (a hand consisting of three cards worth at least one unit).

Finally, make sure to practice playing online against real players. Doing so will help you develop your skills quickly and minimize any chances of making costly mistakes.

The Rules of Poker

There are a few simple rules of poker that everyone should be aware of before playing.

1) Don't bet more than you can afford to lose. Always assume the other player has the same amount of money as you do, and never put more money in the pot than you're willing to lose.

2) Bet only when you have a good hand. If your hand is not good, don't raise any more chips. You'll just waste your opponent's time and energy by making them fold instead of risking more money.

3) When it comes to calling, always assume that your opponent has either a better or an equal hand. Don't waste your time raising unless you're sure you have the best possible card.

Basic Strategies for Playing Online Poker

If you're new to online poker, the first thing you need to do is get a feel for the different games and how they're played. Here are some basic strategies that will make playing online poker easier for you.

1) Know Your Limits

The first step in playing online poker is understanding your individual limit. This may seem obvious, but many beginners overestimate their skills and play beyond their limits, resulting in frustrating losses. Before each hand, take a few minutes to check your current limit (and whether any changes have been made since your last session), so you can make informed decisions about which hands to enter and how much money to risk.

2) Play Tightly When Possible

Many beginner mistakes are due simply to over-aggression - trying too hard to win too quickly. In general, it's always better to play conservatively and let the other players run bad hands past you instead of chasing after them with reckless raises. This will limit your losses overall, and give you a better chance of coming out ahead over time.

3) Don't Be Afraid To Bet Small Pot Games

One of the biggest mistakes new players make is betting big when they should be folding instead. Many times, even a small bet in pot middle or late will result in an advantageous hand - especially on Omaha tables where re-raising can often be difficult due to preflop position. Instead of risking everything on one high-stakes hand, try starting each

Playing in Multiple Tables

Getting the lay of the land with online poker games can be a daunting proposition for those new to the game. Fortunately, there are a few strategies that can help you to make the most of your time in the poker room.

First and foremost, it’s important to familiarize yourself with all of your options. That means understanding what hands give you better opportunities to win on specific streets and also learning how pot odds work. If you want to maximize your chances of taking home a prize, paying attention to what type of hands other players are folding is essential.

Next, it’s important to get comfortable with your hand selection. You should always be thinking about two things when playing: how likely is it that I will beat this particular hand, and what is my total potential value if I do? This way, you can make informed decisions about which hands you should fold and which ones you should risk getting involved in.

One final tip: always try to play conservatively so that you have more chance of winning even if the cards don’t go your way. This will allow you to increase your chances of cashing in later on when bigger pots present themselves.

Tips for Better Poker Play

If you're new to online poker, or if you're an experienced player who's looking for ways to improve your game, these tips will help.

First and foremost, always remember that consistency is key in poker. If you play the same way every time you sit down at the table, your opponents will know what to expect and they'll be able to make more accurate betting decisions.

Secondly, never forget that bluffing is a big part of the game. If you have the opportunity to put your opponent on edge by showing them something they don't expect, take it! Bluffing can both create opportunities for yourself and help you gain an advantage in the long run.

Finally, keep an open mind when playing poker. There are almost always ways to improve your odds of winning if you're willing to experiment a little bit. If you stick to tried-and-true strategies, however, you'll most likely end up losing more games than you win.

Conclusion

Poker is a game that can be played by anyone, anywhere in the world. That's why it's so important to learn as much as possible about poker before you start playing. In this article, we'll discuss some of the basics of Best Poker games and give you a overview of what to expect when you enter your first tournament. Hopefully, this will help you get started on the right foot and have an enjoyable experience while playing poker.

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[inkdemonapologist]

[BatIM Call of Cthulhu Masterpost]

nEW SESSION (summary here!), where there’s been an unexpected development to the music issue and its time to [checks my notes] taLK TO THE PROPHET AND BREAK INTO SUSIE’S APARTMENT??? Also, the Prophet and Joey have made.... a truce(???), Prophet is concerned Sammy isn’t going to stay on task now that music is returning and has left him a sort of alarming note, and Jack is uh, trying to hold, too many things, maybe some things he shouldn’t be holding, Jack please put those things back,

anyway heres a stack of out-of-context quotes from our session under the readmore:

[Sammy is played by me, Joey is played by Boo (inkyvendingmachine), Henry is played by Maf (inkcryptid), Jack is played by Mochi (whatyouwantedmetosee) and Thren (haunted-hijinxer) is our GM!]

[Jack] My favourite thing is, there are so many reasons that Henry could've avoided things that I have no idea WHY Henry isn't affected. [Jack] Like, is he not affected because his art isn't a performance? Is he not affected because he warded his house? Is he not affected because he'S FILLED WITH GLOWING BLOOD?!?

[Jack] He got as far as feeding his cat, and I feel like feeding cat isn't a performance-- [Sammy] Not usually, not unless you sing a song to your cat, which-- [Jack] Awww! [Sammy] -- which, now that I've said that, sounds like something Jack would do actually,

[Sammy] Ohhhh, that's right, Joey just heard some people play some bad notes and start panicking, and then he stood up and passed out, [Jack] Which is probably how Sammy feels every time he hears people mess up music!

[GM] He finds news on the radio, but they’re not talking about that right now. [Joey] What are they talking about? [GM] Something mundane; business or sports or something. [Jack] The, the sportsball team, got a…..uh….. a, a point. Congratulations, sportsball,

[Joey] If the sportscasters sound normal, then Joey is instantly VERY ANGRY.

[Henry] Henry’s not very musically inclined, but he knows some songs, [Sammy] Like, can you hum Twinkle Twinkle Little Star -- [Jack] “Anyway, here’s Wonderwall.”

[Jack] Jack has made a vague list of the kinds of people who seem to be affected. [Jack] There’s also “NOT HENRY?????” with a bunch of question marks in this list.

[GM] He’s told that Peter is out of town for a week. [Jack] Hmm. [Sammy] PETER WHERE ARE YOU GOING? [Jack] Hmmmmmm. [Sammy] Jack, is Peter coming here, to check on you, [Jack] HMMMMMMMMMMMMM,

[Sammy] *exasperated* NPCs Stop Getting Involved In The Occult Challenge [Henry] Stop Getting Involved In The Occult Or Draw 25

[Joey] Peter had never seen a Bendy cartoon, and this needed to be fixed. [Joey] The premier is this weekend, and he sent tickets to Pete to correct this, error, in his ways. [Jack] ...I think it is very slowly dawning on Jack, that this means that Pete has been pulled directly into yet another… supernatural nonsense... [Sammy] WE DIDNT DO THIS ONE!!

[Sammy] I CAN’T BELIEVE PHONES ARE THE ANTAGONIST OF THIS ADVENTURE

[Henry] Oh wait--! oh, no, nevermind, I forgot he and Allison probably aren’t together yet. [Sammy] Yeah, I think they just met; they had a meet-cute where they found out they both like Frankenstein and that’s it. [Jack] They actually got married today, since nothing else was happening at the Studio, [Sammy] That’s why Allison hasn’t shown up, she was busy getting married!

[GM] Bendy might’ve been keeping tabs on Henry, but it depends I guess on how distressed Joey is seeming. [Joey] Joey is probably just going to bury his sorrow in studying magic. [GM] Okay! That’s fine and normal Joey behaviour!

[Sammy] Sammy will note that nothing got done in the music department, because he has good priorities.

[Jack] I like the idea that it’s just like, when the teacher isn’t in, and nobody does the work the substitute teacher gave you, [Jack] Everyone’s just playing pokemon in the back, [GM] I thought you were going to say “poker,” but I like the way you ended the sentence better.

[Jack] HMMMMMM. I wonder if we know, any suspicious women, who were around on that specific day, who are known to have, skill and interest in magical things,  [Joey] And also were aware of the cutouts, [Sammy] *cheerfully* Yeah, weird! Anyway!!!!

[Jack] Sammy was acting weird about Allison. Far too agreeable for a Sammy!

[Sammy] *talking about Prophet* If you want to lock him in somewhere, or restrain him, I’ll cooperate. [Jack] Just handcuff him to Jack! [Sammy] SAMMY IS UNEASY WITH THAT PLAN, [Jack] *laughing* What could go wrong! It’s not like Jack is significantly less strong or anything!!

[Jack] Not everyone makes up their entire self, Joey!!! (Affectionate)!!

[Sammy] I give my word, my sheep! [Henry] How good is your word? [Sammy] I mean. It’s pretty good.

[Henry] Henry’s trying to decide if it would be rude to doodle during this very serious conversation. [Jack] I mean, Jack is taking notes, so I feel like-- [Joey] --you can get away with fake note-ing. [GM] No one will know! [GM] Well, Bendy will know, because he’s up high. [GM] Ceiling Bendy

[Sammy] He’s not gonna give you a grade afterwards, like, this isn’t a lecture, [Jack] Time for Prophet Pop Quiz!

[GM] What’s Prophet writing? [Sammy] Um, I gotta think about this... [Jack] “Dear Frightened Shepherd, that Allison person sure is nice, isn’t she?” [GM] “What’s up with everyone ragging on her?” [Joey] “I think I have finally found a way to bridge the gap between us!” [Jack] “I think you need to replace your sheep, they seem kind of suspicious for no reason,” [Jack] “To Do List: Get Better Sheep”

[Sammy] Does this feel like something that’s trying to take his focus, like, very compelling creative ideas? [GM] Yes. [Sammy] ...Prophet will write “don’t get distracted” five more times.

[GM] His mind is abuzz with thoughts of dancing and actoring, [GM] Ideas to be the best Joey ever! [Jack] Oh no.

[Joey] He will wave at the cutout and make a “come here” motion. [Joey] Though also, he’s looking at the cutout like, I’m not quite sure how this works, but I’m going to trust you that it works! So I’m going to do this and see if Bendy shows up! [Jack] Like someone trying to learn how to do phone video calls for the first time, [Joey] YES. Joey’s actually like really close to the cutout, and the motions -- you can make them out, but it’s really awkward,

[Sammy] They’re in no danger. I will take care of the Shepherd’s sheep. [Jack] ...JACK’S BEEN DOWNGRADED!! He’s no longer PROPHET’S sheep!

[Joey] I like how everything Prophet says really just feels like, Knife Cat face.

[GM] You could probably make a Mythos roll to figure it out. [Joey] *rolls* Oh! Extreme success! [GM] Joey’s back!

[GM] Bendy will lead Joey back to the room, where hopefully there are three alive, non-fighting boys!

[Jack] Part of me was like, “What if Jack DOES turn into a cat…?! It’d be pretty hard to write things!” [GM] *laughs* We’ll keep that in our back pocket, in case Jack ever fails a Mythos check. [Jack] Meowthos check…

[Henry] I’m going to have Henry look, look with his Special Eyes.

[Sammy] *failing a roll* Prophet is just, NOT on the ball today, in any way shape or form. [GM] Really hard not to think about music. : ) [Sammy] Ohhhhhh boy, [Jack] Prophet just writes a note to Sammy that says “HOW do you LIVE like this???”

[Henry] Henry’s gonna try to scribble what he remembers of the symbol!  [Sammy] Didn’t we learn, from the last scenario, about reproducing weird symbols, [Henry] No.

[Joey] Did Joey get burnt? [GM] Make a dexterity roll! : ) [Henry] *mumbling* Y’all this entire building is made of wood. *Joey fails* [GM] 1 point of damage, you singe your hand -- on the plus side, you kind of were holding it as it burned up, so it doesn’t fall on the wooden floor. [Sammy] OH GOOD, we’re not LOCKED IN A CLOSET that’s about to burn down? GREAT!

[Joey] We could head over to the infirmary -- [Jack] Jack is already pulling the burn ointment out of his bag. [Jack] He’s prepared this time! [Jack] He’s been practicing, he knows what you’re all like,

[Joey] Joey will give him a smile that’s most recognisable as the “I know you will do good!” smile. [Sammy] Prophet will also smile! It is not a friendly smile. [Jack] It’s a “smile” in quotation marks, but it’s like, baring your teeth as an act of aggression. 

[Jack] Jack lets him go to do the call, but just before he picks up the phone, he says, “Don’t call him Petey.”

[GM] The phone rings, and is not answered. [Joey] Okay! Joey hangs up, says Peter checked into his room, but is not answering. Most likely asleep. [Jack] Half of my brain is going, “what if he’s just stood outside Jack’s house?” The other half of my brain is concerned about manias. I hope he’s not decided that now is a really great time to do more writing, and now he can’t stop, and this could go wrong-- [Jack] This is what Jack’s mind is doing, thinking of all the terrible possibilities. [Joey] While humming. [Jack] ...yes. He’s writing some very troubling lyrics.

[Sammy] *talking about Jack’s compulsive humming* Like Cornifer, [Jack] *starts humming Cornifer’s theme* Dangit, now it’s in my head, why would you do this to me? [Sammy] It’s in character! [Sammy] Method acting. : )

[Joey] Joey’s going to grab supplies to make sure Bendy can… hang around with them! [Joey] Sleepover supplies! Let’s grab your sleepover bag! :D

[Sammy] I don’t know why the idea of a wild Bendy running around across the rooftops is so cute to me… [GM] Probably on all fours, [Jack] Scampering,

[Jack] It’s a good thing Henry’s around because I don’t think Jack can… carry??? An entire Sammy??? [Jack] Like he’s good at holding but he’s not strong at holding.

[Joey] We’ve all been acting terrible for the last 24 hours… [Joey] WAIT. We’ve all been acting terrible for the last 24 hours!!!

[GM] Bendy hides under a blanket or something. [Jack] Comfey… [GM] Cozy boy, [Joey] Bendyrito. [Sammy] BENDYRITO,…….. [GM] Rolled up… snug...

[GM] Is everybody coming into the apartment, or just the two? [Jack] Hmmm….. Jack isn’t fond of either of these options. Going in is suspicious and weird; staying outside makes it look even more like they’re breaking in, to steal things, as opposed to, y’know, breaking in, for,,, “good” reasons(???) [Sammy] We’re not breaking in, we’re just walking into this apartment! What’s so weird about that?! [Jack] That’s breaking in. That’s what breaking in is, Sammy. [Sammy] They don’t have to know that we don’t belong here, maybe Susie gave us a key! [Jack] ...they heard us knocking. [Sammy] [Sammy] We’re BEING POLITE!! SHUT UP!!

[Henry] Jack, did you pick up kleptomania.. [Joey] I thought Jack picked up Being Prepared! [Jack] H-he’s just hoarding a little bit!! It’s fine!!! It’s very, useful, see, already Joey got injured!! It was useful to bring lots of things with him okay!!!!!!!!!

[GM] They do not have the police called on them, so that’s nice. [Sammy] Oh good! [Jack] Thank GOODNESS. [Henry] Love when that happens! [GM] If you guys got arrested, the Lurker’s just out in the car all night, [Henry] oh NO, [Jack] Worse punishment than jail… [Joey] Lurker learns how to drive for fun. [GM] *laughs* Gets curious, [Joey] “I said I wouldn’t leave the car, but--”

[Joey] WAIT. There’s a very important factor that we just decided but didn’t say. [GM] Oh? [Joey] If we have Henry heading home, and everyone else sleep over at Jack’s…. [Joey] ...the Lurker finally gets to meet a cat. *everyone gasps* [Jack] Oh that’s SO important

[Henry] And Henry will probably look at these, while in the car, to make sure they don’t have any gold writing on them-- [Sammy] Isn’t Henry driving??? [Henry] ……Henry is not going to look at them in the car,

[Sammy] We’re all going to bed, Sammy, you don’t need a banjo to sleep! [Joey] You might sleep worse if you have a banjo, actually. You might not stop.

[Sammy] Jack you wanna join us? We’re gonna just jam all night! [Jack] It really is Jammy… [Sammy] *laughs* TRUE Jammy!! Real Jammy Hours… [GM] That makes it a pyJAMa party… a real jammy jam…

[ironandglass]

Book keeper/accountant finds herself on Silcos bad side as the result of a misunderstanding and he almost tortures and kills her. You know how it is, everyone makes mistakes.

Silco/femaleOC slow burn but it uses minimal name references (maybe like two?) so you can live your best life and read it as silco x reader because that’s what we’re here for people.

TW for intimidation, power dynamics, power imbalance, violence, discomfort, confinement and hardcore simping. You’ve been warned bb ;-)

Tag list @lackofhonor @nelipt @accordionplayingrat @faraige

Part 1

Framed by Betrayal - part 4

Before you can turn to try and leave, the door to Silcos office bursts open. The overdressed chem punk who’s face you have just smashed walks in with blood streaming out of his nose.

“Good, you already caught her!” He growls as he strides angrily towards you.

Time seems to slow as you narrow your eyes and lean towards the threat, adjusting your stance. The audacity of this stupid man really boiled your blood. He was a meatbag symbol for everything wrong in your life right now. He strides furiously towards you, making to slap you right across the face.

Not today Fucko.

You swipe up and across clumsily blocking the first blow away from your cheek. He grabs the blocking arm and his other hand is too quick for you, slapping your face so hard your head turns towards the desk. The searing burn tingles across your jaw and your eyes meet Silcos for an empty beat. Snarling, you defiantly whip your head back up to hiss an exhale through your bared teeth, right into his bloody face. Your other arm grabs his and he chuckles at you.

“Spitfire like you…” He taunts suddenly whipping your arm around painfully behind your back forcing you to drop his as he twists you into place. “…needs reminding of her station.” He pushes your arm further up your back just a bit and you exhale a beastial panted growl of frustration while he laughs “Sump whore”.

Okay, so maybe this had been a mistake, you start to think as the pain renders you helpless. Struggling to lift yourself higher in a pathetic attempt to relieve the immense pain twisting through you. Your face reddens with rage and humiliation. You’d still do it again though you decide.

“Remind me…” Silco’s casual command cuts abruptly through the tension. You can sense more than see his eyes on you both. “What is your name again?”

The Chem Punks tight grip on your arm softens slightly as he turns towards Silco. Your gaze reluctantly follows his. You’d almost forgotten about your silent audience.

“Verrak, Sir.” Your tormentor keeps his voice politely controlled while you pant in pained discomfort, straining to stand tall.

“Verrak...” Silco rolls the name around in his mouth thoughtfully, as if tasting it. “Let’s try that again shall we?” Silco gestures towards the door.

Verrak lets your arm go and you peel away from him, rubbing your wrist. He glances between the door and Silco, clearly confused and walks awkwardly to the entryway. Silco nods for him to go further out into the hall.

“Now close the door.” Orders Silco, half smiling in mock friendliness now.

Verrak obliges, and his puzzled face is obscured by the dark wood as the door clicks shut.

There’s a few moments of painful silence before three loud knocks echo through the room. “May I come in?” Verrak pleads.

“No” says Silco plainly, turning his attention back to you now as if nothing had happened.

You look from the door to Silco, wide eyed. Did that just happen?

You’re not sure if he’s angry with you or not, his poker face is immaculately cool and unbothered. Your arm is killing you, but you still felt better off than Verrak’s bloody broken nose. Resisting an indulgent self satisfied smirk at the thought proves difficult while under the Eye of Zauns beam of scrutiny but you manage.

“We had a small disagreement.” Your explain helpfully.

Silco leans back in his chair and observes you thoughtfully for a long moment. The fingertip of his ring finger absently stroking his jawline. The way that he moves his hands so elegantly is mesmerising. His hand had been so rough on your own face when… You bristle at your own wayward thought. When he'd been about to kill you. Those same hands have definitely killed plenty of people.

With a start you suddenly remember Jinx above you and look up without moving your head to see her large eyes twinkling down from the gloom above, her delighted grin is so vicious. She definitely enjoyed the show you’d just co-starred in below.

Silco lazily seems to decide something and reaches for a drawer at his desk shuffling through paperwork.

“Join me back here at sunset tomorrow, I have some work I’d like your assistance with.” He demands casually.

“Of course” You dip your head and eagerly turn to leave, finally able to escape.

“Oh and, Amaya?.” He adds.

You freeze and turn your head over your shoulder sheepishly. He smirks at you in response.

“Please refrain from causing any more…” His eyes flick to the door and then back to you. “Disturbances between then and now.” Despite his words, the look in his eyes read as though he was pleased with what you had done, sending mixed signals.

“I’ll be here at noon tomorrow.” You confirm meekly.

Seemingly satisfied with that, he dismisses you by picking up a piece of paper and holding it up in front of him to study. You gratefully exit the room imagining Jinx's feline eyes tracking you from above as you leave.

You exhale a sigh of relief to find Verrak had already left the hallway as you shut the office door behind you. What were you thinking you ask yourself as you press the heel of your hand to your brows. You weren’t even a very good fighter. What an impulsive, stupid, mindless, self destructive fit of rage you had indulged in. You couldn’t blame the whisky for all of it but gods you had to admit, it made you feel alive.

You blow out a long, steadying breath and resolve to steel yourself against future hot headed stupidity no matter how angry you were or how exciting it might seem.

—-

Sevika greets you in the hallway and gives a nod to herself as if you surpassed some visual expectation.

“Let’s go.” She orders you to follow her with a jerk of the head. Feeling your cheeks warm in the dim club light you trail behind her. You had bathed and refreshed yourself overnight. Feeling presentable, if not attractive in the outfit you had managed to scrounge together for a change. You’d even washed your hair which was a luxury for most of your status in Zaun. You appreciated how the subtle scent of rose oil trailed behind you as you walked but now you worried that maybe you had overdone it. Your clothes were plain and modest though so you should just look… clean and tidy. Sevika was probably just messing with you, she did have a cruel, twisted sense of humour . With that realisation you lifted your chin and dismissed your insecure thoughts.

The chill air engulfed you as you walked out the front doors of The Last Drop and into the crowded streetscape. Feeling the raw expanse of the sprawling, sunken city was almost overwhelming for a moment. The green light of the eye floods The Grey with an eerie glow. Making the swirling smog hover with an ominous presence.

A violent clatter cuts through the ambience as large wheels approach on rough cobblestones. A beautiful chemcarriage rolls into view. You’d never been in one before and you look at it in awe. Only the wealthiest of Zaun used the rare high end transport. It was an ornate, black, wrought iron design with a driver sitting up the front over the chemtech engine. Sevika strolled over casually and opened the door for you both. Delicate little steps folded down to assist entry. Silco gave your wide eyed awe a smirk as he passed you to enter the carriage and you pushed down your embarrassment to follow behind him.

Within were two long plush velvet seats, facing each other. Sevika had pushed you over to sit beside Silco, her muscular bulk needing more space than either of you put together. Sevika slapped on the roof twice and the carriage lurched into motion.

Silco seemed to be genuinely enjoying your awe and appreciation for the vehicle. You give him an awkward smile feeling out of place in in the moment. “Where are we going?” you ask to try and draw attention away from yourself.

“You’ll see.” He taunts, eyes shining playfully. Sevika rolls her eyes at you both. You suddenly realise that you’re actually sitting quite close to him and try to subtly cross your legs to angle yourself further away, deeply uncomfortable.

Sevika and Silco chat casually about a situation with the Chem Barrons that you feel like you probably shouldn’t be allowed to hear.

You gaze out of the green stained glass of the Carriage window trying to politely ignore the discussion before you. The abstract shapes within twisting as you pass different light sources.

After some time, you feel the carriage stop. This time the driver opens the door, Silco exits first, then Sevika, then you, stepping out onto the little stairs and back down onto solid earth.

Taking a few steps forward to gather your bearings you find yourself looking up at an impossibly immense tower in the finest Zaunite architecture of iron and glass. It’s so tall that you have to lean back comically to see all of it. The Tower of the College of Techmaturgy. You’d heard so much about it but had never been inside. An alternative for the shining minds of Zaun rather than all of them going to the university of Piltover. You wonder what Silco has to do with it, maybe he studied here? Do they make shimmer for him? Silco breaks your thoughts sweeping past you making for the entry way, Sevika in tow. You trot to catch up, more than a little excited to see what lay within the impressive building.

The entryway is beautiful with well dressed guards in uniform lining the doorway. They step aside respectfully upon seeing Silco and Sevika. Curling polished brass in elaborate Art Deco twirls amid stained glass chandeliers and more decorative potted plants than you had ever seen before filled the lavish room. They lead you to a small hydraulic ascender (elevator) on the far wall by a … fishpond? Fish swim lazily through the crystal clear water and you gawk at the luxury in the room. They had a whole pool of crystal clean, drinkable water and they kept fish in it for decoration. It was unlike anything you had ever experienced.

The glass domed elevator has a young, uniformed boy operating it. Silco requests a destination and hands the boy a silver hex coin, an exorbitant tip. His little eyes shine as he cranks the levers and you begin to rise through various amazing, decadant rooms. You walk to the edge to see better, passing rooms full of scientists, lecture halls full of people, a room full of reptiles in tanks, animals in cages. A room filled with insects pinned to white boards. One dim room filled with glowing mushrooms. Each floor a vignette of some ethereal dreamscape. It fills your heart with hope. Maybe... if you survive your indenture you could come and work here. You smile to yourself at the thought as something inside you warmed. After struggling to get by for so long you’d forgotten that feeling. It had truly been a long time since you'd felt hope.

The elevator landed with a gentle jolt onto its desired level and the entryway door swings open for you to exit. You step out onto green... grass? Oh lords this was real grass. The air in the room was sweet and fresh and you inhale it deeply. Breathing through your nose and mouth, savouring it. The air in most parts of Zaun was often so polluted and the quality so poor that clean sweet air like this was something Zaunites relished. A true luxury that many topsiders elsewhere would never even consider valuable.

You turn to see the elevator rising away, Sevika remained inside travelling to another level. You panic a bit at the thought of being left alone with Silco with no buffer. She gives you a pointed smirk and waves tauntingly as she disappears, the bitch.

"Walk with me." He says, strolling down a path of stepping stones into a beautiful, lush garden. The path is wide enough that you can walk together, comfortably side by side.

"This started as a tutoring academy for Jinx you know." He seemed to confess, stopping to stroke the leaf of a large plant. "She had a voracious appetite for knowledge when she was young. So ambitious." He sounded proud, letting go of the leaf and continuing down the path.

"I built all of this for her, but then it evolved into something more... it became a gift to Zaun. A promise to our people that we can achieve from within, rather than losing our best minds to Piltover." The Last word dripping with disdain. He shakes it off and gestures for you to smell a striped yellow and orange flower. You inhale the sweet vanilla scent and smile, it’s amazing.

"A rare orchid, Grammatophyllum speciosum, imported all the way from Ionia."

You walk further with him as he talks about different plants you find yourself... deeply moved by his knowledge and passion for them. How tenderly he touches the leaves. How lightly he grasps the stems. He's so tactile in his enjoyment. Can this be the same person? Once again you find yourself struggling to separate the monster from the man. The duality of him ever present, even in his eyes. One blue, expressive and human, the other one black and red, unblinking, macabre. Kind actions tempered by beastly violence. He was a complex and unpredictable element that you were unsure how to proceed with.

You nod politely as he talks about a large green leaved vine but when your attention piques suddenly and skitters behind him you can't help but follow your curiosity, brushing past him and his explanation mid sentence.

You kneel in awe of the delicate white spiked flowers running your hand lightly over them.

“What are these ones?” You ask excitedly, turning back to look at Silco over your shoulder glowing with joy and awe.

When your eyes reach his and you see the terrible anger written in the deep lines of his face your smile falters and you shrink slightly away from him in fear.

His eyes unexpectedly soften at your terrified response, followed by the rest of his face. You relax slightly, frozen, unsure what to do. He sighs, walking towards you and dropping to one knee by your side, reaching out to run a hand over the flowers just as you had.

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have interrup-“ you start.

“-No, It’s fine. It’s refreshing that you’re genuinely interested.” He waves his hand gently around the flowers enjoying how they move with his touch. “Jinx and Sevika are only interested in the carnivorous plants in the toxic arboretum.” You both think that over that for a moment.

“I prefer these… harmless beautiful ones.” The unspoken word ‘useless’ hangs in the air, implied somehow.

He catches your eye again. “Orthosiphon aristatus.” He offers. “Commonly known as cats whiskers.”

You smile at the name waving another hand over them. The petals tickle your palm and you smile.

“They do feel like cats whiskers.” You admit.

He half smiles back at you pushing himself up to his feet before offering you a hand. You take it, appreciatively but also fearing that if you don’t he would be deeply offended. He gently pulls you to your feet with minimal effort. You’re surprised his lithe, wiry form holds that much strength. When his warm hand leaves yours, you catch your thoughts lingering on the touch longer than you like to admit. It was surprisingly gentle considering how terrified you were of him. Once again, you understood that a man could be violent and gentle but it was still confusing to have experienced both.

You continue to walk together around the path but now Silco waits for you to ask about a plant you’re interested in before talking about it. It’s… nice. You can hardly believe you’re enjoying his company considering he had nearly killed you only a few nights earlier. Which you had very much not forgotten. He is dangerous you will yourself to remember that cold hard fact.

“So, did you bring me here just to show me flowers?” You ask suddenly keeping your eyes forward, afraid to see his expression.

He hums in response, exhaling through his nose.

“Or is this an apology?” You press, this time turning to meet his eyes.

His ice blue eye shoots you a wry warning before he chuckles and replies.

“I thought we could both use a reminder that life is not always such a constant struggle.”

You tilt your head and nod, unable to argue with that.

“But we are here on business as well as pleasure I’m afraid.” He pauses again at the end of the path to place his hand on a large green leaf near the elevator entrance as if to say goodbye.

“There’s a small team of scientist here, I’d like you to look over their inventory paperwork and make sure everything is accounted for.” You nod soberly as he pulls a crank labeled ‘Summon Hydraulic Descender’. Gears start to whirr wildly.

“We should go and pay them a visit I suppose.” He adds wearily, as if at loathe to leave the garden.

As he steps into the elevator his relaxed posture shifts into a proud stance. His head raised and his shoulders back, a commanding confident front. That must be exhausting you consider as the elevator boy opens the door for you and follows Silco’s instruction, loudly cranking various levers.

As the elevator rises gently, you watch the beautiful garden sink away below.

Continue to part 5

[entities-of-posts]

Statement of Madison Glover, regarding a strange deck of cards. Statement taken direct from subject January 13, 2010.

I've always been fond of card games. Even as a child, when I was left to myself without the comforting presence of my peers, I would pass the time by pretending to play games of spades or bridge with my stuffed animals. Usually, I would be playing alongside them, but every now and then I'd play a game where I was not a participant, but rather the director. As I grew older, this second type of game slowly began to eclipse the first, until it was the only way I would play on my own.

Of course, being so enraptured with cards meant that I became more and more isolated from my peers as time went on. When we were young they would play with me, but by the time I turned 12 everyone was so engaged with their Game Boys and Nintendos and arcades that I hardly had any social life at all. That only served to drive me deeper into my games, of course. Luckily for me, there were a few other social outcasts in my grade, and a few of them were even willing to play with me.

As I quickly discovered, playing games with other people is very different from playing by yourself. To begin with, it's not as easy to plan ahead when you don't know what your opponents will do. On top of that, you can't spend as long thinking about your next move when other people are waiting for you to finish. I'll admit, I was greatly frustrated by that at first, because I was used to having all the time and knowledge in the world to strategize, with no chance of my plans going awry. As I continued to play with my newfound friends, though, I discovered that there was a certain thrill to that uncertainty. I found myself creating more and better plans, trying as best I could to outwit my opponents. Sometimes I'd win, sometimes I'd lose, but it was all in good fun, and I look back on those games fondly. Even as an adult, playing cards and all the wonderful games you can play with them are still near and dear to my heart.

I'm not sure what drew me into the pawnshop that day. More than anything, it just felt like it would be right to visit. I'm not quite sure it was now after everything that's happened, but I can't say that I exactly regret it either.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt a pull towards one of the back shelves. I walked over to look, and immediately my eyes were drawn to a black leather deck sleeve with a silver clasp shaped like a spider. When I opened it, I discovered that it still held a complete deck of beautiful poker cards. Each card's face showed the suit symbols as little spiders placed around it, with the face cards having specific species instead. The backs of the cards were deep black, with a red spider silhouette atop a white spiderweb design. I knew instantly that I had to buy it -- I've never encountered cards nearly so gorgeous before or since. They were four dollars including the sleeve, which struck me as ridiculously inexpensive, but I had no reason to argue with such a bargain.

When I got home, I thought I'd play a game of solitaire to try out my new deck. I shuffled and laid out the cards, then spent a few minutes on what must have been the luckiest game in my life thus far. Every card I flipped up seemed to be exactly what I needed in that moment, and I quickly arrived at an easy victory. It almost didn't feel real, so I dealt out a second game. The exact same thing happened, with not a single card causing me difficulty. I definitely hadn't stacked the deck, so this happening twice in a row was somewhat disturbing. I ran through game after game, but the results never changed, so I eventually decided the deck itself must be good luck. It was getting late by that time, so I put the deck back into its sleeve and laid down to sleep.

I woke up to the feeling of hundreds of tiny legs climbing over me. My eyes snapped open, and in the dim light I could see the shapes of tiny spiders covering both me and my bed, skittering across me. I tried to open my mouth to scream, but I couldn't move a muscle. All I could do was lie there and let the spiders continue to torment me for hours until the sun finally rose. As soon as that happened, the swarm of spiders crawled away as one in the direction of my nightstand, then disappeared.

Once I regained my composure, I climbed out of bed and took a look at my nightstand to see if I could figure out where the spiders had come from. All that was there was my bedside lamp, the book on poker variants I'd been reading, and my new deck of cards in its sleeve, exactly where I'd left it. When I looked closer, I saw that the silver clasp of the sleeve was open, even though I was certain I'd closed it the night before. Beyond that, nothing was out of place in the slightest, so I decided that it must have been an episode of sleep paralysis and did my best to forget the terror as I went about my day.

Adulthood has its benefits and drawbacks, but one of the things I've been most pleasantly surprised by is that having a less common interest is no longer a recipe for inescapable isolation. While it took me some time to find them, I now have a small group of friends who come to my apartment each week to play cards with me. The day after my spider torment was one of our scheduled game days, and I was looking forward to playing with my new deck. Talia Rhein came over first that day, bringing a plastic box of her homemade cookies as usual despite my continued protests that as host, I was the one responsible for providing food. Abigaëlle LeBlanc and Jules Tremblay arrived a few minutes later with the specialized card games they always brought from home. I can't say that I prefer them to the ones you play with a standard deck, but a little variety is nice once in a while. Once everyone had gathered around the table and Talia's cookies had been set out so they were available to everyone, I slid my new deck out of its sleeve to show my friends, who gave the appropriate amounts of oohs and ahhs over it. After looking them over to make sure there weren't any marks on them, Jules suggested that we use my cards for a game of poker; a suggestion which everyone quickly agreed to.

I've always loved card games, but playing with this deck in particular gave me a strange sense of both dread and power, much moreso now than when I was simply playing solitaire. It was like the cards themselves were eagerly wrapping around my little finger, letting me control the outcome of the game however I pleased. I won the first three rounds and then, seeing the frustration on my friends' faces, decided to see if I could make it seem a little more fair to them. I could. The fourth round went to Jules with a high straight, then I encouraged victories for Talia in the fifth and sixth as a quiet way of thanking her for her baking. I took the round after that, then gave the final one to Abigaëlle so as not to leave her out. By the end of our time together, everyone was laughing and Talia's cookies were long gone. As for me, I was overwhelmed by the potential power of what had seemed like such a simple purchase at the time.

That night, I closed the deck sleeve's clasp, placed it on top of my book of poker strategies, and lay down with some trepidation. I didn't want to think about what had happened last night, save for a small hope that I would be spared a repeat of the previous night's torture. It was a futile one, of course. As I stared anxiously at my nightstand, unable to sleep for the terror I felt, the paralysis took me once more. Then, moving ever so slowly in the illumination of my nightlight, I saw the glint of silver that was the desk sleeve's clasp begin to move, the long spider legs crawling as if they were alive. When it had unlatched itself, that spider lay still once more, but its movement was only the opening play of this sadistic game. Thanks to my position, I was unable to look away as the army of spiders from the night before slowly started crawling out of my beloved new deck of cards, onto the nightstand, onto my bed, onto me. Just like before, I couldn't move, I couldn't open my mouth to scream, I couldn't even close my eyes or look away and pretend it wasn't happening. I was completely helpless as the spiders covered me.

Now that I knew the spiders were coming from my new cards, I could have gotten rid of them. I should have gotten rid of them. But there was something about that deck that made me unable to bear the thought of parting with it. Maybe it was how easily I could control the flow of my games with it, or maybe it was my own foolishness, but I couldn't even consider giving it up. I can't let go of it. The spiders come every night, and I can hardly sleep. When I do manage slumber, the spiders torment me in my nightmares instead. I don't know how much more of this I can stand.

I know that the wisest thing to do would be to give you the cards and walk away. I'm well aware of that. However, even given this perfect opportunity, I still can't bring myself to do it. But in case there might be a chance you would be able to help me, I'll leave one of the jokers with you. I won't need it to play, so I think that's a card I can bear to part with. If you can find anything at all that might end this torture, please, let me know. I can't mention this to my friends or they'll think I'm crazy. You're my only recourse, Archivist.

Thank you for listening.

…

I’d been looking for this one for quite a while. Ever since that… “lucky” find in artifact storage the other day brought it back to memory.

*the Archivist idly, but carefully turns a playing card between its fingers, alternating between examining the red spider in its white web on the black backside of it and the image of a joker with a thousand tiny spiders crawling out of his eyes on the frontside*

Though I suppose “chance” is a little hard to credit, when it comes to Mother’s designs.

I did know that deck couldn’t be fair. Agreeing to play with it was certainly one of the most idiotic things I’ve done…

Lots of fun, too.

…

They were young, when they came to me first. Only a few years older than some of my pupils now… I didn’t help them, of course. Spiders were, back then, as they had been for many, many years, my friends and allies… I wouldn’t have stolen from their plate.

I’m sure you understand that, don’t you?

*it calmly makes “eye” contact with the large spider perched on its hand*

I wonder, do you resent me for that? Is there something left in you capable of hating what you’ve become?

Don’t take this as guilt; I don’t feel particularly responsible for what happened to you. But still, you didn’t use to be such a bastard. Makes one wonder if you could have turned out different… but then again, untraveled roads are always such a frustrating, enthralling thing to muse about.

Let’s See… Talia, Abigaëlle, Jules; all either dead, or so deeply Marked they might have been better off with the first option. I don’t suppose you feel much guilt for that, either, do you?

No wonder the Fog still clings to you. Subtle… but I could See it still, the moment you walked in.

Well, this was quite informative; I did always think you were somehow familiar. And who would’ve thought this was why you hate video games so much - hilariously petty, it’s wonderful :)

Thank you for your statement. You gave it long ago, of course… but it’s aged like wine.