(no subject)

[ten_of_swords]

He leads her from that room into the dining hall where all the cards have gathered.

Choice stands behind them, his hazel eyes bright as he takes in those that have joined them this momentous day.

"Our Queen of Swords!" he announces. They cheer, and Moon rushes up to give her new sister a tight hug. Others begin to do the same -- Skill with Chloe in her arms, Fortune with his warm blue eyes, blind Justice...

Ruin's hand remains on her lower back, never leaving her side, as he watches her being received by the family.

Comments

[eight_or_eleven]

Strength looks at the gathering throng. Was it her imagination or had the crowd just doubled in size?

"Perhaps we should," she says. She does miss home for all that Milliways has become one to her. "And not just here, but Dog's realm too. Her world borders our own, almost like a country in a way."

A grin.

"You'd love Ehecatl," she says. "Wind is such a charmer with a real talent for words. Adores festive gatherings. I'm surprised I haven't run across her yet."

[song_tra_bong]

"I'll keep my eyes open for her," she says, giving the crowd another once over.

"What's Dog's realm like?"

[eight_or_eleven]

"Not all that different from ours," she says. "It has a seaside, but it's more land-based where this one is sea-based."

A thoughtful look.

"And when full, a little less crowded than our kingdom would be, as there's twelve star signs, twelve animal signs, and in Ehecatl's case, twenty day-signs. Forty-four versus our seventy-eight."

A laugh.

"We'd be able to beat them at team sports with numbers alone."

[song_tra_bong]

She laughs.

"I can see it now: immortal families locked in combat...what d'you think--dodgeball, maybe?"

[eight_or_eleven]

She laughs at the mental image of several volley balls being lobbed back and forth between the participants.

"I would attend that just to see Rat try and pick up a ball bigger than himself."

[song_tra_bong]

"How's he at kicking?"

[eight_or_eleven]

"As good as Horse, and he uses the same technique too."

In other words Rat kicks like a donkey.

[song_tra_bong]

She nods.

"Then he should do just fine. The rest of us may need to wear helmets, though."

[eight_or_eleven]

"Padding as well. He is one of the smallest of the Twelve Earthly Branches, and the ball could hit you in the chest, not just your head."

[song_tra_bong]

Mary Anne takes a moment to ponder that one.


"Ow. Padding is officially a must."

[eight_or_eleven]

"It is," she starts, but doesn't finish.

From out of the throng comes the cat-eyed man.

"Hello. You must be Mary Anne. I'm Journey. The sixth Sword-sibling? I just wanted to wish you well and— Oh there's Sun! I haven't seen him in more than a thousand years!"

The cat-eyed man rushes off, with Strength staring after him.

"That was ... unexpected... I apologise for him; he tends to be like that. Anyways, what about tennis? Not an exciting sport but no risk of having balls kicked at you?"

[song_tra_bong]

"Hello...and bye," is about all she manages to say to Journey, along with a small wave that occurs mostly after he's left.

"No problem. And tennis...was never that good at serving. Other than that, it's not too bad."

She wracks her brain for other offbeat sports. "Water polo?"

[eight_or_eleven]

Journey, Journey, Journey... Always on the go...

"You'll get to know him better—if you can pin him down."

She thinks about it while the lion rumbles unhappily.

"I like swimming, but my friend is a touch hydrophobic."

It's not hydrophobia I just don't like the water.

[song_tra_bong]

"Duct tape," she says, half to herself as if making a mental note.

The lion gets a scratch behind the ears. "Not a problem. We'll just stick to land-based sports."

[eight_or_eleven]

"I think that'd work," Strength says as the lion looks relieved. "How are you at track and field?"

[song_tra_bong]

"I'm good at running--sprinting and long distance."

Just don't ask her to vault over anything.

[eight_or_eleven]

"Good. I'll bet you and Horse will get on famously then—Horse adores anything to do with running."

[song_tra_bong]

"This may sound silly, but...how does Horse like other horses?"

[eight_or_eleven]

"Oh Horse loves them. Sees them as her own children in a way. She might be a free spirit but when it comes to earthly equines she's like a mother hen."

[song_tra_bong]

She smiles.

"I'll be sure to bring Ferreus by, then."

[eight_or_eleven]

"You should."

She pauses.

"I think we'd all like to meet your Ferreus some time."

[song_tra_bong]

She nods.

"And I think he would enjoy this place. I'll try to bring him soon."

[eight_or_eleven]

"Great. I'm looking forward to it."

She pauses.

"Would you care for a drink? I suspect Skill's done the catering for this little soiree and it'd be a shame to let it all go to waste."

[song_tra_bong]

She nods.

"Sounds like an excellent idea."

[eight_or_eleven]

"Great. I'll go get some then. Skill makes the best green tea this side of China and I intend to get some while it's still hot.

Should I bring you some or something else?"