[ She's not a touchy person in general, but it's better when people look at you when you're talking— she draws away anyway and nods, hands retreating to her lap. ]
Yes, please. Though... I don't think she'd consider it bothering anyone. No more than I do, at the very least.
[ Those are the little nuances of human interaction he still needs to learn, because he finds it a little more comforting carrying on this conversation with his back turned and speaking to the cup as he steeps the tea. ]
I'm taking up your time that's better spent doing something else, aren't I? That's a bother.
[ How self-centered. Elizabeth tuts softly, watching his back. ]
If I had something better to do, I wouldn't be asking for another cup of tea. [ Really... ] I came here because I wanted something warm to drink, and I stayed—am staying—because I'd like to get to know you better.
[ He hears that disapproving tut and it only makes him stiffen even more, dread creeping in from the corners until he has no choice but to turn and bring the cup back, setting it in front of Elizabeth. There's no stool or place to sit on his side of the counter, but that doesn't stop him from crossing his arms and resting his chin down on it. His back can handle the terrible posture for a bit. ]
I meant more... reading while you drink. Or talking with...
[ "a friend," but she's already claimed him as one. a better friend, he means. a better conversationalist that would give more back to an interaction that he can, who'd be more engaging to talk to than frustrating. ]
I don't know. I guess I find it easier to learn about people by doing things together. Not talking, necessarily..
[ Like improvisational music, she assumes. Elizabeth purses her lips slightly, taking the cup and sipping from it quietly.
...Hm. Doing things together... She can sort of agree with that, given how much people can simply say, but she's always liked listening to people regardless of that fact. ]
[ Like improvisational music, artistic expression that's easier than verbal expression, in a way, because there is no hiding or pretending in an art that comes from the soul.
He lifts his eyes to the clock mounted on the wall, cat ears on top and a plastic tail swinging below with each second that passes; time always passes so slowly when he stands at the counter and waits and hopes for the door to open, too quickly when he's actually working, cup poured, customer gone, alone again. Today, time passed by more quickly than usual. ]
In ten. Though I usually stay until the next shift starts, in case I'm needed anywhere.
Then I'll wait on you. [ ...Ah, well. ] As long as you're not busy today, at least... If you prefer doing things with others, then I'd like to indulge that for a little while, in lieu of just speaking.
[ He did have plans for the rest of the day, but those plans include going home and collapsing on his bed for the next 14 hours and he's not sure that passes as being busy. ]
I don't mind. [ He pauses here, sure that Elizabeth would frown if he throws a "Where do you want to go?" back at her. ] ...I go to the shrines after work sometimes. It's peaceful there... We could talk a walk.
[ She'd let him go if he wanted to go be lazy, she gets it?? But good on him for agreeing anyway. ]
I'd like that. It's been quite some time since I visited the shrines... Ah, though come to think of it, I've never visited them in the daytime before. [ Mmm. ] I'm certain they're even lovelier in the day as they are at night.
[ He used to visit them around nightfall as well, but only because that's when his free time aligned after work. The cold bite of winter provides a similar sort of solitude, though, in a blanket of undisturbed snow that muffles voices and footfalls both. ]
Take your time finishing you tea. I'll be around ten minutes.
[ Even if it feels as if time slows and stretches the moment the words leave his mouth. Nothing to do but to stand and wait, maybe make sure that the hot water isn't running low, or the tins of tea leaves are all shut tight. ]
[ ...He doesn't have any other customers, so it must get boring, waiting until he's allowed to go. Her uncle's flower shop, when it was still Ophelia's Lament, was quite the same.
Of course, she wiled away the time simply reading books, but it was family-owned. He didn't mind if she slacked off a little. Elizabeth nurses her tea for a bit, at least until she pulls out a deck of playing cards and tips them out gently onto the counter. ]
Do you know anything about cartomancy, Arisato? [ very pleasant. she can still do a little conversation. ] It's something I've picked up recently.
[ Some days he still holds out for being able to wear his wireless earbuds and hide them in his hair as he works/stands here idly for half an hour at a time, but his attention towards people is already fairly poor without being divided.
Cartomancy isn't a word he's familiar with, let alone the art, so he blinks down at the cards for a moment trying to piece it together— he knows "cartography" and "necromancy" but map... magic... doesn't sound like the right definition here. There are cards, but card tricks doesn't sound right either... ]
Divining one's fortune through the use of cards. [ As one might guess, given her items here. ] Though really, it's best when used as a clarifier or finding peace with your inner turmoil...
[ Or so she's read. She had a good time sussing out Dave's fortune, though. ]
Tarot is the most common form of it, but you can certainly do it even with simple cards like this. Hence, I've been practicing. [ She hasn't found a tarot deck that she likes, and... she doesn't know if she really wants to mess with it like that, anyway. It hits a little too close to home, to say, and Elizabeth carefully shuffles her cards. ] Simply focus on a query or circumstance while you shuffle, and once you feel as if you've done it enough, spread your cards out like so...
[ She'll do so on the counter, neatly laid out. ]
And pick some cards. Three is the most common number, but one is quite good for anything you may want a quick answer to. There's also larger spreads and ones in between those as well. [ ... ] But I've made myself most familiar with one and three cards, at least for now.
[ Speaking of: she'll pick a card herself. Four of hearts... ]
My, that's favorable. The red suits, hearts and diamonds, symbolize positives. Hearts in particular are for relationships, both romantic and platonic varieties. This one in particular... [ Mm. ] Things are slightly less clear with simply one card, I'll admit, but if I recall correctly, this one represents emotional stability and the strengthening of bonds in some way.
[ THROUGH MARRIAGE OR PHYSICAL INTIMACY, TYPICALLY, but given her thing was of a platonic nature she's willing to interpret it differently and not think about the other Elizabeth's relationships at all. ]
[ He's not so sure about entrusting his future to the cards... But he looks somewhat intrigued as his eyes follow Elizabeth's hands through the shuffle, sliding a card out of the pile and laying it flat out on the table, the superstition and ignorance in him seeing "four" and "hearts" and going "ah yes, death to all relationships."
Hm... ]
Is it only the diviner who can ask the questions? Or can I keep a question in my mind without sharing and have you read the cards...?
The latter, provided you at least shuffle them for a little while. That imbues your energy and question in them, supposedly. [ It's superstition, but we don't mess with superstition in this house, so. ] Would you like to give it a try?
[ Minato nods and takes the cards in his hands, not so much shuffling as he simply takes a stack from the center of the pile and moves it towards the bottom, idly turning the order over like that as he thinks of a question, not having one ready when he'd asked. This is probably his one chance to find an answer he otherwise won't ever bring up again, he thinks. If it's that, then... something important to him... something that's been gnawing at him for years upon years...
It's that, then.
Should I have run away? Did I really hurt them? Is it too late to go home and say I'm sorry?
...
That's more than one question. Just the one, then: "Did I do the right thing?" ]
...Alright.
[ He sets the cards flat on the counter, and slides it over in front of Elizabeth. ]
[ The most unexpected people take this seriously. Elizabeth spreads them out as evenly as she can, then gestures to them without looking at him. ]
Depending on the nature of your problem, or how specific you'd like the answer to be... Please pick either one card, or three of them. If it's three, lay them neatly in a line in the order you pick them.
[ So the first will be left, second will be middle, third will be right.
[ If it's his one chance to assuage some of his worries, it'll have to be all three. Minato reaches out and chooses the ones sitting right in front of him, side by side and lays out one by one-
[ ...Mm. She studies them for a bit, frowning slightly. It's a bit of a confusing spread at first glance, if she's honest... but she doesn't know his question; maybe it suits what he's looking for. After a moment, she starts up, fingers gently laying on each card as she talks about them. ]
To begin... Spreads with more black suits than red tend to be negatively-inclined, though the final card of any draw is always the strongest influence on how one should read them. It's quite fortunate that your last card was a red suit then, wasn't it? [ haa, though... ] Even if it was the Six of Diamonds.
[ If it's any consolation: this is not the worst final card she's seen. Then again, it's hard to beat the Ten of Spades. ]
We'll begin there, as it colors the rest of them... It represents a lack of communication and nervous energy—it's a contributor to how restless and high-strung diamonds can be. The Two of Clubs and Three of Clubs both ordinarily symbolize quite wonderful things—benevolent correspondence, gifts of both the material and immaterial variety, such as time, effort, and advice for the former, and for the latter: an increased understanding, and good fortune in all ventures. Particularly for business and social matters. Yet, in a trio with this one...
[ ...she drums her fingers back on the six of diamonds. ]
I suppose I'd read it as such: that the first two cards are opportunities you have missed for some reason or another. [ She's not going to say it's because he doesn't talk, but... ] What opportunities these could be are endless—diamonds topping clubs implies your practical matters are in order, at the very least, so I'll wager it isn't business-related. If not that, then social... Time that could have been spent bettering relationships and learning from another, lost due to ignorance. I'm not unsympathetic, [ a briefly sad smile before it flits to neutral ] but it would seem you're being scolded.
[ A slight pause, before Elizabeth looks at him and rests her chin in the palm of her other hand, fingers curled against her cheek. ]
It's never too late to turn it around, though. If we go purely by suits: clubs beside clubs represents taking action, and clubs beside diamonds represents reward—it isn't a terrible spread to take advice from, on that end.
[ There is very little change in Minato's expression as he listens to Elizabeth read the cards, eyes half closed and contemplative while he turns his question over in his mind and tries to fit the reading with what he'd suspected the answer would be. Did he do the right thing in leaving his grandparents and starting anew? He had wanted to say yes before, that he'd been able to get through his schooling on his own and pick up enough work in order to support himself without having to rely on others— he thought he was doing well for himself, despite what Elizabeth so aptly picked up on as "a lack of communication and nervous energy" that always lies beneath the surface of his thoughts.
And he's being scolded by the cards. The thought makes him laugh, just a huff of breath that he lets go in order to draw another in; one that feels a little like relief. ]
That answers my question pretty well. It's been a long time since I've been scolded by anybody...
[ Not because he's been a saint- far from it- but he has precious few people who care enough to do so, who put more stock in him than his feelings. ]
Thank you for saying so. [ a compliment on her abilities is a compliment regardless of its intent. ] I always found it fun to think of punishment games for those that lost in activities... I generally won, so having to participate in something quite painful never worried me.
Oh, of course...! He loves those dogs more than he likes most people, so of course he'd appreciate something for them! Though if you get them any chew toys, make sure they're durable.
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december event
aricato
[ She's not a touchy person in general, but it's better when people look at you when you're talking— she draws away anyway and nods, hands retreating to her lap. ]
Yes, please. Though... I don't think she'd consider it bothering anyone. No more than I do, at the very least.
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I'm taking up your time that's better spent doing something else, aren't I? That's a bother.
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If I had something better to do, I wouldn't be asking for another cup of tea. [ Really... ] I came here because I wanted something warm to drink, and I stayed—am staying—because I'd like to get to know you better.
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I meant more... reading while you drink. Or talking with...
[ "a friend," but she's already claimed him as one. a better friend, he means. a better conversationalist that would give more back to an interaction that he can, who'd be more engaging to talk to than frustrating. ]
I don't know. I guess I find it easier to learn about people by doing things together. Not talking, necessarily..
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...Hm. Doing things together... She can sort of agree with that, given how much people can simply say, but she's always liked listening to people regardless of that fact. ]
When do you get off, Arisato?
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He lifts his eyes to the clock mounted on the wall, cat ears on top and a plastic tail swinging below with each second that passes; time always passes so slowly when he stands at the counter and waits and hopes for the door to open, too quickly when he's actually working, cup poured, customer gone, alone again. Today, time passed by more quickly than usual. ]
In ten. Though I usually stay until the next shift starts, in case I'm needed anywhere.
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Then I'll wait on you. [ ...Ah, well. ] As long as you're not busy today, at least... If you prefer doing things with others, then I'd like to indulge that for a little while, in lieu of just speaking.
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I don't mind. [ He pauses here, sure that Elizabeth would frown if he throws a "Where do you want to go?" back at her. ] ...I go to the shrines after work sometimes. It's peaceful there... We could talk a walk.
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I'd like that. It's been quite some time since I visited the shrines... Ah, though come to think of it, I've never visited them in the daytime before. [ Mmm. ] I'm certain they're even lovelier in the day as they are at night.
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Take your time finishing you tea. I'll be around ten minutes.
[ Even if it feels as if time slows and stretches the moment the words leave his mouth. Nothing to do but to stand and wait, maybe make sure that the hot water isn't running low, or the tins of tea leaves are all shut tight. ]
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Of course, she wiled away the time simply reading books, but it was family-owned. He didn't mind if she slacked off a little. Elizabeth nurses her tea for a bit, at least until she pulls out a deck of playing cards and tips them out gently onto the counter. ]
Do you know anything about cartomancy, Arisato? [ very pleasant. she can still do a little conversation. ] It's something I've picked up recently.
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Cartomancy isn't a word he's familiar with, let alone the art, so he blinks down at the cards for a moment trying to piece it together— he knows "cartography" and "necromancy" but map... magic... doesn't sound like the right definition here. There are cards, but card tricks doesn't sound right either... ]
Nothing at all. What's it about?
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[ Or so she's read. She had a good time sussing out Dave's fortune, though. ]
Tarot is the most common form of it, but you can certainly do it even with simple cards like this. Hence, I've been practicing. [ She hasn't found a tarot deck that she likes, and... she doesn't know if she really wants to mess with it like that, anyway. It hits a little too close to home, to say, and Elizabeth carefully shuffles her cards. ] Simply focus on a query or circumstance while you shuffle, and once you feel as if you've done it enough, spread your cards out like so...
[ She'll do so on the counter, neatly laid out. ]
And pick some cards. Three is the most common number, but one is quite good for anything you may want a quick answer to. There's also larger spreads and ones in between those as well. [ ... ] But I've made myself most familiar with one and three cards, at least for now.
[ Speaking of: she'll pick a card herself. Four of hearts... ]
My, that's favorable. The red suits, hearts and diamonds, symbolize positives. Hearts in particular are for relationships, both romantic and platonic varieties. This one in particular... [ Mm. ] Things are slightly less clear with simply one card, I'll admit, but if I recall correctly, this one represents emotional stability and the strengthening of bonds in some way.
[ THROUGH MARRIAGE OR PHYSICAL INTIMACY, TYPICALLY, but given her thing was of a platonic nature she's willing to interpret it differently and not think about the other Elizabeth's relationships at all. ]
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Hm... ]
Is it only the diviner who can ask the questions? Or can I keep a question in my mind without sharing and have you read the cards...?
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The latter, provided you at least shuffle them for a little while. That imbues your energy and question in them, supposedly. [ It's superstition, but we don't mess with superstition in this house, so. ] Would you like to give it a try?
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It's that, then.
Should I have run away? Did I really hurt them? Is it too late to go home and say I'm sorry?
...
That's more than one question. Just the one, then: "Did I do the right thing?" ]
...Alright.
[ He sets the cards flat on the counter, and slides it over in front of Elizabeth. ]
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Depending on the nature of your problem, or how specific you'd like the answer to be... Please pick either one card, or three of them. If it's three, lay them neatly in a line in the order you pick them.
[ So the first will be left, second will be middle, third will be right.
...here's a generator. ]
There's no right or wrong answer... Simply choose those which call to you.
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Two of clubs.
Three of clubs.
Six of diamonds. ]
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To begin... Spreads with more black suits than red tend to be negatively-inclined, though the final card of any draw is always the strongest influence on how one should read them. It's quite fortunate that your last card was a red suit then, wasn't it? [ haa, though... ] Even if it was the Six of Diamonds.
[ If it's any consolation: this is not the worst final card she's seen. Then again, it's hard to beat the Ten of Spades. ]
We'll begin there, as it colors the rest of them... It represents a lack of communication and nervous energy—it's a contributor to how restless and high-strung diamonds can be. The Two of Clubs and Three of Clubs both ordinarily symbolize quite wonderful things—benevolent correspondence, gifts of both the material and immaterial variety, such as time, effort, and advice for the former, and for the latter: an increased understanding, and good fortune in all ventures. Particularly for business and social matters. Yet, in a trio with this one...
[ ...she drums her fingers back on the six of diamonds. ]
I suppose I'd read it as such: that the first two cards are opportunities you have missed for some reason or another. [ She's not going to say it's because he doesn't talk, but... ] What opportunities these could be are endless—diamonds topping clubs implies your practical matters are in order, at the very least, so I'll wager it isn't business-related. If not that, then social... Time that could have been spent bettering relationships and learning from another, lost due to ignorance. I'm not unsympathetic, [ a briefly sad smile before it flits to neutral ] but it would seem you're being scolded.
[ A slight pause, before Elizabeth looks at him and rests her chin in the palm of her other hand, fingers curled against her cheek. ]
It's never too late to turn it around, though. If we go purely by suits: clubs beside clubs represents taking action, and clubs beside diamonds represents reward—it isn't a terrible spread to take advice from, on that end.
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And he's being scolded by the cards. The thought makes him laugh, just a huff of breath that he lets go in order to draw another in; one that feels a little like relief. ]
That answers my question pretty well. It's been a long time since I've been scolded by anybody...
[ Not because he's been a saint- far from it- but he has precious few people who care enough to do so, who put more stock in him than his feelings. ]
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nazuna
Thank you for saying so. [ a compliment on her abilities is a compliment regardless of its intent. ] I always found it fun to think of punishment games for those that lost in activities... I generally won, so having to participate in something quite painful never worried me.
[ and it still doesn't. ]
jaeger
[ HMMMMMM. ]
He has dogs, doesn't he? Perhaps something for them, rather than something for the man himself...?
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[ they must be good rough boys if they need something durable c: she already adores them. ]
What are they like, if you don't mind my asking?