( message 01. 🔮 video. )

[thricefold]

Hello, everyone. I’m Zita.

[ the woman on the screen smiles at the direction of the far caster, giving a polite wave before she returns to the task of packing up some things for the day.

judging by her surroundings as packs her things while she speaks towards the far caster, it seems that she’s taken residence in, well, the queen’s residence. ]

I hope this isn’t presumptuous of me to ask on this but— I’m hoping to offer my healing services to those here in the Queen's Residence or around the city for free.

However I’ve been informed that it’ll be in my best interest if I had an escort with me when I do this. If anyone is willing to keep me company, I would be grateful for it and be willing to pay you back somehow. You're all welcome to seek me for healing too, of course.

[ she pauses. as if considering something.

usually, she would end her message here and refocus her attention on the next task at hand - in this case, her packing for her when she heads out - but... ]

If you’re not interested in that, you’re welcome to also make use of my fortune telling services instead. Payment for this will be required but I promise the price for it is reasonable enough. I only ask for a story.

And that's it. Thank you for taking the time to hear me speak.

[ added ooc note;; for those who would like to thread out their and zita's time out in the city for the free healing services, i now have a log post with that activity as one of the top-levels! feel free to hit it up if you're interested. ]

Comments

audio.

[unwieldy]

[ There's some consideration on Haein's end before he responds to the video, and he does so with only his voice.

He's spent some time with Zita after their first day run-in and then later their work on the roof together, and she hasn't done anything to offend or anger him like people usually do, so why not let his curiosity get the best of him? ]

What kind of story?

audio.

[thricefold]

[ she's quick to provide an answer for this question: ] Any! It can be something that's real or something that you made up on the spot. All stories will be welcomed.

[ a true story or an urban legend. a fictionalised account or a direct testimony. whatever one may offer, zita is willing to hear about anything and everything. ]

I'm interested in getting to know others better and I thought this could be the way: An option to speak, but not needing to make it about one's self, should someone not be comfortable with that idea.

[unwieldy]

[ One of the very unfortunate things about Haein is his complete lack of creativity, so he wouldn't be able to make up a story on the spot at all. He's also ridiculously private about his life so that's also a no. Even if he were to fictionalize parts of it, there would still be that concern that some of it could be traced back to him.

This really shouldn't be that difficult. ]

How about a trade? [ That wasn't the deal... ] I'll escort you for the fortune telling.

video;

[mollymocked]

Well, I'm happy to offer my services as an escort. You're good company.

But, more importantly... You read fortunes?

video;

[thricefold]

Thank you. It means a lot to me, it really does.

And yes! I do. It was part of my job when I was manning my both back at the Midnight Carnival. I specialised in selling potions and charms, with a side of fortune reading for those curious enough.

video;

[mollymocked]

[On the other side of the video, Molly slaps his hands on the table.]

I knew it. I knew you were part of a carnival. Carnies can always pick each other out of a crowd.

audio.

[warfares]

A pity you would need one.

( understandable, though. it's only been a few days and already it's clear that the animosity toward them goes deeper than their not being natives. )

What kind of story?

audio.

[thricefold]

[ zita certainly agrees with the sentiment but she also tries her best to be cautiously optimistic of the situation. she knows she has a bad habit of stewing on bad things if she allows herself to do so, and that wouldn't be a good impression on new folks so-

she focuses on the question instead, her answer for the young man at the ready- ] Any story will do.

Real or fictional. From one's world or made up on the spot. I would love to hear anything at the moment, since I would love to better acquaint myself with everyone else new here. We're all in this together, after all.

[ she hopes so, at least. ]

[warfares]

A good way to learn something of the people brought here as well, I'd think. Of their worlds and ways.

( the Blood and the Landen, as well. )

Do you read cards?

( he thinks of Lando and his sabacc deck. )

Or is it done some other way?

video;

[romancekiller]

You're a healer too? I don't mind coming with you to keep you company or even help as well.

What do you mean by fortune telling though?

video;

[thricefold]

[ zita can be seen physically perking up at the offer of someone else to help others in need. ]

You would be willing? I would hate to make you feel obligated, but it would be nice to have company who could also help. Many people are in need of aid in wake of the fire. [ she tries to not blanche at the memory of the fire and the fights. getting literally stabbed in the back is not how she would have liked to spend her first night in this new world.

but she tries to focus on the conversation at hand now, reminding herself to answer the question that had just been asked— ] I happen to have my tarot cards. They're what I use to read others' fortunes, since I also offer these services back at my booth in the Midnight Carnival.

video;

[romancekiller]

Yeah, of course! Don't worry, it's not out of obligation— it's because I do want to help. [ and well she believes that helping each other is how they'll get through this too]

I've never heard of something like that before. You can actually tell something like that from a deck of cards?

video

[cmbr]

[ Sen is... not quite all cheer, no. She's dusted with soot and her hair bunned up in preparation for hard work, but!! Her enthusiasm is very much present. ]

You know I'm always here to help. I'm just a call away.

video

[thricefold]

[ ah- it's sen!

zita perks up upon seeing her, her smile becoming less shy and more open. she actually stops packing as a sign of respect, now giving sen her full attention during their chat. ]

It gives me such great peace of mind to know that you'll be willing to help. [ it really does. given what they've been through so far, zita has come to see sen as someone reliable. ]

Are you alright? It looks like you've already been through the, ah, wringer or two.

[cmbr]

[ In absence of something concrete, Sen prides herself most on her reliability. Once a demon gives their word, they stand by it.

... well, most of them. Demons are bound to obey Gaia as an absolute, but not anyone else. ]

Oh, I'm okay. I helped with some moving stuff earlier, I'll get a bath after I'm done.

[ Her smile is genuine, though a little embarrassed. ]

audio

[arrogator]

A fortune teller, huh?

[She sounds a little skeptical there, or at least it sounds skeptical. People who can divine the future are either running a con or even sketchier than a conman in her opinion, so she's not really sure what to make of that.]

Still, you need someone to watch your back, let me know.

[She's at least making an attempt to try out what that Ben guy was talking about, even if she has some issues with stuff. Stuff not just being fortune telling, but also the concept of her watching other people's back and helping out. It's not something she has much too experience with.]

audio

[thricefold]

A vendor, actually. This is part of the services I offered when I was back in the Midnight Carnival.

[ merely (though unintentionally) adding fuel to the 'this is sketchy' impression there, zita.

but she at least sounds sincere with her next words: ] And thank you for the offer! It means a lot to me since I haven't been out of the Queen's Residence much since the, ah, events of the first night.

[ the fires and attempted assassinations, she means. ]

audio

[arrogator]

[That probably doesn't add as much as it might with others. Mordred isn't aware of too much there, not having really any experience with carnivals, other than knowing what they are. Kind of a problem with not socializing much when she was alive and not having too much downtime after being summoned back home.]

Probably for the best, if you need a bodyguard, you probably shouldn't be heading out alone. Seems like a good way to have something bad happen.

[She's not particularly mean spirited about it. It's more of an it is what it is type of thing. Not everybody's suited for making sure someone who starts trouble can't finish it. Or being the person who starts trouble in the first place.]

video

[phykios]

[ fortune telling, huh. percy isn't much of a fan, but that's not zita's fault or anything; he isn't going to be a jerk about it. besides, there's still the first part of her message. ]

That's really nice of you, Zita. Any time you need some company, just let me know. Don't worry about payment or anything.

video

[thricefold]

It's the least I can for the others here! I wanted to prove myself and show how I could be of use to others. [ especially in the wake of the fires and the fights.

though most have been polite to zita and the others, she can't help but feel some resentment and doubt. she tries to focus on the conversation, however, and pushes those thoughts to the side for now. ]

And it's so kind of you to offer me company in return! It's a relief to me that so many are willing to help. [ now zita looks a little concerned, recalling her chat with the prince. ] Prince Loren made it clear I would need someone by my side when I went out to do this. In case something happened.

[phykios]

Whoa, hold up. You've got nothing to prove. [ WHO'S TALKING SHIT TO YOU!!!!! ] You're an awesome healer.

[ his friend, will solace, has similar doubts. and while percy sort of gets it, it still seems crazy to him. having warriors is great and all, but wars are won just as much by the efforts of healers.

he frowns, but nods in acknowledgment of loren's assessment. ]

It's a good idea. Draega doesn't seem like the safest place, and that's before considering the fact that at least one guild out there wants to kill us. There's at least safety in numbers.

audio

[verstoned]

You'll need to learn the Craft if you want the locals to trust you better.

Lady Jesiree wants you along in the lessons she's givin' me.

audio

[thricefold]

Oh- Hello there.

[ it's good to hear from him again! she hopes he's been doing well since they've last interacted.

and it's a surprise to hear his next words. a pleasant (and interesting) surprise, but a surprise nonetheless. ] I would love to join, honestly. I was planning to ask her some tips and advice on how to conduct myself when doing my rounds, so this is excellent to hear.

When are you planning to see her for the first lessons?

audio.

[purpose]

I can come with you, if you're still looking for an escort. [ a small pause. ] Or a guard.

[ it stands to reason that's the purpose of an escort to begin with, in rey's mind, if zita is searching for accompaniment in the city. the rioting, the disquiet — all of it has lent itself to a tension that's impossible to ignore. better to be safer than sorry.

the question she asks next is precluded by a significantly longer beat, skepticism and curiosity warring. or perhaps it's just simply the beginning fluttering of hope, despite her hesitation to put stock in a stranger's vision of what the future might hold for her. ]

How does your fortune-telling work?

audio.

[thricefold]

Thank you so much. The offer means a lot to me. It truly does.

[ the prince's heed for caution had worried her and it doesn't help the rioting was still fresh in zita's mind. getting stabbed in the back tends to stick out in one's memories.

but the offers and the sincerity of the others making the offers helps put ease some of zita's worries. not all of them, but enough that she thinks that this could work after all.

that- and she's pleased that someone is showing an interest in her fortune telling. it can be heard in the new pep in her voice, clearly glad that someone wants to hear her talk about this. ]

I use tarot reading the most when I do divination. Tarot reading is when I used a specific deck of cards to read the past, present, and future of someone's situation. The cards pick up the energies of the person who is asking for their fortune, influence what cards I draw from the deck and lie out.