Is This Your Card?

[yinyangwizard]

For the most part, Abe no Seimei's project to develop a Japanese reinterpretation of the Tarot has been going smoothly. He has developed very specific concepts (even sketches) for most of the cards, and general ideas for the rest that a certain artist of his acquaintance can help to flesh out.

There is, however, one card that is prompting much wracking of brains, ripping of paper, agitated pacing, and chain-smoking. Seimei has considered getting around the problem by leaving the card out of his deck entirely, but that's not really an option. When it comes to magic, one must commit fully or not at all.

So Seimei has devoted considerable time and energy to researching this card in the Milliways library. He has broadened the scope of his research beyond books on the Tarot - even the most obscure and esoteric ones - and is now hunting for references to the card's imagery and meaning in prophetic visions.

At some point he realizes he is very far back in the library, past some kind of event horizon where said library loses its coherence and becomes tangled up with other libraries in other realities and times. The air is thick with magic which doesn't flow so much as swirl around in eddies and whirlpools. Seimei can feel the books watching him, and suspects that they may be planning an ambush of some kind.

While he is all in favor of doggedly pursuing knowledge, he is beginning to think that he may have pursued too doggedly and too far.

Comments

[yinyangwizard]

Seimei does not quite manage to keep the look of satisfaction off his face as he closes the sketchbook and puts his things back in his coat. The light and the image of the card fade out.

He gets to his feet. "Thank you," he says, "for helping me find the answer." He bows deeply. "If you wish, I will give you a copy of the finished deck - although it will be a while."

[destroy_restart]

"I collect them," Tower says. "I'd be grateful. Would you like me to open the door back to the library?"

He will, of course, stay out here and enjoy his cigar.

[yinyangwizard]

"To the same spot in the library, or a less...interesting part?" Seimei asks. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but those books did not seem very hospitable."

[destroy_restart]

"To just where you need to be."

[yinyangwizard]

"Being fully aware that 'just where I need to be' does not necessarily mean 'somewhere safe' - yes. Thank you."

[destroy_restart]

Tower opens a door, and smiles as he holds it for Seimei.

[yinyangwizard]

Seimei returns the smile before he steps through the door, off to...wherever it is he needs to be.