( log 01. 🔮 open / locked. )

[thricefold]

Who: Zita and you.
When: Through February 12 and the rest of the month of February.
Where: The Queen's Residence and around the city.
What: Activities.
Warnings: None at the moment.

[ it'll be a busy time for zita. promises to keep. meetings to attend. people to meet, whether it's the first time or the third time this month. looking back, she's surprised by all the things she's going to do, but she strengthens her resolve to see all her things through.

if there's one thing she's proud of, it's her ability to keep her word.

that said... she does wonder what the days ahead will have in store for her as she begins to prepare for the day. will she make new friends? learn new things? reaffirm some thoughts she's had since her arrival? what will be in store for her and others in this brave new world they're in?

there's only one way to find out. ]

[ ooc; an all-month log! in the comments are top-levels that pertain to the events that will occur for zita during the month. i will note which are open and which are locked to specific players.

if you would like a your own locked top-level or want to plot something, feel free to hit up my hmd or my plurk over at prognostic! ]

Comments

locked top-level. / for alice, playing-hearts.

[thricefold]

[ upon learning that someone else was interested in learning the ways of healing here, zita reached out to alice liddle in hopings of pooling resources and information together.

the conversation, she thinks, went well enough, certainly enough for the two of them to meet in person after they've discussed some matters. so after speaking with alice, having expressed her personal interest in learning more about the healing craft and the medicines of this world, zita managed to arrange a meeting for them.

she waits outside the entrance of the library. while exhausted from the practice drills, zita perks up upon seeing seeing alice and she makes sure to give a curtsy. ]

It's pleasure to finally meet you in person, Miss Alice. Thank you again for agreeing to this meeting.

[playing_hearts]

[It's almost reflexive when Alice returns the curtsy, a reaction born out of her upper class upbringing, even though she never cared much for that kind of formality. Her sister would be proud.

Alice shakes her head with a smile.]

Alice is fine. And I'm glad you invited me. New subjects are easier to tackle with help.

[She pats the bag she's carrying at her side.]

I brought those books I borrowed too. They've been a huge help.

[thricefold]

[ zita is obviously impressed and touched by the return of the curtsy. everyone so far has politely acknowledged it, but having it returned was a pleasant touch. ]

There's a saying where I am- Everything is better with company.

[ not a very elegant phrase, admittedly, but perhaps it sounds better in nikolai's native russian. she'll need to ask him when they meet again in the carnival.

while she ponders over that very important conundrum, she turns to push open the doors of the library. it's done carefully, making sure to not disturb anyone who might be in there. ]

How has your studying been so far with the books? Did you find anything fascinating?

open top-level.

[thricefold]

[ as she had made known some time ago, zita was planning to do a circuit of the queen's residence and the city, offering her healing services for those who needed it. ideally, she wanted to do this for a few days, in hopes of helping the stragglers who still needed aid from the fires.

waiting at the entrance of the queen's residence, zita tried to prepare herself for her activities. not only was the advice of caution swirling in zita's head, but the idea of being bombarded by all the magic and scents that permeated the city. it was one of the things she liked about the residence - the lack of psychic residue here, giving zita's magic sense some breathing room.

she snaps out of her reverie when she hears the approach of someone, so she turns- and she smiles, recognising the new face as the one she'll be going out with today. ]

Hello. Thank you again for accompanying me. [ she smiles at them, happy to see her partner for the day has arrived. ]

Are you ready to go? Or do you need some more time to prepare?

[ ooc; for those who spoke with zita on the network post and said they'll be. please feel free to handwave the conversation if you hadn't replied to it but want to choose this! ]

[unwieldy]

[ Haein hasn't ventured too far into the city, and there's a lot he's still trying to get accustomed to. The deal he'd struck with Zita had come at an opportune moment, and it's time he delivers on his end.

He heads over to the entrance of the Queen's residence and spots her easily, then makes his way over. He returns her polite greeting with a small nod of his head, giving off the impression that he was probably raised by wolves and never learned proper manners. ]

No, I'm ready.

[ A bit sore from the early morning training, but that's what he gets for refusing to move out. ]

Let's get going.

[thricefold]

[ the greeting he gives is the sort of greeting she's used to back at the carnival. the lone wolves and the quiet souls of the carnival were likely to give that sort of reply, if they felt like giving a reply at all. (hmm... now that she thinks about it, haein reminds her a lot of some individuals back at the carnival.)

nodding at his answer, she begins towards the exit of the queen's residence after she checks her supplies one last time.

now time for, perhaps, the most difficult aspect of this activity for the two of them: idle chat. with how the streets are quiet and the present vendors sleepy and the chatter in the air being more of a lull than a wave - something needs to be done to fill the silence between the two. ]

How have you been since we last spoke? [ she can't help but think of her fortune telling session with him. ] Adjusting to life in the city and the residence well enough?

[unwieldy]

[ He falls into step beside her as they exit the residence and make their way into the streets. The fact that it's quiet and not bustling with too many people allows for a sense of ease to come over Haein, and while he would have been fine spending the entire outing in silence, he doesn't mind the questions.

This is... what? The fourth time they've spoken and the third time they've met face to face? They don't know much about each other, but Zita's becoming something of a familiar presence for Haein. ]

Still getting used to it.

[ It's taking longer than he'd like, but there's progress being made. ]

Things are a lot worse here than I imagined.

[thricefold]

[ her expression grows grave and somber at haein's observation. she nods along to it, directing her eyes back to their current path. ]

I suppose that's why the Queen has asked for so many of us to answer her call. It'll take a lot of hands to help set this world right while we're here.

[ though the definition of 'right' is up in the air with how many people are being involved in this. like all things steeped in politics and affiliations, everyone and anyone has their own desires and wants and needs. it makes zita's skin crawl to be involved in this once more but- she's here for a reason. she has a goal to accomplish and something to gain herself.

up ahead, a man and a woman are walking towards haein and zita. something about the two cause zita to cock her head in faint recognition. it's been a while since zita got to travel for leisure, meaning she hasn't been able to visit folks she's trying to build ties with but-

aren't they the ones they helped with at the auction...? ]

Do they look familiar to you? [ given that haein was her partner that day, it wouldn't hurt to get his opinion. ]

[unwieldy]

[ Occasionally he'll find his thoughts steeped in doubts as to if they can even help, but he's always been more of a cynic than anything else. It's going to be a long process to see any kind of progress, and Haein has to constantly remind himself of what's on the line.

He's never had to do anything as important as setting a whole world right, but if it means breaking his curse, he's all for it.

His thoughts are broken into when Zita points out the man and woman, and Haein eyes them suspiciously at first. It's when they get a bit closer that his expression changes into one of recognition. ]

The crippled man and his wife. [ Haein?? That's kind of an awful way to remember him by. ] The ones with the roof problem.

[ They probably swapped names with them at some point, but this is Haein and like hell if he remembers. ]

[thricefold]

[ to be fair to him... that's a very accurate observation. a rude observation but accurate nonetheless.

the description (and added information) helps finally place the two before her. just in time, too, ]

Katarine! Beryon! [ the couple had swapped names with haein and zita during the roof proofing. zita remembers them easily, now that she can place their faces from somewhere before.

she hurries ahead and is soon clasping her hands gently around katarine's in greeting. it seems she's fond of these two if the quiet cheeriness of her voice and genuine concern is to be believed. ] It's so good to see you two again. I hope all is well. Is your hand still troubling you, Beryon?

[ it is, lady, he answers in a polite and friendly voice, happy to see the kind souls who helped him and his wife in the past. he makes a point to bow his head in haein's direction, more than eager to acknowledge the young man's presence. it's why we're planning to visit a healer today. ]

[unwieldy]

[ The names are ringing a bell now. If asked, he would have guessed that they started with... consonants, or some other vague description like that.

While Zita hurries on ahead to greet them, Haein takes his time trailing after her. It doesn't take long to reach the couple, and he hangs back as they swap pleasantries. He's not really one to engage in or strike up conversation, and just like before when they'd first helped out with the roof, Haein lets Zita do most of the talking.

He does at least have the decency to nod stiffly as Beryon bows to him. But hey, visiting a healer? What a coincidence. ]

Zita's a healer.

[ The information is offered up clumsily, almost as if Haein figures he should interject somewhere. Look, he's not the greatest at social situations, but he's trying here. ]

open top-level.

[thricefold]

[ in the dining hall, zita can be found at one of the tables. it's a good thing that she's doing this in-between meals, because she's taken a good chunk of the space for herself- and for some black and gold cards that she's laying out on the surface, placing them in specific places with both purpose and confidence.

a quick inspection of the cards reveal that they're certainly not playing cards. they're illustrated with gorgeous if macabre images of skeletons and bones and skulls, with names that bear titles like 'the moon' and the 'sun', 'temperance' and 'the world'.

it's at this point that zita looks up and notices someone is observing her. she smiles, flustered now, as she begins to reach out and put the cards back on the deck next to her. ]

I'm sorry- I didn't mean to take up so much space. Please! Sit down if you want. [ but then she stops her cleaning up, considering something. ] Unless you're here to have your fortunes read.

Did you see my message?

[mekhanikos]

[ mostly, leo is there to see if he couldn't sneak some snacks or ingredients to add to his jewel-powered toolbelt, in the case he ever needs to cook on the road again, but the cards provide a good enough distraction. he stalls, tries to peer at the images on the cards, and eventually when zita notices him, leo grins at her. ]

Hey, you're the tarot lady, right?

[ obviously, ha. ]

No, I mean, yeah, I did, but I didn't know you were doing this now. I mean, that looks cool. [ god, why is he always this awkward? what is human interaction, really. ]

[thricefold]

Why yes. I am the tarot lady.

[ she doesn't seem to mind. in fact- she looks surprised yet pleased by his words. it doesn’t seem like a lot of the strangers here have tarot cards in their world, so having someone recognise it is a nice change of pace.

deciding it's only polite to give him her full attention, zita pulls her hands away from her attempt to clean up her deck and she rests her hands on her lap while she speaks. ]

Thank you for your compliment; I believe you’re the first one to recognise my type of deck at all since my arrival.

[ she pauses, wondering how to word this next bit. ] I'm sorry- It seems you have me at a disadvantage. You already know of me but I don't know you.

[mekhanikos]

Wait, seriously?

[ his surprise is to the fact that no one else has recognized the cards — but someone must have, he thinks. there are others from similar worlds than he is... but maybe the similarities aren't down to the details, then.

and then he grimaces, rubbing his neck. ]

Right, sorry. Uh, I'm Leo. Leo Valdez. And you — I'm guessing your name isn't actually tarot lady. You probably said so in the video thing, but...

[thricefold]

Zita. I go by Zita Harrington these days.

[ not a lie. in fact, she's telling the truth - she likes to go by zita harrington and she hopes to keep using it for a long time. it's one of the few names she's genuinely fond of.

she does her best to give a friendly smile, shaking her head to show she didn't mind the 'i forgot your name.' bit that isn't said. ]

It's fine. I was talking about a lot of subjects in the video. It's understandable that that could have gotten lost in the shuffle.

So- Do you have an opinion on tarot readings, Leo? I swear I'm serious when I say you're the first one to recognise them from the ones who spoke to me about it.

[mekhanikos]

[ there's the faintest raise of his brows, as he focuses on I go by, meaning she's used some other name previously... but hey, who's he to ask her probing and possibly invasive questions about her identity?

so he just grins. ]

Well, I'll make sure to remember it from now on, Zita.

[ his grin turns into something more contemplative at her question. ]

I'm gonna be honest, if you'd asked me a year ago I would've said they're 100% pretty and 100% guess-work. But... I mean, I've seen stranger things turn out to be true. Like, if prophesies are true, then fortune telling probably is, too.

[thricefold]

[ zita smiles thoughtfully, turning her attention back to the cards she has spread out on the table while she speaks. ]

I can understand someone's doubts with this sort of magic. If they've never met someone who is truly versed in the field of divination, they would have reason to be suspicious.

Anyone can do guesswork and make a stab in the dark. Anyone can cold reason a person in search of and play their their heart's desire against them. [ she begins to fix her cards, resuming her packing away as the cards that depict skeletons and colours are placed back into her deck. ] But for someone to see through the veils? To peer into the winding paths of time and fates and pick up the strongest threads? That is magic.

[ then she hums, the sound light and full of amusement. ] At least where I'm from and, alas, I can't call myself an expert on it yet.

open top-level.

[thricefold]

Excuse me!

[ it's almost evening when zita runs up to the nearest person, trying to both wave their attention down and catch her breath when she catches up with them. athletic? she is most certainly not.

despite the hour, she's, oddly enough, dressed for an outing. complete with a cloak to give her both warmth and anonymity. she pulls the hood down, showing the apologetic look on her face as she speaks: ]

I'm sorry but- May I ask for a favour?

I hate to impose myself on someone like, but my arrangements with someone else fell to the wayside and I don't feel comfortable leaving the residence at this hour.

[ ooc; open to one person! ]

hope this is ok! let me know if not

[kesi]

[Takame saw Zita rather easily, and rather than let her tire herself too much trying to catch up with him he met her halfway. He had passed by her several times within the Queen's Residence as well as her broadcast, though he made little note in person other than the unique aether that came off of her in waves. So though the cloak hid her face at first Takame at least knew she was no enemy.

He gives a slight shake of his head before responding.]

You need not apologize, madam. Nor are you imposing. How may I assist you?

it's totally cool!

[thricefold]

[ she smiles in response, grateful at the assurance and the fact he was willing to meet her halfway. it's the little things that she (and her poor health) appreciated in, making her more certain that, yes, she could ask him for help.

when she regains enough breath to speak properly again, she explains to him what she needs help in: ] Would you be willing to accompany me out to the city for a bit?

[ she pauses, feeling a bit silly for this next part, though she pushes through because he deserves to know what exactly he's getting into. (if he agrees, she needs to remind herself.) ]

I have a meeting with a jeweller, but the person who was supposed to come with can't anymore. [ and, well, she doesn't feel comfortable enough to travel the city by herself just yet. especially at this hour. ]

[kesi]

[Zita didn't need to worry about him agreeing to it, the only reason he didn't immediately was because cutting her off would be rude. She didn't even need to explain herself really.

So without skipping a beat, he nodded as soon as she finished speaking. Probably a little too quickly.]

Of course. [Very to the point this one. From his few scouts of the city Takame did know it was probably a bad idea for her to go out alone, so she was right to seek out alternative company. Not that it would have changed his agreement either way.]

[thricefold]

Thank you so much. [ the relief is palpable on her end upon hearing his answer. the fact he answered so quick actually helps her. it seems she was ready to be turned down for some reason. not used to getting help from others or something else?

well, whatever the reason is, the nervousness from her quickly vanishes and is replaced with- something that isn't exactly calm, but something close to it. certainly helps her realise something very important: ] Ah- Where are my manners?

I'm Zita Harrington. You can call me 'Zita' if you want.

[ admittedly, she would like to be known as 'miss harrington' when around all these new faces, but they're all on the same boat if she could borrow teresia's phrase. trying to become more familiar everyone here is perhaps the best way to go about these circumstances. ]

[kesi]

["Never turn someone in need down"... A trait very prominent in his family. Or what's left of it. One that he tried to practice even though in reality he was just glad to be given a task since the initial chaos of their arrival died down. Doing it for a sense of familiarity more than anything else. Though the relief she showed towards his agreement did inspire a good feeling.

Regardless, he bowed politely once she gave her name.]

A pleasure to meet you, Zita. My name is Takame. You will be safe with me, this I promise.

[thricefold]

Thank you so much, Takame.

[ she's already made the arrangements and plans with the jeweller, having met them during the immediate aftermath of the rioting. all that needs to be done is give payment and have the jewel set.

so zita now pulls up her hood, readying herself for the chill of the approaching evening. then she returns his bow with a curtsy of her own. (and while it's silly to feel like this, she's rather happy that someone else is showing a similar set of manners from home. it's nice.) ]

I promise this trip of ours will be a quick. I would hate to take up your time more than needed.