"In the world of dreams, the laws of nature do not hold reign. Here, the very foundation is limited only by the imagination. There is no action that cannot be done, no challenges that cannot be overcome, and no desires that remain unsatisfied, as long as you believe." "Here, there is no distinction between the righteous and the unworthy. Neither the Emperor nor Justice hold sway, for this plane is another World, with no need for Temperance or Devils." "There is only Change." * * * * * * * Arcana an Improfanfic started by Scott Schimmel Chapter 47 Interlude written by Signus Megido * * * * * * * "I've been expecting you." The speaker was a pale, skinny man who was crouched before the two members of the Court of Cups. Although there was neither blemish nor wrinkle to mar his skin, his eyes looked ancient, out of place with the rest of what appeared to be a young man. He wore what looked like a boy's school winter uniform, the black managing to impossibly stay in sharp contrast with the darkness surrounding the three -- all of which added to the appearance of youth about this aged figure. His dark long hair danced along with the chains that surround his body. Despite all this, Keisuke Shirosawa was awed. *This is Tower Reversed?* "Greetings, Tower," the Healer spoke, unperturbed by the scene before him. "I am the Page of Cups, and this one is the Knight of Cups. We have come in behalf of our King." The old, heavy eyes peered closely at Keisuke. "I see," he spoke again in a voice that reminded Keisuke of rusted hinges on crumbling oaken doors. "I had wondered when the Knight of Wands looked different." "Tetsuya?" Keisuke asked. "Where is he? Where are the others?" "Sir Knight! Do not speak so rudely before Tower!" Healer reprimanded him, and then turned towards the crouching figure. "My apologies Tower. This one is young and inexperienced." "We all were," Tower replied. "We still are." Keisuke couldn't stand it. "What happened to the others?" He demanded uncharacteristically, ignoring the Page of Cups. "They have left. None of them are here at the moment. The Knight of Wands departed some time before, followed by the Page of Pentacles. Neither the Knight of Blades nor the Magician has come in a while." "Pity," Healer mused. "The Magician's support would have been invaluable, were she to join our cause." She is a much better ally than High Priestess would ever be, he added silently. "In any case, we of the Royal Court of Cups have come to protect the Shackles from the selfish ambitions of those who seek to fulfill the Prophecy. This is our sole wish." "Then, I accept. Henceforth, the Cups shall occupy the Tower Reversed to thwart the desires of the unworthy." "What about Miyuki?" The ageless man paused. "Fortune. is no longer here." "Miyuki." Keisuke breathed. * * * * * * * Miyuki blinked awake. She felt oddly refreshed, a feeling that she never had in a long time. It was a feeling she gladly embraced, and she immersed herself in the moment of nostalgia. After the feeling passed, Miyuki looked around, noting that she was now in what looked like a dimly lighted girl's room. It was rather plain, with the owner's schoolbooks neatly stacked on the study table, where the flexible lamp provided the sole illumination in the room. She pushed back the covers of the wide bed, and found that she was wearing yellow cotton pajamas that were several sizes too big for her. It took a moment for her to realize that she can SEE everything, which was impossibility manifest. The memories soon rushed back, and she trembled as she recalled everything that happened. *I should have been dead. I should have been in Tower Reversed. Why am I here? This is... the Forrester residence. Why?* The answer came a moment later, as the plain door at the other side of the room opened, and a middle-aged gaijin woman wearing a plain white kimono and a blindfold quietly entered without ceremony. "Miyuki Sokana, formerly The Wheel of Fortune," the World spoke casually. "Welcome back to the world of the living." * * * * * * * The jeep honked several times, slowing down when it reached the curb. Attorney Rustom Cutterson Date-Smith stepped up the sidewalk. "Yo." "Yo," the red-haired driver waved back in greeting. "I wasn't expecting you to come by, Will," Rusty remarked as he clambered into the vehicle. "Just a whim," William Forrester replied, casually passing Rusty a pack of cigarettes. "I'm that sort of guy." Rusty withdrew one from the pack, and nonchalantly lighted it with a small flame he summoned with a small gesture. "I know." Will retrieved the pack, began to drive off. "So... Do you think she'll do as you ask?" He took a couple of puffs, and shrugged. "You tell me." Will's gaze never left the road. "I dunno. We need to break her as soon as possible." "Always the goon, aren't you? I thought you left all that long ago." Will didn't reply. Victory drove on in silence for a while. Rusty finished the cigarette. At first he motioned to throw the butt outside, but he extinguished the lighted end on the door instead. "You shouldn't do that," Will warned grimly. "Victory hates getting hurt." "The stains will come off," Rusty assured him, pocketing the butt. "It's no big deal." "Not all wounds heal, even with time." Rusty's gaze met with the reflection on the rear-view mirror. He saw the sadness in those ethereal eyes, and kept silent. "Before I forget..." Will spoke up silently, breaking the ice. "Francine's preparing a big dinner before we go back. I was thinking of bringing you along." He paused. "It'll be a family thing, nothing special." "I'll try. When'll be that?" "In a few days, right before we leave." "So you won't be staying for the fireworks?" Will smirked. "We'll see what comes. After all, distance'll be a moot point when the Shackles are gone." Rusty nodded. "I wonder, though..." ____________________ Author's Skribulous: It just did. -Signus Megido http://hello.to/maramala January 8, 2001