Sailorstuck! Collision Of Fates

You are awoken by one of your new attendants-- Billard, still kind of new, but a good sport nonetheless, at least for being able to put up with some small friendly jokes you've pulled on him, poor kid should get a day off. It's some time in the morning and the curtains have been pulled back, allowing a widely blinding amount of light into the room. You're a morning person, but not an early morning person. However there are things to do, people to talk to, galactic treaty's to discuss, shenanigans to direct, the usual things.

"My Lord King, we have today's council meeting with the Dersian Royal Family of our sister kingdom and with the Alternian Empress and her company."

"Pthbtbthtbth... it's much too early for that, the meeting's not supposed to be until later."

"My most irritatingly cumbersome King, it has been a few dials since sunrise, we are nearing noon-point."

"Oh," Okay, you let that small insult slide, because to be honest you've probably had it coming and then some, just that the 'some' hasn't really hit you yet, and you guess you can scratch out that bit about you being a morning person. You rise with much reluctance, a groan and a shuffle to the washroom.

★♋★

"That must have been quite some feat, never mind a good accomplishment for the greater good. How are your people doing back on the home planet?"

"Well, to be honest they're taking it a lot better than I had initially expected. I am hoping that in my absence, the reformations and improvements I've put into motion will come to bear fruit. Even if they are relatively small changes, they're happening nonetheless. The strong should try to lift up the weak, not push them down further. So as long as things change for the better, myself and my people can be better."

You whistle, then grunt, both Jane and Jade elbowing you from opposite sides. Roxy giggles quietly, Jake smoothly covers his mouth, Dave's rising smile is trying to commit suicide, and Rose looks at least ten times more smug than a moment ago. Dirk does nothing, no moving, no twitching, nothing. Oh but you know he's just DYING to laugh, you can see it in his eyes. The Alternian party looks a tad uncomfortable as to what the appropriate response is (hint: LAUGH, YOU STIFFS), and the new Empress glubs(?) before clearing her throat.

"And thus the need for alliance reparations, yes?" Rose picks up for you, poised as always, much better suited for these kinds of things than any of you, except that maybe Dirk could give her a run for her money if they ever went at it. She looks at you pointedly until you can regain yourself back into the conversation.

"Yes, that is our aim. I'd like to repair the damage and defamation of reputation and impression that my predecessor left on you and your people. I am very thankful that at the time there was only minimal damage caused by her."

"Yet," Dirk, quiet, quiet Dirk, speaks and his voice booms off the walls, "Had we and ours not been born of magic to begin with, we would have suffered fathomless casualties--"

"Which we most certainly didn't, thank goodness!" You try to diffuse him, because honestly, yeah, at the time no one was hurt or dead. Maybe shocked, but not even a scratch had to be tended. (What if, though? What conversation would you all be having then?)

Roxy has taken initiative and confiscated Dirk's hand, doing her best to whisper soothingly (you guess he wasn't wanting to laugh, huh, go figure...). Dave stoically glances from behind his visor, first at the Alternians, then at Dirk, trying to read further into the situation. Rose does more or less the same thing, except for her mouth curling in the slightest of smirks, coldly eyeing everyone in the room thoroughly.

Dirk apologizes for his outburst (with much mental vibing from all of you), and you all move forward in discussing an agreeable decision. While you don't completely side with him, it is very understandable where he's coming from. The imperial forces made an impressive show of violence on the first meeting, letting you and your people see exactly how destructive Alternians were capable of being. (How many would have died, if the very natural, integral part of Skaia had failed you all?)--

(You remember all of them, their faces, their names.)

...That's quite enough, no use dwelling on things in your head, or memories that no longer are. You don't need anymore reminders of why you came here in the first place.

While you do not need useless memories, you can't help but wonder on what you've re-seen...

★♋★

You've cleaned up after yourselves, put the pie in the keeper tray, washed dishes and such, and then head up to play some video games. And just, wow you've missed Dave. A lot (more than what anyone would ever think to know, but not that way, haha).

You ask him how his music tour was, what he did, were there any mishaps that you would have missed. How he's been, if he brought back anything for you, as a joke of course. He recounts to you some backstage stories that you would have just loved to have been apart of, and probably had made worse if you were there. And of freaking course you would have, your Trickster's Gambit is such a terrible thing sometimes. Most of the times...Ugh, okay, ALL of the times.

The alarm on your watch bip-boops and you realize how quickly the time went, "Uh-oh."

"'Uh-oh'? Whatcha mean with 'uh-oh'? 'Uh-ohs' usually mean something has gone wrong?"

You give Dave a toothy smile, "Oh, no. My bad, I totally forgot about a thing I needed to do later, which happens to be now. I still have a bunch of stuff that I had planned for you coming back though, so when's your next boring day off?"

"Nah, it's okay man. Gotta do what you gotta do, right? Don't worry your pretty teeth about it, I'll probably be loitering around, just look for me in the garden, you might see me, you might not, who knows dude? Imma just be y'all's elusive garden fairy that you see sometimes, maybe if you're good I'll grant you a wish and shiz," he jokes, standing to help you pack your game console away.

"But really, plan for that boring day, and I will ensure un-boringness such as the likes you've never seen, woOoOoOo~" You waggle your fingers and fake a spooky voice wobble that comes naturally to you.

Nanna sees you both out (not before scolding you for leaving when a friend came to visit. Sometimes you think your Nanna might favor Dave a tad bit more than you feel she should, but hey, not that you'd mind............much....), Dave gets sent home with a whole pie tin to share with Dirk-- lucky --and you start with a light jog towards your intended destination, the wind picking up just the slightest. You can't seem like you forgot about your ward, that would be very un-magical mascot-ish of you, wouldn't it?

.

✮☆★♋★☆✮

.

"See you tomorrow!"

"Later~!"

As always, once the end bell rings, everyone makes for an exit, including you. You dart in between the student-formed clogs through the hallway (you HATE when people just fucking stop in the middle of the damn hall, fucking talk outside, god...) and try to find a path out of the insane mess of chatter. Once you make it outside-- sweet release!! --you are pulled to the side.

"Aaaand nice save! By yours truly, you're welcome~. Going home, Karkitty?" Nepeta tugs you out of the way of chaos and towards Sollux, the group being unusually void of her moirail.

"Where's Equius? Did he leave without you?"

"Big n' blue had some 'most troubling business to attend to', so yeah, he pretty much bailed," Sollux does a pretty good impression of Equius, right from the nasal snoot voice down to the nearly disdainful snootiness of one riding high on a horse.

Nepeta's pouting grimace could be infectious, "Stupid dummy boyfriend-'rail, didn't want me to come with him, didn't even tell me where he was going, but then wants to get mad at me for doing the same thing last week...," she growls under her breath.

The three of you leave the grounds, walking past the entry gate and on the familiar sidewalk. None of you have 'friend who lives next door' status, but as far as location, you're pretty close to each other. You can't say the same for Equius, Mr. Studio-Apartment-Oh-Look-How-Much-Fancier-My-Arrangements-Are-Than-Your's. Sollux lives in a complex a couple of blocks away and Nepeta's house is down a street closer to the school. She leaves first, and takes off at a furious run down the hill. Then it's just you and Sollux.

"Just to let you know, the pothhibility of me asking you for lunch from now on ith very high, you have been warned."

"Wow, not even a proposal, how scandalous," you deadpan, letting some irritation through.

He mock-pouts, "Gamzee doesn't have to ask..."

"That's different, Gamzee doesn't remember nor understand that food is something critically vital to his continued existence on this plane of being, his pan is literally somewhere else. You are a different case because I expect you to be a sane individual who can grasp the simple concept of common sense and survival. If you think about it really hard, you could say that you're a tad smarter than him," you explain (because it's totally not that you're pale-crushing heavy on Gamzee, how dare you even suggest it. Neither is your teasing of Sollux because you also used to have a crush on him, what a ridiculous shit-heap of nonsense).

"Oh such smooth, much swoon. Mine pump-biscuit hath been swayed, take me now, oh great and a pitiable savior."

"Shut it, quit being a dweeb."

The two of you continue joking around, until Sollux turns up his street, promising to bring you the completed study guide the next day. As bony as he is, you feel a little bit of envy for him, having long legs must be nice, heck, having a vertically aligned body must be nice. Damn, the things you'd do if your legs were just a couple inches longer. (Don't bother asking, you'll never say a thing!!)

You walk until you get to the alley you passed earlier, completely deserted, save for the hooded stall owner. They seem intensely concentrated on shuffling a deck of cards, taking no notice of you when you walk up to the table.

"I thought there'd be more people since this morning, considering school's just been let out." You don't know why you're approaching the stall at all, there's no need to bother with them.

A sigh, and then they look up. Under the hood is a flash of silvery hair, dark painted lips and a critical pair of lilac eyes, "My dilemma precisely. One would think that practically giving away your services, completely free of any monetary gain, that it would have enticed the curious into my stand, but alas I seem to have been stood corrected by that light-flashing nightmare of a headache that's set up shop across the street," She points a talon-ringed finger outward, at her business opponent.

It's a large, orange building, that most definitely was not that bright-- let alone eye-catching --earlier that morning when you first passed down this street. A big, blinking neon sign shows off whatever it is they offer. (You happen to see the word exorcism flash and wonder if maybe you could get rid of John, and then rethink the idea entirely.)

"Eugh," you scowl, "that's gaudy as hell."

She laughs behind black manicured nails, "Couldn't have thought of a better way to say it. While my mind is on it, did you just come here to inquire of my supposed lack of activity, or were you perhaps curious for a reading yourself?"

You cough and give her what must be a very embarrassed look, "U-um, well, not really, err, yes? I was just wondering, I don't usually believe in these kinds of things, so it might not...work?" 

She smiles, and it's that kind of smile someone makes after a long while of being told over and over again that 'I don't usually believe in these kinds of things', making you feel very stupid and upset at yourself (nice going, Karkat, just let every word out of your damn face-gash be an insult to other people and their livelihood why don't you...).

"Would it be alright then, if we were to just do a simple sensory reading?" She smooths the conversation over, offers up her hand palm up and bits of jewelry dangles off her knuckles. Nervously, in a permissive gesture do you place you're hand in hers-- her skin is unusually cold for a human, you note --and she spreads out your fingers and drags the clawtip of her ring over your skin, meticulously inspecting. In a way, you'd say it's like your hand being groped and fondled-- and that you're also not sure if you're super opposed to it with the way she's going about it.

(You get a weird feeling that you just can't place, and the nerves in your hand seem to feel electrified. It's like...deja vu except not, though you'd add it up to feeling this huge amount of suspenseful anxiety.)

She smiles again, except it's not very sharp and alert like before, as if she's gone hazy, "Let's see if I can manage to not be cryptic and vague, shall we?"

You feel like you're being swallowed in by...by somethinghuge, the longer you look at her. You think you start seeing shapes, too. Has it become dark? You don't know, you're too transfixed on her, your hand, and the flaring sun shapes dancing in your vision.

"Tell me your name, please."

It's like a command, and you answer without thinking, "Karkat Vantas."

"Hello Karkat. Let me See you, please..."

You feel...still. Stagnant. Bare, visibly vulnerable. Like you've been stripped of all defenses, of armor and clothes and all your weakness is exposed for the world (or at least for her) to see.

"...Mm, there is a muchness to you, Karkat. I'm going to tell you some things about yourself, things that you might have already known, things you do not yet know, and some things you do not quite understand now, but will come to perceive and better grasp more fully at a later time. What you know now is...," an inhale, then she continues, "The greatest treasure you have ever known and will ever know, are the fated bonds of others which are tied to you. Protect them well." A flash of that brilliant red string is behind her, but disappears just as quickly.

Another breath, "Things that you have lost will soon be returned. But not without a price," breathe in, out, "There is someone who has their eye on you right now. Though most people who tend to cross paths with you develop some admiration or fondness for you...Certain questions you have asked might have already been presented with an answer, but they may not be in the form you expected..."

There's a weird rush, and suddenly everything is back where it's supposed to be. The alley, the stand, the street behind you, the people on the street, as if nothing...happened.

"Ah, thank you so much for your time. I hope what you've learned will be at least somewhat helpful in the future. Oh...," She stops, gives you a really thoughtful look, releasing your hand, which slowly drops to your side, "Fate isn't ever set in stone, Karkat. The choices we ourselves make put us on our own path, a path which may have many different outlets shooting off itself. What I've told you are things that are current, and things that may come to pass should you keep on your current path. Truthfully, I hope the information I've given will be of use to you, vague and cryptic as it is."

You kind of nod you're head like an idiot, quietly thank her and turn to leave.

Then she grabs your hand, much too tight to be natural and you yelp a little from shock of pain, her metal talons digging into your flesh, bright blood beading on your skin. Her eyes, wide and glazed over, seem to glow just the slightest. The next words to fall from her dark lips are terrifying.

"You are as an angel; Beware of those who collect feathers. Awaken."

 It's downright scary, even scarier is that within the same moment, it's like she didn't move at all and she's still seated behind her table. Her hands are folded neatly on top and yours are safe and untouched at your side, not a trace of blood to be found.

"Come see me again. If you feel like you need it," She raises one hand to wave at you, a slow gesture. You finally recollect yourself and make a brisk turn.

★♋★

Once you feel far enough away from the witch's stall (witches are real, you are going to believe that for a very long time), you feel like you can finally stop to breathe. It just so happens that you stopped in front of the overly flashy fortune house. A chill crawls up and down your spine, and you shudder, your thoughts going back to her, wondering at the same time if it was a magician's trick or you really did get genjutsu'dmagicked into hallucination (you are never going through Sollux's DVD collections EVER AGAIN).

Looking more closely at the building, it's not really...that bad? You mean, yeah it's still disgustingly bright and garish, the color scheme is an absolute eyesore, but maybe it's got it's own charms? You wouldn't have a fucking clue as to what they would be, but it's gotta, right?

Or maybe just forget about it, because you have better things to do, like go home and do...homework...yeah. In any case, you have better things to do, and you don't really believe in this kind of stuff anyway (lies, says the fresh memory of the witch girl, sitting in your head like a shadow). Intentionally ignoring the building, you take up a hasty pace, wanting nothing more than to--

"--unmph!?"

"Ow--!?...oh."

You right yourself, about to apologize until you get a good look at who you bumped into.

"You again!?"

"It's you, Nubs."

"Again with 'Nubs'? Can't you think of a better insult?" 

"Well I'd use 'Shouwty', but that doesn't really have to same feel to it, y'know? So 'Nubs' won out, congratulations."

"Ha! Well then, looks like I'll stick with douche-canoe then," To be honest, not the best insulting name, but you didn't think you'd run into this shaded asshole anytime soon to really come up with one.

"Nice. Bit of advice, loosen up or you're gonna have the worst romantic luck. Your heart forecast is looking pretty bleak, man, I gotta say it's not good."

How....How dare he. You'd sooner see the witch girl about romance than get advice from this loser, "Oh wow, thanks. Nobody asked."

"Ooh, what burn. Later Nubs," He goes around you, not paying attention and stuffing his hands in his pockets, completely ignoring you.

"Hmph, rude jerk-ass," Two can play that game, you turn back to your intended direction and make for home.

.

✮☆★♋★☆✮

.

While you are very much sorry in demanding that she not follow you, you hope that you can figure out some way to fix it, no doubt in your mind that Nepeta is seething mad. Left unchecked, or in your case unmended, she'll brood over until even she cannot withhold her own fury, then you'll be finding yourself in a much deeper hole than now. You are only just lucky that Vantas didn't catch sight of you, though you don't hope for it to stay that way, luck's never been something that likes to stick to you for so long. But you'd like to know at least, if it will long enough to know that you and your moirail aren't a fickle couple.

The queue shortens rather quickly, and you realize that most of the people are called up in groups. When it's your turn, you're pointed to an individual room and sat down in front of a supposed 'seer' of fortune. The room is shaded, with some kind of incense smoking up the rather secluded room. It's a bit stifling, with thickened air and some apprehensive sliver in your head and your gut. They have you pick out nine cards, keep them face down, and does whatever false magic it is they use to make all the cards flip over.

"Now, look into my eyes, please."

You do, but that's about all that you remember.