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bakerstreet2020-02-07 06:18 pm
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Entry tags:
it's all in the cards...
THE TAROT MEME

This meme is pretty basic. You post in, put any specifics you'd like (or not like) in your header and entry, ???, and RP. For the prompts, however, you've got two methods for ideas.
1. LUCK OF THE DRAW! Click here to get a randomly chosen card and use it to prompt your scenario. Utilize the picture, the person in it, the colors: anything you like.
OR
2. CHOOSE YOUR PROMPT! from the list of Major Arcana:
00. The Fool - the beginning of a relationship; one character helping another to avoid a mistake they didn't notice; a character starting a new journey
01. The Magician - a character takes action; a character is putting on a performance for another
02. The High Priestess - characters met in a dream; a character is trusting their intuition and how does the other one feel about that? one character goes to another for guidance
03. The Empress - one character playing mom-friend to another; a character is pregnant
04. The Emperor - one character is playing dad-friend to another; a character is taking charge, one character is being overbearing, a character is trying to get a handle on their life
05. The Hierophant - one character is questioning the status quo; one character is questioning their values; one character is coming to another as someone who knows their business
06. The Lovers - two characters decide to get together, two characters make a choice together, two characters make choices to keep their relationship
07. The Chariot - a character is going on a trip; a character is triumphant; a character wants to GET GOING on something; a character is impatient or headstrong;
08. Strength - a character has to reach into a well of inner strength; a character has to find a work smarter instead of harder; a character has to find a way to deal with their inner conflicts
09. The Hermit - a character has been going off on their own a lot lately; a character has been feeling lonely; a character is doing something on their own and it may be a good idea but it may not
10. The Wheel of Fortune - fate has just thrown the character(s) for a loop; what goes around comes around
11. Justice - a character is facing legal trouble; a character has broken the law and has to deal with the consequences; a character is seeking justice for someone else
12. The Hanged Man - a character is going through a period of self-chosen change; a character is going through a period of reflection; a character knowingly sacrifices themselves for another character willingly
13. Death - character death; a character goes through a painful transition
14. Temperance - characters have to work together to get what they need to be done; character needs to learn moderation; a character needs to chill the hell out
15. The Devil - one character has a hold over the other; one character is bad for the other but they just can't let go; one character is hoarding something/someone even though they know they shouldn't
16. The Tower - a character has a catastrophic change in their life; a character makes a world-shattering decision; a character's whole world came tumbling down so what now?
17. The Star - a character gets their wish; a character gives another hope; a character leads another through the darkness
18. The Moon - a character is deceiving another character; a character is deceiving themselves; a character's mind is clouded; a character is going slowly mad
19. The Sun - a character is feeling GREAT; a character is here to brighten another character's day; a character is revitalized after a period of slump
20. Judgment - a reckoning is at hand for a character; a reckoning is at hand between characters; a character is transitioning from one thing into another
21. The World - a character finds that they've found their place; a character gets some peace and now wonders what's coming next
no subject
Couple of days. That better be all. [ Her existing anxiety means the tone comes off just as irritated as she hoped. Who needs acting skills? ] You know I hate public transport.
[ Goddess, they sound like a couple. With a wry smile, she rests her head against Evie's in return, although her own eyes stay open, watchful. Running away's definitely not all it's cracked up to be, that's for sure. Zero out of ten; would not recommend. They're both anxious, exhausted, stressed beyond all belief... If Evie can get any rest right now, Nico certainly wouldn't blame her. ]
You can rest if you want; I'll wake you up when we get closer. [ Her tone is low, a hint of affection in the edges. ]
no subject
I know. But, it won't be that bad.
[She gives Nico's hand another squeeze, patting the top of it with her free hand. She feels the weight of Nico's head on her own, and her smile widens just a bit. She's always been one of the more openly affectionate members of their group.]
You sure?
[It would be nice to just rest, even for a few minutes. The hum of the engine and the slow rattling pace of the bus are surprisingly soothing. With Nico beside her, watching their backs, she feels safe enough to keep her eyes closed.]
Just a few minutes. Poke me if I snore.
[She shifts just a little in the seat, so she's a bit more comfortable and her purse is more securely in her lap.]
no subject
[ Nico, on the other hand, is definitely not the touchy-feely type. Holding hands is one thing, but... Honestly, under any other circumstance, she'd probably shrug Evie's head right off her shoulder rather than lean back into her. But right now, they need one another more than ever. And with the help Evie has given to her, it's the least she can do to offer her any small comfort in return. ]
Close your eyes, okay?
[ For now, Nico will sit back in the seat, her eyes careful and watchful, making sure to keep both Evie and herself safe until they arrive at their destination. She doesn't know the exact stop name, but she knows how much time is meant to pass, at least.
And so, about 20 minutes later, the bus now much emptier than it was before, Nico nudges Evie lightly with her arm. ]
Hey, sleepy. I think we're almost there.
no subject
Sorry. Didn't mean to actually pass out like that.
[She lifts a hand to smooth down her hair, then realizes that the Staff gave her a ponytail, so there's nothing to smooth. Instead, she stretches her arm above her head, trying to help herself wake up.]
I take it the world didn't end on the ride over here?
[Now that the bus is much less crowded, she slides her mirror carefully out of her purse, holding it like a phone. First, she checks the bus stops. Then, she asks about her mother, who is still thankfully out at city hall.]
Our stop is the one after this.
[Said quietly as she tucks her mirror away. Now that she's closer to her mom's house, she starts feeling the nerves return.]
Think you can make sure the cameras don't notice us when we get there?
no subject
[ Her tone sounds abrupt, perhaps, but the warmth is in the shake of her head, the small smile she offers to Evie to assure her that it's okay. (She even means it, which is more than she could offer some of their fellow runaways.) She gets it - with how much time they've been spending looking over their shoulders of late, the chance for a good rest is something they can't take lightly. ]
The world's still going strong.
[ Even though the bus is emptier, Nico's eyes are watchful, searching over those who do ride alongside them just to make sure no one spies what Evie is doing. They can't afford the questions. Not when they're so close to being where they need to get.
In response to her friend's question, the witch nods, grip tightening around the Staff, her free hand still never having left it. ]
Yeah, I can handle that.
[ She hopes she sounds more confident than she feels. Already she's racing through words in her mind, trying to make sure there's something she can say that she hasn't used already. (And maybe wishing just a little bit that she'd had more time to actually learn how to work the damned thing other than just going on instinct alone.
Maybe a power outage. That would take care of any electronic locks, too... ]
no subject
[The fact that their parents haven't destroyed the world, trapping them on public transportation for eternity is actually comforting. As is the fact that Nico keeps such a sharp lookout without acting like she's doing it.
She nods at Nico's words. She trusts Nico's abilities - she just doesn't like having to rely on magic for so much. Something's going to backfire eventually, or the Staff might have only so much juice in it before it's done. She has no idea.
The bus eventually pulls up to their stop, and as it slows, Evie stands, waiting for Nico to let her out of the seat before she strides up the aisle and hops off the bus. Their good luck seems to be holding; no one else got off at their stop, so they don't have to try and walk a different way, or double back, or anything that would definitely look suspicious in this part of town. The streets are familiar, well-kept, with large houses surrounded by manicured lawns. Her mother's isn't too far - she can see the apple trees that her mother loves so much just up the hill.]
Ready?
no subject
Ready.
[ No one else off the bus, the road itself quiet - safe enough. Nico pulls the Staff from her purse, keeping it held in such a way that its appearance is mostly shielded from the view of anyone who might drive by. She tilts her head up at the property as they begin their ascent of the hill.
Now just to work out how to get a power outage to stick... ]
I'm gonna need somewhere to cast the spell. Somewhere on your mom's land, but where the cameras can't see. Any ideas?
no subject
The apple trees. There's a spot on the far edge of the copse that mom can't get an angle on, because they're so full. And the neighbor on that side won't let her install a camera on his property. This way.
[She walks past the house, resisting the urge to glance at it. The cameras won't activate unless she steps onto the property, so she keeps to the sidewalk, hoping Nico does the same. When she gets to those stupid - okay, not so stupid right now - apple trees, she counts her steps, then turns and leaves the sidewalk, moving with small steps now to stand in the shadow of the outermost tree in the little grove.]
Here. Most any camera will catch here is a shadow, and that could be a curious kid or a dog that slipped the leash. We aren't close enough for the motion sensors or the microphones to catch, if we stay quiet til you can take it down.
[She has to resist the urge to bounce. Much as she's scared of her mom at the moment, the idea of being home, even if it's just for a few minutes, is comforting. She wants to go and curl up on her bed and have a good cry. She'll resist doing it, but the urge is there.
She reaches into her purse and pulls out a pair of gloves - not her usual fingerless gloves, but a pair of cheap cotton ones she'd found at a thrift store when they went scrounging a week or so back. No fingerprints this way. She glances at Nico, and wonders what spell she's going to use.]
no subject
As she listens to Evie's instructions, she nods, observing the other girl quietly. Nico may be terrible at talking about her feelings, but she's usually pretty good at seeing them on other people, and she can tell that her friend's entire mood has shifted since stepping onto her property. She offers her a small smile, hoping she can ease whatever anxiousness is there. They're going to be fine. They have to believe that.
Nico's thumb presses into the Staff, a brief wince crossing her features as it uses her DNA to activate. Okay. She can do this. ]
Blackout.
[ Hmm. Realization crosses her face, and she looks at Evie helplessly. ]
So, uh... we have no way of knowing if that worked from here. I mean, I'm sure it's fine-- [ the Staff has done any number of amazing things on this day alone, not even counting the other days before this ] --but is there some way we can check? Without putting ourselves in danger?
no subject
She tosses the branch, making sure it goes close enough that the camera would react if it were on. Nothing. No blinking light, no movement. One more test. She grabs a rock from the ground and tosses it as hard as she can, hitting the bottom step of the porch. Again, nothing. The camera doesn't move, and for a stone, she knows it would. She's gotten in trouble for that before.]
I think we're good. Let's go.
[She still has a key to the house, assuming her mom hasn't changed the locks. Please, don't have changed the locks. She sticks to the trees until they open up onto the lawn, and then she tromps through the grass, approaching the house so they end up at the side door rather than the front. Her eyes dart around, but every camera she knows is dark.
She pulls out her key and slides it into the deadbolt lock. It turns! She can't help the smile that crosses her face. Same with the doorknob. She pulls the side door open, letting them into the kitchen, and is careful to shut and lock the door again once they're inside. She looks at the alarm box, and the screen is dead. A flick of the light switches does nothing.]
You did it!
[She turns to Nico, giving her a tight, brief hug.]
Do you want to start in my mom's office, and I'll check her room?
no subject
She doesn't even really realize that she's holding her breath until her friend's arms are around her following that exclamation, and she lets it out in an audible whoosh. There's relief there, but it's still controlled by a careful level of caution, and she offers Evie a nod as they separate again. ]
We'll need to be quick. I don't know what the spell did exactly, so I'm not sure how long we have.
[ It's been a while, but she remembers the way to the office. She lets herself in - and when she spots the black-screened computer sitting on the desk, she sighs, suddenly realizing the problem with her spell. Most of the information is bound to be on the computer, right? And probably hidden behind password walls at that, if she could even get it on. Fuck. Alex would be really useful right now.
She tries looking around other parts of the room - filing cabinets, drawers, bookshelves - but she's brought back time and time again to the computer.
Nico sighs, and grabs her phone. ]
Keep out of sight for a sec. Not sure if this will work.
[ Staff pointed right at the computer, she closes her eyes. This better fucking work... ] Battery pack.
[ When her eyes open again, the computer is on, and loading. She flicks the light switch - still nothing.
Thank fuck. ]
We're okay. Sorry for the scare.
no subject
The first thing she does is head for her mom's dresser, and opens the drawer she knows has a false bottom. She grabs the cash that's there, and replaces the contents as well as she can. There are a few other hiding places around the room, and in the closet, and she cleans those out as well. Mom was very particular about stashes of emergency cash, and Evie knows where each one is hidden.
She also looks for anything that might be helpful for them in incriminating the Pride, but comes up short on that. She's in the hall, on the way to her own room, when she gets Nico's first text. Closest door is the bathroom, the one place she knows there are no cameras or security monitors, so she ducks inside and shuts the door. Bathroom has a hiding place, too, so while she's there, she moves as quietly as she can, grabbing the cash from behind the pipes in the vanity. Her hand brushes something else, and she grabs it as well. A necklace of some kind, but one she hasn't seen her mom wear before. Might be important, might not, so she stuffs it in her purse with the cash.
Second text comes through, and she sighs, heading back to the hall and down to her bedroom.]
What was that?
no subject
I figure most of the Pride shit's gonna be on the computer, so I needed to juice it.
Any idea on her password?
[ Nico doesn't want to risk locking herself out of the computer, so while she waits, she commits to a deeper search of other parts of the room. Of course, she doesn't have anywhere near the amount of knowledge that Evie does, but she manages to uncover a couple of stacks of cash all by herself, along with a few other small valuables that she figures they can probably pawn off to get even more.
And what about the bookshelf? On the run, there are a lot of evenings spent in complete boredom... perhaps Nico can find them something half decent to read. ]
no subject
Gotcha. Shit, password.
[What would her mom likely use as a password? Something literary, most likely. Mom loved books and plays. Wait. Wait, wait....]
Try 12AngryMen
It's one of her favorite plays
[She turns back to her dresser, hitting up the hiding spots she knows her mom has put there for her own stash. Then, she heads back to the bathroom to grab a couple of unopened toothbrushes and some toothpaste, along with other toiletry items she can fit in the backpack. She's grabbed an extra empty backpack as well, and as she passes the office on her way to the living room, she tosses it inside.]
Fill it with whatever you think we might need. I'm going to check the front rooms.
no subject
She stops browsing the bookshelf and goes back to the computer to key it in, breathing a sigh of relief when it actually works - the last thing she wanted to have to do was spend another spell on it if they locked themselves out, so first attempt is lucky and a blessing. ]
You're a genius.
[ That's the last thing she says for a few moments, focusing instead on the computer. There's a few folders that look promising, and so she swipes a thumb drive from the desk and copies them over. They'll have time to look at it later.
She's intent enough on the computer that she actually jumps when the backpack flies in through the door. She shoots Evie a Look, but the other girl is already moving, and Nico can't help but laugh. ]
Way to give me a freakin' heart attack... [ It's not yelled, but definitely said loud enough that the other will hear. Still, she's smiling as she grabs the bag and puts the cash and valuables in, the thumb drive following shortly after once the files have copied. Then she goes back to the bookshelf, frowning over the various volumes. ]
Is there anything good to read in here?
no subject
Depends what you consider good.
[Then, she turns back to the task at hand. And freezes. There's a car in the driveway, and it's not her mom's. Black, unmarked, no license plate. She backs away slowly, her eyes darting from window to window, before she turns and dashes back to the office. Don't panic, don't panic.]
Car. Outside. What do we do?
no subject
There's no time to think of a proper spell. Nico grabs Evie and tugs her into the office, pointing the Staff at the doors. ] Locked in.
[ And now they are, the doors swinging shut and staying that way, even when Nico tries to tug them back open.
Maybe it wasn't exactly the smartest move, but it will give her time to think of something better to get them out of here. And in the meantime... ]
Can you get eyes on them, Evie?
[ If they're lucky, whoever it is won't even try to get into the office.
(Privately, Nico thinks they may have already exhausted their luck for today.) ]
no subject
On it.
[She has to dig under the cash to find her mirror, but she pulls it out at last and looks down.]
Magic mirror in my hand, show me the new intruders on my mother's land.
[The image starts with the car, its black-tinted windows and lack of license plate, then pans to a pair of men in suits standing at the front door. The doorbell rings at the same time, and she startles, almost dropping the mirror in the process.
Then, the image moves again, to another pair of suits at the side door at the kitchen, peering through the window. And another, pair, checking each of the windows, and getting closer to the office.
She pulls Nico toward the closet, yanks the door, and pulls them both inside. Yes, the blinds are down, but they're only partially shuttered. She's fairly certain the suits will try to peer through and see as much as they can.]
I have no idea who these guys are. I don't like it.
[In the dark, cramped space of the closet, it's a lot easier to let the fear slide into her voice. The panic at the unknown. She wants to run, but can't, and she can feel her heart pounding, urging her to move.]
Maybe they'll just go away if they see there's nothing wrong with the house.
no subject
Yeah. They're probably just here because the power went out. [ She tries to keep her voice steady. She's not really convinced that she does a good job of it, but she tries. ]
They won't be able to get into the office. ...But we should be ready, just in case. [ There has to be something... ]
Does your mom have any hidden rooms that they wouldn't know about? You know, like in Alex's house?
[ It's a long shot, really. But it's better than nothing. She thinks. She prays. ]
no subject
Probably. Cameras all cutting out like that all at once? It's likely the guys that monitor all of that, looking for the cause before they call my mom.
[Stupid, stupid Evie. This was why her mom hadn't let her get a dog as a "fail safe" - anything strange with the cameras, and suddenly the Men in Black show up. Think. Think.]
Will they be able to turn the cameras back on even with your magic? Or is there something else that could help us get out of here without being seen?
[She shakes her head at the mention of a hidden room. Of all the precautions her mother had taken, a safe room hadn't been one of them. Something about being trapped in a box with no windows had freaked her out, and Evie couldn't blame her. Being stuck in the closet like this was bad enough.]
If there's anything, I don't know about it, so it doesn't matter either way.
no subject
Really, the only thing she can do now is try to think of another way to get them out. And with the amount of disguise and camouflage spells she's already burned on them...
An idea sparks at the back of her mind, and she turns to face Evie, a frown on her features. ]
I've got an idea. It's a long shot, though. Even if it works, we're gonna need to get out of here fast.
[ And if it doesn't? They may need to fight. But she doesn't say that, instead just gripping her Staff in one white-knuckled hand. Unless Evie has an objection, or an idea... well, this is the best one she's got. ]
no subject
Even if they do just leave, though, the camera situation will be an issue. They won't be able to get out of the house without being seen if the cameras get turned back on, and even with the illusion spells.... Her mom's not stupid. She'll realize who broke in, and have photos of their current disguises to plaster all over the media. Doubly exposed.
She looks up to see Nico frowning, and her heart starts pounding. She's pretty sure whatever Nico's going to say, she won't like it.]
What are you thinking? Tell me before you use the Staff. We have enough time for that.
[She has no clue if that last statement is the truth or not. She could look at the mirror, but if they're going to have to make a run, she can't afford to lose it. So, she tucks it into her purse, which is still cross-body around her, pinned by one of the backpacks.]
no subject
She's not good in groups. Never has been.
Knowing all of this doesn't make it easy to stop, though. When Evie asks, she might catch just a hint of irritation in the way Nico looks at her in response. Just for a moment before the other breathes out, forcing herself to stay calm. Evie has every right to know what she's planning. ]
I can send them away. [ No time to explain why them, not us. She can only hope Evie understands. ] I don't know how far they'll go, but it should [ --she hopes-- ] give us time to get out of here before they can get the cameras on.
no subject
We grab our bags, head out the kitchen door. If you think we'll have any time for it, we can raid the pantry. If not, we've got enough cash to keep us fed for a while. I need to lock the door once we're out, leave the exterior the way we found it. That will buy us more time in terms of my mom.
[She nods, shifting to get ready to move at Nico's word.]
Do it.
no subject
[ That's the last thing she says before she focuses her intent on the suits surrounding them. Hope this works. Where the spell goes is more important than ever before. Adrenaline has her hands trembling as they hold the Staff up. ]
Get lost.
[ She feels the wave of magic emerge from the Staff, but just like before she has no idea if it actually worked. Tucking it back into her bag, she looks across to Evie, hoping that she can use the mirror to confirm. ]
Coast clear?
[ In the meantime, she lifts as many of the bags as she can, ready to run as soon as they have the confirmation that they need. ]
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