The night is long, and the fire only has so much fuel. As the flames burn down into hot coals, the orange-red firelight fades into silvery moonlight.

Did something move, out in the darkness?

Looks like it.

The elder brother notices, but doesn't freak out just yet. It might be another raccoon, looking for food. Sorry, raccoon. No food to be found here.

That is too large and has too many limbs to be a raccoon.

.... Now he can freak out a little.

He nudges his sister awake.

"Company. Don't know what. Large animal maybe."

The sister startles awake.

".... Okay. What do we do?"

"Wait and see for now," he murmurs back.

The creature has six limbs - two legs, four arms. It has fingers, but they are inhumanly long, with five joints each. It walks with a hunch, two hands on the ground, two stretched out in front of it for balance. Each step it takes creaks like an old house settling.

The wind carries a dead-flower stench over the fire's ashes.

"New plan. Run."

"Agreed."

They attempt to flee!

Yvette can't get up.

There is a creature sitting on her stomach. It has been sitting on her for the past half-hour. How could she have ignored this horrible dead-flower smell?

The creature on Yvette's stomach reaches out lazily and snags Blair's heel with its inhuman reach, tripping him into the snow. The remaining creature steps onto his back, pinning him there.

Squeak.

Yvette goes very very still.

And her brother splutters through snow, growls a bit, and then takes a deep breath and speaks.

"If you're here for our wallets you are in for a hell of a disappointment."

The creature on top of Blair smiles with its eyes, since it has no mouth. It shoves a hand of five battered tarot cards in front of his face.

"Choose."

Yvette's own creature produces an identical set of cards.

"Choose."

Yvette is in a better position to see the tarot cards and reply.

"Um, why?"

"Because if you do not, we will choose for you."

It smiles with its eyes, gnarled fingers digging into her shoulders.

"What does choosing do, why must one of these be chosen?"

"And is 'none of the above' an option?"

The creature sitting on Yvette shrugs. "You will choose a new life. It is the Law."

The creature kneeling on Blair's back smiles with its eyes. "No."

"Law according to what, and are each of these cards a, a new available life option?"

"And why are you answering our questions?"

The creature on Yvette's belly rolls its shoulders.

"Irrelevant. Each card is a new life."

The second creature hisses.

"... Because of the Law."

"How much does the Law require you tell us?"

The creatures share a look.

It looks like "Oh no, not this again."

"... The Law is binding. For the Choice, we must truly answer all. Still, time is winding. We will punish if you stall."

"How much time do we have?!"

"Does choosing the same card mean we end up together? What does each card's life involve?"

Yvette's creature lets out a rattling breath.

"Until you run out of good questions to ask."

The other creature digs its ragged toenails into Blair's back.

"No. Each is given something: something is taken from each in return. All will take place elsewhere."

Blair hisses a bit at the toenails, but doesn't otherwise let himself be distracted.

"Can we find each other after, in - the elsewhere place?"

"What does that one," she points at one of the tarot cards, "give and take?"

"Yes."

Yvette's creature looks at the card, which depicts a man tied to a tree by his foot.

"The Hanged Man. Stasis. Gives everlasting youth. Takes the chance to grow old."

"Is that it, is there more to it, does the youth start at exactly the age we're at now because that's not a bad deal."

"Do some of the cards offer us an easier ability to find each other?"

The creature atop Yvette rolls its cataract-filled eyes.

"No. Yes. No."

The creature on Blair's back growls.

"Yes."

"What are you leaving out about the Hanged Man card!"

"Which card or cards would help us with finding one another?"

Yvette's creature chuckles. "The majority of it."

The creature atop Blair seems to consider for a moment, then taps each card in turn.

"Hanged Man. Hermit. Fool. Empress. Chariot. All cards can be turned to this end."

"That much is clear. Fuck you. At what age does the Hanged Man stop us at?"

"How could I use the Hanged Man to find my sister?"

"An age from seven to eighteen."

Blair's shadow absently begins to crack all one hundred and twenty of its knuckles in sequence.

"It can grant the ability to walk outside one's body, to be whereever one has been within the City, to fly, and to see one's own past and fate. It will grant you allies who could search for your sister."

"And how likely is it to end up between the ages of fifteen to eighteen?"

Blair ignores the knuckle cracking.

"'Could.' That's an interesting word. Would the allies want to?"

"It depends on what questions you ask."

Blair's creature shrugs.

"Can you convince them?"

"What is the most likely age to end up as if I were to choose the Hanged Man card!"

That sounded more like a yelled demand than a question, but it is certainly worded like one.

"Right. The most literal question answerers of all time. Joy. Okay - new card, Empress, explain it."

"Though I am required to, I cannot answer that question."

The creature on Blair's back perks up a little.

"Empress. Gives magic. Takes safety."

"Right, Hanged Man, will probably turn us into eight year olds, thanks a bunch. And I bet there's no way to reverse it, because that's the kind of fuckers you are."

"What kind of magic does it give, how does it take away safety?"

"Not a question. Stalling."

The creature shifts position, changing which set of hands it's pinning Blair down with.

"It can give many kinds. Always will require mana. Always will give familiar. Always will grant transformation. If you choose this card, we will come for you again. We will mean to kill you."

"Nnnnrgh explain a new fucking card."

"If I take the Empress card, will I be able to kill you right back?"

Yvette's creature smiles, and reaches down to touch the cards. "Not a question."

Blair's creature scowls.
"Yes. But we are many, and you will have to fight us forever. We are exceedingly likely to win in the end."

"WILL YOU EXPLAIN THE CHARIOT CARD?!!!"

"Good to know. What is mana? What is a familiar? What do you mean by granting a transformation?"

Yvette's creature pauses with its hand on the cards. It breathes out a sigh: it smells like rotting eggs. "If you force me to, yes."

Blair's creature blinks, slowly.

"Mana is what sustains your new body. It is expended by casting spells, and regained by killing Shadows. Your familiar is a small creature that you have control of. It contains your soul. If you combine your new body with your familiar, you will transform into a supernaturally powerful state."

"What! Does! The! Chariot! Card! Grant!"

"Temper."

Huff.

"And how can I use the Chariot card to find my brother."

"Better. What does having my soul in a small creature mean? Does something bad happen to me if something, not going to name names here," he is looking directly at the creature on Yvette with a look of disdain, "were to kill it?"

"The Chariot gives to the Body and takes from the Mind. It may enhance your vision to be effective over twice the distance as before."

Blair's creature huffs, as if the answer to the question is obvious. "You will be dependent on your familiar's presence to act upon the world. If your soul is destroyed, you will die."

"Fuck that. What does the - the - that one grant." She points at a card that hasn't yet been chosen.

"Right. Okay. Do I get to choose what form my special soul-bearing animal friend takes?"

"The Fool. Gives Fate. Takes from Identity."

The second creature keeps a perfect poker face.

"Yes."

"What do you mean by gives Fate, how does it take from Identity?"

"... How do I do that? Just tell you 'I would like my special soul-bearing animal friend to be a bird'?"

Yvette's shadow smiles.

"You will be given a close circle of four friends. All will be loyal and trustworthy. You will have an extraordinary life in the new world, with more paramours than you know how to count. You will do these things as a man."

Blair's shadow sighs.

"Yes."

... Yvette shudders a little, at 'more paramours than you know how to count.' By what mechanism does it -?

No, focus, questions.

"And what does the last card grant, and what is its price?"

"What is the animal you would have the single largest amount of trouble killing, if piloted by an intelligent individual?"

"The last card gives to the Mind, and takes from the Heart."

Blair's shadow smiles with its eyes, and grabs his hair to deliver its answer directly into his face.

"I am not required to answer that question."

"Hows does it give to the Mind, and how does it take from the Heart?"

Blair growls at the shadow grabbing his hair, but he composes himself quickly enough.

"Can I specify things like this with the other cards, too?"

Yvette's creature rolls it's shoulders. "It grants better memory, better multitasking, more flexibility. You will learn new skills faster. You will have a new talent for something. It takes your ability to express emotion."

Blair's creature shakes his head back and forth by his hair - then releases him, and growls out a "Yes."

"How complete is the inability to express emotion? Would I be incapable of feeling it?"

Growl.

"What things could be specified for the card my sister's currently asking about?"

"Exactingly. No."

...Blair's shadow appears to be fighting a compulsion to speak. It swallows, hard. Once, twice. Then the words spill from it like a fountain.

"The body type, strengths and weaknesses of their new body. Lifespan, as associated with the strength of their body's aura. The manifestation of her aura's power. The talent that she will gain. The ways that her aura will be etched, and the techniques of its use that she will know."

Jackpot.

"What is aura, what does it mean to manifest, what does the etching of mana mean, what techniques are possible, what talents are there -"

"What things could be specified for the Hanged Man card?" Since it is the only other one besides Empress and whatever-the-emotionless-one-is that doesn't make her want to screech and claw her eyes out.

The two shadows both begin speaking quite quickly, talking over each other.

Yvette's says: "The body type, strengths and weaknesses of your new body. When your body will stop aging. The reputation of your family. Your demonic heritage. Your bodyguard. The supernatural strengths of your demonic body, and the tomes of forbidden knowledge that will come into your possession."

Blair's says:
"Aura is the expression of a powerful soul. Manifesting aura is using it to act upon the world. Mana cannot be etched. There are fifteen possible aura techniques: Bolt, Burst, Resilience, Clothing, Spikes, Sphere, Beam, Lash, Naginata, Breath, Form, Collapse, Fade, Mask, Clone. There are seven possible areas of talent: Dance, Vocals, Instrument, Gymnastics, Acting, Scholarship, and Programming."

Hooooly shit.

"Can I specify what to give me if I register as stalling to you, to prevent you from choosing for me, but without actually choosing?"

"Explain the aura techniques?" asks Blair, sugary sweet.

"... Yes."

Yvette's shadow seems rather put out by this.

Blair's shadow sighs. "That's not technically a question, but you are annoying enough to rephrase it properly."

It takes a deep breath.

"Bolt. Project bolts of spirit energy. Burst. Make your aura explode, destroying the area around you while leaving you unharmed. Can be combined with Bolt to make the bolts explode. Resilience. Increases how often you can draw upon your aura. Clothing. Allows you to form your aura into any set of mundane clothes. Spikes. Allows you to form a shell or wall of aura spikes within your arms' reach. Sphere. Create a protective sphere of spirit energy. Can be combined with Burst to produce a blast of energy when struck. Beam. Maintains a continuous beam of spirit energy for ten seconds. With burst, can once again cause explosions where it impacts objects. Lash and Naginata summon weapons of the appropriate type, formed of your spirit energy. Breath. Allows you to go without breathing and ignore the effects of pressure and radiation. Form. With tremendous effort, separate your spirit from your physical body and act with supernatural strength. Collapse. If you should die, your aura will destroy everything within ninety-six feet. Fade. Temporary invisibility. Mask. Disguise your physical features. Clone. Temporarily duplicate yourself. With burst, yet more explosions."

Blair's creature looks a bit winded after that little list.

"Excellent, thank you very much. Now could you just do that for aura etching, too?"

"If and only if I register as stalling -" she pauses briefly to consider. Anything to get away from the one that fucks with her mind and the one that fucks with other people's minds - "Empress card, a, a, raven as my special animal buddy. Got that?"

Yvette's shadow nods. "Yes."

Blair's shadow sighs again.

"There are fifteen again. I will list them.
First, the ability to levitate as a physical effort, as fast or slow as you can run or walk.
Second, the ability to teleport twelve feet, once per minute.
Third, perfect grace and elegance, and the ability to fall any height and be uninjured.
Fourth, supernaturally enhanced hearing.
Fifth, a supernaturally enhanced sense of smell.
Sixth, inhuman flexibility.
Seventh, speed-reading at full comprehension.
Eighth, perfect knowledge of one scientific theory.
Ninth, natural parkour skill and the ability to adhere your hands and feet to surfaces at will.
Tenth, resistance to heat or cold or electricity.
Eleventh, a mind safe from all intrusion.
Twelfth, general magical resistance.
Thirteenth, your aura is naturally hidden and impossible to read.
Fourteenth, you can detect and read others' auras.
Fifteenth, you can completely disable your fear response at will."

"Okay, good. Now. What does demonic heritage mean, and how would it affect me if I were to choose the Hanged Man card?"

"What things can I customize about the Empress card?"

Is he fucking with them now? He's probably fucking with them now.

(He is actually getting valuable intelligence. Fucking with them is just a bonus.)

Yvette's creature responds:
"In the new world, you will have been born a part-demon. The powers of your demonic bloodline. The tells that mark you as other than human. In one case, your maximum apparent age. It is intertwined significantly with the other options available to you."

Blair's seems to have consigned itself to listing things forever.

"The magical and physical aptitudes of your new body. The style of your transformation. The Focus, Element and Signature of your magic."

"What do you mean by 'will have been born,' and what demonic bloodline powers are available?"

"What magical aptitudes are available?"

Yes. Yes it has been. He's not even a little sorry.

Yvette's shadow lists the requested items.

"Exactly what it sounds like. There are four demonic bloodlines: Umber, Grathas, Annique, and Blood."

Blair's shadow grits its teeth in its lipless mouth. He can hear them grinding against each other.
"Specialization towards offense, defense, regeneration, or mobility. Capture the magical potential of slain enemies, develop your own over time and gain a limited-use, ultra-powerful transformation, or learn a ritual to turn the remains of one of my Masters into a additional magical Element or Signature. Specialization towards magical resistance, physical resistance, or magical power."

Yvette sighs heavily. She hates playing these kinds of games. "Will I - I don't know how to word that question, I'll come back to it, what do the four demonic bloodlines do?"

"What types of mobility specializations are there? Or is it just a blanket term?"

Yvette's shadow smiles, then answers the question. "Umber demons are intelligent and skilled at magic. They are known for pale skin and lavender eyes and hair in their human forms. In their demonic forms, they control six tendrils of dark magic as extensions of their bodies.

Grathas demons are tough and physically powerful. They are known for having golden eyes. In their true forms, they are massive wolf-human abominations.

Annique demons are agile and dextrous. They have metallic hair and eyes, and their skin is faintly silver. They are always in their true form: they are innately immune to electricity, due to the immense charges that they channel through their bodies. They always look noticeably younger than other demonspawn.

Blood demons have no magical aptitude whatsoever, but are more intelligent than any other kind of demon. Their tell is that they have red eyes, which glow if they are under stress. Blood demons have innate telekinetic powers."

Blair's answer is simple: "The body channels spells that have to do with movement more easily."

"Do Umber demons have any major weaknesses, and do the people with their bloodline have major weaknesses?"

"... Right. Okay. I'm going to take a page from my sister's book and say that if I register as stalling, I'll take the Empress card, a peregrine falcon animal buddy, and the specialization of magic snatching from things I kill. What are Elements, Signatures, and the - Focus I think it was?"

Yvette gets a simple "No."

Blair's shadow nods. "Your preferences have been noted. As for Elements, Signatures and Foci - Foci are the broad magical traditions. They are Knight, Caster, Archer, General, and Sentry. Elements are the building blocks of the universe, as manipulable by magic. They are Arcane, Fire, Ice, Shadow, Lightning, Gravity, and Life. Your Signature is a magical aesthetic to your castings."

"Are there negatives to having demonic heritage at all?"

"How do the different types of Foci differentiate from one another? In other words, what do those words mean?"

Yvette's Shadow seems to be getting into the spirit of Twenty Questions. "Yes."

Blair's shadow gives him a "now you've done it" look.

"Foci are differentiated from each other by their school's approach to combat and the ways in which its practitioners channel their magical energy. A knight is a soldier with a high social rank, who traditionally fights on a horse while in armor. A caster is one who casts. A general is a military officer of the highest rank. An archer is one who shoots with a bow and arrow. A sentry is a member of a guard or watch."

"Awesome. What are the negatives to having demonic heritage? Besides age stasis."

"... Yvette, can you get me that blanket, we're going to be here a while and my face is cold," says Blair. He looks at his shadow - the one that is on top of him, not the one made by light being interrupted. "And as for you, what do those words mean in the context of Foci."

... Yvette geeeeently tries to extract the blanket from where it is pinned between her and the shadow. Success?

Yvette's shadow steadfastly leans its weight against the blanket. That isn't going to be moving anytime soon.

"Demonic heritage is associated with high status in the new world. You will be scrutinized closely. The lower classes will fear and distrust you."

Blair's creature rolls its shoulders. "Knights channel their magical strength to offense and mobility, and away from defense. Their power is overwhelming - but only within the reach of their swords. To counter this weakness, they can accelerate their bodies to extreme speeds with mana.

Casters sacrifice prowess in battle for more magical knowledge. The esoteric rituals they learn can enable them to act outside their bodies for a time, or to leave behind weaknesses in the fabric of reality that they can then cast spells through.

Archers focus on striking from afar. Though they are not as strong in direct combat as Knights, their less reckless nature makes them better able to take blows. However, their focus on distance makes them unable to cast upon things that are too close to them. They can create animated copies of their weapons anywhere they can see.

Sentries focus on the defensive arts. Though this weakens their offensive power, they are unparalleled at protecting themselves and their allies. Those who strike the magical shields they generate will experience swift retribution.

Generals focus on the creation of constructs to fight for them. Though they are personally the weakest of the Majokko, they can call the armies of light to their service. "

Yvette frowns, and ceases trying to extract the blanket. "Petty of you," she observes, coldly. "Are that and age stasis the only weaknesses of demonic heritage?"

"I see," says Blair. He considers. "Knight, if I register as stalling. If I get frostbite on my face it won't carry over, right?"

Yvette's creature nods. "Yes."

Blair's creature runs a hand over its head, as if stroking hair it doesn't have. "I understand. And yes, if your bag of easily-bruised flesh is somehow injured, it will be healed when you are placed into the new world."

"... If I repeat a question to remind me of things I might have forgotten, will that count as stalling?"

"And if I fall asleep by accident, what happens?"

... He has yet to sleep at all this night. It might become a factor.

Yvette's shadow smiles. "It is not our responsibility to accommodate your poor memory."

Blair's shrugs. "Then you will stop asking questions, and your time will run out."

"... Great. Okay. ... But I bet I can repeat questions my brother has asked. How could I use the Hanged Man card to find my brother?"

"Can I make a list of questions for you to answer in the event that I happen to fall asleep?" And hope Yvette can kick him awake fast enough?

Yvette's shadow sighs, and recites as if from memory. "It can grant the ability to walk outside one's body, to be whereever one has been within the City, to fly, and to see one's own past and fate. It will grant you allies who could search for your brother."

Blair's shakes its head. "I am not obligated to answer questions for someone who is not listening."

"What is involved with seeing one's own past and fate?"

"Of course not. Okay. ... Yvette, help me out, when you get a chance, get me a list of the Elements again? I'm fuzzy on what they all are." He looks back at the shadow. "What does the Empress's Gravity Element do?"

Yvette nods.

Yvette's shadow clicks its teeth. "You may gain the power to draw cards filled with demon magic from the ether. Using those cards, you can perform readings for those who ask it, which will clearly reveal a single branch of their fate. You may also use these readings to obtain a complete history of that individual."

Blair's shadow explains:
"Gravity mages sacrifice offensive power for significantly greater utility. They are able to fly, suspend enemies helplessly in midair, and deflect missiles and incoming attacks with directed shifts of gravity. Unlike other elements, magical effects and constructs of the Gravity element lack any color whatsoever, and are functionally invisible."

"Okay. What are the Elements for someone that chooses the Empress card?"

"... Gravity if I get seen as stalling. I'll want to know what the others are like but I'm pretty sure I want that one."

Yvette's shadow recites: "Arcane. Fire. Ice. Shadow. Lighting. Gravity. Life."

Blair's shrugs. "Accepted. Did you have any more questions?"

"Got that?"

"Yep. Thanks. What do the Arcane, Fire, Ice, Shadow, Lightning, and Life Elements of the Empress's card do?"

"How do I gain powers, after drawing the Hanged Man card?"

Yvette's Shadow furrows its brow. "Clarify."

Blair's shadow continues to list things. It can list things for a very long time.

"Arcane mages channel the raw power of magic, ignoring all forms of resistance to its effects. They can create shock waves of arcane power that blow away enemies, shrink enemies to half their size, and teleport short distances. They are generalists, and are therefore somewhat weaker overall than specialists: however, they are also naturally resistant to magical energies due to the power that flows through them. Arcane mages can choose to make their spells any primary or secondary color.

Fire mages specialize in offense, at the expense of all else. Their attunement to the power of flame allows them to make their spells explode on impact or set enemies on fire, with no additional expenditure of mana. They can summon meteors from the sky, become flame for short periods, and rocket-propel their jumping capabilities. As creatures of flame, they are naturally resistant to heat.

Ice mages most easily turn their talents to defense, creating barriers of hardened ice, freezing enemies in place, and hiding from their foes in conjured blizzards. They can conjure temporary ice structures from midair, allowing them to skate over pavement and through the air. Naturally, they are quite resistant to cold.

Shadow mages also turn their talents predominantly to defense: they can generate clouds of darkness to hide in, turn invisible, and walk through walls. They can manifest fields of shadowy tentacles to grapple their opponents. Because their offensive spells manifest semi-physical shadow forms, they cannot be resisted by magical defenses: however, these semi-real spells are naturally weaker than those of other elements.

Lightning is the less-aggressive cousin of flame, focussing more on utility and motion. Its practitioners can move as striking lightning: their offensive spells naturally jump from one enemy to another, and often leave their targets stunned and reeling. The practitioners of Lightning magic borrow some of its agility for themselves, and are naturally protected from electrical shocks.

Life magic is similar to arcane when used offensively, but is much weaker: its true power is the ability to heal wounds and revive the recently dead. Life mages regenerate from wounds at twice the speed of other Majokko, and the power of life within them buoys them up: if they should jump or fall, they will always glide gracefully to the ground."

"... Uh... I vaguely recall tomes being a thing, how are tomes a thing when dealing with the Hanged Man card?"

"I'll stick with Gravity, I think. How could I find my sister with the Empress card?"

Yvette's creature stretches a little. "There are three tomes you may select from. They will be given to you on your birthday, at a rate of one tome per birthday. They are as follows: the tome of Life, which allows to to steal life with a touch, and give away your own lifespan to others: The tome of Death, which allows you to see and command the dead: and the tome of the Gateway, which will allow you to teleport to any place you have previously been in the new world."

Blair's:
"As a General, you could enlist many constructs to help you search for her: As a Caster, you could cast spells to scry far-away places for her. Many Elements provide faster movement modes than walking on flesh-protrusions."

"But I'd get all of them after three birthdays, regardless?"

"I see. Non-Casters do not get to ever cast scrying spells?"

Yvette's shadow frowns, and works its jaw. "I am required to answer this question, but I cannot."

Blair's shadow stretches a little, changing which pair of hands it has on Blair's shoulders again. "Yes."

"Why can't you?"

"Hm. That changes things a bit." He glances at his sister.

"... How could someone who chooses the Hanged Man card get the ability to draw cards?"

Yvette's shadow looks like it just bit into something disgusting. "Because the answer depends on choices you have not yet made."

Blair's shadow answers him:
"By choosing it as an Augment they desire."

"What choices influence this outcome?"

"What Augments are available?"

Yvette's shadow winces. "How many tomes you choose to receive."

Blair's shadow responds:
"There are thirteen Augments: two Physical, one Mental, one Social, one Creative, two Metaphysical, three Service, and three Knowledge."

"I choose," says Yvette softly, "to take the Hanged Man card if I register as stalling, and with it to stop aging at eighteen, get three tomes, the Gateway one first, Life second, Death third. My demonic bloodline will be descended from an Umber demon. What other choices offer 'all of the above' as an option?"

Blair whistles. He wants to hear the answer to that question before he asks more of them seriously. But he can't get away with not asking anything safely, so he asks something innocuous: "Can I choose my hair color?"

Yvette's shadow sighs. "Agreed. No choices offer 'all of the above' as an option."

Blair's demon frowns. "The answer to that question depends on the color of your element. If your element has a color, your hair will be that color."

"Okay, bastard," hisses Yvette, "Which choices offer choosing multiple options?"

"Fascinating. How about eye color? Must the curtains match the window?"

Wasting time wasting tiiiime.

Yvette's Shadow bites the side of its mouth, then speaks once more. "The Fianna's Mutations and Skills, the Cambiare's Anomalies, the Kukla's Etchings and Techniques, and the Lilim's Augments."

Blair's shadow sighs. "Yes, though certain other choices may override this."

"Are those, including the choice for tomes, all of them?" asks Yvette, a little sharply.

She's getting the hang of this.

"Can I choose to get an eye color that matches my sister's?"

This is kind of fun.

The shadow eyeballs Yvette. "That is the full set of choices where multiple options can be chosen."

Blair's shadow: "Yes."

She stares it down.

"Fianna, Cambiare, and Kukla refer to which cards? I get that Lilim's the Hanged Man."

"... Does the world we're going to have guns?"

"Fianna is the Chariot. Cambiare is the Fool. Kukla is the Hermit."

Blair's shadow tilts its head... Then says "Yes."

"So that's what that one's called," she muses. "Blair, am I correct in thinking that Kukla's the only one of those that might be appealing to you?"

"Kukla's not appealing to me," he says flatly. "It would make it damn hard for me to interact with almost anyone in the history of ever. Empress is better. Speaking of, I'd like to change from Knight to Caster on my if-I-am-stalling option."

"Fair. Right then. How many Augments can I choose?"

Blair's shadow nods at him. "Acceptable. Any more questions?"

The remaining shadow sighs again, drawing it out so that it can breathe as much of its dead-flower stench on Yvette as possible. "Five."

"Oh, tons," says Blair lightly. "You're not done with me yet. What are the specifics of Signatures as relating to the Empress card?"

Urgh. Yvette wrinkles her nose in disgust.

"What are the available Lilim Augments?"

Yvette's Shadow echoes Blair's: "There are thirteen Augments: two Physical, one Mental, one Social, one Creative, two Metaphysical, three Service, and three Knowledge."

Meanwhile, Blair's shadow is busily listing things, as usual.

"Glowing Eyes. Glowing Tattoos. Ribbons. Chains. Gems. Serpents. Silver. Feathers. Gold. Ravens. Butterflies. Fangs. Hearts. Petals. Time."

"What are the two Physical Augments?"

"And... These are all cosmetic? No other bearing on anything?"

Yvette's shadow replies:

"The first is to be able to change another being's gender, physical features and coloration with a touch. You may only do this at their request and to their specification.

The second is to be able to make people who look into your eyes forget the last 24 hours, or replace the last ten minutes with something fictional.

Both physical augmentations will increase your grace, elegance and physical beauty."

Blair's flatly states:
"They are all cosmetic, but they may have bearings on other things."

... That was not what she was expecting for that. Good thing she asked.

"What're the Mental and Social Augmentations?"

"What is an example of a Signature having a bearing on something else?"

"If you select Mental augmentation, you will immediately become a natural prodigy at any single field you choose. You will find that studying this subject comes as easily to you as breathing. Futhermore, you will be able to read minds with a touch, and surface thoughts from a short distance.

If you select Social augmentation, you will become a peerless orator. When speaking to a gathered crowd, you will be able to convince almost anyone of almost anything. Your charisma in other contexts will be slightly increased as well."

Blair's Shadow replies: "Many of the Signatures change the natural color of your mana. This is particularly important to a gravity mage, who gains a great amount of utility from their colorless mana."

How creepy.

"Could I turn off the mind reading if I choose to? What are the Creative and Metaphysical Augments?"

"Ah-ha. What Signatures do not change the natural color of my mana?"

Yvette gets a simple "Yes", followed by another pair of descriptions.

"The Creative Augment: You will gain a natural talent at the creation of clothes, and telekinetic control precise enough to sew with. If you have no telekinetic ability, you have a short range: if you already had telekinesis, this augment doubles your range.

The first Metaphysical augment allows you to call the demon cards. The second allows you to project your spirit from your body and wander the world ethereally, with no range limit."

Blair's answer: "Glowing Eyes. Glowing Tattoos. Ribbons. Chains. Gems. Feathers. Butterflies. Hearts. Petals. Time."

"If I travel to a place as an ethereal version of myself, does it count for teleportation via tome?"

"Do the glowing eyes and tattoos always glow? What does the signature 'Time' mean?"

Yvette's shadow drums its fingers on the ground by her head. "You can magically mark locations in your ethereal form to add them to the places where your tome will teleport you."

Blair's shadow responds:
"The glowing eyes and tattoos only glow while you are transformed. If you have the signature of 'Time', your spells will be highly ornate, and your transformation will appear ancient. One of your irises or pupils will be replaced with the image of a golden clock face."

"So, yes. Okay. What are the three Service Augments, and what are the three Knowledge Augments?"

"Hm. What do the chains, gems, and feathers look like?"

"The three Service augments represent the ability to summon demonic artifacts.

The first calls a set of five demonic shields, which will orbit you in battle, independently deflecting attacks against you.

The second calls a levitating demonic orb, which you can see through as if you were where it was. It can morph its surface into slashing and piercing shapes, and may harm things immune to conventional weaponry.

The third allows you to call demonic armor to yourself while you are in your true form. The nature of this armor is dependent upon your demonic heritage.

The three Knowledge augments represent the three tomes."

Blair's shadow stretches again. "The chains are part of your transformation, and will match its appearance. The gems will replace large portions of your transformation, and form intricate patterns across your body. They will be the same color as your element. The feathers create bursts of glowing feathers where your spells impact - but they will also be colorless due to your element."

"Oh. Do I need the tomes on my person to use the abilities granted by them?"

"So what do glowing colorless feathers look like?"

Yvette's shadow shifts its position, sitting down cross-legged atop her.

"No."

Blair's shadow shrugs. "I don't know."

"Okay. How much control of the dead does the death tome grant me? Are they permanently my undead minions for all of eternity? ... Please tell me they're mindless. Are they mindless?"

"What about the ribbons?"

... He is not a butterfly, heart, or petal kind of person. He'd rather just not.

"It allows you to make pacts with those who are already dead. No, only for twelve hours. No."

Blair's shadow shrugs. "They will match your transformation and element."

"... Right, so for my Augmentations, I'd like the Life and Gateway tomes, both Metaphysical Augmentations - that being the cards and the ethereal form, and - the last is still to be decided. Hm. What does the Umber demonic armor do?"

"Would I have tattoos in my non-transformed form if I picked that one?"

... He is getting a bit caught up in cosmetics, but hey. It'll be a major part of his new life.

"The Umber armor is highly protective, and halves the time it takes you to recover from wounds while you wear it."

Blair's question gets a "No."

"... What's the technology level like in whatever-the-world-is-called?"

"Right then. Glowing tattoos for me. Uh, black hair, athletic build, average height, eyes matching my sister's, my honorary magical girl outfit in black, red, and grey - did you say I could pick my weapon?"

Yvette's shadow considers for a moment before responding. "There is magic and technology both, of a level at least as advanced as that here, but with... Certain peculiarities, which I am not obligated to discuss."

Blair's shadow seems somewhat thankful for the shorter questions. "Acceptable. No."

"... You sure you want to glow in the dark, Blair?"

"... Point. Uh. Not sure I'm a chains kind of guy - ribbons, then. Those do not glow, correct?"

"Can I use the ability to change someone's physical features to, say, upgrade bone strength? Or heal them?"

Both their questions receive "yes" answers.

"This includes healing people of injuries such as 'impaled by a shadow-thing'?"

"I think that's me mostly squared away. Uh - make me nineteen in my new body, too?"

Yvette's shadow eyeballs her again. "Yes."

Blair's nods. "Agreed. Do you wish to take your card now?"

"Okay. Then that'll be my fifth Augmentation. ... If I had the life transfer one, could I use it on you?"

... Blair cracks up.

"No," he says, lightly. "No, I don't. What options are available for customization for the Fool card?"

The shadow eyes Yvette appraisingly. "Technically yes."

Blair's shrugs. "The natural aptitudes of your new body. The lifespan of your new body. The general appearance and body type of your new body. The companions that you would have. The anomalies you would encounter in your life. Your overarching fate."

"Technically?"

"What overarching fates are available?"

The shadow blinks slowly. "We would naturally be rather unwilling to cooperate."

Blair's sighs.
"To be an orphan with exceedingly close bonds to others. To chance upon a wishing rock that will work for you and your friends while you are young. To be wealthy and well-respected. To gain knowledge of the supernatural."

"The lifespan one doesn't require consent, I thought?"

"Ah-huh. And what are the available anomalies, and how many can be chosen?"

"... It does not."
The shadow does not look thrilled about this.

Blair's shadow is beginning to hate the concept of listing things.
"There are ten. You may pick up to five.
The first: Hot water turns you male, and cold water turns you female.
The second: Your teeth are now always perfect, regardless of wether you tend to them.
The third: You may alter the coloration of your body at will.
The fourth: You visually age half as quickly, and have an additional 20 years of lifespan.
The fifth: You are never mussed or dishevelled. Your clothes shed dirt and dust. Your hair stays how you want it. You always smell faintly of vanilla.
The sixth: You come into possession of a magical artifact.
The seventh: You may instantly master a single style of painting, drawing, dance or vocals.
The eighth: You may instantly master a single form or armed combat, or a single noncombat sport.
The ninth: You may look up to five years older or younger than you actually are, or you may heal another with magic.
The tenth: You may spontaneously generate and remove piercings and tattoos from your body, or gain the power to summon any set of mundane clothing for yourself that you desire."

Yvette smirks.

"How long's your lifespan?" she asks, innocently.

Blair does not feel a lack of confidence in his choice of cards.

"How can companions be customized?"

The shadow shrugs. "Long enough."

Blair's shadow says: "You may choose one. The others will be determined for you from the remaining options."

"Mm. If I drain someone entirely of lifespan, do they die immediately, or what?"

"What are all of the available options for companions?"

"Yes."

Blair's shadow sighs. "There are ten. Must I really list them all?"

"Well, there's a good self defense method if I need it," she muses. "Yeah, I think I'll keep it. Much as I'd like the armor. Can I use the physical Augmentation that changes people on myself?"

She suspects not. It'd be too convenient.

"Now you're stalling. Yes, please list them, I would love to hear."

Yvette's shadow manages to smile as it delivers a "No."

Blair's shadow returns to its lists.

"The occultist. The obsessive. The heiress. The athlete. The leader. The comic. The genius. The protector. The idol. The criminal."

"So, made of paper and if I get hurt I'm screwed. ... Hm. How can I customize my bodyguard?"

"What's the occultist like?"

"You may choose from one of four existing bodyguards."

Blair's Shadow explains: "They have an interest in ancient history and the paranormal, and have many theories as to the actual underpinnings of the world. They will be shunned by most, but have real sensitivity to supernatural events."

"What are the four existing bodyguards?"

"What about the obsessive?"

"Bodyguard number one is an exceptionally tough male Grathas demon. He prefers conservative suits and dark sunglasses that hide his eyes. He speaks and acts only when necessary, and only with precise and definite intent. Though he is personally loyal to you, he will not be your advisor or friend - only your bodyguard.

Bodyguard number two is an Annique demon who acts with preternatural speed. She has the first Summoning augment and will use it in your defense. She is extremely cold and distant, and is more concerned with the law and the good of the Family than morality. Though loyal, behaviour on your part that is less than polite, modest, and honest may impact her efficiency.

The third bodyguard is a Fianna. She is proficient in many styles of armed and unarmed combat, and an extremely competent fighter. However, she is also somewhat of a hothead, who took the position in order to face supernatural threats: if your life is boring, they may drag you into more exciting pursuits.

The final bodyguard is a Blood Demon, who wields an electrically charged halberd in addition to his natural telekinetic abilities. Though he is grumpy and ill-tempered, he is a veteran of many conflicts with extensive practical experience."

Blair's shadow continues:
"The obsessive is... Obsessed. With something. Their life revolves around that thing. Their house will be a shrine to it. Despite their unusual interest, they will somehow always seem to have enough to support themselves comfortably - and you as well, if you need a place to stay."

"... The Blood demon is not personally loyal to me?"

"What about the heiress, the athlete, and the leader?"

"It is unspecified."

Blair's shadow drones on.
"Rich and eccentric, prefers the performing arts. Loves sports and is good at them. Good at finding and organizing people and money, though not personally highly intelligent."

Yvette hums thoughtfully.

"Blood demon, I think," she decides after a pause. "Bit of a risk, but he sounds competent, if prickly. What family reputations are available?"

"And what of the comic, the genius, the idol, the protector, and the criminal?"

"If you wish to hire the Blood Demon bodyguard, you will need to choose a Dark or Criminal family reputation."

Blair's response:
"Cheerful and optimistic, never failing to brighten one's day. Brilliant - perhaps a bit unusually so, but brilliant. One who is destined to fame and fortune. One who will care for and nourish you and your circle of friends. One who will become a powerful gang leader."

"Oh, I see. What are the available family reputations regardless of bodyguard choice, then?"

Blair - can't nod, his face is still in the snow. But he can mentally think nodding thoughts.

(.... He suppresses a yawn. He is kind of exhausted.)

"What about natural aptitudes of the body?"

"The other two available are Honored and Dignified."

The shadow smiles at the yawn. Perhaps it will not have to continue listing things, soon.
"Greater specialization towards towards learning, intelligence, or physical constitution."

"What are the Honored, Dignified, Dark, and Criminal backgrounds of the Hanged Man card?"

Blair considers if he really wants to ask about the final card group and grill his shadow on that.

"... Yvette, how are you doing, mental fatigue wise?"

"Decent," she pronounces. "I'll be wired for hours, I bet."

"Insomniac," he mutters affectionately, "Right, okay. My head's going wobbly and I know I'm starting to forget things." Head, flop, into snow. Ugggggh. "Are there any customizations for the Empress card that I have not set?"

"Honored families are highly respected: if you are a member, you will be asked to significant social functions on a regular basis. Your family will encourage you to learn, and you will receive a 500 credit stipend per week.

Dignified families are known for modesty and politeness. They will expect the same from you, and provide you with decorum training which will improve your social skills and allow you to interact more easily with the lower classes. They will provide a 250 credit stipend.

Dark families are shrouded in occult rumor, as they carrier stronger demonic blood. They will teach you how to properly use your demonic lineage, providing a 250 credit stipend.

Criminal families are the heads of the underworld: as a member, you will be more heavily protected, with two bodyguards rather than one. Even among the demons, the criminal families are rich: you will receive a stipend of 1000 credits per week."

Blair's answer is a simple "Yes."

His creature looks very smug as it says it.

... Yvette glances at Blair's shadow, frowns, but focuses on asking her question. For now. "And which bodyguards are offered by each family reputation?"

This is why he asks these questions. Because of things like this.

"Which customizations for the Empress card have not yet been set?"

"Criminals cannot hire the Annique. Dignified families cannot hire the Fianna. Otherwise, the limitations are as already explained."

"The Style of your transformation, and the magical and physical aptitudes of your new body."

"So the Grathas is the standard available for all..." she muses. "The Fianna is not at all appealing - as long as I am musing on my choices out loud, do I count as stalling?"

"What are the Styles available for transformation?"

"You are stalling if you are not actively asking questions of us, or having them actively answered."

"A many-layered lace dress. Doll-like, elegant fashions. Dark and gothic style. A stylized school uniform. A stylized sailor uniform. A glossy, tight-fitting style, incorporating a collar."

"Worth a shot. How easy is it to overcome my family's reputation, socially?"

"Do any of these have any bearing on anything other than how pretty I am for the inevitable ball?" mutters Blair.

"Difficult, but possible. You will likely be continuously associated with them wether you like it or not."

Blair's shadow sighs. "Of course they do. After all, these are styles you will wear into combat. The school uniform will likely have a tie that could be used to choke you, long dresses may impede your footwork, and so on."

"... Okay. Which I suppose leads into the line of questioning I didn't know how to word. I will have been born. Is - reality going to be changed so that I always existed, or are memories going to be altered, or are people going to be spontaneously created and have mysteriously always been there, or what?"

"Fair enough," says Blair. "What's are the dark and gothic and tight fitting styles like?"

"As far as the new world is concerned, you will have been born there fifteen years ago. Only you will remember your previous life."

Blair's shadow shrugs. "So long as it fits the Style and is a set of clothing, you may define your transformation however you like."

"But have no memories of the new one I'll be living, and that to everyone else I have been living? And by what mechanism does this happen, am I going to be warping the minds of my new family just by existing?"

"Well that depends on how you define dark and gothic. What counts as 'dark and gothic'?"

"Would you prefer that you not remember your old life and that your new family had no memories of you?"

Blair's shrugs. "It is somewhat vague. Ask if a candidate outfit is allowable, and I will tell you if any parts of it do not fit the style."

"I would prefer that exactly zero memories be tampered with, if that means I don't arrive with a family all ready to take care of me, so be it."

"Okay. Black longcoat, pants, shirt. Of. Some kind. Reasonably flattering without being impractical. Practical, comfortable shoes I can run in. Everything fitting the aforementioned color scheme of black, red, and grey."

Blair's shadow seems almost relieved.
"Acceptable."

Yvette's shrugs. "This is also acceptable."

"... What, really? I can go without a family entirely with the Hanged Man card?"

"Awesome." Pause. "Red scarf, too, I'm fond of this one. Now, what about the magical and physical aptitudes of my new body?"

Yvette's shadow shakes its head. "No."

Blair's nods. "Yes. You may specialize your body to be stronger against physical attacks, stronger against magical attacks, or able to channel more magical power. You may also specialize it to regenerate extremely quickly at the cost of magical aptitude, channel offensive spells more easily, channel defensive spells more easily, or channel mobility spells more easily."

"So what is a scenario where I could have the Hanged Man card and not mess with anyone's memories?"

"And can I only pick just one?"

"You would be given a family, but they would not remember you."

Blair's shadow rolls its head, cracking its neck. "You may pick one from the first three and one from the last four."

"... And. Would I be transported into their house?"

"How common are magical attacks?"

"Yes." The shadow tilts its head and grins.

"For a Majokko? Fairly so."

"And I suppose they would not look kindly upon a random person showing up out of nowhere in their house, would they."

"How deadly are the typical magical attacks a Majokko might be hurt by?"

"Probably not."

Blair's shadow shrugs. "Likely equally as deadly as the typical physical attacks they were likely to encounter."

"... Is there anything in the Empress card that offers the ability to give other people extended life?"

She thinks the answer is no, but you have to check these things.

"... Okay. Well I am kind of lacking in the offensive category more than I'd like, so - channel more magical power, and channel mobility spells more easily."

"Not in the sense of a longer natural lifespan, no."

The shadow nods to Blair. "Acceptable. I am obliged to inform you that the choices you can make for this card are now complete. The Creator of the World congratulates you on your skill. You are offered a mystery box. Will you accept it?"

... Yvette is distracted from her line of questions by the offer of the mystery box. She peers at Blair, confused.

"How likely is it to explode and kill my sister if I accept?"

"I do not know: this is outside my experience."

"No one's ever done this before?"

"Most do not have the presence of mind to interrogate us so diligently."

"That's not a no, but I suppose you might not have encountered it personally. ... Yeah okay. Mystery box me." Yawn. "And then I can fucking sleep."

... Yvette has the presence of mind to stop looking in fascination for the mystery box. She is so curious about it.

But she's curious about something else, too.

"Hold on," she says, "There is a Creator of the World? Can I submit a laundry list of complaints?"

The shadow flicks the Empress card at Blair, and both him and his shadow disappear.

Yvette's shadow looks at her like she's grown an extra head. "Of course the Creator of the World exists. I don't believe he accepts complaints, though."

Yvette is distracted by her brother disappearing!

"Um!" she says, alarmed. "What! He just! What!"

The shadow blinks. "Well, it appears the Empress card has been applied to him... Beyond that, the rest is likely up to the Creator of the World."

"That does not fill me with confidence!"

The shadow shrugs and remains silent.

... Yvette swallows. She tears her eyes away from where her brother used to be. Focus on the mission. Min-max the shit out of this.

(Does she accept the mystery box if she's offered it, too? Oh God what does she do -)

"Okay. Um. So. Can you give me a rundown on t-the personalities of family options?"

"... There are no such options. Unless you meant the family reputations, in which case that is a repeat. Stalling."

Wince. Her sense of calm has been a bit fucked with.

"Uh, what are the customization options of the Chariot card," she asks in a rush, trying to will herself to be calm.

"Physical aptitudes and body type. Lifespan. Core Interest. Motivation. Mutation."

"... Do Majokko have families? There were no customization options for them."

"No."

"So I could not screw with any memories if I went Majokko. ... But I don't want to fight for the rest of my life - augh." Deep breath. "What are the customization options for lifespan for the Chariot card?"

She needs a bit of breathing time to think.

"Aging at one year per two years, one year per four years, or one year per six years."

The Shadow is talking faster, now.

Of course it is. It can see what she's doing.

".... What are all of the details about all of the customization options for every card but the Hanged Man and Empress cards? Including the ones my brother asked about."

The shadow begins reciting a very, very long list.

There is, perhaps, a little time to think.

Yep. That is the point of this exercise.

So, she has a choice, here. Well, several choices, but one that isn't quite as easy as weighing what she does and doesn't want. She wants the lifespan power, she wants to not have to fight shadows for the rest of her life, she wants just about everything Lilim offers - but she definitely does not want to mess with the memories of random people. Even for something as relatively innocuous as adding another family member.

But does she not want it enough to give up the chance to extend actual lives? Are fifteen years of doctored memories excused when she's going to use the chance to attempt to give people hundreds more? Are they excused when she was forced into the choice? ... She stops herself from thinking that sincerely. This is a choice she's not forced into. She could opt out, go Majokko, or try to see if she survives against an entire family that will likely want to kill her. Mind, it is highly coerced, but - still. It counts. She won't flinch away from it.

So. If she were locked in a room, in the dark - what would she choose? Safety, ambition and immorality, or danger and righteousness? She allows herself the sincerity of selfishness.

Maybe if it were just those words and none of the context they come with, it'd be easy. But it's not so simple as blind ambition. This is a thing she wants. She doesn't know the Majokko's lifespan (She notes to ask, when the shadow is done reciting its very very long list) but she doesn't want to watch her brother die. She doesn't want to watch others die, while she can do something to stop it. There's a memory of a red haired woman in a bed who exhales one last time days after her husband and all of the chaos that ensued after and no no no no -

Does she value real actual - well, not human, but sentient - lives over the sanctity of someone's memories?

...

Yes.

"Stop," she murmurs.

The shadow stops, and looks at her expectantly.

"Dark family reputation," she says, softly. "Blood demon bodyguard."

If she's going to be doing this she'd like to do it to the people that could help her with magic the most, and they seem like they might be morally bankrupt anyway -

The shadow nods along.

"Is there anything I've missed for the Hanged Man card?"

"Body type, and the natural aptitudes of the body."

"Body type being what I look like?"

"Yes."

"... I'd like to look close to like how I look now. Recognizable to Blair, if possible. Does that work?"

"Yes."

"And what natural aptitudes are available?"

"A faster learning rate, better dexterity and agility, or a slight increase in your cognitive abilities."

"... Cognitive abilities," she decides.

"Agreed. Are you ready to take your card?"

"... What, no mystery box for me?"

The shadow shrugs.

"By what mechanism does that work, then?"

"Don't ask me, I'm not the Creator of the World."

"If the Creator of the World hurt my fucking brother there is nowhere they could run to get away from me!"

The shadow grins. "You should talk to my Masters, sometime.... Oh, and I'm required to remind you you're stalling."

"The Creator of the World is against your masters?" she asks, frowning. "... What, am I about to be thrown into a grey versus grey morality conflict?"

"Oh, no, we're the evil ones. Stalling."

"I don't care, you have nothing left to threaten me with, and you being evil doesn't make the Creator of the World good."

"In that case... See you later."

The shadow flicks the Hanged Man at Yvette, and both of them disappear.