You're Caught in a One-Way Street

[occultigen]

Who: Meridiana (occultigen) and YOU!
Where: Goldenrod City
When: Monday, December 8th
Summary: Back home in the salons of Victorian London, Meridiana was acclaimed as a divine seeress capable of predicting people's futures. Today, at an outdoor cafe in Goldenrod City, she's trying her hand at it again for any interested parties who might pass by.
Rating: PG!
Log:

[After beginning to confront a bunch of her canon-related issues last week, Meridiana's been quietly contending with her past and working to turn her thoughts to that of the future. It isn't an easy task by any means, but she's taking it one step at a time, and as far as she's concerned, any progress is good progress — which is the same as could be said for her attempts at getting used to the modern day and age, really.

So today, on what forecasts have been indicating to be one of the last reasonably nice days before more frigid temperatures start to set in, she's sitting at one of the outdoor tables of a cafe in Goldenrod, facing the street and playing with a pack of tarot cards. Every so often, she'll turn up one of the major arcana and give it an uncomfortable look; most of the time, though, she's shifting and arranging them with practiced and familiar ease. This sort of reading in particular isn't what she'd gained renown for back in London, but there's a certain comfort to it just the same — and really, she's hardly going to complain about offering a prediction the old-fashioned way, as opposed to even considering an attempt to draw on the unusual supernatural powers that remind her of her previous circumstances anyway.

She's got a little handmade sign up (which her Tropius is helpfully displaying for her), so if you happen to be passing by and would like to sit and have your fortune told — or even just stop by to chat a while — feel free to pause and say hello!]


[OOC: Okay, so! This is an open log for people in Goldenrod who'd like to stop in and interact with Meridiana, either just to hang out or to use her fortune-telling as a hook! As a standard disclaimer, I am not anywhere close to being an expert at this myself, so I'll be using this website for any readings she's asked to give and just going with whatever it returns; if you'd prefer to handwave something or for character/plot reasons would prefer to have her give your character a specifically-tailored prediction or result, feel free to let me know and we can swing it that way as well! And of course, you're not obligated to ask for one; you're just as welcome to chat and hang out with her instead!]

Comments

[solas_ion]

[As it happened, someone was passing by that cafe with a shiny Swablu perched in her favorite place to nap atop his head. Lancer caught sight of Meridiana, paused...then walked into the cafe and back out a few minutes later, setting a cup of tea next to her cards on the table and holding up a delicious-looking scone for her Tropius.]

Little cold out, isn't it?

[occultigen]

Oh!

[If it seems strange that she looks a little flustered to see Lancer, that can hopefully be written off as a simple reaction to the sudden surprise of a cup of tea and a familiar face that she wasn't expecting; in reality, at least some of it is also because of the anonymous (well, anonymous on her end) conversation they'd had last week, but here's hoping that doesn't show too much.

...Bananamom, on the other hand, is 100% approving of this delicious-looking scone. Fishing Rod Guy meets with Mom Approval™, daughter, pay attention. This is good people right here.]

My, you startled me! Hello, Lancer. Yes, it is a bit chilly out, isn't it? But it's supposed to be worse tomorrow, and I thought the fresh air might do me good — you're keeping warm yourself today, I hope?

[More and more she is really happy she followed through and bought that cute blue coat thanks to peer pressure, because it's definitely doing her a lot of good as the days are turning colder.]

[solas_ion]

[he likes you, bananamom. you're good people...uh, dinosaur.]

Sorry about that, didn't mean to scare you. [Lancer himself was in a loose jacket a couple sizes too big for him (which said a lot) and apparently unfazed by the cold air. He'd gotten used to insane weather around here, after a while.]

Mind if I sit down?

[preybeforemeals]

[Well, hello there.

Tsukiyama has a tendency to frequent cafés and the like; it seems his fondness for coffee is something that's stayed with him, despite the fact that he doesn't require it nearly as much here for the sake of keeping himself sane for want of variety. So it's unsurprising that he would stop by here today; what is surprising - at least as far as he's concerned - is finding Meridiana out here.

His wardrobe is perhaps strangely subdued today, the loud colors replaced by a simple black blazer and slacks with a white shirt beneath it; whether he has a reason for it or not is a bit difficult to say. Either way, it doesn't seem to matter - he'll look at the sign, then back at her; he's smiling as he joins her, holding a cup of...well, it's clearly something warm, anyway, and he's clasping it between both hands lightly.]

You're a woman of many talents, I see. Doing well?

[occultigen]

Mr. Tsukiyama, hello!

[It is a little odd for her to be out here like this, really, though if you asked Meridiana she'd put the reason for the oddness as being the fact that what she's doing here isn't exactly the sort of thing Proper Young Ladies™ ought to be doing with themselves. However, there's something in the set of her shoulders (beneath, of course, her lovely blue coat trimmed with the white fur) that belies a sort of determination to follow through with this, though whether that's a resolve to confront the prospect of working to earn herself some money or of something else is anyone's guess.]

How nice to see you — please sit down, do! I'm very well, thank you, and how are you today?

[preybeforemeals]

Quite well, merci...

[He'll join her at that table, then, his gaze flicking toward those cards.]

I wouldn't have taken you to be the sort to do this sort of thing, but it's a pleasant sort of surprise.

[codeforhope]

[It is a bit chilly out today to be sure, but that hasn't stopped Chihiro from taking a short trip out to the Department store to pick up a few things. Christmas is around the corner, after all, and he has quite a few things planned that he would like to do...meaning that he needs to make sure he's prepared to breed another clutch of eggs, and a large one at that if he's lucky.

On his way back to the house he spots the Tropius first and Meridiana herself second, slowing down to a stop when he draws near so he can read the sign. Near his feet stands a Flareon, who seems to be lending her natural heat to keep this poor child from freezing out here.]

Ooh...you tell fortunes?

[occultigen]

[Fortunately, she's in a lull in her work at the moment, sipping at a cup of hot tea to help keep her body temperature up while waiting for another customer to come by; when Chihiro expresses interest, though, Meridiana perks up immediately.]

Why, yes! I've been trying my hand at it for most of today; would you like one told?

[codeforhope]

[Chihiro looks back over at the Tropius for a moment before nodding shyly, stepping a bit closer to the table so he can take a seat across from her. Once he has, his Flareon trots over to curl up next to the legs of the chair.]

I would, if you don't mind.

[He's never had his fortune told before, so why not?]

[explosivecombat]

[It's not terribly common for Kimblee to be out and about at this time of day - usually there's work to be done and all, because for whatever stupid reason he still hasn't left that flower shop well behind him, but given that winter is setting in and there's less demand, he will gladly take the day off in order to avoid having to set poinsettias again.

So here he is today, and here's this person reading fortunes, and he's rather content to watch her do a few for passersby before approaching her himself.]

It seems you're fairly good at this.

[His words don't sound skeptical, to his credit.]

[occultigen]

[She sees the gentleman hovering around a little, of course; he's easily noticed in particular because he is dressed like a gentleman, suit and tie and all the proper accoutrements to match. In another time and place, she would've noticed him because his appearance would seem to suggest wealth and position; now, she notices because it's familiar, in a world where so many things aren't.

So she's rather pleased when he finally does approach, really, if for no better reason than he seems as though he might be nice to talk to — or at least, he'll likely have the sort of manners that would tend to go along with his attire.]

People seem to be pleased with their results, that's so! I've no way of knowing, really, save for what I'm told, but most people I've read for have gone away satisfied, I think.

[explosivecombat]

I'd say so, from what I've seen.

[Dear god, someone with proper manners around here. Clearly it is a good day.]

I'd like to experience it for myself, actually; do you have time...?

[irenicly]

Miss Everett?

[Banjou had been out running a few errands today, but with everything winding down, getting something to eat sounded like a good idea to him.

At the moment, though, he has something else on his mind.]

It's been a while. How are you?

[He'll ask to have his fortune told in a moment, but since he hasn't seen her lately, he may as well be polite first.]

[occultigen]

Mr. Banjou!

[She appreciates the good manners, definitely; he's caught her at a good time, being in-between readings and nibbling at a scone of her own while she's got a little downtime. She's also looking mighty cute today in her blue coat with the white fur, which is frankly just as much about presenting a picture that will attract business as it is looking nice for herself — or staying warm, for that matter.]

I'm quite well today, thank you! It's a bit chilly out, but it's no great matter; I go inside if things ever grow too cold, and that evens things out. Are you well today, yourself?

[irenicly]

[He takes a seat across from her. Of course he wants to have his fortune told, too. It might be interesting. Maybe Banjou will learn something about himself today, but if not he doesn't mind.]

I'm doing fine.

If you get too cold, I can always buy you a coffee.

[He smiles cheerfully.]

How much is it for a reading?

[unkinder]

[It seems that Meridiana has been getting quite a few customers coming her way today, and this one is no exception....but actually, he is. Considering the fact that the customer that has wandered over to her table is an Abra and not actually a person, anyway.

She may catch the small flash of light out of the corner of her eye- the telling sign of Teleport- before seeing a small Abra hovering nearby with his legs folded beneath him, tilting his head as he tries to get a closer look at the cards she's holding.

Moments later a trainer walks up, holding a Pokeball tight in his fist that he raises slightly in warning, prompting the Pokemon to look up and quickly make an attempt to hide himself behind Meridiana's shoulder to avoid being returned.]

Neba, we are going home. I will return you if you insist on wandering off.

[The Abra shakes his head and stays right where he is, out of range to be returned and also very much right behind Miss Everett herself.]

[occultigen]

[...You know, all things considered, she's probably never seen an Abra before, so she's equal parts confused and charmed when this one pops up from out of nowhere; the prospect of it being a random wild animal is a little frightening, but Bananamom is right there watching out for her and the little guy doesn't seem particularly nefarious, either.

...And now she's in the middle of an argument between trainer and Pokemon, it seems like. Whoops.]

Oh! I'm very sorry, is this your Pokemon? He just came over on his own...

[suncrushed]

[It isn't too unlikely to see Juniper out and about the bustling streets of Goldenrod, very much so given the holiday season. She had been intending to give gifts to those she would consider a friend for a while, but there was the matter of what to give them, along with the insecurities that she would be bothering them giving them a gift at all, among other concerns.

...Needless to say, she hadn't been so successful with her Christmas shopping and had ultimately just...taken to wandering around the area, in hopes that at least something would catch her eye and give her an inkling as to what to give to her friends - window shopping, she supposed. This was a rather new experience for her, Christmas shopping, but she wanted to show her appreciation in some form or another. Too bad it was proving itself difficult.

At the very least, the sight of a partially familiar face as she passes by catches her attention, jarring her from her rather worrisome thoughts; she recognises the other well enough, but she hadn't quite...spoken to her enough to consider her familiar - in fact, they had only spoken once, when she had given her an Eevee egg, but...that didn't mean that they couldn't begin now, did it? Therefore, Juniper makes her way up to the cafe table, offering a gentle and timid, as was her nature, smile.]

M-Miss Everett, hello! What a pleasant surprise seeing you here - in person, I mean. I've never...spoken to you in person, actually.

[She's sure the other is well-aware, for that matter.]

...Um, have you been doing well?

[occultigen]

Oh, hello!

[Why yes, that is a vaguely familiar face, and the sound of her name makes her perk up a little as she turns her attention to the girl approaching her table.]

I'm very well, thank you, and yourself?

[fortunatetoaster]

[ she almost walks right past Meridiana, her nose buried in her scarf as she trots down the street, evidently on her way to get out of the cold as soon as possible -- but then the familiar sight of a wheel on the front of a card catches her eye and even though she knows that the space Ariadne usually occupies feels hollow, her head still snaps to face the other girl and she actually walks backwards a few steps before approaching cautiously. ]

... uh...

[ ... oh she didn't actually

think up an opening line for this

there's a moment of silence before she lifts her hand and points to the upturned card. ]

... th--that's... Fortune, ain't it?

[occultigen]

[To say that Meridiana isn't happy about the Wheel of Fortune turning up, even just in random card-pulling between readings, would be something of an understatement; having it pointed out to her, and by a random stranger no less, is enough to make her jump outright.

Hastily, she shuffles the card back into her deck, more on impulse to have it hidden back somewhere where she can't see it than anything else, and only then does she blink up at the waiting girl at her tableside.]

Oh — good day. Yes, that's...one of the many cards of the Major Arcana, the Wheel.

[armoredsoul]

[It's Alphonse's Eevee that finds Meridiana first, bounding over to put his paws up on her chair and sniff eagerly up at the table. What'cha playing with there, lady? :D]

[His trainer isn't far behind, shaking his head in amusement at the Pokemon's interest.] Beryl, don't put your paws up like that, they're all dirty! I'm sorry, miss, he's just a very curious little guy.

[occultigen]

[Fortunately, Meridiana happens to have an Eevee of her own, so she's considerably less startled by the approach of one than she might be of a different Pokemon; on top of that, he also hasn't upset her cards at all, so it's not as though she has much reason to be annoyed, really.

Which is why he's getting a smile for his efforts, and why his trainer is getting a gentler one once he approaches.]

My, it's quite all right. Hello, there! You are rather curious, aren't you? And so very friendly, besides!

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Veronica's gaze caught the strange stand as she was walking by. Normally, she would have passed such things by, but her Gengars had other plans as the floated over to look at the things. Hello there, person! Have two smiling ghost Pokemon!]

Uhh... [Veronica walked over as well, adjusting the bags in her arms.] excuse me, but, are those tarot cards?

[occultigen]

Why, yes, they are!

[Ah, another customer, it seems. She's getting much better at this by now, and greets the interested person reasonably merrily.]

As you can see, I'm doing readings today.

[With a motion at the sign her Tropius is holding.]