UN: ScielCandide | Video

[cache_coeur]

[The camera is fixed on a table, upon which sits a neat stack of cards –– black with gold foil in the shape of a sun and moon bisecting each other. The user’s hands pass over the deck and spreads it wide into an arc. Her hands are tanned, with two rings on her ring finger and one on her index finger, and she has so many colourful braided bracelets that some wind around her palm.

Her voice is pleasant, playful, French, a little theatrical:]

Bonsoir, mes amies!

Tonight and tonight only, I will tell your fortune with a single card. Tell me your name, and if you would like to hear about love, money, health or the soul.

If it moves you, you must repay me with an amusing anecdote about yourself.

Ready to play?

Comments

[herofhopeless]

I travel quite a bit, so I don't have as much of a disconnection. I see a lot more than most people where I come from. Mostly, people live in smaller villages where I am from, though the cities we there have pretty high populations. Those are usually the capitals of various countries or military forts. What is it like where you are from?

[Clive would agree. That's probably his favorite thing about this place.]

I'm free tomorrow. Send me your location and I will be there. What time would you prefer?

[cache_coeur]

That’s so unusual… you’d think people in such a small village would see the land around them and know what goes on there.

I grew up on an island. Not a lot of open space, so we had to be efficient with the land wherever possible. Lots of vertical growing in more recent years, hydroponics, that sort of thing.

Perhaps one or two o’clock? I live in the apartments.

[herofhopeless]

Most people where I am from don’t tend to perform much of the heavy labor themselves. The smaller villages are more hands-on. They don’t have as much money so they can’t afford to buy Bearers to work their lands, care for their livestock, do their chores.

[Clive’s voice, for the first time since the beginning of this call, is bitter. He takes a slow breath and when he speaks again he is more even-keeled.]

One o’clock works for me. I’ll meet you there. Do you want me to meet you in your apartment or the lobby?

[Clive makes a mental note to look up hydroponics the next time he is at the library.]

[cache_coeur]

Bearers?

[Sounds.. odd, especially with that tone shift, but she keep her own tone light.]

Lobby is fine.

TW: mentions of slavery

[herofhopeless]

Where I am from, everyone is tested at birth to determine if they are capable of doing magic. If they test positive, they are taken from their families, branded with a toxic ink, and forced into labor using that magic for the rest of their lives. The work is often grueling, and they are treated poorly by nearly everyone. My apologies, I should have explained that earlier.

[He couldn't think of a more concise summary. Sciel didn't need the entire history of Bearers. If she wanted to know more, she could ask, but it wasn't exactly a cheery topic of conversation.]

Perfect. The lobby of the apartments tomorrow at 1 it is.

[cache_coeur]

[There's a pause, and then she replies with sympathy:]

You don't have to explain anything you're not comfortable explaining. But that's an incredible cruelty, that a society would turn against its own people like that.

[herofhopeless]

I agree. That's why I'm doing something about it. It's a long road, and it's been a lot of work, but if I can help to build a better future for them, for everyone, then I am going to.

[Clive sighs.]

Thank you. They aren't your people, and yet you still took the time to express care. Not everyone would do that.

[cache_coeur]

Perhaps it’s a reflection of my own community, but it honestly concerns me that anyone could hear about something like that and shrug it off. I’m glad you’re doing something about it. I wish you success.

[herofhopeless]

You and me both. How anyone could treat another person the way that they do where I am from and still sleep at night...Thankfully, I'm not alone in this fight. I have the support of many people who can all do things I cannot. There may be terrible people in the world, but there are also those who are brave and kind, and I am proud to stand beside them.

[Clive's smile is a little wistful.]

Anyway, I'm sure you have better things to do with your time than listen to me talk about my home. I'll see you tomorrow?

[cache_coeur]

Mm. I’m glad to hear you’re in good company. But don’t sell yourself short; I like listening, and I came here to chat with people. But I’ll gladly see you tomorrow, friend.

I'd say that's a wrap!

[herofhopeless]

Thank you for listening. I'll see you tomorrow.