estdeus_innobis | Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world. ~T'ien Yiheng

Rain's patterin' on the window. Tea shop's not too busy - 'ad a rush before lunch, but it's been quiet fer an hour or so now. I'm sittin' by it at a little corner table, putting a rose tea we've got into little jars. Can do that without seein', 's a pretty easy job. Would usually do it out the back, but Faith's doin' a bit of waitressin' an' it's 'elpful to 'ave me 'ere if she needs to say somethin'.

Door swings open, an' I recognise a voice.

"Wanda," I say, smilin'.

I sigh in relief and mutter a 'thank all the gods' when I enter and find the shop is under half full. Faith gives me a smile and wink as Hope looks my way and greets me.

"Hello ladies," I half sing as I make my way to the empty table next to Hope and drop into a chair. I am still tickled by the fact that I am now a patron and not the proprietress. "How flows the tea on this rainy day?"

"Bin quite quiet," I say, smilin'. "Which I don't mind, cos we've bin pretty busy lately. Can we get yer somethin'? Got a few new blends special fer the summer... This one's rose, lavender an' camomile, callin' it Garden Party, bin selling quite well fer birthday presents as well as to drink in 'ere. Or a white tea wi' apricot, that's quite refreshin', or a strawberry tea - that's bin popular with Edmund's scones." Smile at that, cos me an' Edmund 'ad a nice time doin' the taste tests. 'E's very particular about makin' sure flavours go together. "'Ow are you, Wanda?"

I grin and place my head on my hands as Hope goes through the list of teas. She is quite passionate about her blends. I wonder if I used to be that way when I first started? Seems like a lifetime ago.

"I'll take some of the strawberry home," For Rose loves strawberries but it is a tea I am accustomed to. "But I'd love to try some of that Garden Party tea with the scones."

"'Ow are you, Wanda?"

"I'm doing okay, just taking a rainy Monday off." Although it seems I am never really 'off'. "How are things with you and Edmund?" The way she smiles when she talks about him, I would say things were pretty good. I'll wait for Faith to come over before I ask after her love life. It tends to change rather rapidly.

"Hello Leah, how are things with the newspaper?" I didn't miss her sitting there, I just wanted to establish I was decidedly not working today. I really am not minded to be interviewed. I have thus far managed to dodge her about the house turning purple. But she's a sweet girl and I don't wish to be rude either.

Wanda heads right over to Hope and those two start talking but I saw Faith notice and greet her in her own way so I sit back in my chair to wait. Though soon enough Wanda turns my way and asks me about how things are with the newspaper. So I smile back at her.

"Hello Wanda. Things at the newspaper are going well enough." The presses are in good working order and Mike has most of the next edition already laid out. "Anything newsworthy happen at the Mayor's office or residence today?"

I know Wanda doesn't want to talk about why the Mayoral residence changed colour so suddenly, but I have learned that sometimes I am able to make small references to such things that people do not otherwise wish to speak of, if I do not sound as if I seriously want the answer. And maybe someday she will tell me.

Ain't nobody comin' to the Carnival on a rainy Monday. Even the folks runnin' games'n rides'n stuff, they're all shuttin' down. It's the kind of day when you go into town to see what it's like, 'cause there ain't nothin' to do on the lot. Guess it'll be a good day to go see Ri again, and maybe catch the twins if they ain't too busy. I take my sketchbook, too, 'cause I can still get some good pictures even when it's rainin'. Sometimes the light looks better when it rains, even.

So I go to the tea shop, but when I come in, the first person I see's Miss Wanda! I almost go to her to get a table 'cause I'm so used to her bein' the one to do that takes care of that. "Hey, Miss Wanda - and - oh, Hope!" There she is! "Oh, I was hopin' you'd be here! Oh, heck, I'm so happy I found you!"

Smile at Leah when she glances at me, an' I reckon she wants some more tea so's I put the kettle on. But then I see someone I ain't seen in a long time come out of th'rain, blonde 'air all damp, an' it's bin a couple of years but she ain't changed too much. So's I rush over an' grab 'er, an' give 'er a smack on the lips, just cos'm so pleased to see 'er. Take Hope's hand, so she can see Genny an' I can speak.

"Luvvy, it's bin years! so good to see you again."

"Anything newsworthy happen at the Mayor's office or residence today?"

Nice try. "The biggest news out of the office is that I am not going back to it until tomorrow." I confide with a light voice. "And the biggest news from the residence is that our black raspberry bush is going to have a bumper crop." After all... they are purple too. Just not the purple Leah is asking about. "But if you can catch Kent, he might be able to give you some details about the new secondary school." I offer as a consolation.

The door opens again, and it's a face I recognize, but I can't place the name until I see the sketchpad. Genny from the Carnival, right. Before I can properly greet her, Faith has greeted her more than warmly, and is holding Hope's hand, talking excitedly. I pull out a chair so that Genny may join us all when the welcomes are over.

"Faith!"

Leastways I start to say it. 'Fore I'm done, Faith's kissin' me right on the lips, right in front of Miss Wanda and this other pretty blonde gal and everyone in the Dormouse! I know I'm blushin'. But I don't half mind, 'cause it's Faith, and 'cause I'm happy to be back.

"Good to see you too, honey. Both of you. All of you! Oh, look how nice you're keepin' this place up! Ri told me 'bout it, but now I can see you're doin' real good for yourselves."

Edited 2013-08-20 13:04 (UTC)

"Oh, Genny!" 'M so 'appy, an' I reach out an' give 'er an 'ug. 'Ave to let go of Faith to do it, so everythin' goes dark again, but Genny feels just the same. Sit back down. "'Eard the carnival was back in town, but didn't know if everyone's still with it... Syl an' Zann an' all still travellin' with you?" Faith squeezes me 'and an' says: "I'll make tea fer everyone - why don't you ladies all move to a bigger table?" an' off she dashes.

Wanda of course answers my question with two small items that are not the answer I was looking for but I didn't really expect her to give it to me today. And she does give me the interesting fact that her husband has information about the new school that he might be willing to tell me, if I can find him.

I am about to ask her where she might suggest I look for him, but then the door opens to a new customer who I don;t know but the others do. Can feel my eyes widen a bit as Faith kisses her on the lips. Not sure how I feel about seeing her kiss someone like that. Probably because I'm wishing she'd kiss me like that. Though the girl is quite pretty, especially the way she is blushing right now.

As the flurry of greetings dies down a bit, Faith says that she will make tea for everyone and suggests that maybe we should all move to a larger table. I pick my cup up in one hand and my notebook with the other and go over.

"Hello, I'm Leah. I understand you're from the Carnival?" Even if she isn't, I still like meeting new people. and if she is, then maybe I can get an article out of this.

So much for a quiet afternoon, but as distractions go, this is far from unpleasant. It is no trouble to move from one table to the next with the group as Faith goes off to make the tea.

"Hello, I'm Leah. I understand you're from the Carnival?"

I would warn Genny to watch her words around Leah, but this might serve my purpose to an extent. Maybe Genny will start talking candidly and I can get some answers as to why the Carnival is back. Yeah, right. Like I ever take a day off...

"Good to see you again Genny." I finally manage to greet her with a warm smile. "What pretty pictures do you have to show us in your sketchbook?" I ask, nodding towards the pad in her hands.

I give Hope a big tight hug. I wanted to talk to her so many times these last couple years. I wrote her and Faith letters, but it ain't the same thing. "It's real good to see you, honey," I say to her, real quiet. "Syl and Zann and Momma and everyone's doin' great. We miss you to pieces, but we're good. When Faith gets back I'll tell you both everythin' that's goin' on. Hope you can make it out to the Carnival, too, 'cause I know everyone'd love to see the both of you."

When Hope lets go of Faith to hug me, and then again when Faith goes away to the kitchen, I see the light go out in Hope's eyes, and for a second, I'm mad. Mad at Management for makin' life hard on Hope and Faith and everyone, and for doin' whatever they done with the Tower.

But Hope'd hate it if anyone was mad. Anyone 'cept Faith, 'course. Faith's always mad at everyone, and sometimes she even means it.

And it's hard to be mad when I'm so happy 'bout seein' the twins again.

We all head over to the bigger table, and the other gal introduces herself while we do. "Hey, Leah." I shake her hand while we're walkin'. "I'm Genny. Nice to meet you. Yeah, I'm with the Carnival - we just come back to town." She looks kinda familiar, but I don't think I met her. "How long you been in Excolo? Were you here when we was here before?"

Miss Wanda asks 'bout my sketchbook, and I grin. "Oh, I got lots from when we was down south last winter. There was beaches and palm trees everywhere!"

I thought that I could sit back and just absorb the conversation while I sipped my tea...

but... beaches. Beaches that might have oceans.

"May I see them please?" I think my tone is more pleading than friendly, but Genny still passes me the sketchbook. I flip through a few of palm trees and maybe the occasional pretty girl---

Oh (http://www.aurelia-art.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=38&Itemid=63).

Oh! (http://www.etsy.com/listing/79478433/waves-of-teal-original-oil-landscape-24) Oh, I remember this! The play of the waves on the shore, the moonlight reflected in the waves, and the song of the ocean. Oh, how I miss it!

"Could I buy this one?" I breathe out, my fingertips hovering just over the paper, almost afraid to touch it lest it's all a dream.

'Urry with the tea so I don't miss nothin'. Come back with a tray, an' think briefly of 'ow three years ago I couldn't've moved like this. Bein' dumb is a pain in the arse sometimes but I wouldn't swap back, no bloody way.

Wanda's cooing over somethin' - Oh, it's some of Gen's pictures. Lean over 'er shoulder.

"That's pretty, luvvy," I say approvingly, when I put my hand on Hope's shoulder, an' she smiles too, cos - "that's lovely, Genny. Ain't seen the sea in years," an' she sounds a bit wistful. "Definitely do want t'come out an' see you all, if we're still welcome." Not everyone was pleased we left, after all.

"May I see them please?"

"'Course," I say, handin' the book over to Miss Wanda. She looks, and…oh. Oh, I ain't never seen her smile like that. All happy and sad and full of wonder, all at the same time. I want to draw her now, she's smilin' so pretty.

"Could I buy this one?"

"You want to buy it?" I stare at her. "But it's just pencil! I mean, it ain't - " I was gonna say, 'it ain't special,' 'cept it is special to Miss Wanda. It's gotta be, the way she's lookin' at it. "If you like it you can have it - I won't charge you nothin' for it." I look back over at her. "You used to live someplace with a beach?" I ask, real soft.

Faith comes back, then, and she and Hope take a look. ""That's pretty, levy." Oh, even Faith's happy when she looks at 'em! That feels almost as good as Miss Wanda wantin' to buy 'em. Faith ain't so angry's she once was, I think but she still don't smile like that often. Guess I got better in the last three years.

"Thanks," I say, a little quieter, smilin' over at Faith.

"that's lovely, Genny. Ain't seen the sea in years," an' she sounds a bit wistful. "Definitely do want t'come out an' see you all, if we're still welcome."

"'Course you can come!" I say, reachin' over to give Hope a squeeze 'round the shoulders. "I say you're welcome. And you know Syl will say so too, and there ain't nobody who'd cross her. We all want to see you. Both of you."

She says her name is Genny and she confirms that yes she is from the Carnival asking in her turn how long I've been in Excolo and if I was here the previous visit. I nod, "I've been in town for about three years now.(That is not the exact number but it is close enough for most people) And yes, I remember the Carnival's last visit." I smile at her before asking, "Is Nu still a part of the Carnival?"

When we heard the Carnival had returned I wanted to go visit and say hello to Nu but Mike was too busy to come with me and he told me that he didn't think it a good idea to go on my own. But maybe if I can get someone from the Carnival to give me a proper invitation he might change his mind.

I'm curious about this Ocean and Genny's pictures of it are very nice and make me wonder what it might be like to be as big as a whole ocean. I like the pictures but I also like watching the faces of the other people at the table, Faith has such a nice smile. So does Wanda, but I think I might like to see if I could find something that could make Faith smile like that.

Wanda asks if she could buy the picture she's got under her fingers and Genny looks surprised and then decides to just give it to her. Take note of how Genny extends an invite to Hope and Faith to come and visit the Carnival. And how she says that Syl will back her up if someone challenges her right to invite people over there. I remember Syl.

con't below (http://estdeus-innobis.livejournal.com/479427.html?thread=11960003#t11960003")

If I want to write or to eat, I usually go to the cafe but not always. Some days I go to the Tea shoppe instead. There are always new teas to try and if it is not too busy I can talk with Hope, and Faith and I may flirt. I like her a lot but I don't know if she would ever like to do more than flirt with me. Maybe I should ask her sometime.

Been sitting at a table where I can see the whole room because I always like to be able to see if something happens. Which right now is Hope sorting tea into little jars, a few people drinking tea and Faith serving them. Look over at her trying to catch her eye. I would like a refill.

Also notice Wanda coming in looking very casual in jeans and t-shirt. For a moment I wish I was outside in the rain. Maybe later. I get the impression that the rain isn't stopping anytime soon.

"You want to buy it? But it's just pencil! I mean, it ain't - If you like it you can have it - I won't charge you nothin' for it."

"Genny, I think you seriously underestimate the value of your work." I reprimand her, but with a warm smile. "You will take something in payment, be it money or something I can do for you. I insist." I tell her firmly, easing the picture of the ocean drenched in moonlight from it's siblings.

"You used to live someplace with a beach?" Nod a little, still lost in the colour of the waves. "In Marchen, you could take a train to the seaside... and there's nothing like the roar of the ocean in Eire'." I sigh wistfully. "Maybe someday I'll return to where the sand meets the sea."

I sit back and let Hope, Faith and Genny talk of the carnival. Kent told me he ran into Nu, and I must get Rose over to say hello, and Zann will want to se her too. Syl's still there, and I have no opinion of her either way. Not one of my favourite people, but I suppose I can avoid her. But now that we're talking of the carnival...

"Any word on what brings the show back to Excolo after all these years?" I ask Genny casually, hoping someone knows anything.

Smile when Genny says we'd be welcome.

"'Ave missed you all a lot. You'll 'ave to come over an' see our 'ouse," I say. "Sure Edmund'd welcome you, 'e's good like that." Got a warm 'eart, my 'usband.

"Any word on what brings the show back to Excolo after all these years?"

That dims my mood a bit, but I sit up straighter cos I want to 'ear what Gen says. Feel my 'and go to the pocket in my skirt where my tarot deck is. Bet it's nothin' good that's brought 'em.

"Genny, I think you seriously underestimate the value of your work." I reprimand her, but with a warm smile. "You will take something in payment, be it money or something I can do for you. I insist."

"Okay," I mumble. Pretty sure I'm blushin' again. It's a good picture, but I done better! It feels strange to have Miss Wanda goin' on 'bout how she wants to pay me for it. But I gotta say, it feels pretty good, too. "Um. I ain't never sold a picture by itself before. I'll think about it, I guess? I don't know how much it'd cost. I'm just glad you like it so much. My pictures're all s'posed to remind folks of happy things, so…guess it did its job." Mostly they're s'posed to remind folks of happy things so that they'll pay more money to the Carnival, but this is a different kind of happy.

"'Ave missed you all a lot. You'll 'ave to come over an' see our 'ouse," I say. "Sure Edmund'd welcome you, 'e's good like that."

"I'd love to see your house! And Edmund too. I ain't had any pie as good as his since we left. Honest." I love the way Hope gets all glowy when she talks 'bout Edmund. Ain't seen her this happy, ever.

"Any word on what brings the show back to Excolo after all these years?"

Hope stiffens, and Leah watches me real careful. Everyone's watchin' me, and I look away. "Um. Management ain't sayin'." The twins'll know what that means. Maybe Miss Wanda will, too, since she was so close to the Doc. Still miss him, sometimes. "Guess they thought we'd been away long enough that people'd miss us and treat us like somethin' new. But they didn't tell us why."

Purse my lips when Gen says Management ain't sayin' why they's back. Bloody Management. Glad t'be rid of 'em.

"Never strong on explainin'," I say shortly, and shake me 'ead. Door opens an' another couple o'customers come in. "I'd best see to these," I say reluctantly. "I'll be back when I can." Give Hope's 'and a squeeze and get up, go off to do me job.

"Um. Management ain't sayin'. Guess they thought we'd been away long enough that people'd miss us and treat us like somethin' new. But they didn't tell us why."

"Never strong on explainin',"

Nu told Kent just as much, and I sigh in resignation. "Sorry to put you on the spot, Genny. It's just... people are coming to me as their mayor, wanting to know why the show is back. Those that remember," I explain, and shake my head. "Guess I should get over there and see if your Management will talk to me." Which is something I am not looking forward to in the least.

Can't miss how everyone is looking at Genny and waiting for her answer. Which turns out to be disappointing. On the other hand, Wanda says something very interesting. That she plans to go and try to talk to their management. Now that I can use. And as it makes her look good, for responding to people's concerns, she probably won't mind. Probably.

"Don't envy you, 'avin' all those people to explain to," I say t'Wanda. Sip me tea. "I wonder... if I did a readin' of the future fer someone in the carnival," deliberately don't suggest Genny cos she might 'ave reasons to not want to 'ear about the future; that sort o'thing's private, "might get a bit of a - peek at what's goin' on 'ere."

Everybody's lookin' at me! I wouldn't mind if it was only the twins or Miss Wanda, but all of 'em and that pretty gal Leah. Leah's lookin' at me real hard, with her eyes all focused like she's thinkin' 'bout everythin' that's goin' on. Bet she's real smart! But I ain't sure I want to know what she's plannin.

"Never strong on explaining'" says Faith, and I nod.

"Yeah. they ain't," I mumble.

"Sorry to put you on the spot, Genny. It's just... people are coming to me as their mayor, wanting to know why the show is back. Those that remember," I explain, and shake my head. "Guess I should get over there and see if your Management will talk to me."

"Maybe they would now that you're mayor?" Sure hope they don't get mad at her! "I dunno, Miss Wanda. Honest, I don't hardly know how Management decides who to talk to and who not to, but if you do go…be careful?"

"You could do - " Mine, I almost say. Catch myself, though, 'cause then I think maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to do mine. If I'm gonna do somethin' 'bout Management, what if they could tell if the readin' was about them?

"You could do Momma's? Or if you gotta have the person here to read for 'em…well. Um. I'm here?"

This is all very interesting! I am sitting quietly, sipping my tea and listening. But I have a question, and it is something that I have wondered before. Put down my cup and lean forward a bit so Hope can hear me.

"Does the reading have to be for a single person? Or could you do one for a group? Such as the people of Excolo?"

About to answer Genny when Leah pipes up.

"...Ain't never thought o'tryin' to read for the town," I say, thoughtful. "Hmm... I dunno if I can, cos that's a lot of people, a lot o'different fates all tangled up. But could... Give it a try." Fumble me cards out onto the table.

"Could you do it?" I ask, lookin' from Leah to Hope and back again. "For the town?" That's better'n me, better'n Momma, even. Whatever Management wants here, it don't have nothin' to do with us - it's about Excolo and the thing in the Tower.

Just hope that lookin' at Excolo's cards don't bring Hope too close to the Tower.

A reading for the town, now there's an idea.

"Leah, that's a excellent idea. Let's se if it will work." I smile at the blonde woman, and turn back to Hope. "I speak for the town, and give permission to read for it as a whole." I say quietly, and offer to shuffle the deck if it helps.

I pass the pack o'cards over t'Wanda. S'pose as Mayor she does have the authority to represent the town.

"Genny shuffle'm next, so we can see the carnival, too," I say. Faith comes back over an' sits next t'me, an' I lean into 'er, grateful to be able to see through 'er eyes. "We're goin' to try to do a readin' fer the town," I say. "About the future." Take the cards back an' I lay out the celtic cross (http://www.angelpaths.com/spreads3.html). A bigger spread'n I usually use, but this is for the whole town.

"First card's the present," I say, an' turn it over. Ace o'Pentacles, an' I see in a rush the busy marketplace, the growth o'the town.

"Ace o'Pentacles is a card o'profit," says Faith. "Shows that the town's been doin' well. People are prosperous."

"Second card's th' immedate obstacle," I say, an' steel myself before turnin' it over. Expect to see the Tower. It's the Fool, reversed. Look at it, an' instead of seein' I feel, strange moment like bein' on a tightrope, drunk swayin' sensation. Shake me 'ead to get rid of it.

"Fool don't usually come up as a problem card, even reversed," says Faith. "'S a good card. But what Hope's seen... 'S a symbol of new beginnin's. But the problem 'ere is whether we want it, an' what sort of new beginnin' it might be. A card o'change. An' it's an obstacle cos there's lots of different directions it could go in... An' lots of people're willing to steer it the way they want." Feel the back of me neck prickle.

Edited 2013-08-29 22:48 (UTC)

"Genny shuffle'm next, so we can see the carnival, too," Hope tells me. I nod, and say, "Okay," and start shufflin'.

Been ages since I've done this. We ain't gotten another card-reader in the Carnival. Hired one on for a while, but everyone could tell he was a quack.

These cards ain't no quack cards, though. I can feel all them little tingles as I'm shufflin', just like I used to. I know there's somethin' real happenin'.

They start in like they always do, readin' and talkin' together. "First card's the present," I say, an' turn it over. Ace o'Pentacles, an' I see in a rush the busy marketplace, the growth o'the town.

"Ace o'Pentacles is a card o'profit," says Faith. "Shows that the town's been doin' well. People are prosperous."

But then Hope looks all woozy for a sec. "You okay, honey?" I ask, leanin' over.

Faith's the one that talks, but she don't look too happy neither. "Fool don't usually come up as a problem card, even reversed," says Faith. "'S a good card. But what Hope's seen... 'S a symbol of new beginnin's. But the problem 'ere is whether we want it, an' what sort of new beginnin' it might be. A card o'change. An' it's an obstacle cos there's lots of different directions it could go in... An' lots of people're willing to steer it the way they want."

I gotta think hard 'bout that one. "But it ain't sayin' that things shouldn't change, right?" I ask real slow. "Just that…there's lots of different ways that it can change, and some of 'em'll be better'n others?"

Like ours? Maybe?

"Does it say which changes are best?"

Chew on my bottom lip as Hope and Faith explain the first two cards. The first seems spot on, and the second isn't bad; change is inevitable. But neither of the twins seem happy about it.

"There's natural change, there's effective change for the betterment of all... and then there's 'Excolo' change." Sigh and twirl a strand of my hair from my pony tail about my fingers. Wonder if Rose has any sense of anything moving behind the scenes? Continue to chew my lip and wait for the next card to be revealed.

Everyone looks at me when I ask my question and Hope seems a bit doubtful at first but then decides to try anyway. Though she first has both Wanda and Genny shuffle the cards. And she lays out more of them than I've seen her do since she first explained the basics of how to read the cards to me.

Another thing that is different is that Faith is telling us about the cards, Not Hope. Though I realize that maybe this is only new to me since I have only ever known the twins as they are now.

Once Hope turns the first card over the whole table focuses their attention on it. I sneak quick glances at the others, Genny looks a bit nervous and so does Wanda when Faith explains about the second card. I'm a bit worried about Hope if the the other cards in the reading have similar effects on her to this one. But I also think we need to know the final outcome so I stay quiet.

Until Genny asks,Does it say which changes are best?

"That information is more likely to be shown by the other cards in the spread." I tell her quietly, hoping to avoid getting glared at by Faith for interrupting.

"Just that…there's lots of different ways that it can change, and some of 'em'll be better'n others?"

"Sort of," I say, bitin' me lip. "The cards, they... ain't that interested in what's better or worse. Just what can be. An' sometimes what we see, 's easy to tell if it's good or bad. But sometimes it's not."

"Road to 'Ell is paved with good intentions," says Faith, with a bit of a smirk, but we go quiet for a minute after that. Know everyone's thinkin' bout the Tower.

"Does it say which changes are best?"

"That information is more likely to be shown by the other cards in the spread."

Smile at Leah.

"Yeah, got to have context t'work it out. Th' third card's called foundation. Says where th'origins of our situation are." So I turn it over, an' again I expect to see the tower, but I don't. Instead...

In the dry dust of a train of wagons a woman coughs blood and is dying and dying but does not die, and says she has a dream of a town by a river, and when she dies the rest of them dream it, a map in pieces, and her husband weeps and says she is in them all now, and their leader says no, it is God - they hear God's voice in the wilderness; and they build it, a town. There was blood. There's always blood. Before then, so long before, men put a body in the ground here and it rose up and they called him a god; he was the first god they made, not found, but not the last. They put many other bodies in that ground after that, but they stayed there, meat and bone into dust, and animals lapped the blood.

"Excolo," I say, faint an' shakin', and Faith squeezes me 'ands.

"I don't even know 'ow to begin explainin'," she says. "Hope saw the birth of this town. Two births. I dunno. When it was made into a town, an' before that, when it was... woken up. Or maybe just when people realised what it was, this place. Gods come 'ere. But they was also made 'ere. The 'igh Priestess card, she's a card o'mystery, o'power within us, of gifts we 'ave we don't know about yet, the guide to... all secret things. I think... Excolo's a door, 's what it's sayin'. But not to a place. To knowledge."

"Est deus in nobis," I say, all quiet, without thinkin'.

I can't help but shiver when Faith tries to explain the third card. The birth of the town, in more ways than one. I know all pantheon's start from somewhere... nowhere actually, but to think it happened here...

"Excolo's a door, 's what it's sayin'. But not to a place. To knowledge."

"Est deus in nobis,"

"They say knowledge is power... the more we know, the more control we have over the outcome of the town's path?" I muse out loud. I think I might be biting through my bottom lip at this point, so I leave off that to gently drum my fingers against my tea cup. "I think this may all be beyond my pay scale," I sigh, both curious and worried at the same time, and wonder what the rest of the reading will hold.

Hope's all trembly, and Faith's more serious'n I've ever seen her. Ever.

They explain all about it - the town gettin' started, the town gettin' woken up, all the things that went into makin' Excolo what it is. Everyone's just quiet. Don't really know what we can say, after all that, with the twins lookin' so pale and serious.

"They say knowledge is power…" says Miss Wanda after a bit. "The more we know, the more control we have over the outcome of the town's path?" I muse out loud. I think I might be biting through my bottom lip at this point, so I leave off that to gently drum my fingers against my tea cup. "I think this may all be beyond my pay scale."

"Or maybe…the more we're connected to Excolo, or the longer we stay here, the more knowledge we'll get?"

Leastways, I hope it's that way 'round, 'cause if knowin' more's the only way to control what's gonna happen, then I better get to readin', 'cause right now I don't know nothin' 'cept paints'n colors.

"And that's why…everyone wants Excolo?" Everyone meanin' the Tower, but I ain't gonna say that! Not when the cards're out, and not when everyone who's here knows what I mean. "To get the knowledge?"

Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world. ~T'ien Yiheng

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