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Post by Draeci on Apr 23, 2023 4:35:09 GMT -5
In the liminal space between two far more interesting buildings, hangs a floor length, star-patterned curtain, covering the mouth of a large, open ended shipping container.
Perhaps it's always been there. It's hard to remember. The hanging fabric certainly bears enough dust and smutz from the street.
A sign by the curtain reads:
"Emperor's Tarot Readings: 2 Thrones
Palm Readings: 3 Thrones
Weather Predictions: 1 Throne
Payment up front. No refunds."
A small lamp hangs beside the sign, unlit, signifying the tent does not currently have a customer inside.
From behind the curtain, the faint sound of someone stirring a drink can be heard, and the faint scent of spiced tea drifts out.
Pushing open the curtain, a visitor would find an old shipping container that has been redecorated to serve as a small room. It sports a variety of bartered or scratch built furniture; a small table, two wooden seats, some recycled shelving, rugs, and various fabrics covering the furniture and corrugated walls to make things a little less stark.
A soft light is provided by a couple of mismatched paraffin lamps, hooked by the ceiling. They quietly hiss, giving the space a pleasant white noise.
"Come in, it don't bite! Though, Shatter might." there's a soft laugh from the psyker, seated by the small table.
A grumble from beneath the tablecloth implies that whatever Shatter is, the joke was unappreciated.
Clacky raises a cup amiably, "Tea's brewed, have a cup while you're thinking."
Topic Rules:
If you complete a reading with Kleckhe, your character may reflect upon it later, and apply what they learned as a single use +1 bonus or talent.
As it's hard to remember exactly when anyone meets the psyker, this can be used in any topic at any time. And then it's spent.
For example, if a reading warned about not sitting out on new opportunities, your character may reflect upon this and gain a +1 to Quick when rushing to catch a departing transport.
Kleckhe welcomes: Humans (any faction), Aeldari, and abhumans. Anyone else who could reasonably have snuck their way into the area.
No: Tau, Genestealer Cultists, Psykers, or Blanks.
Readings are one person at a time.
It is up to you if you wish to refer to the reading when meeting Clacky later. Clacky generally does not bring up past meetings, as they assume people don't remember them.
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Post by hobbsy on Apr 23, 2023 21:25:49 GMT -5
It is a hooded figure, ever so slightly hunch, yet taller than average height, who passes through the curtain. The hood descends into a long cloak of browns and green while purple hair forming two smaller curls, barely visible under the hood, a third larger curl cascading out of the hood to her shoulder. Amber eyes stare out in wide surprise at Clacky's voice, a clear sign she was startled to find anyone here.
Ponti felt nervous and out of place. But these feelings were not out of place for her (especially in unfamiliar territory). Yet it the feeling of something... familiar... that kept here from immediately leaving. Though why was this feeling.. coming from under the table?
After standing awkwardly for what might have been a minute, she slowly shifted her way towards the offered seat and seated herself. Clacky would not at least see sharp features behind the hood. That and a facemask concealing everything below the eyes. At least he would be able to see the smaller curls more clearly...
At the offered cup of tea, she would simply cup cup it in her hands. She would remain in this position, staring at Clacky for the next few minutes.
Does.. does she even know what this is?
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Post by Draeci on Apr 25, 2023 5:51:09 GMT -5
Psykers can see just about every living being's aura, or soul, and while Kleckhe themself is too polite to ever say this to anyone, every soul has a very different intensity. The visitor to their makeshift cabin, however, is like nothing they've ever seen.
Clacky gazes in awe for a moment at the brilliant hue and vibrant aura that emanates from the guest at the table.
Despite their relaxed attitude, the psyker is however very curious. For a second they consider the height difference between themselves and the figure, combined with the dazzling aura.
This person is either a very tall psyker, or- Ah.
Clacky decides to pretend that they don't know the answer, in Imperial occupied territory.
While it's easy to ignore the emotional bleed from a human, the Aeldari is another matter, and Kleckhe can feel anxiety in the air. Unsurprising, given the city was full of humans and guard. But there's something else, complicated and troubling, and for now, indecipherable.
"You can inhale the steam, it's good for clarity, and nerves." the psyker nods to the cup, smiling, "The water around here is kind of gritty, bit it's not so bad, boiled."
From under the table, there's a rustle, and Ponti will suddenly find a familiar furry weight settling in her lap. Perhaps less weight than expected, given the size of the creature. Shatter may be slightly too large to rest on the average human, but the feline makes themselves at home on the Aeldari, before addressing Ponti with a stare.
The scarred grey and black 'cat' squints their blue eyes for a moment, meeting Ponti's. Shatter flicks their tail at the table, indicating Clacky, and Ponti will have a sense that the feline is perhaps protective of their found human. <<Good. Shares the food. Does not kick. Does not loud. Opened cage. Better than other two-leg. Mine.>>
Shatter then settles down, purring with a soft rumble.
It's not often one is given a reference by a cat, and Clacky watches with bemusement, sensing an exchange, but not certain what it is.
"That's... Not something I've seen before."
Blinking and remembering this is ostensibly a business, the psyker lowers their cup, and smiles, "How can I be of service? I offer card readings, and I do palm readings. Both are really for self reflection and perspective rather than divination purposes." they tap the card deck beside them on the table.
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Post by hobbsy on Apr 26, 2023 1:13:11 GMT -5
Ponti would silently listen and stare at Clacky as he talks about the tea. Possibly to the point where it becomes uncomfortable. That until she feels the weight on her lap.
As she looks down and notices the creature upon her, she is filled with immediate horror and seized by terror. Her eyes widens. Her upper body stiffens while her lower body trembles in a most unatural manner. She wants to run. To get out of here before either of the two life forms in this structure realize what she really is!
But then, just before she could act, she felt peace. Why peace? How could it be peace she felt? She continued to stare and while looking at Shatter, she suddenly realized. This was what felt familiar. She remembered. Long before all she had been through, she remembered playing with such a creature. Back when she was young, a time she struggled to even remember now. A time of peace.
Her thoughts were then halted as she felt Shatter.. communicate.. with her. After receiving the 'message', Ponti would still feel nervous. Though she felt that at the very least, this familiar creature wouldn't judge her for what she was. She was at ease enough to remain, if not simply because she didn't want to disturb the resting creature. That and she felt the strong desire to pat the creature, but felt too nervous to do so.
As Clanky spoke once more and explain his services, Ponti would look up and simply stare for a moment. Then she would raise her hand and point to the palm with her other hand.
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Post by Draeci on May 1, 2023 8:59:03 GMT -5
Clacky watches Shatter, with an expression that says the psyker is willing to step in and remove the feline, should need arise. But the creature settles, and begins loudly purring.
"Oh..." Kleckhe looks up at Ponti and then back down at Shatter. They speak softly, "I think you've gained a friend. Shatter doesn't really trust humans, and I can't say I blame them. Some Rogue Trader sold them off as a novelty to House Helvetta, but once that novelty wore off, this one ended up penned up at the back of the grounds like some kind of afterthought... I doubt people even know that I released the animals when I left." Clacky smiles, but seems definitely regretful, "I should have done that sooner."
The psyker very slowly reaches out, and rubs their knuckles under the cat's chin, "Under here, is a safe place, and very soft."
They lean back and blink, remembering that the visitor had requested a palm reading.
"Sorry, a palm reading. Usually I would look at someone's lifeline, but I feel that may... be a bit personal. How about potential futures?" Kleckhe smiles and holds one hand out over the table. With their spare hand they snap their fingers over a small glass and metal lantern, and a soft teal flame ignites inside.
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Post by hobbsy on May 1, 2023 15:37:44 GMT -5
Ponti intently listen to Clacky as he talked of Shatter's passed. It gave her clarity as to why the animal had laid on her lap, they had both experienced imprisonment and neglect. One could say they were more kindred spirits. But Ponti hadn't had a 'friend' before, so she was more than happy with that idea. She also became very curious if the 'safe place' under the creature's chin which the human mentioned. Was there something special to Shatter she didn't know about? Could one use this creature to hide oneself?
This would have to wait though as Clacky guided her back to the offered service. Ponti would be hesitant, even jumpy at the ignition of the light and of the offered hand. But slowly she would offer her own hand to be read. Maybe even relieved that her past history is not the subject at hand.
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Post by Draeci on May 2, 2023 14:32:33 GMT -5
Clacky smiles and nods as Ponti offers her hand, and the psyker waits for her to fully extend it. They rest against the table and support her hand gently with their own, then concentrate, their expression curious, rather than too serious.
They don't hold Ponti in place, so the visitor is free to pull away at any time.
The psyker blinks as they come into contact. It's isn't unpleasant, but the run-off energy from touching such a bright soul is dizzying. Various strong emotions attempt to interrupt, and push their way toward Kleckhe's thoughts, but the telepath refuses them. Privacy was promised, and allowing such things could very well be overwhelming for a human psyker.
After a few seconds of concentration, the psychic roadmap on Ponti's hand settles, and Kleckhe can trace the paths.
"Well, let's have a look at travels for a start... Hm... It seems that this planet isn't your final place of rest, but I feel perhaps you knew that?" Kleckhe smiles, gesturing to a faint crease on Ponti's palm, "Your voyages will continue from here. Though this-" they trace above the second half of the line, "-this would indicate you start to choose your own direction more selectively, going where you feel is important, rather than where the current pulls you. It could be that you leave this planet with a different purpose, when the time comes."
The psyker points with two fingers to a second, shorter parallel crease, "And here... it would indicate you may spend less time alone on this planet than you're used to. Perhaps other travellers will find you, or you join them."
Tracking to where the crease intercepts another, "Yes, it would suggest the potential of working towards a shared goal? A support network of kinds? It's harder to say what that could mean, given the war." Clacky looks thoughtful, "It could even mean you helping refugees, there are so many displaced souls here now."
The psyker looks up at Ponti, and smiles, "Of course, relying on others can take some getting used to."
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Post by hobbsy on May 3, 2023 7:44:20 GMT -5
Ponti would silently watch the pysker as he observed her hand, her own head tilted to one side as she herself observed. She would remain in this position as he spoke, not uttering a sound.
That is until he mentioned 'choose your own direction'. At this, Ponti would straighten her head, look down at Shatter and then, with a timid yet purposeful hand, begin to stroke the creature on her lap.
She would continue to listen and absorb all of Clacky's words. Though as Clacky smiles he would see in her eyes, and maybe in her ora, a hint that his last words on relying may have hit a deeper scar.
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