Different Kind of Cards (Blythe)

by **Nathan Longstride** on November 3rd, 2011, 10:22 pm

Nathan was glad to see that Blythe didn't react to her cards being thrown all over the ground. Maybe she had seen weirder ways to pick cards for this fortune telling thing, and she had grown to see this as normal. Nathan would've believed it if she did see this as normal. Normal on this island meant tormenting every man stepping foot on the island, as if it was a game. Nathan didn't understand at all why they were targeted. No one had messed with Master Eldytia up to this point. Why was that?

But as Blythe began the process of this fortune telling, Nathan forgot all other thoughts. First the Konti placed each of his five cards down in a pattern. Really, Nathan didn't quite understand how she knew which card went in each place. Was it just random, and she just placed the five cards down however she desired them to be? Nathan wouldn't have doubted it, even though he wouldn't speak his thoughts out loud. This woman was nice despite the fact that her profession was probably cheating the teenager of his money. When Nathan became a trader, some of his deals wouldn't be fair to others. But if he was fair to everyone, he wouldn't make any money. And this woman wouldn't make any money if she didn't tweak this fortune telling just a little. Because who besides the gods could predict the future?

But as Blythe flipped the first card over, and explained what it meant, Nathan was amazed. He glanced at it while the woman explained what it meant. At first, Nathan didn't understand why it started with a magician. He knew no magic, and didn't know if he ever would learn it. But as the woman explained further, Nathan was amazed at how accurate it was to him. He left Zeltiva because he wished to see more of the world. Not here about it from his father, or from the sailors in the taverns, but from his own two eyes. And he had never left earlier because of his young age and lack of money. Yet he told none of this to Blythe, and she hit the nail of the head. How?

Blythe asked if he had any questions about the card. Nathan just wanted to yell out how she knew. He wanted to know how so much of his past could be revealed by one card. He had told her nothing, and yet she told him so much. But instead Nathan shook his head, his voice calm as he answered verbally. "I have no questions. You can continue." But while he said he had no questions, Nathan leaned closer to see quickly what was to come next. If they could guess his past so well, would the future this woman predict going to be close also? It frightened Nathan what could happen. But it was also a thrill to know that he was about know what life was going to throw at him. While he was nervous, he hoped for challenges in the future.

by **Blythe** on November 7th, 2011, 4:50 am

Blythe nodded, and turned over the next card, the one to the far left. Staring back at her and Nathan was a woman standing atop an arch. She seemed to be calming a lion, who had a fiery orb resting in its paws. Atop the lion was a swan, and sitting beside it were two cats. "This card is represents the first improper path, which may lead you astray," Blythe explained. "You have drawn the strength card, which is associated with unshakeable resolve, calm composure and patience, compassion, and persuasion."

Blythe paused, for a moment. "It seems as though you may be drawn away from your quest to other lands by a certain number of things. The first seems to be patience. Although you long to see the world, you are still young. You know this. You are in no rush to get to Denval anytime soon, for you know you can always do that later... that you can stop in other towns and cities along the way. Explore those areas before going on to your final destination."

Blythe paused for a moment, and cleared her throat. "Another possible deterrent is the fact that you may easily be swayed. Perhaps, along the way, you will find someone who will bring meaning into your life. A friend, a lover, someone you will feel an intense connection with, and will not want to be without. Someone you will want to travel with, perhaps. This person may cause you to sway, to pause. This person may cause you to change plans. Or delay them, at the very least." Blythe paused. "If this person is not a friend or someone close to you, perhaps it is one you simply pass by. Someone who reminds you that the road ahead will be long and difficult. So dangerous, that you may have to take more time to study, to train, before you can make the journey safely. Perhaps, if you do insist on going right now, and not waiting any longer, they will suggest that you take someone with you, to help make your journey a more smooth one."

"Perhaps you and this person will try to travel together, but fail to get along," Blythe went on. "This could slow you down. But because you feel you need him or her in order to make it, you may refuse to give up. You may continue to try and make things work, even though, somewhere inside yourself, you know that is best for each of you to go your separate ways, for you are merely holding each other up. Keeping each other from living your lives to their fullest extent."

"Perhaps you will be swayed altogether, when someone reminds you how hard it is to travel," Blythe continued, slightly annoyed with herself for back-tracking, and not letting her thoughts flow all the more cohesively. "Perhaps it will keep you from going anywhere. Leaving you to grow old in this place."

Blythe tapped the card. "It can be a great many things Nathan. It's difficult to say really, what it could be for sure." She paused for a moment, pulling her hand away. "Should we go on? And assess it with everything else once the other cards have been revealed?" Blythe asked.

by **Nathan Longstride** on November 9th, 2011, 11:15 pm

Nathan listend to Blythe as she flipped over the next card. A woman was standing on top of an arch. A lion, a swan, two cats, and an orb all were included. What did that mean? Was he going to face a lion fighting two cats over the carcass of a goose while a woman watched? Nathan knew that wasn't true but he still let his thoughts wonder. But he did know one thing. A woman was on that card. And in Nathan's life away from Zeltiva, it seemed women meant trouble. But what kind?

And as Blythe explained, Nathan figured he wasn't too far off. It seemed he was going to get distracted as he traveled to Denval. Someone he knew or someone he met was going to make Nathan have second thoughts about going to Denval. Nathan was sure he wouldn't let a woman stop him from seeing the world. But what if they did travel together and not get along? Could he possibly travel with a woman he didn't get along with? And what if it was a man? While their arguments wouldn't be over the same thing, a man around that stopped him from doing what he wanted. It wasn't what he wished to experience. Which again brought up his thoughts about whether or not this fortune telling would come true. Because if it did, it wasn't looking too good on Nathan's part.

Blythe asked him if they wished to continue and address this when they came to the end. Nathan nodded his head, his bangs falling into his eyes. "Please continue." But while Nathan was polite about continuing, he really was wary about what the future would hold for him.

by **Blythe** on November 14th, 2011, 2:09 am

Blythe nodded, and turned the next card over. The card in the middle. Staring back at her and Nathan was a card with a deep purple and blue background. Standing in a shallow pool of water which contained several fiery fish was a woman clad in long, flowing white robes. Her long hair swirled into the sky, and settled beneath the light of a single, glowing silver star. Blythe smiled weakly at the sight. "The card in this position represents the second decision along your path," Blythe explained. "You have drawn the star card, which is associated with your finding hope again, faith in the future, inspiration, tranquility amid trouble, harmony, and being generous."

Blythe paused, "it seems as though, somewhere down the line, you will have to decide whether or not you wish to regain a sense of hope. Perhaps now, you are troubled. You feel as though there is a monumental task ahead of you. Something that you simply cannot overcome, for the path ahead, is indeed, a rather dangerous one to tread. Perhaps this will bring you to a disheartened state, one which may even cause you to sway from your path. It is your choice then, to choose. Will you let this feeling of being incapable of doing something get in your way? Or will you put your hope into the future, into that which you couldn't possibly know, and venture out into the world? Carry out the journey your heart is aching for?"

Blythe paused, allowing the words to sink in for a minute, before continuing. "Perhaps you will find some other form of trouble along the way- maybe the ship that brings you to shore will sink, or you will fall ill. Perhaps you will be robbed by bandits, or left to die. You too, must decide if any of these fates befall you, to continue on your journey despite them, or let them get in your way. You must decide whether or not to succumb to your troubles, or venture on in the hopes of attaining a sense of peace and tranquility. Of pride within yourself. A sense of accomplishment, if you will."

Blythe fell silent after that, considering the card's other meanings. She didn't think much of them though. Didn't think they much fit with everything else she had to say. The context of the reading, and decided not to explain the card any further. To ignore them completely unless Nathan decided to bring them up. "Any questions on this card?" Blythe asked.

by **Nathan Longstride** on November 16th, 2011, 12:58 am

As a child, Nathan's mother showed him a neat trick. She took a leather-back book and drew a picture on each page of a ball, bouncing up and down. But in each individual picture, she only moved the ball a little at a time. At first it didn't seem very cool, but once she was done, she used her thumb to flip through the pages at a fast pace. As if by magic, the ball bounced up and down like a real ball. His mother took something simple and made it into something special. The only reason Nathan thought of this was because he felt like the ball. Except he deflated when he landed, and didn't bounce back up.

Now Nathan didn't feel like an actual ball, but after the next card was flipped over, his hope that his future would get any better just deflated. Blythe hadn't even spoke about what this card meant, but all Nathan saw was just another women. And in his life, women meant trouble. And as the Konti told he he was to refind hope, Nathan could only slump his shoulders. He didn't really, but he felt like this was the time to do so. And if felt like the time to ask the question that had just begun to burn in his head. What would make him have to find hope once more?

But as with the other card that fortold disaster, Blythe could give only possibilties. All the options were not something Nathan wished to undergo. Robbery by bandits wouldn't be good, as then he'd be poor, but illness was worse. Why have everything if you died anyway? And Nathan had heard the tales of those lost at sea when their ships sank. He had also heard the tales of sea monsters. He didn't want to believe them, but there were monsters on land all over the world. So why couldn't there be monsters at sea? With all these things that this Konti was predicting, Nathan was nervous. Could he regain hope after something like this?

By now Blythe could probably see the worry on Nathan's face. And if not on his face, his blue eyes gave it away without question. Nathan asked for this to happen, and Blythe did her job like she was suppose to. She wasn't paid to sugarcoat anything. But Nathan could only imagine the feelings Blythe had as she did each fortelling. She seemed to be spot-on with her predictions. Was she ever troubled by what she predicted? Had she ever told someone death was in their future? How could one possibly handle this?

The woman didn't let any of her personal thoughts free, not that Nathan expected her to. So Nathan shook his head to her question. He might as well continue with this, and see if anything good could come out of this. He sure did hope so. "Please continue."

by **Blythe** on November 17th, 2011, 1:31 am

Despite the fear and uncertainty that lingered in his eyes, Nathan seemed determined to keep going. So it was all that Blythe could do then, keep going until he broke, assuming he broke at all. "Very well," Blythe whispered, as she turned the next card over. The one in the lower right. Staring back at the Konti and human boy was a card with a largely blue background. Encased in an orb of stone, towards the bottom of the card, was a nude woman in the fetal position. Her skin tan, a sharp contrast to the figure who hovered above the cage. A man with dazzling blue wings, and spindly arms. Dark, hairy legs that looked as though they belonged to a goat.

"The card in this position represents the second false path that may lead you astray," Blythe explained. "You have drawn the devil, which is associated with a loss of independence, addiction and enslavement, overindulgence, choosing to stay in the dark, lust, and desire." The Konti paused for a moment, considering how best to shed light on a card which seemed so very straightforward to her. "It appears as though that somewhere along your journey you will be met with temptation. Something or someone will catch your eye, and you will soon find yourself trapped within the prison that they create. Their loving embrace, or even, an embrace simply brought on by sheer lust. Desire." Blythe paused, clearing her throat. "Turning to drugs, or even alcohol, to dull the pain, the hardship, you face whilst on your journey is also possible."

The woman fell silent then, allowing her words to sink in, before wrapping up. "There also seems to be a chance that you will have a run in with slavers," Blythe began. "That you will find yourself bound to them, or whoever they sell you too... although, this may also be a reference to your being enslaved by an addiction. Assuming you take up a substance you are not currently doing... or perhaps, a bad habit. Like going to brothels in order to wet and hopefully sate your appetite," Blythe finished, blushing a little.

The Konti hoped that Nathan would ask her to continue. She couldn't say she was particularly fond of the last card he had drawn.

by **Nathan Longstride** on November 22nd, 2011, 12:38 am

If anyone ever told Nathan that the third time is the charm, he was sure he'd punch them in the jaw. The consequences afterwards did not bother the Zeltivan. Only the feeling of hatred towards that quote that was vented via a fist to the side of someone's head. And he didn't care who that person was, whether it be a seven foot man or a child. That saying would forever be on Nathan's hit list. And it was all the fault of women.

Now granted it was wrong for Nathan to blame women as a whole to the problems that Blythe was predicting he'd have. It wasn't her fault at all due to the fact that it was Nathan who had chosen his cards. And the other women Nathan had yet to meet were not to blame, as they had done nothing to the teenager yet. But as Nathan looked upon the next card with a naked woman cowering underneath a man, Nathan could only see the woman. Not because she was naked, although that was a nice touch for the teenager. But he looked at the card with disgust knowing that with the woman comes more misfortune in Nathan's near future. Third time's the charm his petching arse.

And Nathan wasn't wrong as Blythe explained what this card foretold for him. Someone or something would catch his eye and he'd be caught in its embrace. While he loved his women, he didn't want to love any particular one. Nor did he plan on it anytime soon. But what if he fell in love with liqour? Or money? Blythe, while she gave some options, didn't specify whether that was all he could fall in love with. What if sometime in the future he took a fancy with rats? Nathan didn't know for sure, but he was certain he'd never look at the number three in the same way ever again.

And what if he skipped the women and alcohol, but instead had chains strapped on him? By a woman? Nathan wouldn't like it one bit. Would he have to live his life without the freedom that he left Zeltiva for? He enjoyed going where he choose, eating what he wished, and doing anything he desired. Could he possibly handle slavery?

And the worst part out of all of this was the fact that one card still was face down. Nathan didn't know what that would give him, but could it possibly be worse than slavery. Or falling in love with a woman, and having to live with her your entire life. As Nathan waved his hand for Blythe to continue, he pondered his fate. And prayed to Kelwyn for something good to come out of this.

by **Blythe** on November 26th, 2011, 2:06 am

Blythe flipped over the final card, the one on top. Staring back at herself and the boy was a card that depicted what appeared to be a stained glass window. The window was circular, and brightly colored, with a golden thread woven throughout. It was hung on a cracking wall of grey stone. Beneath it was a blue rose bed, and a few pink lilies. "The last card you have drawn is known as the wheel of fortune," Blythe explained. "It represents one possible mask for your true destination." Blythe paused. "The wheel of fortune is associated with one's destiny, fate, turning points in one's life, movement and change, and an interconnected world."

The Konti fell silent for another moment, before speaking once more. "It would appear that you may come to a place along your travels which will make you feel as though you belong. As though that was where you were meant to wind up. That whatever place that may be, is the one you are supposed to find. What you have been searching for all along." Blythe paused. "Because this place will appear to have called you, to have brought you to some sort of change- perhaps in your outlook upon the world, or maturity, you will stop there. But this place is not any of those things. Yes, it may have altered your maturity, but it is not your final destination. You must push past this urge to stop, if you want to truly discover whatever it is that you seek."

Blythe paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. "It seems, then, Nathan, that you will face many obstacles on your journey- some of which may include being led astray by how your path forces you to grow, being thrown into slavery, bonding to someone or something that holds you back... in the end, you must overcome all of these obstacles, these possibilities, the temptation, if you are to reach Denval successfully. In one piece, with a sound mind..."

The Konti's voice trailed off for a long time. "Is there anything else you want to ask?" Blythe inquired, simply to bring everything to a close. "Or are you alright?"

OOCI don't know if you wanted to wrap up around now, or if you wanted to lead into something else. Your call.

by **Cachet** on March 18th, 2012, 3:31 pm

Blythe :

Conclusion:I graded for active characters. Again Blythe's fortune telling is as epic as ever...and it should be honestly. Anyway good read and very fun as usual.

Anything seem out of place? Any questions please feel free to contact me ASAP.