5 Apr 2023, 15:53
20/3/2023 | To Piérre
A pitch black owl, whom Val had named Karakuş, was already inside Piérre’s room before he could even get to the window to investigate [21 v. 23], [keen eye 5]. With a proud and charismatic hoot, the melanistic Ural owl flew right up to the Britalian and deposited a black silk bag emblazoned with golden Turkic designs. Taking a small bow, Karakuş watched to make sure her target properly opened the bag. Really, humans sometimes. Hopefully this one was better.
Enclosed, Piérre would find a wooden box bedecked with golden arabesque designs one might have expected to see inside a Crusade-era mosque. Upon opening the box, the boy would find a pack of tarot cards in a matching Middle Eastern style. Although the cards were in very good condition, it was clear that they were also a historical artifact – one that Valentin intended for Piérre to use rather than simply admire, else he would have put them into a more aggressively protective casing. Tucked into the lid of the box was a letter…
Piérre,
I'm not really sure when your birthday is since I can't seem to find it in any official nor unofficial records. Today is the spring equinox, which my culture celebrates as New Year's Day, called Novruz. I hope that you will accept my gift, if not as a surrogate birthday gift, as it is intended, then as celebrating a turning point for your life with the coming of Spring. I hope the accompanying tarot cards can serve you, at minimum in divination class and, more ideally, throughout your life. Although you may know tarot had Italian roots (as with the tarocchini trick-taking card game), this particular pack dates to the end of the Crusades and the expansion of the early Ottoman Empire – probably around the late 1300s. In Turkic culture, of which my family is a part, the tarot took the form of “Turkish Mamluk cards,” which you now possess. The box is enchanted to withstand even the most severe fire you are likely to ever encounter, but please do take care of them.
On the next page I have enclosed instructions as to the use and meaning of the cards. May the coming year bring you whatever your heart desires most.
With Love,
Valentin
If Piérre shuffled or did not choose to shuffle, and in fact no matter what he did, the next card he drew would be the archaic equivalent of XV.
Written by Valentin's User @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood;
permission given for me to Post & mutual Godmod agreed upon.
Last edited by Piérre Marchonné on 11 Apr 2023, 03:32, edited 2 times in total.
Jesters do oft prove prophets. 𓀚
I am the brother account to Romeo Marchonné & Zyva Hel Fae Skógrwight
5 Apr 2023, 23:40
20/3/2023 | To Piérre
Hearing the tap of an owl's beak on the window, Piérre waved a hand. They usually waited for him to go to the window from seconds to minutes at a time when he was hyperfocused on trying to finish a last little piece of homework that was due in an hour's time. Figaro mewled nearby as his bengal scratched on the opposite side of the glass, an innocent method of trying to entertain the owl until his master was ready to collect the letter or the package that the raptor would carry with it.
But this time was different, and with an aggravatingly amplified clacking and clickity-scrackity, Piérre looked over just in time for a jet black owl to come soaring across the difference between the window and the Britalian's workspace. Dropping before him an expensive-looking velvet bag before him, Piérre looked between the package and the owl for a second before picking up the thing delivered to him and passing it from hand to hand in an attempt to weigh what was within. The owl seemed to be watching him condescendingly, a look that Piérre gladly returned with a quirked brow. "What? What's the matter with feeling out your presents? Go play with Figgy?" He asked to the chagrin of his familiar, who let out a disappointed mew and laid down on the bed, preparing himself for any amount of abuse that the owl could bestow on him in the ways of pecks, pokes, prods, and bappage.
And what Piérre found within was indeed a precious looking gift indeed; a beautiful set of tarot cards held in a gorgeous black wood box. Though Piérre was not one able to easily distinguish the quality of wood, any self-respecting woodworker would recognize the rare and sometimes illegal to obtain African Blackwood elegantly carved and made to be painted with fine gold. The age of the box itself was another antiquity, for it was easily one hundred years on its own, perhaps older if the wood had been obtained legitimately. Opening the box, Piérre's eyes sparkled as he beheld a similarly gorgeous set of black and gold cards that were long and thin; very different indeed from the ones that he had had experience with in his Divination classes or with a standard set of playing cards. The images portrayed on them looked not terribly unlike stained glass, and as Piérre read the note from Valentin-- that albino seeker that Piérre had plans for along with his brother-- Piérre smiled lightly more and more.
Yes, he had to compose a letter back to Valentin as soon as he could; if not for gratefulness, then to establish an alibi and for his own entertainment. The letter would read as follows;
Valentin,
Wooooooowwwwww! These are so cool! I'm a little scared to try them out because they look so well-preserved and protected from the grimy hands of a teenager, but I'll be sure to be very gentle and careful with them if I do use them at all. Maybe I can use them in Divination, but I don't think any of my classmates deserve to look at the lovely art on these cards and I don't really want the professor to make a big deal over them and embarrass me. You know how that is, right? Are you Turkish? I never noticed, to be honest... but from what little I learned about my ancient history during my Muggle studies (no, not the silly class where it's so fun to watch the magical folks struggle to understand the concept of the Euro and the Lira [both the former Italian currency and Turkey's current currency] and other things like that) is that the Turkish Empire or the Ottoman Empire originally came from Italy's Roman Empire! Man, all that ancient time stuff is cool; I don't like to brag, but Italy sure did come up with a lot of cool things and gave rise to some of the coolest figures in history if I do say so myself, haha!
But heeeyyyyy, don't worry about not knowing my exact birthday. Neither I nor Rome really know it (and if you ask him, he'll probably tell you the same), so our best guess is around the time that we were first adopted by the Bianchis on June 6th. Maybe you could call that our birthday, at least until we learn it for ourselves. I'm not particular on an exact date though; a Birthday is just another day in the year, I suppose and not really any different than any other.
I'll be honest, I've never played tarocchini, but I do know a spare little about tarocchi (as tarocchini is the diminutive form of tarocchi, tarocchi itself being the plural of tarocco). Maybe it's time for me to learn how to play it properly, if I can find any friends who will tolerate my nonsense that is. Something I do remember from the rules is the special role of the Fool (0) and the Magician (I). When playing Tarocchini, you have to form 'runs' of certain suits, some of which rely on the 'grande' suits (in other words; 'major arcana') to complete. The Fool and the Magician are one of the few cards in the deck that are capable of being utility players in that they can be used as the base of several runs in the form of a wild card. Just a funny random thing I remembered, but I find it so funny being a prankster and apparent being a wizard with magic or something. Kind of a crazy thing to think, isn't it; being a magician, especially for me I guess coming up out of nothing. Kind of fun, though. Lots of fun, actually.
Anywho... happy Equinox or New Year/Novruz or what have you! This owl is really cute and super nosy like me! He figured out how to open my window; did you know he could do that? Did you teach him to do that? It's a really fun trick. I hope you like the lil guy I sent back; I think he's a tawny owl, they're native to Italy's forested areas and they like to hang out just about anywhere in urban areas. I never really saw one up close (though I spotted one in a churchyard cemetery tree one time), but he's just so cute! Anyways; I'll send your little friend back if you wanna send a letter to me again, otherwise I'll give him back after he's well rested or if he wants to fly off on his own after taking time to rest in Hogwarts' Owlery. Figaro seems to be a little annoyed with him, though, he's a little impetuous and is trying to nibble on Figgy's ear.
I can't wait until you and Rome come back to Hogwarts! I'll be good to see you both again for the ball that I don't have to have responsibility over. Don't fail your studies! Graduate on time!
Text Translation for Ease of ReadingAfter writing up the letter, Piérre put it aside to seal it simply with a thin red string-ribbon along with a basic white wax pressed with his left thumbprint. Handling these newly gifted cards carefully, the boy shuffled them the way that he had been taught, not caring to orient them the 'correct' direction so that he could more easily recognize if the cards were in their upright or inverted states. After shuffling and scattering a few times just to ensure a good scrambling of the cards, Piérre drew a card from the heart of the deck and turned it so that he could behold what lay before him.
In the antiquated patterns, Piérre beheld an infamous figure from all of mythology and religion; upon a pedestal and adorned with wealthy robes that opened in just the right way to reveal a perfect naked physique that bore both feminine breast and male genital, bearing wings wreathed in flames and a radiant face that outshone the most handsome man to ever walk the world, its left hand extended towards its observer so as to pridefully display the golden chain that lay there and extended to either side of the pedestal towards a captive male and female human whose stances gave the impression of willing servitude. Piérre flipped the card over quickly and buried it in the deck, clenching his left hand tightly into a fist as he stood from his seat and stepped away towards his bed, leaving the tarot cards on the table. Green eyes glared seething at the innocent deck. Of course he knew the card that he had beheld; it had been none other than the biblical personification of evil itself, the most beautiful and most beloved angel Lucifer at the height of his brilliance. The Prince of Demons, Light-Bearer, and Regent of Hell himself.
The most handsome of God's angels and the only one created by God himself to be perfect enough to have free will. The symbol in the arcane to be the progenitor of temptation and the master of deception and blindingly binding riches. A master of greed.
This major arcana may not have as unfortunate a meaning as that of the Tower, but as a God-fearing Catholic, Piérre considered the rearing of this beautiful golden head to be just as much an evil fortune as that of the sixteenth card if not more. What this could mean for him in the future, the boy had no clue, but he was certain that it could mean no good will and that temptation of extreme degrees would soon rear its lovely head to test Piérre or someone close to him.
That time was not today, though. He would be ready to face that moment when it came.
Valentin would receive a young, pale tawney owl at the latest a day and a half after Piérre had received it. The creature's personality was sweet and needy, rubbing on Valentin's hand intently before releasing the letter; it seemed that its payment for giving to its recipient was the affection of the recipient.
Reducio
Valentin,
Wooooooowwwwww! These are so cool! I'm a little scared to try them out because they look so well-preserved and protected from the grimy hands of a teenager, but I'll be sure to be very gentle and careful with them if I do use them at all. Maybe I can use them in Divination, but I don't think any of my classmates deserve to look at the lovely art on these cards and I don't really want the professor to make a big deal over them and embarrass me. You know how that is, right? Are you Turkish? I never noticed, to be honest... but from what little I learned about my ancient history during my Muggle studies (no, not the silly class where it's so fun to watch the magical folks struggle to understand the concept of the Euro and the Lira [both the former Italian currency and Turkey's current currency] and other things like that) is that the Turkish Empire or the Ottoman Empire originally came from Italy's Roman Empire! Man, all that ancient time stuff is cool; I don't like to brag, but Italy sure did come up with a lot of cool things and gave rise to some of the coolest figures in history if I do say so myself, haha!
But heeeyyyyy, don't worry about not knowing my exact birthday. Neither I nor Rome really know it (and if you ask him, he'll probably tell you the same), so our best guess is around the time that we were first adopted by the Bianchis on June 6th. Maybe you could call that our birthday, at least until we learn it for ourselves. I'm not particular on an exact date though; a Birthday is just another day in the year, I suppose and not really any different than any other.
I'll be honest, I've never played tarocchini, but I do know a spare little about tarocchi (as tarocchini is the diminutive form of tarocchi, tarocchi itself being the plural of tarocco). Maybe it's time for me to learn how to play it properly, if I can find any friends who will tolerate my nonsense that is. Something I do remember from the rules is the special role of the Fool (0) and the Magician (I). When playing Tarocchini, you have to form 'runs' of certain suits, some of which rely on the 'grande' suits (in other words; 'major arcana') to complete. The Fool and the Magician are one of the few cards in the deck that are capable of being utility players in that they can be used as the base of several runs in the form of a wild card. Just a funny random thing I remembered, but I find it so funny being a prankster and apparent being a wizard with magic or something. Kind of a crazy thing to think, isn't it; being a magician, especially for me I guess coming up out of nothing. Kind of fun, though. Lots of fun, actually.
Anywho... happy Equinox or New Year/Novruz or what have you! This owl is really cute and super nosy like me! He figured out how to open my window; did you know he could do that? Did you teach him to do that? It's a really fun trick. I hope you like the lil guy I sent back; I think he's a tawny owl, they're native to Italy's forested areas and they like to hang out just about anywhere in urban areas. I never really saw one up close (though I spotted one in a churchyard cemetery tree one time), but he's just so cute! Anyways; I'll send your little friend back if you wanna send a letter to me again, otherwise I'll give him back after he's well rested or if he wants to fly off on his own after taking time to rest in Hogwarts' Owlery. Figaro seems to be a little annoyed with him, though, he's a little impetuous and is trying to nibble on Figgy's ear.
I can't wait until you and Rome come back to Hogwarts! I'll be good to see you both again for the ball that I don't have to have responsibility over. Don't fail your studies! Graduate on time!
Wooooooowwwwww! These are so cool! I'm a little scared to try them out because they look so well-preserved and protected from the grimy hands of a teenager, but I'll be sure to be very gentle and careful with them if I do use them at all. Maybe I can use them in Divination, but I don't think any of my classmates deserve to look at the lovely art on these cards and I don't really want the professor to make a big deal over them and embarrass me. You know how that is, right? Are you Turkish? I never noticed, to be honest... but from what little I learned about my ancient history during my Muggle studies (no, not the silly class where it's so fun to watch the magical folks struggle to understand the concept of the Euro and the Lira [both the former Italian currency and Turkey's current currency] and other things like that) is that the Turkish Empire or the Ottoman Empire originally came from Italy's Roman Empire! Man, all that ancient time stuff is cool; I don't like to brag, but Italy sure did come up with a lot of cool things and gave rise to some of the coolest figures in history if I do say so myself, haha!
But heeeyyyyy, don't worry about not knowing my exact birthday. Neither I nor Rome really know it (and if you ask him, he'll probably tell you the same), so our best guess is around the time that we were first adopted by the Bianchis on June 6th. Maybe you could call that our birthday, at least until we learn it for ourselves. I'm not particular on an exact date though; a Birthday is just another day in the year, I suppose and not really any different than any other.
I'll be honest, I've never played tarocchini, but I do know a spare little about tarocchi (as tarocchini is the diminutive form of tarocchi, tarocchi itself being the plural of tarocco). Maybe it's time for me to learn how to play it properly, if I can find any friends who will tolerate my nonsense that is. Something I do remember from the rules is the special role of the Fool (0) and the Magician (I). When playing Tarocchini, you have to form 'runs' of certain suits, some of which rely on the 'grande' suits (in other words; 'major arcana') to complete. The Fool and the Magician are one of the few cards in the deck that are capable of being utility players in that they can be used as the base of several runs in the form of a wild card. Just a funny random thing I remembered, but I find it so funny being a prankster and apparent being a wizard with magic or something. Kind of a crazy thing to think, isn't it; being a magician, especially for me I guess coming up out of nothing. Kind of fun, though. Lots of fun, actually.
Anywho... happy Equinox or New Year/Novruz or what have you! This owl is really cute and super nosy like me! He figured out how to open my window; did you know he could do that? Did you teach him to do that? It's a really fun trick. I hope you like the lil guy I sent back; I think he's a tawny owl, they're native to Italy's forested areas and they like to hang out just about anywhere in urban areas. I never really saw one up close (though I spotted one in a churchyard cemetery tree one time), but he's just so cute! Anyways; I'll send your little friend back if you wanna send a letter to me again, otherwise I'll give him back after he's well rested or if he wants to fly off on his own after taking time to rest in Hogwarts' Owlery. Figaro seems to be a little annoyed with him, though, he's a little impetuous and is trying to nibble on Figgy's ear.
I can't wait until you and Rome come back to Hogwarts! I'll be good to see you both again for the ball that I don't have to have responsibility over. Don't fail your studies! Graduate on time!
Jesters do oft prove prophets. 𓀚
I am the brother account to Romeo Marchonné & Zyva Hel Fae Skógrwight