Wrote a little two-part thing to help me get a feel for [i]Two of Hearts[/i] and [i]Lanternlight Jack[/i].


[hider=I Two]

[color=D2B48C]"Well, who really [i]needs[/i] The Court, anyway,"[/color] a dismissive gesture followed, Two doing her best to puff out her chest and exude confidence, [color=D2B48C]"all they've ever provided is a detriment to [i]real[/i] progress."[/color] So far as she was concerned, that was the truth. The Sponsors who had agreed to meet with her, suspended in the non-substance of Between, made their minute gestures of half-hearted agreeance. It wasn't good enough. 

[color=D2B48C]"Think it over,"[/color] she continued, sweeping an arm toward the barely-visible Mortal Something, [color=D2B48C]"if we use the resources given to us to our advantage..."[/color] Two let the words linger, smiling slightly in the second or two that silence strangled, [color=D2B48C]"This entire game could be turned on its fuckin' ear. The Participants would help. Guarantee it."[/color]

One of the others shook his head, raising an alabaster hand to lower the brim of his well-kept hat. [color=00FFFF]"Won't go down like that, Two. Never does,"[/color] Lanternlight Jack turned to the side, [color=00FFFF]"and I'm willing to bet that it never will. [i]Unless[/i],"[/color] there it was, Two's heart skipped a beat, [color=00FFFF]"we manage to wrest control of The Event from The Last Adherent and other Court fanatics."[/color] Jack seemed to be watching the others. [color=00FFFF]"Even then, the rules stay in play. You get me? Isn't right for Sponsors to be killing one another. Isn't even right for the Participants, if you were to ask me. Still, a Desire is a Desire. I'm off. Careful, out there."[/color]

Two wasn't certain whether to take the statement as a threat, or some kind of pledge. Maybe both, given the strange angle Jack had taken. He was already walking away, toward the Mortal Something. The haze of Between seemed to trail behind him, until Jack simply vanished. Two crossed her arms, looking to the other forms. [color=D2B48C]"Guess that's it for this meetin'. Let me know if any of you decide to change your minds, yeah?"[/color]

Some were already departing.

One in particular, a familiar presence, lingered close behind her. Two could feel his stare, if barely. The Man of Glaives, from her perspective, was upside down; staring at her with his feet pressed against nothing. [color=FA8072]"A bold move, Two of Hearts. A bold move, indeed,"[/color] his tone betrayed no approval or disgust, [color=FA8072]"especially if some among the number gathered here are of a mind to inform The Court elders."[/color] Suddenly, he was before her; strange mask staring behind a thin veil of the Between, [color=FA8072]"Fortunate for you, Two, that I and a number of others happen to share this idea."[/color]

She bit down on her tongue, trying not to smile.[/hider]

[hider=II Jack]

He spat onto damp concrete, leaving Between behind and embracing existence inside Something once more. Other Sponsors were hard at work. Plotting, scheming, choosing Participants. A ragged sigh escaped the Lanternlight, as he fished around his pockets for cigar and match. Soon, smoke was trailing behind him; much as the Between had done.

[color=00FFFF]"Hard to tell how far away it is,"[/color] came the words meant for nobody, [color=00FFFF]"Damn. Maybe I'll track down the Adherent, or..."[/color] Jack trailed off, leaning against the corner of some crooked alley. No, he'd handle things his way. By the book. No point getting involved in the scuffles of Sponsors trying to entice some kind of grandiose blood-sport. They had plenty of that to look forward to.

[color=00FFFF]"Damn, damn, damn,"[/color] he sang into the sky, surprisingly happy with the situation, [color=00FFFF]"Guess that means that we'll just have to see."[/color] Many who knew Lanternlight Jack well understood that he was something of a gambling man; even if he had an unerring respect for the rules. Perhaps not so much The Court, or even most of the other Sponsors. [color=00FFFF]"But where to toss my lot?"[/color] An empty query, with only the damp breeze of Something coming in response. 

[color=00FFFF]"Right, right, damn shame and I'm to blame,"[/color] Jack said, kicking off the corner, [color=00FFFF]"time to find the misfortune-made Mortal to represent my corner."[/color]

In a moment, he was gone; a ghost that left behind only a half-smoked and smoldering cigar.[/hider]