Watch And Learn So You Can Get It Right

[missrecalled_mods]

 Every now and again Doctor F remembered that this was actually a school and not a multi-roomed holding cell. The influx of new students reminded him, this time around. So he went and poked at the other teachers to remind them to do their jobs. 

Well, he had to prod Lady Tremaine and Mother Gothel. Yen Sid, it seems, has been teaching all along, whenever someone wanted to come in for a lesson. Unlike the others he was accessible and available. Well, now all of them were. How long that might last, however....  

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[lovebites_sodoi]

"Rules?" She scoffed, tossing hair over her shoulder. "I've been yanked from my home and forced into a game I never wanted to play, and I'm expected to 'prove myself'? If anything, they're the ones who ought to prove themselves to me - why I should trust them when this is their fault to begin with?"

Besides, "trust" was a fleeting and fragile thing, as she'd learned so harshly. One wrong move and it was shattered over the most innocuous of things.

"I'm ever so sorry I don't fit into your neat little categories... but a few card tricks and a decent sense of fashion won't change my mind."

[misery_called_npcs]

He laughed. "Then stay here and rot alone, if you want. But those of us willing to at least pretend to play by their rules have a chance to get out of here. But if you enjoy this prison so much, be my guest. Feel free to remain." A dark smile as he turned and headed back into the school unless she stopped him.

[lovebites_sodoi]

Morgana clicked her tongue. She didn't like that feeling, that somehow he'd won despite her refusing to play.

"... One question, king of spades." If he was keen on cards, then that's how she'd call him.

[misery_called_npcs]

"A tip, Cheire," he said, tipping his hat as he spoke. "I am the one and only Doctor Facilier. Head Master of the School, but most around these parts just call me the... Shadow Man. But since I like the idea of adding king of spades to my moniker, you have my attention."

[lovebites_sodoi]

She almost snorted at the nickname, but didn't - he probably knew nothing about the Shadow Queen of her world, that despicable Magica De Spell... if anyone deserved to be here, it was her. But now wasn't the time to bring her up.

"Let's pretend anything you said was the truth. If goody-goody island did open up and allow access to their side... would the actions of one condemn us all, or are they at least willing to judge person by person?"

If sacrifices had to be made... well. She'd rather certain people on this side managed to get away, even if it meant she had to stay behind.

[misery_called_npcs]

"Hard to say," he said, twirling his cane, looking at the topper as if it was the most interesting thing on the Isle, then he tossed the cane to his other hand neatly as he moved around her. "See, the first time they tried a little experiment, they picked four people. Of the whole Isle, just four..." He leaned against his cane with one hand and with another pass now held four tarot cards in his other hand. The Empress, The High Priestess, The Hermit, and Strength. He fanned them out for just a moment then compressed them into a stack face down as his heel kicked the base of his cane, sending it into the air. He caught it in the crook of his arms, both hands now involved in shuffling the cards. Shuffling and subtly swapping them with others from his sleeves. "After that.." He turned over the two of cups.

He made a magician’s pass and the cards vanish. "Sometimes they take a few, sometimes more. I've never known them to take all. Your best bet if you want to get out of here, petit, is to cultivate some... friends.... on the other side. And perhaps we can help each other out there," he said, gesturing to her with his cane now that the cards were no longer occupying his hamds.

[lovebites_sodoi]

Great - that just brought up even further questions. Was it possible he was holding the answers back to make sure she obeyed? She wasn't about to trust him. You didn't buy an album based on the demo tape - you needed to hear all the songs before you could enjoy the artist.

She lifted two fingers to gently push the cane away from her face. "I'm not about to make any promises or commitments... most I can tell you is that I'll think about it."

Vague enough to leave room that she could be enemy or ally. Give them the illusion she was wishy-washy while she found her own truth.

"If it makes you breathe any easier, I've got no interest in getting in anyone's way."

[misery_called_npcs]

He nodded. "That's all I ask, Cherie. The cards probably won't deal us off of this rock, but if we agree that if one escapes they argue for the other..." He gave her a winning smile. "Just think on it. I'm the headmaster. If I tell those gullible fools that you've been attending all your classes... I get you out of this place, all you gotta do is get me out as well. All I'm asking you to do for now," he offered his hand to shake it, "is to agree to think about it."

[lovebites_sodoi]

The urge to smirk was strong, but she repressed it. If she was going to bat for anyone, the teachers and headmasters weren't at the top of the list. But let him have some hope. Dangle the bait.

This hadn't been the first time Morgana made a shady deal with someone far shadier than her... but you'd think she'd have learned her lesson after those times went very badly. At least she was in a school now?

She shook his hand, her touch cold. "Trust me... I'll be thinking of little else, your highness." A little teasing, regarding the King Of Spades crack earlier.

[misery_called_npcs]

His lips twitched up in a smile as he shook her hand. He leaned forward and whispered. "You're quite pretty when you lie, cheire," and then he let go of her hand and headed past her.

[lovebites_sodoi]

Whatever smile she had left vanished. Here she'd been thinking she'd gotten away with something, but once again, when she'd made a deal, the other had gotten the advantage. Anger bubbled in her chest... she was nobody's puppet. If he thought she was going to play by his rules for long, his real card should have been the joker.

She walked in the opposite direction, growling quietly. The last purple-clad man who had called her pretty hadn't changed her lifestyle, so this one certainly wasn't going to. And the former was much more handsome, to boot.

The growling eventually turned into a hum of the Darkwing Duck theme song. For some reason.

Thank you for the thread

[misery_called_npcs]