Chapter Text
It happened a few months after the end of the Apocalypse. The Tarot Club still met monthly, everyone catching up and sharing whatever interesting things have happened recently.
At one point, Fors says she’s not sure if Klein would really be interested in such mundane stories, showing reluctance to talk about her latest adventures or the plot of her next book.
Casually, and also to reassure her, Klein comments that he really enjoys these conversations, and that he was looking forward to that meeting because he’s been feeling his humanity declining recently.
The members all begin to show concern. They know how important it is for a Mythical Creature to preserve its humanity, and how especially important it is to their god.
“Mr. Fool can’t come out of the gray fog for now. So what do you guys think about us meeting here on a fixed day apart from the Tarot Club?” Miss Justice offers a suggestion, eyes lightening up at the idea. “It would be more informal meetings so we can get to know each other better and strengthen the bonds of our group.”
“It might be a bit difficult for everyone to attend every month though. We already have the Tarot Club as a fixed schedule, adding one more meeting might be unfeasible” Mr. Hanged Man raises a problem.
“We can decide on something that doesn’t require that everyone should attend always. Of course, we all would do our best to take part in it” Mr. Star provides a solution.
“Oh, what if we play some video games? I would die to get my hands on a PS5 again!” Miss Empress said cheerfully. She was excited with the possibility of playing Assassin’s Creed and other of her favorite games one more time. In the time she stayed in The Fool’s Dream she didn’t really have the time to be nostalgic about her past hobbies.
“That’s right. In Mr. Fool’s dream, we got to know a lot of interesting things from that Epoch. If we use things from his past, like for example, games or maybe movies, it might help to better improve his condition” Miss Magician presented another idea. She definitely didn’t give those examples just because she was in a creative block and wanted to get inspiration from that ancient civilization.
Klein thought for a moment and felt that it made sense. There were a lot of things he missed from that era, and sharing it with his closest friends really seemed like a good idea.
“Then, how about something like boarding games for a start? We can eventually teach you guys a few electronic games after.” Klein looked at Franca, who nodded with a smile. “A movie night sounds good too. I have a lot of recommendations that you might like” He said, his mood lively.
The other members got excited, eager to know more about Mr. Fool and his past. It was decided they would meet every third Thursday of the month at 8 pm, so it doesn’t stick too close to the monthly Tarot Gatherings, and at an hour most of them would already be free for the day.
At the agreed time, Mr. Fool pulled everyone above the gray fog. Since it was the first meeting, they made sure they could all attend. The usual bronze table and the giant's palace were nowhere to be seen, and instead there was an ample living room, in what appeared to be a modern (or should it be ancient?) luxurious house.
There was one large sofa sided by two smaller ones surrounding a rectangular center table, all above a fluffy carpet that seemed really comfortable. In front, there was a 75 inch LED TV hanging on the wall, and on the furniture below it, a few video game consoles and some decorations.
Klein was standing in the middle of the room, waiting for them. He decided to wear Zhou Mingrui’s face since he felt it fitted better with the environment.
"Wow, so stylish! I suppose it wasn't based on your actual home from the past?" Seeing the house, Franca let out a whistle and joked. She had interacted with Zhou Mingrui in the dream before, so she naturally treated him like they were still colleagues in modern China.
“No, but with Dwayne Dantès assets and owning my own church, I think I would be rich enough to buy something like that if they existed nowadays” Klein realized he could be considered to be pretty rich at present, and his mood improved a little. Not like he would waste money mindlessly, of course, however rich he might be.
He didn’t mind Franca’s casualness in the slightest. Though they haven't had enough chances to talk much until now, she was a fellow transmigrator from the same country, so they had a lot of things in common.
"Since the goal here is to improve my humanity and strengthen our bonds, let's not address ourselves by codenames. You can feel free to call me by my name, whether it be Klein or Zhou Mingrui.” Klein told the group.
“Then, can I call you Zhou-ge like before?” Franca asked.
"Sure, I don't mind. Then, can I call you Xiao Luo or do you prefer another name?"
"Of course! Xiao Luo is fine."
Seeing this interaction made the other members relax a little. After all, it reminded them Mr. Fool was not only the god they worshiped, but also a friend they cherished.
“So Klein, what did you plan for us today?” Leonard was the next one to leave aside the formality of the Tarot Club and casually changed back to treat Klein as his best friend.
“For starters, I was thinking of playing Uno since the rules are simple enough. And you’re all already familiar with playing cards because of Roselle.”
“So children’s game it is, huh? Well, it’s good enough as an icebreaker.” Like good Chinese people, Klein and Franca’s impression of Uno was that it was a game more geared towards children, a casual entry-level game. It relies heavily on luck, and young people in their country tend to prefer games that are more strategically based.
“Do you think it’s too bland?” Klein asked.
“Not at all. It’ll be fun,” Franca replied with a smile.
Then, in a span of less than an hour, they found themselves in a scenario that could be compared to the Apocalypse. This simple and seemingly innocent card game brought chaos to a group of friends that stayed together for more than a decade and even overcame the doomsday side by side.
The beginning was lighthearted enough, with everyone getting used to the rules. Then the nerves began to tense, after the first +4 was used. The gears in Alger and Cattleya's heads were visible, surely thinking about which strategy to use. Unfortunately, no one could know what they came up with, as the two were the ones who suffered the most skips and reverses.
Whenever someone played an action card, betrayed and guilty (or smug) looks were exchanged. Some didn’t even dare look their victim in the eye.
Occasionally a few members made comments, trying to ease the tension, but the heavy atmosphere didn't dissipate. Apparently, the last spark in the powder keg had just ignited.
A second ago, Emlyn had thrown his cards on the table and picked up the draw pile, and at this exact moment, Klein was watching him trying to shove that same draw pile down Leonard's throat. Quite literally.
Franca is rolling on the floor laughing hysterically while Klein and the rest watched everything dumbfounded, still trying to process what had happened.
Xio is the first to snap out of her trance and hurriedly stands up, forcefully pushing Emlyn away before Leonard can land another punch to his nose. Klein can only sigh, exasperated.
‘Goddess, how did it come to this?’
Maybe he shouldn't have followed Franca's suggestions for them to allow stacking +4s on +2s, in addition to play multiple reverses and skips in one go. The initial intention was to follow the official rules, but there was no mention of that in the rulebook, so he ended up giving in.
'I was really a Fool to think this wouldn't cause trouble.’
When he looks up again, Xio and Derrick are trying to break up the fight. Which doesn't look very promising since they're still struggling, cursing, and kicking each other. Leonard even tried to spit on Emlyn!
"Enough." Klein speaks in a calm voice, but the pressure emanating from that single word makes everyone freeze.
Leonard and Emlyn straighten up instantly, assuming a posture that should be that of soldiers about to receive punishment, but Klein can only think of elementary school children being scolded by their teacher.
‘What’s with those faces? Are you going to say “sorry, Mr. Moretti” now, while I make you reflect in the corner?’ Klein found that scene of them indignant with each other, but with a hint of guilt for having caused trouble, very funny.
His eyes soften. He didn’t want to be Mr. Fool or the Lord of Mysteries today. He was just there to have a game night with friends.
He sighs and then lets out a little laugh.
“Well, I guess this round is no more.”
The two troublemakers look even guiltier at the remark.
“We’re sorry…” Both manage in a strained voice.
“Come. If you’re sorry, then help me shuffle the cards,” Klein says, no longer seeming to care about the mess that just happened and gathering the cards again.
The two hesitate a little, but when they see Klein doesn’t look angry anymore, they decide to put the squabbles aside and pick up the scattered plastic.
“Oh, and also.” Klein placed the gathered deck firmly on the table. “+4 and +2 are not stackable.” He said, his tone final.
“Haha. Yes, sir.” Franca acquiesced, with a guilty smile.
They finally turn their attention back to the game. With the new rules eliminating hidden dangers, everything flowed smoothly.
‘Maybe I’m becoming too lenient.’ Klein thinks with a fond smile while the next round starts. ‘Not that it’s entirely a bad thing.’
The rest of the night ended without much trouble. Everyone had a good time playing together and hearing random bits and pieces about the pre-Epoch, until Klein’s spirituality began to run out. The Club went back home, all looking forward to what other interesting things awaited them in the next monthly hangout with their friends.