Post by mystifyingoracle on Apr 20, 2021 19:25:29 GMT -5
OOC: Thank you to "Godly" Ken Davison for the CD!
Conversations with Shadows
“You’re sure about this?”
Silvio liked hosting people at his place; especially since King had left. He’d only lived totally on his own a handful of times, and while he didn’t mind it, it wasn’t his preference. So, when his present guest had asked to meet, Silvio suggested his apartment above the tattoo parlor.
There were other reasons, too.
After Jon was attacked, the Oracle had become warier. Not only did his own home offer the material comforts to reassure him, his personal history, sticky-fingered as it was, lent him insights on how to make the place harder to get into. It was by no means impossible, but if anyone tried, he’d likely notice before they got too far.
He wondered, shuffling through his tarot deck, if the man across from him employed similar insights to his own domicile.
After all, a history of breaking-and-entering - specifically with life-altering results - was something they shared.
Ken Davison stands across from Silvio in one of the last places he ever expected to be. After all, Silvio was the man who relieved him of his duties as the Carnage Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion and if there was one thing Ken was known for, it was not letting go of losses. As those who follow Carnage Wrestling have seen, Ken’s world perspective had greatly changed in the last few months. So, here he was, across from a man whom he would have considered a sworn enemy not long ago.
“Readings can get kinda intimate,” Silvio said, “and if I hit a little too close to home with any of this, just say the word and it stops.” He spread the twenty-two cards before him on the tabletop. “Also, I got cannoli for snacks in the fridge, and pastry can work for celebration or consolation, so any way this shakes out, I got us covered.”
Ken lets out a deep sigh. "Been a long time since I've done one of these. Twenty some odd years…"
“Seems like you’re well-versed in it, though. Everybody else makes the Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Go-Fish, fill-in-the-blank-with-a-card-game cracks,” Silvio says. “But you? You take this seriously.”
"Let's just say we're of like mind," Ken says as he shrugs his shoulders. "Besides, pretty sure I used the Yu-Gi-Oh joke before our match. Honestly, I need direction and I couldn't think of where else to turn."
Silvio nods, gesturing for Ken to sit. “Yeah, it was actually pretty wild finding out how much we have in common.” Nineteen had ended up being a defining year for each of them from what Silvio had learned in his research on Ken, but one that launched them into completely opposite trajectories in life. He raises a brow. “It was something I wanted to talk more about, but the opportunity hasn’t really presented itself.” Waving a hand, he says, “But this is about you. I’m actually pretty flattered you came to me for a reading.”
"We both know you aren't supposed to do your own readings. I pull a card every morning to give myself something to think about, like a theme of the day. But that's as far as I'll go. You're the only other person I know that's qualified to do this."
“Eh! I find that self-reading can depend on the person, but that’s neither here nor there. I trust you to know yourself well enough to understand what you need.”
The Oracle gestures to the cards.
“And sometimes that’s guidance from an outside source. Choose six and we’ll see what we can see.”
Ken looks at the cards, as if trying to get a feel for whatever energy they are giving off. He counts the cards out carefully and chooses “lucky 13.”
“How you’re feeling right now.”
Turning over the card Ken selected reveals an illustration of an angel rising above the clouds sounding a trumpet. Below, grey-skinned people rise from their graves, arms and faces raised skyward.
“Judgement.” He gives a thoughtful nod. “You’re coming to the end of one era and the beginning of another, taking stock and figuring out where you want to go from here.” Silvio grins at Ken. “So, basically, it’s telling me what you just told me. With a card this impactful in the first position, it’s also indicative that the universe is calling you to rise to the occasion in a way that relies on your intuition and intellect. To me, that sounds a lot like it’s referring to the fact you’re a ring general, so methinks this tag title match coming up is going to be a significant turning point for you. The next card will be about what you want. You ready?”
Ken nods. He counts his way over to the 19th card, taking into account the missing 13th card.
"This one. I like how this one feels."
Ah, 19. The magic number the two men shared between them.
Turning over the second card shows an image of a robed man standing behind a desk strewn with arcane artifacts. In one hand he holds a scroll aloft, while the other points to the ground.
Silvio blinks and looks almost shy for half a second before he clears his throat.
“The Magician. So, uh…” He gives Ken a sheepish smile. “Couple ways this could be read, but one of them is a desire for a relationship with someone. I, uh...know I kinda stepped where I shouldn’t have when I talked about yours and Kyra’s relationship in our interview. I really didn’t know it wasn’t meant to be common knowledge. I’ve apologized to her, but I owe you one, too. So, I’m sorry about that. I never meant to violate your privacy.”
Ken stops Silvio for a moment.
"What's done is done. The thing is, Kyra and I were a couple in so many ways, but neither of us realized it yet. I guess that was really the first moment of realization for me. I thought you were using her to get to me. I know now that wasn't the case. Water under the bridge."
Inwardly breathing a sigh of relief, the Oracle continues. “But, yeah, this one?” He taps the card. “This is about manifestation. You and Kyra as a team is something that hasn’t happened yet in the ring at Carnage, but it’s going to be through that unity that you’ll find a way to manifest your desires. You want the tools to shape your future, and it looks like you’ve got them at hand.”
"So, next one I guess. I like prime numbers, so we'll go with the fifth card."
“This will be about your fears.”
The card Silvio turns over reveals an angel beneath a radiant sun, face serene and arms spread. Below it, a man and woman gaze at one another in a garden.
“The Lovers.” He purses his lips thoughtfully. “You’ve made a big change turning yourself around from who you were. Specifically, you’re letting yourself be more vulnerable; letting people into your life again in ways you haven’t in a long time from the sound of things. When you haven’t really allowed yourself that kind of freedom, it can be almost traumatic when you experience it again. When something terrible happens, closing yourself off from the world can feel like you’re fortifying yourself; separating yourself from the world that hurt you in the first place so it can’t hurt you again. But walls that keep out potentially harmful things also keep you from extending beyond them.”
He hesitates, brow furrowed as he looks up at Ken.
“Look, I don’t want to get too personal here or anything, so do you want me to keep going?”
"I came to you because I wanted answers. We know the cards are more intimate than even the best lovers… just in a different sort of way. Besides," Ken hesitates. "It's already been there done that with the closing myself off. I just need to be mindful not to let it happen again."
Nodding, Silvio turns the next card over. There’s a picture of a woman in floral robes crowned with stars seated on a throne. The Oracle smiles.
“This is what you’ve got going for you. The Empress.” He gives a little laugh, still smiling. “You are absolutely smitten, aren’t you? Kyra’s all over both of the readings I did for you.” He hesitates again, but remembers Ken’s permission and continues. “This can refer to having favorable energy for creativity and starting new projects, but the Empress is also a card strongly associated with family.” He holds up a hand. “Now, I’m going to say there’s only so much I can possibly know about Kyra. But it really feels like she’s had a rough run of it when it comes to romantic partners from what I’ve seen at Carnage so far. Or just...Christ, family in general. But...I think if...you two wanted to be a family together? The reading suggests now may be a good time to start down that road.”
"She's already living with me because… well, reasons. It's not a permanent arrangement. At least, not yet."
Ken points at the first first card, indicating his next choice.
“What’s going against you.”
The next card shows a rune-etched wheel, a sphinx sitting atop it holding a sword, a jackal clinging to its bottom, angels and monsters tangled up in clouds all around it.
“The Wheel of Fortune.” Silvio drums his fingertips against the tabletop.
"This can't be good. I abhor change."
“Things might get rocky for you in ways you can’t predict or influence,” Silvio says with a little wince. He taps the first card that Ken drew, Judgement. “Probably links back to this one here. That thing the universe is wanting you to do that involves rising to the occasion? Maybe it’s more than just the upcoming title match. Your intuition is what’s going to see you through here. You’ve also got Kyra and a whole lot of creative energy to tap into. You might have to make some tough decisions, but it’s all about moving forward and remembering the wheel turns. Everything has its time, and all of those times pass sooner or later.”
"So do kidney stones," Ken deadpans. Apparently, he really hates change. He points to his final choice. "I started with Lucky 13, I'll end it with "Lucky 7."
The final card that’s turned over shows a woman suspended in mid-air, swathed in blue silk, surrounded by greenery.
“This is how things are going to turn out. The World represents completion, success, fulfillment. Things are going to come full circle, even if getting there is going to be difficult. So, kinda seems like there’s going to be a significant change that’s going to be challenging to cope with but will ultimately turn out well.” He gives a little snort. “Ax and Jon better watch those belts.” Silvio looks to Ken, giving him a little nod. “Does any of this ring true to you? Does it help?”
"More than you could ever know. Thank you. I know what I need to do. This reading was not what I expected, but exactly what I needed."
“Good!” Silvio beams. “I’m glad I could help. It means a lot that you reached out. I’ve been meaning to talk to you, but I wasn’t sure when it would be the right time.” He gestures to the kitchen with a little grin. “You wanna stick around for coffee and pastries? I got tea if that’s your preference.”
"Coffee's fine. I'm not much of a tea guy. Thanks." Ken pulls up a chair. "This okay?"
Silvio motions to the seat and Ken sits down.
"So, this has been a long time coming. What's on your mind."
Silvio gets to his feet, starting to go about making coffee in the kitchen when he hears Ken’s question.
Silent a moment, he turns it over in his head before returning with a pair of cups, a carton of cream and a bowl of sugar.
He thinks back to his match with Ken; the eerie connection he felt as he learned more about his opponent’s story. The parallels had been uncanny. They’d both broken into houses and had wildly different trajectories. Silvio had been murdered and was now burdened with a cosmic parasite who put an itch in his veins. Ken, on the other hand, had found family and acceptance only to have it ripped away from him by cruel chance. Where Silvio had put his broken heart back together and lived as best he could as a human being manipulated by a god, Ken had shunned his humanity and thrown himself headlong into godhood.
“I…”
He licks his lips, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Ken...you left your 'godhood' behind to accept your humanity. And that...is a big step to become a master of both worlds. Celestial and terrestrial, you know? And...I realized that...I’m stumbling when it comes to going in the other direction. I can’t…”
He snorts and shakes his head with a rueful smile.
“...Ax gets on my case all the time about being too selfless. About not wanting anything for myself or even thinking I deserve it. About not thinking I’m anything special. He’s actually not the only one saying that lately. It feels weird to think I’m worthy of the things I want. I guess...if you’re figuring out how to accept the feel of the earth under your feet again...can you tell me how I’m supposed to accept a touch of divinity? How do I feel I’ve got a right to stake a claim to anything?”
"It wasn't about divinity. It was about control. It was about trying to micro manage every aspect of my life. It was about trying to just shut down. In almost 25 years in this business only two people were able get through, my boys Grifter and Mac. That is literally less than one person per decade. It was easier to allow myself to believe that other people were beneath lo ame than to care. I did it professionally and I did it personally. I didn't choose to change. Kyra and I just happened. We were both damaged. Neither of us was looking for someone. So, if you're looking at a touch of divinity? It was that moment."
Though the words were charged, Ken's demeanor is not. The words come evenly and matter of fact. Ken takes a sip of his coffee as calmly as if he simply read Silvio his horoscope as opposed to having just pointed out how undivine he truly was.
Silvio grins a little. “I dunno, that sounds like a pretty divine aspiration. Divinity doesn’t mean kindness or goodness. What is godhood but separation from others and absolute control?”
He isn’t surprised to hear that Mac had pierced the veil. The big cowboy had a disarming way about him, and even the sliver of generosity Silvio had seen him demonstrate in the short time he’d known him was remarkable. Mac’s heart was shaped like an open door.
“Thanks for sharing that. It’s an important perspective; one I don’t typically take. Been doing some reflecting, and I feel like I could do more to be proactive instead of reactive. It’s hard for me to want something for myself without feeling selfish; it’s always been easier to give or be there for others. I’m learning how to want things without feeling guilty about it; figure out an equilibrium.” He sips his own coffee, sweet as sin and black as night. “Any pointers there?”
"I've got nothing. I give Kyra so much because I am selfish. I want to give her the best because I know she makes things in my life better. It's a win-win."
Silvio smiles, saluting Ken with his coffee. “Thanks, anyway. I’m glad you two found each other. Obviously for your guys’ personal relationship, but jeez, the professional? You’re both lethal on your own. Together?”
He snorts, grinning.
“You two could conquer the world.”
Conversations with Shadows
“You’re sure about this?”
Silvio liked hosting people at his place; especially since King had left. He’d only lived totally on his own a handful of times, and while he didn’t mind it, it wasn’t his preference. So, when his present guest had asked to meet, Silvio suggested his apartment above the tattoo parlor.
There were other reasons, too.
After Jon was attacked, the Oracle had become warier. Not only did his own home offer the material comforts to reassure him, his personal history, sticky-fingered as it was, lent him insights on how to make the place harder to get into. It was by no means impossible, but if anyone tried, he’d likely notice before they got too far.
He wondered, shuffling through his tarot deck, if the man across from him employed similar insights to his own domicile.
After all, a history of breaking-and-entering - specifically with life-altering results - was something they shared.
Ken Davison stands across from Silvio in one of the last places he ever expected to be. After all, Silvio was the man who relieved him of his duties as the Carnage Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion and if there was one thing Ken was known for, it was not letting go of losses. As those who follow Carnage Wrestling have seen, Ken’s world perspective had greatly changed in the last few months. So, here he was, across from a man whom he would have considered a sworn enemy not long ago.
“Readings can get kinda intimate,” Silvio said, “and if I hit a little too close to home with any of this, just say the word and it stops.” He spread the twenty-two cards before him on the tabletop. “Also, I got cannoli for snacks in the fridge, and pastry can work for celebration or consolation, so any way this shakes out, I got us covered.”
Ken lets out a deep sigh. "Been a long time since I've done one of these. Twenty some odd years…"
“Seems like you’re well-versed in it, though. Everybody else makes the Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Go-Fish, fill-in-the-blank-with-a-card-game cracks,” Silvio says. “But you? You take this seriously.”
"Let's just say we're of like mind," Ken says as he shrugs his shoulders. "Besides, pretty sure I used the Yu-Gi-Oh joke before our match. Honestly, I need direction and I couldn't think of where else to turn."
Silvio nods, gesturing for Ken to sit. “Yeah, it was actually pretty wild finding out how much we have in common.” Nineteen had ended up being a defining year for each of them from what Silvio had learned in his research on Ken, but one that launched them into completely opposite trajectories in life. He raises a brow. “It was something I wanted to talk more about, but the opportunity hasn’t really presented itself.” Waving a hand, he says, “But this is about you. I’m actually pretty flattered you came to me for a reading.”
"We both know you aren't supposed to do your own readings. I pull a card every morning to give myself something to think about, like a theme of the day. But that's as far as I'll go. You're the only other person I know that's qualified to do this."
“Eh! I find that self-reading can depend on the person, but that’s neither here nor there. I trust you to know yourself well enough to understand what you need.”
The Oracle gestures to the cards.
“And sometimes that’s guidance from an outside source. Choose six and we’ll see what we can see.”
Ken looks at the cards, as if trying to get a feel for whatever energy they are giving off. He counts the cards out carefully and chooses “lucky 13.”
“How you’re feeling right now.”
Turning over the card Ken selected reveals an illustration of an angel rising above the clouds sounding a trumpet. Below, grey-skinned people rise from their graves, arms and faces raised skyward.
“Judgement.” He gives a thoughtful nod. “You’re coming to the end of one era and the beginning of another, taking stock and figuring out where you want to go from here.” Silvio grins at Ken. “So, basically, it’s telling me what you just told me. With a card this impactful in the first position, it’s also indicative that the universe is calling you to rise to the occasion in a way that relies on your intuition and intellect. To me, that sounds a lot like it’s referring to the fact you’re a ring general, so methinks this tag title match coming up is going to be a significant turning point for you. The next card will be about what you want. You ready?”
Ken nods. He counts his way over to the 19th card, taking into account the missing 13th card.
"This one. I like how this one feels."
Ah, 19. The magic number the two men shared between them.
Turning over the second card shows an image of a robed man standing behind a desk strewn with arcane artifacts. In one hand he holds a scroll aloft, while the other points to the ground.
Silvio blinks and looks almost shy for half a second before he clears his throat.
“The Magician. So, uh…” He gives Ken a sheepish smile. “Couple ways this could be read, but one of them is a desire for a relationship with someone. I, uh...know I kinda stepped where I shouldn’t have when I talked about yours and Kyra’s relationship in our interview. I really didn’t know it wasn’t meant to be common knowledge. I’ve apologized to her, but I owe you one, too. So, I’m sorry about that. I never meant to violate your privacy.”
Ken stops Silvio for a moment.
"What's done is done. The thing is, Kyra and I were a couple in so many ways, but neither of us realized it yet. I guess that was really the first moment of realization for me. I thought you were using her to get to me. I know now that wasn't the case. Water under the bridge."
Inwardly breathing a sigh of relief, the Oracle continues. “But, yeah, this one?” He taps the card. “This is about manifestation. You and Kyra as a team is something that hasn’t happened yet in the ring at Carnage, but it’s going to be through that unity that you’ll find a way to manifest your desires. You want the tools to shape your future, and it looks like you’ve got them at hand.”
"So, next one I guess. I like prime numbers, so we'll go with the fifth card."
“This will be about your fears.”
The card Silvio turns over reveals an angel beneath a radiant sun, face serene and arms spread. Below it, a man and woman gaze at one another in a garden.
“The Lovers.” He purses his lips thoughtfully. “You’ve made a big change turning yourself around from who you were. Specifically, you’re letting yourself be more vulnerable; letting people into your life again in ways you haven’t in a long time from the sound of things. When you haven’t really allowed yourself that kind of freedom, it can be almost traumatic when you experience it again. When something terrible happens, closing yourself off from the world can feel like you’re fortifying yourself; separating yourself from the world that hurt you in the first place so it can’t hurt you again. But walls that keep out potentially harmful things also keep you from extending beyond them.”
He hesitates, brow furrowed as he looks up at Ken.
“Look, I don’t want to get too personal here or anything, so do you want me to keep going?”
"I came to you because I wanted answers. We know the cards are more intimate than even the best lovers… just in a different sort of way. Besides," Ken hesitates. "It's already been there done that with the closing myself off. I just need to be mindful not to let it happen again."
Nodding, Silvio turns the next card over. There’s a picture of a woman in floral robes crowned with stars seated on a throne. The Oracle smiles.
“This is what you’ve got going for you. The Empress.” He gives a little laugh, still smiling. “You are absolutely smitten, aren’t you? Kyra’s all over both of the readings I did for you.” He hesitates again, but remembers Ken’s permission and continues. “This can refer to having favorable energy for creativity and starting new projects, but the Empress is also a card strongly associated with family.” He holds up a hand. “Now, I’m going to say there’s only so much I can possibly know about Kyra. But it really feels like she’s had a rough run of it when it comes to romantic partners from what I’ve seen at Carnage so far. Or just...Christ, family in general. But...I think if...you two wanted to be a family together? The reading suggests now may be a good time to start down that road.”
"She's already living with me because… well, reasons. It's not a permanent arrangement. At least, not yet."
Ken points at the first first card, indicating his next choice.
“What’s going against you.”
The next card shows a rune-etched wheel, a sphinx sitting atop it holding a sword, a jackal clinging to its bottom, angels and monsters tangled up in clouds all around it.
“The Wheel of Fortune.” Silvio drums his fingertips against the tabletop.
"This can't be good. I abhor change."
“Things might get rocky for you in ways you can’t predict or influence,” Silvio says with a little wince. He taps the first card that Ken drew, Judgement. “Probably links back to this one here. That thing the universe is wanting you to do that involves rising to the occasion? Maybe it’s more than just the upcoming title match. Your intuition is what’s going to see you through here. You’ve also got Kyra and a whole lot of creative energy to tap into. You might have to make some tough decisions, but it’s all about moving forward and remembering the wheel turns. Everything has its time, and all of those times pass sooner or later.”
"So do kidney stones," Ken deadpans. Apparently, he really hates change. He points to his final choice. "I started with Lucky 13, I'll end it with "Lucky 7."
The final card that’s turned over shows a woman suspended in mid-air, swathed in blue silk, surrounded by greenery.
“This is how things are going to turn out. The World represents completion, success, fulfillment. Things are going to come full circle, even if getting there is going to be difficult. So, kinda seems like there’s going to be a significant change that’s going to be challenging to cope with but will ultimately turn out well.” He gives a little snort. “Ax and Jon better watch those belts.” Silvio looks to Ken, giving him a little nod. “Does any of this ring true to you? Does it help?”
"More than you could ever know. Thank you. I know what I need to do. This reading was not what I expected, but exactly what I needed."
“Good!” Silvio beams. “I’m glad I could help. It means a lot that you reached out. I’ve been meaning to talk to you, but I wasn’t sure when it would be the right time.” He gestures to the kitchen with a little grin. “You wanna stick around for coffee and pastries? I got tea if that’s your preference.”
"Coffee's fine. I'm not much of a tea guy. Thanks." Ken pulls up a chair. "This okay?"
Silvio motions to the seat and Ken sits down.
"So, this has been a long time coming. What's on your mind."
Silvio gets to his feet, starting to go about making coffee in the kitchen when he hears Ken’s question.
Silent a moment, he turns it over in his head before returning with a pair of cups, a carton of cream and a bowl of sugar.
He thinks back to his match with Ken; the eerie connection he felt as he learned more about his opponent’s story. The parallels had been uncanny. They’d both broken into houses and had wildly different trajectories. Silvio had been murdered and was now burdened with a cosmic parasite who put an itch in his veins. Ken, on the other hand, had found family and acceptance only to have it ripped away from him by cruel chance. Where Silvio had put his broken heart back together and lived as best he could as a human being manipulated by a god, Ken had shunned his humanity and thrown himself headlong into godhood.
“I…”
He licks his lips, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Ken...you left your 'godhood' behind to accept your humanity. And that...is a big step to become a master of both worlds. Celestial and terrestrial, you know? And...I realized that...I’m stumbling when it comes to going in the other direction. I can’t…”
He snorts and shakes his head with a rueful smile.
“...Ax gets on my case all the time about being too selfless. About not wanting anything for myself or even thinking I deserve it. About not thinking I’m anything special. He’s actually not the only one saying that lately. It feels weird to think I’m worthy of the things I want. I guess...if you’re figuring out how to accept the feel of the earth under your feet again...can you tell me how I’m supposed to accept a touch of divinity? How do I feel I’ve got a right to stake a claim to anything?”
"It wasn't about divinity. It was about control. It was about trying to micro manage every aspect of my life. It was about trying to just shut down. In almost 25 years in this business only two people were able get through, my boys Grifter and Mac. That is literally less than one person per decade. It was easier to allow myself to believe that other people were beneath lo ame than to care. I did it professionally and I did it personally. I didn't choose to change. Kyra and I just happened. We were both damaged. Neither of us was looking for someone. So, if you're looking at a touch of divinity? It was that moment."
Though the words were charged, Ken's demeanor is not. The words come evenly and matter of fact. Ken takes a sip of his coffee as calmly as if he simply read Silvio his horoscope as opposed to having just pointed out how undivine he truly was.
Silvio grins a little. “I dunno, that sounds like a pretty divine aspiration. Divinity doesn’t mean kindness or goodness. What is godhood but separation from others and absolute control?”
He isn’t surprised to hear that Mac had pierced the veil. The big cowboy had a disarming way about him, and even the sliver of generosity Silvio had seen him demonstrate in the short time he’d known him was remarkable. Mac’s heart was shaped like an open door.
“Thanks for sharing that. It’s an important perspective; one I don’t typically take. Been doing some reflecting, and I feel like I could do more to be proactive instead of reactive. It’s hard for me to want something for myself without feeling selfish; it’s always been easier to give or be there for others. I’m learning how to want things without feeling guilty about it; figure out an equilibrium.” He sips his own coffee, sweet as sin and black as night. “Any pointers there?”
"I've got nothing. I give Kyra so much because I am selfish. I want to give her the best because I know she makes things in my life better. It's a win-win."
Silvio smiles, saluting Ken with his coffee. “Thanks, anyway. I’m glad you two found each other. Obviously for your guys’ personal relationship, but jeez, the professional? You’re both lethal on your own. Together?”
He snorts, grinning.
“You two could conquer the world.”