The Tower and Judgment

"The Tower" was Abner's codename, and the master of this place was "The Fool"... Was this a secret organization whose members used the Major Arcana as codenames? And was its leader a deity?

Xio counted the chairs on either side of the long table. After two seconds of silence, she asked bluntly:

"Esteemed Mr. Fool, may I join like he did?"

Good thing I became a Clown... Sequence 8. Otherwise, I really couldn't afford the cost of bringing you in...

Klein privately counted his blessings, then gave a soft chuckle as though completely at ease.

"This is a gathering they organized themselves. I merely convene it.

"There are still seats available. You may join."

As he spoke, Klein smiled and gestured toward the Tarot Cards that had materialized on the surface of the Bronze Long Table. "They chose Tarot Card names as their codenames. Pick one for yourself. The following already have owners and cannot be chosen..."

Klein had given some thought to letting Miss Xio join the Tarot Club. First, after watching her through several "live broadcasts" and "recordings," he was sure she was kind, upright, and principled. Apart from repeatedly causing Mr. Fool unnecessary trouble in the middle of the night, she was someone he could trust.

Second, Miss Xio was an MI9 agent with a considerable reputation in Backlund's East Borough and Dock Borough. Her membership could expand the Tarot Club's sources of intelligence and materials. If Klein ever left Tingen for Backlund, she could be a great help to him.

Third, and most importantly, Miss Xio wanted to join the Tarot Club. No one was forcing her. As an "evil god" whose enterprise was still getting off the ground, he had no reason to refuse.

Xio took the materialized Tarot Cards without further questions or comment.