Mr. "Empress"

At three on Monday afternoon, the Tarot Club convened as usual.

As the members advanced through the Sequences, the Tarot Club's role as a marketplace had gradually diminished. Most weeks, after a stretch of silence, they simply moved on to the free discussion segment and exchanged intelligence.

Of course, intelligence alone was not enough to sustain so many gatherings. With Miss Pure White's experience learning languages as a precedent, the increasingly idle Tarot Club had taken on a new function: teaching Derrick, the Sun, the languages of the outside world.

He was not the only one learning. Audrey, Justice, also used the Tarot Club to learn about mysticism. By now, she was no longer the complete novice she had once been.

Audrey had thought today would be another meeting devoted to learning and discussion. Even if a new transaction came up, there would not be many. She looked around eagerly, preparing to rise and offer her greetings, only to discover in astonishment that there was an extra person sitting opposite her.

Who was that?

Audrey froze.

"This is Mr. Empress," the Fool introduced from the head of the Bronze Long Table. "Our new member."

Empress-Mr.?

That peculiar combination of words drew everyone's attention to the newcomer, Danitz. He shifted uncomfortably and cursed the card he had drawn for the ten-thousandth time-something he had been doing ever since he drew the Empress card.

There was no other reason. "Empress" simply invited too many unpleasant associations, especially when paired with Neph's unforgettable "Mr. Head Maid."

Danitz did not have to wait long, because Audrey soon recovered. She stood, turned first toward the head of the Bronze Long Table as usual, and curtsied. "Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"

Klein nodded slightly, and Audrey turned to greet the next person. "Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man~"