The Roles We Play

The Man From Hearts

Bill receives an offer to work within the museums of Spades as the new archaeologist. Eager for better work opportunities and to explore more of Cinderhaven, Bill takes the offer and travels to the Country of Spades. While there, he meets the King of Spades and his younger sister.
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Traveling from the Kingdom of Hearts to other regions for work wasn't always part of Bill's plan, yet the curator for the museum he worked for informed him of archaeologist positions open within the other regions. Each region's history was rich and new knowledge for Bill, yet he didn't wish to travel too far, so the Land of Clubs was quickly taken out of the equation. Hearts are connected to both Diamonds and Spades, so those two were his obvious options. Though the Diamond Empire was much too interested in their luxury, something Bill and his family didn't really have, they made do with the love and care they had for each other. And that leaves the Country of Spades. Spades' history with both science fiction and technology is quite huge with material still undiscovered. Bill would have been crazy not to accept the offer, and the travel cost to Spades was covered by the museum.

And so Bill had accepted the position in Spades. On the train, passing through the mountain path connecting Hearts to Spades, Bill sits alone in a booth reading over the papers from Spades' museums the History Vault, home of the general history of the country, and the Science Fiction Institute, where all creations and inventions of Spades are held. Unlike in Hearts where he only worked in the museum for the kingdom's artifacts, Bill has access to work in both the Vault and Institute. It seems there will be more for Bill to discover within the country and his nerves are building it up in anticipation.

The train's air horn blows signaling the passengers on board of their next stop. Bill quickly gathers his things, placing his papers and within his briefcase. Looking out the window, Bill is amazed by the vast difference to the environment of the country. There's machinery everywhere. Mechanic animals pulling carriages and carts, the machines mostly in the form of a horse or a giant bird. "Was that an ostrich?" Bill muttered as he watched a giant robotic bird pull a carriage along the streets. Smoke pours out from the steam engine's chimney pipes as the train slows to a stop on the tracks just by the station's platform. People filed out of the train as soon as the doors opened, some shoving or bumping into others as they made their way through the crowd. Bill steps out onto the platform, ice grey eyes observing the station until he finds the information desk. With his luggage and passport in hand, the young man makes his way towards the receptionist.

"Next in line!" The receptionist calls and the young man steps towards the desk, immediately handing over his passport and credentials. She takes them, reading over them with little enthusiasm. "Hmm, William Weasley. You came from the Kingdom of Hearts and you're traveling for work?"

"Yes. I'm here for the archaeologist position for the—"

"Oh you're the new recruit!" The lady cuts off, "Lady Buckthorn-Snyde has already informed us of your arrival." She immediately stamps Bill's travel form and passport for approval, before reaching over to the brochure stand and pulling out a couple pamphlets. "She was very adamant that we make sure your access into the country goes smoothly. Normally, this isn't a long process, but Lady Buckthorn-Snyde can be an intimidating woman to deal with and I don't want to be the next person to face her wrath." She hands over the pamphlets leisurely. "So these pamphlets will help you around the place. One is the map, one is for housing and renting, and the last one is a basic guide for tourists and foreigners. Anyways, enjoy your stay or whatever." She dismisses Bill after handing him his paperwork before signaling to the next person in line.

Dumbstruck by the quick dismissal from the receptionist, Bill faltered as he gathered his things and left the information desk. He looked around for the exit, head darting left and right before spotting the double doors people were flooding through.