Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sound of the whirling projector can be heard as the screen comes to life. 

“Golly gees, isn’t the world a strange place.” The caricature of a teenage girl appears on the screen. “The strangest part of that world for the young growing mind.” Flashy colours and lights start to play around the girl as she continues. “Is the soul card you will get when you turn nine years old.”  

The girl transitioned to a facsimile of a classroom. “That's where I come in… My name is Charlie Cards and our school’s project is to take you on a tour of what a soul card is, what rarities are, how you can trade them and some other easier to answer questions.” The smile on Charlie’s face is uncomfortable as the shot lingers on it. 

“Long ago, the government declared that all kids the age of eight must see a video like this before their ninth birthday. So, please kids! Pay attention and remember to thank your teacher for giving you the chance to learn this super important knowledge!” Charlie winks to the screen as she turns to face the blackboard.  

“So, what is a soul card?” She writes the question on the blackboard with a piece of chalk. “The best our experts from around the world can conclude is that these cards are the physical form of a person's soul. Some believe the cards seek out your perfect partner, while others think the cards find those that will help you achieve some higher purpose. But, whatever the reason, these cards exist and play an important role in our society. They have done so for hundreds of years.”  

Pictures from across history flash across the screen. “In today’s world, matching soul cards are super important for couples to be legally married… Don’t worry you can still fall in love with others! It just won’t be recognized in the eyes of the government. You don’t really have to worry about all this yet, but it’s cool to know, don’t you think?” Once again the hollow smile appeared on Charlie’s face. 

“Before we move onto rarity… Let's look at a soul card.” Charlie opens her hand as an ethereal blue card appears in her hand. “Once you turn nine you’ll all be able to do this…” The card shows a caricature of a teenage boy, as well as different stats and figures. “This is my boyfriend Sammy’s soul! Isn’t he the cutest? As you can see, the card shows an accurate picture of him, as well as many different stats like Mood, Income, Health, Personality, Desires, Secrets, and more. That’s the joy of soul cards, you can really get to know your destined one." Charlie kisses the card with as much enthusiasm as if the card was rotten garbage. 

“Now, this brings us to rarity.” Charlie wipes the question off the blackboard.                          

“You may find that when you get your soul card… Someone else also has the same one!” Dramatic music plays as the classroom flashes red. “Don’t panic! This is quite common. Soul cards are not truly one of a kind things; it’s possible to find dozens of people with the same soul card for the same person. This just gives you all a fighting chance.” Charlie smiles as writes “rarity” on the blackboard. 

“But, this is where rarity comes into play. Two people may have the same person’s soul card… But, there is a chance that one may have a higher rarity of that card.” Charlie turns around to showcase a table on the blackboard.

“Rarity comes in six types. Common, Uncommon, Rare, Ultra Rare, Legendary and SAR.  

I know it seems like a lot, but don’t worry about all the nitty gritty.” Charlie summons her soul card again. “Now, my Sammy card is of the Ultra Rare rarity. The different types of rarity have one main draw to them, this being how connected you are to the person. For example: a common rarity of Sammy here would only give basic feelings and some fun facts… but, compared to my Ultra Rare, mine tells me what sort of dream he had last night and who the most important person in the world to him is. Of course it is me! Hehe.” Charlie laughed a bit too forcefully as she made the card disappear. 

“Rarity gives spice to the whole soul card system.Take the SARs, these soul cards are extremely rare. Those that have them are considered the best candidates for life partners, so people go out looking for them. We touch more on this in trading.” Charlie took a breath, as she gained a sombre look in her eyes. “But to end this section on rarity, remember kids. Rarity means nothing as long as you want to be with your soulmate…” Charlie gives off a sad sigh before the hollow smile returns. 

“Moving on… Trading.”               

“By now, I can already guess the question for all you budding little minds… Charlie, what if I want a new soul card?” Her face is dangerously close to the screen. “Well, that’s where trading comes in. At some point in the last hundred or so years, it was discovered that we can trade soul cards with each other! Before this it was believed soul cards were a one time deal., but now, people have so much more freedom in who to stay with.”  

The screen fades to black as Charlie reappears in an official looking outfit. “Now, let’s see if you paid attention, friends! Do any of you remember what I was telling you at the start? No? Well, it’s super important for everyone to remember that to be officially married to your love, both people need to have the other's soul card. So it is top priority that you remember this if you want to trade for a new partner.” The screen fades to black again and Charlie returns to her normal outfit. 

“Now, you must be asking yourselves. Charlie, how do I trade? Well it needs two or more willing participants who want to trade their cards. Then, while having the cards out and holding the other person’s hand, you suggest the idea of trade, and once they accept the card will simply swap places.” A cartoon demonstration plays out on the screen. 

“Don’t worry, the process is completely safe and there have never been any errors.” A wall of text flies across the screen so fast that nobody could read it. “You can even do one side trades, or multi person trades! But that’s for another video.” Charlie winks to the camera. 

“The discovery of trading has allowed the market of soul cards. Don’t worry, the free market is completely controlled by the global governments, so there is no risk of being Scammed, unlike on many of the black market sites that have popped up on the Internet. Remember kids, don’t trust these shady sites! They only want to trick you. Make sure to tell your parents or teachers if you find one, to help keep everyone safe.” Charlie looks eerily serious as she says this. 

“ Phew! That was a lot of talking! I bet you're getting tired of hearing my voice… Well, don’t worry, we are almost done. Just some quick and easy questions you may have about soul cards after everything I’ve said.” Charlie turns back to the blackboard and writes “FAQ” on it. “Shall we begin?”           

A question flashes on the screen. “Can I have more than one soul card?” Charlie laughs after reading it aloud. 

“Back before trading the answer would have been “no way!” or only due to an error. But, nowadays it is possible to have a whole deck of soul cards. People are free to do what they want. Some like to keep the one they got and never trade it away, while others may want to collect as many as possible. Boys, I'm looking at you.” Charlie gives another forced laugh as another question appears on the screen. 

“What if I have no soul card?” Charlie looks serious as she addresses this question. 

“Before trading, no cards were seen as an error. People who got none were seen as soulless, but this was soon countered when it was found that someone had their soul. So no card was deemed to be for people that have the freedom to choose when the time is right for them. It was a no card that discovered trading, so since then the condition was removed from the error list.”  

Another question appears. “What if I get my own card?”  

“Just like “no card”, this too was seen as an error until trading made it one of the best starting points for searching for a good soulmate. Most people desire having their own soul card as it gives them far more choice over who can have them. One final question please!” Charlie said loudly as another question popped on screen. 

“What are errors?” Charlie’s face falters for a second, before regaining the happy go lucky grin from before. 

“Errors is the term used to describe quirks in the soul card system; many errors are labelled due to the fact that nobody can explain them. Both “no card” and “own card” were seen as errors, but as time went on they were taken off the list. The error list nowadays only really has one major error:  blank cards. This is the only error that has never been researched since it is believed to be a myth. The only reason I bring it up is to remind you kids that errors can be more common than you think.”  

Pictures of different errors appear on screen. “More common, less serious errors include: getting more than one card, getting the card for someone who hasn’t been born yet, and getting a dead person’s card. Don’t worry about any of these, since these can be fixed with trading!” Charlie smiles widely as the screen pans out. 

“Well, it looks like my time is up for today's lesson, friends! I hope you all learned something, and more importantly, had fun watching! I hope you enjoy what the cards have in store for you!”  

The picture on the screen distorts as the projector is turned off and the classroom lights are turned on. The teacher parrot off some of the points Charlie made in the video, but all this didn’t matter to one girl as she waited for her eyes to adjust to the light. 

Said girl was Alix Kubdel, just freshly eight years old and she didn’t give a damn about soul cards. 

Chapter Text

For the rest of the day the classroom was buzzing with talk about soul cards. Many of the kids were drawn into the appeal of the cards, some couldn’t wait to turn nine and see who they got; others were fearful that they would become one of the dreaded errors the video mentioned at the end.

But Alix was an outlier of sorts, while all the other kids spent the lunchtime chatting, she sat there having her lunch. She was more concerned with the homework the teacher had set for them the day before.

The topic of soul cards barely made a dent into her mind as she couldn’t get herself to care about them. To Alix, they were just trading cards that told you who to live with… Alix barely listened to her dad, so why would she listen to some trading cards?

Her moment of solitude was interrupted by a very chatty group of girls. “So, Alix… Who do you think your soul card will be?” the leader of the group asked.

To be honest, Alix couldn’t be bothered to remember her name. She mentally groaned at the question, what even was the point in doing this? Did they want to see who had the best fantasy or was this some way to set up expectations that would surely come crashing down on their 9th birthday?

“Don’t know, don’t care.” Alix’s answer was maybe a little too blunt. She could see the annoyed face of the leader, clearly she had wanted an answer.

“Well… Yours will be one of the first in the class. Your 8th birthday has just gone by.” Alix looked at the girl who said that, once again her name was unimportant, but Alix could never forget the girl's almost blueberry-coloured hair.

“That is correct. This time next year I’ll have one of those cards.” Alix's answer was more matter-of-factly than holding any real excitement. Eventually she left the chatty girls and went to play football with the boys, but even among them  the soul cards were the topic of the day as they headed into the second half of the day.

Even when Alix got home she couldn’t escape soul cards. Jalil and a friend were comparing them in the living room area, both giggling like school boys as they traded information. “I can’t believe you won the bet!” Alix heard Jalil’s friend say to him.

“Well, that’s what the idiot gets for letting me pick the challenge. Now I have the Ultra rare soul card of our class! Hehe.” Alix wanted to gag at the laugh Jalil emitted she was finding her big brother more disgusting by the minute.

“Can you two stop being gross in the living room? I want to watch my shows.” With that, Alix leapt onto the sofa and grabbed the remote.

“Haven’t you got homework to do? Dad won’t let you have TV time if it’s not done.” Jalil tried to sound like the older brother he was supposed to be but Alix was completely unfazed. “Come on Theo, let's leave the brat to her shows. We have more adult things to do.” Jalil and his friend quickly got up and left the living room. As they did so,  Alix stuck her tongue out at them.

She hoped that was the last time she would hear about soul cards for the day, until dinner came along and ruined that. The dinner table was quiet that evening, as Jalil had asked to have dinner in his room with his friend and so the only people sat were Alix and her father.

Neither really talked as they ate the quickly-cooked meal that Alim had prepared, but once both parties were done that silence was broken by a simple question. “Did you learn about soul cards at school today?”  It wasn’t really a question, as it was clear that her father knew. Alix simply nodded as she took a sip of her soda.

“What did you think of them?” Alix responded with a shrug. “You’ll have plenty of time to get to grips with it. Your mother was like that as well.” Alim held his hand out and a card appeared, where Alix could make out the image of a smiling woman.

“You remind me of her more and more every day, she would have loved to see you grow up.” She could hear the sadness in her father’s voice.

Alix stayed silent. She had no words to say about her mother. To be honest she only had one memory of her and it’s the worst memory possible. Her father recalls the card as he tries to put a smile back on his face.

“Shall we have some ice cream? I won’t tell you brother, if you don’t.” For the first time that day Alix actually smiled, and they went off to enjoy some ice cream and watch some TV. This is all that Alix wanted to do.

After a couple more weeks of idle chat, the topic of soul cards faded out. No longer was it the hot new thing for the slowly growing eight year olds, and Alix couldn’t be happier.

She had grown bored of everyone constantly asking who she wants as a soulmate.

She had once jokingly said that her soulmate would be a salad, just to get a curious girl off her back. But thinking more about it, that would be her perfect soulmate… At least she could eat it when she gets bored of it.

As the school year soon flew by, every so often they would watch another video from Charlie Cards. Every time soul cards became the favourite topic of the class, but as time went on Alix just tuned it out. She would much rather sit a few detentions than listen to another minute of those annoying videos.

Her father wasn’t the happiest with Alix’s view on soul cards, but he only ever talked to her about it once and that was during the summer holiday. Alix was about to go out and practice on her rollerblades when her father stopped her.

“Alix, can we talk for a minute?” Alix knew that tone, it was his serious tone. She turned around to face him.

“Your teacher phoned me last week. She is worried that you haven’t taken in the lessons about soul cards very well, and considering your birthday is during the first week of school…” Alix sighed, why was this such a big deal?

“I understand those cards completely. I just don’t see the point in them.” Her father chuckled a little. “Your mother was like that… She only ever showed me her soul card once and that was to confirm it to the Marriage office. She believed that love wasn’t something that a card could define… She was far too wise for her own good.” Her father had a melancholic smile as he looked at Alix.

“Just so you know… Whatever happens on your 9th birthday… I’ll support you… Whatever path you take.” Alix felt a heavy feeling in her heart as those words had a weight that she couldn’t fully understand. She quickly goes over to her father and hugs him. “Thanks dad.”

After those words, the pair silently separated, and Alix went off to enjoy her final summer before she would get her card.

Every day, Alix did the most she could of the summer days.

Taking a page from one of her favourite shows, she did something wacky and crazy each day.

But with each day that went by, the topic of soul cards was heard more and more. More people asking her when she’ll get her card, more people wanting her guess on who her soulmate will be and more people trying to act like they care when all they really want is to use Alix for gossip.

Soon enough summer was over and school was beginning again. That first week felt like torture, as every day her class kept asking her if she had her card yet, and every day she would say the same thing…

“My birthday is on Friday. Not going to happen any sooner than that.” Alix was growing more unamused as the week went on.

Then, finally, it was Thursday night. She laid in bed restlessly awaiting for sleep to claim her. She was surprised when her father peaked his head into the room. “Goodnight sweetie, happy early birthday.” Alix was glad that her father didn’t mention the soul card. After their talk, it was evident he was trying to not mention the topic around her as much. This helped put her mind at ease as she finally fell asleep.

She woke up at the crack of dawn and she felt something she hadn’t felt before. It was as if a thread was now wrapped around her finger. She could feel it with every moment of her finger. As she tugged on it, a glowing energy bubble started to form in her hand.

Eventually, the card appeared in her hand. She felt the card, she felt how real it felt in her hand as she turned it over to finally see who fate had tied her up with…

It was blank. Her card was completely blank: no picture, no writing, no anything. Just a blank void of white.

Alix sat there staring into the white void. She let out the biggest sigh she could. “Thank you universe!” She smiled at the sight before her. 

Only a few hours later she was cursing the universe.

 

Chapter Text

There was nothing else to blame than her classmates’ reactions to seeing her blank card. Some were confused, clearly were expecting to see a card like the one Charlie had. But, seeing Alix’s? They all looked at it like it was roadkill. Even the teacher was silent as she let the class crowd around Alix, making her feel more like a freak show than a kid trying to show something off. 

And then, the words that started the downwards descent of the day happened. “Maybe Alix’s card is broken…” That simple sentence sparked wild tales of falsehood, and from that moment on, Alix was in for a world of annoyance. Now she had other kids giving her plasters to put on cards, as in their words it would maybe “help it get better. ” Alix didn’t mind those kids. 

The ones she hated were those that looked down on her. Those kids kept whispering behind her back, kept spreading the news that she was broken to other classes and even tried to get her removed from the classroom. Alix recognized the leader of this group as the same leader of the chatty girls. Alix was confused why they had it out for her, but they never seemed to let it go. 

Things only grew worse at lunchtime, Alix found that no one wanted to play with her; all the girls running away with terror and all the boys calling her a monster. Alix would later find out that a new rumour was going around saying that anyone who touched her would also get a blank card and that she was going to go around and try to spread the curse. 

Upon hearing this Alix felt a fire burning in her body, the heat growing hotter the more she thought about all the rumours. 

The heat was getting too much, and she finally decided to skip afternoon class. She couldn’t stand to be in the same room as any of her classmates. For some unknown yet very much thanked reason, the door to the boiler room was left unlocked and so she took refuge there. She wanted the day to just end, and then at least she wouldn’t have to be here… Alix waited until she heard the school bell and slipped out with the rest of the crowd. 

She had hoped that would be the end of all the drama and she could just relax at home, but by bedtime, she was forced to face the music. “Hey, Alix? I heard you skipped half the school day… I know it’s your birthday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go to school.” Her father tried to not sound angry, it was one of the things Alix liked about him; he never let his emotions control the narrative and,  like a good historian, he followed all the evidence, as he always taught her. 

Alix couldn’t put her feelings into words; she had no words that could explain today at all. So, she did the only thing that could get them out, and cried. Her father quickly pulled her into a hug as she cried harder. All the rumours, all the looks and none on her side. What had she done to deserve all this? Has she done something in her past life? Did she anger a god? Alix couldn’t believe that this was all happening without some reason. 

“Shhh, It’s okay dear. What’s wrong?” Her father’s voice no longer had any of the concealed anger from before, only kindness and sympathy in his words. Alix, still crying into her father’s shoulder, held out her hand and tugged at the invisible string. The card once again appeared and Alix questioned.

 “Am I broken?” 

She heard a gasp from her father, followed by his warm embrace as he whispered in her ear. “You're not broken… Don’t believe for a second you are! I don’t believe that and I know Sora would never believe it either.” After that, neither of them said a word until Alix fell asleep in her father’s arms. 

That night, Alim let Alix sleep in his bed. To be honest, he was afraid of what her reaction would be if she woke up alone. 

He had heard the story of those with blank cards, the ones the government didn’t let others hear. He was going to make sure he didn’t lose another person he loves. 

“Oh Sora, if only you were here… Alix needs you more than ever.” Alim wiped his daughter's still slightly wet cheek as he stared at her sleeping form. “I’ll keep her safe, I promise.” Alim started to drift into sleep after he said those words. The last thing he heard was Alix’s soft snoring. 

Her father told her that she was taking the day off school. Alix didn’t complain after the disaster of the previous day; she didn’t want to go back to that mess. After a slightly awkward breakfast, her father finally spoke up. “Would you mind helping me out today, sweetie?”  

Alix couldn’t really say no. She replied with a weak “ yeah, sure.” She saw her father smile at the response. “ Then we shall be off to the Louvre’s archive! This job is a fun one, trust me.” Alix wasn’t going to lie and say she wasn’t a bit curious about this. 

After breakfast and changing into their clothes for the day, the pair made their way across the road to the Louvre. After saying a few good mornings to the security staff and being effusively greeted by her father’s PA, the two found themselves in the archive. 

“Now, the job is simple. We need to inspect a few pieces that have been in storage for a while. They are set to appear in a collection next month.” Alix nodded as she found the task to be simple busy work, she was not going to complain. The pair walked for what she could have sworn miles and miles until her father stopped suddenly and pulled out his keys. 

“Found the room!  Sorry about all the walking, guess it was further than I thought.” Her father smiled sheepishly, while Alix just rolled her eyes as they both entered the storage room. The was small but filled with dozens of sealed paintings that created this musty sort of smell. “Now we’re only here to inspect one very special painting. I did most of the others a while back, so this one is the last one left.” Alix was confused, why was this one special? Why was she there for that one specifically and not the others? What could this have to do with her? Alix held the questions back as her father went over to the correct painting and uncovered it. 

“Behold Ridolfo Ghirlandaio's Portrait of a Lady with a Rabbit!” Just as the name announced, the painting was a portrait of a Florentine woman holding a rabbit. 

“So, what’s so special about this painting? Just seems like an eccentric woman to me.” Alix's father chuckled. “Your mother said the same thing when she first saw it. But, I have a reason to show it to you as well, Alix. From what I’ve heard, there are very good reasons to believe this woman was also cursed with the blank soul card.” 

Hearing these words caused Alix’s heart to drop as her father explained just  what she had been taught. “Back then, getting a blank card was seen as an act of evil… Many were killed in the false belief that a blank soul card was the work of the devil.” 

Alix wanted to laugh, but something in her mind stopped her. “ Guess times haven't really changed,” she said bitterly. 

Despite her remark, Alim continued his explanation. “ This woman stood against that notion. She never let the blank card stop her, and she was so beloved by her town that when they were given the order to kill her… they refused. She lived quite a long and solemn life, but she was happy and free. It was joked that the rabbit in the painting was her own lover of sorts, her sole companion.” 

Alix was surprised by the tale, but she still had questions. “Why did you want me to see this?” 

She watched her father softly smile. “Cause even if those with blank cards may no longer be hunted by society, society is still not very accepting of them as you may know.” Alix sees her father take an unsteady breath. “Teens with blank cards take their own lives far too often. When I saw you got one, I feared I was going to lose you too… Just like I lost Sora…” Alix could see her father was barely able to conceal his crying; she could see all the hidden pain beneath his smile. 

“I wanted you to see this picture and to know that everything isn’t hopeless. You don’t have to live for others. You just… have to live for yourself.” Her father’s words echoed across the storage room. “So, be honest Alix, how does this make you feel?” 

Those words were the cork popping of Alix’s emotions. 

“Fuck them… Fuck them all.” Alix let out, not caring that she was using one of the many words she wasn’t allowed to say. She expected him to scold her, but instead she saw him smile. 

“Let it all out…” Alix took this as her cue to continue. 

“Fuck those gossip girls that spread all the lies about me! Fuck the boys for being morons and believing them! Fuck the teacher that said I was  the problem! Just… Fuck everything about soul cards! All they do is hurt me!” Alix exploded; she kept going and going until she felt the warm embrace of her father as her voice finally gave up. For the first time since the whole deal about the cards started, she felt free. 

“Do you want to get some ice cream?” Alix’s father asked after he gave her a few minutes to cool down. 

For the rest of the day Alix and her father did things that she wanted to do. In his own words, “Let’s go celebrate your birthday.” True to his word the pair did just that and only that, although Alix would always remember the lesson she learned today. 

To be true to only herself and not to others.