#foretell

They're interesting mirrors of each other that as a result, are very different tools in design. Plot has a variable upfront cost, and a fixed casting cost (of zero). Foretell has a fixed upfront cost, and a variable casting cost. This actually ends up shaping most of the differences.

Plot has a variable setup cost, so it needs to be face up, otherwise the opponent could know the card from the cost anyway and it'd be a pain in general. Since it'll be face up anyway, you don't want the opponent to have to play around it too much, because playing around face-up effects is annoying for both players. As a result, it is sorcery-speed only. At its best for proactive play. This also allows the casting cost to be free (since the upfront cost can include color without restricting the mechanic, and the opponent doesn't have to play around free stuff at instant speed which is a pain). This helps significantly with some designs, and also allows things like a trigger when you plot the thing, like Aloe Alchemist up here, which wouldn't be possible with Foretell.

Foretell has a fixed setup cost. This means it is a generic cost and has to be. Which means the variable casting cost will include colors, if the cards are colored, because color pie and all that. Having a generic setup cost does, however, allow you to set it up face-down. This, in turn, means it's hidden information, both a guessing game for opponent, and potentially a bluff for you. Just like cards in hand, except there is a smaller pool of possibilities with just Foretell cards, so it can be easier to guess, and also more rewarding to game knowledge. Because playing around hidden information is much more fun and two-way for both players than playing around revealed information, foretell is at its best with reactive spells. Counters, removals, protection spells and the like. And as such, it is allowed and encouraged to play at instant-speed. But it does mean you can't do anything with the mechanic that'd work while foretold, or foretell opposing or revealed cards. What would be the point without hidden information?

As he makes his way to school Simon meets up with Sebastian. Sebastian was wearing a black and red striped long sleeved shirt, while Simon on the other hand was wearing a blue shirt with a print of a cartoon turtle that has a lightning bolt on its shell with the text "I'm the fastest turtle alive." Sebastian saw Simon and waved at him.

"Morning!" Simon greets Sebastian.

"Hey! happy birthday... Are you okay? You look kinda pale." Sebastian asks.

"I had a really messed up nightmare and I really don't want to talk about it." Simon's proclamation.

"Okay then, so what do you want to cook tonight?"

"I was thinking, how about lasagna?"

"Oh yeah definitely your lasagna tastes amazing."

"Cool I'll make the list of ingredients later and we'll buy some at the store okay?"

"Sounds like a plan."

The two headed to class where they met their other friends. Vicky was wearing a Sunday dress that has floral designs and is still completely ignoring Simon. Liz is wearing a white and yellow blouse along with some jeans who also greeted Simon a happy birthday and once again Simon was red as an apple. Rob is wearing his signature red hoodie with a black shirt inside with a pac-man print on it ,he greeted the two boys and gave them both high fives. Vina was wearing a sleeveless white muscle shirt with a crow sitting on top of a skull as a design and ripped jeans, her hair is braided which gives her sex appeal a whole new level, she also has mascara on along with some leather bracelets. On the other hand her sister Rina is wearing a sweat jacket with a print of an aliens head with the text "believe" on it. The twins went up to Simon and hugged him while greeting him a happy birthday. A few moments later the teacher walks in and starts the class.

Without saying it everyone's excited for the party. Simon as well, he's looking forward to cook lasagna for his friends, but at the same time he still questions the nightmare that he saw. Who was that woman? What was that flower all about? How did he manage to dream something like that? Simon simply thought he should stop watching too much horror films.

After an excruciating math test, everyone was relieved for it to be over, more so for Simon's friends. This means that school is over and that they can party at Simon's place. They spent the entire day just talking about the party, now that school's over they all can no longer wait.

Everyone had their own thing to do. Liz and Vicky plan to buy a cake for Simon, even though Simon protests about them buying, Liz is very persistent and in the end Simon can't really stop her. Rob, Vina, and Rina plan to buy party decorations and they plan to go to Simon's house first to prepare and just simply wait for the others to come afterwards. Simon was hesitant at first because his father might be there but then again he remembered that his father didn't come last night and it's highly unlikely for him to return today. After much consideration Simon allowed the three of them to go ahead to his house first after buying the decorations.

After everything was settled they all went their separate ways and went to do their respective jobs. Liz and Vicky went to the bakery, while Rob, Vina, and Rina went to the nearest convenience store. Simon and Sebastian went to the grocery store.

While walking Simon and Sebastian were sightseeing around, it has been a long time since they've been in this part of the valley. Once they saw the old play ground they both smiled, those were happier times. They remembered Simon's mother watching over them as they play on the swing.

"She would've been so proud of you right now, and she'd be the most excited about your birthday out of all of us." Sebastian proclaims.

"Yeah I know she would. She would've been the first one to remind me that it's my birthday today."

As the two walk along they noticed a crowd of people standing around next to an apartment near the play ground. Simon immediately felt a sudden pain in his head. Sebastian notices this and asks Simon if everything was alright. Simon replies saying that everything is fine and that it was just a sudden headache. For some reason Simon felt anxious and afraid. He swallowed his fear and forced himself to go to the crowd.

He pushed his way through the crowd. As he reaches the source of all the commotion he saw the paramedics zipping up a body bag, in a split second Simon manages to take a quick glance. Simon was immediately filled with fear and disgust the face he saw was the same face of the woman from his nightmare, without a doubt, how can he forget such a horrifying scene, a scene so terrifying that it is forever etched into his mind. The only things that are different is the fact that the body will not rise again and that the weird flower that is supposed to be on her chest is nowhere to be seen.

Simon immediately ran to the nearest public restroom, he felt sick and thought of nothing but just vomiting. Sebastian quickly chased after him, once Simon found a restroom and quickly found an empty stall he immediately vomited in it. Sebastian looking confused asked Simon what was going on. Simon immediately replied that he was alright and that he was feeling a little sick because of what he saw.

After the entire ordeal Simon manages to convince Sebastian for them to just leave and go to the grocery store. As soon as they leave Simon witnesses the body bag being taken in the ambulance, in order to not risk him vomiting again he quickly walks away along with Sebastian. Sebastian is still very worried about Simon but he knows when Simon doesn't want to talk about anything he won't so he just went along with Simon in order for them to get home already.

Finally they made it to the grocery store.

"So you got the list?" Asked Sebastian.

"Yup it's in here in my bag hold on a sec."

As Simon picks out his list Sebastian was shocked to see how many ingredients they needed to buy. The list consists of olive oil, 3-4 onions, 2 large bell peppers, tomato sauce, 4-5 tomatoes, some Italian seasoning, garlic powder and that was just for the sauce. For the lasagna itself they needed lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Basically different types of cheese.

" Do we even have the budget for these?" Sebastian's worried question.

"Yeah, I mean I have some of the other ingredients at home I only wrote those so that I wont forget what I need later."

Sebastian is in a state shock for this is the first time he has seen Simon so very competent. Simon understood that look and lightly jabs Sebastian's arm. It took some time but they managed to buy everything they needed. They immediately went to Simon's house to cook the food.

As soon as they arrived at the house they saw Rob blowing up balloons on the floor while Vina and Rina are putting up streamers on the walls, they promised that they'll clean it up afterwards. Simon started cooking the lasagna and Sebastian helped out with the balloons because Rob is clearly having a difficult time. When the lasagna was finished Liz and Vicky made it just in time along with the cake, written on the icing said "Happy 15th Birthday Simon from all your Friends!" Simon was touched, but this isn't an occasion for crying. They all dig in the food and had a wonderful evening. Vina is totally crushing it on karaoke and Rina is taking memorable pictures of everybody. Later on everyone else danced to the songs that Vina picked out except for Vicky and Sebastian who were to awkward and shy to dance in the first place. All in all that night was one of the best nights that everyone had, until someone came along. "What's all that noise!"

The voice came from outside the door, as soon as Simon opened it, it was his father still clearly drunk and with a beer in hand. "What's going on! Who are you kids?! What are you all doing in my house?!" He yelled. Everyone was silent for a moment, they knew that this is what Simon's father is like, until Liz suddenly spoke.

"We were celebrating Simon's birthday Mr.Cross."

"What? It's your birthday? Why didn't you tell me?" The confused question of Mr.Cross.

"Yeah its my birthday dad, I just thought you had more important stuff to do so I didn't bother."

"You could've at least told me!"

"It's okay dad its not a big deal."

"It is a big deal. I'm your father I need to be here at times like these!"

Something just suddenly snapped in Simon.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but when have you ever been here? You spend most of your time in the bar than here. Even when you are here your not here your either drunk or sleeping!" Simon yells.

"Hey! I work my ass off for this family so don't talk to me like that!"

"What family! We haven't been a family ever since mom died. I've moved on dad you clearly haven't!"

"That's it you can't talk to me like that while you're still under my roof!"

"Maybe I don't want to be under your roof anymore! There's nothing here for me anymore!" Simon proclaims.

Blinded by rage Simon's father punched him in the face so hard he fell to the floor and his cheek is swelling and his mouth is bleeding. Rob being the biggest one of them tried to hold Simon's father back but he just get shoved away by the massive man. Simon's father looks at him intently and says. "If that's what you want then fine leave." The burly man went up the stairs and to his bedroom. Simon's friends quickly went to him and helped him get back up.

"If you need a place to go you could stay at my place." Said Sebastian.

"Is that okay with you? Simon asks.

"Of course, you should pack now though."

"We'll go get your stuff and pack for you" Said Rob.

"You guys don't have to." Said Simon.

"Can you guys go get his stuff I'll patch him up." Said Liz.

Everyone nodded. Rob, Vina, Sebastian, Rina, and even Vicky went up to his room to get his stuff. Liz is looking under the cabinets to look for a first aid kit to use. She found one and immediately returns to Simon.

"Has he ever hit you like that before?" Liz's worried question while she cleans Simon's face and hold an ice bag to it.

"Couple of times, and in all of those times he was drunk." He says this in a joking manner.

"This isn't funny Simon, you got hurt. you can report him you know?"

"As much as I hate him he's still my dad. Whatever I said earlier it'll never change the fact that he's my family, the last one to be exact. Besides maybe a little space could do us good."

"I hope you know what you're dong."

Just as she finishes treating Simon's cheek the others came down stairs with two plastic bags and his regular school bag all packed and ready to go. Before they all left they took out garbage bags and cleaned out the living room. As they all walk outside they left the garbage bags out on the porch. As they further walked Simon took one last look at the house, it was a pretty out of placed house to be in an urban area to begin with, pieces of it has gone missing, its rich white and yellow color already faded and the windows are all boarded up, the roof is in serious need of cleaning and repair. Now Simon is expected to live in Sebastian's house, at least for now.

Simon and Sebastian went their way while the others went their own. They all said happy birthday to Simon even though it wasn't all happy in the end. Simon notices their faces clearly showing them being worried. Simon reassures them and tells them that everything will be alright, after that they all left and they all said good night to one another.

As they arrived at Sebastian's house the place was all dark and still a little stuffy. Nevertheless Simon proclaims that its alright for him to sleep on couch, Sebastian tried to change his mind offers him his bedroom, but knowing Simon he knew that he can't convince him. The time was 10:00 p.m. As Sebastian walks up the stairs to sleep Simon quickly dozes of due to him being way to tired and fatigued.

Walking on a garden of strange looking violet flowers. The sky was as red as blood, the clouds were moving at an impossible speed. Simon heard whispers all over the place, the whispers were coming from the distance while at other times it was near as if the person whispering was up next to his ear. Suddenly the clouds stopped moving and poured out rain, but it was no ordinary rain by the color of it and the smell it wasn't water that was falling on Simon it was blood. Simon looked up to the clouds raining blood, as soon as he looked back down he was immediately greeted by the corpse of the woman he saw earlier. The woman once again had no eyes and was crying out blood and smiling right at him. Out of disbelief Simon rubbed his eyes and once he opened his eyes once more the weather was normal again, Simon's clothes were no longer drenched in blood, nothing but odd looking violet flowers can be seen for miles, the whispers has also stopped. Then suddenly the woman was once again beside Simon and whispered right into his ears "Smell the pretty flowers." Out of shocked Simon quickly turned around and like before the woman was no where to be seen. As soon as Simon puts his guard down a bloody hand sprouted from the ground and grabbed Simon's leg and slowly pulls him down the ground. Desperate he tries to claw his way out grabbing on to anything he can get his hands on, and yet it is too late he was then completely submerged underground.

Once again Simon woke up in the middle of the night gasping for air and sweating. He then looks at the time on his phone and on it says that it is 12:00 a.m. Out of frustration Simon scratched his head and buried his head on the pillow and asks himself.