Distractions With Fortune Telling!

To my pleasant surprise, the event is being held outside. From the looks of it, there’s a few plazas connected to each other with only a short street between each home to a few different businesses that seem to be loving the crowd that’s gathering. It’s way bigger than I anticipated and much, much more crowded! It’s a pleasant surprise, perhaps this world values the written word far more than mine did when I left. It fills my heart with a warm, fuzzy feeling. I was definitely sent to the right world, I feel.

It feels just like a convention for books. Each author has a booth set up, and since the weather is so nice, many seem to be filled with good energy. There’s music playing from speakers at a few booths, and I swear further down I think I hear a live band. I kind of want to wander down that way, I’ve never seen a band play in person before! Ah, but I need to stay focused.

At the very least, with how crowded and large the fair here is, it would be difficult for Janice to spot Val specifically, especially since he’s purposefully dressed down. Kinda just reinforces that Marius didn’t need to join Val and Yancy today instead of tailing his own sister.

Actually, it might make it easier for Janice to spot us. She’s more likely to recognize her own brother, isn’t she?

A booth catches Yancy’s eye, and we walk over to browse. Val strikes up a conversation with the author, and I glance over at Marius, who seems disinterested but at least pretending to read the summary of the author’s latest book. How do I get this guy away for a little bit? Stepping to the side so I’m not in the way, I scan the plaza we are in to try and find an answer, anything would work!

I spot a tent set up in the corner where a line is forming. Interesting, do they have fortune readings here? Maybe love readings, a lot of couple-y looking pairs are lined up outside. Oh, hmm…

”Hey!” I call out to the group, pointing to the line of people. “Anyone wanna go with me over to that tent? There’s a line, I’m curious!”

”A tent?” Yancy echos, eyes following to where I’m pointing. “I… I think I wanna look around a bit more. I definitely want to buy this book!”

”I’m flattered!” The author says, pulling out a notebook. “Anything else catch your eye?”

”Um… well… let me see…”

Val looks between Yancy and me, shrugging. “I think we can go in a little bit, we’re not in a rush, are we?”

”Aww, but the line might get longer!” I whine, not above acting a little annoying. My eyes meet Marius and I can see the moment he realizes what I’m about to say. It makes me grin as I reach out and snatch up his arm. “Hey, you don’t mind jumping in line with me, do you? You’re not looking at anything right now! Let’s get in line and they can join up in a little bit, yeah?”

”Wha— huh?” Marius sputters, words not forming before I start dragging him away.

”They’ll be fine! Hey guys, we’ll meet up with you in a bit, come find us by the tent when you’re done looking around this plaza!” I call out as I manhandle Marius away from the pair, who just kinda watches this whole thing unfold at a loss for words. After we’ve walked a bit of a distance away, Marius finds his tongue again, gently trying to tug his arm away and failing.

”Hey, what gives? We shouldn’t split up, how will we find them again?! Something might happen while we’re gone!” Marius’ words came across a lot sharper than I expected, but he’s not being rough with me to try and escape. Perhaps he was taught some level of manners after all?

”It’s ok! I told them where we would be and to meet us over there! Or did you conveniently not hear that part?” I spit back with a kind smile on my face. “It’s crowded anyways! I think it would be harder to spot Val in a crowd like this. Like, it’s ’I Spy’ on hard mode, since he’s disguised!”

”I… What?” Marius blinks, eyes wide in confusion. “What do you mean? Val said he didn’t tell anyone about…”

”About what?” We finally reach the start of the line, so I stop and look at Marius, blinking my eyes a few times to feign ignorance. “I’m just talking about like, paparazzi or people obsessed with the royal family. What are you talking about? No one but us should really know Val is here anyways.”

”Uh.” Marius pauses, the gears in his head turning. “It’s… nothing bad. I just don’t want to leave him alone…”

”He’s not alone though?” I tilt my head. “He’s with Yancy! She may not seem like it, but she’s extremely reliable! Plus, she’s studying magic, so she has an edge over anyone that tries to mess with Val.”

This response doesn’t seem to please Marius, as he grumbles. “I study magic too…” I swear I heard him say that under his breath, and it makes me laugh a bit. Oh, this boy has it bad, doesn’t he? It would be cute if he wasn’t actively trying to sabotage Yancy’s shot.

”Don’t worry.” I try to reassure him. “We’ll reunite with them after this and look at some books for ourselves. I’m personally not planning on buying any, but I like getting to see everything and talking to the authors. What about you?”

”Me? What about me?”

”What kind of books are you here to get?”

”Oh… well, I kind of… was also not planning on buying any, I have other reasons for coming.”

Of course you do. I can feel my eye twitch a bit. He can’t know this, but obviously I know he’s only here for Val.

The conversation dies after his response, since he won’t even look at me. He’s too busy looking out into the crowd towards the general direction of where we left Val and Yancy behind. I could try to take his attention away, but something tells me that’s a losing battle. He was willing to go along with this the first time, but now I worry a bit the same trick won’t work twice. Maybe I should try not letting them reunite at all after? But then Val and Yancy might end up waiting here anyways like sitting ducks.

The wait is excruciating, in part because of how awkward the silence is. But when we finally get to the front, I feel a bit excited! As I thought, the sign in front of the tent reads “Fortune Telling” with the types of telling listed, LOVE being in all caps and the biggest at the top of that list. That explains all the couples. Under it are things like “friendship, money, career” as well, so at least Marius and I won’t have to be read as a couple. The couple that went in before us comes out, one of them with a happy expression while the other looks exhausted. Not a good sign for them, but oh well.

We enter, and it’s pretty dark inside for it being midday. Some kind of magic at play? In the middle sits a person, cloaked head to toe in robes, face masked. Their eyes are the only thing visible on their face, it’s hard to tell if this person is a man or woman, maybe something else? Either way, they move their hand to motion us to sit, their robe jingling as they do.

”Come, sit. Let us visit for a bit.” They say, voice sounding more androgynous than their appearance. Kinda cool, actually. I like it.

Marius and I take a seat in the two chairs before the person, their eyes smiling, lit by the glow of the magic crystal that sits in the middle of the table.

”Welcome in, what is it that you seek?”

”Hmm…” I ponder for a second, taking in the surroundings. I notice that behind them, there’s another table with books, crystals, cards and charms all on display. “Are you also an author?” I ask on a whim, and they giggle.

”Why, yes I am.” They say, leaning forward to rest their chin on their hands. “I write and sell books that guide new magic users, as well as books that outline how to use magic and embed it into seemingly ordinary items, like charms. Using magic for such things is tricky and can be dangerous if used poorly. You can’t stop fools from trying, though, and the best way to combat it is to educate people about it. We may have less tragedies that way, less broken hearts.”

”…Can magic charms really change that much?” Marius speaks up, eyeing the person in front of us. They laugh.

”Only in minor ways. Small things, like if you will feel happy in the morning when you wake, or making yourself appear friendlier to others. You can’t stop someone from dying, or change another person’s feelings and emotions. At least not without a powerful mage at your side. This magic is still dangerous for the user, no matter the size. It’s to be used carefully. Even just knowing what happens in the future through fortunes can change it slightly.”

”Then why read people’s fortunes?” Marius sounds a bit tense. Casting a glance to him and he looks just as on edge. I can guess what he might be thinking about. The teller laughs.

”As I said, fools will try anyways. You can’t stop them. If I can provide any guidance, then I will. It may save someone’s skin later on. With that said, are you two still interested in hearing your fortunes, or do you not want that sort of power placed upon your life?”

Marius remains silent, like he’s unsure what to say. So, on a whim, I speak up.

”Uhm, do you think you could read Marius’ fortune? In relation to his family.”

”Wait, what?!” Marius sits up straight, turning to look at me. “Why would you want to have my fortune read?”

”I have a couple of guesses why you’re so on edge today.” I say simply. “Maybe some guidance will help?”

“How… would you even know?” He blinks a few times, before slumping back into his chair and grumbles. “Well, I guess guidance on today wouldn’t hurt. But! If we have to read my fortune then you have to get yours read! Doesn’t matter for what. I’m not the only one gonna leave this tent with some curse.”

”Fair.” I shrug, turning back to the teller. “Can you do that?”

”Of course.” They say, reaching out to gently pull Marius’ hand to rest on the crystal. “Now, focus. Close your eyes, center yourself. Focus on the core of your being, and think deeply about what troubles you. The crystal will read it. Yes, that’s it, keep focusing.”

The crystal beneath Marius’ hand begins to glow. While it was white before, it begins to shimmer a brilliant red. It’s pretty, I can’t take my eyes off it. As it shimmers, the teller reaches out their own hand, hovering in the air just above Marius’, their eyes closed. When the crystal begins to dull back to a white color, the teller opens their eyes and pulls their hand away.

”You may remove your hand and open your eyes.” They say, a smile in their voice. Marius obeys, giving the teller a cautious glare.

”So, then…?”

”What worries you the most is how much your sister has changed in the past few years. Is this correct?”

Marius stares in surprise and simply nods in response.

”Ah, what a good big brother you are. You have much love in your heart for your family. You struggle to express it and you know this. You worry this is what’s pushed your sister away, but please know that it is not your fault. I don’t usually disclose the fortunes of other clients, but I can tell you this; your sister was here earlier in the day, I recognized her face in your memories. There was a jealousy in her heart that can’t be healed by familial love, unfortunately.”

Marius’ eyes shoot open and he abruptly leans forward, causing the table to jiggle a bit unstable.

”Janice was here?!”

”Yes.” The teller looks on with a sympathetic look. “Her fortune was rather bleak, so she bought some charms. There is not much else I can do to help her from here, but do keep an eye on her. People do extreme things when they feel cornered. Don’t panic when it happens. Though, I do not think you need to fear for today, it’ll be fairly uneventful.”

The teller reaches behind them and grabs a charm, sitting it in front of Marius. It’s a small bear looking wooden doll with a pink gem in its chest. It’s just big enough to fit snugly in the palm of Marius’ hand. He examines it, turning it over.

”This charm has a calming presence carved into its wood.” The teller explains. “Whenever you feel unsure or wonder if what you’re doing is right, keep it close. It won’t give you the answers, but your heart will feel calm.”

”I… See. How much is the charm?”

”On the house, this time.” The teller says, reaching out to close Marius’ hand over it. “You have many troubles in your heart, so consider it a gift from someone who wants to help.”

Marius gives a stiff nod, not releasing the charm and leaning back with his arms crossed. He jerks his head toward me.

”…Now her. That was the deal.”

”Of course. Are you ready, miss?” The teller asks, holding their hand out.

”I suppose. I don’t have anything specific on my mind. So maybe let me know if what I’m doing is right?” I say, taking their hand and allowing them to guide my hand to the crystal.

”Sure, we shall look, won’t we? Now, close your eyes and focus.”

I do as they say, my eyes closing. I’m not sure what ‘centering myself’ or what the ‘core of my being’ means, so I decide to imagine it where my heart is. I focus on my breathing, the rhythm of my heart beating, and I think of Val, his face painted in my mind. I hear Marius gasp a little “whoa” out, and through my eyelids I can tell the crystal is glowing, but I can’t tell the color. It must be pretty though, if Marius is reacting. When the light vanishes, I take one more deep breath and I hear the teller speak.

”Yes, you may remove your hand and open your eyes.”

I do so, and when I open my eyes, I see the teller’s eyes sparkle with amusement. They giggle a bit before leaning forward.

”My, my. You’re quite interesting, are you, miss kitty?”

”E-Excuse me?” I quickly cast a glance over to Marius, who just looks a bit confused but unshaken by the teller’s question.

”It’s alright, you don’t need to have your guard up among friends.” Their eyes convey a smile, and they fold their hands over each other on the table. “You hail from far, far away, and yet you fully embrace your current environment as home. It’s heartwarming, honestly. Not many would have been as calm and accepting of their role as you. Being his only emotional support for years has been both a joy and tiring job, hasn’t it?”

”I wouldn’t describe it as tiring.” I declare with no hesitation. “If I was given the choice, I would do it all over again without even giving it another thought. I love him deeply and want to see him happy.”

”That’s only natural, isn’t it? That’s just your nature; you care deeply for the one you treasure. But there’s a temptation in everything that’s happening today, isn’t there? You’ll ask, is this really okay? Am I being selfish, am I not needed? You already know the answer to these insecurities. What he needs changes as he himself changes. There’s only so much you can do, regardless. Please, take caution as you try to help. You cannot control where his heart takes him.”

”I… I know this.” I mutter, casting a glance to the side. “I just want to stay by his side. Wouldn’t it be too selfish to enjoy this while he’s in such a tumultuous time in his life?”

”Perhaps. Are you worried about him not needing you one day?”

I flinch, and that seems to be all the answer the teller needs.

”Please, rest your heart. The worries you have won’t come true. He will face many troubles in the future, and by extension, you will as well. But as long as you are there, he will have everything he needs. Don’t fear change, miss kitty. We are all human, there’s nothing more human than change. Please don’t forget my words.”

We are all human. Their voice rings on repeat in my head. I didn’t think such a simple sentence would shake me so much, but I can feel my hands tremble as I ball them into fists on my lap. Am I still human? I used to be. Though, I couldn’t really say I lived when I was. I was more like a cog than a living person. Now that I’m here, am I not just a cat? Even though I sit with human parts and everything included, I have ears and a tail to remind me. In this life, I am a cat. So how could that teller realize this and still call me human as they look me dead in the eye and mean it?

”…I… Thank you, teller.” I say after a minute. I put on the best smile I can muster and look to them. “I will remember your words.”

”I’m sure you will. Please take them to heart.” Again, the teller reaches back and picks out a charm. A golden bell, the chime clear as a bird’s song. They place it in my hands, closing them for me. “Again, it’s on the house. Thank you for showing me something amazing like that. This bell will keep your mind clear and guide you to the answers you need.”

”…Thank you.” I repeat, before getting up and leaving the tent abruptly, Marius left in shock. I stand off to the side of the tent, under a tree, to gather my thoughts again to calm myself. Marius follows behind a beat later, giving me a quizzical glare for abandoning him.

”What was that?” He asks, not sounding too interested in an actual explanation, but the curiosity in his eyes betray the deception.

”…I wish I knew too, haha. I don’t know why that shook me so much!” I try to just laugh it off, holding the bell tight to my chest so that it doesn’t ring. Marius stares at me for a second, before he sighs and looks back out into the crowd.

”Well, I guess I don’t have to worry too much today.” He says, attempting to change the subject. “My sister came here to try and get presents for Val. I was worried about her bumping into him, but if what that fortune teller says is right, then it shouldn’t happen if we stay alert.”

”Wouldn’t it have made more sense for you to stay with your sister? Why join up with Val?” I decided to allow it, poking back at him with something I was actually curious about. He turns his face away, but I can see his ears tent red.

”Just didn’t want to get caught up with my sister’s crazy.” He says like it’s that simple.

“Pfft—“ I cover my mouth to keep a laugh in. “Sure, sure. I’ll let you think that.”

”Wha— What does that mean?!”

”You’re bluffing, but you don’t have to tell me the truth. I won’t tell anyone, though~”

”I’m not bluffing! You don’t have to believe me, but I don’t have anything to prove to you or anyone else.” He pouts and crosses his arms, clearly miffed I didn’t buy his white lie. It’s almost cute, if he was a child it would be adorable. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get that sort of privilege now that he’s a grown man.

”We’re proving what to who now?”

Marius practically jumps out of his skin as he whips around to see Val and Yancy walking up. I give them a small wave.

”Oh! Hey guys! Did you get everything you wanted?” I ask.

”Oh, yes! I got a few books for myself, and V-Val got a couple as well.” Yancy answers, gesturing to Val. He pulls his mask down and smiles at us.

”Yeah, there’s a lot, and we haven’t even moved on from this plaza yet.” He sighs, eyes scanning the crowd. “How was the fortune telling?”

”Meh, it was alright.” I say, shrugging. “Although, Yancy, the Fortune Teller is an author that writes about magic and fortunes. Might be worth a visit later when there’s less of a line?”

”Interesting, yes possibly!” Yancy nods, enthusiastic. She scratches her head as she looks back at the line that’s now wrapped around a corner. “…When the line is shorter, for certain. I’d rather look at other booths for now.”

”I agree!” I readily answer, pushing Yancy and Val along. “Let’s go looking for more fun stuff!”