Ariadne was happy to see that he was so attentive. He was awfully polite, if not just a bit stiff. 

Dove took his right hand, gazing over it, her eyebrow furrowing slightly, her other hand going to trace over some of the lines. "This is interesting," she started, "Many of your lines are different from your other hand. It's fairly common for there to be differences, but," she took his left hand again, comparing the two. She hummed, intrigued.

"What is it, Dove?"

Dove glanced over at Ariadne before redirecting her attention to Haji, indicating to the lines on his right palm. "You see your Life line? It's notably shorter than the one on your left hand, but just as deep, which indicates that you have-- or will-- overcome physical trials. It could also mean that you've given people too much influence and control over you. And the fork in the line here," she traced where the line split into two, diverging down and outwards, "it splits into the mount of Luna, which means you've traveled to far-off destinations."

"Well if he's from Japan, then he's done just that, right?" Ariadne smiled at him.

Dove's finger moved to trace his Heart line. "Your heart line on this hand is significantly straighter and shorter than the other, typically an indicates that you may have become passive in your relationships, or that your actions are more often governed by thought rather than emotion. It could also tell us that you've become internal, less outgoing, or that you aren't concerned with romance. A stark contradiction to the open warmth told on your other hand."

Then she traced the head line. "This one isn't too dissimilar from your other hand, but it curves less, almost straight, which means that you've become a very versatile, complicated individual. What's troubling is the chained pattern I told you of earlier. It's present here, which is a clear sign that an individual has gone-- or is going through-- personal conflict, which can sometimes manifest in the form of depression or confusion, preventing an individual from achieving their goals."

While Dove may have become accustomed to prying into the fortunes and destinies of strangers, Ariadne couldn't help but feel like there's a sense of intrusion when you learn of something potentially alarming or discomforting. 

Ariadne chose to remain silent.

Dove released his hands, going to clasp her own in front of her.

"There are other minor lines and marks I can analyze in either hand if you wish to learn more about what I've told you. Are you satisfied with what you have learned or do you have any questions I can answer in regards to the palm reading? I can elaborate on anything I've already told you if you are curious."

When Haji and Ariadne met eyes, she felt a pang in her heart. Clearly what Dove said made him uncomfortable somehow. It was the nature of the business, yes, to reveal things some people are unhappy or uncomfortable with, but that didn't make it any easier to witness.

"Nothing's ever set in stone," Ariadne put a hand on his shoulder, "and what she said was sometimes this could manifest into something like depression-- not always. And she meant that this could prevent the reaching of goals, sometimes. And we're not doctors, so don't take anything we say as a diagnosis. When she says depression, it probably means something like," Ariadne paused, thinking, "melancholy or sadness. The chained lines mean personal conflict, but it's part of the job to make assumptions and draw conclusions. These are very... educated guesses."

"I'm sorry if I have made you uncomfortable." Dove spoke, "All I do is interpret the signs. The vast majority of people live their lives without the small knowledge I have given you. To know about oneself in this way can sometimes be burdensome to those who do not understand it, and they obsess over these things without looking at the bigger picture."

"Looking at your hands, it's clear to see that you've forged your own way, apart from what the gods have intended. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. Dove is honest with her fortunes, but don't take this as hard truth. Regardless of what she says, I think the power of determination and perseverance is oftentimes stronger than what higher powers set in your path." Ariadne smiled, comforting and warm, before retracting her hand from his shoulder. 

Dove grabbed one of her card decks and placed it in front of her, her face unreadable. Ariadne was sure that being able to hold a poker face, void of any detectable emotion, was essential for this job. Not to be cold and unfeeling, but if you react emotionally to something you tell a client, then you could be perceived as unprofessional and inexperienced. The older woman spoke, voice soft, "Your right hand shows us the results of your actions and the development of your own personal journey. If a line on your right palm bothers you, remember that just as you have forged the difference between two hands, you may yet change and evolve as the years pass."

She paused, shuffling through her cards. "Do you have a question that the cards can answer? You can ask them anything, but do not tell me your question. Let me know if you are ready."

Ariadne couldn't help but wonder what kind of turmoil Haji could be enduring-- would it be too meddlesome to ask? She didn't want to intrude on his privacy, but he seemed to be by far the most interesting person she's met in this city so far, and the longer he was here, the more questions stirred in Ariadne's curious mind. How did he come to America? Was he born in Japan, or does he just claim heritage there? What kinds of problems could such a young man be dealing with to cause him so much conflict? 

Dove's oracle deck was Ariadne's favorite-- a set of Faeries' Oracle cards that Dove said had called to her nearly two decades to her, early in Dove's divination career. She knew the Fae in these cards well, and it was the set she practiced with the most. The Fae are ruthlessly unforgiving, and that makes them fantastic teachers. Dove didn't let any other diviner touch them, and after a day of reading, she'd set them out under the moonlight and give the Fae an offering in order to restore the cards' power. The backs of the cards were illustrated in grotesque images of goblin-like creatures, beady and squinty eyes gazing on, round noses and long ears, patient, curious, mischievous.

"Dove likes to open a reading by drawing an oracle card to set the mood, but the main reading itself uses tarot cards. And then she closes with her oracle deck again, in case there's anything else that needs to be said about what you've learned." Ariadne explained.

"Since you are new to this, I will explain each card as I draw them."

Dove, having thoroughly shuffled the cards before, she spread them all out in a straight line, her hand hovering over them for a moment before drawing one and setting it face up in front of Haji.

Ariadne gasped. "Adroito!"

Dove turned like a whip to glare at the younger woman. Stunned at her own reaction, Ariadne quickly covered her mouth, blushing.

Dove turned her attention back to Haji. "As you can tell from my companion's reaction, this is a most unusual card to draw as an opener. This blue fairy, Adroito, is a master of balance, attaining what some may think to be impossible. I believe the Fae are saying that the outcome is unpredictable, and that things are in motion. This card symbolizes the ability to achieve the impossible, and encourages balance and the avoiding of extremes. Keep a level head and be ready for anything. As an opening card, I'd tell you to be prepared for the other cards to be equally unpredictable."

Ariadne chimed in again. "I like this one a lot personally, because the artist decided to name this one UnDressing of a Salad," She stifled a giggle.

Dove set the UnDressing of a Salad card aside and put her oracle deck back together, setting it aside as well. She took another deck of cards, a deck that looked loved and well-used. The Rider-Waite deck is exactly what people picture when they imagine a tarot deck-- a classic and reliable deck of cards that not only keep up appearances, but can be relied on without fail, loved by mystics for over a century now.

"For the tarot spread, I choose three cards. The first one usually represents the past, the second represents present, and third represents future. If you are asking a specific question or are dealing with an issue, the first one could represent the situation, the second could represent a recommended action, and the third could represent an outcome."

As Dove shuffled the deck and spread it out again, it can be noticed that the backs lacked any special imagery, but instead had a simple blue and white plaid background.

Dove pulled out a card and set it down.

"Reversed..." Ariadne observed, eyebrow furrowed. Not usually a good sign.

Dove elaborated, "When a card is drawn upside down, it carries a different meaning. This is the Seven of Wands. In this case, whatever you asked about, the question or situation, seems to be bearing down on you. This card reversed could represent  exhaustion, fatigue, the feeling of being overwhelmed. Perhaps you are questioning yourself, or fighting something. You are being met with opposition and challenges from an external force-- perhaps other people in your life-- who are pushing you down, leaving you unsuccessful in overcoming a challenge up until this point. Some may see this card and take it as a symbol to give up, while others may use it as motivation to push forward."

She put the card beside the other. "Do you have any questions about the reading or the cards that have been drawn thus far?"

Poor guy was really taking this all to heart...  By now, most people would've scoffed and walked out, but he seems determined to sit this through, convinced whole-heartedly of Dove's abilities as a mystic. There was no doubt in Ariadne's mind, of course, but clients never knew Dove as well as she did.

"I'm glad you're paying so close attention," the blue-haired woman laughed, pulling her other leg up on the table so that she was sitting criss-crossed. "This whole thing can be very weird sometimes," she gestured vaguely, referring to the cards, the fortune-telling, the whole nine yards. 

Dove pulled a card, setting it face up. 

Ariadne gave Haji a worried, pitied smile. This wasn't the best card that could've been drawn, but it was at least one of the more helpful ones. In this case, Upright wasn't necessarily the good result.

Dove would go and explain, "The Five of Pentacles is a card of isolation, poverty, and hard times-- cruel indeed," she paused, noting how bad that sounded, "However, as this is the Present or Action card, this may be more beneficial to you rather than harmful. I suspect you are dealing with tumultuous times, perhaps feeling alone or like you don't have something you want or need. More than anything, this card symbolizes isolation." 

"But," Ariadne interjected, "See the light of the church up top?," she pointed to the card, indicating to certain symbols, careful not to actually touch them, "The two people in the card don't see the welcoming light overhead. They want help and shelter from the storm, but aren't looking for it. I take this card to mean that you need to look for help and seek company from positive forces. Maybe hit up an old friend who makes you laugh, surround yourself in positive people. That seems to be the action the cards want you to take. I don't know how this helps your situation, but it might be a good place to start." Her smile was brighter now, encouraging and hopeful. How lonely was this man that the cards are basically telling him to look for help from good people? Does he not have a positive influence in his life? Maybe he does, and he just hasn't approached them for advice or help with his situation. What burden does Haji bear on his shoulders?

"I couldn't have explained it any better myself," Dove spoke, a hint of pride for her young companion evident in her voice. She set the card aside as she prepared to draw the next one.

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At least he was willing to listen to her, perhaps moreso than most people would be. If he needs a friend, maybe she could ask him out for drinks or something?  Maybe get to know him, who knows? He didn't seem like a drinker-- maybe a coffee? She could invite him over for tea, but...

No, that would be a terrible idea. Her mother would make a huge deal out of it, and the last thing Ariadne wanted was to ruin this poor guy's day by getting invited over and subsequently harassed by a woman nearly twice his age. Her mother could be very terrifying, even unintentionally. And her grandmother? Even worse.

And besides, this was all strictly professional anyway. Business. Oh, who was she kidding? Not once had Ariadne ever been professional.

She was snapped out of her thoughts when Dove drew the final tarot card, and as if a breeze had blown through her, Ariadne sighed in relief upon seeing the King of Swords.

Dove carried a hint of a smile in her voice, barely noticeable but present nonetheless. "The King of Swords, upright and proud, signifies something most fortuitous. He symbolizes intellectual power and authority, with the ability to overcome challenges and achieve what he desires. A symbol of truth and conviction, I believe he's trying to tell you that you have the determination, intellect, and level head to achieve what you are looking for. He is a symbol of security and hope. Your intellect and self-control will guide you towards success."

"That's good!" Ariadne exclaimed ecstatically to Haji. "I think as long as you remember that this future is dependent on the past and present that you've seen here-- with the other cards-- you can overcome whatever you're dealing with. It's a positive outcome. It isn't a promise, but it's something, right?"

Dove raised a hand to indicate to Ariadne that perhaps the younger woman shouldn't get ahead of herself. "We still have to see what the Fae have to say about this revelation. The decks don't always agree. The Fae predicted unpredictability, and the spread we have here is... very optimistic. We'll see if they have anything important to add." 

Dove set the tarot deck aside before shuffling through her Faerie Oracle deck once more, ready to draw the final card whenever Haji was ready.



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The card that would be drawn next caught Ariadne completely off guard. As Dove placed the card face-up, she too would seem somewhat perplexed. Ariadne, speechless, looked on in a mix of confusion and uncertainty. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, an unusual energy in the air.

Ariadne looked between the card and Haji, stuttering over words she didn't have. Luckily, Dove found herself, speaking with a low, uncertain tone.

"Luathas likes to make himself known to us when things are exciting-- a symbol of fire and force, he craves adrenaline and spontaneity, coming to encourage already-hightened energies, also bridging the link between destruction and creation, the balance between--"







crrrrrack-

THUM-THUMmm

The entire night was illuminated bright as day for a split-second as lightning shattered the air, thunder clapping loud, silencing everything in the heavens and below. "Gods!" Ariadne was nearly shocked out of her seated position, and she had to grip the edge of the table with one hand as the other went to steady her beating heart. 

Dove didn't fare much better, expression unreadable as she gazed down at the card. 

After a moment, she spoke. "He symbolizes death and rebirth, of unpredictable events to come, of something the wild Fae have a vested interest in..." Her eyes flicked up to Haji's. "He encourages both destruction and creation, two sides of the same coin, and only appears when energies have reached their apex. Your life is about to become very exciting, Haji Morei."

Ariadne looked down at the card. Luathas... Dove has never invoked him like this before. The thunder and lightning... the strange feeling in the air... What could possibly await this poor man that Luathas felt it necessary to interject? Maybe it was a sign that Haji wandered into their tent tonight... Maybe the Fae are trying to say something. In cases like this, Dove might suggest a full reading with the Fae cards, but Ariadne could feel that the older woman was trying very hard to not seem too shaken by this revelation. It wasn't like Dove to be afraid, but as Ariadne watched her companion reorganize her cards and tuck them away, she could tell that Dove's hands were shaking.

"Y-You see? I told you these things can get weird," Ariadne said to Haji with an uncertain smile. 

Dove put a hand to her head. "My apologies for the strange occurrence. You do not need to pay for your readings, to witness Luathas's presence for the first time in eleven years is payment enough," The woman sighed, exhausted. "Ariadne can answer any further questions you have." Dove excused herself, moving from behind the table and out of the tent to take a walk and get some fresh air before the rain hit.



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