Chapter 1:
Snapped fingers suddenly light up the oil lamps in the shop front - filling it with a soft enchanting glow of orange. The muffled sound of objects being hurriedly shoved into a sack could be heard from Asra's room - he was getting ready to leave again.
Kima leant against the glass display case that encircled a wall of apothecary drawers - soft scents of herbs and spices were almost unnoticeable now; due her having lived here for three years. But occasionally her eyes would close at the flowery scent of something new or…
"Kima, you ok?" A warm voice sounded from the bottom of the staircase - causing her eyes to flash open.
Her lips curled into her usual cheerful smile - unable to stop the warmth expanding in her chest, at the sight of Asra's concerned gaze peering at her through snowy locks.
"Do you really have to go again?" The words fell from her lips uncontrollably - instantly regretting them when she saw the pain in his eyes.
Asra walked from the bottom of the stairs to the glass display case, setting his sack on top, beside Kima.
"I wouldn't go if I didn't have to. It's...important - trust me." He said warmly - Kima noticed his hand ball at his side as if restraining himself from lifting it.
Her attention caught by the slight cool brush against her neck - red eyes gazing at from under the curtain of her chestnut hair.
Kima smiled at the sight of Asra's familier, Faust - her beautiful silver body slithered from around Kima's shoulders and down one of her arms - holding out her arm so Faust could coil around Asra's shoulders.
"Well - you'd better have remembered everything this time." Kima teased tapping his lightly stuffed sack.
Asra ran his hand through his white locks round to the back of his head.
"I'm sure I'll have forgotten something - but I'll manage." He paused - his cheeks hued with a light glow as he reached in his pocket for something.
Kima tilted her head to the side watching his hand dart around his torso - unsure whether to ask what he was looking for when she noticed his gaze glancing to her frantically.
She noticed a familiar stack wrapped in a thin purple cloth just sticking out of his shaul. Reaching for it she pulled out what she'd recognised to be his Tarot deck - smiling.
"This what you're looking for?" She held it up between her fingers seeing his face flush and his shoulders sag; a bashful smile on his lips flashing his teeth slightly.
"Yes-I...I was going to give them to you before I left." He stuttered.
Kima's eyes widened looking at the deck. "Are you sure? These are closely bound to you - parting with them…" She paused watching him pluck the deck from her fingers and unravelling the neatly folded purple cloth; revealing the cards.
"Why don't we ask them?" He suggested, gesturing to the curtained booth where they did their readings for customers.
Kima followed Asra to the booth sliding in opposite him as he placed the deck on the table and pushed them over to her.
"This should be interesting." He teased watching Kima take the cards and start to fold out three of them on the table.
Her fingers hesitated slightly - concentrating on the pull of their call; one in particular seems rather boisterous; her fingers brushing the upper left card before flipping it over.
Asra watched her with admiration; she'd come so far - to hear their voices so strongly. Whether she'd realised it or not; her connection to the cards was much stronger than even his.
His eyes peered at the revealed card; 'The High Priestess' - his face falling slightly and his eyes widening.
Kima didn't notice his expression as she concentrated on what she was telling her.
"Huh…" Kima suddenly said.
Asra's eyes instantly snapping to her. "What is she saying?"
Kima didn't miss the sense of urgency in his tone - was he expecting this? Did he know what this meant?
Listening to the words of the High Priestess as she uttered them softly through thin vines of magic in the atmosphere.
"She says...you have forsaken her." Kima paused - her brow furrowing with confusion as she spoke the rest of her words whilst looking directly at Asra.
"You've buried her voice and pushed her away. She calls to you - even now, but you won't listen." Kima's confused expression softly moulds to concern.
"Master, if you don't listen…"
Kima paused - jumping at the sound of a fast knocking at the shop door.
"Blast!" She hissed. "I must've forgotten to blow out the lantern outside." She sighed seeing Asra watching her with a sad smile.
"I should go anyway." He stood reaching for his sack before pulling on his hat and scarf.
"Make sure to blow the lantern out after you've seen to our customer - or you'll never get any sleep." He teased softly - heading for the back door raising an idle hand.
"I'll be in touch - take care of yourself." Asra's voice was low and almost sad; the door softly clicking closed behind him.
"I'll miss you." He softly whispered under his breath, pulling away from the door - before rounding the corner out of the alley he peeked round to see who was at the front door.
He recognised a silhouette of soft silks and gold trinkets; a smirk creeping up on his lips as he watched Kima open the door - unable to see her but could hear the sound of her musical voice as she ushered the stranger in.
"Looks like you'll have all kinds of fun without me." He said softly as he pulled the collar of his scarf up over his mouth and headed out into the night.
…
"I'm sorry for the late hour - but…" The stranger's regal voice sounded as she breezed past Kima and into the shop.
"I cannot suffer another sleepless night." Her face contort with both pain and urgency.
Kima closed the door after snapping the lantern off at the front of the shop - her eyes glued to the brightly decorated customer towering over everything; watching her eyes wonder the room as if entranced.
"Not at all - how can I help you?" Kima asked softly before watching her guest unravel the scarf around their head to reveal their face.
Kima's eyes widen in shock at the sight of - "The Countess."
"Please - you must read the cards for me." It wasn't so much a plea, it was more like an obligated demand; perhaps mostly due having revealed her identity.
"Oh-I-uh...of course...I-" Kima was paused by the sound of her elevated voice.
"I've heard the townspeople speak of you and your abilities - though…" Kima reeled backwards slightly under the intense gaze of the Countess; as if sizing her up for dinner.
"You were different in my dream." The countess commented lowly; a hint of disappointment in her tone.
Kima wasn't sure what to say to that; different good - bad, she didn't want to know to be honest.
"Well - I'm here to assist. If you'll follow me, we'll take your reading." Kima was sweating under the pressure to perform - reading cards for the Countess is not something you do every day - or ever even.
Sliding into the booth, Kima pulled the cards together from earlier her eyes glancing to the Countess gracefully sliding into her seat opposite, where Asra was sitting.
Asra - he would have done a better job at this; he was probably the one she was looking for…
Shaking the self-conscious thoughts from her mind; she slid three cards face down on the table, taking a deep breathe to clear her mind.
Repeating the same technique as before, she hovered her hand over the cards sensing the one with the most demanding voice.
Her fingers traced the edge of the card closest to her and flipped it over - her eyes scanning the card.
"The Magician." Kima spoke aloud her eyes glued to the card as she listened intently to their words.
"How appropriate - what does this The Magician have to say?" The Countess' voice sharply sliced through the air - Kima picking up a hint of skepticism, trying desperately to ignore it.
"You've been working on a plan - a plan you've been debating whether to set in motion or not." Kima spoke, her eyes not leaving the card.
"Go on." The Countess encouraged.
"The pieces are set in place and you seek guidance to take the first step." Kima continued.
"And? Is it...is it time?" The Countess leaned in toward Kima slightly her eyes wide with anticipation and her words desperate.
Kima's eyes snap to The Countess. "Yes."
A soft sigh escaped the Countess' lips as she straighten up in her seat her eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment.
"I see."
She sounded more apprehensive then pleased.
"Thank you for your time. If you would humour me further, I have a proposal for you." The Countess slid from her seat reaching for her shaul - winding it back around her head and slender neck.
Kima followed suit if not a little less elegantly tripping on the chair before sprinting to regard her guest.
"A-a proposal?"
"Come to my Palace as a guest for a short while." The sentence alone was enough to make Kima wobble in place.
"W-wha - me?" Kima tried to reduce the pitch in her tone, a soft hue peeking the tops of her ears, embarrassed.
The Countess merely smiled. "No need to be nervous - a merely require your Arcana skills." she explained briefly.
Kima's mouth fluttering open and closed like a goldfish - words failing her.
"You will be provided all the luxuries the Palace has to offer of course."
Kima lifted a hand into her long, curled, locks gripping as they bundling in her palm.
"I-uh...of course I'd be honoured to." Kima finally stuttered seeing a piercing pleased look in the Countess' eyes.
"Excellent. I will inform the guards of your arrival tomorrow." With that she headed towards the door; Kima stumbling to reach for the handle, pulling it open.
A delicate floral scent filled the air as the countess whisked past out into the street and out of sight.
Without a second glance Kima closed the door falling back against it - her hands in her hair and her green eyes wide.
"What in flaming hell was that about!?" She exhaled harshly is disbelief - her mind reeling at what had just occurred.
"The Arcana?" Kima's brow furrowed she was sure she'd heard that used before.
With a heavy sigh she peeled herself from the door her eyes tired.
"Tea… I need tea…" Kima groaned - walking like a mummified corpse toward the kitchen.
"A bit late for customer's isn't it shopkeep?"
Kima whisked around, gasping at the sound of a silkened voice. She breathed heavily her eyes scanning the room, her hands reaching for something… anything to protect herself with.
"Who's there?" She demanded - a silence chilling the air as feint hairs on the back of her neck lifted.
"Behind you…" The voice whispered harshly.
Kima whisked round about to attack before reeling at the sight of a silhouetted figure in a plague mask towering over her.
"Uh…" Kima managed, her eyes continuing to climb the figure's statue until finally landing on the gleaming red glass of their mask.
"I doubt you'd do much damage with that…" Their muffled voice sounded almost teasing.
Kima looked at her raised hand realising she'd picked up a feathered quill, her face instantly flattening at her stupidity.
"Unless you aim for my waist - I'm extremely ticklish there." The voice sounded again - a stifled chuckle ringing from inside the mask.
Kima wasn't sure whether to be frightened or embarrassed.
"Who are you and what do you want?" She demanded her brow furrowing.
The figure's cloak suddenly spanned out as their hands reached for her - grabbing her upper arms she was slammed against the wooden post behind her.
"I'll be asking the questions around here." The voice muffled - one of their hands leaving her arm to pull of their mask.
Kima's eyes widening as the sight of Amber locks and a piercing silver eye - the other covered by a patch; deep brows arched as they narrowed their gaze.
"Dr. Jules." Her mouth moved before she'd even realised it - how did she know his face - she'd never seen the man - heard of him yes… but not seen him. Had she?
She watched his rosen lips curl into a grin, revealing his teeth.
"I haven't heard that name in a long time - so you've heard of me. I bet that witch has been spinning all kinds of tales about me hasn't he?" He hissed - his eye hooded by his large brow.
"Where is he?" He hissed.
Kima's eyes darted side to side. "Where's who?" She said innocently - her tone obviously too teasing, seeing his eye narrow but his grin deepen.
"Hmm - as much as I would enjoy making you talk." His voice purred before standing - releasing her arms.
"You seem like the stubborn type." He teased.
Kima felt her cheeks burn - her shoulders slumping with relief as the Dr. walked over to the reading booth.
She watched, as he slid the curtain open with the back of his gloved hand delicately and paused, looking at the tarot cards on the table.
"Now these take me back." Kima heard him whisper - did he know Asra?
She gulped when he turned looking at her over his shoulder, his grin clear even behind his collar - seeing the gleam in his eyes.
"Why don't you read me my fortune?" His tone playfull for someone who just broke into someone's shop!
Kima opened her mouth to object to the idea, but heard distant voices from the cards, beckoning her.
She sighed rubbing her temples. "I really wanted that tea." She groaned.
"Beg pardon?"
Kima's eyes snapped open seeing the Doctor looking her way with a quizzical expression.
"Why don't you take a seat." She said putting on a charming smile as she made her way over and slid into her usual chair.
Picking up the cards and giving them a gentle shuffle as he sat in the opposite seat.
Sliding three cards out from the deck and placing them on the table face down, she could feel the Doctor's gaze on her - narrow and intense. Just what was he playing at?
Her brow furrowed when one of the cards practically shook with dominance - demanding her attention.
Her fingers slid along the back of the card before flipping it over revealing…
"Death."
Kima looked up at the Doctor, expecting to see at least fear - it was a common misconception of the card. But instead, he was grinning...darkly.
"Death? Death?" He burst into a dark laugh his eye closing, throwing his head back slightly.
"You're joking - go on then… what does the death card have to tell me." He sighed coming down from his burst of lunacy.
Kima scowled at his reaction, but her brow smoothed over listening to the soft lullaby the Death card was whispering to her.
"You're resistant to change - unable to move on… but an unexpected force is near, ready to help you transform and start a new beginning." She said softly, the voice of death was smoother, softer than the others - it soothed her in some ways.
She looked up from the card seeing a look of both confusion and thought contorting his expression. Kima's eyes following the arch of his eye patch seeing the centre of his brow curl upward - a sense of doubt worrying his bottom lip.
He merely scoffed before standing - reaching for his mask on the floor, looking into it for a short moment before pulling it over his head.
Kima could see the fine arch of the mask's beek, as he looked at her through tinted glass over his shoulder.
"You've been...accommodating - so I'll let you in on a little advice." He muttered - his voice muffled under the plague mask.
"Don't let that bastard fool you into feeling safe… trust me he'll make you regret it." His voice strained - Kima watched his stance tighten and his slender gloved fingers curl into the palms of his hands.
"Be watchful." He said softly before leaving suddenly, slamming the door on his way out, the bell hung over the door chiming sharply.
After a short moment, Kima just sighed slumping in her seat and rolling her head back against the rest.
"Ugh! Anyone else!? Anyone else want a reading or to belittle what tell them!? No?! Good!" She cried out before standing and heading for the door, locking it.
Looking at the door she wasn't convinced it was safe enough and pulled one of the chairs from the booth over, lodging it against the handle before heading upstairs - too tired to make tea.
…