[AN: Chapter 1! As you probably guessed from the prologue I like writing about friends and the different bonds between them, and this story sort of revolves around that. I hope you like it!]
"Step inside ladies and gents! Try your hand and test your aim, see if you can win a prize for your date!" The carnival worker's gaze swept over the crowd and landed on Terry, Dana and Max. "Or dates as the case may be," he said, dropping Terry a wink. Dana and Max giggled as Terry clenched his jaw and led the girls away from the tent.
"Why do they always hire the dreggiest guys to work at carnivals? I mean really, with all the kids around you'd think they'd do more thorough background checks," Terry said, stealing a handful of popcorn from Dana's box. It was a beautiful Friday in Gotham and before school Dana and Max had called Terry proposing a "mental health day" at the yearly carnival in Gotham Park. While he wasn't much for carnivals, he was a huge fan of taking days off, so he'd agreed immediately.
"They do not always hire the dreggiest guys to work at carnivals," Dana protested. "If they did, they would have hired you first."
"Good one!" Max laughed as Terry rolled his eyes.
"Tell me again why I agreed to spend all day with you two ganging up on me?"
"Because you love us," Dana replied.
"And you hate school. Watch out for Stilts," Max said.
All three of them stopped to allow the stilt-walking fire juggler to pass them. "And you think your job is dangerous," Max muttered to Terry.
"After everything Wayne puts me through, I think juggling fire on stilts would be a breeze," he laughed. They watched as the towering man passed through the billowing tents, never missing a step. "His coordination is unbelievable though, I'll give him that."
As Terry and Max watched Stilts disappear, Dana looked down the park's path. Red and white striped tents lined each side of the concrete path from entrance to exit, giving the park a bright, happy feel. A class of children ran from tent to tent peeking into the open tent flaps and running to the next before their chaperones could catch them, the worst of them being an adorable little boy who ran up to Dana.
"Do you know where the lions are?" he asked, tilting his head. Dana pulled out the virtual map they'd received when they first entered the park. "Three tents behind us on the left," she said. "But we just came from there and you have to be this tall to go in by yourself." She held her hand just above the boy's head and smiled. He gave her a cotton candy smeared grin in return and took off towards the nearest harried chaperone.
"Liar," Max said grinning. "You didn't even know there were lions here."
"He didn't know that," Dana said. "And I think it was a necessary lie. I saved that kid from being eaten."
Terry shrugged. "What's one less twip in the world?"
"You're all heart McGinnis."
"I try my best. So what's next?" Terry asked, looking at the map over Dana's shoulder. "Fire eaters or contortionists?"
Dana didn't answer. Instead she looked up and then back down to the map. And then repeated the process.
"What's that?" she asked, pointing to a tent in the distance. The dark green tent was smaller than those surrounding it. Unlike the other tents, its entrance flaps were down and there was no one in front calling out to the crowd. "It's not on the map."
"Maybe it's newer. Or older," Terry said. "Either way, it doesn't look like it traveled with this crowd."
"Then why is it here now?" Dana replied. She took a few steps forward, as if drawn by the tent. "Let's go inside."
"Or we could avoid it like everyone else is," Max said. She watched as the kids ran from tent to tent noticing how each one passed the smaller tent as if it wasn't there.
"It's a carnival tent Max, nothing to be afraid of. And besides, Terry will be there to protect us." Dana said as she made a beeline for the tent. Max looked at Terry.
"We have to follow her don't we?"
"Uh-huh."
She sighed. "Then let's get this over with."
They followed Dana and reached the tent as she stepped in. They opened the flaps, the light from outside the tent showing them a small wooden table topped with a crystal ball and tarot cards. The gray-haired woman sitting behind the table spread her arms, welcoming them as if she'd been expecting them. "Playing hooky are we? That's alright with Madame Liata, she's been waiting for some company." She gestured to the chair across from her. "Have a seat, she will tell your fortune."
"Hooky?" Terry echoed.
Max shook her head. "No thanks. I don't trust people who talk about themselves in the third person."
Dana discreetly elbowed Max. "Be nice," Dana hissed. She took the chair offered by Madame Liata. "How much to tell my fortune?"
The fortune teller smiled. "Such a pretty girl. No charge." She took one of Dana's hands between both of hers and closed her eyes. "She sees excitement and sadness, longing and just a hint of frustration." She cracked one eye and looked at Terry. "It looks like someone has missed a date or two." Max couldn't help but giggle as Terry sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. Madame Liata gave a smug grin and closed both eyes again. She began humming as she stroked Dana's palm. "You are graduating soon. You wish to start the next chapter, but are reluctant to leave the safety of what is known."
Dana nodded excitedly. "What else do you see?"
"She sees-" Liata's hand froze as her brow crinkled. "Tan," she whispered.
Terry's eyebrows shot up and he threw Max a glance. Her eyes were narrowed; she looked just as suspicious as he felt.
"Madame Liata foretold you many years ago when she met your father," the psychic continued.
Dana froze, unable to take her eyes from Liata. "You met my father?"
Liata nodded and opened her eyes. "Long ago. He was a good man, but he could not pay. Madame took alternative payment." Liata reached into her layers of clothing and withdrew a dulled but delicate golden band on a thin black cord. She removed the cord from her own neck and held it to for Dana to see. The inside of the ring was engraved with tiny flowing script. Dana reached out tentatively and touched the cord.
"I've never seen this before," she whispered.
"Because Madame has had it! But she admits its rightful place is around your neck."
Dana shook her head slightly. "I can't. I didn't pay."
Liata smiled gently, moving the hand holding the necklace to Dana's cheek. "It is unfair for Madame to keep this any longer."
Dana didn't respond as Liata slipped the cord over Dana's head and watched as Dana examined the ring in reverent silence. "Thank you," she said.
Liata nodded. "Of course my dear. Now go. Your friends are becoming impatient."
Dana stood up and turned towards Max and Terry. "Let's go," she whispered. Terry held the tent's flap as Dana led the way out of the tent, Max following behind her. Terry looked back at Madame Liata one last time. She smiled.
"Thank you for gracing Madame with your presence. She will see you soon."
"Not likely," Terry said. He turned and left the tent, letting the flap drop behind him. Madame Liata's smile fell and she spoke to the empty tent.
"It was not a question."