Saiou clasped his hands together. He was waiting for his next appointment. The Tarot cards were neatly stacked, and the atmospheric mood had been set. Candles and closed drapery were sufficient. Incense made his eyes water.
4:27. How often he checked the clock. How fast time ran in general. No different from a flowing stream, a patch of water one gazed upon for a brief instant would be succeeded by another patch of current the next. Oh, yes. So much time has already passed…
At 4:28—two minutes early—she arrived. She was clad in a school uniform and appeared both exhausted and out of breath. Dark circles hung under her eyes.
A troubled soul. Then again, I see a lot of troubled souls.
"Welcome," he greeted her. "Please have a seat and we can begin immediately if you wish."
Wordlessly, she settled herself into the contours of the armchair. Saiou noticed that her fingernails had been bitten down to the roots. A strange girl. A very strange girl indeed.
All at once, she fixed him with a soulful gaze.
"My father. I want to know when he'll get well. It's…killing me to wait—"
A pause. When she spoke no more, Saiou took this as a signal to play his benevolent role.
"Of course. First, allow me to shuffle the cards properly." Her impatience was starting to wear on his nerves.
"You mean…there is a way to tell when something is going to happen?" If possible, the girl's eyes grew more intense.
"With the cards, any query can be answered-if the person knows how to use them," he replied politely yet brusquely. "Now, allow me to carry out your request."
Needlessly, Saiou's hands continued to shuffle the cards as if on their own accord. He was keenly aware that he was strengthening a potential fatal bond, but this deck was all he had to cling to. It was his identity. It was his sanity. Even Mizuchi and Edo understood such things.
Fwap.
The card that Fate had chosen landed on the table. Its image boasted two willowy figures—one male and one female. Engagingly, they toasted one another with twin goblets. The Two of Cups.
"You will be reconciled with your father in two months and no less." Saiou was trying his best to maintain a gentle tone.
"That long?" The girl's face fell.
"The best things come to those who wait. Was there anything else?"
The girl was visibly concentrating despite her obvious heartache. Saiou couldn't help but admire her resilience. Finally, her lips opened again.
"When will the man I am destined for appear to me?"
Another question, another card. Saiou chose the next card with the unnameable sense that an invisible bridge had been crossed. A blade painted on the card's surface revealed itself to him. The Ace of Swords. For a moment, Saiou himself could not speak.
"Well, did he fall of the face of the earth or what?" The girl was attempting to make a joke. He didn't blame her.
"Quite the opposite. The Ace of Swords this man you are seeking should encounter you very soon. In under a day, I believe. Maybe even…tonight."
The girl was watching him carefully. It was taking a while to register. It was taking Saiou himself time to process it as well.
No.
The tense moment had passed and suddenly Saiou could breathe again. Gathering himself, he directed his previously scattered attention to his customer. "Is there any other concern I can help you with?"
"No thank you." The girl's voice sounded rather far-away. "I think I should try to find my future soulmate now."
Vaguely numb, Saiou took the girl's money and then simply sat there in the newly quiet room with one thought running through his mind.
Why me?
Karin walked the street in a miserable mood. It was late, and her mother would be home. Consequently, her mother would be angry because she was not there likewise.
Gradually, the sun was sinking into the sky. It was approaching seven, and she still hadn't yet met The One.
But, his predictions are never wrong.
Tomorrow. He must have meant tomorrow…
Self-consciously, Karin tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear and wet her lips.
Who am I kidding?
After attracting a few offended stares from several passerby as Karin's eyes lingered longingly at each man that wandered into view, Claire at last confirmed that none of them were interested. As usual.
It's because I don't wear make-up, isn't it? Maybe I'm too flat-chested…
Resigning herself, Karin glumly mounted the steps that would lead to her front door. No sooner did she step onto the porch did the door itself fly open.
"Karin?" Her mother's voice invaded the peaceful twilight. "Where were you?"
She shrugged. "Walking." Karin hadn't told her analytical Aquarius mother about the psychic. She wouldn't understand. She especially wouldn't appreciate that she had spent eighty-nine dollars in all.
Her mother heaved a heavy sigh. "Get inside."
Without an ounce of protest, Karin complied. The door closed behind her with a deafening bang. Automatically, the questions started.
"Where were you walking? With whom? Why didn't you call?"
"I started walking around the neighborhood and didn't feel like going home right away." All Karin really wanted to do was get away and perhaps lock her bedroom door.
She's never around anyway. Why do I always have to remain here like a dutiful pet?
Foolishly, Karin edged towards the steps.
"Where are you going?" her mother demanded. "Explain yourself!"
"I have homework," Karin replied offhandedly. "I won't do it again. I promise."
"Somehow, I just don't believe you, Karin." For seemingly the umpteenth occasion, her mother sighed. "I suppose you don't even care about your poor father."
Suddenly, something in Karin snapped. Fiercely, she leveled her gaze. "I wish dad were here right now."
Hoping her mother would catch her meaning; Karin drifted up the staircase.
Where's my soulmate when I need him?
Author's Note: This fic has potential to reach completion. I can't always say that about my fics. I also found out that Karin meant 'pure' which is oddly appropriate.
(edit) On 09-11-14, I have changed the dubbed names to Japanese names. Claire has become Karin. Hopefully, this will be updated by 2015.