#janice and steve run a small hybrid craft cafe thing

[everday-observations]

002

The Oracle had set up camp across the shop again. Gaudy, purple banners with her poorly photoshopped smug face plastered all over advertised her services.

The Oracle sees all! Past, present and future revealed!

Need to communicate with a long lost loved one? The Oracle can help you!

Is it TRUE LOVE? Find out if he is truly The One here!

Janice sneered at the claims, the batty old witch couldn't afford a place inside the carnival and had instead settled for a corner that just so happened to be one of the main footpaths to the carnival.

"£5 for a palm-reading, £11 for tarot cards and £19 to communicate with spirits. She's gone completely mad!"

Steve paused his calculations of their profits, glancing at the stall and then at the darkening grey sky above. "Not mad enough to stay in that any longer, I hope."

"Wouldn't put it past her,"Janice snorted.

"She's harmless. You antagonize her too much."

The wind howled, rattling the frames of their display windows. Janice frowned. "Did you close the shutters at the back?"

"Shit, I didn't. I'll be right back."

Rolling her eyes, Janice got up to switch on the main lights. With the room bathed in a cool sterile light, she checked that everything was properly locked. Steve may be good with numbers but his memory was questionable at best.

Till. Cabinets. Display. Windows. Door-

She blinked. Was there-? Cautiously, she approached the door, slowly turning the handle (unlocked, damn it, Steve!) and opening it just a fraction of an inch.

"I'm so sorry about this-"

Janice nearly slammed the door on the woman's face from shock. The Oracle lady!

"We're closed," she interrupted cagily. She had no respect for scammers. "Sorry."

The woman shuffled her feet, long bony fingers tightening around the drenched scarf wrapped around her shoulders. Water dripped from her long dark curls onto her freckled cheek.

"Janice? Is everything alright?" Steve poked his face over her shoulder. His eyes trailed from the opened door to the shivering woman. "I swear to god-"

A moment later, the Oracle had settled right into their little shop, gleefully sipping the jasmine tea Steve had poured out for her. Janice shot him a dirty look from behind the counter.

"My family have always been blessed with The Gift," she explained to Steve. "Before this, it was my father and before that his aunt. Unfortunately, I have never met her, but-"

"Why don't you show us your powers, then?"

The Oracle paused. For a moment, Janice wondered if she had pushed too far, but then she smiled and shook her head. "You are too much of a skeptic, my dear. The fates will not like you. But, perhaps I can demonstrate it on your friend."

She snapped her fingers. Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out. Did lightning strike their shop? Janice wondered.

Snap. The table the Oracle was sitting at lit up from the glow of a circle of candles. Under the dancing flames, her worn scarf looked as though it were woven from golden threads, her bangles glimmered and sparkled despite looking scratched and dull mere moments ago.

"You can be our witness, Ms. Janice."

The Oracle clasped Steve's hand, who had fallen into a reverent silence. He appeared to be completely enthralled with her act. She ran a finger along the lines of his palm, her eyes fluttering.

"The sea is calm. Your ship sails smoothly on course to its destination. Mars is looking over you, a gentle guider and protector. However, the shadow of Jupiter looms over the horizon, his envy casts an ugly glow over the evening sky. His wrath will come."

Steve gasped. "What does that mean?"

Janice raised an eyebrow. "I don't think that's how palm-reading works, Madame Oracle."

Releasing Steve's hand, the Oracle barely spares Janice a glance. "I am but a mere messenger of the visions granted to me. Though I fear that may not help to convince our companion."

The lights of the candles were snuffed out. Slowly, the fluorescent lights overhead flickered back on.

And the Oracle was gone.

#fortune-telling #writing #fantasy #original writing #how do you format posts??? #oracles #janice and steve run a small hybrid craft cafe thing #this got out of hand