I blinked, confused. Trixie? Could she be talking about the same Trixie as the Great and Powerful Trixie? I pondered this before clearing my throat, and returning on topic. "Ah, redemption. Quite the interesting question. So who might this Trixie be?"
"This is Trixie," she said, pointing at herself. "And here is the payment," she added before sliding the bits to me.
I nodded, understanding to some extent. Was there some other reason for her return? "I see. Now, let's see what the cards have to say..."
I flipped the first card. "This card represents what the situation is based on. In your case, the Magician reversed. This represents trickery, abuse of knowledge for personal gain, and a fatal flaw." I set it aside, and arranged the cards in the Coltic Cross. I flipped the next card, which was at the center of the cross, over. "This represents the obstacle in your way. In this case, the Six of Wands, or victory. Now, while this sounds good, it really isn't."
As Trixie tilted her head in confusion, I flipped the second card, at the top of the cross, over. "Now, this card represents either your goal, or the best you can achieve without changing your plans. Here, it is the Four of Pentacles, or power, reversed, which represents using said power for your enjoyment and betterment of others, and being generous with your success."
"So that would be Trixie's goal," Trixie said, sounding a little prideful at figuring it out.
"That seems most likely. However, you would have to answer that yourself," I explained. "Moving on." I flipped the card at the bottom of the cross next. "This represents the situation on which this is based. The card representing this is the Eight of Wands, or swiftness. This represents a surge of power, rapid progress towards a goal, and boldness in work and relationships." After explaining, I flipped the next card at the left of the cross. "This card represents either a passing influence, or something to be released. Here, it's the Lovers, reversed. This shows inner strife and frustration in a relationship."
I turned the card at the right of the cross next. "This represents an approaching influence, or something to be embraced. In this case, it is the Two of Wands, or Dominion. It represents not just power and influence over others, but can also mean setting goals and a vision for the future, and coming to terms with the past." For some reason, I felt strange saying these, like there was a part of me who was disgusted by what I was saying for whatever reason.
Then, I moved on from the cross to the staff, a column of four cards. I flipped the card at the base. "This represents your role or attitude. In your case, the Five of Cups, or disappointment. This can mean suffering from a loss, and wishing for what could have been. It can also mean a gift or something similar that falls below your expectations. I then flipped the card at the bottom of the staff. "This represents the environment you're in, or the people you're interacting with. Here, it is the Hanged Mare, reversed. It represents living life in suspension and refusing to listen to your inner voice." For a moment, looking at the card was like looking in a mirror. I shook my head, wondering if I had enough sleep last night.
I moved on to the card second from the top of the staff, and flipped it. "This is your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that may come into play. In this case, the Eight of Cups, or Indolence, reversed. It represents that something that you thought was important was in reality of little consequence, or moving on from something you have invested love and devotion to."
"So it's related to Trixie's role," she pondered.
"Possibly. That is not for me to say, however," I replied. I then flipped the final card at the top of the staff. "This represents the final outcome should you continue on this course. The Two of Cups, or Love." I couldn't help chuckling a little. "I can see you have an interesting fate, but I digress. This represents the perfect harmony of union, in relationships, friendships, or work."
I gathered the cards and shuffled them into the deck. "And that is the answer, lady Trixie," I said.
"Trixie doesn't understand. Trixie's question wasn't answered," she complained.
"But it was," I assured. "You simply must consider what the cards have told you."
She sighed, and turned to leave. "Trixie thanks you anyway," she said before leaving.
The tent rustled as she left. I dropped my persona to briefly wonder. Was that the Trixie from a while ago, the one who was boasting about defeating the Ursa Major? Why was she back?
And what was that strange feeling I had when I was explaining the Hanged Mare and Dominion's meanings?
The tent rustled as yet another customer entered. "Hey, Seer."
I recognized the voice. It was Taupe. "Welcome to the Seer's Domain."
"Alright, how much for a question?" he asked, not beating around the bush.
"I only charge for readings. Answers are free," I explained.
"In that case, tell me. Is it true that Storm and Applejack, y'know...made out more than once?" he questioned, a tad red.
I snorted at the bluntness before clearing my throat. I would only break character for the Crusaders, damn it, and even then I would only do it to some extent! "You don't have to ask me that," I explained.
"Why not?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Because it's common knowledge," I said. I could've sworn that I saw a fire in his eyes.
"Well, I guess that helped. Thanks," he said while leaving. I heard a few obscenities muttered.
After he left, I followed and examined the sun. Judging by it's height, it was closing time. I packed up the decks, the table and chair, before setting it all outside. I then dismantled the tent, and lifted it all onto my back. It didn't feel as heavy as usual, but it still was still cumbersome. I began making my way back home, saying hi to everypony on the way.
A while later, I made it back. I placed all my gear inside, and sat on the couch, sighing. It was a long day as usual. Doing the seer voice made my throat hurt, but it helped me pay the bills. Suddenly, I felt drowsy. A quick nap couldn't hurt, I told myself. I shut my eyes, propping my hind legs on the other end of the couch, before passing out.
A while later, I woke up. I yawned, and stretched. It had grown late, but it wasn't quite bedtime. That, and there was no way I could sleep on an empty stomach. My stomach growled as I realized this. I decided to go out to grab some food.
I didn't have too much time until it was bedtime. I ended up strolling around town, past Twilight's library, where I briefly wondered if she loved books too much to find a stallion. I shook my head, trying to get the negative thoughts out of my head. "She didn't mean to," I mumbled to myself, reminiscing. "Just let it go already."
I stopped monologuing and went back to walking. I passed by Storm Runner, who was hanging out with Rainbow Dash. I waved to them.
"Hey, Seer," Storm greeted.
I nodded at them, before starting to trot away. I wondered for the third time this week why I'm friends with Storm. He's a cool guy, but kind of an ass. I wasn't ditching him, though, because you have to take the cons with the pros, after all.
My thoughts were interrupted when Taupe trotted by. "Hey, Storm. Come down here," he said.
Storm flew down, and landed. "What's up, Taupe?"
I've seen enough romcoms to know where THIS is going, I thought to myself. "Oh hey, look at the time, gotta go," I said as I retrieved my pocket watch from my turban, while galloping as though my life depended on it. Which it did.
After time spent galloping, I found myself at the doorstep of a familiar house. Wait, isn't this the house of...
Yep, same address I've seen every day.
Well buck me sideways, I'm at DJ Pon-3's house, I realized. I saw that the lights were on. "Oh crap," I muttered. She was going to see me and think I'm a creeper!
Wait, think? I shook my head, trying to not be TOO jerkish to myself. I stood there like an imbecile for a moment, before it hit me. This is a perfect time to ask her out!
I knocked on the door before I realized what I was doing. I was tempted to run right then, but the door opened fairly quickly.
Inside was the mare I had grown to see all over my walls; DJ Pon-3. Blue and light blue mane, jagged like lightning? Check. Snow white coat? Check. Shades? Check.
Yep, it was her.
"Yeah?" she asked, breaking me out of my trance.
"Oh, hey, uh, I'm Shu-I mean Seer," I greeted. "I run a tarot reading business. You know about it, right?"
"I'm not interested in whatever you're selling," she said bluntly, starting to close the door.
"No wait!" I exclaimed.
"You look ridiculous in that turban, by the way," she said, shooting my heart in the face when it was already broken, before shutting the door.
"Turbans are cool!" I yelled, before I facehoofed at my stupidity. Was that really what you had to say in response? This is why you barely have any friends, I thought, breaking my self-esteem further.
I exited my negative thought loop to realize how late it was. Luna's moon was high in the sky. I trotted back home, lamenting how much of a fool I was back there. When I arrived, I remembered why I went out in the first place; I was starving, and I still needed to go shopping. I'll shop tomorrow for sure, I promised myself. I knew that I wouldn't, though. That's when I remembered. Hey, you actually talked to DJ Pon-3, so anything's possible! Then I realized I wasn't a total lamer.
However, I had to focus on the present. I did turned around and exited my house. I closed the door, and started trotting to the nearest restaurant, a rather classy-looking restaurant. I entered, and there was a bellcolt waiting already. "Good day. A table for one, I assume?"
"Two," I said, because I was really thirsty, and usually they'll give you an extra cup of water.
"Where's the other patron?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"She'll be here soon," I replied, putting on my best poker face.
He nodded, and led me to a table. I sat down, and later, a waiter arrived with two cups of water and two menus. I took a look at the menus, and saw that the prices were reasonable, contrary to the appearance. I mentally hoofpumped in victory. When he left and wasn't looking, I slid the other cup to me, and began to drink. When I said I was thirsty, I wasn't kidding. I'm good at not eating for a while as long as I had food and drink in the morning, but at night, I was starved and parched.
He came back after a while, noticing that I had both glasses of water. I grinned sheepishly. "This is probably what it looks like," I explained.
"It's...fine?" he said, a tad confused. Not that I blamed him. "So, have you decided what to order?"
"I'll just take some hay fries," I said with a shrug.
He wrote it down on a notepad. "Is that it?"
"Yup," I replied.
He nodded, and closed the notepad. "We'll get it done in a jiffy," he promised, trotting away.
I planned on holding him to that. As I waited, I looked at my pocket watch again. I always kept it with me under my turban. It was reliable, and it was from my grandfather from my mom's side of the family, Steady Sword. They were Royal Guards, but that life wasn't cut out for my dad's side, or my rebellious mom. I couldn't help feeling sad for ruining a family by not joining the Guards. Even though my mom was the first to skip being a guard, I could've restarted the pattern, but nope. Had to just keep ruining things.
I then thought about my parents. Why haven't they responded to any of my letters? It had been years since I had last talked to them. Were they mad at me? I wouldn't say I'm a bad pony, although I admit I borrowed a few bits here and there. Not that they ever knew. I just blamed it all on High Card, much to his chagrin. Other than that, my relationship with them was good.
I quit brooding, then looked around in the restaurant. It was packed, with not an empty table in sight. I considered myself lucky, being able to get what was possibly the last one. Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy, and realized that this was MY table now. It was mine to protect from all those who dared try to find an empty table. This table was mine to protect.
That's when I realized that I had way too much imagination.