<align=center><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaPMmakBaeQ"><b>`[Music]`</b></a></align>
You were never one to believe in those who could see the future. It was uncertain, ever changing. You doubted anyone who claimed they saw it had seen it at all.
So it wasn't out of character for you to laugh at the [[fortune telling shop]] you saw. You couldn't help it, really. A small giggle had escaped your lips, before it turned into a full blown laugh.The shop didn't look fancy, like others you've seen before. It was amusingly simple. There was a window for you to view the inside, even. And that didn't stand out much either.
The inside wasn't special either. There was no extravagant decorations. There was no skulls, nor candles, to creep people out. In fact, it almost seemed comforting.
From in there, you can barely make out a [[figure|Fortune Teller]].
It's your neighbor you've been seeing around recently. They seem no older than you- even if it's hard for anyone else to tell.
They're busy speaking to another customer in the shop. Your neighbor smiles at them; their cat like ears twitching as they speak. Their paw gestures to the door- telling their customer to get out, you assume.
(set: $neighbor to "Your neighbor")
The customer huffs and leaves. The door chime ringing must have echoed throughout the room, seeing as your neighbor seems to flinch and cover their ears.
This was certainly the last place you expected to see them. But you're not complaining at all.
So in a completely out of character move.....
[[You go in.|Inside]]
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You open the door gently, giving a small wave to $neighbor. $neighbor's eyes widen, before they give you a big smile.
"Hello, Natalie!" Their voice is chipper. Far too chipper, you think, for this early in the day. "Did you come in to have your fortune read?"
You almost shake your head until you look at $neighbor properly. Their eyes look almost pleading to you. You wonder if they've been getting any buisness.
You sigh. [["How much for a reading?"]] $neighbor's grin grows wider. "It's only thirty euroes!"
"Only?" You hand them the money anyways.
"Yes, only!" They twirl and gesture to [[a door|fortune reading time]] you hadn't noticed before. "Please, come on in!"
<align=center><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR_sjcpH8RQ"><b>`[Music]`</b></a></align>
{
(if: $talktalk is 0)[$neighbor gestures you to sit across them, in a comfy bean bag chair. They face you with a smile with their hands folded together.]
(else-if: $chatting is not 0)["Good talk though, hehe!" They laugh and straighten their posture.]
(else-if: $talktalk is 1)[$neighbor gives you a wide grin- not unlike earlier, you suppouse.]
(else:)[$neighbor's smile falters. You guess they're a little upset you keep on telling them you want a reading but never actually asking for one.]
}
"So, Natalie, are you ready?"
[[Yes.|Future]]
[[I changed my mind. I wanted something else. |Misc]]$neighbor's smile is brighter than ever. "Alright! Now, let me get my tarot...."
They bend down and search from underneath their desk. Their tail sways in the air as they do. They hum, like they're taking their time. You wonder how long they'll take.
[[...|Ok finally]]
They tilt their head. "Well, I can offer other services! What did were you thinking of?" (set: $talktalk to it + 1)
[[Do you make potions?|Potions]]
[[Let's just chat.|Chat]]
[[Actually, I want a reading.|fortune reading time]]$neighbor shakes their head. "Sorry, Natalie! All I know is divination. Plus, would a witch really sell potions in a fortune telling shop?"
You're not exactly sure why you asked- nor why they took the question seriously.
"I could sell you some quartz if you really wanted to, though!" Their eyes brighten. "Is that something you want?"
"No, I think I'll pass."
Their ears droop. "Aw, okay. Anything else?"
[[Let's just chat.|Chat]]
[[Actually, I want a reading.|fortune reading time]]$neighbor's mouth turns into a wide grin. "Aw, you didn't have to pay me just to talk, Natalie!"
You huff and cross your arms. "I didn't- it's not as if I see you very often, right?"
"Hm, that's true." They put a paw to their chin. "Still, you did say you want a reading!"
[[Yeah, yeah. Can't it wait?|chatime]]
[[Okay, fine. I'll get a reading.|fortune reading time]]<align=center><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcq6Q8WMCWg"><b>`[Music]`</b></a></align>
"Aw, but sure!" They fold their paws together once more. "What did you want to talk about? {(if:$chatting is 1)[ I mean, I kind of told you everything, but I guess you can ask a question again."]
(else-if: $chatting is 2)[ Do you like talking to me that much? Hehe!"]
(else:)[" They tilt their head. "But I think we should move on!"]}
{(set: $name to 0)
(set: $store to 0)
(set: $happy to 0)}
[[What's your name?|name]]
[[Why do you run this place?|store]]
[[Are you happy with what you do?|happy]]
(if: $chatting is not 0)[[[I think I'm done with chatting.|fortune reading time]]]They blink at you, slowly. You figet in your seat. You've seen them around, yes- but you've never actually gotten their name, per se? You're sure it's a nice name, but you've only communicated through nods and waves until now.
You wonder if they're mad until they burst out laughing.
"Really, Natalie? Come on!" They cover their mouth with a paw. "My name is Kit."
{(set: $neighbor to "Kit")(set: $name to 1)
(if: $chatting is 0)[(set: $chatting to it + 1 )]}
You breathe out a sigh of relief and give them a weak smile. "Hello, Kit."
Kit smiles at you. "Hello, Natalie!"
(if: $name is 0)[[[What's your name?|name]]]
(if: $store is 0)[[[Why do you run this place?|store]]]
(if: $happy is 0)[[[Are you happy with what you do?|happy]]]
(if: $chatting is not 0)[[[I think I'm done with chatting.|fortune reading time]]]"Hm." $neighbor puts a paw to their chin, as if lost in thought. "It just makes me happy, I guess?"
"Is that all?" You ask. It's strange that's all they have to say. Was there no hidden backstory to this?
{(set: store to 1)
(if: $chatting is 0)[(set: $chatting to it + 1 )]}
"Nope!" They give you a big grin. "That's pretty much it, really!"
(if: $name is 0)[[[What's your name?|name]]]
(if: $store is 0)[[[Why do you run this place?|store]]]
(if: $happy is 0)[[[Are you happy with what you do?|happy]]]
(if: $chatting is not 0)[[[I think I'm done with chatting.|fortune reading time]]]"Of course I do! I wouldn't be here if I dreaded it, would I?" They pout at you. "Do you think people who work as fortune tellers are unhappy?"
You blink. "Uhhhhh."
$neighbor huffs and crosses their arms. "Oh come on, Natalie! If I was unhappy and still worked here, that'd be perfectly silly!"
{(set: $happy to 1)
(if: $chatting is 0)[(set: $chatting to it + 1 )]}
You fidget in your seat. "But do you get-"
"Anything? Of course!" They tilt their head. "If I didn't get any money, I wouldn't be able to get this place, right?"
You weren't actually going to ask that, but you nod in agreement anyways.
(if: $name is 0)[[[What's your name?|name]]]
(if: $store is 0)[[[Why do you run this place?|store]]]
(if: $happy is 0)[[[Are you happy with what you do?|happy]]]
(if: $chatting is not 0)[[[I think I'm done with chatting.|fortune reading time]]]After what felt like an enternity, {(if: $neighbor is "Your neighbor")[(lowercase: $neighbor)]
(else:)[$neighbor]} came up with a pack of tarot cards.
"What do you want to ask, Natalie?" $neighbor asks. "Like, love and stuff!"
You pause. "I don't know what you do in readings, actually."
They giggled at your confusion. "So, a love reading?"
You offer up a shrug. [["I don't see why not?|will we ever get a reading]] Let's see: what should I do about my love life?"$neighbor laughs and shuffles the cards. "Are you eyeing anyone, Natalie?"
"I asked for a love reading because you suggested it!" You say all too quickly.
They giggle behind a paw. "Sure, sure."
They spread the cards down in front of you.
"Normally I'd set up a spread, but I don't really think you're taking this seriously so I'll just [[pull out a card|card]]."Throughout the game, you may see links named <b>`[Music]`</b>. Please click on it for the best experience in playing the game. Due to this initially being coded in Harlowe, there can't be any music playing in the background.
With this in mind, kindly [[procceed.|Begining]]They draw a card from the spread in a quick, fluid motion. It's almost as if they didn't want you to see it.
$neighbor taps their chin. "Hmmmmm. Your card is... {(either: "The Star. You should confess to the person you like! If you have one.", "The Lovers. Ooh, cliche! Whatever attraction you have right now is mutual.", "The Sun. Oh, uh... I guess you can easily win someone over, just don't overdo it!"
)
}"
They pass the card to you for you to see. "So, Natalie, what do you make of this?"
For some reason, you think their voice wavered.
[[I think it's pretty silly.|silly]]
[[I don't really belive in this.|silly]]
[[...Well, it's intresting, at least.|silly]]$neighbor pouts and crosses their arms. "Hey, well you were the one who wanted a reading! It's not exactly my fault you didn't like it."
"Well, it- it was an intresting explanation, at least." You find yourself stammering.
They huff and hop off the chair in front of you. "I mean, jeez- you are paying for this!"
You scratch the back of your neck. "Er- well.."
"But, hey, I didn't finish my explanation!" $neighbor says suddenly. "[[Hold on.|rickroll]]""There's gonna be this really, really sweet person who you've met- or will meet," they say, eyes brightening. "And then they're gonna tell you [something really sweet.]<herewego|"
(click: ?herewego)[<align=center><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ"><b>`[Music]`</b></a></align>
"They're gonna go to you one day, regular morning. [All nice and casual.]<yup|"]
(click: ?yup)["Then they're gonna tell you.
<i>We're no strangers to love.
You know the rules, and so do [[I|Kit why]].</i>]You stare at them, long and hard. "I will end you?"
$neighbor gives you a grin. "Jeez, Natalie, did you forget what day it is? Sheesh!"
They gesture for you to stand up and gently usher you outside.
"And don't forget!" They say. "[Happy]<happy| (click:?happy)[[April]<april|] (click: ?april)[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ">Fool's!"</a>]