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M: TSIA Chapter 1: The Fortune Teller on the Streets of New York
🕑 Added 2024-11-28 10:21:07 +0000 UTCSunlight from the forest filtered through the glass patterns, casting a golden glow on the tidy shop floor and on Lance White's palm.
Lance sat comfortably in a recliner next to the counter, holding a large book in his right hand. Under the bright sunlight, several large words reading The Permitted Path of Mystery shimmered, adding to the book's mysterious aura.
Suddenly, the wind chimes at the door rang out loudly, like a clear spring flowing deep within the forest.
"Wow, the sound of these wind chimes is beautiful."
"I want to buy some and hang them in the living room. They must sound soothing."
Two slender women stepped in through the door. One was a beautiful black-skinned woman, and the other a beautiful white-skinned woman.
The beautiful black-skinned woman looked neat, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans without any embellishments, yet her aura was full of vitality. As for the beautiful white-skinned woman... well, her face also looked very familiar.
Lance's eyes lifted from the yellowing pages of the book, signaling his awakened curiosity.
Susan Storm, aka Invisible Girl? Hmm... This woman looks much younger, with a still youthful face reminiscent of Susan Storm.
It's 2009 in the Marvel Universe, and we haven't heard anything about the Fantastic Four, so could this be a younger version of Invisible Girl? Or perhaps another character played by Jessica Alba?
In any case, this wasn't the first time Lance had encountered characters from American TV shows after traveling between dimensions. With the emergence of a new character resembling Jessica Alba, it seemed to be a common occurrence for Lance.
The woman resembling Jessica Alba might be in her early twenties, but she looked very mature in a neat dress, with shoulder-length hair neatly styled, and slightly dull vintage glasses—making her look like an elite professional.
"Hey, mesmerized?"
The beautiful black-skinned woman didn't seem annoyed. With a casual stride, she walked towards the counter in her casual shoes and knocked loudly.
Lance replied calmly, "Sorry, this woman looks familiar. I think I've met an acquaintance."
The beautiful black-skinned woman tilted her head while teasing, "Wow, that pick-up technique is so outdated."
"Whatever you say!" Lance squirmed, then straightened up and walked towards the back of the cash register. "Do you need an exorcism or a fortune-telling?"
The main business of this small shop in Brooklyn indeed focused on fortune-telling and exorcisms, in addition to selling various related items.
The beautiful black-skinned woman shrugged, then pointed towards the busy street outside. "There are too many people outside; can we rest here?"
This is Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a place famous for various events. Every summer, the streets are often closed for parties, and even main streets like Bedford Avenue are filled with residents and tourists flocking in.
During this time, cars are not allowed to pass. People are free to push strollers, walk their dogs, picnic, chat in the sunlight, or simply buy a cup of coffee while enjoying the view of ferries passing by on the river.
"For the sake of beauty, it's no problem," Lance said with a smile, then grabbed a box of tarot cards from the side. "If you're interested, I can give you a reading. Free, of course."
Lance was actually quite curious about the identity of the woman resembling Jessica Alba.
"Ha," the beautiful black-skinned woman laughed, then joked, "If you want Nancy's phone number, I can help you."
'Jessica Alba' rolled her eyes, then whispered, "Sidney, don't be silly."
"What are you afraid of? It's still morning," Sidney replied casually, not paying much attention.
Sidney sat on a high stool in front of the counter and said, "Hey, fortune teller who seems to be lacking customers, let's see how great your predictions are."
"Well... that statement is ambiguous, and I've never made money just by talking," Lance said while playing with the tarot cards in his hands, his eyes immediately locking onto Sidney. "Sidney, please concentrate, and then draw three cards."
"You’re funny." Sidney shrugged, then extended his hand to draw three cards.
"Madam, oh, may I call you Nancy?" Lance pushed the cards toward Nancy. "You too, please draw three cards."
"Alright." Nancy pursed her lips before taking three cards.
Lance then revealed the six cards one by one: The Tower, The Chariot, The Hermit; The Magician, The Strength, and The Fool. "These six cards represent your past, present, and future..."
Nancy suddenly raised her hand. "I’ve also learned about tarot cards, but it seems... your way of playing is different."
Lance stared at the six cards for a moment. A small flash of light crossed Lance's eyes, but he replied calmly, "No matter the method, whether it's tarot cards or something else, what matters is how you connect your life journey with these cards... let me take a little peek into the river of your destiny."
Sidney propped his chin up with one hand. "This sounds very mysterious. So, what do you see?"
"Hmm..." Lance finally lifted his head, looking at them seriously, then suddenly smiled. Lance drew three of Sidney's cards. "I see your profession... you are a police detective, and this time you are on a specific mission."
Nancy's hand holding the cards paused for a moment, and the smile on Sidney's face instantly faded. Sidney's hand slowly moved toward his waist. "What else?"
They were on a secret mission this time, disguising themselves as bank executives to exchange information with gangsters in order to save hostages. If any information leaked, both the hostages and they would be in great danger.
Lance seemed unfazed and continued, "I also see your past... The Tower represents sudden changes in interpersonal relationships and career. These changes often happen suddenly and quickly. I think you have experienced this in recent years. In the past, you faced a nearly fatal danger, and this danger caused significant problems for you. It drastically changed your life."
Sidney's initially hesitant hand stopped again, and his expression changed several times. "Go on."
