I am a student of the magical arts. My master is Asra, the fortune teller. I know nothing of his past.

   As for the present...

"I'll miss you," Asra says, eyes downcast and sadness evident in his voice.

It's the dead of a moonless night. The right time for beginning a journey, according to him.

"Here, take this. For you to mess around with while I'm away."

A gift? This can't be good.

"My tarot deck," Asra says, a soft smile adorning his face.

My surprise must have shown plainly for he let out a small laugh.

"You think I'm ready, Master?" I ask, curiously.

"You're still calling me that..." Asra replied, a slight blush tinting his cheeks. "You know I can't answer that for you... You've made incredible progress but you still won't let go of you're doubt. Do you think you're ready?" he answers truthfully, his eyes searching my own for an answer.

I feel my cheeks heat under his soft gaze.

"Why don't we ask the cards?" I say with a mysterious twinkle in my eyes.

Asra chuckles softly and my words.

"Excellent suggestion. It's been a while since we've practiced," he reminds me as we move through the curtains to the back room.

"Because I've already perfected it?" I say, questioningly, an awkward smile blooming on my face.

"Have you now?" he asks teasingly, feigning surprise. "You really are gifted. I shouldn't have expected any less," he tells me, a blush forming on his cheeks.

"Then lets not wait any longer," he says, his lips curling into a smile.

He's always going on about how 'powerful' and 'gifted' I am.

"Oh?" Asra exclaims looking truly surprised. Something brushes along my ankle, smooth and cool.

"We're not alone," he says, leaning forward to grab his familiar, Faust.

The pale blue snake wraps herself around her owners torso, her amber eyes filled with content.

She's pleased to see me, I think.

"If we're all here... let's begin."

I shuffle the deck, Asra's gaze following the cards as they slip expertly through my fingers. I place three cards upside down on the table in front of me.

My fingers softly graze the cards as I search for the card that calls to me the loudest. I slowly grasp one of the cards, lifting it from the table.

". . . The High Priestess, " I mutter, looking up at Asra.

"And what is she telling you?" he replies, our eyes meeting. He leans close, expectant. "Is she speaking to you now?"

When the cards speak to me, it isn't in any human tongue. Nonetheless, when my mind is clear, the answer comes to me.

"You've forsaken her," I say bringing my eyes up to meet his once more.

"I have?"

"Yes. You've pushed her away and buried her voice. She calls to you, but you won't listen. Master, if you don't listen to her..." I trail off as I see the look on his face.

A sharp knocking on the door startles all three of us.

A customer?

"Did you forget to put out the lantern again?" Asra teases, my face burning brightyly.

It was one time!

"Just as well," he continues, sadness evident in his voice.

We walk to the back exit, lingering for a few moments longer.

"Well then... take care of yourself," he says, smiling. He still has something to say, but he won't say it.

He wraps his favourite scarf loosely around his neck before placing his hat on his curling white locks.

"Until we meet again."

He pushes the door open and slips through into the night. Just like that, he's gone once more.

---------------------------------------------------

Woah that was a lot of writing. Please tell me what you think. It's terrible isn't it? Probably, cuz I wrote it. But yeah. Updates will be every Saturday or Sunday. But, please, constructive criticism is always welcome. I'm gonna re-edit this after a couple chapters, just to get the hang of things.

Thank you and bye for now!