Prompt: Entering the “Oracles Den” at the fair with your significant other seemed novel at first. When the oracle had you gaze in her crystal ball though and you see yourself five years down the road with someone you’ve never met, well things just got interesting. The real problem: Your significant other knows who the person is. Write this scene.
Okay, so I might have edited it slightly.
“Ah, look, an Oracle!”
My girlfriend, Tachibana Ami, pulls at my arm as she points to a booth. We had been wandering around an American-style fair for quite some time, poking through interesting booths and playing fair games. I thought this one was just another silly break-the-plates game, but it seemed different. The black tent loomed ominously over the two of us and an old-style wooden plaque, hung next to the door, read “Oracles Den”. I sighed. “Do we have to?”
“Aw come on, please, Kenji-san?” she pleaded, leading me toward the door of the tent.
“Ah! Fine, fine, I’m coming!” I said, pulling open the flap and letting her in, before ducking inside behind her. The place was just as dark inside, as it was outside, simply lit by candles placed around the room. In the middle was a table with a crystal ball set atop. It was your classic oracle den, until a tall slender young woman walked into the room, dressed in traditional gypsy clothes. Her dark skin glistened from the candles and she gave us a radiant smile.
“Hello, and welcome! Would you like me to read your future?” she said, sliding into the seat behind the table.
Ami nodded multiple times, seating herself in the only seat available, leaving me to stand behind her. The lady nodded and leaned forward. Guiding her hand over the crystal ball, she stared into it with radiant green eyes, whispering to herself before smiling.
“In terms of fortune, you two will both grow wealthy. Young lady, you will grow up to have many children and live in a rich lifestyle. Young man, you will leave this lady and go on to marry another woman, and carry on a business in-“
“EH?!” An astonished sound comes from both me and Ami, as she stands up.
“He leaves me?” she yells, with wide eyes. Next, she turns to me. “Is there someone else?” she demands, balling her hands into fists.
“Eh? No, no, no, no, Ami-san. There is no one else. This oracle is just probably pulling our leg. Sit down, and let the lady finish.”
“Actually…” the oracle lady stares harder into the ball. “I can tell you the name of the girl, if you’d like. The girl he leaves you for, my dear.”
Ami slams her fists down onto the table. “Yes, please tell me!”
I grab my girlfriend’s arm. “No, please don’t! It’s not necessary, this is getting out of hand for a silly fair show.”
The lady continues on without a moment of hesitation. “The girl’s name is Minako. Minako Saito.”
There’s a long moment of silence, as I felt the muscles in Ami’s arm stiffen and the air goes cold.
“Ami, I don’t even know who that is… now let’s go.”
She’s silent and won’t move.
“Ami, I said let’s go.”
“You… get together… with Minako?”
“Ami, listen to yourself. You’re getting worked up over a silly oracle at a fair. Pull yourself together.”
“Then how did she know her name?”
“Eh?”
“How did she know Minako’s name?”
“Ami-san, I don’t even know who this Minako is.”
“I do.” She slowly turned to me, tears in her eyes. “She’s stolen my boyfriend before.” She wiped at her eyes and sniffed, her hands shaking. “Back in middle school. I caught her kissing my boyfriend on the roof. If what this lady says is true, then she’ll steal you from me, too.”
“Ah, Ami-san…” I took her into my arms, rubbing her back. By now, the oracle lady had already gone into the back room once more, her job now done. I pulled some cash out and tossed it into the tip basket to pay for… whatever we just received. I then led my crying girlfriend out of the tent. A couple was standing outside, waiting for their turn. When they saw us, however, they whispered to each other, then slowly wandered away. Good choice.
“Shhh, Ami, it’s okay now.” I sat her down away from the fair and gently rubbed her back. “I’m not going anywhere, it’s okay. That silly lady and her crystal ball got you all worked up for nothing.”
“Y-Yeah, you’re probably right, Kenji…” she stuttered, wiping her eyes. She sniffed. “I’m sorry I got angry. Minako’s name probably brought up some unpleasant memories.” She pulled me into a hug, unexpectedly, and buried her face in my chest. “Don’t leave me, okay?”
I chuckled, and planted a soft kiss on her head. “I won’t.”
~Snickerdoodle~
