RWBY Shorts

The Fortune Teller

Two figures move silently down the streets of Vale, pace quickened. The one leading stares straight ahead unwaveringly, perhaps in a bid to avoid the scrutiny of wandering eyes. The one falling behind moves in uneven steps and constantly steals glances from around the scenery. The moon has turned to reflect its most shattered face, leaving the night world dark for most, yet these two walk without ever missing a step.

Suddenly, they pull into a dark alley. They approach a door set into the wall on the left and pause before it. The one who has led them there steps forward and knocks on the door in time with a familiar song. A older, scrawny man with half-lidded eyes opens the door. In his hand is a stump of candle lit with a lick of flame.

"Yes, who is it?" He asks sleepily.

The first figure grins and steps into the light, bringing color to his frame. He wears a fancy suit, one expected to be worn by a gentleman, or a charlatan. The more observant eye would notice tears and holes in the fabric, carefully mended by a steady hand. Of course, the first thing which would call your attention would be the large top hat which sat upon his head. The second would be the long, rope-like tail which extended from the seat of his pants.

"Is that any way to greet your best customers?"

The elder man's eyes widen in recognition, and a smile plays upon his lips.

"Ah, the March brothers! Please, please, come in," he says, opening the door wider to allow them entry. The light spilling from inside illuminated the second figure, a boy wearing a tan jacket and shorts, with shirt beneath. A pair of hare ears protruded from atop his head.

"So, any particular reason why you decided to use the back entrance? Not many customers enter through that way."

Al clamped his hand on his nervous brother's shoulder.

"It's his first time here, so I wanted to give him the full experience. He was a bit nervous at first, but after I told him you sell a particular selection of items, he was sold."

"Oh, truly?" the elder man grins.

"Uh, so, where are they?" Ed nervously says. The shop owner points to the far corner with barely contained laughter.

"The love charms are over there."

Ed gains a furious blush on his face, and dashes to the corner. Al and the shop owner are already laughing, holding onto each other for support.

"So," the man says, after they manage to contain their laughter, "What do you need?"

Al reaches into his pocket and pulls out a deck of cards, in a box marked with strange figures. He hands it to the man, who pulls out the cards and stares at them carefully.

"The cards, they don't feel right. It feels like, the timing is off. Does that make sense?"

"No, not exactly," the man says, after a time. "In fact, you're the only customer I've had who was ever unsatisfied with my goods. Well, was that one other time, but she was a long time ago."

The shop owner reaches into the pocket of his coat and pulls out a new box of cards, which he tosses to Al.

"Those just came in this morning. How do they feel?"

Al flips through the deck, listening carefully.

"They feel… better."

"Good. Now then," the man says with a hungry grin, "about my price."

Al puts on a grin of his own.

"I'm willing to haggle for it."

"Well, then, let's begin."

END