Mark
*This was the spot*, Uriel thought to themselves as they navigated the labyrinth-like library. They wore their usual attire, if seeming a little more tired and drained than usual, and gave a quick swivel of their head to look for 'Alive Being,' whoever they were.
Paul
Very few people came to the nook, so when Uriel found their way up the stairwell, Fennel had a pretty good idea of who it was. They smiled and waved. "Hey! The_red_king, right?"
Mark
Uriel blinked twice at the person saying their intra handle out loud. It was... An odd sort of feeling, especially when Alive Being said *King*. 

Perhaps it was a poor name, in hindsight. Still... They *Did* Find it pretty apt. 

"Oh, yes... Ah, but you may call me Uriel. Might I ask for your name, Alive Being?" Their tone is airy and polite as they sit across from the mysterious tarot diviner, hands neatly folded on their lap.
Paul
Fennel chuckled softly. "Fennel. It's nice to meet you, Uriel." They agreed, though they didn't know Uriel thought the same; it was odd hearing an intranet handle said out loud. Either way, they were going to say Uriel moving forward.

They retrieved a few neatly boxed decks from a little bag they'd brought with them. "So, how are you feeling?"
Mark
Uriel's snow-white eyebrows knitted together slightly. 

"Me? I'm feeling a bit... Troubled. I'm happy you opened your commissions when you did." They give Fennel a small smile. 

"I was asking if the cards could help me with an issue I currently have. I angered a friend, and I don't exactly know what to do or why I angered them. I was wondering if the cards have any advice for me." 

As they speak, their thickly-accented voice falters, if only for a bit. They didn't enjoy talking about their feelings, but given the layers of vagueness they had covered their story in, it should be alright... 

"So, ah... What should I do now?" They fidget slightly, staring intently at the cards with their cloudy, 100-yard stare.
Paul
Fennel nodded patiently. "Trouble with a friend? Alright..." They gazed at their deck boxes for a moment. "Well, nothing much. Just listen. I might have some questions for you to answer while I'm reading the cards, in case I need more information."

Their hand settled on a sleek black box, which opened to reveal equally sleek, minimalistic-styled cards, and they began shuffling. "Are you feeling alright?" They asked, trying to settle Uriel's nerves a little. It was clear the subject was difficult for them.
Mark
"Oh. Yes." 

Uriel gives Fennel a reassuring smile. 

"I am just a bit... Curious, about this whole ordeal. I've never done anything like this. Perhaps I'm a bit nervous for what it has to say... And I don't talk about myself often, so it's odd to have the attention turned onto me." 

Uriel's gloved hands tighten the braid tangling from their shoulder. 

"That's all. Please, continue. I'm very excited... Among other things."
Paul
"Alright." Fennel smiled, still patiently, and pulled the first card.

Nine of cups, reversed.

Fennel nodded sagely, mumbling something to themselves. 

"So the Nine of Cups typically signals contentment, satisfaction, fulfillment," Fennel explained. "Here it's in the reversed position, though. That could mean you've gotten something you wanted, and it's left you unsatisfied, or it could mean that the happiness you've felt has caused you to behave in an inconsiderate way. There might be more context if we move on."
Mark
A confused look. This process was... Interesting. *What could this all mean?*

"How many cards will we draw? Is there a certain spread we are using?" Their gloved hand cups their chin, deep in thought. 

The first card certainly seemed promising... Nine Of Cups, reversed. Could they have been inconsiderate without realizing it? It could be an interesting approach, to re-examine their messages. It seemed more useful than the other interpretation— Uriel was satisfied, they supposed, but their own *Satisfaction* Wasn't something that crossed their mind often. 

"Ah, please continue. That seems... Promising!"
Paul
"Oh, I do three-card spreads," Fennel swiftly elucidates. "For questions like this, I like to do a spread of you, the other person, and the relationship between you. Which, speaking of..."

They pull another card. Three of Swords, upright.

Fennel doesn't have to ponder it for very long. "The Three of Swords. This deck isn't quite the same as the Rider-Waite, so the message isn't quite as strong as I would maybe like, but this represents hurt, betrayal, unpleasant revelations. It seems like, so far, you've hurt this person, maybe because you thought about your own feelings without considering theirs. Does that sound like it could make sense?"
Mark
The paler then usual expression on their face and guilty expression says far more than any words could. 

"...I didn't know these cards were so effective." They stare, blinking slowly at the deck in front of them. 

*Finley feels like I betrayed them.* A frown contorts Uriel's expression, and they sigh. 

"It's... Bad, but I suppose I am relieved to have answers. Knowledge is power, after all. If the Universe has something to tell me, I'll listen."
Paul
Fennel can see the shock and grief on Uriel's face, plain as day. It's probably better than the alternative, they think, but they still elect to offer a few comforting words.

"Hey. We can take a break if you'd like. The universe will still have something to say in five minutes." They pause for a moment. "These are minor arcana. That doesn't mean they're unimportant, but it does mean these things are temporary. I know it seems bad, but it could just be a bump in the road you have to clear."

"You let me know if you need a moment, okay?"
Mark
"Thank you. You are very kind. This is... Insightful." 

They eye their thermos, and take a large drink of piping hot green tea. Some liquid dribbles down their chin, and they take out a lilac handkerchief before dabbing the water away. 

"You can continue. I just thought the opportunity to drink tea is always a good one. You may have some, if you'd like." 

They gently push the thermos to Fennel's side of the table.
Paul
Fennel signals a wordless "No thank you" And gently pushes the thermos back to Uriel.

They flip another card. A major arcana, but not like anyone vaguely familiar with the Rider-Waite would recognize. It depicts a grail, in the center of frame, overflowing with a dark red liquid, surrounded by food and drink. Silhouettes party and revel in the background. The text indicates it as "XV. The Red Grail".

Fennel pauses.

"Oh... Huh. Oh. Could you tell me a little bit more about your relationship with this person?"
Mark
Uriel tilts their head, confused at Fennel's pause. They squint at the card, trying to see what was so special about the card sitting innocuously in front of them. 

"Ah.. Well, we're friends. Good ones, I like to think, with a lot in common."

A party scene, with red wine overflowing wine glasses... Perhaps it was the Universe making a coy joke about them both being French. French people do have a reputation, after all... 

"Why do you ask? What does this card mean?"
Paul
"That's the thing," Fennel replied. "This card, the Red Grail, usually represents... Well, hedonistic passion. Passionate love in particular. But unless you're crushing on each other, I might have to look for another interpretation here... Hm."

Fennel closed their eyes for a moment. They were sure there'd be something, but... What?
Mark
Uriel's face goes bright red, and they force a hand over their mouth in order to keep the tea from spewing all over the table. 

After a series of coughs and various French sayings, Uriel looks back at Fennel with an... Interested eye. 

"...*Well*..." Uriel pauses, looking around the library to see if anyone was in earshot. 

"We are arguing because... I do not trust a friend of theirs. Their best friend, and people often tease them for seeming like a couple and acting lovey-dovey." 

A guilty flush graces their face, but again— without the names, hopefully no one would put it together. 

"Could it be... That, do you think?"
Paul
"That..." Fennel pauses for a moment. "...That doesn't sound implausible. Your friend and this other person love one another quite earnestly, and you're hurting your friend by getting in the way of that. I think that makes... Some amount of sense, yes."

But something still seems wrong to Fennel. The third slot represents the relationship between Uriel and their friend, not the relationship between that friend and some other person. There has to be another reason - perhaps in addition to that, rather than instead of it - that the Red Grail appeared in this reading, Fennel thinks.

They take a deep breath, trying to gather their thoughts and remember if there's something they missed, some alternate interpretation.

...

"But I think there's something else, too."
Mark
"Something else?" 

There was something else that not even Uriel was aware of? It piqued their curiosity even *More*, that the cards in front of them laid out a secret. It was mystical, in all the whimsical ways stories usually were. 

"If you have any alternate interpretations, I am all ears. Perhaps they will reveal themselves in time? Or maybe... Ah, this seems kind of silly, but this card reminds me a bit of France. With the wine, and all. We both bond over being French, so... Maybe that's it?"
Paul
"It's actually..." Fennel glanced at the card, then away toward the stairwell. "I remember reading about an interpretation that says it's blood, not wine. The idea is that the Red Grail represents birth and life as well, not just pleasure. Apparently it's somewhat disputed, but I do see the idea, love being connected with fertility and fertility with abundance and such."

Fennel picks up the card to study the details. "I think that what this is saying is that this could be a turning point in your relationship, that something new could be born from the painful conflict you're in right now. There are other cards that could've communicated that more clearly, but..." 

They put the card back down where it was. "I think it's trying to signal that you have to go through labor if you want your relationship with this person to be 'reborn'. It's up to you to make this happen. The cards are just a message, and right now, they're saying the universe can't do all the work."
Mark
Uriel blinks. Slowly, their jaw makes its way to the floor, a shocked expression on their usually pallid face. 

"You're... Right. The cards are right." 

They smile. "There is hope!" 

Without another word, they dig through their purse, gently handing Fennel 5KR. 

"A tip," They say, their features lighter and more relieved than before. "For the help you've given me."
Paul
Fennel smiles back and nods. "I think you should think about what's happened, and then talk to your friend about it. I'm glad I could help." They pack up the cards and take the coin, still smiling, but then switching to a slightly puzzled expression.

"I, uh... I still charge 10kr. You didn't pay me."
Mark
The tips of their ears burn a bright red, and Uriel scratches the back of their neck. 

"Oh. Uh... I..." 

They look in their purse, producing an extra ten krona. 

"Apologies. I must have misread your rates. I was a bit confused when I thought your services were only for one krona... I suppose I should blame that on my sleepiness."
Paul
Fennel's eyes widened, and then immediately narrowed into a jovial laugh. "That explains it! It's alright, it's alright." They accept the money and toss it in the bag with the cards. "I appreciate the business. Good luck with your friend, hun."
Mark
"Thank you. You have given me hope." 

Uriel smiles. 

Perhaps it would be alright, after all. 

——