(no subject)

[trustmybase]

[A bathroom mirror comes slightly into focus, a faint reflection visible. Once the steam clears, it becomes clear it's Marti, though she's full dressed and seems to only be about to brush her teeth when she notices.]

No.

[Darkness. In community time, it seems like only a few seconds but when it turns back on, Marti is on the couch, books in her lap. Something causes her to look up. Immediately, the books drop as she moves to turn it off. ]

I'm losing to a computer. Great, just the boost I need.

[Black again. Next time, seconds later again, she appears, this time standing in front of it.]

Okay, so, I'm being stalked by a pushy computer who wants to play therapist. So, here's for the sharing and caring...

I have the cheerleader audition today. It's normal to be nervous, right? Right. People are nervous. [She begins to pace.] Especially when something as big as a scholarship is on the line. By the way, thanks again Wanda.

[A deep breath and then she stops.] So, I shared. Your turn. Any tips for a girl who's about to try out for the cheerleading for the first time at a college level?

Alcohol's not an option.

Comments

[symbolofhappiness]

That does sound very important. I can understand why you'd be nervous, then.

No. Is that strange?

[trustmybase]

Yeah, not really looking forward to getting kicked out of school.

Anyway, it's not the weirdest thing I've heard here. You have sports, right?

[symbolofhappiness]

I'm sure you'll do fine. You just need to do your best, right?

Yes. [At least, she thinks so. Note to self: research sports.] I've never gotten involved with any or went to see anything, though.

[trustmybase]

But no cheerleaders? How do they ever survive without enthusiastic shouting?

[symbolofhappiness]

I don't know. They might have cheerleaders, for all I know. I just don't know a lot about sports in general. I don't really get out much, I'm afraid.

[trustmybase]

Wait, back up. You're saying there might be cheerleaders, but you don't go out enough to see them?

[symbolofhappiness]

That's right. My house is pretty secluded, so I don't even go out into town very much.

[trustmybase]

T.V.? Internet?

[symbolofhappiness]

We don't have a television. And I only really use the internet for the community.

[trustmybase]

Home schooled?

[Welcome to 20 questions. Marti just can't believe this.]

[symbolofhappiness]

Something like that. [It's close enough, anyway.]

[trustmybase]

... What do you do? For fun, I mean.

[symbolofhappiness]

Eh? Well... I go into town sometimes. It's not a big town, but it can be exciting in its own way. Most of the times I stay home and read.

[trustmybase]

Nothing modern. [Or she would have heard of cheerleaders.]

Guess that's one way to relax, but I don't think it would help nerves.

[symbolofhappiness]

I guess not, no. It can be a bit boring here, but that's what I have the community for.

No, it probably wouldn't. You know, if you want, I could tell your fortune. About your audition, I mean.

[trustmybase]

Fortune? Not a big believer in magic.

[symbolofhappiness]

Hm, are you sure? I've been told I'm very accurate. Actually, it's my job.

[trustmybase]

That's what all of them say while scamming people out of money. No offense.

[She sighs. Maybe after seeing real magic, maybe it's more ridiculous not to play along.]

Maybe. I don't believe it, but anything to take my mind off this.

[symbolofhappiness]

Hm, perhaps. I like to think I'm different. Most of the time I don't even charge people.

Alright then. Give me a moment. [Setsuna takes a tarot deck from her pocket and starts shuffling it. Then, she pulls three cards out of the deck and flips them over on the table. Once that's done, she smiles.] Hm, it shows that if you try your hardest and don't give up, you will succeed in your goal. That's a pretty good fortune.

[trustmybase]

Isn't that generic fortune telling? It sounds like those little motivational posters. "Hang in there until Friday". Or something.

...But hey, motivation. I'll take motivation.

[symbolofhappiness]

It can come off that way sometimes, I'll admit. But it's often more specific than you'd think. For example, this wasn't a normal, general reading, but one specifically about your audition. So the goal here refers to only that, nothing else. [Setsuna picks up one of the cards and holds it up. It's the Wheel of Fortune card.] You're pretty lucky to get this card, too. It means 'success' and 'good luck'.

I hope I was able to help, even if only a little.

[trustmybase]

I could use some of both.

Marti Perkins.

[symbolofhappiness]

Setsuna Higashi. It's very nice to meet you.

[trustmybase]

Setsuna. Got it. [So many less American names here.] So, business must be kind of slow if you don't go out.

[symbolofhappiness]

We - that is, me and my housemates - operate inside our own house. It's fairly big, so we could easily spare a room for fortune telling. But it's in the middle of the forest, so it's very secluded, which means we don't get all that many visitors.

Still, we get enough people to keep going. We have a good reputation for being accurate.