Seagulls cry as they flew over the sea, catching fish for their meal. Diving into the ocean, they fly back out with silvery fish caught between their beaks. They settle by the dock where they ate contentedly. Several ships docked at the harbor with several men hauling them in, tying them to the pier to prevent them from floating away. Longshoremen yell at each other as they carried down the cargo. The ship's passengers look around at the beautiful town of Tiburio, known for its frequent light festivals. Smiles appeared on their faces as carriages appeared to take them to their destinations. Children squealed in delight, grabbing their leading mothers' hands.

At the town square, several townspeople were putting up a stage with the women decorating it. The men heaved and hoed as the stage was brought up. Others put up stands to sell their products for the festival, making them as attractive as possible. Children chased each other around, tagging each other while their parents were at work.

By the town entrance, two handsome travelers walked in with their satchels hanging by their shoulders. They wore simple outfits, indicating their simple livelihood. The tallest among them wore a beige shirt with three buttons left undone, partially revealing his chest. The sleeves were folded to his elbows. He wore brown pants and black-laced boots. His right wrist had a leather wristband around it. The man had a lean and muscular build and fair skin. His face was stoic, while his forehead was scrunched into a small scowl. His turquoise eyes looked out for thieves since they were nearly robbed by bandits earlier. He was also bespectacled, wearing black colored framed glasses.

His companion was not as tall as he, only reaching by his ear. He had messy black hair that is parted at the right side of his face with some locks of his hair reaching his nose. Like his friend, he was fair skinned, but had a leaner build. His blue eyes shone with excitement with a grin on his face. His outfit consisted of a simple blue shirt and beige trousers. He wore brown leather boots. The man also wore a flat hat on his head. Both men looked young, probably in their early to mid-twenties.

The blue-eyed man breathes in the fresh air and grins broadly, "We're finally here in Tiburio." He sighs as they walked along the road while glancing at his surroundings.

"I know," His friend replies bluntly. "A town known for its beautiful festivals."

"And we could meet lovely ladies, make new families—"

"That's quite a dream you've got there." The bespectacled man remarked sarcastically. "And to think we left our hometown when we became eighteen. ."

His friend laughs nervously at the memory. "What? We wanted to go on an adventure!" He exclaims. "We wanted to have an exciting life! And I guess it's time to settle down." The man adds, looking ahead of him.

The bespectacled man chuckles, "I guess. Well, we have been traveling for seven years, Pietro." He remarked, alarming his friend.

"Uwwaaaaa???? That long??"

"Heh. Seems like traveling dulled your not-so-smart brain."

"Abelle!"

"What?" He asks, pushing back his glasses. "I'm just saying."

The two explored the town, darting their eyes from one corner to another. They watched people come and go as they bought and prepared for the festival. Everyone seemed excited. Soon the two reached the town square where the people were most busy. They watched them decorate the stage with so much passion into it. Children continued to run about, receiving scolding from their parents, but it didn't stop them from playing.

"Oh, my! The festival will be here in two days!" A middle-aged woman exclaimed, clasping her hands together.

"Yeah. Then that fortuneteller is going to have countless numbers of customers again." Grumbled a man.

She laughs, "What are you talking about?" The woman asks. "Only a few would dare enter the shop."

"Are you blind or something? I catch her letting in wandering travelers at night!"

"Eh?! Really??" Asks a younger man.

"But they do always leave the next morning."

Another man snickers, "I hear she's a beauty."

"You've never seen her face?" Asks a curious girl.

"She's always cooped up in that fancy shop of hers." Replies the man.

"Hey! A friend of mine wanted to check the shop out when he visited for a festival!" Exclaims another man, joining the group's conversation.

"Eh??" Cries the others.

"H-How did she look like??" Asks the girl.

"He said that he was completely blown away at the sight of her!"

"Tch. A way to seduce her customers, eh?" Sneered the older man from earlier. "Fortunetellers are nothing, but trouble. Their so called fortunes are nothing but lies."

The other man laughs, "If what she said was all about lies, then how did she know that he was a friend of mine? I never even talked to the woman!" He points out, shocking his companions.

"A-Are you serious??"

"I ain't joking."

Unknown to them, the two curious travelers have been eavesdropping on their conversation. They had become curious and wanted to hear some gossip from the townspeople, but they never expected that it would be about some fortuneteller. Pietro's eyes shone with curiosity, immediately drawn to the subject, but his friend only scowled in suspicion. The bespectacled man pulls his friend away, leaving the gossiping folks behind, surprising his friend.

He grunts in surprise, feeling a strong tug on his collar that nearly made him fall backwards. The man flails his arms to keep his balance, yelling angrily at his friend who ignored him until they couldn't hear the gossiping anymore. Stopping nearby, Pietro pants to catch his breath, glancing at his friend who leaned against the post with his hands in his pockets, his satchel hanging on his shoulder with the sling across his chest.

"W-What was that all about??" Pietro asks irritably, his friend only gave him a hard look in response. "Well??"

"Tch. You were drawn to the conversation." Points out Abelle.

He gives his friend a disbelieved look, "Of course I was!"

"We shouldn't get fooled into such things." The bespectacled man tells his friend coldly. "Let's go." He adds, walking away along with the other passing townspeople along with tourists.

"That bastard." Thought the blue-eyed man, glaring at his friend from behind. "The subject was interesting! I'm suddenly curious to find whoever that woman is—" His train of thought was suddenly interrupted the moment he felt his hat snatched off from his head. He gasps in shock, whirling around to see the thief. The man frantically darts his eyes around, hoping to find his cap. Panicking, he calls out to his friend who responded with an irritated look.

"What is it?" Abelle asks irritably.

"S-Someone's took my cap!"

The man sighs in annoyance; "You mean that monkey over there?" He asks, pointing at a post.

Pietro turns around and his eyes widen in surprise to see a monkey wearing his brown-colored flat cap. He chuckles in amusement at first then asks the monkey to hand it back. It chattered and gibbered at him teasingly, waving his cap around and even tossed it in the air instead of returning it. The man tries to get it back, but taking something back from a monkey would be difficult when the person is not the master.

Or at least if the monkey itself was not mischievous, but unfortunately he was.

Hearing laughter, the man turns to the voice in embarrassment, only to realize that it was Abelle laughing at him. Pietro glares at him with burning eyes. Turning back to the monkey and he tries again to snatch his beloved cap back, but to no avail. Suddenly the monkey was agile and fast, and unfortunately sly as well. The creature jerks his head up, his ears seemingly focusing on a sound familiar to him. He dashes off with the hat on his head, alarming Pietro who gaped at him,

"How amusing." Remarked Abelle.

His friend seethes his teeth irritably, "Enough with your blabbering and help me get it back!" Pietro barks, running off after the monkey.

Running as fast as he could the man struggles to keep the monkey in sight, determined not to lose his cap. He worms his way through the crowd, while apologizing to each person he bumps into. Panting, he wondered where the monkey was taking him. Pietro panicked a little when he realized that he was nearing the town square, leaving Abelle behind. Unknown to him, his friend was just close by.

Glancing at his surroundings, he realizes that he was surrounded with shops. People around him went in and out with baskets at hand. From the corner of his eye, he saw an old man sell antiques and foreign objects. Others sold food, some sold furniture. He averts his gaze and focused on keeping the monkey in check. The creature continued to scamper on the rooftops with the cap still on his head. Soon he stopped then goes onside the building through an open window, discouraging Pietro. Refusing to give up he examines the building, only to realize that it was a fortunetelling shop by the name: Negozio di Fortune (Shop of Fortunes).

Hearing footsteps behind him, he turns and sees no one but Abelle. He was panting then glances at the shop, his eyes narrowed at the sight of the name. "So it led us here, huh?"

"I guess." Replied Pietro.

The building was somewhat fancy and the air around it seemed to match the name. It felt a little eerie since only a handful of people were around. Surprisingly, the house stood out compared to the houses that were in uniform. It had a balances symmetrical rectangular shape that was painted white. It had a dark red roof with wide, overhanging eaves with brackets and cornices. The walls were painted white. There were large, tall, double-paned windows with hood holdings and flower boxes. It also had side bay windows as well. There was a single, heavily molded door with segmented arches above. On the arch was the shop's name. Like all the other houses, it was lifted.

Pietro glances at his friend, only to see him scowl. He averts his eyes then tries to peek inside, but heavy red curtains blocked the view. The man decides that he had no choice, but to ask from the owner for the cap. Approaching the house, he felt Abelle's hand stop him. "What are you doing?" His friend asked harshly.

He glares, "Obviously going inside to get my cap back." Pietro hissed.

"Tch. Is it really that precious??"

"It was Claudio's!"

Abelle sighs, "Fine. Let's get your brother's cap back." He quickly replies, deciding not to argue with his friend.

He lets go of his friend's shoulder, walking ahead of Pietro in the process. Pietro quickly catches up to his friend. Both men felt nervous as the climbed up the steps. They quickly realized that the shop was closed, seeing a sign. Hesitantly, Abelle opens the door, a bell ringing in the process. The room was revealed to be dimly lit, but enough to see the interior.

Looking around, they saw a hat stand beside the door. The wallpaper had a simple design and was colored off-white. It also had a red accent. On the walls were paintings of tarot cards (the Major Arcana). There were decorations as well, consisting of mysterious looking items like a willow hoop, on which is woven a loose web. It was decorated with beautiful beads and feathers; they were hung by the windows. It was surprisingly spacious, only having little furniture. In front of the two men was apparently a tea table, which they presumed was for guests. Then far ahead was a flight of stairs with a door beside it. There were lanterns as well, but they were not lit.

"May I help you?" Asked an enchanting melodious voice.

The men turn to the owner, revealing to be a gorgeous woman. She sat by the counter with cards in her hand. Light from the open window shone upon her face, displaying that she was fair skinned, but her wavy, jet-black bangs covered her right eye. She seemed to wear a beautifully patterned bandanna around her head. Her blouse was off shoulder, revealing her shoulders, chest and slender neck. The men glanced at her face when she slightly leaned forward. Their eyes widen when they realized her amazing dark violet eyes that seemed deep like the abyss. They shone in the light, gleaming.

The men were stunned, and the woman seemed to have noticed it when she said: "Come in. And please close the door behind you, gentlemen." Obediently, they did what they were asked. "So. How may I be of service?" She asked, placing down her cards. The two men approach the counter when she gestured them to come forward. They took their seats that were in front of the counter.

"U-Uh, a monkey took my hat and he went here, so I followed him." Replies Pietro, still awestruck.

"I see. Shandor, come in here!" She calls. A monkey immediately descends from the stairs and scampers to her shoulder. "Did you take a brown flat cap?" The woman asks the monkey. Pietro's eyes widened in surprise, wondering how the woman knew how is hat looked like and even knew what kind of hat it was. Abelle, though, only frowned in suspicion.

The chattered and gibbered, making the two travelers wonder how the woman understood her pet. She frowns at him, sending the creature dashing up the stairs then comes back with the cap. It climbs on the counter then roughly places it on the blue-eyed man's head, covering his eyes. Pietro chuckles in amusement when the monkey climbs onto his shoulder as he adjusted the cap.

"So we're buddies now?" Pietro asks the monkey, grinning at the creature. It gibbered and pulled on his cheeks and pokes it as well, making the man chuckle in amusement.

The woman gets up from her seat and started turning in the lanterns, illuminating the room. She was revealed to be wearing a beautifully patterned, purple skirt that resembled those of a gypsy; it reached to her ankles. She wore strapped sandals as well. Her blouse was white with gartered neckline, hem, and cuffs. They also had small ruffles. It displayed her slender waist and flat stomach, making the men blush slightly. Her hair reached nearly mid-back with waves that flowed like ocean waves whenever she moved. She had bangles on her wrist and piercings on her ears. Her face was indeed gorgeous with a beauty mark near her left eye.

"The shop's closed." Says Pietro, striking a conversation.

"That's because I'm only expecting two people to come by." The woman replies calmly, walking back to the counter.

"Two people?"

Her lips curved into a small smile, "It's a long story. But before we get to that would you want to know your fortunes?" She asks.

"I knew it." Grumbled Abelle, scowling while he crossed his arms.

The woman took no offense, "You don't trust fortunetellers because the first one you've encountered tried to trick you." She calmly stated, alarming the two men.

"How did you know that??" Exclaimed Pietro. "Have we met before??"

"Even if we had had met before I wouldn't know because the two of you have never told a soul about this incident." She continued as she took out a pack from the counter.

"How did you—"

"It's a long story, but just as I asked before. . . would you like to know your fortunes first?" She patiently asks again.

Pietro glances at Abelle who only looked at the woman suspiciously. He decided to take the opportunity, believing in her fortunetelling skills after what she has revealed about them. "Yes." He replied, making the woman smile a little, but angered his companion.

"Are you insane?" Whispered Abelle.

"Come on, she knew about the scam four years ago!"

"Have you ever thought that it was her back then??"

"The woman had blue eyes!"

"How would you know?"

"Because I obviously remember!"

"H—"

"Sir, that would be fifty *lire." Interrupts the woman.

Pietro's eyes widened at how expensive it was. "Uwaaa?? That expensive??" He cries in disbelief.

"I only have customers every once in a while." She replies. "The shop may be attractive, but only a few would dare come inside." The man was still hesitant, so she decided to do something else. "Then I'll give you a proposal: I'll reveal ten secrets from each of you. And if I reveal them correctly, I'll receive five lire for each secret that I reveal." The woman slyly suggests.

Pietro starts computing how much it was, but Abelle calculated it first: "That's a hundred lire." He says. "There are ten questions about each of us, making it twenty questions in all. And if she answers them correctly she would get five lire each, which would cost a hundred. Fifty lire from each of us." He tells Pietro who was alarmed.

"T-That's double than the original offer!"

Abelle suddenly grins, "But it's interesting though. If she gets to reveal such things." He remarks, pushing back his glasses.

"So. You up to it?" She asks, still smiling.

"If you don't get to answer them?" Abelle asks slyly.

"Then I give you five lire in return. Just as you give me five lire for each correct revelation, I give you five lire for the wrong ones." She replies calmly. "And if I don't reveal anything correctly, then I lose a hundred lire."

"Then I accept your challenge," says Abelle, leaning back against his chair, "Fortuneteller."

~~~

*lire = Italian currency; plural of lira. Worth 100 centisimo. It was the currency of Italy from 1861 to 1999. 90 lire was equal to 1 British pound. But of course currency value rises up in every few years so 50 lire would be expensive for the people before, but cheap now.

Hey, guys!! Thanks for waiting patiently and reading this book of mine! Thank you so much!! Love you all!!

And YES!! Angelica finally makes her official appearance!!

-Raita with love

P.S. The picture is Angelica, but I will be posting a better one soon!