Which One is the Oracle?

Life, Organisation Association

Following their agreement on trade, Maxim had taken his leave. The others had gone with him, leaving Fubuki alone in the tepid baths with Shōjō. The red-clad girl was still sopping wet and asking inane questions, but she was not what occupied Fubuki's interest. Rather, the Black Blade was most curious about the dark-haired, becatted girl who had burst in to retrieve her white-furred feline friend.   It wasn't too unusual for someone to show up unannounced on the Matsumoto Black Galleon. Perhaps it was a bit rarer in the Mirror Imperial Palace, but Fubuki was never one to put great concern on managing the comings and goings of her* domain. Still, they should at least be properly introduced. Playing gamely along with Shōjō's torrent of nonsense, Fubuki took a moment to find what she* was looking for: a stray clump of white hairs stuck between two planks on the floor.

The trail led Fubuki out of the bathhouse and into the main building. A scratch here, a snowy hair there, and soon she* had arrived at a room which wasn't quite like the others in this hall. Most notably, it was lit from within. A powerful scent of incense wafted out from the slight crack between the sliding doors. Shōjō, who had of course followed alone, seemed to be winding down at this point. Fubuki left her with a mystery. What can be traded, yet is even more valuable than money? That was the Black Blade's preferred currency. Of course, Shōjō figured this out right away. The answer was obviously Money 2. With that she departed to tell her mother about this startling discovery.   Now alone, Fubuki was free to effect some introductions. She* knocked. As if waiting for this very moment, the door slid open apparently under its own power. If there had been someone, for example hiding by the door and making it slide open mysteriously, their form was lost in the blinding flash of white light that magically erupted from the room's interior. Once Fubuki blinked it away, she* beheld the dark-haired cat-hatted girl from before sitting within. A low table was spread out before her, with a rich red cloth laid over it. Mysteriously, she was holding out a sheaf of cards in her hand. This was unusual, but Fubuki didn't hesitate for an instant.   Stepping forward, the Black Blade took a seat on the other side of the low table. She* reached out and plucked one of the long, rectangular cards from the rest. Upon its surface, a mighty black tower was emblazoned against a rolling desert. A single emerald glittered at the tor's peak. For a moment, the fortune-teller was silent. Fubuki looked closer. The girl was actually reading something in her lap, a small book, while hoping the other wouldn't notice.   Still, the Black Blade said nothing. Soon the other was ready. She pronounced that the Tower represented destruction, or purging perhaps, or... Fubuki, however, was only interested in one thing. How could she* avoid that fate? The very idea seemed a bit strange to the other. Avoid it? How can one avoid fate?   With a faint smile, Fubuki passed the card back. Except now, it wasn't the Tower. This card displayed Tsukijō Hanahane in all of his glimmering, shining glory. At the top, it read: "The Lovers." Fubuki wasn't sure she'd* put that last detail in there, but it still got the reaction she* was hoping for. The fortune teller trailed off as her eyes met Hanahane's brilliant gems. She sputtered, stuttered, and was completely lost for a moment.   Finally, Fubuki laughed and gave the actual Tower back. The fortune teller took it with a blush, admitting that she'd been trying something new. Usually, to get a vision of the future, she would have to do something quite different. As if to demonstrate, the girl whacked the cat biting the top of her head. Its teeth dug further into her skin and her eyes suddenly shifted. They colored yellow for a moment, their pupils narrowing to feline slits. She spoke with a voice that wasn't quite the same as before. The Voice of the Prophet.   This fortune was more specific than the other. It foretold that Fubuki was hounded, to be chased by something from a place beyond. It would come for her* sometime after dawn. If the Black Blade would survive, she* must heed the words of sages long dead.   Blinking, the fortune teller came back. Her wide eyes were back to normal as she gazed at Fubuki expectantly. The Black Blade could only confirm her predictions. There probably would be an attack, but that was why she* had created this place; so that her* friends would not suffer the same disasters as might befall her*.   The sentiment seemed to strike home with the becatted girl. She nodded slowly, then explained that she'd come here from Kaya. There was a feeling, a sense, a prediction, that she was meant to meet someone aboard this ship. It could be none other than Fubuki. Plus, she was really tired of all the tourists in Kaya. If Fubuki would have her, she'd like to count herself among those friends.   The Black Blade was all too happy to oblige, so long as the girl helped out from time to time. The Black Galleon was still being set up, and wasn't yet quite self-sufficient. On that note, if the fortune teller could whisk up a trader from the mists of the future, that would be a big help. The girl was at least willing to try. She bonked herself on the cat again, then pronounced a cryptic premonition.   A time would come soon when Fubuki would be able to find a trader such as she* sought. It would not be free, however. The rats would hold the answer.   Some of that was straightforward, but Fubuki didn't know any rats. ...Did she*? Nah. Some cats, but no rats. Regardless, the teller herself couldn't help. She didn't write the fortunes, they just came from Elsewhere. Still, she was happy to be on board as part of the crew. She introduced herself as Nekoi Nekoi, then staggered when Fubuki introduced herself* in turn.   The Black Blade did not bother with obfuscation here. She* gave her true name, Matsumoto Ooawagaeri, as well as Fubuki and some other nicknames. As it happened, Nekoi was a fan. She'd been around during the legendary Black Blade's heyday, and had followed his career with great interest.   That they had been brought together now, after Ooawagaeri's supposed death, could only be fate.