In Secret (Sequel to Behind the Scenes)

Just A Glance

"What's this one mean, Miss?"

Vesper had returned her hands to her cards, already searching for another card. Juvia frowned slightly, why hadn't she immediately explained this one? Was it something bad? The seer paused her search, resting her hands on the pile of cards.

"Well, all cards have many meanings on their own, plus the cards that present themselves together can change their meanings. The point is that they are just a suggestion at what is to come or has the possibility to happen. Set like this, the chariot suggests that you are feeling as if you control over your life. This is not a surprising card for a child. Often young ones such as yourself feel this way because you are forced to school or chores. It can also suggest that you are at risk of losing control of your own self. That you have a temper. Does that sound like you?"

The boy's cheeks flushed again as he looked down, nodding slowly. Juvia rested her hand on his shoulder, smiling when he glanced up at her. She squeezed his shoulder gently and his chin rose again, once more turning his attention to the woman across the table from him. Vesper smiled and moved to lift her hands over the cards again. Kasai giggled, pointing at her wrist as he noticed a card stuck to her skin.

"Oh! Looks like the next one presented itself already!"

The fortune teller smiled back at him, reaching her right hand to pull the card from her other wrist and lay it on the table. Juvia was watching her closely this time, a strange feeling settling into the water mage's stomach. Because of this, she saw the color drain from Vesper's face as she dropped the card in front of Kasai, her eyes losing focus. Of course the boy was entranced by the weapons and not the outline of a body that they were stabbed into.

"Oh, cool! Swords! What does this one me-"

The child's words were cut off by a soft wail that was beginning to escape from Vesper's throat, her eyes seeing something that wasn't there. Juvia jumped when the older seer was suddenly behind her partner, gripping her shoulders. The Rain Woman quickly stepped sideways so her back was to the entrance of the tent, whipping her head to check on the twins. They had their heads together whispering about something and hadn't even noticed the event that was unfolding mere feet away from them. Kasai shot to his feet, his hands on the table as Vesper started to cry.

"Miss?! What is it?!"

The older woman had begun to make soothing sounds, rubbing Vesper's back and shoulders to calm her down, but looked up at the boy's panic. She cast her eyes over the cards, her own face paling slightly as she answered.

"The Ten of Swords in that position signifies an unexpected failure or disaster. Sometimes you can control or avoid it, but paired with these other cards... I do not know. As for Vesper, she has a type of magic in her eyes. Sometimes she loses herself in a true sight. She will not remember it when she wakes, so there is no need for you to wait. I would ask that you leave immediately, and drop the curtain on your way out."

Although her words themselves sounded harsh, Juvia could tell she meant them well and was simply concerned for her partner. The Fairy Tail mage nodded, reaching a hand to tug on Kasai's shirt.

"Kel, Kyle, come with Juvia. There are many things still to do before this night is over."

She tried to keep her voice light so she wouldn't alarm the twins or wake Saki, who had amazingly slept through everything that had happened. The young fire mage stepped very close to Juvia, pressing his back against her leg as he stared wide eyed at the young seer who was still sat crying at the table. Juvia, draped her free arm over his shoulder soothingly and turned to the twins as they stepped up to her, clutching a deck of cards between them.

"Children, Gajeel-kun said no stealing!"

She hissed her words softly, worried that after setting off the younger of the two fortune tellers the elder would have them thrown from the carnival if they were found to be stealing. Or worse. Gajeel had trusted her with the children's safety, she couldn't let them be taken. Kyle shook his head, looking up at her with wonder in his eyes as Kel's sweet voice piped up.

"Granny told us to take them! She said we have the magic!"

As if she knew what they were saying, the old woman lifted her eyes to them once again, calling after them as Juvia backed out of the tent.

"Please. Get them help with their magic. They have amazing potential."

Juvia met her gaze and nodded once, pushing Kasai gently out of the tent and gesturing for the twins to follow. She walked out behind them, raising her hand to catch a string that was holding the tent flap open. The group stood there for a moment, readjusting to the sounds and smells that they hadn't even noticed were missing while they'd been inside. Suddenly, the twins giggled and whirled to face their chaperone.

"We have magic!"  

A/N - Woo! Got this one out a little faster than I had thought! One more chapter of the carnival, I think and then we're moving on to other things! Believe it or not, I had thought this one was only going to be one chapter to begin with. XD

Huge shout out to Muddyevil, my best friend and partner in crime. She's on fanfiction.net and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for Gajevy fics or Bixanna. She's wonderful. 

Also, huge thanks to @breenie731 and @amyponds2nddaughter. I was legitimately blown away by the notifications from you two and it made my week. Ask Muddyevil, I was fangirling so hard about the comments. 

Much loves! <3