Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“I’ll throw in some extra tortas if you tell me my fortune.”</span> you promised. <span class="mu-r">“There’s gotta be something you can tell me.”</span>
Mantis looked sorely tempted by that offer. She seemed to be struggling with herself over whether to agree or not.
<span class="mu-g">“Okay, but…a lot of it won’t make sense until you’re in the moment. If we give away too much, then that might alter your future. Or…it might lead to a situation where you ensure the future comes to pass. It’s ‘tricky business’, or so this one’s been told.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“It doesn’t have to be anything big. We’d even settle for a tip.”</span> Abe said.
Mantis placed her hands on her hips and nodded.
<span class="mu-g">“Very well. <span class="mu-i">Just</span> the tip.”</span> she declared.
You and Abe exchanged glances, wondering whether that had been intentional or not.
Seeing that Mantis had agreed to your little arrangement, Chef Ameyama got started on the next round of torta orders.
<span class="mu-g">“It’s not very often that we give advice to an Archetype, so bear with this one.”</span> Mantis said, her eyes and antennae glowing green as she turned to you. She had a far off look in her eye. It was as if she was looking right through you. <span class="mu-g"><span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-i">“Ooh, she’s cute. But shy. Too shy to remove her mask. I hope he’s nice to her.”</span></span></span>
This was unlike any fortune telling you’ve ever seen. She was just muttering to herself about nonsense, too caught up in her own vision to-
In two long strides, Mantis was standing directly in front of you. She leaned up on the tips of her toes and brought her lips close to your ear. You tried to flinch back, but a gentle brush from her hand to your cheek left you rooted in place.
<span class="mu-g"><span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-i">“Tell Peter to wear the Dinosaur costume. The red one with horns. It’ll impress her.”</span></span></span>
Her words echoed through your head, shaking you down to your core. They weren’t prophetic or inspiring by any means, but something about them felt…
<span class="mu-b">“I don’t think Ana’s gonna like you getting up close and personal with an Avenger.”</span> Abe teased.
<span class="mu-r">“Huh?”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“Oh, not you Anna. I meant the <span class="mu-i">other</span> Ana.”</span>
Anna nodded, but she still looked confused.
<span class="mu-g"><span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-i">“Protect the Slayer.”</span></span></span> Mantis continued. <span class="mu-g"><span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-i">“Your fates are intertwined now.”</span></span></span>
Your head was practically vibrating with every word she spoke. Slowly, she withdrew her hand and gave you a sad smile.
<span class="mu-g">“You’re going to be okay. The road ahead is dark, and you will feel <span class="mu-i">truly</span> alone. Just follow the light…”</span>
You blinked several times and shook your head to clear the fog that had enveloped your brain. Before either of you could react, Mantis turned to Abe and placed her hand on his neck.
He tensed for a moment, but he quickly melted into her embrace, just as you had. You strained your ears to hear what she was saying, and you were pretty sure you caught the words “needle” and “desk” at the beginning there.
(Cont.)
