As soon as Marianne stepped inside the offices of Lady Crane's Mystic Services, she was greeted by a cramped reception, the classical sounds of Relic FM on an analog radio, and a Dusclops standing behind what could charitably be called a "front desk".

"Duuuus...?"

It was hardly a fantastic first impression. Alas, there's only so much that could be done with the however-many-square-feet were available, and this lobby was one of the necessary casualties. There's little in this room, no chairs, no coffee table, not even so much as a magazine rack, because there simply isn't the space for them. There isn't even much in the way of decoration, just off-white wallpaper and beige carpeting. There's nothing to do but stand there and wait until your appointment is called, with nothing to distract you but the ghost acting as the receptionist. It's fortunate, then, that this particular wait only lasts a few seconds.

"...Clops."

With a nod, the spectre reached over its desk to pull open the door beside it, and gestured Marianne inside.

What awaited on the other side was a far cry from the plain cry from the "stock"-"standard" waiting room she had been standing in moments earlier. Even before one passed through the doorframe, they could smell smoke and burning incense wafting through the air. However, the difference would only grow more stark as one pressed further. Plain walls and floors were replaced with shoji screens and tatami mats, the sterile fluorescent lighting replaced by the warm glow of lanterns.

And in the middle of the room, sitting behind a short-legged table, was none other than Lady Crane herself, draped in a far-too-intricate kimono, her face obscured by a conical hat decorated with many a hanging talisman.

"Ah, Miss Lovelace! Come, sit. Tell me, would you like a cup of tea?"

---

Marianne Lovelace

"Very well. Ichi, be a dear and fetch us two cups of tea, please."

The Dusclops barely had barely even closed the door behind it before it was saddled with another job to do. Still, it did not seem annoyed by this turn of events. Instead, it simply let out a low rumble of response, before moving further into the building. It certainly was nice, having stalwart and reliable help. Especially when they took their paychecks in the form of the cheap kibble from the bottom shelf of the Pokemart.

As the spectre busied himself with the crushing of leaves and boiling of water, Mitsuru busied herself with the shuffling of cards. Tarot, to be specific, though not the genuine Kalosian kind. No, this was a special deck of her own curation, more suitable to her Johtonian roots, and... Less off-putting to general audiences. That is to say, she took out the Death card and replaced it with a less grisly equivelant. Was it less authentic? Sure, but it was also far less of a headache. Seriously.

"It's simple, really." Lady Crane explained, placing the deck onto the table and neatening up the edges. "Each of these cards is a glimpse into everything that is you. Past, present, and future. What is, and what isn't. What could, and what couldn't. All of these insights come together into a bigger picture, and it is in that picture that you will find the answers you seek."

With that, she settled her hand atop the deck, ready to draw.

"If you have any questions, now is the time to ask them. Otherwise, we may begin as soon as you are ready."

---

Marianne Lovelace

Things were going well so far. Sure, Marianne seemed a little doubtful of her methods, but that was hardly unusual. This wasn't the first time she'd dealt with someone on the skeptical side, and it likely wouldn't be the last. All she needed to do was flip the right cards and say the right things, and everything would work out fine.

Of course, that was the hard part, wasn't it? As her fingers rested upon the top of the deck, Mitsuru took a deep breath. Then, in a single movement, she drew a card and placed it upon the table.

XII - THE HANGED MAN, REVERSED: A Malamar hangs off a T-shaped cross, a glimmering halo of indistinct energy encircling its head. Typically, the Malamar is supposed to be upside-down, but because the card is reversed, it appears rightside-up instead.

Okay. Okay! This? This was workable.

"Tell me, Miss Lovelace..." Lady Crane began, her voice softer and gentler than it had been the moment before. "How do you feel about your future? That is, the future you want for yourself. Do you feel as though you have to struggle every step of the way in pursuit of what you want? Or does it feel like the natural flow of your day-to-day life is bringing you closer to what you desire?"

---

Marianne Lovelace