The other man was practically bouncing on his heels as he led Sal to a part of the library which must have not see much use, as the cat faunus had spread out a colorful cloth that evoked mystical images over a few chairs. He ducked between a parting in the cloth, antennae brushing against the edges and finding himself smiling at how Max looked, seated on a pillow with bright eyes and a wide grin. He even waggled his fingers at Sal. “I tried to create the right atmosphere,” Max purred, “but I don’t have the talents my grandmother possesses. I do have her gift.” His eyes glittered. “You wanna see~?”

“I actually was far more interested in you,” Sal said, flashing one of his trademark grins. “And some of the information that you’ve been--”

“Oh! Oh! Do you want a palm reading?” Max grabbed Sal’s hand before the other could react, tracing soft fingers across his palm. “I’m really good at it! Trust me!”

Sal hesitated, but... what harm could come out of something so simple? If Max revealed anything unsavory about him, he could just deny it anyways. And it might get him on better terms with the Pumpkaboo faunus. With a shrug, Sal sat on one of the cushions, pushing his prosthetic leg into a comfortable position.. and with the grenade launcher in easy reach. Just in case. “Sure! Show me some of those gifts of yours in action,” Sal drawled with a smile.

Max wasted no time in turning Sal’s palm over, his pupils narrowing into slits and forehead wrinkling. The faunus said nothing for several minutes, causing Sal to fidget, unsure of he should break the silence with questions or leave the poignant moment.

... Sal, however, could never stay silent for long, especially where the reading of secrets was concerned. “Do you see anything you like there, do--”

“Your Fate line.” One of Max’s claws traced a line at the edge of his palm. “I haven’t seen anything like this in years.”

“And, ah, what’s that?” Sal’s apprehension was increasing the longer that he stayed there.

“It’s... It’s a line that shows your connection to someone else,” Max said, his voice soft. “Someone who will become very important to you. Your Fate Line is... it’s twisted. It’s twisted right at its very core.”

Sal squirmed. “What do you mean?”

“You have someone who will become intrinsically important to you,” Max continued. “They have the potential to become everything. Your friend, your lover, your soulmate...” Max’s eyes lifted to Sal’s, locking the bug faunus in place. “Your salvation.”

Sal shuddered and tried to pull his hand away, but Max held on. “They will have the same line. They will tie into your life in ways you can’t even begin to imagine. They will be the key to everything you wanted... And potentially... They will ruin you. A fate line like this... So twisted... It can break. It can break and snap. It can unravel and leave you unfulfilled. Alone.”

Alone. Sal hissed, and couldn’t keep up appearances. He jerked his hand away and strode out of that makeshift tent. “You’re lying, Max,” Sal called over his shoulder. “How can someone like me end up alone?”

“Do you want to know who that person is?” Max stood, following Sal until the bug faunus whipped around to glare at him. “I could tell you. If I ever see them. If they let me look at their palm.”

Sal hesitated... and then shook his head. “Keep your answers, I can find my own.”

Max watched the Nincada faunus depart with a sigh, and started to pull the blankets down.

Max already knew the other person that would tie into Sal’s life. It was an Umbreon Faunus with a moon embedded in her palm, with blood that soaked her skin and would leave her mark on Sal.