ask no questions and you'll get no lies

virginia santos

Tessa had to admit that she had never believed in anything like this. She figured every person claiming to practice any of these crafts, like tarot reading or whatever it was people did was nothing but a con. There were more than enough people out there willing to believe in something they couldn’t see, something they couldn’t prove wasn’t there, and with that they were easy subjects to con. However, with every single cart Virginia read, Tessa felt as if the woman was reading her like a book. They barely knew each other, how could she possibly guess all of this? Of course, the part about her family was obvious: she sometimes worked at her brother’s bar that was previously owned by their parents. Clearly there was something positive there, but how could she know about the ‘something’ that happened? Perhaps someone had talked about it at the bar? Though the fact that the woman got basically everything down to a tee was somewhat hard to process for someone who didn’t necessarily believe in any of this.

“ Well… ” Tessa let out a soft huff, letting out a soft breath as she sat back into the chair. “ For one, yes, I would like to find a soulmate and I am not really focussing much on the love department. Two, I’m definitely not actively looking because of something that happened in the family. Three, I spent most of my time working… So I guess that means I’m going to fall for someone I don’t expect? ” Tessa let out a soft laugh, not really sure how to take it all in. Perhaps she had to start opening up to this side of ‘reality’? “ Thanks, anyway – this is crazy. ” The blonde laughed softly at the fact that the other had just basically taken everything important in her life right now and just placed it on the table in just three cards.

One of Virginia’s favorite things about her job was that look people got on their faces when they got a reading that resonated with them. Especially when they didn’t (rightfully) believe in the first place. When Virginia first took on the mantle of this job, she thought it would be hard to convince most people, but everyone wanted to relate and believe something. The cards and the client did most of the work for her.

Virginia sat back in her own seat, a relaxed and admittedly, self satisfied smile on her face as Tessa went through her own reading, picking the points apart. Virginia shrugged, lifting up the third card that had taken the future position of the reading. “Maybe. Or maybe you’re just going to meet someone unexpected, a little strange and the universe wants you to be open to them. Whoever they are. Tarot is usually about self reflection and can be vague when taking on the future.”

Leaning forward, she gave Tessa a conspiratorial smile. “If there is some unexpected suitor that sweeps you off your feet though, pinky promise you dish at the bar.”

Admittedly, the woman got her. For a moment, Tavia not expecting the answer she got. Of course after a beat she laughed, knowing that the woman was joking, but still feeling the slight chill up her spine. It was one of those things where she’d be extra cautious just because it was in her mind. She would probably think on this moment if she stubbed her toe of broke a glass during the week.

“Well, let’s hope I stay that way.” She chuckled before relaxing her hand. “That’s what every woman asks, isn’t it? When they’re gonna fall in love and all that? Or is that just in movies?” Her curiosity was obvious, but her face sank a bit when  the subject of kids was brought up. “None, I hope.” She chuckled dryly. “ I am not trying to be somebody’s baby mama.” Sure, in the past she thought about kids, having wanted a decent sized family of her own one day, but that was when she was young and in love. Her prospects for love were non-existent, she couldn’t see herself falling in love again and she wasn’t about to raise a kid alone. When she really thought about it, her life wasn’t too bad. She had a good job, a nice place, and could buy whatever she wanted, so was there really anything she needed to know about her future? After being lost in though for a half a minute, she realized that she was rambling and straightened up. “Sorry, I’ll shut up, you do your thing.”

Keep talking, Virginia wanted to encourage her. The more a client talked, the better. It gave her better insight into their character. Although, sometimes someone being absolutely silent told her everything she needed to know too.

Virginia gave the woman a sage nod. “Good choice. In my experience, kids just complicate things and most people don’t need life any more complicated than it already is.” There was a pang in her heart as she said it, even though she knew it to be true. Gently, Virginia lifted the woman’s hand in her left, using her right to flatten out the fingers so she could get a good look at the creases and lines on her palm. Virginia lifted her eyes to the woman’s and smiled. “I don’t think I got your name.”

First she took in the woman’s whole hand, running her hands along the webbing of her thumb. “You have an earth hand. Means you’re a bit more practical and level-headed.” She moved on to the lines now. “You’ve probably looked at this one before. Your love line. It’s broken, which means you already have or will go through some hard times when it comes to relationships. Sorry in advance if I’m breaking the news to you now. But it’s long, which suggests that when you do find someone, it’s going to be for keeps.”

Reading palms was always weirdly intimate to Virginia, even after doing it so often. Still cupping the woman’s hand, she moved on. “Jeez your head line is looooong. Not a bad thing! It means you’re considerate towards others, clear headed. It’s far away from your life line too, which means you’re independent.”

Ah, there she was. Scarlett was proud she managed to recognize bits and pieces of Virginia in this new persona. The widow admittedly winced at the light sensation– not because it was uncomfortable but because she wasn’t used to a delicate touch. However, her gaze flickered up and she replied with a brilliant smile, teasing the other brunette. “It’s not your day apparently,” at the mention of a special deck, her features lit up as she waited in anticipation. Once again, Virginia did deliver. Scarlett only managed to catch a glimpse of the said deck but it seemed dark, magical, mystical. Much like the woman before Scarlett. “Yes, health, career, family…” For the most part, Scarlett didn’t believe tarot worked, truth be told she didn’t know if she could trust Virginia either. Yet, there was no point in denying she was intrigued so when in Rome… “Love too, I suppose.” As for her focusing her energy, she didn’t know what else to but to lean in and watch Virginia work with great interest.

“Of course it’s not my day.” Virginia lifted one of her hands, the palm and her eyes going skyward. “The spirits are restless,” she added with a wink. Normally, Virginia would try to take this a little more seriously, but she felt a bit giddy with Scarlett coming in and discovering her act. Something exciting about the transparency. 

Three cards were pulled. Nine of swords. Page of Swords. Four of Wands.

Virginia didn’t put any credence in this, of course, but she couldn’t help giving Scarlett a worried look when the first card was pulled. Even the idea of Scarlett experiencing the kind of despair that was normally associated with this card upset her. “Uh. Well. I gotta say, this one isn’t good.” Virginia tried to brush off her initial reaction with a huff of laughter. “In the past position, there may be deep issues of feeling guilty about an old tragedy.” Virginia pushed the card forward so Scarlett could get a better look. “Something traumatic happened.” 

“This one,” she began, tapping her finger on the Page of Swords. “in the present position is pushing for honesty. There’s something you need to be honest about or take the high road on.” Virginia snorted, despite herself. “Or you can just join me on the low road.”

“Generally the Four of Wands represents peace, harmony, tranquility, but only after a difficult time. Which if the Nine of Swords means anything, you already have. So you’re on easy street from here on out.”

“I think we both know it isn’t.” Kel did settle in the seat that he assumed the ‘customers’ were meant to sit. He might have felt bad about taking up the space, except there was clearly nobody waiting around for a reading and he wasn’t stealing time that she could be making money. 

“There’s some nosy journalist out there, and I ducked into the first place I saw. And as I don’t believe in fate, I’m going to call it an accident and say that I don’t think I’ll ever reach this level.” He gestured around the tent with all the extras and rich decor that he had always found a little bit ridiculous. “Besides, I can guess it will just be another reading about me not mowing my lawn at seven in the morning.”

Virginia leaned back in her seat, throwing an elbow up on the back of it and raised an eyebrow at Kel. She didn’t get the whole...appeal of Kel as a musician, but she had never been all that obsessive over musicians in the first place anyways. Catch her dead before ever going to a concert. Unless it was Selena, rest her soul.

“Oh puh-lease. I bet it was just some old dad trying to take a picture of his family and you’re being dramatic. Who’d want to take a picture of you?” Virginia was playfully antagonistic towards Kel, not really bearing him any ill will. In fact, she admired him for being one of the few people who actually saw through the bullshit. “Or it could be a reading about you meeting your soul mate. You never know. I guess all these visions I’m having of a tall blonde are for someone else.”

False. I told you, I never lie.

Christ, I don’t know. True? False. True. I want to meet her on my terms.

True and false. Can you really miss a parent you’ve never met?

True. No regrets. 

How dare you! I've never lied to my clients nor anyone else ever. You have no basis for these egregious claims.

Her extended family was from the South. ‘Good Christian people’ who stayed away from all that voodoo nonsense and whatever, but growing up in the city, Tavia and her parents hardly put any stock in all that. So naturally when she came upon a tent cloaked away among the stalls that offered palm reading and all that, the curiousness withing Octavia had her making a beeline.

 It was dark inside, but atmospheric, making a grin spread on her face as the vibe sucked her in. Before her sat a woman looking rather normal in spite of the setting – she half expected an old woman with a turban and colorful robes waving her hands over a crystal ball, but it was still fun. “ You probably saw me coming in here already, huh?” She joked as she sat down, noting that she wasn’t interrupting anyone else’s reading. 

Sticking her palms out towards the woman, Tavia grinned giddily. “ Okay, tell me my future. Make me believe. Tell me where I’m gonna meet a tall dark handsome stranger who’s gonna whisk me off my feet and all that. “ She chuckle.

When the woman came in, teasing and grinning, Virginia stopped in her tracks. She held her mouth slightly agape as she looked the woman up and down with a grim and terrified expression. She took the woman’s hand in her own. “You...you’re going to die tomorrow.” Virginia was silent for a heartbeat before her demeanor completely changed. Her lips broke into a grin and she gave the woman’s hand a squeeze. “Just messing with you. You’re beautifully vibrant and alive.”

It seemed like the woman already picked a palm reading and Virginia was excited at the prospect. With palm reading she basically was able to say whatever the hell she wanted and no one ever called her out on it. That was pretty much her entire career, but especially with palm reading. “Let’s take a look-see at your hand. I don’t know if it’ll tell me about tall, dark strangers, but we may find out how many kiddos you’re going to pop out.”

“True, just someone with common sense. I guess you’re not as whack as I assumed when I stepped foot into this tent,” Sofia agreed with a half-compliment. “I bet on Argentina for the World Cup, in the game against Croatia. Argentina lost, so the friend that I bet with told me that he wants to witness me doing this witchy juju… or whatever it is that you’re operating. So, just give me some verdict. I am paying you for your talents,” she said encouragingly, wanting this to be over with. She didn’t believe in psychics, but maybe her mind will be changed.

“Maybe this witchy juju isn’t as whack as you thought too.” Virginia clucked her tongue, giving the girl across from her an encouraging smile. “You seem like you’d appreciate a good palm reading. Tarot can be a bit vague at times. You want solid answers.” Virginia didn’t have to be a psychic to see that. This girl was easy to read and Virginia silently thanked her for it. The woman held out her palm, raising an expectant eyebrow.

Tessa chuckled at the question and nodded her head in defeat. “ Yeah, I’m not. My friend forced me into doing this. Something about making sure I don’t limit myself to the sheer facts in life. ” The blonde let out a soft laugh as she remembered her friend practically dragging her over to the tent. “ Oh, please  I love your judging, it makes me feel better about myself usually. ” The blonde chuckled. The woman was definitely good company, especially after a few wines. The way she’d go through every single person in the bar was amazing and incredibly entertaining. Especially when the night would drag on slowly. Tessa sat down at the other’s command and pressed her lips together as she thought about it. “ I’m completely blanking on questions, but you can give me a general reading… Why not the love department, right? It’s not like anything interesting is happening there right now. It can basically only get better, right? ” The blonde joked. 

“Your friend has a point,” Virginia sing-songed. “Everyone has to bend a little in life, this is a good start,” she added with a wink. “Besides. I’m of the mind that there’s a little magic in everything. You’re just opening yourself up to a little more.”

The usual smirk Virginia had made it’s way back onto her face and, self satisfied, Virginia’s shoulders went back and her chest out, preening at the compliment. “I can’t help that the majority of the people that go to your brother’s bar are just a mess. Not including present company.”

Virginia rubbed her hands together and gave Tess an excited smile, waggling her eyebrows. “Let’s see what she says about love.” Quickly, Virginia went through the motions of shuffling her cards, taking a moment to stop and close her eyes afterwards. If she was a legitimate reader, this was when she’d be considering Tessa, her aura, her love life. Virginia was currently thinking about what she should make for dinner. She’d probably just end up picking up a hamburger from the festival grounds. Then she drew three cards.

Ten of Cups. Eight of Swords. Reversed Four of Pentacles.

“One from each suit, that’s interesting.” Virginia began, pushing forward the first card. A fond smile formed across her face. “This card usually has to do with family, rather than romantic love. You came from a loving home and it’s informed your ideas on romantic relationships. You’re looking for The One.”

The smile turned into a frown. “You’ve isolated yourself from romantic relationships.” Virginia gave Tess a sympathetic glance. “Did something happen here?” she pointed at the Ten of Cups, the display of a happy family under her finger. “You have a good relationship with your family, but something happened that made you want to isolate yourself.”

Virginia moved on, not yet pressing further. “This card is pushing that point further home. When I’m giving a relationship reading, this normally means that you’re spending more time on your career than relationships, but given the Eight of Swords, I think it’s telling you to spend less time in your head. It’s encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone, when it comes to love. Maybe there’s someone unexpected you’re starting to like? Or someone unexpected you will like.”