A few days later
A metallic thunk and someone yelling FUCK down the corridor.
Otis: [???] Matty? You alright, dude?
Matty wordlessly hands him a piece of paper.
Otis: Oh, so it's your kid. Huh.
Matty: I don't know how she did it.
Otis: Uh. Yeah. You seemed pretty certain that it couldn't be yours, I figured you had gotten a vasectomy? Sometimes those fail, I guess?
Matty: Shit that's a good idea... No I hadn't.
Otis: …. Then how were you so sure?
Matty: Well, we barely ever have sex. If we do it's never vaginally- oh FUCK.
Otis: …. What?
Matty: Goddamnit. There was one time. Our stupid anniversary. I remembered it early enough in the day. Got her something from our connections at Liberty's. Got home early. I know she had been waiting for me to forget so she could spend another week bitching at me, but she was so surprised I remembered she was... I don't know. Nice? We had the house to ourselves, had dinner, watched a movie, and…. Damnit.
Otis: Right.
Matty: I thought I would finally be free of her, she ruin-
Otis: Dude, I can't listen to you complain about her anymore.
Matty: What!?
Otis: Look, I know. She did a really shitty thing in trapping you. We all agree on that. But man, it's been 3 years of this shit. From what you just described, it sounds like when you put in the effort things aren't so bad. Maybe she's miserable all the time because she can tell that you fucking hate her.
Matty: I....
Otis: Go to counseling. Sort your shit out, both on your own and with each other. Or for the peace of mind of everyone, just divorce her. Either way though, you do need to get some professional help.
Matty: Hey!
Otis: It's just the truth, dude. You're so wrapped up in wishing how your life could have gone, that you don't appreciate anything you have. You never looked twice at Summer until you couldn't have her anymore. You're in love with the idea of her, and the life you could have had. You have got to move on.
Matty: [sighs very heavily] You have a point.
Otis: I want you to be happy, dude. Don't drag everyone down with you, ok? I just stopped by to say congrats really. I'm gonna visit Sorella-
Matty: HA! And you say I need to move on.
Otis: [rolls eyes] I moved on from her a long time ago. You wouldn't know, because you never ask- but I date. Sorella is still my friend and she's got family in the hospital. So I'm going to go check in on my friend. Figure your shit out. And maybe go check on your wife.
-
Matty sighs again.
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Tarot of Destiny / Chapter 3 - Unfulfilled Wish
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[Devil's Palace, Your Room]
December 30. Today is the day we finally leave for Maginaria. As I readied myself in my room, Muu and Flure entered, wearing their new outfits.
Knock, knock…
> "Please come in"
Muu: "Excuse us, my lord!"
Flure: "My lord. Your change of clothes is ready."
> "Both of you look lovely in those outfits"
Flure: "Fufu… Thank you very much ♪
I think I tailored it well by referencing the tarot cards as the clue!
And here is the lord's outfit. Let me help you change."
> "Okay"
~ A few moments later ~
Muu: "Woah~! You look absolutely stunning, my lord!"
Flure: "I would expect nothing less of you, my lord. You look even better than I imagined!"
> "Thank you"
Muu: "Fufu. Both the lord and Flure are amazing!
It still looks great despite being themed after that ominous 'Death'…"
Flure: "Hold on, Muu. Calling it 'ominous' is rude, isn't it?
It’s just fortune-telling... Don't take it seriously.
Muu: "Uh… Y-you're right... I'm sorry, my lord."
> "Don't worry, I don't mind"
Muu: "I see... I'm glad to hear that!"
Flure and Muu seemed relieved at my words.
The truth is, I felt uneasy when I saw that the card representing me is Death in the upright position.
Something ominous might happen to me from now on.
I knew that Elvira's fortune-telling had been right in the past, leaving me worried...
Flure: "My lord.... Is something wrong?"
> "No, it's nothing"
Flure: "I see. Okay then, it's time for us to leave. Let me show you to your carriage."
> "Thank you, Flure"
Right after I drew the Death card, all the butlers supported me frantically, telling me not to worry.
For the sake of the butlers who care for me and don't want me to be anxious…
I won't let my uneasiness show in my face. With such determination, I left the room…
[Devil's Palace, Foyer]
Berrien: "We have been waiting for you, my lord.
Oh...what a wonderful outfit ♪
It suits you perfectly."
Haures: "Yes, indeed. It is a fantastic start to the trip seeing you in such a beautiful outfit. This trip is going to be a very good one."
> "Th-thank you…"
Berrien: "Fufu…
The other butlers are already heading there, but if they see the lord now... I’m sure they’ll be just as pleased as we are."
Haures: "Well, shall we, my lord?
First, we’ll meet Lady Elvira in the forest near Espoir.
After meeting up with her there, we’ll head for Maginaria.
Flure and I will be the coachmen...
My lord and Muu, please go to the seats with Mr. Berrien."
> "Okay"
As the carriage rocked, we eventually reached the forest near Espoir, taking over Ms. Elvira's protection from the Grovaner family soldiers.
The four of us–me, Muu, Berrien, and Elvira–rode in the same carriage.
Elvira: "............"
Berrien: "............"
Muu: "............"
> "............"
Muu: (M-my lord.... It feels a bit awkward...)
(When Lady Elvira boarded the carriage and we talked to her... )
(She only said a few words, saying, 'It's been a while,' and 'I'll be counting on you.' ...)
(I had various things I wanted to ask her, though.)
Elvira: "Hmm… I see.
'I have a question I want to ask, but I can't bring it up'.... Is that what you mean? Mr. Talking cat."
Muu: "What!? H-how did you know!?
Could it be...? You can read my mind through fortune-telling…?"
Elvira: "No. I heard you whispering."
Muu: "Ah... I-I see."
Elvira: "Hmm... The thing you guys want to know desperately...
No other than what I sent to the Lord of the Devil Butler...
‘Death in the upright position,’ isn’t it?
Muu: "Th-that's right! Actually, I've been curious about it...
That card… What in the world does that card mean?"
Elvira: "Well… If you ask me, I don't know."
Muu: "Eeh!? But didn't you do the fortune-telling...?"
Elvira: "Yes, but... I am not the one who determines the interpretation...
All I can say is... the Death card implies something.
Considering the meaning of the card... you should be very cautious.
If you’re not careful, you could lose your life."
> "M-my... life?"
Elvira: "Yes. Even now, at this very moment, you might be in danger...
Regardless… Be cautious."
> "Uh... uhm…"
Muu: "N-no way… Don't say things that make me uneasy!
Please explain it clearly...! Will the lord be fine...?"
Elvira: "I don't know about that.
All I can do is to tell you the result of the fortune-telling, one of the meanings of Death in the upright position is ‘end of things’....
That's what my fortune-telling says."
Muu: "Ugh... I couldn't even get a word of comfort...
Um.... What do you think, Mr. Berrien?
If the lord is really in danger, maybe we should forget about the request and go somewhere safe…"
Berrien: "Muu…"
Elvira: "Ah.
Just to be clear... there is no point in hiding somewhere. You cannot escape the destiny indicated by the tarot.
Your lord is someone who was born carrying the ‘Death’ card… No, that isn’t quite right. “While in this world," is more appropriate, I guess.
Anyway… No matter what measures you take, you cannot escape from the ‘Death’ card.
The only thing left to do is to accept the fate of the card.... I guess that's it."
Muu: "Ugh… I've even been driven into a corner…"
Berrien: "Muu.
Lady Elvira didn't mean to say that with malicious intent.
And her words.... There is some truth in them.
Wherever you run… There is no safe place in this angel-infested world.
And as she said… this card is not temporary. In other words, it will always be with the lord, as long as they are in this world...
In that case, whether we are on a trip or in the mansion doesn’t matter…
What we can do… is being there for the lord to protect them.
I… I accept it as such."
Muu: "I-I see… so you can see it that way… But still... I can’t help but worry…”
Elvira: "Well... There may be no need to be in such a hurry, though.
The fate of ‘end of things’ is that you never know when it will come.
In the first place, it’s in humans’ nature... we are all doomed to death, sooner or later.
The fate indicated by the card will come.... but it might be far in the future."
Muu: "R-right! It may not be now! I’m sure the lord will live a long life too!"
Elvira: "However...
The Lord of the Devil Butler is fighting against angels. They're closer to danger than an average human."
Muu: "............
Ugh... Please don't play with my feelings like a toy…"
Elvira: "Oh my… I'm sorry. I'm just answering honestly, though."
Personally, I'm sure Berrien and Ms. Elvira are right.... I felt she was just saying what she thinks without any malice.
That's why her fortune-telling results were credible… and made me worry even more.
Berrien: "My Lord… please don’t worry. We will always be by your side to protect you. Whether it is fate or angels.... Nothing will change that fact."
> "Berrien…"
Muu: "Th-that's right... It’s definitely just as Mr. Berrien said.
But... if we could save the lord from this ominous fate somehow...
Is there anything we can do?"
Elvira: "Oh my… You say the strangest things, Mr. Talking cat.
If you seek an answer for it... You should have it already, haven't you?
No... I think it would be more appropriate to say that you have experienced it firsthand."
> "Experienced it...?"
Berrien: "Hmm… Lady Elvira. If you don't mind me asking, what is that 'answer'?
Could you please tell us?"
Elvira: "............
No... I can’t answer here. Rather than from other people… Sometimes it is crucial to be aware of things on your own."
Muu: "W-wait! Please don’t tease me, just tell me!
If you do... you can touch my ‘paw pads’ until we get to Maginaria!”
Elvira: ".........
……………….."
> (Is she… considering it?)
Elvira: "No... I probably shouldn't give you the answer. Instead... I’ll give you a guidepost."
Muu: "A guidepost?"
Elvira: "Yes. The tarot cards I gave you. You have to take a good look at yourself through those cards."
Berrien: "Take a good look at ourselves……"
Elvira: "And the thoughts that come out of that... Tell it to the lord.
……That's all."
> "That's all…"
Having said that, Ms. Elvira straightened up… then she just stared at Muu's paws.
Elvira: ".......hints have been sent out.
Paw pads… May I touch it for a moment?"
Muu: "C-can't be helped.... Just for a moment, okay?"
Berrien: "Hmm… I'll tell the lord the thoughts that came to me when I looked at the tarot cards... And that will save them from their ominous fate...?
What in the world does that mean…"
> "Who knows…"
I wanted to hear the answer from Ms. Elvira, but…
She was staring out the window while touching Muu's paws, signaling no desire to continue the conversation.
Elvira: "Oh…"
> "Huh?"
Elvira: "So many birds in the sky... This is an ominous omen…"
Muu: "You're right... It's ominous...
Uh…
H-how long are you going to keep touching my paw pads!"
Elvira: "Oh my... Is it over already? For it to end on the way…
……Stingy……."
Muu: "Well, likewise!"
note: when Berrien was inquiring for the answer, he used the word for 'wish', hence the chapter's title.
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