Central City - The Future Blooms

[mistressdizzy]

Inside Mistress Amy's Psychic Boutique



Amy Rose sat behind a curtain, her hands hovering over the fancy tarot cards in front of her. Across from her, sitting at the table, was a young rabbit girl looking for her fortune in love. It was a very popular reading for young girls. Amy waved and twisted her hands over the cards, humming softly. This was not absolutely necessary, nor was the extra shawl or flowered headband she was wearing, but her mother had always taught her the value of showmanship.

It was a basic 5 card spread, each card representing 1 aspect of a possible relationship. 1 card for relationship readiness, 1 card for a lover's characteristics, 1 card for relationship characteristics, 1 card for the potential of the relationship and the last for how they could meet.

"And now for some insight as to where you might meet them..."

She turned over the last card with a flourish.

"Death?!" The rabbit squeaked "But I thought this was supposed to be about love?"

"Relax, it's fine." Amy said calmly, used to this kind of reaction. "Death is more along the lines of new beginnings, changes - something old leading to something new. Perhaps to meet this person, you need to seek out a new experience, or a change. Maybe go somewhere you always meant to go, but never did?"

"Ooooh... Mistress Amy, you're so wise! Thank you so much!! Here, an extra tip on top of the 20 rings."

"Oh, you're too kind." Amy wasn't about to turn that down, even though her finances were fine. "Now remember, the future can bloom in mysterious ways, so always be watching for the signs of something on the horizon."

"Yes, thank you, thank you!" The excitable rabbit rose up, gave Amy a big hug, and raced out the door.

Amy sighed and chuckled watching her go. "Oh Becky, you're always fun."

With that, she collected the cards and started to shuffle, preparing for her next customer.

[bunnikkila]

Now this could be fun.

Hope had been milling outside the shop, taking in the signage and the atmosphere. When the rabbit came rushing out she stepped aside, pausing to watch her go.

Huh. That was quite a hurry. She wondered what the fortune teller had told her?

Welp. Only one way to find out - after all, it was likely there was a similar spiel for most customers - so without further ado Hope flung open the door and stepped inside.

"Hello?"

[mistressdizzy]

Amy was a bit surprised to see her next customer walk in so soon. No matter, she was always prepared when 'in costume'. "Hello! Welcome to Mistress Amy's Psychic Boutique. Please, take a seat." She gestured to the small stool across from the round, fringe-clothed table that her cards were laid on.

"What can I do for you today, miss? A life or love reading? Or maybe there's a specific question that you would like answered." She smiled upward at the human girl, starting to shuffle the tarot deck automatically while she talked.

[bunnikkila]

"Hope," she supplied as she plopped onto the seat, eyes going to the deck as Amy began shuffling. She giggled at the question, shaking her head. Love? Nah.

"Weeeell... I was thinking more, career."

Hope leaned forward, eyes bright.

"I've got a good thing going - nice facilities, nice coworkers, good opportunities. Soooo, I'm kind of interested in what the cards have to say about my line of work."

Not that Hope was taking this entirely seriously, of course. Still, it might be fun to see what kind of read the hedgehog did on her - what kind of career she assumed was in the making, that kind of thing.

And hey, Mistress Amy probably gave solid advice - she stayed in business, after all.

[mistressdizzy]

She smiled and nodded eagerly. "A career reading for you? That seems simple enough, Miss Hope."

She shuffled the cards again, then lay down. "Okay, so I've got some questions to ask you. Concentrate on them, while I pull 6 cards from the deck. Here we go. What do you enjoy about your job? What do you not enjoy? What draws you toward your line of work? What aspects push you away? What aspect makes you stay the most? And what would make you leave?"

"Now, concentrate on all of these one at a time. Let me know when you're moving on to the next question in your mind, and I will draw the next card."

[bunnikkila]

"Okay."

Hope nodded, leaning forward slightly as she watched the play of cards through Amy's hands. Simple enough.

What did she enjoy? Discovery, the satisfaction of working out a problem, the thrill of a project coming to life under her hands, the ring of steel and the scent of machine grease.

"One down."

What did she not enjoy? The frustration of something just refusing to work (but didn't that just sweeten the triumph of a breakthrough?), the dubious response her age got (though that made proving them wrong all the more satisfying), the bureaucracy she had to Wade through on occasion.

"Okay, got the second."

What drew her to her work? The same things she enjoyed, really, as well as the blissful simplicity of fitting part to part, the joy of creation in her own way.

"Three down."

What pushed her away? Admittedly... the occasional isolation, the long-held feeling of people refusing to understand her passions, of losing herself in impersonal cogs and bolts.

"Four."

What made her stay? The friends she made in the workplace, the feeling of a new project always around the corner, the potential to help, to reach people who could use her inventions across Gaia and beyond, the opportunity to see and work with G.U.N.'s own amazing tech.

"Five."

What would make her leave? Being stifled, pinned down to an immovable path with no opportunity to expand and discover on her own, machines meant to help turned to harm.

"Aaaand that's all of 'em!"

She leaned back again, focusing expectantly on Amy's face.

[Val]

Walking the streets of Central City, the tall and densely packed buildings felt much more imposing and claustrophobic than back home, not to mention the constant anxiety tickling at the back of Blaze’s mind that she’d be recognised. She couldn’t afford anymore delays. Hopefully allying with Merce would prove beneficial in the long run.

Thinking back over the encounter, she kept finding herself wondering why she’d bothered. He was reluctant to cooperate and she had always been one to work alone. Anyone who knew her would surely expect her to simply move on and let them do as they please.
It only took a look down to the raccoon girl at her side to remember why. Between her first trip to Gaia and becoming friends with Marine, Blaze had changed. In no small part thanks to Sonic himself, she had found herself trying to steadily lower the barriers she had built around herself. To be more…social. A small smile crept onto her lips as that warm feeling returned.

“We’re almost there. She should be just up ahead.” The princess finally spoke. Tilting her head slightly in Merce’s direction she asked in a shy tone. “How’re your burns?”

[Jammerlee]

Walking alongside the princess, Merce had kept a stoic expression. Blaze had mentioned knowing someone who could help them in locating Sonic, though who that could have been eluded him. Blaze couldn't have known that many people in this dimension and Sonic was a notoriously difficult person to keep tabs on. Granted, he could have potentially located his counterpart easily via a sweep of the Egg Network for any sightings, but that would have required blowing his cover.

Blaze's question broke his reverie. The 'she' pronoun caught his attention, but before he could dwell on who 'she' could be, the princess' question registered. He eyed her in confusion. "I am not burned?"

[mistressdizzy]

Amy laid out the 6 cards in a circular pattern, then flipped them over one by one.

“Knight of Swords, inverted. You enjoy the work because it sparks your mind and your inspiration, but perhaps lately you’ve been feeling… uninspired or pent up. Maybe a project isn’t going your way, or maybe you need some new work to get your brain fired up.

Amy tapped the card, let her mind drift a moment, and spoke again, more slowly. “You’re perhaps worried about someone related to your work. Someone who works with you, or… work.. on?” She shook her head. “I apologize, sometimes I get things that don’t quite make sense. Let’s move on, shall we?”

“Next card: 4 of Wands, upright. It represents joy, harmony, relaxation and homecoming. Perhaps you usually feel that, but not right now. It could be this new project where you’re struggling to find home, which is what you dislike about your work?

“Card number 3: 2 of Swords, inverted. You work in a field where you’re perhaps not in full control of everything that happens to your projects. You’re happy, but not completely, and being in the dark about some things is not where you’d like to be.

Card number 4: Page of Wands. You would like to express your unlimited potential at your workplace. That hasn’t happened as or late, or maybe you’re worried about your creativity being stifled. You may need to make some demands to gain more space for yourself to grow in work.

Card number 5: King of Wands, inverted. What makes you stay is the stability, but something may have the place in an uproar. You’re being asked to work fast instead of work well, which doesn’t suit your style. Perhaps one of your bosses is impulsive or is jumping the gun.

Final card: 3 of Cups, inverted. What would make you leave is vacation time. Maybe you want to step away for a while and clear your mind. Or maybe you are asked to step off a project. Either way, too long of a break could sour the work you’re doing.”

She smiled and winked. “This card also has to do with hardcore partying, so watch out for that. Or don’t!”

“That’s all of them. Let me know what you think, and don’t forget to read the signs.”

The two signs by the door said “No readings are 100% accurate.”

The second sign read: “No refunds after a reading has been provided.”

[Val]

“Oh.”

So she hadn’t actually burned him. That was a relief. Still his reaction suggested some kind of trauma or phobia related to fire so she’d have to be careful using her powers as long as he was around.
The princess mulled over just how much this would hamper things. She felt the itch to just go off and search for the emeralds on her own. To leave Marine and Merce somewhere safe and take the responsibility of this task herself. Afterall she could run faster than either and use her powers as needed without fear of either getting in the way…‘Getting in the way.’ Was that still how she thought of people?
Thankfully their destination came into view, forcing down any other thoughts as Blaze pointed to ‘Mistress Amy’s Psychic Boutique.’

“We’re here.”

[Xeric]

Marine looked at the sign, then looked back at Blaze, still holding onto her arm.

"Are you sure this sheila is here, mate?" she questioned. From what Blaze had told Marine of her previous encounter with the pink Hedgehog, wouldn't she be out chasing Sonic?

[bunnikkila]

Hope blinked at the mention of 'projects', running over anything she said that might've given that away. Nothing she could think of... but then - it could be referring to school projects. Despite Hope's use of the word 'career', it was likely Amy thought she was still in high school... that was probably it.

Still - as Amy continued Hope focused on the hedgehog, intrigued. Someone she worked on, the potential of not having full control over what happened to her projects... this fortune teller was perceptive.

She laughed at the last card, shaking her head.

"Gosh! I have no idea who I'd even party with. But yeah - those are all good points." And they really were, despite Hope's skepticism on the subject of psychics. She nodded thoughtfully.

"Yeah. Sounds about right, for the most part... thanks."

[mistressdizzy]

"You're very welcome. I love working with people who just think this is a trick." Amy laughed and winked, to show there was no ill will toward the human girl. "I'm glad I could give you just a little to think about. And hey, a little party never hurt anyone. Maybe take a few vacay days from that important job of yours, huh?"

She smiled expectantly, but her ears quirked toward the direction of the door. She could almost swear she heard someone talking outside. "I think I'm going to be busy today."

[Jammerlee]

Merce visibly stiffened at the sight of the boutique's name. Oh no. Oooh no. Not her. In his efforts to keep tabs on Sonic and those who were closely associated to him, the android was aware of the boutique Amy had set up in Central City. What he hadn't expected was for Blaze to know her. Seeking out Amy did make sense - the girl seemed to have a knack for being able to locate people. But, oh no. It had been ages since he had last encountered the pink hedgehog, and seeing her again wasn't high on his list of priorities.

Reaching a hand up, the pseudo-hedgehog ran a hand to smooth down the few spines that had managed to displace themselves from his crest. There was no way she'd be able to recognize who he was. He just needed to keep calm.

"A psychic?" Merce asked in an effort to distance himself from his thoughts.

[Val]

“I can’t know for sure.” The Princess answered with some uncertainty, “But if she is here, she may be able to help us.”

Glancing to Merce, noting his own hint of scepticism, she gave a light nod. “There are stranger things in my world and Amy has proven to be determined and often very accurate when it comes to finding Sonic.

If she was here. Amy and Blaze had gotten off on a slightly rough start with the pink hedgehog being so obsessed with finding Sonic, something everyone seemed to be encouraging Blaze herself to do at the time, to her annoyance. If she was off running after him again then they were on their own.

Gingerly the purple cat pushed the door open, it was unlocked at least, and peered inside. “Amy?”

[mistressdizzy]

Amy straightened her headband and started to shuffle the fancy tarot cards again. "Welcome! To Mystic Amy's Psychic Bou-" She stopped short as she realized who was in the doorway. "Princess Blaze? What are you doing here?" She rose up with a grin, going to greet the purple cat.

[bunnikkila]

Hope blushed a little at the mention of a 'trick', and grinned at Amy.

"Was I that obvious? Anyway... you're really perceptive, I can say that much. Maybe I'll come back soon, bring a few colleagues."

She looked over at the door opened, turning in her stool. Popular place, this Boutique! Hope blinked as she recognized Blaze, though (the Princess of Soleanna came here to have her cards read), getting to her feet to give the cat a slight, awkward bow.

"Uh... hi there!"

[Val]

Again with the formalities. She was used to this back home, not here. It made her feel awkward, especially since she’d seemingly walked in during someone else’s time. It felt like she was asserting her authority which was always an uncomfortable feeling, no matter how necessary it was.
Still she had been raised to be polite and cordial so of course she returned the bow. “Apologies for interrupting. Amy, we were hoping you could help us. We’re looking for Sonic.”

[Jammerlee]

Merce had awkwardly folded his arms and was staring down at the ground. Every fiber of his being wanted to be very far away at that moment, but alas. If he was going to see this little impromptu plan of his through, he was going to have to deal with it. Shuffling a bit, he positioned himself to peer into the boutique from behind Blaze.

[Xeric]

Marines shyness and nervousness suddenly disappeared as Blaze interacted with the Pink Hedgehog, after all, any Friend of Blazes' is a friend of hers.

"G'day mate! You've bonza looking place her, fair dinkum!" she exclaimed whilst poking at the various nick nacks in the room, distracting herself from the task at hand.

[mistressdizzy]

Before answering Blaze's request, Amy turned to the door to where a little raccoon girl was lurking. "Thank you? I... I think?" And there was someone else yet behind her. "Find Sonic, isn't that him behind you?" She squinted, rubbed at her eyes, then frowned. "No, a little too blue, what am I saying, sorry, sir! Please come in, all of you." Once everyone was inside and settled, she turned back to Blaze. "Find Sonic? I haven't seem him since... well... honestly it's been quite a while. I'm not sure where he is... but I can give you at least some general direction. Be right back."

She went into her storeroom. There, among some tricks and trappings of the trade, extra tarot cards and a dusty crystal ball were 2 silver, L-shaped sticks in a box. "Hello friends." She pulled them out and went back to join everyone. "Like I said, I don't know where he is but I can let the dowsing rods guide me."

[bunnikkila]

Hope plopped back into her seat once Blaze was greeted, watching the gathered Thropes with interest.

"Eh, we're wrapping up here - Amy's probably about ready for another customer."

Hm. She looked over as Amy came back in, brows raising. Blaze, who did have legitimate abilities, believed Amy could find Sonic. And detecting someone... well, that was more plausible than reading the future or whatever.

She hadn't been asked to leave, so Hope leaned forward and rested her chin on her hands to watch.

"So - why the need to find him?"

[Val]

It was an awkward few moments of Marine examining everything and Amy in the back, leaving Blaze alone with two people she was entirely unfamiliar with. The fur on the back of her neck bristled as she elected to simply stand with her arms folded. With any luck they wouldn’t be here long and she could practically hear every second tick by that she left her world undefended.

Clearing her throat as Hope posed the question, Blaze’s initial impulse was to say nothing. It was none of this person’s business and she didn’t exactly want to cause a panic but…that would appear rude. Perhaps just being selective in her words…
“You’re no doubt familiar with the Chaos Emeralds of this world. My world has its own set of gems that’ve found their way here somehow and I need to find them. Sonic has helped me do that before.”