Canary's Future

Walking out with Neon, Canary soon spotted Baise chatting with a maid in the distance. The maid looked quite flustered, likely caught off guard by Baise's forward nature.

As they approached, Canary felt the ebb and flow of Baise's Nen. She couldn't help but let out a small scoff. To her, trained under the rigorous standards set by Haruto, Baise's abilities felt rudimentary. In the Meteor Kingdom, her level of proficiency would barely be acknowledged. But Canary reminded herself that not everyone had the privilege of such intense training.

Canary led Neon and Baise towards a secluded gazebo, away from the bustle of the palace grounds. The structure, with its intricate wooden design, stood proudly amidst a tranquil garden. Its placement seemed strategic, offering both privacy and a view of the surrounding area. As they walked, the silence was almost palpable, with only the sound of footsteps echoing on the stone pathway.

Reaching the gazebo, Canary gestured for the two to sit across from her on the wooden bench. The seats were cushioned with soft fabric, hinting at the importance of the place for intimate discussions.

Nervous, the duo waited for Canary to speak. The tension was palpable, and the soft rustling of the trees outside the gazebo was the only sound breaking the silence. The moments seemed to stretch, each second feeling like an eternity as Canary's gaze shifted from Baise to Neon and back again.

After what felt like an eternity, but was only about five minutes, Canary leaned forward, her eyes sharp as they locked onto Neon. "How does your power work?"

Neon hesitated, glancing at Baise for support. Her stoic face gave away no emotion, but her subtle nod urged Neon to continue.

Neon explained, her voice quivering slightly from nervousness, "When I activate my ability, it takes over my arm and writes out quatrains which predict the future."

Canary raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "And what do you need to do this?"

Neon hesitated before answering, "I need a handwritten note with the name, full date of birth, and blood type of the person. If they aren't present, I need a picture of their face. Each quatrain represents a week of the current month, and events in the poem appear as metaphors."

Baise, seeking to add clarity, interjected, "And if the fortune is inauspicious, it will have advice to help avoid the impending misfortune."

Canary leaned back, processing the information. "So you can't predict your own future?"

"That's correct," Neon replied softly, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her dress.

There was a momentary silence, during which Canary seemed lost in thought. The two women waited, the soft wind carrying the scent of blooming flowers into the gazebo. Neon looked down, anxiety evident in her posture, while Baise maintained her stoic demeanor, eyes fixed on Canary.

Breaking the silence, Canary asked, "How loyal is your bodyguard to you?"

Baise responded without hesitation, "I've sworn to be by Neon's side."

Canary called a maid over, her voice authoritative yet gentle. "Bring me a pen and a stack of paper."

The maid hurriedly complied, returning with the requested items. Canary took the pen in hand, writing down her name, birthday, and blood type on a fresh sheet. She then extended the paper to Neon, her piercing gaze meeting the young seer's. The message was clear: predict.

Neon's hand twitched involuntarily, reacting to the compulsion of her ability. She placed the paper on her lap, took a deep breath, and activated her power. Her hand moved swiftly, the words flowing out in rhythmic patterns.

Canary watched intently, her eyes never leaving Neon's face. The act was captivating, almost mystical, with Neon's eyes glazed over in a trance. Baise shifted uncomfortably, always on edge when Neon used her ability, especially in front of strangers.

After a few minutes, the motion ceased. Neon's hand relaxed, and she blinked, coming out of her trance. Handing the paper to Canary, she swallowed nervously, awaiting her response.

Canary took the paper, her gaze scanning the quatrains. She read aloud, her voice neutral:

"In a land of golden sand and art,

With comrades, a journey did start.

Trade and barter, secrets unfurled,

A love discovered, as a flag unfurled."

Canary flinched slightly, recognizing the references to her recent past. The love discovered, a personal secret, brought a blush to her cheeks.

Canary continued:

"Underground depths, treasures to seek,

A warrior emerged, strong, not weak.

Intimate dances, love's gentle call,

Two hearts intertwined, standing tall."

Reading the third stanza:

"A gavel falls, bids rise and soar,

Goods sought after, legends of yore.

Joining the fray, strategy in play,

For kingdom's treasure, they'll hold sway."

Canary's lips curved slightly, hinting at amusement. The auction, an event they were all looking forward to, was painted in such poetic imagery.

Lastly, she read:

"Journey's end nears, home beaconing clear,

To a kingdom of meteors, they'll steer.

Challenges faced, with loyalty's bond,

Future uncertain, yet hope is fond."

Canary set the paper down, looking up to meet Neon's anxious gaze. "Impressive," she murmured. "You didn't just capture events; you captured emotions."

Neon let out a shaky breath, relieved. "It's not something I control. It just... comes out."

Baise added, her voice firm, "The predictions have always been accurate. And any misfortunes mentioned, if the advice is heeded, can be avoided."

Canary pondered for a moment. "You said you need specifics about a person to predict their future. Yet, some of these events involve others. How is that?"

Neon hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's the connection between events. If something significant to the person whose future I'm predicting involves others, it gets woven into the quatrain. It's more about the interplay of destinies."

Canary's plan was to discern Baise and Neon's intentions in the Meteor Kingdom. Testing Neon's peculiar ability would provide her with answers she sought. Initially, she had Neon draft a prediction devoid of any intent. Now, Canary was preparing to shift gears.

Closing her eyes, Canary drew upon her vast experience with Nen. The art of deception was no stranger to her, especially when it involved the manipulation of Nen. She adjusted her intention, creating a duality in her psyche. On one hand, the contemplation of disposing of Neon and Baise, on the other, the idea of inviting them into the heart of the Meteor Kingdom.

Handing Neon another piece of paper with her handwritten name, date of birth, and blood type, Canary instructed, "Predict again."

Neon, already anxious from the first reading, hesitated. Baise placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "We've got this," she whispered. With that, Neon took a deep breath and once again activated her ability.

The quill danced over the paper as it had previously, but this time, the mood was even tenser. Baise clenched her fists, ready to act if the situation went awry. Neon, as before, was lost in her trance.

Minutes passed before Neon's arm finally relaxed, signaling the end of the prediction. Neon handed the paper to Canary, who began to read. The first three quatrains were identical to the prior reading.

However, the fourth quatrain had shifted:

"At crossroads dark, two paths unfurl,

One tainted in blood, the world in a twirl.

The other, acceptance, a kingdom's embrace,

Ease in the shadows, securing their place."

Canary's eyes locked onto Neon's, searching for any indication of deceit. "Your abilities truly are extraordinary," she said, her voice cool.

Neon swallowed hard. "It's as I said. I don't control it. It simply… manifests."

Baise interjected, "As you can see, we come with no ill intentions. We only seek understanding and a place within the kingdom."

Canary stared at the quatrain for a moment longer, her fingers tapping lightly on the paper. "This quatrain... it presents two clear paths. It speaks of a bloody consequence if not accepted, but a smooth transition if embraced. Is this your way of warning me?"

Neon responded hesitantly, "I don't control what the quatrain says, but... yes. It seems to suggest that the better path is to accept and collaborate, rather than to confront."

Canary nodded thoughtfully. "Your ability offers insights into events and emotions, even when you aren't directly involved. This could be beneficial for the Meteor Kingdom."

Baise leaned forward, the tension evident in her posture. "So, what will it be? Are we enemies or allies?"

Canary, ever the strategist, weighed the options in her mind. Finally, she sighed, "Your abilities are not to be underestimated. And while I may have reservations, it seems the fates favor an alliance."

Baise let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

Neon added softly, "We won't let you down."

Canary nodded, the decision made. "Very well. Welcome to the Meteor Kingdom."

The weight of the moment settled in. Trusts were built, paths chosen, and destinies set into motion.

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