Janan looked at the table in front of them again. They were sure they were interpreting what they saw correctly. It was a connection like they hadn't seen in quite some time, like two plants twisting around each other as they grew. They would do well to cultivate and provide nutrients to the budding bond. And Janan planned to do just that…

This year was sure to be fun. Janan couldn't wait to find out what this would mean for the others. Things had gotten foggy in their sight lately and that was one of the most exciting parts about everything.

Some interesting catalysts had arrived this time.

***

Could an already pleasant day get even more lovely? Arty thought so.

She was on her way to lunch with a guy she would dare to consider one of her best friends, Abe, and she'd finished all her short term work in the morning. Other than the one unpleasant encounter after breakfast, today was mostly looking up. They'd even had that talk earlier that made it feel like Abe and her had gotten closer.

“Hey, Artemis?” He sounded almost nervous, like he was worried he was bothering her for some reason.

“Yeah?” She turned to Abe as they walked.

“I was just wondering if you had any plans this afternoon. I know you are in a few sports teams but you spent most of yesterday and today with me studying… I don't know, just figured you'd have some sort of practice you needed to go to.”

Arty smiled lightly. “Don't worry, I'm balancing things fine. None of the teams I'm a part of had any practice planned yesterday or today. Though, I was planning to do some relaxed exercise after lunch today… would you maybe want to join me? A healthy body better houses a healthy mind, you know.”

“Our walk yesterday wasn't enough exercising your nerd for you this week?” She caught the ghost of his smirk as Abe tried to pretend he was serious.

“It's Sunday, so a new week. But either way, no… We should be exercising every day to improve brain functions. It's just logical and an effective habit to have for improving both mind and body…”

Abe let out a chuckle at that. “How is it that you always seem to say things I can't argue with?”

“Part of my charm, I guess. So does that mean you will join me?”

“Fine.” Abe didn't seem as upset or reluctant as he tried to pretend he was. “What did you have in mind?”

“Oh, you know… a triathlon or two followed by some simple heavy lifting.” She joked.

“I think I remember reading something in the campus informational pamphlet that said the gym has a climbing wall… How about we check it out after lunch?”

“Now, that sounds like a plan.” Arty took a moment to look over what Abe was wearing. “Though, I guess we'll need to stop by our rooms to change first. What we're wearing isn't exactly workout clothes… You do have gym clothes here on campus, right?”

Abe gave an obviously fake offended gasp, complete with a dramatic hand to his chest. “Of course I do. Just because I'm a studying freak doesn't mean I don't need exercise outfits. I refuse to let my overall grades drop just because I wasn't prepared for my physical education credit classes.”

“Well, I didn't want to assume that you didn't skip packing any to make more room for your herbs and beakers.” She shrugged.

“Artemis… how could you say something like that?” He had a pretend upset expression before switching to a light smirk. “It's so in line with something I'd totally do.” The two exchanged a look before a snort broke the floodgates and they were both chuckling.

“Oh my gods, Abe. You are such a drama king… Why aren't you drowning in friends when you have this fun side to you?”

“I'm socially awkward so it takes real skills to unlock this side of me…?”

“Well, I'm glad I put in the effort.” Arty wasn't just saying that. It was fate they met and a blessing she chose to pursue a friendship with him.

When they got to the dining hall, Arty almost started towards the table full of the woodsmen team but… she remembered the last time Abe joined her when she ate with them. He'd been so out of place and reserved. She preferred this outgoing side of him he displayed when comfortable.

She headed to an unoccupied table. Maybe she could just have one or two other students join them so he didn't feel too overwhelmed. She wanted others to see how great Abe actually was once one got to know him. She put her jacket on the back of a chair while Abe set his bag on another before they both went to grab some food.

Lasagna and garlic bread? Yes please. The carbs would do great towards her after meal workout later. When she got back to the table, Abe had what looked like a spinach fettuccine with a small green salad on the side.

“Where did you get the salad? I didn't see anywhere set up for one today.”

“Make your own sandwich station. If you grab a bowl from beside the ice cream machine and ask the worker to put everything in it instead of on bread or a wrap, they'll put anything they have available in. No croutons and only diced tomatoes instead of cherry, but it essentially makes a passable salad.”

“Wow, how long did it take you to find that hack?”

“I think the worker saw me looking down about there not being a salad bar last week. She called me over and just told me they were allowed to do that sort of thing since nothing is individually sold.” 

Arty stood up. “Well, then thanks for the tip. I'll be right back with my own in a moment, alright?”

“I'll be here.”

It wasn't long before they were finally both settled with their food and only another twenty minutes before they were done eating. They continued to just talk for a little longer after finishing before Arty started to feel a touch antsy. She'd been promised her body exercise after food and it wanted to cash in on that commitment.

“Shall we be off now, then?” Artemis got up and Abe soon followed. The pleasant conversation continued until they had to part at the dorm to go change.

She rushed through the process, barely confirming her roommate didn't have any guests before stripping out of one outfit and throwing on a more gym appropriate one. She mentally thanked all those years of sports changing rooms for her speed at the change.

A little too quick of a change it seemed. She got to the door they'd agreed to meet at before Abe. It was fine, she wanted to walk up to the gym with him so she could wait patiently.

“What's this? A goddess waiting for her school partner…” Arty looked towards the voice to find Janan leaning against a nearby tree. “Off to another adventure, I assume.”

“Oh hi Janan. I'm just waiting for a friend. We're going to the gym for some rock climbing.”

Janan smiled. “I figured… Was reading the cards and today is a fortuitous day indeed. They said it would be a day where misfortune would be short lived and positively would begin to sprout… It's been a while since I got such readings.” That especially caught Arty's attention.

“You do fortune readings?”

“Yep.” Janan pulled out a deck of cards. “All kinds, though I most enjoy tarot cards. Would you like me to do one for you while you wait?”

“I mean… I don't really know how long Abe is going to be.”

“I can do a quick one for now and maybe a more thorough one some other time, hmm?” She was really curious about what Janan would divine regarding her.

“Alright, sure…” Janan seemed to be using magic as they artfully shuffled the deck before pulling out the top four cards.

“Hmm… I see confusion in your future. Two becoming tangled and not knowing which is who. I also foresee branches of love… each sort of love is unique as the person it is directed towards and that doesn't make any of them invalid. Cling to that knowledge when things are most foggy and unclear, as it will serve you well and enlighten the correct path.” Arty didn't quite know how she felt about all that… Was it supposed to be more good or bad leaning of a prediction in general?

“Oh, um… okay. Thank you for doing a reading for me.”

Janan took her hand. “Everything is going to be fine. You have the power in your own hands what comes out of the fate I have told you about. It will result in good if you make the effort for it to do so…” Janan smiled and let go of her hand as Arty heard the door behind her open. “Right now, though, you should go enjoy your afternoon on the fake rock wall with your partner. Until next time, Miss Artemis.”