(no subject)
Something Wicked This Way Comes
by reefgirluk
Novak had to know what was going on, he knew tennis players were superstitious; especially Rafa, but he’d been hearing disturbing things lately. He’d heard that Rafa had taken to fortune telling in the locker rooms and all sorts of people were queuing up for his advice, especially the women. Novak found that particularly hard to swallow, knowing Rafa as he did.
He didn’t have to wait long to catch him in the act, he was coming out of the shower and towelling himself off when he heard low voices in the next room. He could hear Rafa’s voice talking; he couldn’t recognise the other one.
Rafa was talking about cups, swords, lovers, moon and justice, how logic was going to cut through the deception, how cause and effect would bring its own rewards and letting intuition guide you through your problems. Novak was shaking, with what, he didn’t know, fear, outrage, or the fact that Rafa was getting involved with the dark side. He waited until the other person had left, then he stormed into the locker room, he stopped dead when he saw Rafa pick up and shuffle a deck of Tarot cards.
“What the fuck are you doing with those?” Novak yelled,
“I was giving someone a reading, why?” Rafa replied,
“A reading, a reading!! I know you’re superstitious but this...this is...is witchcraft,” Novak shouted.
Rafa laughed. “It’s not witchcraft, its tarot, its divine guidance,” he replied.
“It’s satanic, the work of dark forces, it’s against the will of God,” Novak ranted. Rafa sighed, that’s all he needed, a lecture on turning your back on God from Novak, he’d had enough of that from Uncle Toni when he’d found out about his Pagan practises.
“Novak, sit down and let me explain,” he got up to put a hand on Novak’s arm, but he jerked it away, like he’d been branded. “Alright then, stand there and let me explain,” Rafa said.
“I don’t need to hear your explanations; you’ve turned to witchcraft,” Novak spat. Rafa laughed out loud.
“Are you listening to yourself, you’ve been watching too many bad horror movies and reading too many tabloids. Tarot has nothing to do with witchcraft, devil worship or whatever other dark rituals your mind has you believing in. For fuck’s sake, it’s a game, my Grandfather and his friends play it every Thursday, the French players have a tournament in every Grand Slam we go to. You never accuse them of witchcraft,” Rafa replied.
“But they’re not using it to predict the future,” Novak blustered.
“And neither am I, it’s guidance and advice mainly. It’s helped me a lot,” Rafa replied. Novak had to concede that point, Rafa had been looking a lot happier lately.
“That still doesn’t excuse you turning to witchcraft,” Novak said, wanting to have the last word.
Rafa sighed, “It. Is. Not. Witchcraft. I am not going to dance naked around a cauldron under a full moon and tell you that you are going to be the next King of Scotland or you cannot be beaten by anyone ‘Of Woman Born’ how many times do I have to tell you that I am not a witch,” Rafa sighed. Novak smirked and the atmosphere relaxed a little.
“You’ve been hanging around Andy too long. I recognise that Of Woman Born and King of Scotland from Macbeth, if he gets drunk at Hallowe’en he’ll recite the whole play,” Novak replied.
Rafa laughed too, “I’ve heard him recite the Double Double Toil and Trouble speech when he’s been mixing cocktails before now,” he said. Novak sat down, his righteous anger all blown out.
“So how did you get involved in...this?” he asked.
“An old school friend of mine, his aunt could do it, she read the cards for me at a Hallowe’en party, and she was the one who told me I’d be a successful tennis player. I didn’t believe her of course, but when I started winning big tournaments I went back to see her, she read for me again and I kind of knew what she was going to say. She said I had the knowledge in me to do it and it kind of went from there. When I went back home I’d go to see her and she’d teach me, not just how to read the cards but that there is so much more than God out there,” Rafa replied.
“How did your Uncle Toni take it?” Novak asked.
“The same as you did, he started ranting about witchcraft and selling my soul to Satan, when I explained how it all started he couldn’t say too much at home because my friend’s aunt is the sister of the local Priest. So you see he couldn’t go home and accuse her of witchcraft and corrupting me into the dark side, too many awkward questions," Rafa replied.
Novak laughed. “Ooh that’s awkward, how did the priest take it?” Novak asked,
Rafa shrugged. “No, idea. Would you like me to read for you? You’ll see that there is nothing evil about it,” Rafa said. Novak looked worried, all his life he’d been told that things like this were the work of the Devil and it was evil, but this was Rafa, his friend, he couldn’t believe that he was into dark arts. For one thing, his Uncle Toni wouldn’t allow it.
“I don’t know, I really don’t” he replied.
Rafa smiled, “It’s not dangerous, you read your horoscope don’t you? This is the same thing,” Rafa replied.
Novak voiced his biggest fear, “What about the Death Card?” he asked, Rafa held his hand. Everyone knew about Novak’s childhood and the effect it had on him.
“It doesn’t always mean physical Death, it depends on the other cards around it, but nine times out of ten it means metaphorical Death, the end of something, job, relationship, a big change in your life, the chances of it coming out are 78/1,” Rafa said.
Novak smiled. “What the hell, go on then, they’ll probably tell me I’m a hopeless romantic who will die alone,” he replied.
“What do you want to know, you have to ask the cards a question?” Rafa said.
Novak thought, “Will I meet someone tall, dark and handsome?” he said with a smirk. Rafa rolled his eyes and shuffled the cards, he dealt out the 3 of Swords, 2 of Swords, 8 of Cups, The Hanged Man and the 2 of Cups. Novak let out the breath he was holding, no Death Card, despite what Rafa had said, it had been praying on his mind.
“Ok, are you ready?" Novak nodded. "In past influences, we have the 3 of Swords, it pretty much means what the picture says,” Rafa said. The picture on the card was of a heart pierced with three swords against a background of rain and stormy skies. “In the past there has been heartbreak, betrayal and loneliness.” Everyone knew Novak had privately fallen apart when Andy had announced his engagement to Kim after promising Novak that he was the only one for him. It was for his image, Andy had said, nothing changed how he felt for Novak, but Novak couldn’t share Andy with Kim.
“Not exactly news is it?” Novak replied.
“I know but it helps explain the other cards, especially the 2 of Swords which is Current Influences, this means you’re putting up barriers, see the picture,” on the card the picture was of a woman, blindfolded with two swords in her hand that were crossed over her heart. “You are not letting anyone in for fear of being hurt again and you are avoiding the truth. Andy hurt you, people wanted to help but you wouldn’t let them, you just carried on being the Joker you always are,” Rafa said.
Novak nodded, he’d dismissed all the sympathy, offers of a shoulder to cry on and nights out with friends with his usual humour and jokes saying he was perfectly alright.
“Ok, I’ll admit to that,” Novak replied.
“The 8 of Swords in Hidden Influences means it’s time to move on, with the previous cards, it’ll telling you just that, you’ve mourned and grieved enough, it’s time to walk away from it.” Novak nodded again, he could see that.
“Your nicely ordered world was shaken up and thrown into disorder; see how the cups are stacked,” on the cards the cups were stacked in rows of five and three, instead of the usual four and four. “You have to put all of this behind you and move on,” Rafa said.
Novak sighed, it was like Rafa and his cards could see directly into his soul, the last few months were laid out in front of him in pretty pictures.
“What’s next?” he asked, lightly.
“The Advice card is The Hanged Man, its meaning is it’s time to step back and take a good look at the situation you’re in, plot your next move very carefully because you may be asked to make a sacrifice. With all the other cards that went before, it’s saying that it’s time to give up the hurt and that last lingering hope you have that Andy will give up Kim and start again, to find someone new, which is what the last card is indicating. The Two of Swords means a new romance is starting, or is about to start. This is just what you need, proper romance, not just sex, this card is all about falling in love, walks in the park, romantic dinners and the joy of love, a much better indication of love that The Lovers,” Rafa said.
“How will I know?” Novak asked.
Rafa grinned. “Oh you’ll know when it happens,” he replied.
Novak grinned, whether it was true or if Rafa had made it all up just to make him feel better, he didn’t care. His chest felt lighter, as if the iron bands that had been gripping his heart had just shattered. It was all good advice, he’d been dragging these chains around far too long; Djordje and Marko had said the same thing many times. What the hell, he was going to take the advice, especially if there really was someone Tall, Dark and Handsome at the end of it. He looked at Rafa looking over his cards, or even someone Short, Dark and Handsome.
“So, this reading says that you’ve been hurt in the past and you’ve been putting up barriers to stop people getting close, but it’s time to walk away from all the things that have been dragging you down. Step back and plan your next move carefully because sacrifices may be called for before the Romance you’ve craved comes your way.” Rafa said.
Novak grinned again. “Thanks, I’m sorry about all the things I said earlier, you’ve made me face up to things,” he replied.
“Tarot isn’t all about ‘The Future’ most of the time it’s advice you need to take and sometimes it’s a slap in the head to make to make you face up to the truth,” Rafa said.
“Oh yeah, it’s been that alright,” Novak retorted.
Rafa laughed “So can I buy one of the Weird Sisters a drink?”
“Sure, I’d like that,” Rafa replied.
He gathered up his cards and wrapped them back up in the silk scarf he protected them with. He didn’t bother looking at the card at the bottom of the deck, which was The Empress. She knew what was coming next.
by reefgirluk
Novak had to know what was going on, he knew tennis players were superstitious; especially Rafa, but he’d been hearing disturbing things lately. He’d heard that Rafa had taken to fortune telling in the locker rooms and all sorts of people were queuing up for his advice, especially the women. Novak found that particularly hard to swallow, knowing Rafa as he did.
He didn’t have to wait long to catch him in the act, he was coming out of the shower and towelling himself off when he heard low voices in the next room. He could hear Rafa’s voice talking; he couldn’t recognise the other one.
Rafa was talking about cups, swords, lovers, moon and justice, how logic was going to cut through the deception, how cause and effect would bring its own rewards and letting intuition guide you through your problems. Novak was shaking, with what, he didn’t know, fear, outrage, or the fact that Rafa was getting involved with the dark side. He waited until the other person had left, then he stormed into the locker room, he stopped dead when he saw Rafa pick up and shuffle a deck of Tarot cards.
“What the fuck are you doing with those?” Novak yelled,
“I was giving someone a reading, why?” Rafa replied,
“A reading, a reading!! I know you’re superstitious but this...this is...is witchcraft,” Novak shouted.
Rafa laughed. “It’s not witchcraft, its tarot, its divine guidance,” he replied.
“It’s satanic, the work of dark forces, it’s against the will of God,” Novak ranted. Rafa sighed, that’s all he needed, a lecture on turning your back on God from Novak, he’d had enough of that from Uncle Toni when he’d found out about his Pagan practises.
“Novak, sit down and let me explain,” he got up to put a hand on Novak’s arm, but he jerked it away, like he’d been branded. “Alright then, stand there and let me explain,” Rafa said.
“I don’t need to hear your explanations; you’ve turned to witchcraft,” Novak spat. Rafa laughed out loud.
“Are you listening to yourself, you’ve been watching too many bad horror movies and reading too many tabloids. Tarot has nothing to do with witchcraft, devil worship or whatever other dark rituals your mind has you believing in. For fuck’s sake, it’s a game, my Grandfather and his friends play it every Thursday, the French players have a tournament in every Grand Slam we go to. You never accuse them of witchcraft,” Rafa replied.
“But they’re not using it to predict the future,” Novak blustered.
“And neither am I, it’s guidance and advice mainly. It’s helped me a lot,” Rafa replied. Novak had to concede that point, Rafa had been looking a lot happier lately.
“That still doesn’t excuse you turning to witchcraft,” Novak said, wanting to have the last word.
Rafa sighed, “It. Is. Not. Witchcraft. I am not going to dance naked around a cauldron under a full moon and tell you that you are going to be the next King of Scotland or you cannot be beaten by anyone ‘Of Woman Born’ how many times do I have to tell you that I am not a witch,” Rafa sighed. Novak smirked and the atmosphere relaxed a little.
“You’ve been hanging around Andy too long. I recognise that Of Woman Born and King of Scotland from Macbeth, if he gets drunk at Hallowe’en he’ll recite the whole play,” Novak replied.
Rafa laughed too, “I’ve heard him recite the Double Double Toil and Trouble speech when he’s been mixing cocktails before now,” he said. Novak sat down, his righteous anger all blown out.
“So how did you get involved in...this?” he asked.
“An old school friend of mine, his aunt could do it, she read the cards for me at a Hallowe’en party, and she was the one who told me I’d be a successful tennis player. I didn’t believe her of course, but when I started winning big tournaments I went back to see her, she read for me again and I kind of knew what she was going to say. She said I had the knowledge in me to do it and it kind of went from there. When I went back home I’d go to see her and she’d teach me, not just how to read the cards but that there is so much more than God out there,” Rafa replied.
“How did your Uncle Toni take it?” Novak asked.
“The same as you did, he started ranting about witchcraft and selling my soul to Satan, when I explained how it all started he couldn’t say too much at home because my friend’s aunt is the sister of the local Priest. So you see he couldn’t go home and accuse her of witchcraft and corrupting me into the dark side, too many awkward questions," Rafa replied.
Novak laughed. “Ooh that’s awkward, how did the priest take it?” Novak asked,
Rafa shrugged. “No, idea. Would you like me to read for you? You’ll see that there is nothing evil about it,” Rafa said. Novak looked worried, all his life he’d been told that things like this were the work of the Devil and it was evil, but this was Rafa, his friend, he couldn’t believe that he was into dark arts. For one thing, his Uncle Toni wouldn’t allow it.
“I don’t know, I really don’t” he replied.
Rafa smiled, “It’s not dangerous, you read your horoscope don’t you? This is the same thing,” Rafa replied.
Novak voiced his biggest fear, “What about the Death Card?” he asked, Rafa held his hand. Everyone knew about Novak’s childhood and the effect it had on him.
“It doesn’t always mean physical Death, it depends on the other cards around it, but nine times out of ten it means metaphorical Death, the end of something, job, relationship, a big change in your life, the chances of it coming out are 78/1,” Rafa said.
Novak smiled. “What the hell, go on then, they’ll probably tell me I’m a hopeless romantic who will die alone,” he replied.
“What do you want to know, you have to ask the cards a question?” Rafa said.
Novak thought, “Will I meet someone tall, dark and handsome?” he said with a smirk. Rafa rolled his eyes and shuffled the cards, he dealt out the 3 of Swords, 2 of Swords, 8 of Cups, The Hanged Man and the 2 of Cups. Novak let out the breath he was holding, no Death Card, despite what Rafa had said, it had been praying on his mind.
“Ok, are you ready?" Novak nodded. "In past influences, we have the 3 of Swords, it pretty much means what the picture says,” Rafa said. The picture on the card was of a heart pierced with three swords against a background of rain and stormy skies. “In the past there has been heartbreak, betrayal and loneliness.” Everyone knew Novak had privately fallen apart when Andy had announced his engagement to Kim after promising Novak that he was the only one for him. It was for his image, Andy had said, nothing changed how he felt for Novak, but Novak couldn’t share Andy with Kim.
“Not exactly news is it?” Novak replied.
“I know but it helps explain the other cards, especially the 2 of Swords which is Current Influences, this means you’re putting up barriers, see the picture,” on the card the picture was of a woman, blindfolded with two swords in her hand that were crossed over her heart. “You are not letting anyone in for fear of being hurt again and you are avoiding the truth. Andy hurt you, people wanted to help but you wouldn’t let them, you just carried on being the Joker you always are,” Rafa said.
Novak nodded, he’d dismissed all the sympathy, offers of a shoulder to cry on and nights out with friends with his usual humour and jokes saying he was perfectly alright.
“Ok, I’ll admit to that,” Novak replied.
“The 8 of Swords in Hidden Influences means it’s time to move on, with the previous cards, it’ll telling you just that, you’ve mourned and grieved enough, it’s time to walk away from it.” Novak nodded again, he could see that.
“Your nicely ordered world was shaken up and thrown into disorder; see how the cups are stacked,” on the cards the cups were stacked in rows of five and three, instead of the usual four and four. “You have to put all of this behind you and move on,” Rafa said.
Novak sighed, it was like Rafa and his cards could see directly into his soul, the last few months were laid out in front of him in pretty pictures.
“What’s next?” he asked, lightly.
“The Advice card is The Hanged Man, its meaning is it’s time to step back and take a good look at the situation you’re in, plot your next move very carefully because you may be asked to make a sacrifice. With all the other cards that went before, it’s saying that it’s time to give up the hurt and that last lingering hope you have that Andy will give up Kim and start again, to find someone new, which is what the last card is indicating. The Two of Swords means a new romance is starting, or is about to start. This is just what you need, proper romance, not just sex, this card is all about falling in love, walks in the park, romantic dinners and the joy of love, a much better indication of love that The Lovers,” Rafa said.
“How will I know?” Novak asked.
Rafa grinned. “Oh you’ll know when it happens,” he replied.
Novak grinned, whether it was true or if Rafa had made it all up just to make him feel better, he didn’t care. His chest felt lighter, as if the iron bands that had been gripping his heart had just shattered. It was all good advice, he’d been dragging these chains around far too long; Djordje and Marko had said the same thing many times. What the hell, he was going to take the advice, especially if there really was someone Tall, Dark and Handsome at the end of it. He looked at Rafa looking over his cards, or even someone Short, Dark and Handsome.
“So, this reading says that you’ve been hurt in the past and you’ve been putting up barriers to stop people getting close, but it’s time to walk away from all the things that have been dragging you down. Step back and plan your next move carefully because sacrifices may be called for before the Romance you’ve craved comes your way.” Rafa said.
Novak grinned again. “Thanks, I’m sorry about all the things I said earlier, you’ve made me face up to things,” he replied.
“Tarot isn’t all about ‘The Future’ most of the time it’s advice you need to take and sometimes it’s a slap in the head to make to make you face up to the truth,” Rafa said.
“Oh yeah, it’s been that alright,” Novak retorted.
Rafa laughed “So can I buy one of the Weird Sisters a drink?”
“Sure, I’d like that,” Rafa replied.
He gathered up his cards and wrapped them back up in the silk scarf he protected them with. He didn’t bother looking at the card at the bottom of the deck, which was The Empress. She knew what was coming next.