Title: Paths and Red Strings
Day/Theme: July 30 - for I have made her prison be her every step away from me
Series: Tales of Symphonia
Character/Pairing: Sheena, Zelos
Rating: PG
Note: A little rushed, sorry. Stems from a bunny I've had for a while, though.


Sheena fidgeted as she waited outside of the fortune teller's booth. She was horribly embarrassed with herself for being here in the first place, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. Lloyd had been flittering in and out of the place nearly every time they had visited Triet. One of the times she had followed him, he had been asking vague questions about the people in their group. When her name had come up, she had bolted the other way, but her curiosity had long since reared its ugly head. It probably did not help that she kept hearing about how accurate the fortune teller's love fortunes were.

So, after multiple trips to the small desert city, Sheena had finally caved and snuck away from the party, saying she wanted some time to herself. If anyone - especially that stupid Chosen - managed to catch her here, she'd probably die of embarrassment, but. Augh, she was just too curious about it to back away now!

Finally working up her nerve, she walked into the tent, feeling her embarrassment and nerves rise. She was just curious, that was it. She wasn't looking for an answer or anything. The fortune teller noticed her, looking up from her crystal ball and giving her a gentle smile. She gestured towards the chair in front of her, and Sheena took the seat gladly.

"So, tell me, what is the question you would ask of me tonight?" she said, her tone airy and light, her hands hovering over the crystal ball.

Sheena fidgeted again. She really needed to stop that. "Ah, erm, um. I had heard-"

"That my love fortunes are quite accurate, correct?" she said, giving Sheena a knowing smile.

Sheena relaxed a little, glad she had taken the words out of her mouth. "Y-yeah."

The fortune teller nodded, closing her eyes and focusing her hands over the crystal ball again. It was quiet for a few moments, and Sheena watched her, entranced by the eerie light the ball was starting to emit. Suddenly, the fortune teller frowned, and looked up from the ball to stare at Sheena.

"W-What?" Sheena asked, off-put. Was something wrong?

Something was confusing the fortune teller at least, as she looked at the ball and then Sheena again, somewhat perplexed. "You did not inform me you were in the young swordman's group."

Sheena could feel the heat go up into her cheeks. "Wh-what does that matter?" she blurted.

The fortune teller shrugged. "All of your fates are intertwined. It is very hard to make out at times, and it confused me for a moment," she said, looking at the ball thoughtfully. "It seems to me however, you have someone you are already quite close to in your group."

Sheena thought on it for a moment, before feeling almost sick to her stomach. "You don't mean that stupid Chosen, do you?"

The fortune teller shrugged again. "I am not familiar with your group. I only read what ball gives me."

Sheena sighed. "Right."

"However," she said, starting again. "Even though this connection seems to be unwanted, it is quite deep. While the red string of fate seems to be tied amidst all of your group, the bond between you two seems quite thick. Nearly unbreakable." The fortune teller focused on the ball again, the eerie light once again lighting her face. "No matter what path you or he shall take, one of you will follow. It is a connection that will follow you throughout your life, for better or for worse. Although you both will forge your own paths, of that I'm sure."

Sheena grumbled loudly at this, not liking where this was going at all. She did not need to hear she was almost chained to that insufferable man, especially from this woman. "Great. Now I really am stuck with that idiot," she sighed, slumping into the chair. The fortune teller suddenly frowned again though, catching Sheena's attention. "Wh-what? I didn't mean to insult you or anything-"

The woman shook her head, focused still on the crystal ball. "No, it is not you. There is something worrisome in your future however, something I cannot choose for any of you," she said. "The man you are tied to faces a difficult decision - one that could result in something that could destroy him."

Sheena felt her stomach twist. "Wh-what? What do you mean?"

The fortune teller just shook her head, her face somewhat sad. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you. I don't quite know myself what it is that could ruin him," she answered. "But do listen to this - you must keep an eye on him, however unwanted his attentions to you are. For even if you despise him, a bond like the one you share breaking would shatter part of you as well."

Sheena bit her lower lip, suddenly completely unsure of herself - and that stupid Chosen. "I..." she trailed off, unsure of what to even say. Even though she hated how he acted, he really was someone she considered at least partly a friend - although a horribly annoying one at that. She knew deep in her heart that if something happened to him, she'd be hurt as well. The fortune teller wasn't lying - she would be sad if she lost him.

The fortune teller smiled a little, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry. Even if it does turn out for the worse, I'm sure your group will find a way to make it right. The young swordsman who leads you has great potential to change even the world. I'm sure you'll find a way to avoid any sad path in your journey."

Sheena smiled nervously, but nodded. "Th-thanks. I hope so."

After giving the fortune teller a small payment in thanks, Sheena left the tent, her mind racing even more than before. What had that been all about, anyway? What could she do for that stupid Chosen, especially when she didn't know what was going on to begin with? Her thoughts were interrupted however when she collided with something hard and breathing.

A red haired, clad in pink, and breathing "something."

"Aaaah, hey, hunny!" Zelos said, acting somewhat nervous. Sheena shot him a glare. Either he was off chasing some stupid floozy, or he had been following her. Or something even worse, she didn't know. And she didn't care to know.

Zelos just gave her one of his usual grins though, stuffing something in his pockets. "Fancy seeing you out at this time of night! Were you off on a date~? Hmmm?"

Sheena just ignored him though, walking right by him. Zelos gave out a whine, and followed after her. "Hey, no need to be cold! I was just curious."

Sheena remembered the fortune teller's words - "you must keep an eye on him, however unwanted his attentions to you are" - and stopped. She was going to regret this, but.

"...Zelos?"

Zelos stopped as well. "Hmm? What is it, Sheena?"

Sheena stared at him, hoping that he would catch that she was trying to be serious. "There... isn't anything bothering you, is there?"

Zelos looked a little caught off guard, but smiled at her all the same. "Other than I still haven't caught your elusive heart? Of course not."

Sheena sighed, shaking her head. "Whatever. Just... just know I'd listen if there was something wrong, okay?" she said, trying to ignore the red that was probably creeping into her face again.

Zelos looked a little more surprised, but the smile he gave her was more genuine than before. "I'll keep that in mind."

Sheena nodded. "Good," she said, feeling a little better - although more awkward. She instead turned her attention towards another question. "Now, what were you doing out here so late at night?"

Zelos' grin went back to that lying one, and he looked away, starting back towards the inn. "Oooh, nothing nothing. Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head over."

Sheena sighed again, feeling her usual frustration for him well up. "Ugh, wait up, you stupid Chosen!" she grumbled, running after him. If she was going to be stuck with him, she figured she would have to get used to his usual annoyances. And she had a feeling, deep down, that the fortune's teller suggestion to keep an eye on him would prove useful soon. Just how soon, she didn't know.

She wasn't going to just blindly follow the fortune teller's words though, no. She could forge her own path, and she knew it. But still, she would keep the advice close to her heart, just in case. Everything had been so unsure for them lately, and she couldn't afford to just throw it away. Because, even though she hated how he always seemed to pop up into her life, she couldn't argue that his constant presence wasn't a complete annoyance. He was her friend, and she was going to make sure they didn't stray down that unhappy path, no matter what. Stupid Chosen or not.