Slowly, Ariel's gaze drifted over to the monk, who now appeared slightly self-conscious.

"Actually, I'll go with you. I think I forgot my coat," Leroy began, stepping back.

"Leroy, it’s seventy degrees out here," Ariel remarked, raising an eyebrow at him.

The monk glanced down at her with a defensive glare. "I’m cold."

"You’re just being a chicken."

"No, but chicken would have been something I would have liked for breakfast, thank you very much—"

"Chicken breakfasts are for chickens, and I’m not going to marry Noah just so you can have one."

"And what is this? No moon Magnolia dust? You didn’t give one to your partner, hm? Very interesting," Obasan’s voice rang out, her eyes examining Max’s hand with a keen intensity.

"What are you getting at, old woman?" Taylor demanded, pulling Max closer with a protective grip.

The old woman narrowed her eyes at the priestess. "I’m marking you two as an unapproved couple."

Taylor’s mouth dropped open in offense. "You’re what—?"

But Wise Obasan wasn’t listening. Instead, she turned her attention to the squabbling pair a few feet away.

"Well, and who do we have here?"

Ariel and Leroy halted mid-sentence to stare at the old woman who was now grinning at them.

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"My dear girl, what energy I sense about you. A good match for you would be someone with a steady, sensible rhythm," she murmured, her eyes scrutinizing Leroy thoughtfully.

The monk shifted uncomfortably, and Ariel felt her stomach churn.

"Let’s see the rest of the story, shall we?" the old woman urged, extending her bony hand toward Ariel’s reluctant one.

"I’m going to grab my coat—" Leroy began, attempting to slip away while Ariel was occupied, but before he could move, Wise Obasan brandished a thick paper fan and swatted him across the knuckles.

"Ow!" Leroy cried out, rubbing his injured hand.

"Stay put, young man. You’re next."

Ariel gave the monk a satisfied smile, which he didn’t return.

"Oh, yes... as I suspected," the old woman continued, her gaze meeting Ariel’s. "You’ve received a moon Magnolia."

Ariel’s heart leapt into her throat. Before she could react, the old woman released her hand and turned to Leroy.

"Let me see your partner now, so he can be on his way..."

The monk looked down at the tiny old woman shuffling toward him. "Now, monk, let me see what you’ve been up to."

"How do you know I’m a monk?" Leroy asked, bewildered, allowing the ancient woman to take his hand without protest.

"Wise Obasan knows all. Now hold still," the old woman instructed, her grip tightening on his large hand.

"Ho ho, lookie here, yet another—"

"Person not to give out anything, that’s me—selfish. Well, thanks for that, Granny. I’ll be going to get my coat now—"

A paper fan came down sharply on the monk’s shoulder.

"Not so fast, young man—"

"Ow, that was my bad shoulder."

Obasan grinned. "I know."

Leroy glanced at Ariel, who offered him a weak smile in return.

"Now, as I was saying... you too have given out a moon Magnolia."

"So, we’re approved, or a match—whatever you call it?" the monk asked, gently massaging his arm.

The old woman swatted Leroy again.

"Oy! What—?" he protested, holding his stomach.

Ariel stepped in between the irate old woman and the monk.

"Young man, just because you gave a moon Magnolia and she received one... that means nothing in itself. No... your energies are too different. She must be paired with someone else... someone like..."

The old woman turned around slowly, as if in a trance or sensing for something.

"Him," she declared, pointing across the group at Jasper.

Ariel’s heart skipped a beat, her hand gripping Leroy’s tightly as if he were the only thing holding her upright.

Jasper?!