Work Text:
"Oooh, so you're born on November 15th, Mr. Chrollo? That makes you a Scorpio, then. Not that I'm surprised; it's really written all over you," Neon chirped as she scanned the notebook that the dark-haired man had just turned over.
"Ah, is that so? I'm afraid I really know little about astrology," Chrollo admitted with a laugh.
Neon leaned over the restaurant table, kicking her heels in excitement. "I looove astrology, it's so fascinating!" she gushed. "Knowing your star sign can lead you to sooo many deep insights about life. You can learn so much about yourself and how you interact with others through compatibility types."
"Can you, now?" said Chrollo, bemused. "What should I know about being a Scorpio?"
"Well, as a Scorpio, you're emotional, sensitive, passionate and intense. You have a powerful, stoic presence on the outside, but you're very vulnerable deep inside. Scorpios deeply value loyalty," Neon lectured him, "and they seek to surround themselves with loyal people that they share deep connections with."
Chrollo paused, frowning minutely as he turned her words over and over in his mind.
"I kinda clocked you as a water sign the moment I met you," Neon continued, "although it didn't realllly click that you were a Scorpio until just now, but I totally should have! You've got the stereotypical dark, brooding, charismatic thing going on and that is just SO typical for a Scorpio, actually." She took a quick sip of her soda before getting back on track. "So like, the Zodiac are also divided into elemental signs, okay, so Scorpio is assigned to water. Think of it like a category where the star signs share some overlapping traits. Water's very mutable, and so are water signs. They're intuitive, introverted, yadda yadda."
"Fascinating," Chrollo murmured as he sat back, sipped at his coffee, and let her words wash over him like waves lapping at the shore. Like water, as she said, he thought to himself with some amusement.
"And that means that some star signs just aren't compatible with each other, which, like, makes a lot of sense! I mean, not everyone likes every personality trait, it's just how life is. So there's star signs that you'll get along with and attract, and people you are gonna repel, or just...have an awful time with. Like Gemini!" Neon lifted her finger in the air. "Air sign that has birthdays from late May to mid June. They're a very fickle sign and are just sooo incompatible with Scorpio. We're talking absolute chaos, messy drama." Neon paused. "Unless you like that sort of thing, which hey! I'm not judging!" She waved her hands in the air nervously.
"Steer clear of Geminis, understood." Hmmm, that description seemed to fit one of his Spiders almost to a T. How very interesting... "Whom would I be most compatible with, then?"
"Sooo, Virgo and Capricorn usually are recommended, but I'd say go for a Pisces every time," Neon stated. "They're mid February through mid March birthdays, and a water sign like you, so very emotional and sensitive, and very intuitive. They're dreamers who wear their heart on their sleeve and they highly value loyalty and honesty. If you want a supportive friend or partner, a Pisces is your best choice."
"Well, this has been very informative," Chrollo said as he checked his phone, "but I'm afraid we'll have to cut it short. The Auction should be starting soon, and we won't want to miss that, hmmm?"
"Oh, of course not! Thanks for reeling me in," Neon said cheerfully. "I just love talking about astrology, but nobody at home really cares unless it's related to my work, you know? It's nice to have someone to nerd out with."
"You're quite welcome," Chrollo said with a charming smile. "This conversation has been invaluable, I assure you."
Precisely one day later, Chrollo was mulling this conversation over as he sat in the backseat of a car, chained so tightly he couldn't move an inch. Beside him sat a slim blond youth, radiating fury from every pore. But despite their bloodlust, Chrollo remained unbothered. Or, that is to say, his attention was firmly settled elsewhere.
His eyes were lifted to the rearview mirror of the car, where he had met the startled gaze of the driver. Hazel eyes, full of surprise and determination, and a little fear...but also curiosity and intrigue. Soft eyes, with little flecks of dark brown and gold. Beautiful eyes, reaching out to the depths of Chrollo’s soul. His heart skipped a beat, and Chrollo felt the universe guiding his hand.
"By the way, driver," Chrollo said lightly, "if I might be so bold as to ask...when's your birthday?"