“Ah, well,” Bastien says, tilting her hand so she can see it better while he points things out, “this line—it means you will accumulate many animal companions during your lifetime. And this one means you will be very loved, even if it does not always feel like it. This long one means you will feel better if you talk about things instead of letting them eat away at you. And these little ones? They mean you need to come dancing with me soon.”

He leans forward so he can show her her hand closer-up.

“See? They are very specific—there is no line that means Bastien, of course, that would be ridiculous. But mustached... Orlesian... friend. Very clear.”