She nods, unconsciously squaring her shoulders as she turns her attention back to the spread, trying to recapture whatever aptitude she used to have for this. It's been a few years since she tried, though perhaps not so long as he might be imagining.

With a deep breath, she turns over the top row. On the left, the Emperor; on the right, the Hermit, and between them, a single sword, turned to face Mulder.

Her brow pinches as she considers the cards, though she throws a quick glance his way. Of course Mulder couldn't pick a light and fluffy story.

"Okay," she breathes, and taps the first card.

"The Emperor is a patriarch-- he can symbolize authority, law and order; but sometimes it's just literal. He's usually Ahab when I'm reading," she says with a small smile. "In this case I think maybe it's both figurative and literal-- there's a balance between order, authority... and the Hermit. A seeker of truth, a source of inner guidance. Someone else who offered a different perspective. There's a conflict-- not between the two men directly. But.... maybe their world views. One--" His father, though she's skirting around the idea a little-- "wanting obedience and structure, the other seeking answers in less traditional places."

She looks at him again, and taps the ace of swords.

"And then... chaos."