Faust's Links
“The cards at the table don’t quite feel the same these days.”
"I'm not playing any of your stupid games anymore. Go Away."
"...Calling you 'little one' doesn't feel quite right." They quietly watch the ash falls off their cigar. "But there just doesn't seem to be...a good place to put you in this deck. Hm." A new card would look strange among withered cards after all.
"Boone's really nice! Sometimes I almost feel bad for him when we play since she's just so unlucky, pffft! I don't know why so many folks are afraid of them, they seem like a real friendly fellow if you ask me!"
He holds up a partially ripped card, the King of Hearts. The card explodes into flames, its crackling heat both violent and ravenous. Faust however, casually blows out the flames with a calm breath, watching it quickly flzzle into smoke. "He doesn't play anymore." She mumbles, shaking the card to reveal that it was now a pristine Ace of Spades. "Good for him."
"Oh uh, yes, Faust." He shifts a bit, notably uncomfortable. "He's a fine fellow, actually. I just...well I- Where do I begin..." He sighs. "We used to play cards the odd times we would cross eachother's paths, among other things. He certainly fancies his alcohol." He laughs rather sheepishly. "I'm a bit embarrassed to say but, I wasn't particularly the most pleasant guest at the table. I hope they forgive me for that."
She draws one card and holds them at a distance; Jack of Spades. They tilt their head as they realize a second card had latched itself to the back of the first, shifting their fingers to view what it was. "Queen of...Hearts. Hm." They did seem awfully familiar. Perhaps they were related to the lady somehow.
"Ah yeah, that guy. I actually like him. Can't say I'd ever like to live whatever life they're going for, but it's what they wanna do and they're doing it. Good for them." They cross their arms. "I'm still kind of mad about what happened the last time we played though." She clicks her tongue. "Sleight of hand is a habit, they can't blame me for that."
"One could say a Jack of All Trades, perhaps?" He presents four jack cards, one for each suit. "Charming little one, that one is. Knows how to make a good deal."
"Ehehe Boone is really fun! They always agree to play some of my games at the table too!! I got to teach them Mahjong and everything and it was great! Ah, I call em Boone because that's what Kit calls him, but Neko calls him Faust.” She tilts her head to the side with a small jingle. “Hm, y'know what, he never actually said what his name was I don't think?"
"Yes, the Madame. She is quite a dear." They draw the 6 of Hearts from their deck; the patterns are a little faded. "She's come a long way since our first meeting. I'm sure they're proud."
Bianca simply nods respectfully. She regards him as a kind friend and compatriot who's been with her through hard times. It's still always happy to play a few games when they come to town.
"Yes, a good friend." She says, shuffling the 2 of Hearts back into the deck with a quiet hum. "We enjoy many a peaceful game. And I'm sure we have many, many more in store."
They laugh softly, the sound of a dozen echos in its wake, yet their voice remains clear when they actually speak. "I enjoy our time together. He's quite lovely company during calm, restful days."
"I pin them as an Ace." He says, drawing the Ace of Diamonds from the deck. "He's quite the energetic little one. Not the most enthusiastic myself but, he doesn't seem to mind." She gives a content nod. "Charmed."
"What a SILLY fellow! I DO NOT understand her cards play but it ENTERTAINS ME otherwise! But I MUST SAY... their luck IS HORRIBLE hahaha! ...I WONDER if they'll WANT to be INTERVIEWED by ME? ...THE ANSWER IS probably... OBVIOUSLY YES!!"
"...That one?" A moment of quiet fills the air between the rustling of paper and the distant bustle of activity, contemplative. He's been caught in an odd sort of mood- thoughts come creeping loose, soft and quiet. ---
"...They're fine. Decent company, terrible competition. Is a game any fun if you already know the outcome?" He flips a paper over, pressing lines into the clean sheet with steady, practiced motions. This clearly isn't the first piece he's folded, judging by the small menagerie growing beside him. A little listless, the sharp turn of his mask angled away. "Not even a point in keeping any winnings- just give it back." Might as well just be playing her for her time- It's about how he considers it. The coin's just there to count the hour.---
"...Not much of a chance to see him," Elsen muses, pinching a corner of the paper. Something's beginning to take shape, geometric angles and hard planes swaddled in care. It isn't as though either of them are in the area often... Maybe again sometime soon- he intends on spending more time in the Astral Pocket when he can spare. "...Hm. What, trying to find a game?" ---
"If you're looking for a sucker, go play against the children. Maybe you'll learn something." The small paper fox is held aloft to you, the cute little tilt of its head a sharp constrast to the man holding it. It's a gift, but it doesn't feel especially kind. "Watch your ass, and leave me alone. I don't have anything else to say to you."
Maine snaps to attention at the mention of a very familiar name, cards scattering to the table beneath his loosened grip. He doesn't pay them any mind, not even to hide his now as good as forfeit hand.
"Are- is- is Boone here?" The sudden jump into the conversation after hours of playing in near silence has more than a few eyes turning towards Maine, the uncharacteristic interest wilting beneath the attention. A question comes up, an invitation into the conversation- did he know Faust?
It's clear it isn't taken all that well.
"We- uh. um. well," Maine stumbles, unsteady. "He. um. i liked..." he trails off in an awkward beat, fingers twisting to crack each knuckle in a sudden rash of stress. "I liked to.... Play. with him. Games." It honestly sounds like trying to get the words out is causing him physical pain, finally twisting to snatch his poker hand back up off the table. He's been doing pretty well- or had been, up until now. It's a bit difficult to bluff with your hand to the table. "They're... I... like how they play? Um. Other kinds of games." Maine sinks lower and lower into his chair as the eyes on him fail to shift, cards tucked close to his chest. "I..."
You feel the sudden itch to glance over your shoulder- nothing's there. Just the swimming crowds, daylight streaming in through the wide windows above. You turn back to the table, the small surface crowded save for a small gap to your left. It's a pretty rowdy game- almost a bit of a shock that no wandering hands have filched a few tokens off the top of the stack on the side. Really, they should probably just add it to the next jackpot- it's practically half the tokens in play.
Huh... the game's short two cards a full deck.