Long nights gambled away.

The smoke in the parlor was thick enough to shield the many players inside from the bar inhabitants just beyond the closed doors. Hundreds of gamblers sat at their 'lucky' seats, drinking their toxic liquids, smoking their many fine leaf plants, some toxic, others not so much. The chatter within the large side room was mostly a buzz, as many players were too serious to hold true conversations. There was too much money in the room to take anything lightly.

Dax sat at the daubo table in the corner. His back was against the corner, while six other players, male and female, sat along the L shaped table, while the dealer distributed the cards and chips accordingly. Things had gone well for Dax the first few hours. Most of the players at the table that had come and gone were inexperianced and were quick to lose their money. It wasn't easy to know how to play daubo. So many cards in the deck, so many spaces to place your bets, so many chips to save your center peice.

Unfortunately the six other players at the table were all perfessionals. Each had money to back their chips. Dax had just been lucky enough to build his own pot. Normally he would have gotten up and moved to either a poker table, a chess table, or even one of the cube card tables with so many high roller players at the daubo table, but the cards had been falling his way.

"Next hand ladies and gentleman. Dax has the center. Aviana you are the flanker, Bresk you are the neutral, and To-Ma'us is the castle. Place your bets,' spoke the dealer, passing out the three cards to each player.

Dax picked up his cards, showing no expression. Another lucky hand. He had two gryphons and a black pyramid. He placed his cards upon the three spots and put down six gold nuts in his bet spot. Aviana, along with the three other non aggressors, folded their hands. This left Dax facing Bresk and To-Ma'us as his only action. Both men countered his bet, making it a two on one situation. This didn't bother Dax. Not with the power hand he had.

The dealer flipped the first card, a lightning card. Dax placed six more gold nuts and three silver nuts in the follow up. It took a minute for Bresk to counter the bet, which gave To-Ma'us ample time to decide that he was still in.

The next card was a nightmare card. Dax didn't hesitate, placing the max bet of twelve gold nuts. This time Bresk folded, grumbling about rotten luck. To-Ma'us quietly countered.

The final card was placed down. It was another gryphon. Dax maxed the bet, sitting back very relaxed. This caused To-Ma'us to hesitate.

"You have something, don't you?" spoke To-Ma'us in his deep Minotaur voice. Dax just shrugged, not saying a word. "No. You are too calm to have anything good. I raise!"

Dax just nodded, not touching his chips. The dealer flipped the first cards of both men. Dax's Black Pyramid was crushed by To-Ma'us's meteor shower. The next cards showed that Dax had the duel attack of the gryphons upon To-Ma'us's duel nightmares. It all came down to the last card. The dealer flipped them both over. To-Ma'us went wide eyed, as the second duel gryphon attack beat out his cracken.

Dax smiled, watching the dealer push the money he had just won. The night was turning out to be a great night. Even the music, which could barely be heard over the buzz of the room, seemed to fit his mood and luck.

That is not fair....You are cheating, Bastian...

A rather alluring female voice complained with almost hushed voice.
It came from the corner of the tavern where a rather strange couple
was sitting. The femme, seemed to be young, mostly in her late teens,
about 18 or nineteen. Thought no one would ever realize that she is older
She was beautiful, with nicely built and seemingly fragile body, light fair
skin as smooth as velvet that invites to touch. Long dark blond hair has
been clipped up in a messy yet pretty way making her to look even
younger. Big grey eyes frowning softly as they watched the combination of
5 cards in her hands. Her grey eyes were a liquid silver grey that most
obviously could tell that she was lightly frustrated. But no one saw her
expressive eyes for they were hidden under the hood of her cloak. No
one except the man that sat and played together a game ever so popular
in Earth. A game that she easily always wins when it comes to money. Well...
always if playing with a human or some other player who is not good enough
to match her.

Well at least you are progressing to a good side.

The man spoke. The voice, so deep and dark obviously screamed he
was not human. That was Joy's biggest secret. No one had ever knew,
nor she was going to let the secret be revealed, that she made a big
like extremely big mistake by summoning. If anyone woud have seen
how much she was frustrated to find out that she summoned a demon
who not only has no power at all but also.....dos not belong to anyone.
And now she is sitting here, chatting about this and that and playing with
him Poker game losing all the time. Even though there were many more
important things to do. But a few months passed, a demon became into
a good advisor, supporter and.....well now he belongs to her. Not just
because she cannot send him back. She became into a 'demon lord'
just because summoned a demon what was cast out by his previous
demon lord. Joyce could swear that sometimes he's a nice guy...very
attractive as well what is rare for full blooded demons.

not he answered her hopeful eyes at his fake
compliment. Yeah most often she dislikes him just because is annoying.
But she had to admit it is fun when a demon has no ability to lie and must
obey the orders just because she summoned him.



OOC Note;

green - Joyce talking
red - Bastian talking

He was feeling good. He was up a few thousand gold, more then enough to satisfy his gambling addiction for another night. But keeping a long standing hand of daubo was difficult. After his win over To-Ma'us, two of the players decided to call it a night. The cards just werent' falling their way. With only four others to play, the game quickly ground to a hault. Exchanging between the four main card holders wasn't fun. You needed outside attackers to keep things interesting. But, alas, it was not to be. After the next few hands, in which no money exchanged hands, the other players all got up and left, leaving Dax all by himself.

"Well, this is just peachy. Damn it. I was doing so well." He quickly pocketed his money and stood up, looking around. There were quite a few people in this evening that he didn't recognize. He made his way around the daubo table, tipping the dealer a few silver nuts, before walking the wall around the room. Many of the tables were full, but he did notice that one table had almost no one playing. Maybe it had to do with the people sitting at the table. One did feel slightly off, but that never bothered him. He took a seat parallel of the woman and her friend, smiling at both.

"Good evening," he said, bowing his head slightly. "How are things today?" He placed his small stack of silver upon the table. He didn't want to look like he was some big shot with either alot of luck or alot of skill. "What be the game?"

He knew how to play poker. Hell, every gambling game in the known world he knew how to play. Some well, others not so well. Poker was one of the few he was on the fense. It was hard to bluff in this game, especially when you had such great players. And since he didn't knwo these people, the game was that much more challenging.

He lowered his hood, exposing his forest green eyes, a bright light shining from them. He was in a good mood, and wanted to express that. Of course, in this game, giving false signs was as much an art as winning.

I'd ask you not to laugh at me, Bastian or I swear something will happen...

She muttered at the handsome powerless demon that sat
before her and looking all smug-like. She noticed already
the signs of arrogance and sarcasm of Bastian whenever
he's trying to proof that he's not as good as he might appear.
Demons are so damn proud. But she got used to his flaws and
sometimes Bastian is simply....amusing to Joyce. And what to
talk about his smart wits about her. The smirked slightly at the
femme and shook his head.

What do you expect from a creature that came from Abbadon, woman?
You are annoying yourself most of the time.

She frowned at his comments. Her grey eyes darkened to a
stormy grey. Bastian instantly shut his mouth knowing she will
begin to fume and order around telling that he's risking to give himself
away by talking about Abaddon here. Who knows what people are
listening here. But Joy's eyes softened seeing something within
Bastian's pretty face. Se understood he was just sarcastically
joking around. None of the two is perfect but also none of the two
that bad that no one would handle them. She was about to say
something but once her mouth opened no any word left her lips
since she was cut short by a stranger who came over and took a seat.

Did we invite you, strange fella?

Bstian spoke first with most human-like voice hat any demon
could ever master. He saw that Joyce did not like the interruption
and she chose to remain silent. Such a treatment sometimes
offends people and they simply leaves. Goes away feeling unwanted.
Joyce shook her head and gathered the cards that belonged to her and
stood. She was up to leave. Did not want t talk to strangers tonight.
She had many troubles herself, enough for one human to handle.

None for the strangers she said and looked at Bastian.
Come. We are leaving. she said. That wasn't and order
and the demon simply argue the decision but he thought he would better not l
eave heralone in here. One year an a half already passed not so very luckily for her. She was glad she had Bastian.
up.

He chuckled, watching the woman and her odd man get up. So what if he was a stranger. The other tables were full and he wanted to gamble some. He placed his hood back over his eyes, leaning foward.

"I'm sorry for interrupting. You know, this is a public place. Gambling is strictly inforced here. I should know, I've been kicked out plenty of times for not having the money to do so. Why don't you just drop the attitude and let us just play cards. Or are you afraid you'll lose all your money?"

He didn't usually like being rude. But why be nice when the people, who don't even know you, act so uncordually. He took a slow deep breath and smiled slightly. Something about the man was making him feel like he should have his guard up. He reached into his cloak and pulled out one of his cards. It had an eye upon it. He placed it down on the table and whispered a few encantations.

The card flashed a quick bright orange. Dax looked from the card up to the man and almost fell over. There was no way that no one else had not noticed. There simply was no way. A demon, but not like any he had ever seen before, was upon Greater, and in this very tavern. Either he was that powerful, or that foolish. Dax quickly passed his hand over the card, nullifying the divine eye, and placing it back into his cloak. He wasn't about to start a fight in this place. No telling how many demon hunters were in here.

"You know, on second thought, maybe it best you two shove off. I'll go find a game elsewhere," he spoke softly, standing up from his seat.

The comments of the stranger seemed not to effect her. Most
strangest thing was that Joyce was angry because she saw this
one was obviously gamble-addict. She disliked such people - they
always risks with what is most precious when they loose al their
money. This is the easiest way to loose friends, family and all you
know too. Gamble and loose. All materials....all people......and your
own soul that is. That's how they all plays. They cares about nothing
else but the game. Doesn't matter if they win or they loose.....She
sighed in her mind silently wondering what to do now. She was rude
indeed. On the other hand, the stranger had interrupted the two what is
rude too. This was not a casino, this was a tavern and in and the
two were there not for a game. They were talking about things
that were important to Joyce and perhaps making future plans.

I'm sorry but this is not casino and we are here not for a game.
Sorry for being rude but....besides all other things....i do not
play with gamble-addict. Now please excuse me - we have to go.
Many things waiting to be done. You may stay here if you wish to
sell your soul that much, stranger.

She said with a perfectly calm, light voice. But this voice tone
made her words as hard as the stone. Bastian, on the other
hand, was ready to tear the stranger into pieces. His light blue
eyes were turning to icy cold. Joyce could swear she saw little
mini icebergs floating within Bastian's eyes. The view made her
to shiver secretly. These were the eyes of a beast ready to devour.
But realising he just disliked how stranger talked to her, she placed a
hand upon his shoulder and calmed down. Joyce waved to the
stranger and the two left the tavern glad that di not get a room
there. Or else they'd have to handle this addicted person.

Addicted to gambling? Him? Yes, this was true, in some senses, but he never ever risked his soul. He watched the woman and her 'friend' leave, chuckling at how slow the tavern security was. Speaking out loud about not gambling in his place was a quick way to be booted out of this room and into the tavern area itself. And if you didn't have money for them there, then it was out the door as well, hoping you stopped before falling off the cliff that was only twenty feet from the door. Why the built the tavern with the door facing the cliff was beyond him.

He waved to the security, picking up his silver nuts. He walked over to the cashier and placed all his winnings down to be exchanged.

"Good night tonight, Dax?" spoke the female cashier.

Dax smiled slightly, "Oh yeah. Wish I could stay, but I'm ahead, and I just found someone interesting to talk too. So, I need to get going."

The cashier smiled, exchanging the playing nuts for coin. Dax pocketted his fifteen platinum coins, a good haul for such a slow night. He was actually walking out ahead.

Taking out his eye card and placing it upon his hand, he was able to use it's power to follow the life force of the woman and the demon. He didn't have any particular arcane or divine abilities, hense his cards. He quickly ran through the tavern, making sure not to run into anyone that might accidently start a fight. He got to the door and ran out, followng the life forces. Luckily they hadn't gotten far. He waited until the people going in were inside before calling out.

"Excuse me! Miss! Excuse me!"

Why did you not let me to tear that idiot into pieces?
Always ruining fun for me, eh?

Bastian grumbled unhappy that did not get a chance to get
his hands upon Dax and do something terrible to him.
Powerless or not he did not like arrogant people. And plus
Bastian clearly saw that he was recognzed and that was not
good at all. Joyce only sighed at that. Bastian was always
reckless little demon. She was always his brains when it came
to the public. But still, the demon has to teach her about
otherworld what was not easy.

That was not the right time nor the right place at all,
BastianRemember that people like you are not wanted here as much
as I've noticed during one year. And I saw enough, trust me.
Besides...you are powerless....and who knows what he could do
to you...

She said and shook her head. Joyce was so much in her own
thoughts now that Bastian had to pull her out of car's way that
was racing like crazy. She stopped glancing at him with grateful eyes
and sighed lightly. Just when she was about to speak and thank him, a
voice so familiar called out to her. Joyce shuddered sightly. Needlss
they wanted him here now.

Speak of a devil...

Dax stopped, watching the odd vehicle move by rather rapidly, followed by a few guards on horseback. He shook his head, not sure what he just saw, before looking back over to the woman and her demon. His divine eye card showed him the connection they had and he knew from years of experiance that he was tied to her. Smart. Him getting loose upon Greater, of worse, Lesser, would cause an emormous panic.

He frowned, hearing her words, but then realized she was talking about him. He walked slowly towards them, not wanting her to let her demon attack. Not that he was afraid, for he fought a few down in the arena town of Cata'viaon upon Lesser. They weren't difficult to deal with, if you had the right cards.

He placed his card into his cloak and smiled. "I think we need to talk. Both of you." He looked around making sure they were alone. "I'm not like most people around here. Though he is disguised rather nicely, if someone really wanted to investigate your friend, it wouldn't be hard to see he is a demon." The last words he just so whispered to make sure no one could hear him talking to them.

"My name is Dax, and I am a grand card fighter. I just want you to know, just so that if you do happen to let him try to attack me, that I can and will defend myself." He looked around again. "May I ask, why you have a demon tagging along with you while upon Greater? I may be a gambleaholic, but even I don't gamble with my life like you are doing right now. Demon's are outlawed on Greater."

He pouted for a moment with big over the top puppy eyes. Hoping she had changed her mind. That would be a good thing, human were fun to fight. He had some interesting expernation. Nothing major just a few street thugs up to go no good in the early hours. wasn’t much to do when you didn’t need to sleep and could get bored easily. So far he had kept this away from Joyce.

“ ruin fun he only…”

The sound of the voice came to his ears quickly followed by the meaning.

“My name dax, and I use cards to fight, and prey to lady luck”
Trying to mimic dax voice but only sound high pitch not helping with him opening and closing his right hand on every word. The term Demon came like a roaring god. Have stood close to something close and they roared loud when pissed.

“ you know luck is a male don’t you? I mean have you heard the rant when every one calls him lady luck, he goes on and on and on. Just because some one caught him in a dress doesn’t make him a lady, so you should call him Sir luck, and you have more luck”

A bluff or a lie only one way to find out.

“tagging? Sight seeing that’s right sight seeing”

The last part would be hard to work out if he was talking to him self or the pair. Talking to him self wasn’t something odd for him. Joyce would know he was a little worked up, about this now. His eyes darting round scanning every thing, looking for a threat.

Bastian...

She spoke and trailed off as he cut short her words with his own wits. Joyce had to suppress her laughter that came out as a cough as she covered her mouth. Bastian always makes her laugh. His wits are something she puts to her little jewel box of her magical mind. Bastian might be annoying, do stupid things, or be mean sometimes but regardless the reasons he respected her. At least the two learned to respect each other in time. And besides....,even though she did not admit it, he was not only so sinfully handsome but also awesome as hell itself. She took a step back, Dax's words heard as a background sounds while she only heard Bastian.

I do not think it is your busyness what and why I am doing, mister gable boy. We have many things waiting to be done and they are much more important than to stand here and discuss things that hits your silly curiosity.

He shook his head. Clearly they were not from this world. No one on Demigora would act so foolish. And the way the demon was talking to him, even more so. Trying to mock him, when all he was trying to do was get some information as to why there were there, and to see them leave safely, was all he was trying to do. Had he wanted to attack and kill them, or at least the demon, he would have done so already. Everyone else, well, they would have killed the demon and imprisoned her, posibly even torture her. In fact, they still could. It wasn't hard to sense a demon, plus all the wards guarding against demons in almost every major city on Greater and Lesser, it was amazing that they'd even gotten into the tavern. But, money was money, after all.

Taking a deep breath, Dax crossed his arms. It was the only way he could show he wasn't a threat. "Look, you may act all tough, but I know you two are not from this planet. I don't know why you care that I gamble, since it is no business of yours what so ever, but to be flat out rude to someone who is only trying to help..." He sighed a bit. "If I was such a gambleholic, I would have already alerted the authorities and collected the ten thousand gold coin reward for the information about your friend. Keep acting rude, I just might do that."

He eyed the demon up again, smirking slightly. Even without the divine eye card he could tell he had no powers. That was a dangerous thing on Demigora. Either you had power, or you had someone around you that had power. Bandits ran in packs of ten or more, and usually half of them had some kind of arcane or spiritual ability. The creatures natural to this world usually had high tolerances to low level magic, or were just flat out immune.

"No, how about we start over, with some manners. My name is Dax Shadowfire. I am a grand card champion. It means I fight with cards, but I only use them as a last ditch effort. I'm a monk, by trade and virtue. That is the real reason why I have not attacked you." He smiled slightly. "And your names?"

He was more then happy to trail of in his own thought’s. but Joyce calling his name pulling him back to the moment. Looking round re accessing the situation things weren’t all ways good. Starting to walk slowly round Dax. Stopping be hind Dax then clap just after Joyce word.

“ Your right Joy there are much more important things then to stand here “

He may not of had any powers he could use a point that was still sore. He still had his natural abilities, one being his mind the second being himself. Being a demon did have it advantages, most sensible beings never try to take one on alone. It came to a few things the abilities were second to the demons mind.

“ my name? if you knew what I was you know only in hell would you get it and we are not there yes?”

Taking a deep breath almost sniffing at Dax. Finishing the circle and moved towards Joyce. His fingers and thumb pyramid the digits softly drumming together. He was thinking.

“usse full he be yess very usseful”

Hissing his words they betrayed a softness. Sometimes it could be false, other times true. To cross paths with a demon, the tricksters of the universe, very few beings had the abilities to out trick one let alone have one bound. Dax could have been right. To have a bond to a demon should of flared some warning bells as to what Joyce could do. It might have been the reason to why they had not be attacked. A massive placebo in play, a show of effect but nothing real

Snapping round to look at Dax.
“ whys I like whys shadow fire. Can you fight with out cards?”

Joyce at this day unlike always was somewhat different. As if it would be not enough to worry about Bastian, something was terribly wrong. She had a bad feeling and this feeling caused the urge to stand closer to Bastian, and not only because he was sinfully handsome and she secretly liked him, not caring if a demon lord has such rights or not, but....she wasn't going to show her likes at all. When Dax spoke of him only wanting to help, she let out an exasperated sigh looking down feeling torn apart still disliking the arrogance within Dax.

I'm sorry, Dax. You may be a monk, you may want to help us but you have something I do not like. Forgive me if my honesty sounds like rudeness or insult but arrogance in people does not appeal to me. And I do greatly disapprove gambling because of very big serious reasons - that way people loses so much more than their family, friends or home. They looses themselves....

She looked around some if no one still hears or sees them. The feeling of worry eating her inside to outside but she never shows it. The only one sign would be her attempting to stand closer to Bastian who seemed to escape her by circling Dax. She frowned slightly. Bastian was not very polite either but on the other hand...he was a demon after all. Be he powerless but he still has his true self. Annoyence.

She was about to speak something and order Bastian to behave himself but her attention was distracted as a stranger passed by entering the tavern. Joyce immediately felt the want to leave the tavern. Feeling the eyes upon herself she felt very uncomfortably. And why in the world strange and weird people waltzes into her life turning 360 degrees around and shaking it.

Think we could find a better place for this discussion? I'm already full of these taverns and bars. Next time I'll have to choose a place for the meeting. And why in the world Noelle did not come...?

Dax sighed, seeing how the demon was being thick. Could he fight without cards? How rediculous of a question. The cards were just for fun and to enhance without learning. Some things the body just couldn't do. For him, it was the use of divine spells. He just simple couldn't handle the power influx upon his body.

"You want to see if I can fight without cards? Very well. I'll show you." He took a few steps back from the two of them, frowning a bit. He turned to the forest, knowing putting his back to them was dangerous. With one fluid mostion, Dax did a bycicle kick that send an air shockwave at a near by tree. When the shockwave struck, the tree spinktered. Landing easily back on his feet, he spun around, sending two air aimed for them yet above them.

He placed his hands back into his cloak and walked back, shaking his head. He hated to give demonstrations to anyone, but seeing how he was facing a hidden demon, he thought it best to show a little of what he had.

"I hope that is satisfactory for you." he spoke plainly. He had skill, and he wasn't afraid of using it. But this was no place to fight. It was illegal to do so outside without a judge. Of course, one didn't need a judge to kill. That he hoped wouldn't happen.

He couldn’t help but grin as he snaked an arm round Joyce waist. His grin split in to a smile. Which could of cut his face in half. He had reason he had just won over Dax. Who had walked in and fell for it so completely.
The reason was Joyce had said he couldn’t fight, so he didn’t. the display so willingly put on showed the skill. But unlike dax he was tried to a human body, and that he hated.

“ you fight good. But you is a fool. You do what I want with out thought. You say I a target, you now know why. Why should I lift a finger when I have some one soo willing to do my bidding with out second thoughts. “

Even then he pulled Joyce a little close his smile razed a little higher. Dax had played the game, but was far from the winner.

“ next time think yes? “
His eyes cast round and then he let go of Joyce, diving to the floor and scrabbling after something stopping when he got it. Looking round then get up and walking a few steps back. An acorn in hand.

“got it”

He look proud of that feat and then took a bite of it. Cringing and spiting it out, dropping the rest and standing on it

“no taste good”
with that he use his sleeve to help clean the taste from his mouth
" i like him" he said point at Dax

Guys, please..... she muttered and trailed off feeling an arm snake around her waist. She blinked once or twice holding back her barely noticeable blush. Who could ever think that the demon that she likes will wrap his arm around her so unexpectedly. That for sure made her to silence for a few moments and drift into her own thoughts. The feeling of safety flooded her as well a warm nice feeling and it seemed that nothing else would exist around her. Just Bastian and her. Sadly this seemingly to be innocent pleasure did last for not as long as she wished for. After pulling her closer to himself, Bastian so quickly let go off her and did dive for a corn that was upon the floor. Joyce let out exasperated yet silent sigh.

She did not want to see anyone fighting between each other or showing skills or whatever it was, like Dax just did provoked by Bastian. Watching the too, suppressing yet another sigh and hiding the disappointment, she turned and backed away, unnoticinglly, step by small step she walked away and out off the tavern. Let the two fight or compete between each other or whatever they wanted to do. Bastian was ordered not to fight so she was calm that he won't do anything stupid and she believed that Dax will be smart enough to just not start any trouble.

Men.... she thought to herself and shook her head putting a hood on. Needless she wanted such a chaotic day. She was supposed to meet some girl who would help her but she stumbled upon an arrogant gamble-addict who claims to be a monk who wants to help them. And then that terrible feeling of unease...what in the nine hells was going on? She is not even supposed to be in this world but was stuck already for longer than a year. A silent sigh escaped her lips, glad no one saw or heard, one more glance at the tavern wondering if she should just leave it all behind or maybe...lean against a wall behind the corner and wait silently....

He placed his hands into his white cloak, shaking his head. This demon was indeed strange. The speech alone was completely ackward. He took a deep breath, desiding to be patient with him. It wasn't his fault he wasn't from this world. And he knew how fast people would attack him were it known what he was. All life was important, no matter how violent the species the life came from.

"Well, um...creature, you sure have a way with situations." He looked about, his senses touching the back of his mind. There was something around that was indeed dangerous. Maybe it was just the demon? Maybe someone sensed what he truly was? Were they planning something?

He looked about, "Well, travelers, I think it best we go. What say you..." He turned to where she had been standing and stopped talking. "Uh...where did she go?"

(sorry about the delay real life stole my net)

He stopped almost frozen one foot of the ground. Just about to start his victory dance about making Dax his puppet. Dax’s words came soon looking to the space were Joyce had once occupied on his arm. With a confused look. Still bound to Joyce he could follow his new sixth sense to find her again. He couldn’t lose her if he tired.

Standing as tall as he could even on tip toes. Like a mer kat searching the horizon for her. Rotating round till she could have been just a few feet away as he started waving with both arms. Frowning and stopped waving. He known Joyce some what better then he knew most others. And something had annoyed her. Sighing he started to follow. He may not be welcome here but wasn’t going to let his shield from harm walk away with out a good bye at lest

He watched the demon walk away, confused as to why he just suddenly up and left. But then he noticed that the girl was gone. Shaking his head, he turned back to the tavern. Taking out a card of teleportation, he closed his eyes to focus.

"So much for trying to be accomidating. I hope this takes me someplace interesting," he spoke softly.

As his limited powers pushed into the card, a small portal, big enough for a single person to walk through, appeared. Feeling the wind blow between the two placed, he opened his eyes. Not paying any attention to those around him, he walked through the portal and left the two strangers to their own devices.

Bastian..

The soft lips whispered name of a demon as if nothing would. Joyce
had never realized that the way she speaks his names becomes more
and more softer and the only thing she realizes and can't admit is that
she each time now has to punish or order Bastian around - she does
it not too much willingly. It was always hard to admit that you like someone
who once has been annoying, that you care about someone with a dark
and twisted mind. But how many times he had helped her? Willingly..
A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she shook her head never stopping to
walk.

Don't you ever act out, Bastian. Grow up. We are at a different world....
demons here are hunted. Do you think I'm so very powerful to help
you in a big trouble? Sure all I can do is to risk with my own life
protecting you but I won't always be beside. One day you'll be free off me...
And there will be no one to help you. So think nine times before doing or
saying something.

She shook her head. Joyce knew he hears her well did he show up or
not. He's always there for her when she whispers his name. With her
words the wind had picked up like harbinger of a storm and soon enough raindrops fell from sky. One by one like tears, as if would someone be
crying up in the sky. The rain was becoming more and more intense
little by little but she did not feel the cold of wind nor of the rain.
Something was up in her mind that blocked all her senses but the
intuation that was like a guiding star in the blinding darkness....never failing.