(no subject)

[solo_insanity]

Same back at you. ♥

***

The two men that could pass off as twins sat across from each other on the cold concrete. The longer haired man sat slouched with his knees drawn up as he drummed fingers against the hard floor. Light filtered through the barred windows, but it did nothing to give the cell a more home away from home feel. The sirens outside also added to the affect.

The other who had lost his hat in the midst of all the excitement was cracking open a newly 'borrowed' pack of cards. There was a look of disappointment as a total of 22 cards hit the ground. That was quite a bit less than the 52 expected, but perhaps not as baffling as the folded piece of paper that came with it.

"I wonder if your poker skills are as bad as your sleight of hand. I believe an old lady could have swiped that from the table with more skill than you displayed." There were murmurings outside the jail cell. A slight argument, really, of what to do with the two.

Tyki shuffled the cards idly in his hands as he read the creased instructions without comment. He was rather engrossed.

"How long do you think we'll have to stay here?"

"Long enough." Shuffle. Shuffle.

"Robbing a traveling merchant. That is low even for you. And all for that."

"True."

"Are you even going to tell me why you thought it was a good idea? Or do you plan to keep it a mystery?"

"I imagine."

"I should have left you to rot here by yourself and claimed I didn't even know you. They took my cigarettes because of this mess."

"Truly."

"I see your skill in conversation is stunning this evening."

The other tilted his head up with a grin despite their situation. "Harsh, but I do think I would like to try this." He handed the deck to the other with a raised eyebrow. The other humored him by cutting it and passing it back to the older man.

"As we seem to have a plethora of other options be my guest."

The short haired man flips a card on the ground and skimmed the paper again. "It seems in your past you had a fear of failure. My, my, where did this spawn from? Perhaps a dissatisfied lover or the cheating boy---

"You can't be trying to read my fortune."

"---keeping one step ahead of you. And your present. Undignified behavior. I suppose that doesn't need any explanation, does it?"

"Says the man that tried to sweet talk the officer out of the offense. Do you even have any dignity?"

"Come now, there is a mystical force behind all this that you can't deny. They hold fate and destiny and speaking of which your future is the refusal to ... help others."

The guard appeared at the door and unlocked the cell. He motioned to the younger man that he was free to go. The sunlight almost glinted off the teeth of the cocky grin he wore. However, it seemed their other guest would be staying the night if not the week.

"..."

"..."

As the footsteps faded in the distance, the older man picked up the third card and flipped it crossed his knuckles. A wry chuckle escaped his lips.

"Touche."

***


I actually did a random tarot reading for this and here is what I got for future reference (all were reversed ironically):

Past: The left card represents an important element of the past. Six of Staves (Victory), when reversed: Fear of failure and fear of success.

Present: The middle card represents a deciding element of the present. The Devil, when reversed: Irresponsible pleasures. Prankishness. Childish panic. Undignified behavior. Fare baccano, to "paint the town."

Future: The right card represents a critical element of the future. Six of Coins (Success), when reversed: Refusal to help others. Pomposity. Stinginess.