Chapter Text
"Pick a card."
Servais spread out the cards on the table. Faced down upon the table. The mercenary sat opposite him. Leaning back on the chair. His brow was furrowed as he stared down at the cards.
"...is this it?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm making do with what I have Mr Subedar. Please pick a card."
He sighed and leaned forward. Skimming over the cards. "Any card?"
"Any Card."
"Do you watch me take the card or?" Naib's hand hovered over the cards.
"Pick a card." Servais reiterated. A frown was visible on his face, despite the shadow cast by his hat in the dimly lit room.
Naib picked up a card. Pulling it away from the table. A slow tilt to reveal what it was.
"A moment. In order for my trick to impress, you must not show me your card." He smiled. He picked up the cards and shuffled them round. "Now have a look at your card. Again, do not show me what your card is."
Naib slowly flipped over the card. A seven of clubs.
Servais gathered up the cards. Shuffling it around in his hands. A confident smirk on his face. He flicked them over from one hand to another. The cards flying through the air. He flicked the cards and placed them down on the table.
"Tell me Mr Subedar- Is this-" he placed a hand over the cards, sliding one off the top of the deck. A seven of clubs. "Your card?"
Naib paused. He placed it down on the table. Servais held a confident smile. "Impressed?"
"Mm." Was Naib's only response. He picked up the deck. Turned ut around and spread out all the cards. All different. With only the seven of clubs missing.
Servais's smile grew.
"Alright. It is rather impressive." Naib leaned back into the chair again. He crossed his arms.
He winced. A sudden pain flaring up in his side.
3 down
It shocked across his body.
He rescued them over and over. But it was never enough.
His hand brushed over the bandage.
Servais on the ground. Dragged away to a chair. He watched helpess. Bleeding
Tears pricked his eyes.
useless
Servais's smile was gone.
Useless useless useless useless useless
"Mr Subedar."
Naib looked up at him. His hands were shaking. He was shaking. He takes a deep breath.
"Do... You have any other tricks you can preform?" Naib asked. His voice cracking at points to form tiny cracks in the sentence. So many and so small. Yet with a single touch could easily shatter. So strained as he tried to hold it all back.
"I- Have another. I'm rather rusty on it-" Servais picked up the cards and shuffled them around. His eyes glanced over to his room. Then over at the mercenary covered in shadow. "But perhaps it is better if we play a game of cards. You know how to play?"
"Yes." He said simply.
"Then let's play."