Tarot Cards-1

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He peered at the drink in front of him nonchalantly. He hadn't ordered this drink, and the tarot cards hadn't predicted that he would ever drink this beverage that day. He calmly scooted the drink a few inches away from him and asked the bartender for a few napkins. He didn't want to dirty his cards.

Basil Hawkins's crew members had gone off into town to gather supplies. His tarot cards had told them that they were lying, so he immediately gave them permission to do whatever they wished to do before they left the pub. They all gave their thanks and left their captain to attend to his own interests at the bar, where he was still sitting.

The bartender passed Hawkins a few ivory napkins and he thanked the man before he started patting the counter. When he was satisfied with the counter, he set the tarnished napkins to the side and began placing his tarot cards onto the counter.

He placed them into their orderly spots. Never mistaking any of the cards for others, for Hawkins knew every detail on every card. It seemed implausible for him to make any mistakes. Not that he was cocky, but his subordinates and many others had told him of his skill; thus he was very confident.

So when he graced his hand over to the card furthest to the left of the others, he didn't seem surprised. "An arrival." He read aloud to himself. Someone would be entering the pub soon, and that person would speak to him. As soon as the thoughts crossed his mind, the door to the pub opened and entered X Drake. Hawkins looked down at the cards and readjusted them into a new order. He picked up the card furthest to left once again and examined it. "65% chance of being interested in what the person has to say." Although he didn't quite agree with the cards on that, he never doubted them.

Uncertainty was something he never felt when using the cards.

He watched X Drake, and saw him peer around curiously and then walk over to the bar. Was he looking for someone? He checked the cards. No, he wasn't.

He continued to watch the ex-admiral and waited for him to sit down. A few seconds later, Drake was standing in front of the stool that was seated next to Hawkins. "Is this seat taken?" He asked. Hawkins shook his head and gestured for him to sit down. "No, you may sit here."

"Thanks." Drake replied. "Would you like to have a drink?" He asked the supernova. Drake nodded. "Yes, please." Hawkins liked the fact that the man had manners and knew the words "please", and "thank you". A rare thing among pirates.

Hawkins called over for the bartender and the man walked over to the two. "Can I give you a drink, sir?" He asked while cleaning a glass mug. "I would like some wine." The Mage said and then looked over to Drake. "What would you like?"

"Whatever you're having." He replied.

"Two glasses of you're finest wine, please." He added. The bartender nodded and went on his way to the cellar to gather the wine. While they waited for their drinks to arrive, Hawkins continued his activity of reading cards. He sensed Drake's gaze on him and so he turned to him. "Would you like to know you're future?" He asked politely. Drake shrugged. "Sure." Drake wondered if the man ever did anything else besides read his cards.

X Drake watched as the man resettled the ruby-back cards and placed them in what seemed like random formations. "You will encounter someone very dangerous in the next few weeks. I suggest you be cautious." He finally said.

Drake raised an eyebrow. "Will my crew be harmed?" The blonde read the cards again. "No. But you will." His expression didn't change as he told Drake the fortune.

"And so will I." He added. Drake didn't like the fortune he had just got. He chuckled. Heck, nobody would like the fortune. "Does this fortune amuse you?" The blonde asked in curiosity. "No. It's nothing."

--

The next few minutes were silent. Drake read all the labels to the beers behind the counter and Hawkins continued with his readings. The bartender finally arrived with their drinks and placed them down onto the counter. The two supernova's said their thanks and began drinking. Drake made a face at the taste of the wine. "Is his wine not to you're liking?" Hawkins didn't find the taste anywhere near revolting. This wine suited his tastes. It was very bitter, but it left a very pleasant aftertaste. "It's tolerable. I'm not much of a wine person." He admitted while taking another sip. "May I ask why you didn't order a different drink?" Drake shrugged. "I didn't really care about the drink. I was just thirsty." Hawkins nodded. "I see…" He picked up a card and held it out for Drake to see. It was very decorative. Many hearts adorned the cover and the word "Love" was written thickly at the bottom. "You will meet a person soon that will capture you're heart" He explained.

"Female?" Drake asked.

"Male." He replied.

Drake took another sip out of his glass. "Are you sorrowed that it would be male?" Drake snorted. "No. I don't really care about the gender. As long as I can be loved and be able to love the person back." Hawkins nodded. "That is a very good way to find love." He agreed.

"You are very intelligent." He complimented.

Drake gave a small grin. "Thank you."

"Will I meet this person soon?" He added.

"Very soon."

"How soon?"

Hawkins didn't read his cards this time. "I am not capable of predicting the time." Drake realized that he may have pestered the blonde. "Sorry."

"There is no need for apologies. You were simply curious. Human nature."

It was a bit awkward for a while. Something that Drake thought was not uncommon while talking to a man that could predict your death. He tried starting a conversation that didn't have anything to do with his harm or sudden love interest. "Are you married?" He asked Basil. "No." He simply replied.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No"

"Do you like anybody?"

Hawkins placed his cards down and looked Drake directly into his blue eyes. "Are you trying to catch my fancy?" Drake assumed he meant to ask if he was asking him out. "No!"

Drake felt his cheeks warm a bit. Hawkins looked perplexed by his reaction. It was not as if he meant to embarrass the man. Was his question too personal? He didn't think he was rude for asking, the question did have to deal with himself. "Did I offend you? I apologize." He bowed his head slightly. X Drake thought he looked pretty stupid for shouting at the man. "No problem. I overreacted."

"I'm sorry if you possibly taking fancy in me made this conversation now awkward. You may leave if you wish." Hawkins waited for the man to get up and leave, and was a bit surprised when he didn't. "I like talking to you." Drake replied.

Hawkins hadn't expected that reply. "I see. I enjoy talking to you as well. You are very amusing."

"I'm amusing?" Drake asked. He took off his hat and placed it on his lap, revealing his mandarin hair. The scar on his chin was more visible now, and Hawkins found himself peeking at it. "How did you receive that scar?" He asked. Drake took another sip of his wine. "I got it while I was sparring with one of the admiral's when I was a marine." His eyes seemed to lighten when he talked about his past. Drake began to explain how he trained hard when he was a child and how he dreamed of being an admiral. Hawkins found it very refreshing to talk to someone other than his crewmates. He learned that Drake's father had been a marine and his mother had died when he was a baby. "That's very unfortunate." He sympathized for the man. Loosing one's parents was very life changing.

The door to the pub opened and Hawkins's crew members walked in with grins on their faces. "Captain! You should have seen it. Johnny got rejected by this—" The man in the front of the pack looked at their captain to see him seated next to another supernova. Hawkins turned to the group. "Hello Cydney." He greeted.

X Drake turned to Cydney and greeted him. "Hey."

Cydney gulped. "H-Hey…"

"No need to be nervous. We are merely having a conversation." He stood up and gestured for his crew to pull up a few chairs. "Why don't you all join? I will order for more drinks." His crew lifted a few wooden chairs near the counter and they all ordered their drinks.

--

The Hawkins Pirates spent most of the day drinking and telling each other stories of their lives and eating their fill. Nighttime was lurking nearer and nearer with every hour that passed. It was soon time for them to return to their ship and sleep. Hawkins's crew members had already headed for the ship without him and he was still gathering his cards. X Drake handed him one. "You dropped it." It was the Love tarot. Hawkins took the card

"Thank you."

He placed the cards in the breast pocket of his shirt and he waited for Drake to gather his things. "I will be leaving to my ship. Do you wish to walk with me?" He asked. Drake shook his head. "My crew and I are staying at the inn." He wouldn't have mind taking a walk with Hawkins. He enjoyed talking to the man and all his awkwardness. "I see. Perhaps I will be seeing you tomorrow at the inn. Preferably in the morning."

"When did you predict that?"

"It was not a prediction. It was a request." He replied. He swiped a blonde strand out of his face. "I guess I'll be seeing you for breakfast tomorrow than?" Hawkins nodded.

"I'd enjoy that very much. Goodnight and I pray for you're good fortune." With that said, Hawkins left the supernova and made started his walk toward his ship. "Night." He replied. Drake felt something in his heart sink as he saw Hawkins walking away. He shrugged it off and made his way to the inn. It was probably nothing.