So, the wonderful Ajac has brought me to the fascinating universe of Discworld. I've read about a dozen books of the series since starting college, and it's high time I contributed to a new fanfic domain. I've been assured that I kept everyone in character, but I'm open to a second opinion.
Picture a scene on the edge of probability. Red, black, red, black, red. All random. All predetermined. Kings and queens rise and fall and their empires with them, for it only takes but a nail, a moment, to make the numbers change – the future will modify itself to match the given conditions, for all futures are equally plausible on the roulette wheel. The King of Diamonds has no prevalence over the King of Spades, nor over the cat in the box pawing at string theory, nor the Fool who rationalizes himself into believing quantum immortality is actually attainable (but he know better than that of course). Chance has but two laws; everything that is, was. Everything that was, will be again. Sooner or later the deck runs out of cards. Sooner or later someone (not him; not anymore) starts a new game. And sooner or later the best meet their match.
"Full house. Three tens, two sevens."
ROYAL FLUSH
". . . Two out of three?" Luxord's voice was weak.
I'M SORRY. ONLY ONE GAME. THOSE ARE THE RULES SET BEFORE ME.
"Yes. Thought I'd try anyway."
WHY?
". . . . what?"
THE DECK WAS STACKED AGAINST YOU FROM THE BEGINNING. YET YOU ATTEMPTED TO DEFY THE ODDS NONETHELESS. WHY?
Luxord thought silently for a few moments, the deck in his hands making a snap sound every time he finished shuffling.
"Habit I suppose. You get used to living. You don't want to give it up. Just like you get used to existing. In any case, there was nothing to lose by a friendly game with Death."
I SEE.
"Do you?"
NO. NOT REALLY. HUMANS ARE DIFFICULT. THEY WANT TO FIGHT AGAINST THEIR FATE. WHAT THEY FAIL TO REALIZE IS THAT IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED BEFORE, A MILLION TIMES OVER. YOU WOULD THINK THEY GET USED TO IT.
"Well. Right then," he was slipping away, closer and closer to that edge where probability became history. "I guess this is goodbye."
YES.
Redblackredblackredblackredblack
"Goodbye Mr. Death."
GOODBYE MR. LUXORD.
black
Death is the best isn't he? How can you not love him? I can't promise the following chapters will be as good as I feel this one was, but I do promise to give it a try.
Something else . . . ah yes. The disclaimer. Well, you know how it goes, right?