Chapter 7: Fate of the Draw
NADINE's UNCLE
I hear you're fugitives now...
NADINE
We already discussed this...
NADINE's UNCLE
*sigh* It's not our way to judge people for committing a non-violent crime, but at least leave your weapons outside...
"Sid grumbled but obliging threw his dagger and pistol to the ground. He nodded to Stinky and Arnold, who dropped their swords."
SID
I don't want these stolen!
NADINE's UNCLE
They can stay in the camp, just not indoors, I'll have someone watch them.
"The camp wasn't too large, just a few tents surrounded by a lovely forest. Over the next two weeks, Arnold did some exploring around the area, and knew it pretty well. He loved Lila even more, they had spent the entire first day together. He also hung around with Sid and Stinky a lot, he missed his old friends, and it was about time they caught up."
ARNOLD
So how'd you guys get into such a... um, "unique" business?
SID
Started out as a debt to Big Gino. Plus, Stinky was in love with Lila.
STINKY
Hey! You liked her too!!
SID
No I didn't!! We just hooked up a few times, that's all.
STINKY
Yeah, if you don't count that time ya came over and started sayin, 'Aww, Stinky I can't just get enough of her.'
SID
I never said that!!
"The first few weeks were fun, but then Lila started going into town often, and Arnold got lonely. He also got suspicious."
ARNOLD
You don't love me anymore...
LILA
I love you less...
ARNOLD
I should've known... *sigh*
LILA
What are you thinking about?
ARNOLD
My mother... who I hope doesn't hate me... Oh, I've betrayed them all, my grandparents, the people I live with... (Helga...)
LILA
Go back to them. You are not fit to live with us, I'll get Sid to make sure Arnie doesn't talk, and even if he already did, they'll forgive you.
ARNOLD
I can't, I love you.
LILA
This is not good. I need some time to think.
"She left him, and wandered off to mingle. She lit up a cigarette, and looked around for Rhonda and Nadine. She found them, they were sitting, and talking to, no, giggling with some other girl their age, one of the hippies."
RHONDA
Hello, Lila, my love. Would you sit with us?
"Feeling somewhat tired, Lila started to shake her head, then she saw they were playing cards too."
LILA
Nadine, since when have you ever played a game that involved gambling?
HIPPIE GIRL
We play not cards, these cards tell us the future...
"There was something odd about this girl, she couldn't put her finger on it."
LILA
All right, I guess I'll give it a try... have Nadine and Rhonda already done it?
RHONDA
Yeah, it told us the men we would have in the future...
"Lila sat down, interested."
NADINE
My man, he is compassionate to all, from the tinniest swamp critter, to the tallest oak. He adores nature, as do I, and shows no fear or disgust towards it. It says he's a bit gullible though, and can believe in even the most outrageous of theories.
RHONDA
Well, mine is economical. He understands the value of money, whether ill-gotten, made-properly, or just discovered randomly. *sigh* It also says he tends to get too focused on one thing, like he's obsessive-compulsive.
"Rhonda and Nadine stared at each other for a few seconds, both scowling."
RHONDA
All right Lila, you're turn.
"As Lila touched the first card, a strange sensation washed over her. She swore that for a second, the girl's eye's were golden, but it might have been the nearby fire. The card was very heavy but she managed to lift it up and place it down."
HIPPIE GIRL
Hmm... Seems that card requires a pairing, lift another one.
"She obliged. The next card didn't feel as heavy, it actually felt somewhat soft, and comfortable."
HIPPIE GIRL
This, this has never happened before!! You need a third card!!!
NADINE
This is getting scary Rhonda, maybe we should go...
RHONDA
Oh come on now, I wanna see this!
"Lila's hands started shaking. As she touched the third card, a sharp pleasure tingled down her spine. Where the last one was comforting, this one was stimulating."
HIPPIE GIRL
You other two, out!!
RHONDA
Heyy!
NADINE
We're leaving.
"Nadine dragged Rhonda away, as the girl chanted some strange words. She then turned back to Lila."
HIPPIE GIRL
I can only tell you what each card means, how they go together is up to you. The first one you touched is the Paladin of the Provinces, it represents a person with a strong sense of chivalry, much wisdom, but somewhat lacking in common sense. The second one you touched is the Prince of Seville, it represents a compassionate person that lacks in intelligence. The third one is the Rogue of Granada, it represents a free-spirited person, brave, but pompous, with no attitudes towards good and evil. That is all.
LILA
Wait, I thought this had to do with men!
HIPPIE GIRL
I can tell you nothing else.
"Lila got up, sighing, and started heading towards Rhonda and Nadine. She suddenly thought of something else to ask, and turned around, but the Hippie Girl had vanished."
SID
Arnold, wake up dude! HEY ARNOLD!!
ARNOLD
ehh.. uhh.. whaa...
SID
Come out right now!! Its your turn on watch!
ARNOLD
Oh.. man, Sid, the cops have no idea where we are, there's nothing to worry about... I'm so tired...
SID
So am I, but I still stood guard. Now its my turn to rest, get up there.
"Arnold grudgingly complied, taking the gun Sid handed him. He went outside his tent, and climbed up the little hill just outside the tent. He stood for a few minutes, almost dozing off."
SID
Arnold?
ARNOLD
What is it now?
SID
Umm, I have a bit of a problem. See I think two girls like me.
ARNOLD
So hook up with the one you want...
SID
But they're friends and all...
ARNOLD
Listen, you have to take the initiative in life, before some other guy comes along and steals your girl...
SID
Uhh... I wasn't expecting that, but thanks anyway.
"Sid climbed down, and Arnold resumed his watch, falling asleep again. When he opened his eyes, he saw, far off in the distance, what seemed like a small group of people heading towards the camp. His heart started beating rapidly, and he lowered his gun. Not only that, he swore he heard the far off sound of hooves beating the ground and some men singing..."
NADINE's UNCLE
I hear you're fugitives now...
NADINE
We already discussed this...
NADINE's UNCLE
*sigh* It's not our way to judge people for committing a non-violent crime, but at least leave your weapons outside...
"Sid grumbled but obliging threw his dagger and pistol to the ground. He nodded to Stinky and Arnold, who dropped their swords."
SID
I don't want these stolen!
NADINE's UNCLE
They can stay in the camp, just not indoors, I'll have someone watch them.
"The camp wasn't too large, just a few tents surrounded by a lovely forest. Over the next two weeks, Arnold did some exploring around the area, and knew it pretty well. He loved Lila even more, they had spent the entire first day together. He also hung around with Sid and Stinky a lot, he missed his old friends, and it was about time they caught up."
ARNOLD
So how'd you guys get into such a... um, "unique" business?
SID
Started out as a debt to Big Gino. Plus, Stinky was in love with Lila.
STINKY
Hey! You liked her too!!
SID
No I didn't!! We just hooked up a few times, that's all.
STINKY
Yeah, if you don't count that time ya came over and started sayin, 'Aww, Stinky I can't just get enough of her.'
SID
I never said that!!
"The first few weeks were fun, but then Lila started going into town often, and Arnold got lonely. He also got suspicious."
ARNOLD
You don't love me anymore...
LILA
I love you less...
ARNOLD
I should've known... *sigh*
LILA
What are you thinking about?
ARNOLD
My mother... who I hope doesn't hate me... Oh, I've betrayed them all, my grandparents, the people I live with... (Helga...)
LILA
Go back to them. You are not fit to live with us, I'll get Sid to make sure Arnie doesn't talk, and even if he already did, they'll forgive you.
ARNOLD
I can't, I love you.
LILA
This is not good. I need some time to think.
"She left him, and wandered off to mingle. She lit up a cigarette, and looked around for Rhonda and Nadine. She found them, they were sitting, and talking to, no, giggling with some other girl their age, one of the hippies."
RHONDA
Hello, Lila, my love. Would you sit with us?
"Feeling somewhat tired, Lila started to shake her head, then she saw they were playing cards too."
LILA
Nadine, since when have you ever played a game that involved gambling?
HIPPIE GIRL
We play not cards, these cards tell us the future...
"There was something odd about this girl, she couldn't put her finger on it."
LILA
All right, I guess I'll give it a try... have Nadine and Rhonda already done it?
RHONDA
Yeah, it told us the men we would have in the future...
"Lila sat down, interested."
NADINE
My man, he is compassionate to all, from the tinniest swamp critter, to the tallest oak. He adores nature, as do I, and shows no fear or disgust towards it. It says he's a bit gullible though, and can believe in even the most outrageous of theories.
RHONDA
Well, mine is economical. He understands the value of money, whether ill-gotten, made-properly, or just discovered randomly. *sigh* It also says he tends to get too focused on one thing, like he's obsessive-compulsive.
"Rhonda and Nadine stared at each other for a few seconds, both scowling."
RHONDA
All right Lila, you're turn.
"As Lila touched the first card, a strange sensation washed over her. She swore that for a second, the girl's eye's were golden, but it might have been the nearby fire. The card was very heavy but she managed to lift it up and place it down."
HIPPIE GIRL
Hmm... Seems that card requires a pairing, lift another one.
"She obliged. The next card didn't feel as heavy, it actually felt somewhat soft, and comfortable."
HIPPIE GIRL
This, this has never happened before!! You need a third card!!!
NADINE
This is getting scary Rhonda, maybe we should go...
RHONDA
Oh come on now, I wanna see this!
"Lila's hands started shaking. As she touched the third card, a sharp pleasure tingled down her spine. Where the last one was comforting, this one was stimulating."
HIPPIE GIRL
You other two, out!!
RHONDA
Heyy!
NADINE
We're leaving.
"Nadine dragged Rhonda away, as the girl chanted some strange words. She then turned back to Lila."
HIPPIE GIRL
I can only tell you what each card means, how they go together is up to you. The first one you touched is the Paladin of the Provinces, it represents a person with a strong sense of chivalry, much wisdom, but somewhat lacking in common sense. The second one you touched is the Prince of Seville, it represents a compassionate person that lacks in intelligence. The third one is the Rogue of Granada, it represents a free-spirited person, brave, but pompous, with no attitudes towards good and evil. That is all.
LILA
Wait, I thought this had to do with men!
HIPPIE GIRL
I can tell you nothing else.
"Lila got up, sighing, and started heading towards Rhonda and Nadine. She suddenly thought of something else to ask, and turned around, but the Hippie Girl had vanished."
SID
Arnold, wake up dude! HEY ARNOLD!!
ARNOLD
ehh.. uhh.. whaa...
SID
Come out right now!! Its your turn on watch!
ARNOLD
Oh.. man, Sid, the cops have no idea where we are, there's nothing to worry about... I'm so tired...
SID
So am I, but I still stood guard. Now its my turn to rest, get up there.
"Arnold grudgingly complied, taking the gun Sid handed him. He went outside his tent, and climbed up the little hill just outside the tent. He stood for a few minutes, almost dozing off."
SID
Arnold?
ARNOLD
What is it now?
SID
Umm, I have a bit of a problem. See I think two girls like me.
ARNOLD
So hook up with the one you want...
SID
But they're friends and all...
ARNOLD
Listen, you have to take the initiative in life, before some other guy comes along and steals your girl...
SID
Uhh... I wasn't expecting that, but thanks anyway.
"Sid climbed down, and Arnold resumed his watch, falling asleep again. When he opened his eyes, he saw, far off in the distance, what seemed like a small group of people heading towards the camp. His heart started beating rapidly, and he lowered his gun. Not only that, he swore he heard the far off sound of hooves beating the ground and some men singing..."
