Chapter Five: Enter the Wild Card
"Oh, my God! Oh, my dear God! Gotta get out of bed, gotta get out of bed! Argghhh! Come on, you stupid shoe!" Ravyn hopped out of her tent on her left foot, trying to stuff her other foot into her shoe. "Oh, God, what's he done now? He's such a freaking idiot! Falcon! Falcon, where are you? Answer me, bird boy! Falcon!" She ran to the others, who looked menacingly at a tall man of about thirty with a large feather on a leather string around his neck. Chibodee turned to look at her.
"You know this bozo, Ace?" Schwartz walked up behind her when she finally got her shoe on.
"Yeah, he's my idiot older brother. Falcon, I'd like you to meet your team mates. The guy with the nice red cape, he's our boss."
"No way, Rave, he's too young! I'm probably way older than him."
"You are, by about ten years. Big freaking deal. He's still the King of Hearts! Show a little respect, why don't ya!? Also, these guys are part of the Shuffle Alliance: Argo Gulski, from Neo-Russia, the Black Joker; Chibodee Crocket, from Neo-America, the Queen of Spades; Saisachi from Neo-China, the Club Ace. That's George de Sand, from Neo-France, the Jack of Diamonds; Shikon Usagi, the Wild Heart, Epona Usagi, the Wild Joker, and Domon Kasshu, from Neo-Japan; Alia Hunter, from Neo-Arabia, the Wild Diamond, and you know Schwartz Bruder, from Neo-Germany, the Trump Card."
"What are you doing with these people, Ravyn?"
"Falcon, we've been over this a thousand times: As part of the Shuffle Alliance, we owe our allegiance to the King of Hearts!"
"Uh-uh. I came to find you, and these whack jobs surround me like I'm a DG infested zombie."
"They didn't know who you were, okay? Get over it, already. Besides, Domon Kasshu is a good man and a nice person. Show at least minimum civility, Fal." Ravyn pleaded with him. Sighing, he sheathed the Cardian sword and relaxed.
"Fine, Rave. If you insist."
"I do. Jeez, you act like I made you clean our entire house."
"Aw, come on, sis, I'm not that bad."
"Wanna bet some money on that?" Falcon shook his shaggy, black head. "That's what I thought. Come on, I need a hand with Astral Gundam. What about Cardian Gundam, how is it?"
"Fine, except, I'm having a little trouble with the right arm…" their voices trailed of as they walked away, talking animatedly about their two Gundams.
"So, what's he?" Saisachi asked.
"He's the Wild Card. His only loyalty is to his sister. Since she's friends with you, Domon, he's gonna have to deal with us, and he doesn't feel like doing that right now." Schwartz said.
"So, as long as Ravyn remains on friendly terms, he's an ally?" Argo inquired.
"It would seem so. Mademoiselle Ravyn's opinion holds more weight than we realized." George said.
"The other Wild Cards have been with her for ages, and she's been in charge since Domon was unaware of the Shuffle Alliance. The original Black Joker told her to wait until they revealed themselves."
"Schwartz, should we keep an eye on him anyway?"
"Honestly, Domon? I think we should leave that up to the Wilds. I know Falcon likes Epona, and apparently she likes him, too, because she's nowhere near as annoying when he's around. She'll tell you if something's up."
"I don't know," Natasha said to Argo, "I mean, she's so young."
"True. But she's an excellent Gundam Fighter, worthy of being a Wild Card. It seems this conversation is closed." Argo replied.
"So be it." George murmured. Domon simply nodded. Falcon would be his ally, and his teammate. But, what about his friend?