--Begin Long, Involved Flashback—

Demon Realm, 50 years ago. A caravan of gypsies is near the Royal Palace. The gypsies themselves are preparing for later performances. Scene shifts to show a young boy, about 8 years old, in a field on the other side of the Palace. He has wavy black hair and vivid green eyes.

The boy walked along, looking around seriously, studying his surroundings, which did not intimidate him in the least.

The scene shifts to show Gaga walking by, along the side of the Palace. He doesn't look any younger. (Not surprising, 50 years out of over 1000 doesn't make that much of a difference) He notices the boy, and, curious, goes over to talk with him.

"And who might you be?" he asked.

"My name is Nikolai Nomasdina." The boy looked at Gaga seriously, "You may call me Niko, since my full name is to long for most people."

Gaga smiled, amused. "Very well, Niko-kun. You may call me Gaga."

"Do you work here, Gaga-san?" Asked Niko.

Yes, I do. I've been serving Hell's Royal family loyally for 954 years. Why do you ask?"

"I wanted to know." Niko said frankly.

Gaga blinked. Okay… "I see, did you com with the gypsy caravan? We don't get many humans in the Demon Realm."

"Yes, but I am not yet experienced enough for our major performances. Therefore, I am exploring."

Again, Gaga smiled. Niko was a serious, forthright boy, and he seemed far more mature than his mere 8 years. "Are you always this serious Niko-kun?"

They sat down on the grass.

"No, I'm usually more playful, but I had my fortune told.'

"Oh, was it a bad fortune?'

'No, it was a very good one, but was actually a prophesy of sorts, so I wanted to consider it seriously."

"A prophesy?"

"Yes, when a gypsy turns 8, he has his marriage prophesied, which is why so few of us have marriage troubles."

"Oh, I see. So what was your prophesy?"

Niko closed his eyes, trying to recite it perfectly. "This boy will marry the most beautiful woman of her generation, who will bear him the most talented daughter of her type. The girl will befriend those who stand athwart the tangled skein, and she may marry Death or she may marry Evil."

"That's quite the prophesy, are you certain it's true?"

"Yes, I have the Sight, so I know it is."

"The Sight?" Gaga was surprised, he had never heard of this before.

"The Sight is a magical gift that only gypsies have, and even among us it's rare. Only one or two possess it every generation, and it isn't necessarily passed on from parent to child. The Sight, when used properly, allows one to see the absolute truth in what he looks at."

"The absolute truth?"

"Only when used properly. Right now I can only tell whether what someone says is true or false, and then only when I'm looking directly at them."

"I see, but then you are very young. You can't expect to be perfect."

"I don't, but I do expect to be able to tell whether someone is what I think of them as or not."

"What do you mean?"

"If I were to look at someone as a blacksmith, I could see their potential in that field, as well as their current ability."

"Oh, I see. That would be useful."

"Yes, and since I plan to be a swordsman, it will come in handy for predicting my opponent's next move."

"It would, wouldn't it?'

"Yes."

They were silent, considering the possibilities of such a gift. A loud whistle split the air, startling them. "It looks like the shows are starting." Said Niko with a sigh, "I had better get back to the caravan." He stood.

In a spur-of-the-moment decision, Gaga scooped Niko up and set him on his shoulders. "I will carry you back." He said, and started walking. Niko started to chuckle, then they both laughed merrily as they moved toward the wagons.

--End Long, Involved Flashback--