You would notice up ahead a crowd. In the center of the crowd was a woman with long Raven hair looking around her surroundings in a panic and wearing strange clothes. She would look back and forth between the tall buildings around her before turning her attention to the crowd with a growl. The people would take a step back feeling an aura of danger from her but there were still others taking pictures of her with their phone because of the strange and revealing clothes. "Where is this place?!" she would growl at the crowd

*On a corner of the street, a man is setting up a game of cards.* Let's what suckers I can rope in ta my game this week? Heh heh heh.

Taylor would grin a bit upon seeing Velvet through her swarm, well that isn't quite what she had in mind... Someone interesting this woman surely is. In fact, as bits of the gathering back away Taylor would walk up with a grin on her face and a friendly wave towards Velvet. "Hi, this place is called Tokyo, Shibuya district last I looked. Name's Taylor Herbert, by the way, yourself?" She'd also note Jack setting up in the background, though for now simply watching rather than speaking to that one. Instead, Taylor goes a bit away and keeps speaking to... Whoever the lady with too little clothing is. "Anyway, welcome to this madhouse of a city. I can assure you, it only gets more insane from here."

Niko is simply laying on whatever horizontal surface that's not the ground, spinning his evoker on his finger. "This place has become a bit too boring recently..."

Nidus, a warframe made of alien flesh looks Raven while standing on a street light. Lost in the city ma'am? Because that was the same reaction I had when I jumped into a Orokin portal.

*His set-up finished, Jack raises his voice, clearing his throat* Ladies and Gentlemen of Shibuya, who wants to play a simple game? Find the Joker and win the pot. Current pot is $1000, carried over from a long while. First game for every one person is free and only $5 after the fact. If ya to busy, I can understand, but for all you lucky lads and lasses who have a spare minute or two, step right up to win a free $1000. Who's feelin lucky tonight? *Jack smirks as a crowd gathers. Just another day in the business, he thought.*

The clanking of armor and the glow of a blue sword is intimidating, but its source appears to just be trying to be another face in the crowd. He's not doing a great job, but he tries. The suit of armor creaks to a stop in front of Jack, waving with its left hand. I don't think I was ever a gambler, but... it wouldn't hurt to try.

The woman would look Taylor with suspicion before hearing her words. Toe key yo? It wasn't a location she had every heard of before which is shocking considering she could say she traveled the breath of the world. Pulling back some of her hostility before her hunger pangs began she would keep her guard up as she responded. "......Velvet. Where on the map is this place. Midland?" she would ask as she payed attention to her surroundings.

Niko smirks and gets off his spot, approaching Jack. "I think I'd like to give it a shot."

Wakui would suddenly talk "Your in another universe miss, it's called the Nexus" Wakui said all of that while looking at his comic

Fine sir. I hope your luck is favourable, I really do. First game is 100% free. No strings attatched. Simply find the Joker and Avoid the Queen a Hearts and the Ace a Spades and win big. I'll shuffle if ya understand.

Find the Joker and avoid the Queen of Hearts and Ace of Spades? Interesting, he'll see how it works. "I guess I understand, go ahead and shuffle."

That sounds easy enough. Do I just keep drawing, or just pick cards at random...? Despite his appearance, the armored person sounds cheery. He doubts he'll win, but it seems fun and worth a shot.

*Jack lays the three cards face down on the table, the Joker in the center.* Seems we have two players. Sorry, master tin man. I was unaware of your presence. Well, I'll make this a challenge. If ya both guess right, first come first served. If one wins, the winner gets everything a course. Of course, you could both still lose. *While he talks, Jack shuffles the cards. It's slow at first but he soon speeds up, even adding a few tricks into the act making it all the more whimsical to watch yet hard to keep track of the goal. Eventually, Jack stops.* So. Left, Right or Middle? Where's the Joker hiding, do you reckon?

Niko taps on the armored... Guy. He's trying to get his attention. "Hey, maybe we should think about this together."

She'd chuckle as Wakui speaks up. Not quite how she wanted to go about things, but the kid isn't really wrong after all. "Another world... Yeah, not sure where you came from but my home doesn't exist on this planet. Never heard of Midland either so if I had to guess..." She'd sigh, explaining this crap isn't her idea of a good time but oh well. "Anyway, I'm guessing you're entirely new and entirely used to violence from the looks of it. Uh try not to freak out too much, wouldn't do to have law enforcement show up." She'd casually wander a bit closer to Jack, a few gnats buzzing about near his table and keeping an eye on the man. Even as Taylor glances back towards Velvet.

The armor stares down at the cards for a moment, hesitating, then points at... the leftmost card. He's hesitant, but not like his chances are too slim, right? ...right? Not much to plan. It's totally random... maybe.

Niko sighs, he didn't get to choose. Wait... "What if this is rigged, and none of the cards are the card we're looking for?"

Now, that's just insulting. I would never cheat. That goes everything I stand for. The card your looking for is on the table. No tricks, I promise.

Niko shrugs. Now, it's time to choose... "I choose the left card as well."

Unlucky. *Jack flips up the leftmost card, revealing the Queen of Hearts. He then flips up the right card, revealing the Joker.* You almost had it though. Unfortunatly, your free trial just expired. As much as it pains me to admit it, you'll have to pay $5 to the pot to play again. Sorry, but that's just how this games works. *Jack looks apologetic at the two*

Niko sighs, he doesn't have much money, as he was using the stuff he gained on necessities. "Oh well, I guess I'm not as lucky as I thought." He goes back to his spot to lay down.

Heh. Suit yourself. Who's next to play for $1000 dollars? An easy prize if lady luck blesses deems you worthy of it. I'm sure one of you is the chosen lucky one, so don't hold yourself back. First games free. What have you got to lose?

"Another....world? The Nexus? What the hell are you......" Velvet's eyes would grow wide as the immediate shock hit her. This wasn't her world? What kind of joke was this. What about Innominot, Artorius. What about her revenge for..... "Phi....." she would look around again. He should have seen him. He was with her only moments ago. As he looked around he would notice Magilou and rush over to her. "What is going on? Where is Phi, or Eizen and Rokurou. What happened?!" she would say almost frantic as the hunger pangs began to stab into her organs.

"I'm a human with magical powers to heal people, see their powers, weakness, names all that stuff."

Strolling down the sidewalk with both of his hands clenched in fists is a menacing looking bald man with black tattoos spread along his face, wearing a dark pair of sunglasses that cover his eyes. As he continued walking along, the people passing him would give him weird looks as if he had some facial deformity. He didn’t mind, simply because he gets those same looks from people all the time. Upon hearing the announcement from the gambler, Jack, behind his stand, he glances over to the man, immediately interested in his little game. Beginning to inch towards the gambler’s, he cracks his knuckles with a small smirk formed on his face. “First game’s free huh? Heheh, I’ll give it a shot.”

Oh, so that weirdly dressed one does know this Velvet woman... Well, no sense in wasting time, because from what she can tell this might get a bit dicey given the sound of her new "friend's" voice. Taylor would walk over to them and watch closely. "Not sure on any of those people, never seen them around here though so I wouldn't count on meeting them..." Taylor then glances at the blond, an eyebrow raised as she looks this strange person over. "You a friend of Miss Velvet or something? Can't say I know her in anything other than passing, but hey if you do that works out well hopefully." Hah, considering how this one was trying to stay away from Velvet it seems likely that it won't so much help as making things worse. Of course, Termite is kinda hoping it gets worse. Taylor herself is... Unsure about the matter.

*Jack frowns for a second before quickly turning back to his usual smile* Now, don't you seem blessed by a god. Find the Joker. Win the pot. *Jack performs his shuffling, faster than before and employing more tricks to try and trip Rodin up. He sets the cards face down.* So then. Where do ou think the Joker is hiding? Left, right or middle?

After hearing Taylors word she would feel her rage beginning to boil. Was this one of Artorius's plots and what does he get out of this. To get her our of the way? That's impossible. As a therion she was far too important to his plans. She took a moment to analyze her situation. She was currently in a world not her own. Magilou being the only one here she recognizes. Considering the crowd she was drawing way too much attention to herself and she didn't know the current status of her allies. For now she would calm herself down. "What is this Nexus." she would say with a deep breath. "and why am I here?"

Rodin picked up the directions of the game almost instantly, finding the game to be quite easy. All he needs is a little bit of luck and he’ll definitely win. Scratching his chin, he surveyed each card on the table, trying to come up with a decision. “Hmm.... It’s gotta be this one!” He points to the card in the middle, confidently.

Unfortunate. *Jack flips up the middle card, revealing the Ace of Spades. The Joker is revealed in the right position.* You were so close. Though, I'm sure $5 dollars ain't much for a rematch, eh? Especially with $1000 on the line. I understand if you don't wannna, but come on. Whatcha got to lose?

"The Nexus is well a world that connects to all kinds of worlds, some people come here when they die, some wake up here, others ended up here for their own reason mistake or not. Were stuck here and everything from your world is here as well"

Magilou weaves her way through the people, keeping an eye on Velvet as our heroine attempts to... Oh, it seems she's been spotted! What a turn of events. Magilou takes a chance to break from the crowd, pretending she definitely wasn't trying to avoid her old companion. The girl mindfully listens to Velvet, seems the girl hasn't been here long, for now the girl puts on an expression of utter shock, one hand over her cheek Oh my, I thought they were with you? You did agree to keep an eye on them right? Even at a time like this, Magilou seems to be enjoying herself as she leans forward, fake tears flowing through her eyes as she speaks in sorrowful tones Ah, the poor child, how lost and alone he must be without your meaningful guidance, an umbrella to shelter him from all manner of harm. Finally, Magilou straightens up, leaning back a little with both arms behind her head as she carelessly remarks Oh well, wherever they are I'm sure Rokurou is taking care of the boy just fine. After all, he's such a wonderful role model, and at the very least I doubt he'll mistake the kid for a snack. Magilou gives a sly grin as she makes this last remark, her eyes drifting to Velvet's bandaged arm, one she knows a little better than she might like

Niko walks up to Wakui. "This doesn't seem much like an afterlife, how can you be so sure that people come here when they die?"

Rodin sighs in defeat. Maybe this game had some skill to it after all. But telling by the look on his face, he wasn’t done just yet. He reaches into the pocket, pulling out a five dollar bill and hands it to Jack. “Second time’s a charm. Am I right?”

Right on, my friend. *Jack once again gets to work shuffling his cards before laying them out face down.* You know the game. 1 in 3 chance. Left, right or middle?

Taylor shrugs, she can't even figure out why she's here herself let alone anyone else. Hmm, seems Velvet is a bit paranoid too perhaps... Then again, her calling someone out on that is like the pot calling the kettle black. "It's... Some kind of messed up mesh of various places? I'm not sure on the details myself honestly. And you're here the same reason we all are, this madhouse kinda has a gravity all it's own. People, places, objects, anything can end up sucked into it..." Well, there's a bit more to the story than that or so says Termite. But she's not really feeling like talking about the crazy ideas of the despair eating parasite living in her is a great plan. And snack... Heh, feels like she might have a bit in common with this Velvet. "Anyways, I'm going to just guess that you... Well, aren't quite normal huh? Not that it's an issue to me, meet all sorts around this city."

Velvet would listen to Magilou and her over dramatic acting with a role of her eyes. Even in this situation she was still the same. Did anything bother this witch? In the end she had a point. Even if they were separated they all knew how to defend themselves. At the very least she knew she could probably find Eizen if she wanted to. All she had to do was follow rumors of random explosions and such. Phi would most likely try to find a book explaining more about the world if he was here as well. And if that sickly looking boy was correct about the things from her world being here then it was only a matter of time before she met Artorius and Innominat. "How long have you been here." she would say to her garishly dressed comrade......if you can call her that

"If by normal you mean human then no. I'm not exactly normal" She would say with indifference as she had finally returned to a somewhat calm state. Her hunger remained the same in any world it seemed as her stomach remained and continued to nag her to devour everything around her.

*Jack smirks. He flips up the card on the right, revealing the Queen of Hearts. The middle card is revealed to be the Joker. Jack scratches the tattoo of a 0 on his right arm.* Unlucky, friend. I really thought you had it this. They say third times the charm though.

Not human? So not just a non-human being living inside her... Well then, that's quite something, to say the least. Who knows, maybe this woman could be of some help? "Huh, and what exactly does someone of your species dine on? I can take a wild guess, but it's just that. A wild guess... Although if it's right, eh we might be able to get along." Not as if she can really judge people on diet when she's devouring despair and all, besides what's the worst this lady can be doing?

Oh I dunno.... Magilou makes a show of counting on her fingers, one, two, three.... Nine, maybe ten months. I've been making a decent bit as a street performer at least. Though I've been ever so lost without an assistant. Magilou gives a sly wink to Velvet, turning sideways and looking up at the sky Hope you've been getting along ok without me. Oh, that reminds me, did you ever manage to eat that guy? What was his name again..... Magilou taps her head with a finger a few times as she begins throwing out completely random names, though there's a bit of a glint in her eye as she looks back to Velvet as though seeking to judge her reaction Adam... Arthur.... Andrew.... Must have started with an A.....

Rodin wasn’t entirely surprised by his loss, because of his thoughts about him actually being unlucky. After hearing Jack’s suggestion for a third game, he responds with a head shake. “Nah, I think I’m done for today. Plus, I gotta go back to runnin’ my bar. You should come there some time.” He hands Jack a small black card that has the name “The Gates of Hell” written in purple letters with a purple logo of a cliché demon behind the words before making his departure.

Heh. Maybe I'll drop buy. But never mind that. The pot has risen. First games free. Who's up for a game, eh? Heh heh heh.

"You ask a lot of questions." she would say to Taylor with a raised brow and an obvious show of displeasure before hearing Magilou from the side "10 months. So there is a discrepancy from when we came here. As of ten minutes ago we were together." she would say pondering on what Magilou said. If that was true then there was no telling if the others ever even made it here yet. "Artorius" she growled with enough killing intent to kill a lion. Black smoke began to rise from the bandages as she felt her anger seethe at just the mention of his name. A name that was associated with far too many bad memories. She took a deep breath to try to calm herself and the black smoke from her arm began to dissipate.

She'd laugh, is it that Taylor asks too many? Or that Velvet doesn't ask enough, personally, she'd go with the latter of those. "Only when there's asking to be done, but your friend seems to have answered it for me anyways. Well, I can't help in finding this enemy of yours, assuming he's not around. But hey if you're looking for a meal... Well, I have a friend with a somewhat similar taste is all." The whole secret identity bit is fairly pointless here anyways. And somehow a person eating chick seems unlikely to freak out over little old Termite. "Anyways, only fair I tell you what I can. I have been poking for info this whole time after all." She'd then turn to Magilou, waving a bit as she glances around. "Taylor Herbert by the way, nice to meet you I'm sure."

Magilou grins for a moment, only to visibly shudder when Velvet says the guy's name. Of course she'd have never forgotten Artorius's name, and with a reaction like that... Pretty safe to say how well he's doing. Magilou smiles again, giving Velvet an almost mocking sideways glance Oooooh, scary. Good news is the abbey doesn't seem to be here, so I doubt that any of the other freaks here. Magilou's gaze briefly rests upon taylor, they've never met before but to even be talking to Velvet there's probably something up with her. Especially depending on their reaction to Velvet's arm trick Will particularly care about what you are. Bad news is that it also means you're not likely to find He-who-must-not-be-named. At the very least I can say I have seen the Reaper around. Magilou waves her hand in the air in a shooing motion past Velvet knowing him he's probably run off who knows where, either with his own ship or maybe taking one if needed. At least you've still got me. under her breath for now Magilou looks back to Taylor and bows, taking the chance to give herself a grand introduction Oh right, we've never met before have we? Magilou stands, arms extended towards the sky in a shakespearean pose as she continues on I am the great sorceress Magilou, a mage gifted beyond compare, and quite a good looker if I say so myself

A mage gifted beyond compare? She's not so sure on that, but the looker part... Yeah, that's fair. "Mage beyond compare I'll need some proof for, looker I can agree with easily enough. As for me, I'm... Well, one might say I deal in... Freelance work. I'd describe what that entails but it isn't really a great idea in such a public place." Despite the fact that no one bothers to stop vigilantes and such around here, she's still not going to shout out for every normal on the streets to hear about her "work". Even more so given what Termite often leaves behind by the time they're done. It'd be just her luck for the cops to get fed up with acid burns around perfectly good buildings. "And the Reaper huh, another ally of yours I'd assume. And perhaps a pirate of some stripe? Ah well, no problem of mine."

Oh, so you're one of those people who take care of little... "Jobs", if you catch my drift? Magilou makes a show of winking and nudging Herbert a little as though hey were sharing some kinda secret, whether or not it actually means anything to anyone is pure guesswork. When the subject changes to the Reaper, Magilou throws her head back dramatically, one hand over her forehead Ah yes, I remember meeting him as though it were yesterday, a fearless corsair known for leaving chaos and misfortune in his wake. A curse to all those around him, even an innocent maiden like me. The girl stands back down, toying with the ends of her hair as she makes one last remark Though saying we're allies might be a bit of a stretch, I'll admit he was rather helpful. Have to get around somehow after all.

She'd shrug, sure if jobs means violence. Given the company this woman seems to know, that bet looks fairly likely as well. "Generally they're I'm my own employer but yeah... Although, I've been known to work for people now and then." To an extent, granted her relation to that other Kalib is unclear at best at times. But even so he did give her Termite and that means something. Then there's Femt, who is all too interesting yet clearly dangerous. Speaking of interesting and dangerous, this Reaper seems to fit the bill. "Cursed huh? A few months ago I would have laughed at the idea, but now it just seems fairly plain." And not allies... But still working with each other. "Useful to each other for a time then? From what I can guess, seems whatever group you guys were wasn't exactly tight-knit."

Magilou carelessly lifts one arm out to the side, her other stationed on her hip as the girl closes her eyes Oh, wow, how utterly noble of you, going out there beating up monsters all alone with no one to even pay you for your efforts. I'm sure the world really appreciates everything you do. Magilou grins and glances back at Taylor out the corner of her eye, a smug grin plastered across her face Well, I'm here and I met you, so I think its pretty safe to say the curse is real. Proved to come in handy a few times. As a distraction if nothing else.