*Not being far from Portobello Road, Jack often set up his usual game in Chinatown. Today was of no acception. Already, a number of people had gathered around his table.* Come one! Come all! Don't be fraid of little ole Jack. I propose a simple game. Simply watch where the Joker ends and win the pot of $1000, which I have been assured is quite a lot of Yen. First game, as always, is free and any after is a simple fiver. He or she, I don't discriminate, who dares wins. *Jack smirked. Knowing he had never lost, many people were hesitant, but a few took him up on his offer for a possibility of free money.*

Arecia walks with her students Trey and Cinque to learn a bit about this world cultures Oh, I see Miss Aki is here to, how goes your training? She smokes from her pipe again

"Behold! The amazing Lin Gin, psychic extraordinaire, will read your mind! I need a volunteer!"

A: Good to see you as well Arecia. Thanks to your tips I am pretty good with most elemental magic. Except for dark maybe. And you? Guess you brought two of your students. Kuon and Kaori stood beside her Kuon: Why aren't you telling me you know so many ho- I mean beautiful women, Aki? Kaori: Probably because of how you are Kuon.

*Jack looks at Lin Gin from across the street and smirks before shouting at him* I can tell what your thinking too. Don't worry. I'm sure there's a girl that can relieve even someone like you of there virginity. *The crowd around Jack laughs. He adresses them.* Even if he has too pay them first. *The crowd laugh harder.* Alright. Enough bullyin the 8th grader. Who's playin next?

She smiles Cinque and Trey wanted to check out the city, so as their teacher and mother I decided to accompany them. I am glad to hear you improved. Maybe you would learn more as a cadett of our school.

"Oh, a fellow psychic-or magician, as I assume you prefer to be called. Don't worry, I can tell that your cheap tricks extend to the bedroom as well as the street."

Why yes. Women do love me both in and out of the household. Glad to see, like all self proclaimed Psychics, you are a master at stating the obvious. *Jack's crowd chuckles again*

Aki coughs as she hears Jacks comment Tsk, he wishes. Just ignore him, don't want another Kokichi like situation. She turns to Arecia I am sorry but I first would be too old for school and secondly I have my own missions and duties to follow. But I appreciate the help.

Geist simply hovers around in Chinatown off to do somethings to help his aunt Kaumi. So... first is... ginger, orange zest and wasabi...

Arecia nods I see. It's unfortunate but I understand you. After all, a war and from what you talked treasure hunting are two diffrent things. I hope just seeing fighters from this world inspires my children.

*Jack calls over to Aki.* Now, I'm offended that. I'm very aware that women not worth having don't like me. *A few men in Jack's crowd snicker.* But I am sure someone will appreciate someday you enough to pull that stick outta your rear. So don't worry about it, heckler. *Jack smirks, watching carefully to see if Aki would react at all.*

Geist continues looking at the list he was given until he bumps into Jack. Wait what did I miss?

Aki chuckles At least I have a stable life, a boyfriend and don't have to resort to scamming others money away to live. As any woman would love a lying gambler on the streets, who doesn't have the guts to work his way up on his own in a honest work. You just have to brag to feel better and badmouth others down huh. I kinda feel sorry for you. She smirks Let's go elsewhere Arecia.

"I think every woman is beautiful. Except maybe your mother, Jack." Gin turns to Aki. "Don't listen to this joker. He's just annoying and cheap. I mean, most magicians don't charge anything for their tricks."

*Multiple people in the crowd flinch as Aki says "Scamming"* Oh ho ho. A scam, eh? Well, first tries free if you wanna test your little theory, Heckler. Or are you too afraid to back up ya words with actions. *Jack smirks, leaning an arm on his table.* Well? We're waiting. *Jack looked over at Gin.* Well, that proves your a fake right there. I don't have one of those. You'd know that if you really read my mind.

She sighs Truely a pathetic lad. Only surrounded by men and brags he knows women. Let's go.

"I only read surface level thoughts, not deep seated memories. Right now, you want to bang that girl right there and are sexual frustrated that you can't have her." He says, point to Aki when he says 'That girl right there".

She sighs Play with yourself Jack or find someone dumb enough to fall for your tricks like I care. She smiles to Gin Thank you for the support. Then she walks on with Arecia

Geist walks to Aki and Arecia now confused over the circumstance of what just happened. Hey Aki... what is going on? Some random punk messing with ya?

And once more, you have failed. All of you seem to have one small factoid wrong. I made a joke. It wasn't serious. She was rude. I retorted. And y'all seem to have made the mistake I'm some sort a sexual deviant cause of it, when I'm just a simple man who wants to play a game. But since y'all can't take jokes, I'll be deadly with ya from now on. Don't you worry about that. *Jack calls after Aki* Aww. And here I thought you wanted to actually know who I am. Seems your pretty shallow there, Heckler. But you talk about the real world but you know nothin about it. Your honesty is a joke even funnier than mine. But you don't wanna go hear that, now you ya, Miss Aki? All up in your high velvet tower, the truth escapes ya with your "Justice" lovin friends. Ignore this world's truw problems. May your shadow block your ears of the truth of the poor.

"He says he wants to play a game, when he really wants to scam money out of people. I know that much at least. The Joker will never be where we expect it to be, because it'll be up your sleeve, or hidden back in the deck, or something else like that. I'd be a fine trick if you did it for free, to try and confuse people and give them wonder, but no, you pay for people to have them fooled."

She just ignores him and walks on Like anyone would believe you over me. You are truely alone and pathetic. She smiles at jack with confidence as she left Don't worry Geist, he just a street scammer that gambles. I can't stand people who ruin others lives to make their own better. Espcially he is wrong about the Justice, my group isn't about Justice. We are just a group of treasure hunters.

*Jack smirks, but hatred burn behind his eyes.* Yeah. Alone. Like all of us unlucky enough for the "honest" way not to work out. I wonder if you'll hear me out next time. I doubt you will. *He then looks back to Gin* Oh, I'm a scam artist? You say you're a psychic. You look at someone, see they have bags under their eyes and say "you work hard and get no sleep". You look at a man with a black eye and say "you feel resentment". And then you stick your hadn out and say "Money please". And then you go home and laugh at the idiots.

He barely knows anything and cornered clings to any card he has that is all. She smokes again Like a little child.

"Non non non, monsieur! My services are free! And 'tis not about the money for me, it's the looks on people's faces, the surprise and joy and elation they feel when I am right! I perform at children's parties! I work simply for the joy of others. This is my hobby. I actually work in a spice shop to pay the bills."

I think you two just don't want to understand him. *Sam stands around near a parts store in Chinatown, messing around with his metal arm, using a screwdriver* Don't get me wrong. He's an immature imbecile. But he makes a valid point. But that's beside the point, I suppose. *Sam looks up* You three look down? Bad timing?

Pffft... that's such a shame... even my sister's a gamble but even she doesn't scam. Also my uncle and dad has a made a gift for you. *He gives Aki a golden and purple glowing dodecahedron.* This is a Engram, one holds a lot of money and a new weapon and the other is a exotic armor which is powerful.

*Jack closes an eye.* A childrens performer? SOunds about right. Their the only ones who'd fall for Psychic bullshit. *Jack turns back to the crowd with a smile.* Sorry bout all that folks. Got a little heavy. Tell ya all what. Free games for a while. Lighten the mood a bit, eh? *The crowd cheers before continueing with Jack's game.*

Aki sighs I can kinda understand him, after all I lived on the streets as well. But he doesn't even try to change anything, to turn his life around. I hungered and worked little by little without lies and tricks and I made it. But I can't talk normal with this guy to make him understand it. I guess I just leave it be. She smiles at Geist You always know how to cheer me up, huh? Thanks.

Why can't you? Sounds to me like you didn't even try. *Sam spins his screwdriver in his hand.* From an outsider's perspective, you're both stupid, but at least he tried to extend an olive branch with his "free game" to you. It's a show tactic with a purpose, but it does it quite well. It made you look bad and made it seem like he won that exchange. You look weak and unsympathetic to the crowd. *Sam pockets his screwdriver.* But i'll drop it if you want. Change subjects. What are you guys even doing here?

Gin goes back to entertaining his crowd, as well.

I'd rather look bad then get myself rilled up more by him for nothing. I had enough stress with meeting that liar Kokichi. And it would've been a lose lose situation anyway. Would I go with that free game, it would've looked like I gave in with his will. So what is your suggestion? She trembles I didn't even want to snap at him but these old memories came back and angered me. I am just as pathetic. But at least I gave the crowd a hint to be carefull. That is enough for me. She takes a deep breath

It's the gift the keeps on giving. I am trying to live up to my dad's expectations, and Aki if I find something free, my feelings of doubt sky rocket. He stretches out so all the joints won't stiffen. News flash Sam... that's the same guy who once soured one of Spectre's already sour day, also doing some grocery shopping for aunt Kamui.

I dunno. I'm not your fucking therapist. Though, it seems you both don't know each other and are making assumptions about each other and that's probably a bad thing. What you do with that information is yours. *Sam looks over at Geist.* Are you on about the same guy? Wow. He must get around to annoying everyone.

Arecia puts a hand on Aki's shoulder It's alright, calm down. You made the decision so you have have to live with it. She looks at Geist What an intersting armor this is.

He turns his head to Arecia with confusion. Really? I just made this with the help of my dad's armor fabricator and the help of my aunt's Hoshidan brother's retainer. And it's functions is to not only protect me but to amplify my Void capabilities.

She sighs You're enjoying this aren't you? I would argue that it's not assumptions, but what I watched while going shopping, how he tricks people but I rather drop the topic now. I was here after all to enjoy my free time, not to get more stress.

Who me? Slightly. Dunno about these guys. Speaking of these guys... *Sam looks over at Geist.* You really are clueless, huh? There's a solid 60% chance she wants to tear off your armour and experiment on it.

Well in my world our armor is more simpler. Rubrum has hooded cloaks while out enemy Milites had more Metal compared to our magic. I haven't introduced myself, Arecia Al-Rashia, teacher of Rubrum Akademia. She smirks I am no researcher, others take that part in our school. I am just a teacher for Magic.

I can just give her one... I have like fifty duplicates of the same thing. *A clone of him made of Void light gives him the stuff that his aunt needs.* Thank you clone I will send these infront of Kamui's feet. *The clone nods and he opens a portal to Valla and gently places it there.*

Aki smiles Everytime you bring a new trick when I meet you again Geist. Guess I need to do my best with the new magic powers I gained as well.

That is very gratefull of you and gives me and idea. She pulls something out of the bag she is carrying So that you remember me and my class, these are Rubrum cadett uniforms with Class 0 red cloaks, but I guess for you Geist, you only need the cloak. She hands them over See it as a Souvenir.

Geist: The Void is limited base on your imagination. The more you can think, the more you can do. He opens a Void rift to show his aunt Kamui which she waves hello. Kamui: Hello there Ms. Aki. Geist grabs the cloak with a glint of happiness in his eyes. This is like Christmas all over again! I thank you very much.

Aki smiles at Arecias gift They look awesome, makes me miss my school days. I love the red cloak. She was surprised at seeing Kamui Hello there. Nice to meet you.. She said a bit confused

Kamui: Sorry, my nephew go his friendly quirks from my sister. *Geist turns back on his aunt while blushing.* Geist: Just that you all raised me properly.

You are welcome. I will even though I may return one day to my world remember you two. As well as my children if they may fall one day. She calls Trey and Cinque to her Time to go back to Akademia.

Aki smiles Well Geist has always cheered me up when I was down, so I have to thank you as well. She looks to Arecia See you around.

The scrolls that Saint-14 left behind taught me one thing which is to be remembered is not of the number of heroic actions you performed, but is the level of compassion that you have for your people. Hence why Xander is loved. He puts on his new cape and gazes in awe. Look at that... fits nicely.

Wait. She hopped shortly in the Velvet room portal and came back in the Rubrum cadett uniform Now we match. And I wish more people would think like you. I am tired of the jerks who think they can just crush others under them. Kuon was kinda like that but he turned now through us more open with his feelings and jokingly sassy. I am just glad that there is still nice people to trust and enjoy spending time with. I am glad I met you.

Wow. You guys are nerds. *Sam sticks his hands in his lab coat* Like, really. Really big nerds.

The world is like the skin of a snake, it will soon shed. And it's an honor of meeting you too. And come on Sam, there some people who just want to see the world shine.

And reeeeally corny as well. I mean, it's like your a raising a death flag or something. Lighten up before I find a lamp somewhere. Chinese or otherwise.

She smiles Sadly I have to go now, aori told me she needs to get something from her workplace.