[center][b][color=deba5e] Samad[/color][/b] & Arwen[/center]


“Now come on, you know assassins better than that.” Arwen replied brightly, turning around with a small hop.

[color=deba5e][b]”That’s what worries me.”[/b][/color] Samad stated, his eyes catching his father’s glance in his direction then abruptly broke contact with the man. His expression, for a moment, took on an image of utter shame while he followed the girl. He pulled out a chair as he plopped into then waited for her to take her own seat. 

She  lead the way over to the table, practically skipping her way there. She drew a pack of poker cards from her pocket, and set it on the table. “Poker or Blackjack?” As she waited for his reply she drew a card from her pocket again, this time a pokemon card. Laying it [url=http://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/f/f1/262Mightyena.png]face up[/url]she twirled her finger above it, and the card seemed to ripple. A tiny version of the character rose from the card and Arwen immediately began cooing over it, a finger scratching the dogs back and stomach when it rolled over.

[color=deba5e][b]”Blackjack, I’ve not played it in a while.”[/b][/color] His eyes narrowed upon the spiky haired pooch while it enjoyed its belly rub. He raised his eyebrow then added. [color=deba5e][b]”Neat trick. You want to cut the cards or should I?”[/b][/color] 

His hand gripped the deck set then offered it to her after he shuffled it repeatedly. 

“It’s amusing at best. Unky says that with time I could learn to use it for more than just card games.” Arwen replied, smiling sheepishly. She was clearly pleased with the comment, before taking the cards and dealing  them out.

“So. You’re estranged from your family too.” She commented idly,  handing out cards. “Kiara is as well. Though, granted, she killed Unky’s brother and father. It wasn’t her fault, really. Well, the murdering wasn’t. The lead up to though was.”

[color=deba5e][b] “Instead of trying to draw connections with me, shouldn’t you be more worried about the fact that you’re playing with someone that likely end your life and not suffer any consequences? I doubt your family will be pleased in the least of you interacting with an Asylum in the least.”[/b][/color] 

Arwen visibly tensed, but rather than paling in fear she seemed to flush with excitement. “Unky made me promise that I wouldn’t do anything dangerously stupid that might cause a war. You’re the closest I can get to an adrenaline rush and not do anything stupid.” She gave a sweet smile. “Like charming a snake or wrangling a tiger.”

His hand swiped up the cards then stared at them. It took a few moments to memorize them then set them face down from his eyes, his face not revealing any signs of worry over what he had just said. In fact, his expression was neutral as he added more. [color=deba5e][b] “You can go first. As for estranged...that’s a mild term to use and far too casual, one doesn’t want to become AMRO property after all.”[/b][/color]   

Samad’s tone seemed accepting of this while he leaned back into the chair. 

“Ah.” Was all Arwen replied, staring at her own cards for a moment. “That’s what we’re doing with my younger brothers. Loyalty to AMRO and all that. Also a strong desire to not be eradicated, but mainly loyalty.”

Samad’s eyes shifted to note Cade had approached the Legendes and was now escorting the female, a pretty one to a secluded part of the ship deck. It was strange to see the woman’s father, or relative at least, willingly leave her alone in the company of an Asylum.  It was strange to him and something that made his instincts stir, the need to discover why gently nudged at his brain. In time, he would personally take the time to learn it directly from either the Legendes or Cade himself. 

His eyes returned when he watched her start them off. 

“Unky isn’t pleased I’m doing this.” She continued, placing bets and her first card down. “He’s watching us from the distance. There’s a bullet or three in his hand and he’s tensed like a drawn bow. Evidently, he doesn’t trust you to not be like the red headed irish woman.” She grinned at him. “I, personally, am enjoying myself.” 

[color=deba5e][b] “Then you are foolish. Fear keeps things like you alive, without it you are bound for extinction and I’m exceedingly patient.”[/b][/color] He stated when she grinned then laid down a seven, his head shifted to the one she called Unky. 

His eyes almost dared for the man to become foolish enough to start something as even if he managed to hit him with whatever little speciality he had, it would have issues hitting him. Samad was ready to either sped up or slow the man down, through it wouldn’t have stopped the attack but at least made it more  it more manageable to deal with. As if to silently taunt the man, Samad let a small smile curl on his lips then abruptly fade before the girl could spy it.  

“I never said I wasn’t afraid. I’m surrounded by enemies and people who have no problem killing me just because they can. If I’m going to die, I’m going to die here because I chose it on my terms. Not because some Asylum got bored or I didn’t see an enemy attacking.” Arwen replied, putting down another card. “Fear is necessary, but fear also gives me adrenaline. Which is [i]great.[/i] “ She chuckled despite herself at Samad.

“Stop that. You push him to far and he’ll do something stupid. Then I’ll be killed to and the families will be even more freaked out and possibly attack, that won’t be good at all.”

[color=deba5e][b] “If he can’t handle it, he shouldn’t have let you out of his sight. Besides, his attack has to hit first and that is not likely to happen.”[/b][/color] Samad replied with a predatory grin, his hand placed down another card, a two this time. 

His vision shifted back to Cade when he his neck hairs stood erect upon feeling both Cade and his lady friend pass a glance in his direction. His head turned to their direction when he mentally spoke to his partner. While his voice was strong in his own head, he knew it would’ve came off fainter in Cade’s due to their wobbly link. He couldn’t help the enjoyment rattling through him upon seeing Cade’s lips cross into a frown at the invasion, still trying to get use to it even after all these months. Through, it was understandable because they tended to keep almost completely out of each other’s head when not on a mission.

[color-deba5e][b][i]  ‘Talking about me? You know it’s rude to talk about people behind their backs… you might as well introduce me at least. ‘[/i][/b][/color]

[color=7ccd7c][i]’Get out of my head.’[/i][/color] Cade shot back, clearly not liking this as his lips pursed in more irritation. This caused Samad’s smirk to deepen to show his enjoyment visibly. 

Hoping to drive the fact he didn’t like being talked about behind his back, especially by someone he had to forcibly trust, he made one last reply. [color=deba5e][b][i]’Then stop it  or I might just intro myself to your pretty little friend without your permission.’[/i][/b][/color] 

He had almost missed his turn when Arwen flipped over her card, his hand reached for the next one then flipped over a six as he mentally counted the numbers up. A seven, two and six put him at fifteen which he could’ve held or kept going up.  He decided to keep going. 


“Oh, I’m not talking about him attacking. He won’t do that unless you force his hands. And even then it won’t be to kill you. Just to buy me time to escape. If he gets too worried he’ll come over and be all protective, men, especially Asylums, tend to view that as a challenge. I [i]really[/i] don’t want you posturing to him. It’s annoying.” Arwen rolled her eyes, idly scratching an arm.. “Tigers tend to posture a lot.”  She laid down another card. “Ooh. A seven. So close, but no dice. House wins.” She grinned cheekily.

[color=Deba5e][b]”Now that you’ve had your fun, what next?’[/b][/color] Samad stated, his hands folded up and pressed to his mouth. His eyes hardened and his features seemed voided of any humanity much like his tone. [color=deba5e] “Through… next time you scratch your arm, I might show you my alchemy speciality by tossing a card to embed in your flesh. I did state no funny business.”[/b][/color] 

“Point noted.” Arwen muttered, twirling her finger and having her dog pokemon disappear. A hand fell on her shoulder and she jumped in surprise, looking  up to see Lucas behind her. “Petardo, what are you doing bothering this Asylum?” He gave soft smile at her. “He clearly is...unamused by your presence.” Lucas glanced at Samad, his other hand behind his back. “I apologize, Samad. She is...drawn to danger, and you represent two in one. We’ll be leaving now. [i]Won’t we.[/i]” He glanced down at Arwen again.

“Yes Uncle.” She spoke despondently, rolling her eyes in a despairing way at Samad. Lucas lightly flicked her head. “I saw that.” 

Samad’s eyes flickered with surprise and then shifted to Lucas, noting his use of his name. Though he never mentioned it before. He studied the patriarch for a moment then released the eye contact, his figure pulled back into the chair. The man’s hands were still clasped through he had lowered them upon the table. 

When Lucas flicked Arwen’s head with his middle finger, Samad focused on the momentum and retracted it from the attack. His finger twitched slightly and gave away the source as the young girl felt nothing at all when it hit. Samad merely gently smiled. [color=deba5e] [b] “Overprotectiveness is often its own danger and no, she wasn’t bothering me or I wouldn’t have offered to play cards.”[/b][/color] 

He stood upright, then offered his hand to her. [color=deba5e][b]Personally, it was a pleasure meeting you. If you ever have the urge to play again, maybe I’ll let you teach me one of yours. Good bye.”[/b][/color]   

Lucas didn’t seem to react to his finger being slowed down, merely glancing back at Samad. “Out of place overprotectiveness, I agree. In a sea of enemies with people who have no qualms about murdering infants, everyone needs their protection. That isn’t even considering the other Bloodlines.” His eyes narrowed at Samad as Arwen beamed and shook his hand. A quiet whistle and the the wind brushed by the ex-Kian’s ears. “If you hurt my daughter, I will kill you. Asylum or no. Either make do on your promise, or stop playing your games.” 

“Lets go Petardo. We need to mingle with the other Bloodlines and pretend like we all don’t hate each other.”

Samad merely chuckled, softly, after the two departed. His hand had retracted back to his side and hung there, hooked into his waistband while he eyed their departing backs. When they were out of sight, he spoke quietly 
to himself. [color=deba5e][b] “I did warn her not to play with a tiger… we tend to love our games.”[/b][/color]