"Goddammit, not again."

This, along with an accompanying groan, was becoming something of a refrain in the gambling hall today, located deep in Hosenka's Crimson Quarter. To all the regulars, of which there were a few, it seemed as though as elderly man had just shown up, wanting to play poker and drink his remaining years away. Considering how bad he was playing, most of the other gambling men and women were more than happy to oblige. So far, Lucas had lost almost one million in jewels, and he only had one million remaining. He had also drank a few bottles of wine, and so even standing up was becoming something of an issue.

"H-how ab-bout one more r-round?" He hiccuped out, barely noticing the gleam in the eyes of everyone around him, "I'll p-put everything in. ONE MILLION" The shout was completely involuntary, but it definitely got the message across. Everyone else, without wasting any time, submitted one million as well. In total, there was around six million jewels up for offer on the table as the cards were dealt out. Lucas, with a slouch and his eyes slowly falling asleep, checked his cards and, for the briefest of moments, one may have been able to see the slightest hint of a smile on the old man's lips. Pocket kings, a very strong hand to start the game.

Bling,bling bling

The slot machine made colorful flashes as the sound of clinking coins escaped the machine. There was a game going on at the stage where if someone answers wrong the lever gets pulled. Where do they fall, she did not know. It was like another mystery for her to discover. Some of the questions were weird, like what was their weight or what was the king's name from so many years back. Did Joyan's really give a hoot what the name was? It felt like it was to make sure they do lose.

PULL THE LEVER, KRUNK!

She heard the crackling voice of a woman from the stage. A buffed up man pulled the lever, hearing someone fall from a few distances into the ground. This Casino was always strange. Her eyes moved over to the tables as she listened to a loud game. Someone was obviously having fun. Slowly, she got out of her chair and flipped her hair into place. When she was here last time, they were selling people off to richer folks in the VIP section. On this same very table was Caius, but he was obviously not here. Instead, she saw an older man, two couples. She leaned over and stood by the older-than-her man who was drunk off his ass. "I hope you don't mind me watching." She softly spoke in her breathy accent.

There were a few who had decided to gather after hearing Lucas' obnoxiously loud voice. That was mostly for spectacle of course, he wanted as many people to watch what was about to happen as he could get. As he swayed, constantly looking at his cards to suggest he kept forgetting what he had, a voice pierced through the crowd. It was one he recognised, even as he realised the speaker was right next to him. Something inside the man lurched, longing to respond to the woman in so many words. There was a moment where he froze, his swaying and intoxicated facade breaking completely, as he looked at the majestic figure standing beside him.

""But of course. All are welcome.

The sudden clarity of voice, coupled with his manners, did enough to put the other players in a state of unease. They hadn't quite put it all together, they just saw a man that should be falling on the floor after the amount of alcohol he had drank speaking calmly and casually to a woman standing next to him. They weren't sure yet what was happening, but they were about to.

The game had lost all meaning to Lucas. Even the one million jewels he could be about to lose now had no value to him. Only Arisa, who's golden hair looked as vibrant and beautiful as the rising sun, was important now. It mattered little, as he was about to win the game anyway. The five cards on the table were two Aces, two King's, and a Three. Lucas had the best possible hand, but it was still funny to watch the player with a Three and an Ace confidently reveal their cards. Full House, one of the best hands in all of poker, and likely the best hand anyone would witness in a proper game. However, as Lucas flipped over his cards to reveal the Four of a Kind, the confidence fell to shock and dismay. Lucas pocketed all the money he had won, laughing at his win, which is when they realised they had been duped. Pulling out knives and some batons showed that they were 'people not to be messed with'.

Looking over at Arisa, Lucas chuckled lightly before speaking, "You might want to take a step back." He was only able to play the nonchalant human thanks to the ring. He didn't know if he could keep it up much longer though. Here she was, and Odin longed to see her himself.

Her eyes watched as the cards were played out. They were betting quite a lot even though she had enough jewels to really get anything she wanted. Her fingers felt the money she had in her pockets while thinking about such things. She wondered who was going to win, the man beside her did not mind her standing by to watch. Slowly, she looked to see what cards he had once he picked them up but kept a poker face. Kurisa pretended to not see anyone's cards to be exact and what was funny is that she knew these people. The older man won and laughed as the others didn't enjoy it.

Was he cheating? Her eyebrow lifted as she backed away from the table. She saw how the others were going to corner the man as they pulled out their weapons. Whoa there, were they threatening him? She was going to let her innocent self stay the way it was until she saw what he was going to do. What will an old man do though? Slowly, she bumped into the man as her foot smacked against the chair leg. "Sorry.." She whispered and looked away while backing all the way up. Something felt odd with this man like she knew him. She felt like she saw him before.

It took a second as she then remembered he was from that dungeon - well, outside of it. He was on the other side. Maybe there was more to this than that though, but she did not know. If only.

In a place like Hosenka, especially the crimson quarter, the mage known as Lucas should've really known better than to try and cheat the locals. Somewhere like Crocus, Era, hell even Magnolia, the gamblers there could be fooled with simple tricks. They were new to the game and had no idea what a hustle was. The people of Oak, Hosenka, and even the seven or so people that lived in Dahlia, they wrote the book. They knew all the tricks, and they sure as hell knew when someone was trying to swindle all their money from them, nor did they appreciate it. As Arisa backed off per Lucas' instructions, the man felt like he could breathe. She was no longer in his sights, and he could focus on the people trying to kill him. Or, at least, beat him up and rob him off all his possessions.

There was one benefit to the entire situation: no one knew Lucas was a Lich. No one knew Odin was here. That meant that these people, brandishing their knives and their clubs, were expecting a man who was at least in some way affected by the copious amounts of alcohol he had drank, as opposed to someone who was stone cold sober. This is why, since they had also all drank and were much more inebriated than Lucas would ever be, the 'battle' was over in moments. The men and women were all knocked out -Lucas couldn't kill anyone while he was posing as a Fairy Tail mage after all- and the mage had made quite a lot of money. He had almost forgotten about who was standing behind him as he turned around, almost losing his step as his eyes met Arisa's once more.

"Apologies, m'lady. I'm sure you were expecting something a bit... calmer shall we say? I am Lucas Wright, pleased to make your acquaintance."

The people were really pissed off at this guy. Maybe she should go do something about it since you know, she had control over this area. Her eyes studied the man who seemed to be doing something that now made them knocked out? She was confused there a little bit. Her eyes squinted in disbelief as she tried to figure it out. He turned to look directly into her eyes. It gave off a shock through-out her body. It was odd, the feeling of knowing someone yet you did not know them. He said his name was Lucas? Something felt familiar with this name, this guy.

Nah, he was just some guy.

Kurisa wanted to tell herself that to make herself feel better, but she was going to go insane inside. "Greetings, Lucas.~ Name's Kurisa." She gave off a happy smile, completely ignoring the people in the back. "There is always chaos no matter where I go." She wondered what now as they could not go back to the table. "So, I feel like we should get going.~" She chuckled and slowly started to back off, but not let her gaze move away. As soon as he motioned towards the way she was going she twirled to face forward. Her steps were slow until they walked by each other. "So Lucas. I remember you now...". She said as her head tilted to look down, shadowing her face. "Do you intend to go towards the darker side of things?~" She whispered loud enough for only him to hear. She had so many people on the dark side, the other side compared to her. "Let's go get some drinks or something while we talk, huh?". Kurisa gestured, but was he going to follow? Follow her game of the question game - her favorite.

Kurisa? Not Arisa. Clearly Lucas hadn't misheard her, so maybe there was something else going on. Perhaps she had suffered some degree of memory loss, and wouldn't be able to remember Odin even if they did met. Given their last encounter, the Lich partly wanted that to be true. "Chaos always follows the interesting people, trust me." Lucas was just meeting someone for the first time, and he had to play it that way too, even if Odin was bursting from the inside. He wasn't sure if it would be better for her to simply not discover that the two men were one and the same, perhaps that would spare her.

As they started to walk away from the situation, Lucas' heart leapt into his throat for a moment. I remember you now... That was a cruel trick for fate to play on Odin, but thankfully it was simply from the finale of Zagan's dungeon. Lucas hadn't paid attention to all of the mages present next to Lanzarossa, mostly just the ones casting spells for him to copy, but apparently Arisa had been one of them, and now she had some questions regarding the alliance between Zagan and the mages. Thankfully, before he answered, she suggested they get drinks. Despite not being able to get drunk at all, there were still moments where Lucas, not wanting to give away too much detail, seriously needed a drink. They exited the gambling house and found a rather fancy looking establishment not too far down the road. Upon entering, they were seated rather quickly, and Lucas ordered a glass of wine. Old habits after all.

Then, and only then, did he choose to reply, "You will need to rephrase the question I'm afraid. The dark side and the light side are all just a matter of perspective. Going against the law, or against oppression doesn't make someone evil, does it?"

She got to the place, sat down as he ordered wine and herself? She ordered her typical fruity tasting drinks. Kurisa had them bring over more than a few, she wanted to be prepared. The woman wondered what exactly did Lucas want with the other man who argued and spoke to Rossa. She already forgot the man's name. Her eyes spotted the sea in front of him and the seat next to Lucas. Her lilac eyes with a speckle of the sun gazed into Lucas's. She felt like something was off, but sadly she did not know.

"Do you mind?~" She questioned and sat next to him. She did not know why she wanted to sit next to this old man, but he felt like an old friend somehow. It was that or maybe it was the fact that if she got plastered, she wouldn't fall on the floor by leaning that way. Whatever he may think, she hoped it was alright. Her body leaned over the table to corner her eyes to see his. "I agree. Sure I'm a good enough person and all, but some laws, nobles - I hate them." Her eyes gazed away and sat back up to take a drink. Her head tilted to look up at the ceiling as if she was waiting on an answer. "Per-say, do you kill people that are innocent, destroy people's lives because you can. Things like that. An example is that I know someone personally that sells people for a living." She shrugged. "I don't judge him. That's his choice and as long as it's not myself or someone I care about. I doubt I'll do anything about it. Could say I'm a double-sided coin and favor only those that are precious to me." Another sip taken, head tilts to look at him. "What about you?" She wondered while her eyes deeply look into his as if she was finding answers.

Lucas was starting to realise that, even if Arisa didn't know she was talking to Odin, some part of her felt it deep inside. She ordered a few of her drinks, no doubt planning to stay a while and get the information she didn't even know she was waiting for. She sat next to the mage, not across or anything like that. There was the sense of familiarity between the two, but only one of them knew the true reason why that was. And, at least for now, it would stay at one. She said seen him during Zagan's dungeon, and Odin couldn't risk giving away his true identity right away. He had to be sure. They were on different sides after all.

She agreed that there were problems with laws, and she hated the nobles, but then she instantly went abrupt and asked if Lucas was simply a terrible person. She asked if he was a murderer who would steal the lives from innocents because he had the power. The elder man, choosing to stay calm in a situation where most 'normal people' would shout out in outrage at the insinuation, took a sip of his drink before speaking some more, "I can't say I have, if I'm honest, although if some choose to then that is their decision." It wasn't technically a lie, as Lucas had never done such a thing, and Lucas was the facade Arisa was talking to. "I have heard of the slavers and characters in the world who are less than savoury, but I wouldn't count myself among them."

She seemed to be testing him, with every phrase trying to glean more information from the man. She protected those precious to her, and was curious about how Lucas felt. He took another drink before speaking once more. "I have met a few myself, some who wish to change the world through methods that the law may find... distasteful. If you wish to truly know why I wasn't with the dragon, it's because I see the fallacy of the world as it is. A chance needs to happen, and no one else seems willing to start it." It was likely more than Arisa had expected to receive, but the one thing Lucas and Odin prided themselves on was their unpredictability.

Okay, he didn't seem to burn any villages down and kill innocent people for no reason at least she could cross that off her list. Her eyes looked away towards the people and then back at her drink. Lucas talked about how he sided with that other dude instead of Rosa because he felt like the world was falling and it needs to change. She understood that, but she felt like no matter how many times one presses the restart button, it'll never be good enough, never change.

"Have you ever thought about how it will never change? Think about it... in the past there have been many who were unsuccessful or even successful into 'renewing' the world, but it just keeps repeating. You feel that this guy will be able to change that repeat? Hah." She chuckled at the fact that the man who was against Rosa could change the world for the better. No, it was probably for his own goal. Always is, but after he gets his goal then what? He'll die and it'll go back to the way it was? It'll become worse? Kuri, Ana, Arisa, they've seen war as war never changes, war changes you though.

"Tell me, maybe it's the alcohol, but do I know you other than that day?" Her eyes became lost into her drink. These views felt familiar as well as she knew someone who wanted to change things but was always on the opposite side. She never knew why it turned out like that.

Lucas chuckled as he listened to Kurisa speak. Her cynicism was something that Odin himself had dealt with a few times, hell it had been the reason the Lich had tried to commit suicide a few years prior. No matter what happened, there had been no change, and it never seemed like there would be. It wasn't for a lack of trying, rather simply that the world was not accepting of the change. She said that many had tried to change it in the past, each time it seemed to be Odin on the side of change. Gimroire Heart, Midnight Cult, both times a group trying to enact change, both times not getting anywhere and the world staying stagnant.

He took another swig of his drink before he spoke, his voice a lot more serious than it usually was, "Sure, people have tried before and they have failed. Do I know for certain that Zagan will be any different? No. I'm old, I've lived through many things and seen every repetition you're talking about. I know exactly why you feel the way you do." He looked at his drink, swirling the liquid as his sombre mood continued, "The world is not a good place right now, it needs this change. At least, by actually doing something, I'm willing to try and change it. If I fail, okay, but it's better than sitting by and letting someone else try. I'd rather use my life to make the world better than waste away to nothing."

Taking a deep breath, Lucas realised his anger had been building. Not at Kurisa, but just at the world as he knew it. Perhaps he was giving away too much of his old self, so he had to be sure to dissuade her from any of those thoughts, "Depends on how much you've visited Fairy Tail. I've been a member for the majority of my life, but usually just in a clerical position. I cooked, I cleaned, I helped out the new members. I'm old, perhaps there's no much I can do, but I'd be a fool not to try."

The old man had the right views with wanting to change the world, to make it better or so that's what she felt like he was saying. Sometimes she felt like sacrifices had to be made, but did they really? She wanted to save everyone, see everyone as themselves with some good inside of them. Just like with her time with Caius, some people just aren't good at all. Maybe him being bad 100%ly was an act, but it probably wasn't. He had his views just like Odin did. Her lips frowned as her eyes watered for the first time in a few years.

Everyone, she felt anything for went towards the dark side or was yet they had no light inside them. Maybe she is meant to be alone. Her tears dried off as he couldn't see them from his point of view. Her hands clenched in frustration thinking of all of this. She felt like she should let time go. Her heart was slowly closing another inch as her rightful thinking was wrong to her now. A little closer, a little closer to Ana, to the goddess of sin as they waited for their turn. Everyone cared for themselves. What they wanted, maybe that's how she should too.

She played on a smile and giggled, "Oh~ No then. I suppose I only met you earlier from the dungeon then." Her head tilted to look up at him with a smile. "When it comes to your goals; you should never give them up, never stop trying at least... no matter how many tries it takes." She whispered off the last half and looks at her drink, chugging the whole thing down. "Ah~ That was a really good drink." She clapped her hands together and smiled at Lucas. "Well, did you have any questions for me at all? I've been here asking you things. Haha.~" She laughed softly towards him.

While Odin was starting to grow more accustomed to the conversation, entirely thanks to being Lucas in the situation and thus not having to have any prior knowledge of who Kurisa was, it seemed like the Nephilim was starting to have difficulties. The slight tensing of the hands, it betrayed the pain she was feeling. While he couldn't know anything specific about how she was feeling, he didn't think it arrogant to assume Odin had something to do with it. The last time they had seen each other had been, after all, when the Lich had punched her and left her alone on the Astera Cliffs. That was all she knew about that day as it had never been explained to her, as he had never explained it to her. It made sense that it would linger, as Odin had made a decision that she had no knowledge of, as she had been the vision of his torment.

Her words were accompanied by a beautiful, if fake, smile as she responded to the Fairy Tail mage. It was a much more optimistic speech she gave than what he had expected, especially given her previous cynicism, before she asked Lucas if he had any questions. Deciding it would be worthwhile to keep the conversation going for a little bit longer, Lucas smiled and spoke, "I guess you might as well tell me how you feel about your goals. What do you think about the world? Also your thoughts on the dragons. After all you decided to ask me, a complete stranger, some pretty intense questions. It's only fair you do the same, Miss Kurisa."

He wanted to know what she thought about this whole thing. Her eyes shifted away and took another drink as her right hand lifted to her lips with the rim. She wanted to change the world, but maybe not the way that demon guy was wanting to. Truthfully, she did not hear fully what the plans were since they had to leave quickly after he appeared. She just saw who was on the other side, that was it. Rossa wants to fight for the people and her own kind so taking care of one person instead of killing the world sounded better to her.

My simple goals are more than what is happening. This just became in the way if I'll be fair with you." Her head turned to look at him. "I just wanted to get strong and find love - get rid of this curse even, but taking care of people is also my business. That is till I get tired of it someday or maybe I don't know." Her head turned and tilted to look up at the skylight above them. "I've been questioning my values, morals and such for a couple of days now. Either way." She put down her glass, "I don't agree with killing everyone to create a new world.". She won't be an angel-like being forever. What will she do then? "So Lucas, leaving any lightful guilds then I presume? Since I'm sure they won't take kindly to what you chose - IF you were apart of one. Don't remember." She yawned and leaned against Lucas for a cushion. She wanted to keep on talking. She enjoyed it, made her feel less alone.

Her goals seemed much more noble than the mage would've expected. A simple enough desire to get stronger and protect those she loved, as well as find love herself. Lucas simply chose to listen as she spoke of her desires, getting a rare insight as to the person Kurisa was. After all, he was in the extremely advantageous position of knowing who she was, without her knowing the truth about him. He had to use this opportunity, and learn as much as he could. She seemed conflicted, spending much of her time considering which side she was on, and where she should stand morally. It appeared to be that she was on the precipice of becoming great good or great evil, while still trying to stay neutral for as long as she could. Odin understood, to some extent, how that felt. He himself had stood there once before many years ago.

Lucas almost choked on his drink as she finished her words, remarking "Woah woah woah, whoever said anything about killing everyone? What's the point of trying to change the world for the better if there's no one left to enjoy it?" Lucas had no idea where that idea had come from. As far as everyone knew, he was a simple Fairy Tail mage wanting to do good. He wasn't, yet, a mass murderer.

His voice turned more solemn as he answered her final question, "I have lived with and loved Fairy Tail for my entire service there, and I would wish for nothing more than for the guild to count me among its allies forevermore. However, it's possible they will have misunderstood, like so many others, that Zagan is evil. If they consider him a threat, simply because he wishes to make Fiore stronger and safer, then it's likely I will no longer have a home there." He said nothing more after that, instead taking one last drink of his cup. All out of wine.

Lucas has seemed to be acting like he was in a trial. He seemed offended even when she talked about murder and the like. He didn't seem to understand it at all. Her head tilted at him, looking into his eyes with her drunken gaze. "You know... that's what the last people said, but people died. A lot of people died yet you talk about not killing anyone? You don't think your 'allies' will kill? If you had to kill or watch your allies kill someone precious to you to change the world, would you?". She was drunk, she had no idea what she was talking about, but for this? This was something deep in her mentality that she wanted to know.

Fairy tail, huh? That was the guild he was in? That one question was probably her last as he ran all out of wine. Shame really since she was interested in knowing more. "Any questions for me?" She left her gaze as she didn't want to leave his eyes. Something about them felt familiar. Just her imagination probably. Yawning softly she stood up, legs wobbly. Quickly, she leaned against the table to keep her balance as much as she could. The place was closing and their talk was too closing. Her heart was tugging, but she ignored anything she felt at the moment. "Heh, looks like I might have had too much to drink. Uh, do you mind to escort me to the hotel I'm staying at? Don't need to be the exact door. Just to the counter guy up front." She joked and then was serious at the end. If he did not want to, it was understandable.

Now it seemed like it was all coming out. Kurisa stated that, even if Lucas himself didn't want to kill, it was unlikely that his newfound allies would avoid bloodshed. It was likely that a lot of people would die, no matter which side anyone was on. Her question came sharp, but Lucas would not hesitate in giving her an answer, "Yes, of course. Sacrificing one life, any life including my own, to change the world and make it safer for generations to come? Who wouldn't chose that. Although, when it comes to someone precious", Lucas would fidget with the Necran ring, a ring that he made everyone believe was his wedding ring, as his voice went quiet and solemn, "she's already been taken from me." He stayed silent for a moment more, thinking of all he had lost before shaking his head out of the current emotional situation.

Kurisa asked if Lucas had any questions for her, to which she would receive a simple shake of the head. It seemed as though their chance meeting was coming to an end, but of course that would be far too easy. As she stood up Lucas realised, as did Kurisa, that she was drunk and could barely walk. She asked for his aid in escorting her back to the hotel room where she was staying and the Lich within, suddenly irritated that he'd decided to make his human alter ego a gentleman, nodded and helped put her arm over his shoulder and he began walking her back.

"Of course, where to?"

Her eyes corner to look at Odin still and kindly he offered to take her. She gave off a goofy smile and giggled. "Good, good..." She took his arm as he escorted her. When they left the night was amazing as it had stars gazing towards them. The air felt cool against her face as he went towards the hotel. It wasn't so far from the bar within the casino if she had to be honest. Her eyes were sleepy and her eyes saw the doors. Outside was the keeper of the hotel who was tapping their foot looking at her. He gave a smile that a friend or father would give if they thought they were being ridiculous in a humorous way.

"Took your time I see. Your son is upstairs waiting for you all night with the twins." he started and came over to Kurisa to take her from Lucas. "I'll escort her to her room for ya there." He kindly said. "You know, if their father didn't walk out on them, you wouldn't be drinking every night wasting your life away," he told her with a sigh at the end. "All the men in your life just run away from you." He joked and laughed. It kind of hurt, but it was true. She gave off a smile and stood up to turn towards Lucas. "haha, see yea later Lucas. Sorry about all this. Good night!" She then went inside without much more words as she went to bed.

-exit-

As they left the bar, some of the men giving odd looks towards the elderly man escorting the young woman home, Lucas couldn't help but note the beautiful night sky. In any other situation, he may have commented on it, but he knew that would not help now. Kurisa was content to walk back in silence, and it would work out better for the man if he did the same. Kept his mouth shut and just walked straight. Eventually, they would find the hotel where she stayed, and Lucas would listen to the reception worker's odd words. A son? Twins? None of that made sense to the Lich, who thought he knew her well, but apparently did not.

If anything, it did good to help allay his concerns. Sure, the father had left her, but she had her own family. She had people that she cared about, and she didn't need Odin in her life. All the Lich could do was ruin her life, and that wasn't something she deserved, not after the pain she had been put through already. Lucas would simply pass Kurisa to the man, smile and wave as she was taken up to her room. No words needed to be said, and Lucas left with a weight off his chest.

Now he could focus.

-Exit-