Red Eagle Episode 2: Forks and Cards

Renee dropped her forehead down on to the table “Mom was right… I can never go back.” With her head still down she grabbed the bowl Sara was trying to pull away. “Those in particular are mine.”

“Never been prouder to see everything half finished.” Tygnat said. 

 “Box whatever the white fish, both sandwiches, and orange black stripe thing are.” Renee said, as she lifted herself, and ate another slimed black olive. “The rest of you can eat the rest.”

“No you may not have two bowls of black olive on the ship.” Targus said, watch Renee and Sara eye him.

“Bytridain for it!” Sara, loudly proclaimed.

Targus simply shuffled his deck of cards, and then began playing. Sara caught back up a few times, but it was clear Targus was directing the game most of the way through.

“Didn’t know you played a game with these.” Renee said looking through her 10 cards.

“You didn't do your second one?” Damain asked. 

“She has not been told to.” Targus said as he played. “Impossible as it may be to believe she hasn’t had any prior test or training.”

“They mention I’d be behind most of my competition.” Renee said. “But they never said what the cards did, and I always outperformed. So I let it go, and never had the chance to ask about what they even do.”

“Do you know why Triemkeylen hold a form?” Delma asked. Everyone but Sara looked up. Targus still holding a lead in their game.

“It’s just about what they like isn’t it?” Renee replied. “They shift from a white blob while they travel through space, and once they find a form they like they keep it. Until they find another, or decide they prefer to shift.”

Delma nodded. “Those cards are like you shifting. What they are isn’t going to change, but what they do for you will. Or might, it is hard to say when you’ve only done one test.”

“Some decks started very fast pace and wild.” Sara said, showing a card. “Only to shift over to playing a long game.”

“Every card said something.” Targus replied, clearing his board and playing 2 new cards. “Many teach us something. Reaffirming our judgements, or changing them.”

“It’s not about the game or the deck. It’s about speaking to each in a way words often fail to.” Renee said, looking over the field. “Could I play a round?”

“Tonight, no.” Targus said. “The second test would take the night to complete, and all decks are 20 to 40 cards.”

“I never used to get along with people  who only had 10 cards. Never felt like the knew what they wanted.” Sara played a card, and held out her hand.

“I never used to struggle against any deck so dependent upon attacking.” Targus said. “Nor did I used to grow fond of a group so disastrous."

 “Perhaps,” A female chef came with a few boxes full of what Renee requested. “It is time old captain 30 cards did his 4th test.”

“Perhaps it is.” Targus replied, looking over his deck. “I think I will still wait a while.” He looked over to Renee as they both looked through his deck.

“No.” Renee said. “I think you’re assesting. And I think I finally understand why mom always said assesting and waiting are different things.”

“Odd for a woman who was not doing either of those things.” Targus replied.

“Renee?” Pylon asked as everyone looked at him. “I… most Luxhem leave with a blessing.”

“Most Luxhem go out to do a crusade.” Renee replied. “Not to round robin a card game tomorrow night.”

“What is our ship going to be like anyways?” Damian asked. “Probably about time I started learning it.”

“Your ship,” Targus began. “will no longer be scouting for you.” He adjusted his jacket, and got up.

“Does it feel good to get back in that chair?” Sara standing with the other, and collecting her cards.

“No.” Targus answered. “It feels exquisite.”