En La Sombra

@cunningtype

Kadeu, Club Territory, Boxing Club

14 August, 2024, Wednesday, Afternoon

Grunts from fellow fighters could be heard around the Boxing Club as sparring matches and training regimens took place. The dull thud of bags being hit, the thick stench of sweat, knocked at the edges of Eva’s senses. But she ignored it all, paying attention to the opponent in front of her, grinning from ear to ear with her joy of another hard-earned victory.

“I win,” Eva announced proudly, hands on hips. She walked over to where she heard Soomin, reaching out a hand to help her up. “Gotta say, though, looks like you’re getting better at blocking my hits.”

She spoke casually, pleasantly without the typical cockiness of a Club-raised or cold assuredness of a Spade. Like this sparring match wasn’t just a test of skill against a Kumiho, a species she rarely got to fight, but rather a game. Eva enjoyed this new challenge that Soomin presented. Ever since meeting the Kumiho she’d found herself more driven in her personal training. Something about Soomin’s fierceness, though rough and unpolished, sparked a fire in the Shapeshifter. She guessed, with enough training, Soomin would one day be her match in a fight.

But that wasn’t today.

“You could definitely use some improvement, though. You were wide open at the end there. Wanna ‘nother round? Still won’t go easy on ya, though.”

Kadeu: Indvidual Task

; ON FAMILY & SELF-DISCOVERY an interview with Four of Spade, Evangeline Santiago

Tell us about how Eva feels about the resistance!

Eva is sprawled out on the floor, arms reaching out for the armadillo wandering around the barracks. Chupa makes a beeline for the Shifter’s welcoming arms and proceeds to make itself at home on Eva’s stomach. A furrow is forming between her brows, but she answers easily.

“I’m not against them, but I’m not for them either. I’m…curious about them. I’ve heard about them from all sorts of people and I get why the resistance is so appealing. Honestly, I almost considered joining them back when I was still a Club. Mostly ‘cause I heard they helped any lowranker who had nowhere to go. It was right after that gang I was part of left me for dead.” She rubs at the scar that peeks out from under the collar of her Spade uniform. “I figured I’d fight for any cause if it meant I didn’t have to live like that anymore, but that was then. Now, I have goals and dreams that don’t line up with the resistance. At least, not the way they go about it. I like the way I’m doing things…and between you and me, I worry ‘bout the idea of the resistance becoming something to me like that gang was. I can’t go through that again. I just can’t…Anyway! Next question! Lay it on me!”

Did finding out her parents were involved with that group change her opinion of them?

Eva startles at the question. Her eyebrows raise in surprise, a flash of hurt showing before disappearing behind a small smile.

“Wow, asking the hard questions, huh? Umm, I’m not sure. I think it’s made me want to know more about the resistance. Not join them, but figure out what exactly they’re fighting for. If I learn more about them will I learn more about my parents? Will I get to know what they were like, what they believed in if I know more about the resistance? I don’t know if I can say my opinions changed because I still don’t know enough…but mom and dad must have believed in them for a reason, right?”

What about Anton and Mallick’s involvement?

Eva sits up slowly with Chupa cradled in her arms as she moves to the bed. Her long hair masks her face. Armor that resembles the armadillo’s own starts to form on the Shifter’s skin, but she doesn’t seem to notice. It’s quiet for a moment. Eva speaks quietly, so unlike her usual, vibrant self.

“TonTon…TonTon had his reasons. I’m sure of it. He was a good person; he always looked out for me, and we always got up to trouble that we could laugh about later. I trusted him and if he—if he were still alive that wouldn’t change. No matter what the resistance stands for, TonTon deserved better than what happened to him. Instead, everyone trash talked him. And I had to listen to all of that. And not once…not ONCE did I hear the resistance speak up for him.

…

“Maybe I do have an opinion about the resistance.

“And Mallick? What is there to say?” A angry glint crosses Eva’s expression when she finally lifts her head, eyes unseeing but still managing to appear as if she’s seeing something far off.

“How can I have an opinion on someone who abandoned me? Mom and Dad trusted him and he left me with someone who he may have trusted, but turned out to be a jerk. If Mallick was a leader for the resistance…if he was part of the group that claims to help lowrankers down on their luck, why…why didn’t he help ME? But…I’ve heard all the good he’s done. He’s helped others so he isn’t a total jerk, right? I just…haven’t figured out how I feel about Mallick yet.

“…It doesn’t matter now. I have family and friends now who I know will always have my back. I love them and they love me and I’m never going to be alone again.”

Does she blame the resistance for taking her parents away from her, or will she seek them out for answers?

“Yes,” Eva answers without hesitation. Her hands are curled in her lap. Chupa cuddles closer to her in an attempt to pacify the agitated Shifter. “I blame them. I blame the resistance, but I’m not a kid anymore. I know better now. I know my parents made their decisions, that they chose to join them, to leave me. I blame the resistance, but more than anything I blame my parents. And between you and me…I’m still angry at them. I act like I’m over it because I don’t want anyone worry over me, but I’m so angry at them.

“But just because I think the resistance has some fault for my parents leaving me doesn’t mean I won’t go looking for answers from them. They owe me that much, I think. I deserve to know what caused mom and dad to walk away from the life we had together. I deserve to know what part the resistance played in making the hole I feel when I think about my parents. Don’t I?”

How has this changed her perception of her parents?

The anger is still visible, but there’s an unmistakable air of sorrow and fondness mixed into her voice.

“I love them. I always will. But now some of those very few memories I have of them are tainted. Certain things I heard around them, from them—they make more sense. It makes me wonder what exactly Mom and Dad were doing that they were able to keep their very hungry Shifter child alive for five years, if just barely. That blood I always associated with my dad’s scent…it’s hard to wrap my head around what that scent actually was when that scent is mixed with the memories of his soft singing and deep laughter.

“And Mom? I’m pretty sure she worked at the Forge…at least I think she did. She always smelled of fire and metal. Her armor was rusted…a metallic stench would sometimes cling to her. She didn’t like me hugging her when she smelled like that. She’d get so upset and even if I cried she wouldn’t come near me until she cleaned herself off and the smell wasn’t so strong.

“…I’m afraid that the memories I have of them, that all of them are being ruined by what I’ve learned so far. And I’m so scared that the more I find out, the more likely I’ll end up hating my parents.”

Of herself and her place in Kadeu?

This question seems a bit easier for Eva to answer. She smiles and it’s warmer than it’s been for most of this interview.

“I don’t think my parents’ life has to define me. I do think, though, that learning what I have about them haas changed how proactive I am in my own life. All my life, I’ve depended on others to help me, even if I wasn’t consciously doing it. Sparrow, Rook, Hilo, Anton, Shu-Ling, Ara, Prospero—they’ve all helped me to be who I am today. But after seeing what happened in Clubs three years ago and discovering my parents involvement in the resistance, I realized how helpless I was. I wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet like Mom and Dad and all those Clubs. To make decisions for myself even if they weren’t the right ones.

“I have to thank them for that. If I hadn’t gotten that push I never would have trained as hard as I did. The Spade highrankers would have never noticed. They’d never have offered me a position at the Triage as a non-magical healer. I love that job even more than I did the administrative work because I can see—well, not see, but you know what I mean—all my hard work, my parents’ influence paying off. I’m doing more and I’ve never felt prouder of myself.”

How have these revelations affected her relationship with Prospero?

The smile that had bloomed on the Shifter’s face dimmed at the question. She ducked her head to press it against Chupa’s armored body. The armor of Eva’s skin which had nearly disappeared during the previous question returned once more. She whispers:

“Prospero…hasn’t been very happy with me. We got into a fight when I first started looking into my parents and the resistance. He called me, and I quote, ‘a foolish brat who finds trouble in the sewers if she can’t find it in the sky’. Lilith got upset with him, but I couldn’t say anything. He wasn’t wrong. I always cause problems for him, but…but I couldn’t just give up on the only lead I had about my parents. All my life I’ve had questions I thought I’d never get answered, and now they’re right there in front of me, so close I can almost grasp it.

“…But I think I’m making Prospero feel like he isn’t good enough as a father. He is, I swear! I love him just like I love my dad. Well, not in the same way. Dad is dad and Prospero is Prospero so I love them both in the way they’re them if that makes sense. But I know I’m not being a good daughter. I keep hurting him. He doesn’t talk much these days. Spends most of his time in front of the fire with his drink in hand. When I try to talk to him, there isn’t any banter anymore, just grunts and grumbles. Sometimes he talks to me first and that’s when I know he still cares because he’ll tell me not to forget my coat or to have Lilith pack me a meal. Lilith says Prospero always asks after me to see how I’m doing, but that grumpy old Strongarm is too stubborn to ask me himself.

“I just want Prospero to stop being angry at me. He has to be angry. I want my grumpy, but sassy dad back…”

“Sorry! Sorry,” Hilo apologized with a laugh as he carefully picked his way up the hill, already smiling broadly at the sight of Eva and the way Lana started to squirm excitedly at the sight of what their friend had laid out for them. Hilo set his own bag at the edge of the quilt and reached back, gently and methodically undoing the sling even with an impatient toddler to contend with.

“Lani, wait,” he warned as he set her down and before she could take off, and the young girl wavered in place for a moment before obeying, twisting her hands together. Hilo smiled and ruffled her hair, then reached in his pocket for a simple beaded bracelet – pink quartz, accented with silver – and slipped it on his daughter’s wrist. An enchanted gift from the Ace of Hearts, the bracelet served to dampen Lana’s strength when it was needed.

Hilo had complicated thoughts on the subject.

None of them came to mind now, though, because as soon as he smiled and nodded his okay, Lana burst into a few running steps and threw her arms around Eva’s neck. Hilo laughed and let the two of them sort themselves out, left to his own careful, slightly awkward process of lowering himself to the ground until he could stretch both long legs out in front of him, situating his bracers carefully and using the broad tree Eva had chosen to lean his back against to support it.

“I’m sure she’ll love it, her sweet tooth is more and more like her mother’s every day,” Hilo had to point out with a chuckle. He reached for the bag and started to set out its contents in order, so Eva wouldn’t have trouble finding what she wanted. “We brought cheese, crackers, bread, some apples…” There was never a concern of ‘too much food’ where a Shifter was involved, especially not one so young as Eva.

“Cake for dessert, of course.” ‘Cake!’ Lana echoed helpfully.

Eva waved off Hilo’s apology, completely unconcerned for their tardiness. “I figured you’d get here eventually,” she reassured before offering a sly grin. “Figure a guy your age needs a little extra time to get where he needs to go—oof!” Her last words ended with a puff of air as Lana tumbled into the Shifter’s waiting arms. Eva could feel the press of tiny hands on her neck and face, chubby legs kicking excitedly (though Eva wouldn’t be able to tell you if that was her or Lana), and high squeals of delight that had the Shifter doing something she rarely did—reverting her bat ears back into human ones.

Despite the care that Eva now had to take in having her bat ears out now that she was around a very loud little person, it didn’t stop her from reciprocating. She hugged the baby tighter to her body, knowing the little Strongarm could take it and screamed right along with her. Eva felt the air shift as Hilo settled down near her and Little Lana, but she remained laid out in a heap with the baby, both of them too comfortable and giddy with excitement to want to move. But Hilo’s comments convinced her to sit up, though she kept Lana in her lap, letting her squirm until she comfortable.

“Oh ho! Cake! We’re feasting today, Lana!” Eva reached out a hand, skimming the edges of each bag and container, pulling what she wanted from each pile and setting it on a Spade-issued travel bowl she’d brought with her. She poured the tropical drink into little cups, one for Hilo, one for Little Lana, and one for herself. The Shifter exhibited self-control by not reaching for the dessert first, instead grabbing for one of the snacks Hilo had laid out. Eva rested her head on top of Lana’s as she munched away on some crackers, offering a slice of apple to Lana with her free hand.

“Trust me, you both will,” Eva responded after swallowing her bite. “I might have had a few sips before you got here. But don’t worry,” she quickly interrupted herself, “I saved some for Ara too! Got her cup right here because like mother like daughter, right?” She gestured toward a small canteen with poor lettering spelling out Ara’s name. Eva didn’t dwell on the passing thought that she couldn’t relate to that saying, instead focusing on the here and now. “But you know, Little Lana here is pretty similar to you too, Hilo. Like a mini teddy bear!”

The owner of the Thronebreaker had been largely more personable tonight. Having taken over at the first floor bar as its tender so he could greet the patrons as they arrived, Rook had settled in for the night with a mug of spiced mead and a cigarette of his own, chattering with the barflies and the drunks as he sipped and smoked his stress of the day away. If he was honest, the days with no clients to attend to were arguably more stressful- He could write off falling into bed with a stranger for a couple hundred coins and their dirty secrets while they recovered from Rook draining them for all they were worth as a hazard of his position in the Resistance or a side effect of his species, but the days where he was left to his own devices were days he tended to get into his head, allowing himself to do the one thing he never wanted to do: Second guess himself.

It had been several hours of introspection and self-loathing while staring blankly into the mirror above his bed (its assumed and singular purpose one and the same, where Rook was concerned-) in little more than his boxers before it was finally late enough to justify starting to drink in the tavern, and the din of drunkards singing and sparring could chase his thoughts back to the corners of his mind and keep them there where they weren’t so capable of shaking him up.

In a way, maybe Eva’s visit to challenge him was just what he needed.

He was always more than a little impressed by the ease at which she could navigate even the first floor of the Thronebreaker, his eyesight was intact, and his senses higher than those of most, and even he had difficulty weaving in and out between the tightly packed bodies that he watched her navigate to seat herself in front of him with only a brief pause to let a pair of stumbling drunks topple out into the street behind her. He was always a little thankful she couldn’t see how relieved he was whenever he saw her doing well, but he was well aware she’d hear it on his voice.

“Eva! How marvelous it is to see you. Something sweet coming right up!” Typically, the first floor only offered meads and beer, the ‘sweetest’ thing on offer the cinnamon concoction Rook himself was currently drinking, but he never offered the ‘typical’ when it came to Eva, drumming his hand on the counter for a moment before walking back into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a wooden flagon holding a concoction of chocolate liquor and sweet cream with a splash of cherry juice to round it out- Rook favored the mixture when he wanted dessert, and had been slipping it to Eva when she came around for as long as he could remember, playfully referring to it as “The Evangeline” to the other bartenders he staffed when she was out of earshot.

“Here you are then, the usual.” He informed with a grin, setting the cup down beside her folded hands and patting the back of them with his own for a moment. “And you’re at least gonna have one drink with me before we do any kind of brawling for the upper crust, sugar, I’ve been drinking spiced mead since five, the least you can humor me with is one glass before you try taking me out.” It wasn’t like somebody challenging him to try and get to the third floor was anything new, he’d sparred against a number of people for the little tattoo that got them into the nicest part of the tavern, making it clear that he was fighting only half as hard as he might if they were coming for his title- after all, it was a fun little offer to get the tough from other factions involved, he didn’t want to discourage them, though perhaps he was surprised Eva of all people wanted a go at him.

“You think you’ve gotten good enough to beat me in a fight? Feels like just yesterday you were headin’ out for Spade.” He reasoned, taking a slow drag off his cigarette and crossing his arms with a short laugh, the leather and metal of his straps and sleeve clinking pleasantly as he moved. “I’m up for it, we don’t have any other challengers for the position tonight either, so I was gonna be your last challenger anyway.” Typically only fives were able to challenge for the champion title, but again, Rook had a soft spot for Evangeline, she’d fought her way up from the bottom in Spade, and had against all odds survived Club until that time- if she wanted to fight, she’d proven herself time and time again already as a capable foe.

“Don’t think I’ll go easy on you though, just because I knew you when you were an upstart.”

Eva’s cheeky grin melted into something more heartfelt at hearing Rook’s poorly masked relief. It was a small comfort she’d never admit to, but she appreciated that despite walking away from Clubs to survive, there was someone from her first home who so readily showed she was still cared for and welcomed. Of course Hilo counted among that group, but Rook was different. He had taught her some of the ropes to scrape by when she was still scrapping her way through fights as a One. He’d helped her out on more than one occasion; if it wasn’t for Rook, Eva knew she’d very likely be dead by now.

So when she’d defected she’d expected Rook to feel betrayed. To forget her existence. She wouldn’t have blamed him. There had definitely been a few burned bridges because of the Shapeshifter’s decision, but Rook hadn’t been like them. Eva was greeted by the King just as she’d always been. A warm pat from the Concubi and her usual sweet cocktail assured Eva that Rook was the same as ever and she couldn’t be more glad for it.

“I thought that was the plan anyway? Fights are always more fun with a handicap,” she joked, wrapping her hands around the tankard eagerly. She took a generous gulp of her drink, humming in contentment as the chocolate liquor coated her tongue, sweet cream complimenting it, and relishing the kick of cherry.

“You’ve outdone yourself, Rookie,” Eva said with a smack of her lips. “This is your best one yet. By the time I get through this thing I might even be as topsy turvy as you.” Unlike Rook, Eva didn’t drink as much as often. Her tolerance wasn’t nearly as high and she was quick to fall to alcohol’s effects after only a tankard or two. This, though, was a Rook special and she knew half of this tankard alone would have her hearing colors. But that was part of the perk of this tasty, drinkable dessert.

Eva curled her hands into fists and shadow-boxed in front of her. “Even drunk I think I have what it takes. It might have been just yesterday for a geezer like you, but for me? I’ve been training everyday for the past twelve years. With the Spades, the Club, and even my bestie who just happens to be a badass fighter from Heart.” Okay, not the total truth, but Sparrow was a great training partner and she’d picked up a few tricks from him over the last few years. “And I’ll have you know that I’ve gotten better at working with my animals. I’m gonna give you a run for your money, just wait and see. I’ll be sitting at the third floor bar tall and proud!”

Rook had years of experience on her, but Eva was confident she could hold her own against the King of Clubs. She wasn’t anything like she’d been when was still a Shifterless One of Clubs. She’d grown and she just wanted to prove that to herself and to the person who’d seen that weak side of her. Eva was determined to become better, stronger, and more capable. What better way to test her skills than against the best of the best who just happened to be her friend and former mentor?

She playfully punched at Rook’s arm, attempting to glare, but knowing it probably wasn’t as intimidating as she wanted it to be since she couldn’t look him in the eye. “If you go easy on me I’ll kick your ass that much faster, Rookie. But lucky for you I already know you’d never do that ‘cause you’re all about winning.” Eva gave a wicked, excited grin. “Get ready to get your win streak knocked down to zero!”

13 August 2024, Late Evening

@crookxdrook​

There was confidence in every stride Eva took through the streets of Club toward the tavern. She whistled a joyful tune, heart pumping in time with her excitement, because this time Eva was ready. This time she’d show just how much she’d grown. This she’d win using all the skills she’d acquired over her twenty-seven years.

This time, she’d beat Rook in a fight.

Raucous laughter and chatter reached her sensitive ears, leading her to the door of the Thronebreaker. She let a couple of drunks tumble past and disappear into the dark before walking in. The smell of alcohol and cooked food filled her nose alongside the intermingling scents of people of every species. There was a familiar one further back and Eva made her way over as quickly as her short legs could carry her. Along the way, people called out to the Shapeshifter in greeting. Eva might have defected to Spade, but with how often she waltzed between the two factions, most had still accepted her as fixture in Clubs. It was no surprise to any of them that Eva would find her way into Thronebreaker given her penchant for a good sparring match and tasty meal.

She propped herself up on a stool and grinned from ear to ear at who she was certain was the man she was looking for. She folded her walking cane and sat it on the countertop, folding her hands over it. Her legs kicked in the air, unable to stay still now that she was here.

“I’ll take anything sweet you have to drink, please and thanks! But before that,” her smile turned challenging, “I want to challenge you to fight and a chance to be tonight’s champion. What do ya say, Rook? How ‘bout I show you what I’ve been up to lately? I bet I can take you on this time!”  

Kadeu, Diamond Territory, The Palace, Ara’s office/dressing room

12 August 2024, Afternoon

“Okay, this one for sure this time,” Eva spoke with unfounded confidence. She held out a small, heavy ball of mysterious origin she’d bought from a vendor a few days prior. They had told her that even the most powerful Strongarm couldn’t crush these toys. It had been enough to convince the Shapeshifter to buy an assortment of said toys to gift to Little Lana who, as of five minutes ago, crushed half of them between her tiny palms.

Sadly, this ball was no exception as Eva heard the telltale crunch of metal and pelts of unrestrained laughter at the destruction of another “Strongarm-proof” toy. A sigh escaped her, but she reached out and patted the baby on her head, the soft curls reminding Eva of one of her favorite blankets back at the barracks. “It’s okay, Lana. We’ll find you the perfect toy eventually.”

Turning away from the sounds of baby babble and metal toys bouncing off one another, Eva offered an apologetic smile to Ara, though she couldn’t see the actress’s expression. She had insisted that Ara let her introduce these toys to Lana in the hopes that she and Hilo wouldn’t have to worry about broken toys needing replacing for a while. But even Eva didn’t need eyes to know she’d been ripped off. “Maybe that guy at the market wasn’t being very truthful, huh? Or,” she gestured behind her to Lana, “you have a special little Strongarm on your hands!”

Eva knew she was just trying to mask her disappointment. She’d been trying to find ways to play with Little Lana ever since the baby could crawl, but Hilo and Ara were still working on Lana’s control so it was proving difficult even for someone as creative as Eva. Crossing her arms, Eva asked for what had to be the hundredth time since the start of these gatherings, “Are you sure I can’t just let my wolf come out and play? We’ll be extra careful. Spade’s honor!”

A LEAP THROUGH TIME ~ Time makes the heart grow fonder..and reckless…

The sun beat down on walkways and dirt paths that made up Club’s streets. A cane slid across the ground, kicking up gravel and bouncing over rivets and holes, warning its owner of possible dangers to her stroll through the faction. She, herself, barely registered the movement, the little tells that gave her hints as to what the world around her was like. Whistling a happy tune, the young Shapeshifter took pleasure in how the warmth coated her skin, didn’t even mind the sweat that drenched her plain, summer clothes. It was far too pleasant a day for her to be whining over clear skies and blistering heat, though from the strings of curses and groans that reached her twitching bat ears every now and then, it seemed the rest of Kadeu was not in agreement.

It was only when she reached a dilapidated house that Evangeline Santiago paused in her steps. Blind she may be, but Eva could never mistake the familiar hollow echo the walls sang with even the slightest breeze blowing through. The dulled groans and squeaks of mold-carpeted floorboards. She could still smell the lingering ash from the fireplace resting in the crevices and cracks thanks to her wolf’s refined olfactory senses. Her nose tickled at the smell of metal and rust from long-forgotten tools; and of old, dusty, moth-eaten cottons that were once blankets and clothes that nestled a starving infant as two loving parents cradled her and sang her lullabies to distract from the hunger pangs.

Parents that Eva now knows were part of the Resistance.

Three years have passed since she started becoming increasingly more curious about her parents. Eva had always thought they had left her because she had been weak and fragile and too much for two lowly Ones of Club to handle. But memories of those first five years flickered across her memory as she grew up, first on the streets of Club, then in Prospero’s home alongside him and Lilith, and in between conversations with Hilo and Sparrow and Ara and all the others. Eva came to a slow realization that, yes, she had been loved—to some extent—by her biological parents. And despite all the hurt and struggle their abandonment caused—she loved them in return, even if they weren’t here.

But why weren’t they? Had the Resistance had something to do with their disappearance? Or had it really been Eva all along?

The curious had eaten at her until she finally gave in, roaming the streets and asking questions. Finding nothing. Hoping for anything.

Prospero, the closest Eva had to a father figure, had begun pulling away from her when she refused to heed his warnings about asking after the Resistance. She could feel it in the way he held his words around her now, the harsher bite to those that were spoken. Not out of hate, Eva, knew—concern. He was worried for her. But she couldn’t stop. Not when she could feel herself getting ever closer to finding answers she’d thought she had long since buried as a child, believing her friends and Prospero enough.

And they were. Oh gods, how they were enough.

Even now, sitting on one of the fallen walls of her childhood home, Eva grinned from ear-to-ear at the thought of her loved ones. She should pay a visit to Sparrow today. Maybe she could convince him to wrestle her in their wolf forms. He might if she asked nicely—pestered him, really. He was such a softie, and it only took them three years of Eva’s persistence to break the fellow Shapeshifter. The only other of her kind she’s ever been so close to. She couldn’t prouder of how far he’s come that now she no longer feels like she’s teaching the grouch, but learning along side him.

And Eva needs to learn. She can feel the smile slipping off her face, recalling the civil war of Clubs three years prior. Remembering the rage and fear and worry that those she loved in Club were in danger and she could do nothing. The shame that she was not strong enough to protect those she loved. And the fierce determination in her now that told her she still wasn’t, but she was getting there.

It was slow going. The Four she could not see was still stamped boldly on her wrist, but Eva only felt pride in it, unlike so many other lowrankers. A One for most of her life, this Four was a mark of how far she’d come. How far she had left to go—to strive for. Three years a Four when she’d spent 17 years of her 27 a One? She was climbing up the ranks! She could envision the title of Ace in her mind’s eye like it was already hers to admire. Five years. Twenty? Two hundred?

However long it takes. She’ll get there. Eva knows she will.

A LOOK INSIDE;

MBTI: ESFP-A (Entertainer)

Enneagram: Type 7; Wing 6 (some 8) (The Entertainer)

Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff

Spirit Animal: Dog

“It’s my pleasure as your dealer to assist you to the best of my means”. The line is said with a well-practised smile that while the girl may not be able to see the curl of his lips, an associated bright tone bleeds into the timbre of Cassius’ voice for her to pick up instead. Even if he wasn’t able to visually show off his charming façade, Cas has long since learned to cater his ‘presentation’ to various aspects of an individual’s senses: auditory included. Pretending to care and be happy wasn’t simply a matter of pasting on a fake smile, to sell the image you needed to sell it in such a way that you could profess a child’s puppy had died and the other person would clap with glee. Luckily, it’s what Cassius does best.

“Hopefully the chips will make your first visit to the casino a memorable one. You’ve got more than usual to spend which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to win big”. And, well… lose big too. But Cassius doesn’t mention that part. Admittedly, a little part of Cas does feel bad for attempting to convince the girl to risk her newly acquired chips. A gift it may be, but those chips could easily be cashed out just as they were, and she could go home with some shiny weighted coins lining her pockets. Eva seemed nice, nice enough that through his lies, Cassius didn’t have to put in much effort to appear interested in what she was saying. Unfortunately for her, simply being nice in Kadeu wasn’t bound to get you far.

No, part of the failure that came with being nice was that it provided nothing more than a futile attempt to keep you safe from people like Cassius; people who lied and manipulated because their survival depended on it. Fake optimism, putting on a show of friendliness, those were simple descriptors that took advantage of nice people and fools alike. When applied to him, they also indicated that he was good at his job. “I’ve spent a lot of time here, so I tend not to gamble in my free time. But I certainly understand the appeal, there’s very little that’s more captivating than the sound of a pile of chips being pushed in your direction after a hefty win”.

Cassius is selling an image here, one where gambling at the casino is nothing short of mind-numbingly marvellous. Certainly, it is mind-numbing, yet there’s little substance to gambling in any form beyond that. An addiction to testing your luck and hoping to win big, the mere shuffling of chips nothing short of a pavlovian stimulus to some patrons. It’s something that simply put, Cassius doesn’t fuck with. He’s already stretched his luck thin just getting and maintaining this position at the casino, and he wasn’t about to risk wasting the remaining luck on little pots of addictive gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow.

Laughing as if he’s told an amusing joke, Cassius adds, “And hey, same thing as I said earlier. In case your family does find out that you’ve come here, you should make the most out of your current visit”. Maybe if she was one of the lucky ones she would walk away with a few chips left in her pockets.

Eva gave a reassuring response to the dealer, smile wide and appreciative. She liked the deep, encouraging tones of his voice as he walked her through the rules and offered his help and guidance. The Shifter knew her inexperience at gambling would be plain for everyone to see, but Cas was right—it was all about having fun with a bag of coins she’d never expected to have in her possession.

What no one—not even Eva—expected was that after losing all but one gold coin, she’d win it all back and then some by a sheer stroke of luck, shocking dealer and players alike. Grinning from ear-to-ear at her fortune, Eva chatted with Cas, revealing she knew nothing of the game and wondering about what she’d do with her winnings (only for the decision to be taken out of her hands—quite literally—when Prospero hears the telltale jingle of heavy coin on her person when she walked through the front doors of the Leon estate later that evening. He plucked it from her eager, hands and placed it in the bank for safekeeping, knowing full well what his adopted daughter’s spending habits were like.).

With a friendly wave and an energetic “thank you!” for the help and conversation, Eva bid Cas farewell, stating that she hoped they’d meet again, but hopefully somewhere a tad more affordable for Lowranking Spade.

The actress had only laughed in agreement with Eva’s statement about how boring formalities between ranks could be. Testing the limits of societal expectations had become a sort of hobby for her- especially as of late. She knew better than to try anything too daring on an Ace- Meri being an exception, she could usually get away with almost anything with her. Everyone else was fair game. You’d earn her respect or you wouldn’t get it, plain and simple. And she did so hate being called ‘ma’am’.

She gave a small clap as the young Shifter agreed to Ara’s proposal, clearly delighted that she hadn’t needed to further sell the idea. 

“Excellent! I’ll get your name added to the staffer list. We rehearse from 3PM-6PM everyday, so whenever you find the free time, just pop in alright?” It wasn’t the first time The Palace had called on someone to consult on various parts of a production, so she was sure she could get the owner and the director to agree. The difficult part of her plan was to try to get Eva a small stipend for her consulting work. But even that, she was sure, would work itself out. 

At Eva’s agreement for tea, Ara started for the dressing room door to flag down a stagehand to request some hot water, when she caught sight of the little clock in the room. The time on it told her that if any stagehands were left, they were likely in throngs of their closing duties, and therefore in no mood to fulfill frivolous requests. The Queen scrunched her nose for a moment before turning a smile back at her guest. 

“I’ll have to go put a kettle on myself, would you like to come with me? I can tell you all about what backstage is really like.” She shrugged, her mischievousness edging back in. “Or wildly inaccurate factoids to make it more entertaining. Your choice.”

There was no word strong enough to describe the emotions coursing through Eva. All she knew was that her legs were bouncing uncontrollably with her excitement. Her cheeks hurt from how wide her smile had grown. If someone had told yesterday that she’d be speaking with Moon Ara, befriending her, and being asked to sit in on the famous actress’s rehersals to help out, she’d give them a hearty slap on the back and laugh at the absurdity. But now? Now Eva was barbely keeping herself from running around. Her animals wer yipping and screeching and itching to get out in their joy.

Over a cup of delicious tea, Eva chatted with Ara about the new arrangements as well as a million other topics that came to the Shifter’s mind. All the while she muchd on fruits and laughed freely, ecstatic to have a made a friend in the actress.

It seemed that Shu-Ling was the one who wouldn’t be able to understand someone else’s reality this time around. It dawned on her, of course, right as Eva spoke, as her words trailed before they conveyed everything they meant. It made sense for Eva to want something that she could feel and not see, something she could hear but not see. In a way, she had to rely on the sounds that the world had to offer in order to make sure it was alive. Shu-Ling, and many others, only had to take a look; to wake up in the morning, and open their eyes and the sun told them that it was morning. How would Eva be able to grasp that kind of certainty if not for the chirping of birds, or the loud alarm of a rooster? 

Or maybe the warmth of the sun against her skin. 

Shu-Ling could feel something akin to shame crawling up her skin, but also prickling her eyes with a sting she usually didn’t like feeling because it meant she was going to cry for everything she’d lacked yet again. This time, she didn’t like it because she didn’t want Eva to feel like she was pitying her, far from it, Shu-Ling understood one thing about what Eva meant to say and did not completely speak out. She understood the need to have proof that this life was indeed, not a virtual insanity. It was there, it was real and it had this solid touch to it. However, Shu-Ling had been many times torn between finding herself grateful and disappointed once that truth was made certain. 

She cleared her throat instead of lingering there and let out a sigh, Shu-Ling closed her eyes and decided to be honest in a way she never had been with anyone else. Maybe because Eva couldn’t see her face, or read her expression, maybe that was why it was easy to say, “When the world stops, I can find it in me to not hate the life I was given.” 

There might be something about putting into words the things we wished to never be our truth, at least not for the rest of the world to be aware of. Because she found she could smile a little as she listened on to the rest of Eva’s words. Shu-Ling could only agree to the next statements, so she could only keep her eyes closed and imagine everything that Eva thought the actress’s performances and voices evoked in her. 

“I do like her, I met her a few days back, and I think you’d be pleased if you did too. So I hope you do make it happen. Now though,” Shu-Ling blinked open one eye then the other, she wasn’t sure what Eva could feel in the air, but she was not going to be able to meditate; she had officially given up on the task and was now leaning back on her hands as she studied Eva with a grin.

“Is this why you were not against the idea of winning tickets for a show at the Palace with this challenge? Have you been to many performances?”

Shuling knew Eva well and the Shifter made no attempts to hide her ulterior motives for joining her friend in her meditations this day. Of course she’d take any opportunity to go to the Palace and listen to her favorite actress put on the best performance ever (to Eva, every Moon Ara performance was the best ever, but that was neither here nor there).  Eva twisted and turned, failing miserably in following Shuling’s lead and finding solace in silence.

Instead, she distracted the Highranking Spade all throughout her stay, only offering a playdate with her pet armadillo, Chupa, as apology. Nonetheless, Eva was glad to have gotten some insight into Shuling’s thoughts and reasonings even if she knew they’d never quite see eye-to-eye on most things. What mattered was that Eva was glad their values were shared and that she could enjoy her friend’s presence because of the pillar she was in the Shifter’s life.

Asra could not help but mirror the exact same kind of smile playing on Eva’s lips, the tip of his index finger followed the brim of his clear glass as he got lost on his thoughts. His heart always felt full whenever he talked about his family, he knew he was one of the lucky few that had the pleasure of growing up in a kind and loving family.

“That almost makes you sound defenseless” however there was no fooling Asra, nothing was ever what it seemed and anyone would be a fool to underestimate this woman “Yeah, I am, I thought that was already clear between us” and just like that he burst into laughter along with the shifter, she was fun to be around and Asra found that he quite liked her company, it made him feel better, he would even dare say it was therapeutic if it did not sound so vomit inducing.

“I’ll keep that in mind” it had been ages since he had last visited the forge, there was no use for him to carry around heavy weapons, or any weapons at all if he was honest, not when he needed to keep himself free of any unnecessary weight and especially not when all he needed was his mana channels to be working properly. Still, it was fun to have a good weapon or two, maybe he could had a cane to the collection.

“Oh that is actually cute” a pause in order to take a sip from his drink, before he added “and revolting” there was a laugh that followed, showing that despite the fact that they shared different opinions on the subject of hugs, Asra still found Eva amusing enough.

However, his opinion swayed for a bit, since he had to hold himself back from touching Eva’s bat ears. The endearing movement was even more cute and it earned another round of pleased laughter from him as he took another drag from his joint. “Potato Potahto” he argued, rolling his eyes playfully at the teasing tone that followed but did not bother to argue anymore. “ah, I wish I was an old man, maybe if I was I would have already figured out a way not to get caught by some woman with bat ears, but unfortunately I am only 28 so I still have a lot to learn”

Asra twisted his nose at Eva’s retort, it was sweet in a very weird way, a bit like her if he was being completely honest. It left him completely speechless as soon as he heard the words born from the passionate love linked to his parents. It wasn’t as if that was a surprise to Asra, his parents had always been affectionate around each other and he was grateful for the relationship that they both had and how they had raised him. But still, Asra wasn’t really interested in knowing how he was conceived.

“It certainly makes me something” he laughed, figured that maybe many others would agree with that kind of description, even if he wasn’t entirely sure it was true. Nonetheless, he appreciated the thought.

“It fits you somehow” the odd bunch “they treat you well?” it certainly sounded like Eva was a happy person, satisfied with the family that she had found, but even then sometimes that was not enough. 

Asra was kind and fun, Eva decided. They chatted about their families, laughed over their tankards of ale as partygoers raved around them. Her bat ears picked up the affection with which he spoke of his mother, the teasing as they joked about their pranks, the curiosity as he inquired about her. The Shapeshifter liked him and knew as they joked and chatted they’d be good friedns long after Samhain ended.

A force of nature. Asra’s half-drunk mind could barely process any kind of more profound thoughts, his spirits had been raised too high for him to be able to feel anything less than happy during the festivities, but still a long sigh left his lips before he realized.

He had never thought about it that way. He had grown up around all that, controlling an element even when he was not the one doing that, seemed like it was nothing out of the ordinary, or at least not in his household. His mother had always made it look so easy, so fluid, like water really belonged to her.  

Asra had had a more troubled relationship with his element.

“Yeah, she’s pretty cool” the elementalist agreed with the statement, a small smile on his lips as he looked at the friendly woman in front of him.

“Multiple uses for it?” a laugh escaped Asra’s lips as he eyed the cane suspiciously “I feel like i should feel somewhat threatened by that” his fingers touched his bruised nose again as if remembering the previous blow “Look, I’m not blind and I still want to get one of those”

Asra found himself nodding even if Eva could not see it, a gasp leaving his mouth right after “Then a saint should know that everyone lies, especially if they are afraid” evil should always expect evil from others and even if Eva had been nothing more than lovely and entertaining, the idea of her being able to cause some more harm to someone other than him was what made Asra choose to stay beside her.

Back at the table again with his new friend, Asra drank slowly, forgetting all about losing as he concentrated on Eva’s words, the reveal of the bat ears made a smirk form on his lips. “Ah, now who’s the sneaky one? That’s how you heard me coming” still he was not upset at all “a partial shift is pretty cool, how old are you, really?” forget all about manners and not asking a lady about her age, Asra figured that a skill like that would take a lot of years to master and he was simply interested.

“I’m one too, yeah” he answered automatically, fingers already getting lost on the inside of his pockets as he looked around for a joint “you smoke?” he asked, even if he was not one to share usually, he figured that it was only kind to ask “I’m a fire elementalist though, not the same as my mother and my father is human” why he decided to add that would be something to blame on the amount of alcohol he had already consumed.

Eva hummed, swinging her legs and smiling toward Asra. She could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke of his mother. “You sound close,” she said aloud. “That’s nice.” She said it simply, matter-of-factly because that’s all there was to it. There was a pleasant warmth in knowing this stranger-turned-friend was well-loved and loved those people in return.

She giggled and tapped at her cane playfully. “You learn to get creative when all you have is a stick for company while you’re walkin’ the streets alone and blind.” Eva raised a brow. “Should you feel threatened? I mean, I only use it when someone’s messing with me. You messing with me, Asra?” She leaned back and laughed, unable to maintain a serious facade for long. The Shifter simply waved a hand and said, “I’m just messin’ with ya, but hey! You can always make one. My adoptive father got this made at the Forge. My first cane was actually a piece of wood so this is an upgrade.”

Asra’s gasp was returned with a scoff. “Nah, a saint believes everyone needs a hug even if they go ‘round scaring innocent people in haunted houses,” the Shifter joked.

Eva flicked her bat ears back and forth, grinning like a child unashamed of being caught red-handed rifling through the pantry. “I prefer the term stealthy, thank you. How else is a blind woman s’posed to get ‘round? Sure came in handy with you sneaking up on me,” she teased. Eva took a sip of her drink and answered easily, not the least bit offended by the question. “I’m 23 and proud! How about you? You’re not some geezer are ya?” Not that it would stop her from hanging out with him, but ya never know in Kadeu. Someone can sound youthful and be as old as dirt.

WHERE ART THOU?

“I’m doing alright. You don’t gotta worry ‘bout me! Promise. Now let’s go to the training grounds. The instructor has been annoyed that I’ve been skippin’ out on my drills the last few days.”

Eva, according to 90% of Kadeu, is a ball of sunshine. She’s never one to anger easily, and no one has ever recalled seeing the young Shifter cry. Eva has always been the resident soft-hearted troublemaker that everyone adores. But ever since Airang she’s been more…subdued. Her smiles are still quick flash in your direction and her bubbly laugh can be heard from blocks away, but many can’t help but notice how Eva has been traveling in and out of Club, or sitting by herself, unusually quiet until you pull her out of her thoughts. What is wrong with Sombra? She finally grow up? You’ll hear her fellow Spades whisper, but with no amount of relief or enthusiasm.

They find out soon enough whenever Jung Anton is brought up in conversation. The unusually reserved Eva will suddenly become heated as she defends a man outed for being resistance and a murderer. That doesn’t seem to stop the Shifter, though. Eva is tired of hearing her late friend’s name dragged through the mud and she won’t stand idly by when someone says something against him.

Simply put, Eva’s sudden temper has come as a shock to her peers and Eva herself. She’s not quite sure how to handle the hole in her heart that Anton left behind. The rising tensions in Club haven’t aided in her healing either. Clearly, the civil war happening in her former home played a part in TonTon’s death and Eva has been spending a bit more time trying to learn about the resistance in the hopes of understanding Anton a bit more. She knew Kadeu had its problems—she just wasn’t prepared for it to hit so close to home. Her anger, hurt, and confusion at the current Club Ace, HIM’s people, and the resistance have made her desperate to find something to do in order to help her former home and its people. She’ll never say otherwise, but Eva has wondered why her own Ace has said nothing of the crisis, but she understands why he might not. It’s simply not a Spade problem. But to Eva, it’s a Kadeu problem, and she wishes the other factions would take it more seriously than closing off borders and ignoring the rising tensions.

Regardless of her feelings about Anton, the resistance, the civil war, and every other mess in Kadeu, Eva has been adamant about making sure her work isn’t affected. In fact, it is because of all the happenings that she’s so determined to her absolute best at her job. The better the job she does, the faster she can go up the ranks. And the sooner she can obtain the power to make a significant difference. At the moment, though, all the young Spade can do is follow orders and deliver letters and stamp documents. If only she could do more now…