[attr="class","fitz"]Crowds and competition.

Things that normally wouldn't appeal to him even with a ten foot pole. But yet, here was Magicman, staring at the set up for whatever this was. A poker tournament of some sort, is what he thinks is going on. And as normally his curiosity wouldn't even wake up at this kind of paltry thing, he found himself watching. There were still openings, and after watching some of the preliminaries, he found himself wandering to the registration area. Perhaps he should curse his curiosity in the end, but yet he couldn't bring himself to do so. So all he could do, was click his tongue in annoyance at being stuck in a crowd, even as he went from table to table as he moved on up.

He didn't expect to win much, honestly.

He was the kind of man that yes, he sat back and watched. But he also knew his kryptonite - once he thought he had a decent grip on things, he rushed forward. If it were a real thing, he'd name himself Gryffindor. It wasn't a hero thing, it was just that he charged forward once he had all the pieces he thought he needed. He was well aware that sometimes it meant he didn't have everything, and that's when it bit him in the ass quite literally. But for now, it seemed like he was doing alright. He wasn't winning straight, but he wasn't losing either. He was keeping himself in a range of equality, which let him continue on thus far.

He sits himself across another red head, as people begin to gather at this table. He barely scrapped in, because at this point people were starting to cut down those at the bottom. His blue gaze was impassive, his fingers crossing each other as he leaned back in the chair. Things hadn't quite started yet, but he took the time to watch the one across him. He was rather certain more people would show up soon. Part of him wanted to ask something - this one was clearly another player - but he held his tongue. Otohime's raid had gone by recently, and although he hadn't made it into the raid, he's heard about it.

Even though he wanted to ask this guy if he was in there, he figured he could hold his tongue for now, simply watching him.

Normally, other people cracked when watched, not himself.

[attr="class","fitz"]And neither of them broke.

Generally, politeness would have seen one of them crack - not he, he didn't care if he was polite or not - and talk to the person across them. Yet, there they were, remaining in silence. People trickled in, setting themselves at the tables they were assigned. Soon, people joined them, and yet Magicman had said naught. Rather, he was watching the other male. Taking in his appearance, how he moved, even his posture at the table. His mind was going through theories, using what he was observing before him as a jump start. After all, if the male would admit to a vice, it would be curiosity. He did so love puzzles and mysteries, and the game of poker was often like such, despite the claims of people otherwise.

Yet, the male did not seem alright. In fact, if Magicman wanted to triangulate a probably cause, it was perhaps the raid that had finished not too long ago. What was it called again?

''Otohime.'' he muttered.

Yes, that was the name of that particular raid. Apparently the death toll had been enormous. The bodies had piled, and death seemed to have it's hold on even the survivor. Thankfully, he had not been present - occupied with something else at that time - and thus had been spared the theatrics. Part of him did want to prod at the male, see what made him tick.

But for now, he'd settle for waiting, as more NPCs began to settle at the table, the call of the game soon.

[attr="class","fitz"]Even if the male was in his thoughts, it did not mean he was unobservant.

No, he had caught that slight shift. He had an idea of what that meant, mainly because of his own experiences. One didn't get bullied every day and not learn how to read moods. Yet, as usual, it didn't bother him as much as it would have someone else, mainly because he was used to people hating him. And he hated them as much in return, an equivalent exchange. But the game was afoot now, and it was not one that the mage was unfamiliar with. In fact, it was rather fun to play a game like this, not that he would admit it, even with pain of death on him.

''No.'' he responded, after a few moments of silence between the pair. ''However, I did get to see it's results first hand.''

People were milling about. Honestly, how long does it take to get a poker game started? Sure a tournament was an organizational nightmare, but really, how long did it take? People were so bothersome, unable to even do something simple as setting up, in a reasonable amount of time. It was something that bothered him a lot. Doctors told you to show up at 1:30pm? Whenever you show up, you have to wait until 2:30pm without any explanation, even thought your meeting was an hour ago. People were so inconsiderate like that.

Perhaps that's why he liked this game of cat and mouse, this male was going to fight him with words perhaps. And that was something fun - almost as fun as discovering a new piece of magic, or even pushing himself to the limit. And he looked forward to it, because once the game began, it would add a new dimension to the whole thing. And perhaps, that's why he took this ridiculous quest in the first place. Took it, with the hopes of something like this developing. But he had to remain calm and patient, and only when he had the idea, charge in like the reckless defender he was.

He almost couldn't bear to wait.

[attr="class","fitz"]Magicman knew that he could form an appreciation for those so easily able to manipulate situations to their advantages.

This boy - because he couldn't think of him as a man, there was just something that refused to think of this one as such - was playing. Rather good at that, and perhaps that was the entire purpose of this quest in a way. Or perhaps he was reading too much into it - that did happen to his shame - and was making mountains out of nothing. But a third player showed up, and with a single look over, they were determined as unimportant. His gaze landed back on the other red head, the male leaning back slightly in his chair even as the NPCs were slowly assigned to them.

Finally, the game would start soon.

''Yes.'' he said simply. In response to the boy's question to his own commentary, he didn't need to elucidate. If the boy wanted to know, he'd ask. And he was right - a heart's beat after his answer, the question was given. Magicman kept his gaze on the boy, and his face calm. ''If not only in front of me, but in people I've known.'' he said. There, let him chew on that one. See if he realized how obvious he was about his emotions and feeling, well at least to someone used to reading people. Perhaps that would make this a lot more interesting.

Or maybe it's the cards that will make it better, when this bloody thing actually starts so he can finish this quest already.

[attr="class","fitz"]He could only finally be relieved that the damn thing started.

It was a stickler point for him - quests started when they were supposed to. And with it started, well, it was the next dimension. The other male spoke to him, and well, the Heretic was thinking on how to respond to his question. He had not lied to the man thus far - his guild leader had been at the raid, along with others he had made acquaintances with - and be damned if he started now. He might be a Heretic, but he was not a Blasphemer. He refused to go back on principles, and in a game such as this, of learning the mind of others, well lies were a useless tool.

''Call.'' he said, throwing in a chip, as the game continued.

After he's sure the other player is thinking, his eyes turn to the ones seeking his. With still no expression, the male simply stares a moment. ''Those people felt powerless. Useless. Watching that much death could change people.'' he said. His words were not slow, but precise. As if he was cutting words to make sure his message was as pure as possible. ''Some coped. Some developed new vices.'' he continued. But now, his gaze, that was only observing, hardened. ''Some didn't.'' he finished. Some names in his list were greyed out. People had preferred to die by their own hand then wait for a raid like that, and he had known them. Even though he was not a people's man, he still did what he could for this fucked up world.

Humanity was trash, but that didn't mean it had to suffer. This person before him was clearly one of the latter cases - one of those that didn't cope. It was like the boy - because he could not call him otherwise due to his attitude - was trying to develop a vice to continue on, but was unable. And so, he was incapable of settling himself, slowly sliding a low slippery path. That was obvious to him, but then again Magicman knew exactly what kind of signs to look for. After all, he once had been on that path, and that was the reason he was here today in a round-about way.

He was still undecided if he wanted to simply know him, help him, or destroy him. So many options, even as the next hand landed on the boy before him.

[attr="class","fitz"]Now, Magicman wasn't one to be on a soap box.

But sometimes he would wish he was.

He heard the other red head's words, but his turn was up. Looking at his options, the male didn't betray a sign on his face. ''Fold.'' he said, putting down his cards. There was no way to salvage his hand at that point, and so his attention was back to the other player. Of course, the poor random that got dragged in was currently between two very active NPCs, so that didn't bother him. But there was just something about the male in front of him that bothered him. Something he couldn't put his finger on - of course, the battle of wits he was enjoying was perhaps one sided.

But not on the matter of the wits.

Bowing his head a little, he took in stride the other's acknowledgement of his loss. The question after it, was more important however. ''I think you're one of those that can go either way. You seem to be not coping, but you have enough self-awareness to not go down the ultimate end of that path.'' he said. It was rather blunt, considering what kind of subject matter that alluded to. ''I can tell you're running from something concerning that - logically it is the only explanation considering how recent the raid has been - but I will not pretend to know what. And I will not pretend to understand what you are feeling either.'' he said. His tone was calm, and somewhat detached.

The other was a puzzle, and he enjoyed those, when not hampered by humanity's filth.

''I am curious, of course, but then again I have been told I am not the most well socially adjusted person they know. I also doubt you will be open to a stranger, as you're letting me speak more so then speaking yourself.'' he added. And indeed, even though Magicman himself was normally like that, he felt compelled to talk this time. Why, he couldn't pinpoint, but he would not struggle against it either. It was a brief respite from humanity's cruel idiocy, and his own hatred towards them. ''So I don't expect anything either. Perhaps in my own way, I do wish to help. Despite my own feelings to the matter.'' he said. And perhaps there was truth in his words.

Magicman himself wasn't sure, because he didn't want to observe something dangerous like that about himself.