Located in a more run down secrion of the city the Two Pair Pub is well known by card sharks for its high stakes poker tournements. Unremarkable in it's appearence the pub itself is nestled between a rather rique theater and a pawn shop, the latter of which has seen a large increase in business from pub patrons. The pub doesn't allow weapons inside, a bouncer at the door will hold them for you, returning them when you leave. While intimidating he is trustworthy, so you don't have to worry about your weapons being stolen. The pub itself smells of booze and smoke, though it's far more quiet then the average pub. This is due to the fact that half the pub is dedicated to poker and for the most part people give them some silence. Entering is easy. 50 gold pieces and you are in for one round. Win a round and you can either take the gold you've won or bet it all on the next. Each round has 4 people, and each person has to bet the amount of gold they won from the last round. Stakes grow higher until you reach round 5 which has a in store for the winner a grand total of 64 thousand gold. Due to the chance of winning such a high amount many pro card sharks from all across Zelpha make their way to this seemingly insignificant pub in a shady part of town.

Eston ambled his way down the a long, dirty road in Esto Gaza. His destination, a small pub in the bad part of town, was in site. He adjusted his hat before he approached the bouncer, weapon already in hand. The bouncer seemed unfazed.

”I’m here to play.” Eston told the thick necked guard. He raised his sword. The bouncer just stared at him, then outstreched his hand. Eston handed him his weapon, which the bouncer quickly tucked into a chest behind him.

The bouncer cracked his neck and told Eston not to start any trouble. Eston nodded and went inside. The smell of smoke assailed his nostrils. Not a smoker himself Eston coughed a bit in the thick haze. He made his way to the counter and placed 50 gold pieces in front of the tender.

The bartender looked at him for a moment, before pointing to a table in the back. “There.” the barkeep said simply. The table had 2 people, so Eston quickly took a seat across from them, the seat next to him was still open. Once it was filled, a dealer would join them and the game would begin.

Leaning against the wall of what could not be better described as a lecherous rat hole, a man in his late twenties surveyed the scene with keen interest. A variety of tables, a variety of men (and perhaps a few women), and most importantly, gold. Gold switching hands, left and right. Fortunes being made, and fortunes being destroyed. Normally the man had no taste for such seedy establishments, preferring to gamble (and often brawl) in the high-end casinos of the various capitals of the world. Stupid aristocrats were easier to trick, and even easier to threaten, than the common man, who was more prone to stand up to tricks, and make good on any possible threat. In a way, he was out of his comfort zone, dealing with a group of gamblers he was unaccustomed too. But such a vast sum of money, it was too easy to pass up... after all, he had debts to pay. He would hate to return to Vulcan for Slaving, or the transport of illicit materials. While good money, it simply wasn't his style.

The gambler watched one table with interest, as a man took his seat. He had never seen him before. Of course, he had never seen anyone in this dinky place before, and hoped he never would again after tonight. He saw no outward display of great skill...probably just an amateur like the rest of the people here. Still, he was tired of sitting and ready to reap some easy dough out of the poor bumpkins who saw themselves as capable of taking the big prize. He chuckled, if only slightly...he was the only one capable of doing that, so he thought. Ceasing to lean against the wall smudged with dirt, he flicked his hands nonchalantly, one of his various cards flying and sticking into the back of it as if it were a knife. Propping out of the shadows, he looked at the three men who would be his opponents.

"I hope you don't mind if I... take this seat?"

Eston looked up at the man before him. While he remained outwardly stoic Eston did become slightly nervous. Eston wasn’t the best poker player. He could win, but he didn’t expect to come home with more then the prize of the first round. The man before him however was different. Eston could feel it. He didn’t know why or how he knew, but he knew that the man in front of him was a true poker pro. Nevertheless, policy didn’t allow you to choose your opponent.

“If the chair is open feel free to take it.” Eston said calmly, pulling out the chair for the new comer. One of the dealers in the corner took notice of the table, now having four players and came over, getting ready to deal as soon as the bets were down. Eston placed his bet on the table. He knew this would be a tough game.

"Great."

The Gambler took his seat, stretching slightly as the dealer began to deal out the cards. He watched two of his opponents chatter aimlessly, making small talk in order to defuse the tension that would soon arise, when the stakes became more than mere candy. While the dealer was busy, he took his chance, placing an object discretely at the bottom of the table. He wasn't going to hold back, here, and was prepared to use all the tricks up his sleeve to ensure an easy win. Staring at his cards (face down) before him, he tapped them slightly, moving his hands across them slightly, mouthing to himself, watching as the hands of his opponents, even shielded, were revealed to him. He smiled.

"I have a feeling Lady Luck is on my side, gentlemen. You may want to be careful with your bets, hm? Victor Belmonte, by the way... best get used to hearing it."

Eston nodded Victor, keenly observing his actions. Most people wouldn’t notice it, however most people weren’t trained in the use of magic. While he had only dimly heard the chant it was obvious to him what it was. Eston wouldn’t just stand by and let him win.

Grinning slightly, he spoke to man. “Eston Molav. I agree that I’ll be hearing your name a lot, through not in the way you expect.” He lowered his head slight, so that his eyes were covered by his hat’s brim. He whispered, allowing only Victor to hear his words. “That’s a nice chant, but it’s hardly fair don’t you think?”

"Those who play fair never end up on top! A little help is always needed..."

Victor smiled at the man, his voice a mere whisper. Looking at the dealer who looked eager to begin, the gambler held his cards in an almost lazy fashion, leaning forward and resting both arms on the table, staring intently at his cards. He looked at his opponents, in reality at the backs of their cards, surveying their hands. He smiled once again.

"Well then, shall we, Mr. Dealer? No doubt we are all ready to reap the bounty of Lady Luck, and the sum of 64,000 Livres. A hefty sum, indeed...one we could all use, right? Pay off some debts, buy some land, start a business... my, with the proper usage, such a small sum could rapidly become a fortune! Imagine boys, being a millionaire. A seat in the Chambers, a hereditary peerage bestowed upon you by the King; a manor in the Old City and a Château in the country. Shiitan slaves to tend to your every want and desire...it's what we all want, but what only a few get. Let's see if one of us can shoot for that dream tonight, alright boys? I want the winner, no matter what, to aim for the stars!"

'Of course, that winner will only be me...but it doesn't help to pump you up. Makes your defeat so much sweeter.'

Eston sighed, raising his head and speaking softly to himself. “And to think I gave you a chance to back out... Oh well...” Eston stood up, raising his voice so the whole bar could hear. “Good people, we have a cheat in the house!” Whispers erupted from all corners of the pub. Cheating was a heavy accusation in this place, and one needed to have proof to back it up. Eston reached under the table, knowing that the chant worked in concert with some other object. He smiled as he found what he was looking for. He pulled it off and held it up.

“This object,” Eston exclaimed, “Is used to see other players hands! It was found...” Eston paused, then pointed at Victor, “... In front of this man!” The whispers turned to shouts. People yelled for him to be thrown out, boos and hisses came from every table. The bouncer plodded up to Victor.

“You can walk out...” the bouncer said cracking his neck, “... Or I can throw you out.”

"A pity," Victor replied. "I had hoped to take all the gold by playing... but I suppose if you're going to tempt me, I shall just take it!"

Looking at the bouncer with a great smirk, he chucked two dice in his direction, watching them explode into a scene of smoke of spark, clouding the view of the bouncer and allowing Victor respite. Leaping over the table and knocking the cards and chips astray. The variety of the people in the pub began to howl and scream at Victor, but he paid no mind. If the whole pub was going to turn against him, so be it. He could brawl...they were all unarmed, he at least had his weaponry, cards, darts, and dice, which looked harmless, but were useful indeed. By passing over a few more tables, Victor was in grabbing reach of the prize.

"Well? Who wants some? I dare you!"

Flinging two cards out, the gambler disabled two brute men who seemed to be rapidly moving towards him, the seemingly docile cards piercing the skin like a hot knife.

"Violence is not the answer, but when used against me, I shall respond with fury!"

Eston sighed again. He had hoped for a nonviolent resolution to the conflict, but some people just don’t know when to quit. Etson was somewhat perturbed however at the bar’s action. While Victor had cheated, yes, the whole of the bar’s patron’s didn’t have to attack him. Eston could see Victor was a good fight but even he couldn’t hold on against a group of 50 or so people. Eston decided to step up to his aid. While the rest of the attention was on Victor, Eston began to concentrate. Not a fist fight by trade and without his weapon, Eston still had a way of fighting. With a heavy grunt his nose began to elongate, followed by the rest of his face. His back hunched over, lowering his posture. Eston’s feet and legs began transforming into paws. In no time at all he had changed. No longer was there a man, but a wolf where he once was. It’s fur had a strange pattern, colored so that it’s front paws were white, back paws black, and body grey. Almost as if the wolf was wearing the clothes Eston had.

A howl echoed through the establishment, and several people of the mob turned and let out a shout. One of the men fell to the floor as the large beast pounced on him, leaving a large gash in his chest. A second toppled over and landed on his head as the wolf charged through his legs. Chaos erupted among the people as all became aware of the vicious beast in their midst.

"Heh, perfect..."

Victor paid no mind to the chaos unfolding in the pub, with a wolf seemingly appearing in the midst to mindlessly attack any and all the patrons who dared make a move. The gambler smiled at this, widely. Hoisting open his money sack, he hastily shoved the grand prize of the so-called tournament into it. It was easier than sitting through a variety of games that would've been won through cheating; this was also far more exciting. Tossing a few more cards into the wayside, as well as another pair of dice, the gambler busted a nearby window, leaping out into the alley to begin his escape.

Seeing the cheater escape, the wolf leapt off of the man he was currently mauling and headed for the door, stopping to knock over the chest of pub goer’s weapons. The wolf grabbed Eston’s sword in it’s powerful jaws and bounded after Victor. Dashing into an alley the wolf circled around the street, jumping in front of the escaping cheater’s path. The wolf dropped the sword and stood up on his hind legs. As the wolf stood up it’s paws changed to hands and feet, it’s hair turned to clothes, and it’s snout turned into a face. Within moments Eston was standing before Victor.

Eston picked up his sword and returned it to it’s place on his back. He then straightened up, adjusted his hat, and held out his hand to Victor, palm upturned.

He smiled and said, “Seeing as I aided your escape, I believe you owe me some of the winnings.”

"Half? No way! You caused a scene, I would've gotten it either way. Fifteen percent, tops. Nothing more... I'm not rewarding you for ruining my plans. Besides, I've got debts that need cleared! If I don't pay up to that damned d'Anjou Patriarch, I can kiss my airship goodbye! That's where a good chunk of that money is going!"

Victor continued at a brisk pace, ignoring the strange man. Even if he was a formidable shape shifter....no. Victor worked alone. To consider...an alliance with anyone, let alone someone he met in a dingy pub, was almost unthinkable. But Esto Gaza was drying up. He was going to have to move on, sooner or later, but there were so many things that still needed settled. A partner would allow him far more mobility in the city. It'd make things easier. Money would come in faster. Of course, he'd have to cut the guy in, it was a given. But perhaps it was a price to pay.

"How about twenty percent, and you help me out? A man can only heist for so long, after all. And Esto Gaza is drying up for me... alone, that is. I still have things to settle in this city, and I can't leave without doing so. To leave, with things unsettled... it is a certain death. What do you say? What else are you doing with your life? Nothing, as far as I can tell...playing cards in a pub for a dingy reward. 64,000...it's not anything. I want hundreds of thousands. I need millions. Power is money, my friend, you don't get anywhere without both...you can't be powerful without money. And you can't have money without power. The rich are jaded, born with both. Us on the bottom? We don't get shit! That is why we have to cheat, and even the field. So..."

Truth be told Eston didn’t really care about the money. The amount wasn’t an issue. He just felt the need to be compensated. Teaming up however, that was interesting. However, Eston suspected his motivation was far different then Victor’s. Victor wanted fame, glory, gold. Eston wanted adventure, excitement, danger. Regardless of their desires, an alliance would satisfy them both. Eston nodded in agreement, extending his hand to shake Victor’s.

“20% then. I suppose we should reintroduce ourselves. Eston Molav, Mystic Swordsman.” He grinned slightly. “What do you have in mind, partner?”

"Victor Belmonte."

The gambler leaned against a wall, surveying the scene. They were clear. It had been an easy 64,000.

"Hm. Well there are a variety of things open to me now--I mean, us. Two people are far more efficient than just one. I..we could start ganking in the Old City. Think about it! All those manors, full of prestigious, 'old blooded' families. Full of valuable treasures and heirlooms. But I'm not interested in stupid tomes, and tapestries. They don't sell for shit on the market. I...we need gold. Gems. Precious things. The Old City doesn't cut it...a couple pearl necklaces, sure, it's nice, but it's not enough. That's chump change! It's beneath m-...us."

Victor smiled.

"The bounty is in the White Palace, and the Vertfort. The court...why didn't I think of it earlier? Think! Not just Serdian aristocrats, my friend. Sudish, Merian, Balician...it goes on. All the aristocrats of the Sade Confederacy are gathered there...and the whole thing is overseen by that stupid bitch and that even stupider bastard. We could rob the villas, it'd be a good show. No one has ever thieved the royal court before...but that's stupid. If we're going to break in, it needs to be a show...something worth of mi-...our attention."

His eyes gleamed.

"The Royal Vault. Let's sack it."

Eston felt like he just got punched in the face. The royal vault? No, he must have said something else. Eston rolled it in his mind, but no, he had most certainly said royal vault. Eston stuttered for a moment. “T-the royal vault? THE royal vault? As in the vault, in the palace, the holds all the grandest, most valued treasures in all of the Serdian kingdom?”

Eston paced in circles for a moment. The royal vault. The most defended treasure cache in the entire kingdom. Why not? He wanted adventure, what is more of a rush then that? They be famous throughout the land as the first people to ever steal from the King of Serdio himself.

Finally Eston looked up at Victor, smiling in amusement. “Sure, but I assume you have a plan of some kind. It’s not like we can just stroll up to the gate and politely ask directions to the vault.”

"That's where you come in. You're the brains of this whole operation now. I'm the one who merely sets it into action! It's not gonna be easy, by any stretch. No one ever raided the vault whilst it was at Mystice, and now it is at the Vertfort...no doubt ever fuller with treasures than it was in the heyday of the old court. It's a juicy target. And one that is certainly good enough to try. It's the only thing worthy of seizing in this city before moving on."

Victor shrugged, then looked at the man who was now his 'partner.'

"I suppose you can hit me up at the St. Marius Hotel. It's where I'm staying. Later."

And he was gone, out of the alley and into the busy streets of the city.