Take a Gamble! (Open)

[L]

A young man with blonde hair with a golden headband over his forehead and blue eyes walked through the streets of Second Militia. He wore a black shirt underneath a black coat with golden linings with the symbol of the Nexus Organization on his right sleeve. He wore black gloves with open-ended fingers, and black pants with golden stitches. Covering his foot were sandals that didn't cover the front of his feet, showing his toes to the public. A small necklace was hung loosely around the man's neck. Unknown to everyone, this man was named Zeal. The childish yet open-minded leader of Nexus. On his face was that never ending playful smile of his.

As he walked, people couldn't help but notice the foldable plastic table and chair around his left side with his left arm over it and his right hand holding the end of the table and chair. He walked briskly but calmly, pushing his way through the crowd with a black one-strapped backpack slung over his shoulders. He stopped in front of a large department store building and started to set up the table in front of it. Zeal couldn't help but notice the enormous amount of people going in and out of the building.

Once he set up, Zeal took a seat on the chair. He then stood up on the chair and took out a megaphone from his backpack. "Come one! Come all! Challenge me to any form of card game! And you could win up to 1 Million Ardew! All for the price of 1 Ardew per game! What's 1 Ardew where you could win 1 Million!" Zeal shouted into, catching the interests of many with the offer of money. Zeal's smile couldn't help but get bigger. Suddenly a whole crowd of people formed around the small set up, all eager to try it. Zeal couldn't help but laugh at his success. "Alright! Alright! Calm down everyone! You kind sir! You'll be the first to go!" Zeal pointed to a young teenager in front of him who took out 1 Ardew to play a game. "What card game my young sir?" The young man couldn't help but meekly say, "Blackjack!" Zeal's smile turned into a grin and he took out his microphone once again. "Alright! It's blackjack! Watch this man get a chance to win 1 million Ardew!"

Suddenly cards started floating around Zeal, who had his hands in his jacket pocket. This act made the crowd go into awe as well as more excitement. "Alright! Let's get it on!" He made the cards form into a deck and then place two cards face up in front of the young man. Then he placed one card face up and one card face down on Zeal's side. The young man had a 9 and a 2 while Zeal had a Jack with one mysterious card. The young man said, "Hit me!" And another card was placed next to the man's two cards. It was a 9. "Oooh! 20! Do you want to go for a hit and get 21?" The young man shook his head in disagreement. Zeal grinned and flipped his mysterious card which was an Ace. "And lucky me! I get 21! Sorry buddy you lose. But look on the bright side. You only lost 1 Ardew! Okay! Anyone else!?!" The young man walked away disappointed but more people wanted to play even more, trying to play their luck to win 1 Million Ardew.

That 1 Million Ardew came from the Nexus Treasury, but that was only 1 Million in the billions they had. Zeal would occasionally take a few here and there to have some fun out in the town. This was another way. And another way was him spending the entire day playing around. Of course, he still had duties. But most of that was settled in a few hours, so it wouldn't affect him at all if Zeal went around and had some fun. That was one of the reasons most people in Nexus barely know who he was, he was gone most of the time so they don't know how he was like. However, Zeal would leave orders for his trusted generals for that day. It wasn't that hard to keep everyone in line. Especially since there were a lot of rumors about him being strict. Zeal couldn't help but laugh at that thought.

[BlackEcho]

A woman with the hair color of a light brunette stepped out of the many taxi cabs in the area. As usual in a big city, there was a traffic jam, so she just paid the driver and got out. No use sitting in two hour traffic when you could walk.

Yuna stretched her arms after getting out, her cerulean eyes scanning the streets, which seemed to be packed. Her attire consisted of a complex-looking white tanktop, a light brown pockt around her waist, and a half of a long skirt, that tumbled down in waves close to her feet. She wore knee-length black boots and a simple pair of black shorts. Her traditional dress for the Gunner dressphere.

She started walking, her hands criss-crossed behind her back as she did so. She sighed, she was exhausted after her last mission Yevon sent her on. She was on her way back to Spira, her home world, and she had to pass through this city... the Second Militia, to get to it. She felt uncomfortable around such big buildings. She was used to her small village, right next to the ocean. She smiled at the thought of it, being back home. This was going to be a short trip, she kept reminding herself. Making sure she didn't wander around the city doing other things.

Yet she didn't know her way around here, it was such a large city.. She cursed under her breath. She should've stayed in the cab... or at least gotten some instructions. She turned the opposite way and started walking down that way, her arms slowly folding over her chest. Lost in a massive city... what next? She saw out of the corner of her eye that someone was hosting some kind card game. She rolled her eyes. One million Ardew.. he had to be making that up.. or he must be very sure of himself when it comes to gambling money.

[L]

Unfortunately for Yuna, she came to the city at a bad time. It was rush hour soon and hordes of people will be passing through. Without a doubt, countless people started pushing and shoving the young brunette until she was in front of Zeal and his card gaming table. Zeal smiled charmingly at Yuna that might swoon any other women.

"Hello there! Care for a game of Blackjack my beautiful woman?" Without even waiting for a reply, he already set two cards in front of him and her. "Don't worry, you can play free of charge and hell win a ton of cash! How about it?" Once again, without waiting for an answer Zeal started playing the game. This time, the house went first instead of the player. After four cards, Zeal had 21. "Ha! Seems like I got 21 miss! You can't seem to win!" Without caring, Zeal drew a card for Yuna. This time, it resulted of the young girl to win with 21! Since Yuna got 21 with fewer cards, she was the winner. Zeal gave her a joyful smile that may seem familiar to her about a certain bad boy five years ago.

The crowd gasped at seeing the young Nexus leader lose and stood there watching him if he would really give out money. Zeal looked nervously around everyone and grabbed the one strapped, black backpack. He handed her the bag. "Here's the 1 Million Ardew I promised." Then he leaned in closer so only she could hear him. "I suggest we count the money somewhere else. The people might mob us if we do it here." Zeal suggested thoughtfully, he knew how greedy could be to some people. "What do you say? I won't mug you and I'll be more then happy to show you around town if you like? I know you're not from around here, as you can notice. You're clothing is different then what normally people here wear." Zeal gave her a charming smile that was almost impossible to resist. Then his eyes lightened up and said, "By the way! I'm Zeal! What's your name miss?" He gave her an innocent grin that made Zeal look like a child almost.

[BlackEcho]

Yuna was still walking, her eyes scanning the crowd that only seemed to get bigger.... Too big.. Before she knew it, she was being pushed around by the sheer mass of people on the street. She kept saying things like 'Excuse me' and Pardon me', trying to get out of the crowd as quickly as she could. But no matter what she tried, she seemed to be going in the opposite direction from where she was usually intending to go.

She then found herself in front of the very card table she was trying to get away from, with a man already urging her to play a game. She was going to promptly say 'No.' (Since she didn't even have 1 Ardew in her pocket after she payed the taxi driver) But before she could answer, he had already already dealt the cards and was flipping them over. Logically, she didn't really do anything, the guy didn't even let her speak.

Before she knew it, there was a black backpack filled with one million ardew in her lap, or so the man said. She looked up again, speechless as to what to say. The man's smile seemed to remind her of someone, but she couldn't place it. She shrugged it off. Whatever it was, it gave her a bad feeling, it even got on her nerves.

Yuna also thought it would be rude not to answer the man, even if he did thrust all this upon her in a about a moment's notice. She blinked, then said quietly. "Oh, um... I'm Yuna.." This man... Zeal seemed to be inferring that they go somewhere else out of the crowd, and she hesitated. But he did know the city, and she really didn't have much of a choice in the matter.

[L]

"Ah! Yuna! That's a nice name." Zeal said as he continued his happy-go-lucky attitude. "You should be careful around here. Even though I don't know you much, I know that street thugs and low-lifes mug pretty girls like you." His face was red and the aura around him was a feeling of relaxation. Nothing should be bad around this guy. The crowd around them was already dispersing when suddenly Zeal noticed that he forgot his cards. "Ah crap. I forgot my cards.." He muttered under his breath, then with his mind the cards started floating around him then seeping into his sleeves. "I hope that didn't creep you out did it?" He said chuckling, his right hand scratching the back of his head.

Soon enough, Yuna and Zeal were in a secluded pathway. With only a few people passing through it, those people being businessman or teenagers. "Oh go ahead and open up the bag now if you want. I'm an honest person. So, don't think I'll mug you and take the money for myself." If Yuna were to open the bag, she would see that Zeal wasn't lying at all.

"Oh by the way. Have you heard of Nexus? You know, the organization that's controlling most of this planet. 2nd Militia and Fifth Jerusalem are the only places on the planet Nexus that isn't controlled by them. I hope it stays that way, people need to relax from that kind of rule anyway. I'm the leader of Nexus and my goal is to make people happy. Though, by being so open-minded on how to accomplish the mission, it made people distrust us. I'm not exactly a bad guy, I'm misunderstood. I'm telling you this because I want to be honest with you." Zeal said smiling at her warmly as ever.

[BlackEcho]

Yuna pauses as they walk into a secluded pathway, she hesitantly walks in behind him, leaning against the wall. She knew the man mean well, and was only trying to help, but he still couldn't shrug that feeling off her shoulders. She quietly watched as he lifted the cards by his own willing and snuck them up his sleeve. When he asked her if it creeped her out, she shook her head. "No.. I'm used to things like that.." She had completely forgotten about the black backpack, and was just holding it with the tips of her fingers until Zeal mentioned it again.

She lifts it up and opens up the bag, looking down. The man was right, it was packed to the top with one million Ardew. She glanced at the man, unsure what to say. She didn't want the money, she made her fair share for her work, and she didn't have anything she wanted to buy, except train tickets back home. "That's... really kind of you.. But I'm really better off without it.." She set the backpack down in the middle of the pathway, and leaned back again.

In fact, she had heard of Nexus. She never really thought much of the other organizations, since she preferred to stay out of large wars like this. But this... Zeal, was claiming he, himself, was the leader of Nexus? She raised her eyebrows at this revelation. The man looked too young, lazy, and relaxed to run one of the two most powerful organizations in the world.

[L]

"Hey wait!" Zeal said as she got close to her, picking up the black bag. He came closer until he was finger's reach away, then he held up the bag. "I don't need the money. I rather share my good fortune with you. Usually the only people who win are good people, the reason most of the time they lose is because they're greedy." He said as he continued showing his warm smile at the brunette summoner. "How about we split it then? I get 500,000 and you get 500,000. I keep some of the money for myself like you want, and you get to keep some like I want. Plus, it looks like you might need it?" He offered her.

As Zeal continued to look into her eyes she noticed the questionable look on her face. "Ah. I see. You don't believe me for being the Nexus leader. Can't blame you, I usually finish up business in Nexus HQ that by the time it's the early afternoon, I've taken off. That's the reason why some of my men don't know me too well. And I guess you think we're a pretty bad group. We're just open-minded on things. If we acted too good like Zodiac, our options are way more limited."

He explained in a serious tone but with a charming smile. "Say. How about I escort you to a hotel. Or better yet, you could stay at the room I'm staying at this Five Star Hotel so you don't have to use any more money? It's vacation season, so the traffic here is pretty tight. You won't be able to leave the city until tomorrow morning." Zeal said with advice about the city. "I've been here alot so I know things. Please, don't think of me as a threat. I'm just trying to be friends that's all." The young Nexus leader was waving his hands, overreacting her suspicion of him.

[BlackEcho]

Yuna hesitated, thinking. It didn't really look like she had a choice about the money, so all she did was nod when he offered her half-and-half, since it didn't look like she could lean any other way on the proposition. She took the bag again and put it on the ground next to her feet, smiling somewhat at Zeal.

But his suggestion in the city.. she didn't know... She really wanted to get back home, but she could see why she wouldn't be able to get out of the city. She looked out at the street again, which was packed with people, many of them struggling to get somewhere or another. And she really couldn't refuse the man's hospitality.

Nexus or Zodiac didn't bother her that much, she just felt that she would felt better to stay out of the war. All it was for was for power anyway, she thought it was rather foolish. Each realm had their own Crystal, wasn't that enough? She shrugged slowly, looking up at Zeal again. "Well.. okay.. one night can't hurt.."

[L]

Zeal smiled widely at this and slung the backpack over his shoulder. The Nexus leader put his hands in his pockets and bowed at Yuna. "Welcome to 2nd Militia, Yuna! I shall be your escort for today!" Zeal chuckled lightly and started walking away. He stopped and patted Yuna's head and ruffled her brown hair. "You sound so shy! What's wrong? Did I do something to hurt you?" Zeal asked clueless, "Well. Even though we just met. Feel free to use my shoulder anytime. I'll listen." His eyes were soft and with that said he scratched the back of his head embarassed, "Sorry for saying that. You must feel weird for someone you just met saying that to you."

As Yuna and Zeal walked towards his hotel, Zeal stopped and turned to Yuna. "Now I remember! You're the summoner Yuna! I heard about you during my trips to Spira here and there. I heard you're some sort of celebrity." Zeal pointed out, yes he had heard about her. After all, the people of Spira's proudest joy was Yuna. Or so Zeal heard.

A few minutes later, the both of them stood in front of a large and elegant hotel that only a rich person could afford. "Follow me Yuna-chan!" Zeal said happily, they took an elevator all the way up to the roof. "I have the penthouse suite." He said as he stepped out of the elevator. In front of them was a large pool that varies in sizes and on the other end was a small hut. As the two walked around the pool, Zeal continued to smile warmly unaware of how much it could affect a person's mood. The Nexus leader opened up the door to the hut and inside was a huge open space. There was a bar, a big screen T.V. with a living room. It was only one room though besides the bathroom. A large bed fit for two people was in front of the TV as well as the couch. All of the furniture and materials were of the finest quality as well as the most expensive. "If you're tired. You can go asleep on the bed. I'll take the couch." He said without batting an eye, as he stepped inside he took off his sandals and set it aside. "Please make yourself at home Yuna. As long as you're content, I'm happy." Giving her a refreshing happy look.

[BlackEcho]

"Oh, no.. It's fine... Just have to figure out what I have to do next.." Yuna says in response to Zeal's first question. It was true that she wasn't much of a talker, especially to people she didn't really know yet. But this man was already offering a shoulder to confess anything she was willing to say. The man was kind, maybe too kind, and always had an aura of relaxation, which seemed really unfitting for a leader of Nexus.

She follows him out of the walkway, her hands crossed behind her back. She says nothing on their little walk until he mentions knowing who she was. She seemed surprised at this. Her? A celebrity? The thought nearly made her laugh. She did her fair share of help in Spira, yes, but she never thought herself known throughout the country, unless of course, Zeal had visited Besaid Island once before. She just rolls her shoulders in response to his comment, preferring not to answer.

When they reach the hotel, Yuna literally had to take a few moments to just stand and admire it's beauty. For someone who grew up living in tents, this place was like a castle. She quickly followed Zeal into the elevator, which seemed to be going all the way to the topmost floor. She's never stay'd in such a beautiful hotel, the feeling made her shiver.

When they walk into the room, her eyes narrow at how much space it had. A bar, a TV, a couch and a bed. Now, she knew she was being spoiled. She knew it was really all of the finest quality, but she still missed her home realm. She didn't even really know what a TV was. She turns to Zeal. "This is realy too much.. I just need a place to sleep.."

[L]

Zeal continued smiling as he turned to her, his hands on his hips. "Please. I insist. Try to make yourself at home Yuna. And if you don't like it. In compensation, I'll help you return home. Besides....Spira is on Zodiac. We have to cross through space to get through it. Which leaves me another question..." Zeal didn't say anything but instead said, "Well. I'll ask you some questions later. You had a long day. Some tea?" He asked pleasantly as he made his way towards the bar.

A few minutes later, he already brewed up some tea and put some into two cups then handed one to Yuna. He stood on the couch and turned on the TV, he flipped channels until he found one with some cartoons. He laughed at the character's antics, drinking his tea while he was watching. Zeal was truly a childish person, but he was charming lad. He turned off the TV and turned to look at Yuna.

"Tell me. How did you come here to Nexus. Spira is so far away. It's not even on this planet!" Zeal asked. Continuing to smile like always, however he didn't wait for an answer. He took out cards and started to play with them. From shuffling to flipping them. "A man named Kyon once told me that I would meet you one day. In fact I would meet a few more interesting people. I thought he was crazy, he was wounded all around. I met him five years ago, he left quickly as soon as he appeared. It was....quite strange. Gave me some of his energy and now I control cards. Rather strange."

[BlackEcho]

Yuna sighs, walking over to the couch while Zeal made the tea. It seemed whatever she said had no effect on him, and he seemed to have some other suggestion to whatever she had to say. She rolled her shoulders and sat back, accepting the tea he offered her. She took a small drink and laid it on her lap.

She seemed intrigued by the moving picture on the TV, since Spira, or maybe just her Island, never really had advanced technology. The most advanced item was probably only Yuna's guns. She mainly relied on watching Blitzball or something for entertainment.

But before she could really understand what was going on, Zeal had already turned off the TV and was asking her some questions. The first one was rather obvious. There were a lot of travelers through space and it was fairly easy to catch a ride with one of them. But before she could respond, he had went on to say something else. This Zeal seemed to do that alot.

She was halfway through taking another drink of her tea before Zeal mentioned Kyon, and Yuna immediatly started choking on it. She set the tea down on the table, regaining her breath. Kyon... gave this man his powers? That certainly explained the uneasiness she felt earlier.

[L]

"Yuna! What's wrong?" Zeal asked her immediately after she started choking a little bit. His face showed genuine concern and for once there wasn't a smile on his face but a flustered look of some little boy. "I'm sorry Yuna! Was it too hot? Did I made the tea taste horrible! Oh I knew I shouldn't have tried to make tea for someone as pretty like you!" Zeal said stammering, his face red with embarrassment. Anyone could laugh at a person like this. It seemed the young Nexus Leader was truly a little boy in his heart.

[BlackEcho]

Yuna shifted uncomforably on the couch, still trying to catch her breath. She looks at Zeal, her eyes narrowing as he had completely mistaken this for something else. His embarrassment actually made him kind of cute, but Yuna quickly intercepted. "No, no.. The tea was fine. Sorry.. just a thought came through my mind and it made me stumble.." She said, trying to cure him of his embarrassment.

[L]

Zeal smiled in relief and sat back down, he scratched the back of his neck and laughed. "Oh thank goodness! This is my first time making tea! And you're the first one to drink it." He smiled sheepishly, his face still blushing but the mood around him was very relaxing. He furrowed his eyes and his eyes looked sad, he then looked at Yuna straight in the eye with his blue orbs and said, "I know we just met but...you could tell me what's on your mind if you like." Zeal's sadness was lifted and he returned to a regular smile again, he patted Yuna on the head and ruffled it to make it look a little messy. "Besides, you look so down all the time. I'm sure your friends are worried about you if you're like this."

[BlackEcho]

Yuna couldn't help but smile at Zeal's kindness. Kyon's power or not, he seemed to be totally different from him. When he told her that she looked down all the time, her first reflex was to say she wasn't, but after further thinking, maybe she was.. Friends? What friends? She had Paine and Rikku and a few others, but a lot of them were seperated after the war with the organizations started. They were all off doing their own thing, including Yuna.

She seemed to be too absorbed in her own thoughts to even answer Zeal, the tea cup still laying still in her palm.

[L]

Zeal's smile faded as she became quiet. Not knowing she was lost within her thoughts, he took it the wrong way making him think that Yuna's friends is not around anymore. He got up from the couch and walked over towards the bed. Zeal crouched down and took out case from underneath it. He blew on it and dust came off, then the young man opened it up. It was a guitar!

The Nexus leader sat back on the couch and started tuning it. The guitar was well-made. It was an acoustic with fine wood. He played a few notes on it to see it was in tune, and after a few minutes he was finished. Zeal started to play a song and singing at the same time, his playing was beautiful as well as his singing voice.

When he was finished, Zeal set the guitar down and turned to Yuna. "That song is 'I've Got a Feeling' made by this band named after a beetle or something. I liked it and I learned about it when I was in Earth. It's a song I usually play to cheer myself up. I hope it did for you too." Zeal explained, his smile back again. "Yuna. If you want to. I can be your friend. I'll give you a shoulder to lean on! And I'll always be beside when you need help. I've never had a friend before, that's why I created Nexus. To bring peace and having people to hang out with." He smiled at her warmly again, giving off a radiant feeling of happiness.

[BlackEcho]

Yuna blinked when she saw Zeal get up, still leaning forward on the couch. She watched quietly as he got a guitar out and started playing it. It surprised her that even had an instrument, let alone a guitar. He started singing a foreign song, not of this world, but it seemed very soothing. She sat back and listened to it quietly.

When he was finished, she opened her eyes and looked at Zeal. He said he never had a friend before, yet he was the leader of a big war between organizations with loss and bloodshed. Sure, they both wanted to end it, but it didn't seem any less wrong. This guy was nothing like the leader she thought he was, but completely different. She still felt sorry for him, to never have a friend.. She smiled.

"It's okay.. Zeal, I already am your friend.. With all this..." She motioned around the room. "How could I not be?"

[L]

Zeal's smile broadened and he was now grinning from ear to ear. "I finally got a smile on your face Yuna! And you're also my friend! I'm really happy!" Zeal yelled loudly, excited like a little boy getting a Christmas present. Acting like a child he raced over to Yuna and hugged her tightly, unaware that they were both adults still despite one's personality. After doing so, he let go and continued grinning at Yuna.

However, his smile turned into a frown and it almost seemed like he was on the verge of crying but he didn't. He turned to look at Yuna, his face was serious not like the one he would usually put on. In fact, his expression really showed the handsome man's age. "Well...I'm about to go to a battle with Zodiac soon. It's a battle in space using mechs. You know, those giant mobile suits. I'm not surprised if you never did. It was created just a few years ago after all." Zeal's smiled meekly and continued, "Though if I die...at least I have one friend that cares right?" He said, forcing a smile on himself.

[BlackEcho]

Yuna nodded, still smiling up at Zeal when he responded. He seemed to be really overwhelmed by this, and, quite frankly, she wasn't surprised. To go through life with no friends, it must've been horrible. She set the empty tea cup on the table and stood up, straightening out her skirt.

When she looked up again she found Zeal was frowning, rather than grinning, like before. She was about to ask what was wong until he answered it for her. Another battle with Zodiac? Well, now she knew why he was sad. To finally get a friend, and then have a chance to die in a battle would be horrible. She hesitated for a moment, not sure what to say.

She didn't really know what mechs were, since she was never really good with such advanced technology. She looked at Zeal. "You don't have to go alone... Perhaps I could help you, I know a few things..."

[L]

Zeal's face turned to a questioning look. He started walking around the room until he plumped himself back onto the couch. "Well I'm glad. And what things are you really talking about? Whatever you could do I'll be happy if you did it for me!" He beamed at her with his innocent expression. Zeal then grabbed the yellow headband that held his hair up and took it off. Zeal threw it at the table and ran his fingers through his head, without the headband Zeal looked much older than he really looked. The hair covered part of his eyes, making his expression look into a sly smile.

[Sorry writer's block at the moment ]

[BlackEcho]

Yuna leaned back on the couch, and watched as Zeal sat down next to her. He seemed to be taking it into thought, when she actually thought he was going to dissuade her from going. She rolled her shoulders. "I know assortments of magic... And I can summon Aeons..." She wasn't sure if Zeal knew what Aeons were, and if he didnt, all he had to do was ask.

Now that she thought about it, Aeons would prove useful in mech battles due to their sheer size and strength. They may not have laser beams or guns, but their attacks proved usefull when the time came.

[L]

"Aeons...aeons..." Zeal said with an expression that he was thinking. "You know those big monsters people from your place can summon? I heard of those! Some old dude talked about it." He said smiling then he thought another fact, "But doesn't that make you very tired Yuna? I heard summoning makes the person tired. I don't want you to use it for a war at the cost of your health." Zeal got up and walked over to a closet, he started rummaging them through and soon he took off his black jacket and replaced it with a red, silk shirt. "I've been thinking. Why not I show you around the town tonight? It's your only day here right? I got to show you things that people in Spira don't normally have."

The truth behind this reality is that Zeal was depressed, he didn't want to see Yuna off and he didn't want to go into battle after just meeting her. Zeal wanted to be with her, at least until tomorrow. "I'm very happy to have met you Yuna! I hope you'll be my side for a long time." He added as he smiled gleefully at her.

[BlackEcho]

Yuna had no intention of causing more bloodshed, but merely planned on using her Aeons as a means of defense, if they were ever needed. She heard from general gossip in the other realms that the fight was taking place somewhere in space. She had no intention on going on the battlefield, because she never really sided with any organization and preferred to stay neutral at such a time.

"Well, yeah.. It does at times, but you get used to it after a while.." She stood up and stretched a little bit, nodding at what Zeal was saying about going into town. "I would like that.." She had nothing better to do anyway.