Di barely noticed the box as it fell into his hands, fumbling to keep it from falling on the ground. It wasn't a very big container, but the prize inside wasn't large either. He gave a smile and a glance towards Lyn. "Well that paid off, I think. And really, sticking around isn't a big deal. I've got no-"

Suddenly, Di disappeared, box and all.

On the other side of the partnership, Akua was scrambling to get back towards the computer to no avail. A few employees had dragged him out as he made the case that "Closing time doesn't mean leaving time!", but of course the not-so-bright teen's words wouldn't break through his capture's skulls. The cafe was closing, and Akua had already ignored the last few warnings to leave before the staff had to take action. The result was an emergency Jack Out for Di as the PET's connection to the net was broken, although the aquatic navi still had his rewards from the dealer. Di scolded Akua for his irresponsibility as his partner stared at the cafe's door from the outside, bitter at the way he had been treated. "You could have given me a warning or something. I didn't get a chance to properly say goodbye to Lyntael, and if they had taken you a second sooner we would have walked away empty handed."

"Hey, it's not like I didn't try," Akua defended. "They were stubborn about me leaving, although I swear I wasn't the last one in there. I think they just didn't like me."

"Probably because you were yelling half of the time we were in there."

"That has nothing to do with it!"

"Sure. Right."

"Whatever!"

[exit]

[Obtained Mist Convergence 1]

Di let out a sigh of relief from his correct call. It was really just a shot in the dark, but it seemed to be exactly what he needed in order to wrap this game up. A smile and a confident nod accompanied his move, his whole demeanor changing as fortune began to smile down at him. He threw both of his cards on the table as he gave an almost arrogant reply. "Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Spades. That wraps this game up." Akua couldn't help but chime in at his partner's victory, heard only be the aquatic navi. "It's about time! You would have won this game ages ago if you just listened to me! Some partner you are."

A hand went to rub Di's neck as he glanced over at Lyn. This game felt like it had taken eternity, and he was glad that at least that match was over. But didn't they have one more to go? Di wasn't about to ask. "Maybe I should just let you play both hands next time. I'm not sure I can take another one of these games seriously."

Di didn't want to get rid of one of his cards, since he could safely get rid of both if the right card popped up. The longer the game went on, the more unprepared the Navi felt to play the game. It seemed he needed the Pixie pixie to help him win at this point, and maybe her blessing would be over her after this next move. So hey, why not?

"I'll call."

---

Move: Call
Hand: AD, AS

Di thoughtlessly looked at his cards before playing the first thing that seemed reasonable. When it came to strategy in this game, the navi was hopeless. "3 of Clubs" he said distantly before he half listened to Lyn. It was getting late, and he had already had a busy day, but he held on as best as he could.

"You can thank Akua for that. I'd much rather be helpful than wander around this city while my partner eyes everything. And don't worry about the money. It's not a big deal, and we can still win it back."

"Not the way you're playing!"

---

Move: 3C (3C)
Hand: AD, AS

Di shrugged at Lyn's question, unsure himself on how the specific mechanics of the game worked. "I guess it doesn't matter either way, since he doesn't pick his move back up. Either way," he directed his glance at the dealer, "I'll throw down my three of spades and you can give me three cards, unless there's some weird rule that makes it and the five of hearts connect."

---

Move: 3S (throwing it away, pretty much)
Hand: ??, ??, ??

"All the time." Di eyed the dealer before offering his move, paying more attention to Lyn than the game. "I'll call." He looked over to the electric Navi as he gave a nod, explaining his response. "Akua always wants me to do stuff for him that I don't want to do. Wandering around this town is just one of them. He usually bugs me about something, I ignore his childish behavior, then either he or I gives in, depending on how set one of us is in our stance. It usually ends in me giving in and doing what he wants, but it's never really a big deal. Sure, I don't want to do it, but it's selfish of me to only do the things I want to do and ignore what my partner wants. It would be nice if it worked the other way around, too."

"Hey! I listen to you sometimes. It's not my fault you're a giant stick in the mud."

"That doesn't seem to be your problem, though." Di habitually checked his cards, diverting his eyes from Lyn. "You seem to put what your partner wants over what you want all the time. I don't think I could ever be that devoted to Akua."

"Heh." Di couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at Lyn's remark. "Akua would be helplessly lost without me. To be honest, I wish he'd show a little more effort and act like he cares instead of coasting along on my hard work."

"Hey! I do stuff too, you know. It's not like I'd die if you weren't around! I'm 18 for crying out loud!"

Di ignored his partner as he tried to correct himself to Lyn, placing his hand face down as he focused more on the conversation at hand instead of the game. "Whether he shows it or not, Rogan needs you, I'm sure of it. He takes care of you, sure, but you also do things that he can't do on his own. For instance, he can't travel the Net like you, can't physically interact with this world like you, and I'm sure he can't use his battle cards without you. You're useful to him whether he shows it or not, so cheer up." With kind words passed, Di quickly took a look at his hand, knowing what his move would be. He laid down three cards.

"5 of Clubs, 2 of Clubs, 2 of Spades"

---

Move: 5C, 2C, 2S
Hand: 3S

Di was beginning to get absorbed into the game, but he took notice of Lyn's question as he picked out his move. "You mean Akua? He's okay, I suppose. He likes to drive me crazy by dragging me into things I don't necessarily want to do, but that's just part of being partners. He can be pretty immature, but he's got a good heart. It doesn't excuse him from doing whatever he wants though. The kid has a lot of growing up to do, that's for sure." He grabbed his card and put it facedown on the table confidently, looking at the dealer's eyes as he did. "Ace of Spades"

----

Move: AS (Actually the PIXIE)

Hand: 2C, 3S, 5C, 2S

A look of disappointed crossed his face as the owner picked up his cards. Luck just wasn't on his side that game, and Akua reveled in the fact he was right. "Hah! See? I told you to play the joker! Maybe you should keep your eyes off of that girl and starting listening to me!" Di rolled his eyes as he acknowledged the dealer's victory in a brief phrase. It looked like he was giving an attitude towards the dealer, even if he meant his aggravated mood to be directed at his partner. "Good move."

Di watched as the dealer re-dealt the cards, picking up the pile to his left. Even with the pixie last game, it didn't make much of a difference. The aquatic Navi wasn't as good as card games as he though, not that he thought he was great or anything.

Di couldn't help but grin at Lyn's first win, her energy rubbing off on him. He moved his hand closer to Lyn so she could see, but made sure it stayed covered from the dealer. Di could feel the heat from her body, and although he was indifferent about her gender, he couldn't help but feel his cheeks blush ever so slightly. He didn't let the moment linger for long before he decided to make his next move. "3 of Diamonds and 7 of Diamonds." Both cards were placed confidently and quick, almost a little too quick. Di was trying to give off the impression he had a good legit move, but he wasn't sure if he came off as too forceful. He wasn't doing too bad so far.

While Di played his card game, Akua couldn't help but roll his eyes at his partner. Here he was playing cards and flirting with a girl, all while denying Akua the chance to get involved. He wanted to speak up in defiance, to get his own word in, but his partner was in a world all his own. For a moment, he felt like Di.

"Play the joker!" Akua had to at least try and insert himself into the game, even though only Di could hear him. "Do it! It's a good move! I bet, at least."

----

Move: 3D, 7D (Actually 2C)

Hand: 5S, PIXIE