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"Ow yeah!"
Today is a glorious day for Scratchman Apoo.
"We love you Apoo!"
"And I love you babes! Check this shit out!"
He turns one of his arms into a saxophone and improvises a solo for the adoring crowd. The ladies in there go wild and the men seethe with jealousy but they still can't help but admire his skills in making music. It's always a pleasure returning to Kaidos territory, as it gives him a pop-stars welcome and allows him to cavort with those that seek his favor or that of his superiors. But today is different. Instead of a wall of fans, all vying for his autograph he is greeted by a row of waiters, those in Kaidos crew who are still waiting for their chance at a smile.
"Scratchman Apoo! We were waiting for you. Come with us. The boss wishes to speak with you."
"Eh me? Okay! If Kaido wants to speak with me then of course I'll go!"
The waiters smirk but he makes nothing of it. Why would he? Nobody is foolish enough to speak in the Hundred Beasts name. So he follows the waiters as they lead him to a chamber within the palace. Inside, instead of a lavish welcoming party or even just a seat, he finds not one but two of his "comrades". One of them shares his rank, the other is technically his superior. But they all share common origins and so their relationship is a bit more casual than one might expect.
"Drake! Hawkins! What's poppin' my guys? Did the captain call for you too? Man, small world isn't it?"
He grinned, with his piano shaped teeth showing clearly. He was happy. Them being here means whatever is about to happen affects all of them. And that could mean only one thing. Promotion. He's been eyeing Drakes position as Tobi Roppo for a while now. He must've finally fucked up somehow and one of them is going to take over, if he knows Kaido, and he likes to think he does. Sadly his fellows don't much care for his presence and continue to ignore him.
"Erm... guys?"
Drake was stiff and shivering, yet he was sweating like an elephant seal in the summer heat. Meanwhile Hawkins was absorbed by his divinations like always, but even he was behaving strangely. Well, stranger than usual.
"The Tower in the upright position. Fifty percent. Again."
He shuffled his deck and drew five cards. Apoo wasn't paying attention but it looked to him like Basil drew the exact same cards in the exact same sequence.
"Once more. Fifty percent."
"Eeeeh? What are you on about?"
"No matter what I try to gleam from fate the result is always the same. Fifty percent. Exactly. There is only one exception. Observe. The Fool, the Devil, Judgment, Tower, Death. All upright."
"Uuuuh. In human, please?"
Basil smirked.
"We are in a position of absolute uncertainty. Nothing can be divined. The chance of us surviving this encounter? Fifty percent. Will it be a positive experience? Fifty percent. The only certain thing is that our chance of escape... is zero percent."
"Eh?"
Finally Drake snaps out of his trance and looks at the entrance.
"He's coming!"
