Lucas

you were not meant to be tied down.

- wields atypical fire - not pure flame but fractured light
- trickster, drifter, player
- you never know whether he's telling the truth or half-veiled lies
- he keeps his promises, but sometimes fulfills them in unexpected ways
- your typical shady but somehow kind of trustworthy card dealer character

vaguely inspired by lucas from the keeper of the mist



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Dragons glided across the ballroom, sipping drinks and making polite conversations. A band played a slow, groovy tune that guests swayed to. It was a calm start to the party, though a slow interest was building in the corner as guests caught sight of the list of upcoming entertainment. A dragon waved across the ballroom to someone they knew, headed toward them, and the two began to make small talk.

"This gathering is just magnificent," the first dragon remarked. "Have you ever seen such lavish decor?"

"Simply splendid. You can tell that no expense was spared," the other agreed. "Did you see the entertainment line-up? Oh, I can't wait!"

"Lucas was on the list! I've heard that he's very exclusive with his performances."

"Oh, he is. I've tried to book him, but he's never available. I wonder what he has prepared for his performance today."

"Did I hear my name?" Lucas cut in smoothly, his long form loosely coiling around the duo as he settled next to them. The first dragon's drink sloshed in their goblet as they jumped, startled by Lucas' sudden appearance, seemingly out of thin air. Other dragons too, looked in their direction, his presence drawing attention to the duo.

"Oh, my goodness!" the first dragon chuckled. "It's Lucas! How much of our conversation did you hear?"

"Just enough. And I do have to apologize," Lucas lowered his head in a dramatic sorrowful gesture before the second dragon, "I wanted to be there for your various events, but I had been... fully booked."

"Oh, no worries at all," the second dragon responded eagerly, "I get to watch your performance today!"

Lucas gave them a charming smile. "How about, as an apology, I give you a little taste of my performance to come?" he winked, and revealed his playing cards in a hand.

The first dragon widened their eyes and the second dragon leaned forward in interest. "Oh? A private performance just for us?" the second dragon raised their voice slightly to draw the attention of others. They hadn't needed to do that; everyone around them already had their eyes and ears tuned in to their conversation. A crowd was gathering around them, whispers of Lucas' presence reaching the far end of the room. Lucas was clearly aware of this, his gestures broad so more people could see him, but he kept his attention on the two in front of him.

"Of course! It's the least I can do. But first, I want you to loosen up a little. Do a little jiggle! A little wiggle!" Lucas demonstrated, spinning and twirling where he stood, rolling waves down his long form. The two dragons began to imitate him, smiles growing across their faces. Lucas encouraged, "That's right! We're at a party! Shake all those formalities away and have fun!"

The dance was infectious, and soon everyone around them had joined the little dance party. The music had picked up the excitement of the crowd, becoming more upbeat. The first dragon downed their entire drink at once, and let loose a cheer, "Whoo!" Seeing this, the second dragon did the same, eagerly participating in the entirety of Lucas' performance.

"That's the spirit!" Lucas laughed, and beckoned a waitress to bring more drinks. A coatl glided over and offered the two dragons new goblets, and then a third one for Lucas. Lucas raised his goblet to the two. "Bottoms up!" he announced, and watched the two dragons finish their second drink.

"Wow!" the second dragon shook themself. The coatl swiftly took the empty goblets from them, facing no resistance, and disappeared back into the crowd.

"Beautiful, beautiful," Lucas nodded in approval. "Now, before I do the trick, I'd like to know my audience a little better. Just one simple question - where were you before this party?"

"Ooh ooh!" the second dragon eagerly spoke first, "I had tea with some friends all the way across Sornieth, in the Sunbeam Ruins! They're here too! They're somewhere!"

Lucas beamed at the dragon as their attention drifted and they peered into the crowd. He turned to the first dragon and gestured at them for their response. The first dragon had their maw tightly squeezed shut, only for a giggle to seep through, followed by a burst of laughter.

"I can't tell you!" the first dragon managed to say in between gasps of air, trying to calm themself down.

"Why not?" Lucas grinned.

"It's a secret! No one's supposed to know! I swore an oath!" the first dragon explained, but with each sentence, their voice rose higher and higher, as though nervous... or dying to spill the beans.

"Oh, come on!" Lucas encouraged. He gestured at everyone's drinks and offered the dragon his own untouched goblet as well. "No one's going to remember!"

The dragon took the goblet "Oh alright!" they burst out, "I was in the Tangled Woods!"

"Of course, a naturally shady place for shady business!" Lucas teased.

"We weren't even doing anything THAT bad!" The dragon defended themself, then laughed and drank the third goblet.

True to his word, Lucas finally began his show for them, shuffling the cards and tossing them from hand to hand, wing to wing. Finally, with a quick flick of his tail, the cards were spread out along the end of his spiral. The second dragon burst into a round of excited applause.

Lucas turned to the first dragon. "Pick a card, any card," he gestured with a flourish.

The first dragon considered their options thoughtfully, tapping a claw against their goblet, then drew one, careful to keep it out of Lucas' sight. Everyone's attention turned back to Lucas, who produced a marker with a flick of his hand. "You know the next step, sign your chosen card, return it to the deck, and shuffle it."

The first dragon did as they were told, a little clumsy after three drinks, which only made the crowd chuckle in entertainment.

Lucas took the deck of cards back, shuffled it once again with a series of complicated hand movements, and then tossed the cards into the air. Beneath the shower of cards, Lucas caught one. He looked at it, and his expression fell. He flipped it over to show the wrong card to them. "Sorry folks, seems like the magic isn't working today."

"WHAT!?" the second dragon gasped loudly. "But you're the great Lucas! How could this happen?!"

A smile slowly grew across Lucas' expression. "Oh... you got me. I was just kidding. Your signed card is actually over there!" Lucas pointed across the room, and everyone strained to see.

The coatl waitress waved at them, and with a flick of her wrist, revealed a sealed envelope. She passed it to someone else who guaranteed that it was sealed, then opened it to reveal the signed card.

An applause thundered through the ballroom, the two dragons before Lucas grabbing each other and jumping in excitement.

"THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!" the second dragon declared.

Lucas unraveled his long form from around them. The crowd parted for him, still clapping and cheering, as he moved back with another deep bow. "You've been a wonderful audience," he announced, "but now, I have to go and prepare for my next set."

"LUCAS, YOU'RE AMAZING!" the first dragon shouted as well, caught up in the second dragon's enthusiasm.

Lucas reached the coatl waitress, and together they turned in the same direction and walked briskly, the coatl carefully keeping the signed card back in the envelope. Lucas says something to the coatl, his voice drowned out by the cheers around him, but stops abruptly when he sees you. A smile broadens across his face, a sparkle in his eyes.

"There you are! I've been looking for you."