3 3 M A G E

THE TOWN WAS A BUSTLING MESS; children covered in muck played on the street while big bellied men shooed them away at the front of their stores, women laughed loudly as they gossiped among each other while the rest bargained for a lower price to greedy merchants, and as men toiled, the gifted practiced their crafts.

"When are you going to visit my chambers, Harley?" It was Jina, one of the harlots he occasionally flirted with, "It's getting lonely you know, and very cold."

"You will see me when you least expect me." Harley winked and raised his eyebrows at the brunette's skimpy dress and big hair.

She batted her long eyelashes and laughed with her cronies. "I do like the element of surprise."

"Oh darling, you will." He gave her his signature, mischievous smile as she sighed in return. "Bye ladies. Have fun tonight."

"Bye Harley." They said in unison and in a high-pitched tone, giggled amongst themselves.

Skipping in gaiety, he sped through the buildings where men who didn't particularly like him lived (it wasn't his fault they were easily fooled), and slowed down to the fancy houses wherein rich and unhappy women spoiled him. He waved at them and gave false promises of soon visits but he knew it would not happen for a long while. Besides he loved to keep people guessing; it was part of his charm.

He arrived at their run down wooden shaft. A metallic bird strung just above the mahogany door---a symbol of the name of their gild: Silver Crows. It was the only thing that stood out from the old house's front as the rest were decored with rusty nails on clumsily smoothed wood, piled up on each other in a failed attempt to make a veranda of some sort. If it weren't for the symbol, people would have thought it was an abandoned, ugly, wooden house. But as a wise person once said, "Don't judge a book by its cover." It was the best description he could think of whenever he thought of their unflattering home.

He pushed open the door and smiled. Inside were rustic and edgy furnitures made of dark and hard wood. Wooden vynil tiles covered the floor to match the light peach wallpaper--so light it was almost white adorned with metallic frames and symbols. A big fireplace was accross the room and beside it was a twisted staircase so intricately made, it was appeasing to anyone who stared at it.

"What a flirt," It was Angela who spoke, as beautiful as he'd last seen her, if not more, "I almost gagged myself while hearing your corny lines."

"Angela!" Harley cried, opened his arms and proceeded to swallow her in a big hug but Angela turned to flee; she coiled him with her golden puppet string, capturing her fellow mage and retreated behind her father figure, the indomitable legendary Gatotkaca who sat in meditation; his hands in an Om Mudra position.

Harley groaned as the puppet strings made him feel lethargic and painfully slow. "Awww, what a pain. I was just being friendly."

"Y-you are a player and I don't like being friendly in return," she hissed bravely but still hid behind Gatotkaca.

"Kids, I'd love to have peace one day," Gatotkaca spoke with mild tenderness. He slowly opened his eyes and raised his eyebrows at Harley. "Hey kiddo, you're back on time!"He was on his feet in an instant, smiling and then to Harley's ultimate horror, shuffled his perfect hair.

"Not the hair, old man!" Harley's eyes almost buldged out of its sockets.

Gatotkaca shuffled it more while chuckling. "You kids grow up so fast, it's just--so beautiful." He wiped a tear at the edge of his eyes.

Harley saw Angela cringe and cover her ears, releasing him. He jumped back immediately and controlled his system to not puke. His old man could be such an old fart.

"Where is your sister?" Angela asked as she sat on the plush couch furthest from Harley.

"I will tell you if you let me kiss you first," he replied smoothly while fixing his hair. Gatotkaca on the other hand began doing push-ups, his biceps flexed like thighs.

"K-kiss?!" She gasped in horror, her cheeks burning. "You're d-despicable!"

"Harley, give her a break and that's no way to treat a lady. What happened to the lesson I gave you on being a gentleman like me," Gatot chided as he huffed, continuing the push-ups.

Harley sighed and decided to sit on his old man's sturdy back as he went up and down like a seasaw with much ease. "Lesley is with the fighter and I'm sure they'll be here before dawn. I'm so not looking forward to it though."

"Of course, you're not. Lesley told you to wait for her but you went ahead. You were asking for it." Angela frowned as she twirled a few strands of her copper hair.

"Thank you for that elaboration, it made me feel so much better," he replied sarcastically, "but you're cute so I'll forgive you."

Angela rolled her eyes but blushed still.

"We'll head out as soon as they get here so prepare yourselves. Bring only what's necessary," Gatotkaca said, slowing down his light work out.

"Where are we going?"

"To the Camos Manor where an old friend of mine lives. We need to upgrade our weapons and I can't think of anyone better for the job."

"Oh my," Angela gasped, "I-is that where the mighty Johnson lives?"

"You got that right darling." Gatotkaca smiled then flipped to his feet throwing Harley in the air who just in time, teleported right next to Angela.

"And he loves games," Harley whispered in her ear, getting a whiff of her vanilla scent, "So do I."