The Elantra Pirates

Chapter 23

"Watch carefully now." Shanta whimsically announced, holding a playing card in her hand. "As I will put this card right through my hand." She was standing up on the living room table as Jinlin watched on the couch, right alongside Hillanter.

In her right hand she held the card, and her left palm was facing forward to the audience. She slowly inserted the card into her palm. Amazingly it phased right through, appearing out the other side.

He watched in child-like wonder, his smile ever so wide. She stuck the card halfway in her hand before stopping and bowing. Clapping along as she did so.

"You want the card?" She asked him.

"I mean, sure." He shrugged.

The card propelled out of her palm and flew through the air right into his lap. He picked it up and it had his name written on it, a detail he knew wasn't on the card before.

"Ok now that's really cool." He complimented.

"Thank you." She responded. "This was actually the first time I've ever performed in front of someone."

"I think your crew would like it as well. You should offer to."

"You think?"

"Totally, it'll be fun for everyone."

"Yeah, that sounds fun."

A loud knock at the front door of the house interrupted their conversation.

"That must be your friends." He said as he started heading to the door. Shanta carefully placed back down the stack of playing cards on the table, hopping off of it to catch up to him.

Reaching the door he grabbed the handle and gently opened it. "Welcome back and-" He looked up and hovering above him was Huune. Four other mole creatures standing behind Shug and Brentha which were right in front. "Holy shit!" He stammered backwards.

"Don't freak out." Shug tried calming him down. "They're friendly."

"Oh my god, give me some sort of warning before I open the door. Scared the ever living shit out of me."

"I told you he was going to do that." Brentha turned to whack Shug in his arm.

"I really didn't think he was going to be startled."

"It's fine, no big deal." Jinlin said as he composed himself. "Haven't seen a Foukal in so long. Were they in the cave?"

'Yes. We've been camping out ever since your folk drew us out." He squinted his eyes at him in dismay. His whiskers twitched as he scowled.

"No need to be at each other's throats, we've got no time to lose." Shug stepped inside, Brentha followed along, passing by Shanta, who was just standing in awe at the sight of the creatures.

"How's Hilanter holding up?" Brentha asked Shanta.

"He doesn't seem to be getting any better. Best me and Jin could do is just stop the fever the best we can."

"Shit. Good thing we got the mushroom." She held up the sack to her.

"Oh my. You got way more than just one."

"Yeah, it's a long story we'll tell you about it."

"I'll take you guys back to Hillanter."

They all exited the main hall and back into the living room. Leaving Jinlin at the front door.

"My house isn't really big enough to squeeze you guys in here, will you be fine if you stayed out here for a bit." He said, still holding open the door.