The Way of a Gambler (Open)

[Lillianne Crasse]

OOC: Sorry, guys. I'm here!

Adèle watched the man leave in a huff, trying to hide the smirk that so wanted to rise on her lips. Yet, propriety wouldn't allow her to do so. She simply shook her head at his outburst and guarded her cards on all sides as she peered at them. Carefully placing the cards back down, she looked to the dealer once and idly fingered her credits, seeming to think upon her first wager. The man was buying in little, which wasn't what he could buy into.

Biting on the corner of her lip, she moved her fingers toward the 100 credit chips, hesitating for just a moment, then moving over to the 1,000 credit chips. With a sweeping motion that seemed more like a delicate gesture, she flung three thousand credits (3 chips) toward the dealer. Leaning back, she raised a finger, signaling for the waiter to come to her. After ordering a rare wine, she turned her attention back to the tables to see the wages of the others at the table.

 

[Phil]

"Fraid i cant help you out much, Stranger. I only really know the girl by name, and as for the guy your looking for... i dont know, never seen his face before until tonight. Why? Is he dangerious?"

Kinda of odd to ask this Kerestian, seeing how he too was dangerious... ah, hell. Almost everyone here was dangerious; just drink enough ale, lose enough games, and anyone will get a little violent.

 

[The Balance]

"Yes that man is dangerous in his current state. I'm a sith hunter and the way he acts and carries himself gives him away." Anzello said, atleast they were on the same page now. Anzello didn't mind if people knew what his occupation was, it wasn't a card he was interested in keeping a secret, the rest of his hand however was.

 

[Viggy]

Qur'tik hadn't been fooled by the Kerestian's claim that he had 'nothing to lose'. He had been ready to draw his blaster then and there, but things got more civil soon enough and it turned out this man was a Sith hunter. Qur'tik had no love for the Sith.

"If you are Sith hunter, and it is true he is Sith... then I wish you luck. But the girl is new to him, and you can considda her to be undda my protection. She likely does not know the man is a Sith - so leave her alone, and I'll leave you to your business. We have deal?"

Qur'tik wasn't about to let harm come to a fellow employee of the casino.

 

[The Balance]

"We have a deal my friends, but I just have one request for you. If and when I attack him I want you two back me up. I seem to be having trouble with this one, there are some hints of good still with him." Anzello said with a pondering look he was never the smartest one, but he could still read this one's face.

 

[Imperator]

Kira was rather surprised by all the excitment and action going on in the casino. She was not sure if she was going to gamble, but since she had never been to a place like this before. Without experience in a place like this Kira decided she might start at the bar, and after only a little bit of seafching she found one with three people already there somewhat deep in discussion.

 

[Viggy]

The Jawa nodded thoughtfully. Noticing the female human approaching the bar, he lowered his voice.

"Veh-ee well. I will aid you, camouflaged. My friend the pilot he'e, maybe he help too, I don't know. But afta' you keel Sith, you leave this casino and do not return. Howevva..."

The Jawa whispered hoarsely now, and leaned in close.

"If you have need of back-up again anotha' day, and have credits to offa'... You can leave messages for me. I will find you, and help you."

The Jawa slipped a chip of data to the man, containing a number of secure drop points he had established while serving a crime family.

"I leave room now, activate camoflauge, and come back. A drink will be knocked over, that is signal that I am in position to back you up."

The Jawa hurried out of the room into an empty hallway. Moving into the camera's blindspot (some secrets were to be kept even from fellow employees) he activated his camoflauge, fading from detection by any life form or technology he knew of.

Slipping back into the casino's main floor, he tipped a drink off a waitress' tray relatively close to Anzello.

 

[Imperator]

Kira had just started to drink the juice she had ordered at the bar when she had a very bad feeling. Her former teacher would have called it a disturbance in the force, but she did not think it was big enough for that. It was more like a small ripple of a different kind of feelig than those of everyone else. She acted like she took no notie of it though and instead tried to amplify her senses enough to pick out the sound of a weapon being draw. The only abnormality she could find though was a small deadspot nearby a waitress who had just tipped over a drink.

 

[SophiaM]

A couple of games passed, Dyce was wary of this young woman, but because of his ability to sense things before they happened, he was able to stay in the game and not loose too much money. He played it safe for now, he needed to know more about this woman.

You're not a player.

He said to her, keeping his eyes forwards and his voice low.

 

[Rev]

Entering the Casino as smoothly as any other player Kurt looked around. It seemed he would be lucky to find a slot machine, let alone a table as he wandered about the large casino. His stature was calm and cool as he walked about, hed be sure to cash out here, there was no way he couldn't. Looking at the drunks as he passed he recognized them as him only months before. Smiling to them he found his target, an older man that was boasting about Pazaak.

Sitting across from the old coot he gave him a grin, though he didn't have the money he would make the stakes high, very high.

"12,000.... I assure you I have the credits to win.."

The old man looked at him in a bit of shock and excitement, he hadn't lost all night and winning 12,000 credits off the young kid would be more than his combined total. Grinning from ear to ear the old man laid down the credits.

"Well sonny, I'm afraid your going to be out a good chunk of change!"

Smirking Kurt reached into his pocket and pulled out a credit chip and laid it down, of coarse he had hacked the actual amount on the chip, there was no way he had 12,000 on him. Hell he didn't even have 12,000 in his life saving, he just had to get off the planet. Sliding it across the table the old man looked it over, and by his facial expression he thought all was good.

"First to three if I remember correctly?"

The old man laughed and clapped his hand in happiness, he was going up against a beginner, there was no way he could lose! Simply nodding to the young lad he got his deck an cards ready. The first two games were slow, splitting them each 1-1. Then came the third game which was far faster and went to Kurt. The fourth game ended in a tie and the fifth went to the crazy old man. Though it wasn't until the sixth and final game that the fate would be decided. One card remained in Kurts own pile, the old man seemed to have run out and was bringing up quite the sweat. Drawing the cards out the old coot landed on a 19... lucky bastard.

Staring down his own number he was at 18, he had to go for it but his own card was a +4, something he wasn't all too interested in using at the moment. As quickly as he drew the next card the +4 within his hand slipped away and was replaced, one fluid motion that even the cameras would've missed. They could've ran the holovids of it a thousand times and no one would've caught it, a trick he had taught himself well sneaking on freighters. Looking at the card as he flipped it over to the 18 the combined addition was a +26. Taking in a deep breath he looked at the new card in his hand, the man filled with excitement now. Grinning Kurt laid down the +/-6 on the negative side and picked up the credits. He'd leave now, no need in a fight starting from such a tricky play, a cheaters game Pazaak was. He had netted over 120,000 in the game in the past year, too bad his addictions took ahold of him and he had none of that left. Nothing but 100 credits on his body. Now he had a good chunk to restart his life.

Giving the man a nod he quickly began gathering the credits sliding them into a bag he always carried.

"Helluva game...."

Not looking the old man in the eye, it helped him lie, he was good at it but not a perfectionist with it. Flipping a 100 credit in the air he smiled at the group that had gathered.

"Dont spend it all on one thing... maybe you can make it back..."

Heading for the door he only hoped no one would stop him, his blaster was however on stun and ready if he needed to make a run for it.

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

OOC: I swear I posted to this. I'm sorry.

Adèle was oblivious to the goings on around them. Her head was completely in the game and on the cards. Her opponent was good at his craft, though she sensed there was something underhanded about his technique. Still, she couldn't place a finger on it. However, it seemed as if they were taking turns at the table, he winning one minute and losing the next round. The other card players had given up long ago, cashing in what little chips they had left and watching as a crowd began to form around the small table. You see, there hadn't been a game like this on the books since the facility opened. Everyone was watching with baited breath to see who might get the best of the other.

However, the strange man's comment seemed to pull her out of the game for a moment, just a moment. "I'm not a player? I don't think I understand what you mean, sir," she said in response, her voice seeming to carry a hint of humor at the comment.

Her dark eyes flashed to him once, catching the look on his face. He didn't seem to be the type that got upset at being bested by a woman. Turning her gaze back to the table, she looked to the dealer and raised her hand, motioning that she was ready to check and call his bluff on more than just cards.

 

[SophiaM]

Dyce smiled a little as he checked the corners of his cards, not lifting them off the table. He threw in just enough chips to stay in the game and looked at her.

You don't play, that's what I mean. A player would have moved on to a different table by now, this ones too cold.

He took a very quick glance at the backs of her cards and smiled.

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

"Ah," she responded with a firmly place smile and a chuckle, eyes flashing to him briefly, in a flirtatious manner. "I think the game's heating up quite nicely," she added, throwing in her chips, raising the bet to 15000 credits. Her eyes flashed up to his again, smirk playing upon her lips.

"A bad player and unseasoned gambler would give up before waiting to see if the cards turn the tide."

 

[SophiaM]

Throwing in 20,000 he raised the bet and smirked as the only other person beside him and this woman slammed his cards on the table and left the game.

I don't need to see if the cards turn tide, I just have to wait for them to do so.

He said, a slight glint in his ruby red eyes.

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

Seeing his raise, Adèle was surprised. He'd never wagered so much on one hand. Pausing to lift the corners of her cards, she began to take stock, considering if she'd meet his raise or toss in. Several long minutes passed before she finally threw her cards in and flashed a look toward her opponent. She had counted the cards. How had he managed to do this? He wasn't supposed to win!

 

[SophiaM]

Some say patience is a virtue, I say it's just a matter of time.

The look in his eyes shifted as he made absolute eye contact with her. She knew he wasn't supposed to win. He knew she'd been counting the cards and waiting for him to fold, but with a talent like his that just wasn't possible. A slight darkness filled his eyes just before he broke the stare. He picked up his winnings and laughed a little.

All you have to do is wait.

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

Her eyes were wide as the dealer too seemed perplexed. Adèle always signaled the dealer when a hand should be lost to the house. This man had completely bypassed their tried and true system, though. Knowing she couldn't give herself up as a card counter, nor as an employee, she gave a look to the dealer.

The experienced dealer, knowing that look, pushed a button underneath the card table, alerting the guards that there was a problem.

Adèle turned to face the man, seeming still to be a bit frazzled and perplexed. "Well played," she told him. "Might I know the name of the man that has beaten me at my own game?"

 

[SophiaM]

Dyce got the feeling that he was all of a sudden unwelcome, he'd got used to it by now. When the house decided that he'd won too much, they send for the muscle. He glanced quickly at the doors and picked up his winnings.

That's enough for today I think. I'll buy you a drink if you like, then maybe I'll tell you my name.

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

She cocked her head to the side, regarding him for a moment and his request. If she refused, he'd probably make his getaway. No, she wanted to know who this man was and what tricks he had up his sleeve.

Her eyes too went to the room around them, searching for the guards before turning back to the table and recovering her own earnings. "How generous of you," she added as she turned back to him, credits safely toted back within the folds of her dress. "I would like that."

 

[SophiaM]

Dyce offered his arm to her as they made their way to the bar on the observation deck above.

My name is Dyce.

He couldn't judge wether or not she was interested in him, or just the way the last game turned out. But then again, it wasn't often he got to talk to such a lovely looking lady about something such as gambling.