• PM To Join • A Game of Groans

[Ricky]

Cylus 6 718, Late

Location: The Four in Hand

The progression of Cylus proved slower the more Enrick spent time counting the trials, albeit that proved difficult also without there being a sun in the sky. He felt ready for warmer weather at this point and wanted his sloop to be free from the iced prison it was caught within, but alas it would be another full seasonal term before the warmth would return to Scalvoris. So since he found the cold unable to be handled in his sloop, he spent his evenings at the Four In Hand mostly. He and a few of his fishing mates came here quite often for the drinks, and sometimes they would even engage in a few games with cards or just drinks in general... or both.

Betting on drinks was always fun but Enrick needed other ways to make a profit off these guys, as close as he was to his other peers he still had to afford some way to eat and sleep. The ice was thick and the fish didn't tend to bite so much, due to being deeper in the water than usual because of the cold. "I'm all in." One of the fishermen claimed with two stacks of gold nel slid to the center of the table, the others chuckled and murmured about how bad he were about to lose. Enrick himself couldn't help but grin as he looked down at his cards, his hand not so favorable so he determined it best to opt out this round.

"Sorry boys, Oi know when I'm at a disadvantage." He mused as he tapped a couple fingers on his nel next to the cards.

"What? Big ol' Enrick ain't got de stones t' gamble?"

"No Oi got stones," He mused with a widened grin as he looked to the pile of nel centered on the table, "Oi just know better than t' throw in a losin' hand."

"Good on yew mate," the fisherman who bet at least ten nel snickered with amusement, "Because I gots a mighty fiiine hand!" He placed the cards down for the others to see, the appearance of an ace and a queen making the fact that his hand was indeed a good one. The other two swore and cursed at him as he laughed, clearly disappointed that their hands weren't able to keep up. With the winnings at the center of the table now his, the fisherman cackled eagerly with his hands used to sweep it all closer to him.

"One more mates?" Enrick chimed in with his cards placed down to be taken by the dealer, his eyes their regular hazel color as he offered the group a friendly smirk. "Feelin' a lil' lucky this time 'round."

[Poppy]

Cylus. The season that depressed races all around, drove the fish deep into the sea below, and overall was the shittest 30 trials anyone could experience. Well, it didn’t sink the mood of everyone in the old Scalvoris Town.

Whistling a small sailor’s tune from her chapped lips, Poppy was chipper as ever in the sunless evening. It was just another night within one of her favorite locations; The Four In Hand. It was a well known shady spot but the people were entertaining, the ale was brewed well, and the atmosphere provided a cheery mood. It took everything in the young Biqaj’s nature to keep high spirits though but it seemed to resonate well with others. Men tended to gravitate towards the pirate lass whose mouth was always turned upwards in a grin, spewing off lewd comments here and there if it rewarded her. Always eyeing a situation to see the benefits for herself, her actions could be labeled as calculated and planned; as long as she was sober. Each flirtatious remark, every sly movement that stressed the buttons of her white blouse, and the few caresses of her hand were all done for one purpose tonight. Free drinks. Well, maybe two. She wouldn’t complain if someone wanted to book a room and keep her company on such a dreary night.

“Ay’ a great time with y’ laddy,” the attractive lass drawled finally, her accent heavier than usual due to the amount of alcohol in her system. Each syllable slurring and affecting her common tongue. How many drinks had she thrown back now? Four...five? It was enough to create a small buzz but not enough to stop her from tilting back the final shot of rum gifted to her that evening. The familiar burn in her throat brought out a content and obnoxious groan before the glass slammed on the wooden bar; earning a glare from the bartender to which she ignored. It probably wasn’t the best idea, finishing her drink, considering her motives were now onto another risky adventure but hell - the night was still young. Or at least it seemed so considering time was quite literally lost in the dark Cylus days. Dragging herself off the barstool with a few odd complaints from her fellow company, this time an older human male with ink black hair and a growing beard, Poppy simply tsked. Men were so clingy.

“Tsu.” Meh.

Dismissive as always when another thing grabbed her attention, the woman was quick to retrieve her purple feathered hat that was resting on the bar. Slowly making her way towards the casino section. Much like a child, Poppy only remained on one activity until it bored her and she moved to the next. What was the point of doing dull activities when life was so short and at risk for ending any day? Following the sounds of cheering upon entering the casino, her heeled boots sounded off in the surprisingly empty game room. Perhaps it was later than she previously thought. Wasn’t that only more reason to achieve her second goal of getting a room tonight? Maybe her sloop would make better company however considering her previous company was less than satisfactory at the bar.

Navigating herself towards a table of gambling fishermen only produced wide grin to spread on her freckled face again. It seemed like a lively crowd which altogether excited her. A few gambling rounds sounded pleasant before dozing off with a belly full of alcohol and hopefully some extra nel. “Evenin’ fellas.” Poppy spoke up as she came behind the person closest to her, a strong statured male with a friendly smirk and hazel eyes. It hardly took her a few trills to warm up to the group before her, her own aura giving off a buzzed euphoria. Poppy grew up on a fishing boat with her family's company so these men hardly startled her with their brash language. Unruly brunette curls shifted with a tilt of her head as her hand rested on the back of Enrick’s chair, steadying herself, as the other rested on her hip. Turquoise orbs lazily dancing between the men before shifting downwards to the male she was currently hovering above; the usual “broken” appearance hazed by the overwhelming amount gold and blue.
“W’dn’t mind joinin’ in m’self, if there ‘s room?” There was no recovery now for her speech, the previous shot of liquor finally making home in her system. However, it wasn’t horrible; her accent simply making her words huskier and less pronounced. Despite that though she still gestured towards the table and cards in case her sentence wasn't comprehensible, pleasant grin still plastered on.

Rakahi X Common

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[Ricky]

"Aye I could go fer another win!" The lucky fisherman snickered with a wide grin towards the others, while one of the other two merely shook his head and chuckled.

"Let's see ya lose all that nel then." The card dealer teased as he reached for all the cards handed over, a few shuffles made while the others took drinks from their mugs. Enrick included of course. Yet as he lifted the mug up to take a swig of the beer, a feminine voice decided to chime in not too far behind. Some cheery lass had decided to investigate their own private slice of heaven, while the cards were thrown down on the table to deal the next hand to be received. The Biqaj couldn't help himself as he looked up to her over his shoulder, silvery eyes gazed up to her soft and warm features as he offered a weak grin.

"Oi dunno lads, we got room fer one more?" He inquired as the others looked to her with vivid interest.

"Sure why not, already got a hand dealt fer her anyhow." The fisherman across from Enrick assured as he slid two separate stacks of cards to Enrick.

"Pop a chair over love, always welcome t' 'ave another player." He mused with her pile rested next to him, though he refrained from lifting any of the cards. Instead he merely lifted own with a slight grimace as his eyes dulled to a darkened turquoise color, already two of the other fishermen chuckled when they noticed this. Cursed color change. Poker was never the best idea for Enrick, he couldn't maintain an excellent poker face. Yet when he looked at the arrangement of cards he had, he nearly broke into a smirk as he rested his left hand down on the cards. "Alright mates, who's bettin' what?"

One wagered ten nel while the dealer matched, and of course the fisherman who won the previous round doubled it. Enrick decided to play it safe and match the ten nel bet, the coins near his hand slid forward as he looked to the girl next. "Got a name love? What sorta bet 're we placin' down this round?" He inquired as he watched to see what sort of stakes she'd add into the game.

[Poppy]

Enjoying the warm welcome that followed her sudden arrival to the table, Poppy eagerly sat down next to the Biqaj. Was it a smart idea to be gambling with her precious nel while her mind was hazed with alcohol? Probably not. Did the boisterous lass care however? Hardly. Tonight was about enjoying new company, betting away her money, and getting to know the male whose shifting eyes drew her attention. After all, there never was a dull moment in The Four In Hands.

Scrunching down to place her feathered hat under the table, she listened to the conversations between the gentleman and the card dealer. Noting the way these men gambled and talked with each other, she assumed they were not just some strangers wanting to get lucky tonight. Most men would have gotten into a brawl already, rules or not, once the cockiness set in; or at least that is what she usually observed in the past coming to these kinds of establishments. However, the atmosphere was light and humorous around this particular table of fishermen despite the previous loss of bets placed. It allowed Poppy’s own mood to remain cheerful as she straightened up in the chair. “Call me Poppy, handsome,” cooed the brunette with a wink towards Enrick. Typically being flirtatious when sober, the liquid courage from earlier only egged her on to be more bold now. She didn’t see the harm anyways with a casual flirt here and there.

Bending her own cards upwards in order to view her given hand, she cocked her head to the side however to watch the expressions shift across Enrick’s features. She had to admit there was some sympathy inside of her as his eyes changed color against his will, darkening in order to display his emotions. Poker was a hard game to gamble in considering it depended on bluffing. There was a time where she recalled even a full-blooded Biqaj using a large brimmed hat in order to cast shadows over his eyes and mask the ever changing color; not that he won anything big if her memory was correct. Allowing time for her lips to settle into a straight line before returning her focus to the round now. While it wasn’t her first time playing this game, she was not exactly skilled in her methods. Simply throwing down some nel and hoping luck was on her side as she struggled keeping her features stoic. That being said, her eyes did shift into an emerald shade as she examined the odds of beating out the crowd depending on her card arrangement. Greed had usually been the downfall for the pirate and it seemed tonight wouldn’t change that habit.

Reaching down into the cuff of her black boots, Poppy retrieved the coin sack hidden between the leather material and her slacks. Listening to the quiet jangle of nel from within, she reached inside the cheap material and pulled out her own bet. Twenty gold nels. She was a spontaneous soul, after all. If there was no risk, there would be no reward. “Y’ got a name y’self, love?” Poppy finally questioned as her slender fingers pushed the coins forward and into the center of the table; mimicking his word play. She hardly paid attention to the reaction she might have caused as her own gaze focused on who was beside her; rosy lips quirked upwards into a smile that showed off straight pearly whites. Tapping her fingers along the slick back of the cards as the slight buzz inside from the earlier drinks warmed her drastically cold skin. With her right hand, she brushed back a few strands of her wild curls. Now that they were sitting closer, a hint of salt water and vanilla wafted into the dingy casino air. “What’s a lad like y’self doin’ here with a bunch ‘f fishermen? Seems to me, you’d be the brothel type. Good lookin’ an’ all with nel to spare.” The Biqaj questioned, keeping her voice low for his ears only. Arching an eyebrow upwards in curiosity as flecks of gold infiltrated her green eyes. She wasn’t someone who typically sugarcoated things even when sober; being tipsy and beyond only emphasizing her blunt personality in most situations. She only acted differently when there were benefits for herself. Now, however, she was simply wondering what a pretty face was doing with a bunch of scraggly looking men? Betting his nel and chugging down a mug of beer. But then again, she wasn't one to judge seeing she was sat right beside him this late at night.

Rakahi X Common

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[Ricky]

The men at the table all watched as their newest addition took a spot next to Enrick, her feathered hat placed amidst the table where the bets were made. She indulged them her name and with a wink shot to Enrick of course, proceeded to join them on their round of poker as well.

The others a quietly snickered and mused at the attention she fed him, but Enrick merely looked back down at his own hand to feign disinterest with her. But they knew... and so would she if she were as observant as she proved to be. With eyes the combination of turquoise and a swirling magenta he barely smirked at the attention, his attention more spared to the cards as he tried to guess his chances of winning. Unlike the previous round he had to fold on this set of cards seemed favorable, only modestly so depending on the luck of the others around.

The lady who introduced her self as Poppy seemed quite prolific to gamble her coin away, another twenty to match the winner of the previous round it seemed. Either she had plenty of nel to spare, or she had a pretty damn good hand in her possession. Two of the other three looked to one another, their eyes narrowed with their brows low as they murmured to one another quietly. Was she intimidating them? Enrick raised an eyebrow as he noticed this, a sliver of silver in his eyes as the magenta still swirled within the turquoise hues.

"Enrick's te name love," He looked to her with a bit of a wider grin, "y' must have a pretty good hand t' be bettin' t'at kinda nel so willy-nilly." The other fisherman chuckled as he felt rather lucky, clearly unsure whether or not it would hold out this round or not. When Poppy remarked about the crowd he hung around with, and what sort of environment she'd figured he be associated with, all Enrick couldn't help but snort aloud and stifle a laugh in front of them. The other three men looked at him oddly, unsure what it was the lady could've said to make him act in such a way.

"Well go on den, secrets dun make friends Ricky!" The luck ridden fisherman teased as he raised his mug to his lips, the other two looked to one another and grinned rather suddenly.

"U'frek's ass hairs, he's got a roi coloration bloomin' in his cheeks."

"Shut it y' arseholes," Enrick murmured loudly as he looked from them to his cards again, "she merely asked why Oi'm wit' a bunch o' gamblin' drunks like yer good selves."

"Oh that is easy lass!" The third fisherman remarked with a wider grin. "Good ol' Rick 'ere has a penchant fer gettin' his ass kicked in poker. Likes t' play it cool but he's a sore loser really."

"Piss off mate." Enrick retorted with another brief chuckle, his eyes now back to Poppy as he answered her more truthfully. "It just so happens Oi'm a fisherman too lass, t'ough Oi 'ppreciate te complement all 'round." From the looks of it he had four of a kind, something that seemed to have fair chances this time around. That is if... one didn't have a better hand than he did. "Why y' ask t'ough?" He inquired a little curiously as the magenta started to swirl a little wider.

"Oooooh look out lads, Enrick's sweet on de girl already." One of the fisherman teased as the three laughed altogether, Enrick merely held a smug grin with eyes all on her now.

"Got somethin' other tan poker on yer mind?"

[Tristan Venora]

Enrick:

Knowledge:
Gambling: Struggling With A Good Poker Face
Seduction: Letting Your Natural Charm Affect Others

Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Renown: N/A
Magic XP: N/A

Points: 15

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Comments: I love the title – and Enrick’s accent!

This looked as if it was going to be quite an interesting thread. It’s a shame your writing partner disappeared.

There were a few minor issues as far as grammar, sentence structure and so on are concerned, but nothing that took away from the story which flowed quite well in my opinion. Your posts were nice and detailed, and your NPCs were well written. Well done!

Enjoy your rewards!

Poppy, if you ever come back, please let me know, and I’ll give you XP and knowledges as well!

Please edit your review request to include the button below so that the other reviewers know that it's been taken care of!

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