[Sometime during AU week]

[the_ex_in_xp]

[meanwhile at the dorms, a half-pirate and some girl who managed a +3 lockpicking skill in her bag of tricks are trying to break in to "their" room]

This lock is way more sophisticated than the others. You'd think they were worried about unsavory people trying to break in...

Comments

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[hey I was basically kidding]

You could check the room?

[the_ex_in_xp]

[it wasn't sarcastic or bitter enough, still dorky]

I don't think my other self bothers with that stuff. Unless they play poker or something...

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[I'm sorry I don't live up to your sarcasm standards Ramona Flowers :|]

Maybe not. Oh, well, I guess we'll never know.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Never know if they play cards? It's kind of a thing everybody does, isn't it? Strip poker at UC Sky was a popular pasttime...

[but taking that as an excuse to rummage through any drawers for more evidence of...whatever, I'll know it when I find it]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

More if I could find the lady or not. Too bad we didn't try this in college, because then I'd definitely win.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Strip poker or find the lady?

Besides, I wouldn't say never. It's not like playing cards stopped existing or you'll never see me again...

[then, because part of it might have been you assuming, yeah, she might up and disappear again, finding a battered deck of cards that looks like it's been both chewed on by an unruly rabbit and stabbed]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

The latter.

... wow, what happened there?

[the_ex_in_xp]

Target practice and...those guys.

[Mr. Miyagi is looking particularly unrepentant at being pointed out, but Ramona slips open the cards, shuffling through them to find three that haven't been pierced by an arrow or kunai]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Oh. Then yeah, I guess we don't play much.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Or the nice cards are in a different place. Maybe with wherever they keep the alcohol. This was kept with throwing stars and some kind of wire stuff.

[shows two spades and the Queen of Hearts cards before sliding down to sit on the ground so they're level, bending them all so they're slightly tented]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Well, we shouldn't drink their alcohol anyway so that's okay. And if we found it we totally would...

[the_ex_in_xp]

[raising an eyebrow]

You totally would? What kind of bad influences are you running with, Richter?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Just one.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Must be really bad, then.

Alright, you want to add gambling to the list? Maybe if you win this, we can use it as an excuse to find the booze for your potential winnings.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

So what do you get if you win, then?

[the_ex_in_xp]

Besides the vindication that I've still got it?

How about if I win, I pick tequila. If you win, it's your choice. If there's no alcohol to be found, we both lose.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

That sounds fair. Can I get a practice round, though?

[the_ex_in_xp]

Sure.

[starts shuffling the cards with both hands, her voice not taking on the carnival barker's tone but kind of stage flirty in its teasing, as she flips each card over before sliding it back to its face down position and picking up speed]

Test your luck and find the lady. Find the lady, win a prize. And if you don't, at least you won't lose your shirt.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Well, gee, thanks for the assurance.

I think it's the one in the middle?

[the_ex_in_xp]

You wouldn't play if you lost your shirt.

[flips it over and it is indeed the Queen of Hearts]

We have a winner.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Oh, cool! I mean, not for real yet, though.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Do you want another practice run so you can work on your poker face?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

My poker face is fine, Ramona.

[no it isn't]

... well even if it isn't, this isn't poker so I'm okay.

[the_ex_in_xp]

If you insist.

[grins as she says it, flipping the Queen of Hearts back over and starting her shuffling again, still affecting that careless demeanor]

But if this was poker, you'd be in trouble. You don't smile when you gamble, it implies you're having fun.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Unless the smiling's all part of a clever ruse to make you think I'm not used to gambling and don't care if I win or not.