now we got bad blood ♞ 1

[limitstorm]

Who: Riku
Broadcast: N/A
Action: Down on the planet.
When: 31st; forward-dating!

[ riku has made himself quite scarce in the past few days. he says it's about crowds, it's about the natives being too welcoming. he finds it weird; good treatment is a rarity in his book, but so are actual people. but today, he's actually ventured out past the few tiny shops near the ships. hooded and walking slow, you may note that he's trying not to be noticed again, but there's not much to say in how he looks around a lot, constantly surveying his surroundings.

he's more or less a proverbial wallflower as he stands back, watching everyone have fun and dance with the locals. well, whoever is willing to. it's not really halloween, there's no chocolate, there's no kids running around in costumes, but... he supposes people are finding it fun, and that's what matters. ... he thinks.

the skulls are a little creepy, though. ]

I guess this is a happy birthday? [ admittedly, he sounds a tad amused. ] Maybe I could go a year without chocolate.

[ a pause; ] Or I guess I could try alcohol...? Wonder if they've got an interplanetary age law here...

[ creep creep creeping on over to a nearby bar... ]

Comments

[limitstorm]

[ he makes a surprised noise. ]

Yeah, actually... I didn't know if people would know it. We're from different worlds and on a different planet, after all.

[save_the_souls]

[He laughs] True, but maybe it's just one of those universal things.

[From what he says, he's guessing this guy is part of the fleet. There's a moment where he is torn about if it's a good idea to invite him in if there's a good chance he'll have to see this guy again- but eh. It'd be more suspicious if he didn't, right?]

If you have anything to wager, you're welcome to join us! It looks like some of the ones not doing too well already left.

[limitstorm]

[ ahahaha... no. ]

I don't think so. [ he gives a one-shouldered shrug. ] I haven't played in a while. I'm probably rusty.

I'll just watch.

[save_the_souls]

[He hides his relief. Oh good. That could have been an uncomfortable situation]

Alright, that's fine with me! [He'll gesture at the now empty chair near him for Riku to have a seat before waving for the waitress to come by]

You're from the fleet, aren't you? I'm having good luck [ha.], so I'll buy your first drink.

[limitstorm]

[ ... drink? he straightens slightly, honestly debating if he should say yes or no--before he exhales and takes a seat carefully. ]

Guess one couldn't hurt. I'm from the SS Bloodsport, yeah. [ he pulls a little towards himself when he sees the others light up a little. getting good reactions is really weird. ]

[save_the_souls]

[Nope sorry Riku, you come to this table, you're gonna be social. Or at least friendly. Tis the shonen rule]

Bloodsport- that's Robin's ship isn't it? I'm on the Tourist.

[When the waitress comes by, he smiles and very politely orders whatever this world's equivalent to a Virgin Bloody Mary is before looking at Riku to see what he'd like.]

[limitstorm]

[ "robin's ship". he snorts a little. ]

He's our captain, yeah. I don't think I hear too much about the Tourist.

[ oh uhhh he blinks once before peering at the drinks list set up on the board. which... sounds more appetizing... ]

I guess the Supernova? Never seen some of these drinks. [ that's because riku's never had alcohol before but none of them need to know that l-lol ]

[save_the_souls]

[WHAT IT IS.]

There isn't too much to say about it, especially since we lost our cook. [He gives a sad little sigh. It was the worst day Riku. The worst.]

Mm...not sure I've heard of that one before either! [He smiles at the waitress] Please put it on my bill, thank you.

[limitstorm]

[ a blink. ] Doesn't anyone else know how to cook? We don't have one, but I've been cooking when I can...

[ oh, great. alcohol. he's not sure about this at all. ]

[save_the_souls]

[Riku you just don't get it at all]

No, I know how to cook alright. It's just...it's always better when there's someone to cook you a nice meal! You know?

[limitstorm]

So... you want someone else to do the work?

[ juuust being blunt here ]

1/2

[save_the_souls]

[So blunt...!]

Well, when you put it that way....

[save_the_souls]

Yes!

[limitstorm]

[ it makes sense. why else would he be playing cards for money? he doesn't want to wash dishes or anything. ]

I guess that's fair.

[save_the_souls]

[He laughs a little towards Riku before turning back to the table]

Right. Well, I think it's time for another round. Whose still in?

[A few more players, now finished ordering their own drinks, volunteer themselves. One of them even volunteers to deal the cards, giving Allen a look as he takes a deck and shuffles to deal- which Allen simply smiles.

[limitstorm]

[ .. hm. things are a bit tense here, are they?

he has to wonder just how many games allen has beat the others at. and if there's a lot, how? riku's not bad at cards, but he's not a whiz at them either. he keeps his head down, looking between the group. ]

I guess some things're the same no matter what the world.

[ including suspicious characters. ... given they're all honing in on allen, he has to wonder if it's him. like the others, riku settles his gaze on him, wondering if he's just got a lucky streak or not. ]

[save_the_souls]

[Allen meanwhile seems to be completely calm, almost seemingly unaware that everyone at the table is honing in on him, watching. He simply takes his cards that he's dealt, looking at them with a casual sort of care. If Riku tries glancing at them- they are really utter crap cards. Like really, you either have to be pretty unlucky to get a crappy hand like this one]

[Allen though, doesn't seem the least bit bothered as he bets in. The others bet in as well, in whatever amounts they got - they just seem determined to beat him than actually playing rationally. If anything, Riku should probably worry about that beating getting physical if things go south]

[Not that Allen seems at all worried about that]

[limitstorm]

[ oh, wow.

riku's never been too good at maintaining a poker face--at least, not constantly. he can keep a cool head under pressure and if he's not trying, and he's not trying. wow that's a bad hand though, and he leans back with a glance about the others. is it just that the others have worse luck? ]

Uh, you're-- [ they're really betting like this? by the tenseness in their shoulders and jaws, riku feels like he might have to play bodyguard. ] ... okay.

[save_the_souls]

[He just simply smiles, his cards seem to get pulled out of Riku's view very discreetly. When the betting finishes. Everyone lays down their hands, there's an assortment of card hands, good and bad. Some of them seem rather improbable- but all definitely better than what Allen had]

[Allen however, doesn't seem at all fazed. If anything, he just lays down his hand to show]

[And somehow? That hand is now a royal flush]

Ha, sorry, but it looks like I won again!

[limitstorm]

[ ... wait, what? no, that was an abysmal hand. are the--no, no, the rules aren't different, the cards are. he squints at the cards simply before clearing his throat and checking his communicator. then, he looks to allen. ]

Can I talk to you? I think your captain's trying to get a hold of you.

[ roll with it, allen. ]

[save_the_souls]

Hm?

[He pulls his winnings over to him as some of the men get up and storm from the table - head to some other shady looking people that were by the bar]

He is?

[He'll roll with it, turning to look at Riku as he pockets the money, tilting his head with curiosity]

[limitstorm]

[ he gets up and beckons him to speak a little away from the bar, looking at the others still at the table. ]

Sorry, confidential crew stuff.

[ so he makes sure his back is to them--so they can't read his mouth or anything, before he looks at allen. in a quiet voice; ]

You've been cheating the whole time, haven't you?

[save_the_souls]

[He'll follow along, giving a subtle quick glance over his shoulder at the people at the bar. He blinks at Riku's question before he answers in the same quiet voice]

Of course. How else would I be doing so well?

[limitstorm]

... at least you're honest. [ he says, with a sigh. ]

You sure you're safe, winning every game?

[save_the_souls]

[He gives a little, patient sigh as he explains offhandedly]

That doesn't matter. They already rigged the deck themselves, so even winning one game would've been suspect. So I might as well get as much as I can while I'm at it.

[He offers a little shrug]