driftfleet | now we got bad blood ♞ 1

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now we got bad blood ♞ 1

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... ]

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[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.

[ 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. ]

[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?

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

[ juuust being blunt here ]

[So blunt...!]

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

Yes!

[ 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.

[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.

[ .. 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. ]

[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]

[ 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.

[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!

[ ... 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. ]

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]

[ 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?

[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?

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

You sure you're safe, winning every game?

[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]

[ --oh

hm. ]

Fine. Just to be safe, I'm staying until you pack up.

[He gives a nod; seeming relieved Riku said that!] I think that'd be for the best. I wouldn't put it past some of them to try something soon...

[A frown, but then he stops that to smile kind and reassuringly at Riku and gives him a pat on the shoulder]

But don't worry! I promise I'll make sure you get back to your ship safely!

[...Allen. That's probably not what he means]

Edited 2014-11-22 22:13 (UTC)

[ riku bristles, and then grabs allen's hand--it's not a painfully tight grip, but it's certainly not loose. ]

It's to keep you out of trouble, not the other way around.

[He wasn't expecting Riku to grab his hand. The cheerful demeanor breaks for just a moment, conveying surprise and confusion his face - as if he's not sure he understands why Riku, a near stranger, would want to protect him from a mess he's made himself.]

[But the look is brief, before he smiles again. Maybe Riku is just one of those way too nice for their own good sorts. ]

Thank you, but you don't have to worry about me, really. I've done this since I was a child. [nevermind he looks younger than Riku]

I'm more worried about you getting hurt because of this, because they thought you were with me or...mixed you up for me. [what with the hair and all] You didn't have anything to do with this.

Believe me, I can take care of myself.

[ a shrug; ] Call it whatever you want--a favor, a nuisance, but I'm definitely not leaving you on your own.

[ and that's that, because he turns to just go back to the table. ]

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now we got bad blood ♞ 1

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