(no subject)

[scionofhispower]

[Clearly, redheads have never been in short supply here.

As a result of this fact, seeing Asch sitting at a table with that smug "I'm better than you" look of his shouldn't really take too many people by surprise. Oh, sure, the lack of any discernible agitation is probably a little disconcerting as is the presence of a deck of playing cards set upon the table within easy reach of his right hand. Of course, this Asch is a little different from most, missing anger notwithstanding; it isn't too hard to tell he is a fair bit older, somewhere within his early-to-mid twenties.

Regardless, he is Asch. And he? He is challenging you to a game of poker.

Ready to try your luck?]


[ooc; Unlike swallowfury, Asch here is definitely not reset, so he retains any CR he had from the last time I was around a couple years back. Of course, he's not going to come out and just let you know who he is; he feels like being a bit of a jerk, so even if you do know him, he's going to leave you guessing. Especially. If you're a certain replica. Why? Because he can. And, no, he's not going to deal cards to kids. But he might go into papa mode on them.]

Comments

Thank you. ♥ and alskdjfl YES, IT IS.

[fononfailure]

[ She picks her new cards up one by one, eyebrows furrowing further. This.. wasn't much better than those she got rid of. Damn. On the other hand, Asch was doing a marvelous Jade impression. All he needed was glasses. ]

Why not? It's the same thing you say. [ Not like you can screw up a simple word as 'dreck'. ]

[scionofhispower]

You're still far too naïve and pitiful to pull it off properly. [Why yes, he is being an ass on purpose. ...Or maybe it just comes naturally. The world may never know.

And he may not be showing it, but he's thoroughly amused that Luke can't manage to conceal any expressions.] Show your hand. [Because yes, Luke, just as the dealer draws last, the dealer also shows last.]

[fononfailure]

[ And frankly, Luke doesn't care either way. Flipping the table right into Asch's face sounds like the best possible plan ever; it'd get her out of this lame game -and- make it so she wouldn't have to look at his stupid, attractive, know-it-all smile.

But that would only prove his point. So she bangs the table again for emphasis. ] I am NOT either! You can't treat me like trash just because I'm a replica, you know!

[ Still glowering, she fans her cards out for Asch to see. ] Two pair. Now you show.

[scionofhispower]

You'd like to think so.

[Oh, don't worry, Luke; he'll show his hand. In fact, he very calmly sets them onto the table - two kings, three tens; full house.]

[fononfailure]

I know so.

[ ...oh you dirty bastard. For a brief moment she looks ready to deck Asch, then settles for deflating. It was luck, that's all! ] Fine, you win that round. Go again! Deal!

[scionofhispower]

[...Did you hear something?

Something that almost...

...sort of...

...maybe...

...kind of...

...sounded like a dark chuckle?]

If you think you can handle it, sure. [It is purely Luke's imagination if she thinks Asch is fucking with her. Really.

He reshuffles the deck and deals five cards to each of them again.]

[fononfailure]

[ ...

Oh. Oh dear.

That can't be good. Maybe this Asch isn't a normal one like she thought. It'd be just her luck that he's really some blood-sucking demon or Van in disguise. Yuck! But a challenge is a challenge and Luke isn't about to back down. ]

Of course I do! We can even bet if you want!

[scionofhispower]

[Bingo. Played right into his hands, didn't you, replica?] That certainly ups the odds. Alright, we'll place a bet on this hand, then.

[fononfailure]

[ Of course. There are some things that people never learn. Watching her step is one of Luke's. ] Fine! What's the wager? I still have some gald.

[scionofhispower]

Not much use for that here, now, is there. I'll tell you what you've wagered after I've won.

[fononfailure]

[ Damn. So he knew enough to be familiar with the place. ] You can't do that! I don't know what I'm betting!

[scionofhispower]

Then we'll make it fair, replica; I'll play under the same terms.

[fononfailure]

Stop calling me 'replica', dammit! And that's still hardly fair.

[scionofhispower]

Alright; would you prefer "dreck" or "trash"? [Luke was getting off easy with "replica," clearly.]

How do you figure? I won't know what I'm betting until I've lost, either. Or are you saying you have so little faith in your ability to win? If that's the case, we may as well not even play the hand and, instead, just get right to my payment.

[fononfailure]

The name is Luke, since you're too stubborn to take it for yourself. [ Go figure. Asch always had to be a total ass. ]

So we're betting something we haven't even chosen? It has nothing to do with my ability to win, you jerk! It's stupid! Why not just decide what's at stake now unless you're planning to cheat? Because you're not getting a damn thing from me if you do.

[scionofhispower]

[He's ignoring that first bit.] Oh, I've already chosen what's at stake for you, replica; feel free to choose what's at stake for me before we go any further. It adds some excitement, not knowing what we're risking ahead of time.

If that's too difficult for you to understand, then I'll spell it out more simply: the loser is subject to paying one thing of the winner's choosing. Whether that thing is an object, an action, or anything else is at the winner's discretion. Understand now?

[fononfailure]

[ You can bet that Luke is internally going "DON'T IGNORE MEEEEEE!!!1!" even if she sticks with fuming. ] You didn't have to bother explaining the premise behind the idea, I got it already. So if I win, I could have you stay put while I punch you, right?

[ Somebody is sold on this already. ] ...but wait. We need to clarify the rules. No way am I risking my life over a card game probably rigged by you! Let's agree that nobody gets broken limbs or worse, okay? Or else I'll stick to hanging around to make sure you don't pick on any other Lukes.

[scionofhispower]

Exactly what do you take me for, replica? In the first place, who would need to rig a game like this to win against you? Beyond that, killing or maiming you would be pointless.

[fononfailure]

An idiot, that's what. A stupid, jerk of a-- Shut up! Don't pretend you didn't try to kill me at least once! Did you think I'd forget? You know what, fine, just deal! I'll show you who's the better of us!

[scionofhispower]

[Asch's superior smirk is back with a vengeance as he looks pointedly at the small five-card pile sitting face-down in front of Luke. He's not showing it, obviously, but he's very much amused that the whole explanation of their wager distracted Luke.]

[fononfailure]

[ ...so much hate for you right now, Asch. She glowers in his direction and picks of the cards with only the slightest hint of embarrassment. Anyone could have gotten riled up with that attitude of his. This time Luke's expression is fixed into a glare, not changing even once she skims the cards: ace, king, queen, and junk. Not bad. ]

[scionofhispower]

[Asch, meanwhile, picks up his cards and glances at them before lining them up together and resting them face-down against the table. That perfectly immovable, better-than-you, smug bastard expression is firmly in place again.] Your move, replica.

[fononfailure]

Keep your shirt on. [ Down goes two cards from Luke's hand, the rest held up in front of her face to hide her scowling. What did he have to be so certain about? Nobody -not even Jade- could win all the time. ] Two.

[scionofhispower]

[He deals two new cards for her before turning his own cards back toward himself; taps one corner of the cards on the table before looking at them again.

He discards one and draws a new one.]

[fononfailure]

[ Now why'd he do that? Was it nervousness? Some way of cheating? --no, that couldn't be it, he hadn't done a thing. Whatever. With a grin she slaps her cards down on the table in triumph. Nine to king, all spades. ] Straight flush! Beat it!