Cassius Sinclair The Kraken Cassius looked around at the three other men seated around the table in the smoke filled backroom of some no name dive bar he had stumbled into only hours before. One thing had let to another, his appearance naturally gaining these three idiots' attention and before he knew it here he was, sitting at an old table playing with sticky, half bent cards and gambling away money he couldn't afford to lose. Still, it was a good way to pass the time and it turned out he wasn't half bad. Certainly wasn't winning by any means, but he was ahead, even if just barely. As the final card was revealed Cassius looked down at his pocket 2s with a stoic expression. He may not have had much experience with poker, but he had a natural face for it. Unfortunately, lying can only get you so far in poker and doing it too often goes beyond dangerous to just outright stupid. The only he he was packing was in his hand and they were tepid at best. He looked at the man who introduced himself as Guzman, a broad human with tribal tattoos down both arms in a black cut off and military pants. To the right of Guzman was a wiry fellow who appeared to not have slept or bathed in days. The stench was putrid, but Cassius was used to far worse. His hair was wispy and shed every time he ever so slightly moved it. He had referred to himself simply as Q and had the nervous eyes of a tweaker, often licking his lips as his gaze shifted to each of the players. Finally, rounding out the table was Horatio, a well dressed human with straight silver hair down to his shoulders and a curled mustache to boot. Anyone looking in would certainly laugh as the table looked filled with stereotypical cartoon characters. Regardless of how funny they looked however, Cassius had come to realize they were all very serious card players. It had been Horatio who had organized the game, calling out the three of them individually from across the bar. I fold. Cassius said with a grunt, tossing his cards into the center. Tch, if the fishman is out I'm definitely out. I saw his hand and it was even better than my shit draw. Guzman said with a chuckle before taking a swig from his bottle, tossing his cards in along with Cassius. Well then it seems it's just you and I Mr. Q. What will it be then? Horatio asked with what Cassius could only imagine as a predatory smile. Q's eyes darted between Horatio and his cards nervously. He chewed on the nails of one of his hands, so far down that Cassius could see dry blood where he had chewed on them earlier. The fishman eyed the pot in the middle, the largest sum of the night and an impressive one at that. Quite a bit of pocket change, could probably make for a nice night in Baltigo. A-all in. Q said suddenly and Guzman spit out a fine mist of beer. Alright ya little bag a bones, now we're talkin. He said with a deep belly laugh, slapping Q so hard on the back Cassius thought he might snap in half. Horatio raised a surprised eyebrow, pursing his lips as he looked down at his hand. All in then, eh? He clucked his tongue against his teeth and shook his head back and forth slowly. Well then, let's just see. I call. Horatio said as he pushed an equal amount of Beli coins forward. Flush in Diamonds. Q declared triumphantly. An impressive hand to be sure and Cassius was actually so surprised he turned to watch Horatio's reaction only to hear with a soft, laugh in his throat, Four Kings my good boy and with that, I believe the game is over. A silence fell over the table, Q simply staring in dread at the cards Horatio had laid down. Cassius didn't dare speak, this had been a battle between the two men, he was simply an onlooker. Unfortunately Guzman felt differently, Hot damn, would ya look at that. You been on a hot streak all night Horatio my man. Damn, what'd I gotta do to get some of that luck? The large man laughed. Horatio simply smiled and stood from the table, pulling out a briefcase, With all do respect gentlemen, with Mr. Q out of the game it seems a good time to end the night. Poker with three just isn't quite as enjoyable. A good game to all and I do wish you the best. He spoke as he piled the Beli notes and coins into his briefcase, fastening it with metal clasps. However, as he moved to take the briefcase off the card table, Q's hand pushed down on it and Cassius looked up to see the wiry man with a gun in his hand pointed at Horatio who simply stared at it with indifference. Holy shit! WORDS: 842 NOTES: ### DORIKI: ### GEAR: ### SKILLS: ### |
Strawhat