Difference between revisions of "Logs:Twenty-One"

While the foggy, cool weather might not be conducive to a night out, for the die hard there's always an excuse to be where the action is - even if it's a little more quiet by normal standards this evening. Reesa's been over at the craps table for a while, though the game there has elicited more groans that cheers, the luck apparently on the House's side tonight. Perhaps deciding to change her luck, the greenrider heads for the one of the blackjack tables, taking one of the empty seats next to an older man with large hands. While he's not a rider - neither is she tonight, the blonde wearing no knot - giving him a casual smile as she settles in and places her half-filled glass on the table as she waits out the current game.

It isn't a long hand, with Lilah's table only catering to two other players at the moment. The older man draws an ace, elliciting an easy, "Good luck, ace" from the dealer, her fist hitting the felt briefly in a sign of superstition. The other, younger man isn't as lucky, drawing a six where the woman flips a jack for the house. "Good evening, need any chips?" Lilah greets as Reesa sits down, dealing out the next set of cards that ends up earning the older man a blackjack. He lets out a little whoop, grinning towards the greenrider for the good luck she may have brought. And the dark eyes of the dealer slip over Reesa, briefly, and then again with a hitched pause.

Malachite is out in force, tonight, the sheer number of them suggesting that it's some kind of wing night out-- unofficially, at least. Most of them are gathered around the roulette wheel, but others are circling, mingling, and enjoying themselves in other rooms; others, like Dal, are simply meandering through, pausing to watch various games here and there. It's soon after Reesa joins the blackjack table that this other greenrider meanders up behind her, drink in hand.

The clink of chips - even if it isn't a large pile - is Reesa's answer to the dealer's question. "The craps table is doing badly tonight. But," a brilliant smile for the man to her side as he gets a blackjack, "Things are looking up here." Reaching to throw a chip in to indicate her intention to enter the next game, blue eyes flicker towards Lilah with a quirked smile. "You'll be gentle with me, won't you? I've no wish to leave the table wounded." There's a slight twist of head; hard to tell whether she's aware of Dal's presence or not.

To Suraieth, Khiabeth is settled in the comfort of her ledge; being out in the fog doesn't interest her in the least, though there's a zap of impending, ever-present storm in her thoughts as she seeks the still waters of the younger green. An image of Malachite, being deposited on the ledge of Dice's entrance one by one, quickly followed by a far more stimulating rush of wings, precision and accomplishment in Jasper.

"I always am, when the cards let me," Lilah assures her lightly, her own smile a brief thing that catches at the corners of her lips as she takes that one second longer to study Reesa as she finishes out the current hand for the younger man at the table. But then she has the pretense of gathering up the cards, tucking them away to the side of the table as she finishes the rest of her deck. "We have an open seat if you're looking to play." This, of course, to N'dalis as he hovers.

"Death by a thousand cuts," murmurs N'dalis, as much to himself as to anyone else, likely, giving the softness of his voice. His free hand hovers above the back of Reesa's chair, and then subsides back to his side; to Lilah, he gives a quick, sharp shake of his head. "Oh, no, I'm only watching. I don't play. I'm not sure I even understand the rules." He pauses, then adds, quickly, "Unless the players prefer not to be watched, of course."

To Khiabeth, Suraieth, too, has retreated to the comfort of her /own/ ledge: no foreign lights and foggy nights for her, thank you very much. Those still water ripple in answer to Khiabeth's not-really-intrusion; she's amused. « You wish to convince me, too. Why? »

Reesa gives a rueful chuckle in agreement with N'dalis' assessment. "I'll teach you. It's best you learn- it's the... one of the best ways to get the attention of a Flint rider when you need a favor; it's a useful skill to have." And while she doesn't quite turn enough for that smile to be visible to the other greenrider, it's in her voice all the same. She's not watching the cards so much as the dealer, her gaze lingering for a bit longer. "I'm surprised they haven't sectioned off some part of the room for the... trainees to practice and hone their craft."

It's some time before Khiabeth answers; perhaps because she doesn't have a specific answer to such a direct question. « It feels like it would be right, » is all the green says, finally. (To Suraieth from Khiabeth)

The feel of scrutiny weighs on Lilah, ducking behind the fall of red-gold hair as she flicks out the cards for the next hand to their respective players. "We're allowed to help, when someone doesn't know how to play, but sectioning off the room--. Well, it's no surprise that we make a lot of our money off beginners." But, there is no pressure to play on her words, only an invitation, "You can sit and watch, if you want. The chair is free. We just ask that you relinquish the seat if someone wants to play."

/Feelings/. Suraieth's response to that is not quite the disdain it could be: mostly, she's confused by the idea. What do feelings have to do with anything? « I fly with Malachite, » she says, logically. « We fly well. » (To Khiabeth from Suraieth)

"I don't usually need favors," points out N'dalis, though there's a hesitation in that, as if it's not wholly true despite what he says. And: "From Flint, anyway." Though Lilah's words earn a hesitant, thoughtful glance, the greenrider's sucked in and held breath seems more related to his own decision-making; finally, a few moments later, he nods, and moves to sit, his glass set squarely in front of him.

"Right. Prey on the weak- take advantage of the young- etc." Is that a hint of bitter humor in Reesa's voice? If so, it vanishes fairly quickly, in favor of taking a generous gulp from her glass. She taps her fingers against the table, as if impatient for her cards; it's N'dalis' words that make her look sideways at him, and then grin. "Never know when you might need them." A nod is given Lilah as she deals out the cards, waiting until they're all in place before she reaches for them, twisting them just slightly so N'dalis, too, can see her hand. Although she has to wait for her turn, when it is, one's immediately discarded, with a tap of finger to indicate another in its place. "So-" a squint, at the dealer's nametag, "Lilah. Tell us about yourself? Been at Fort long?" it's a casual invitation to chat, and it's effortless enough that it's likely part of the greenrider's inquisitive nature.

« You would fly better with Jasper, » is all the other green says, like it's a foregone conclusion. She just /knows/ it to be true. (To Suraieth from Khiabeth)

"A couple of turns, now, I think," Lilah replies, her smile flashing briefly to make up for words that are unsure and dismissive. "I guess I don't really give off the Weyrbred vibe, do I? I get asked too often how long I've been here." Her smile is brighter for N'dalis as he takes a seat, warm and welcoming.

N'dalis shifts slightly closer to Reesa so that he can get a better look at her cards, though he doesn't /entirely/ seem to grasp - given his expression - why she's discarding the card in question. It's only when the other greenrider looks back to Lilah that he lifts his own gaze towards the dealer, considering her - and her answer - for a moment before he says, slowly, "You Stood for Isyath's last clutch, didn't you? I remember you." /He/ was probably most notable for a) being notably older than most of the candidates, and b) taking an arrow to the shoulder.

This, far more than any talk about feelings, abruptly seems to suit Suraieth; she seems pleased. It is known. It just /is/. Well then! That's entirely different. « We will see, » she says. (To Khiabeth from Suraieth)

With a deep inhale, Reesa says, "A couple of Turns?" with the slightest of quizzical lilts, as if the redhead might somehow be mistaken. N'dalis' words turn her head with an exhale of breath. "Huh." As if she's surprised, shaking her head. Another tap of finger against the table indicates the need for another card, as she goes on, "I didn't realize you two knew each other. It's a small world, isn't it?" with a glance back at Lilah.

Lilah's words firm, slightly, as she confirms, "At least." She tips a nod to N'dalis, confirming. "Only briefly. We were candidates together, but--." She gestures with the deck of cards in her hand to the weyr around her. "I failed to impress. Though, I could have sworn for at least a moment that the green who ended up choosing you was coming for me."

N'dalis looks abruptly rather awkward in answer to Lilah's words, though he's quick to say, firmly, "I don't like to think of it as 'failing'. I'm sorry, though." But probably not sorry that Suraieth went to him and not her. "I wouldn't say we /know/ each other, anyway. I didn't get to know all that many of the candidates. I was..." somewhat remote, shall we say? "It seems like you're doing well for yourself, here."

A faint snort emanates from the greenrider, "Suraieth wouldn't suit anyone else but Dal." Whether that's a compliment or condemnation is anyone's guess; it could be both. While the blonde's gaze is focused on her cards, she's listening closely to the exchange, with a tip of head. "Your dragon wasn't there," she says, matter-of-factly. "But yes- you look like you've... settled in well, here." With a noise of disgust, she's discarding her cards, downing her drink, and casting around over her shoulder to gain the attention of someone to refill her drink.

"It's not a bad place to be. I make more marks here than I could at any other position in the Weyr." Her shoulder lifts in a roll, shrugging off the reason even as she gives it. "Not your fault. How is the life of a dragonrider suiting you, now?" Lilah offers another smile, sympathetic this time towards Reesa's reaction to her cards. "I tried. Maybe the cards will let me be nicer next hand."

The look of sudden enlightenment on Dal's face suggests he's actually worked out /why/ Reesa is discarding all her cards; he seems pleased by it, not that that means he's actually smiling properly. And, hey, at least it distracts him from that awkwardness, even if a moment later he's telling Lilah, "Oh, I know. But perhaps next time? There could well be two clutches, soon, after all. I'm-- it's good. We're very happy. Of course, Reesa's now recruited her /dragon/ to help convince us to change wings, so..." The other greenrider gets a glance, the corners of his mouth twitching.

Reesa makes a disappointed noise, accompanied by a purse of lips. Her momentary distress is undoubtedly eased with the fresh glass of wine that's deposited in place of her empty one, earning a grateful smile to the man who brings it. "You're an absolute gem, Rey." She glances sidelong, waiting for the two other players to finish their hands before she tosses another chip towards Lilah's side of the table. "Elaruth's been hanging around on the rim," she adds, as if giving weight to N'dalis' comment about clutches, "And Isyath's never far behind, by all accounts." The other greenrider's glance gets an entirely unrepentant grin from the blonde. "Hey, you say that like /anyone/ can tell Khiabeth what to do." But she's not exactly denying it outright.

"That is what they say. These will likely be my last chance, given my age--." There is a flicker of something sharp in dark eyes; worry, maybe, or anxiety or both. But Lilah dismisses her own words with a shrug and a warm smile, adding a question of, "What wing are you in right now? Why does she want you to switch wings?"

Abruptly, Dal /does/ smile, genuinly: it's aimed at Reesa, and comes directly after her comment about Khiabeth. He won't argue. And yet... "I don't know how old you are," he tells Lilah, "but from what I understand, both queens /generally/ rise relatively frequently. This was an unusually long time between clutches, and my Suraieth's not two for some time. I fly with Malachite." It's a smooth transition. "You'll have to ask Reesa why she wants me to move, I think."

Reesa's brows go upwards as Lilah mentions her age, as if in invitation, though she doesn't ask aloud. "We've already had this conversation. Dal is unusually good at peace making. He was kind of the... dad of the class, last candidate group." That is accompanied by a grin towards N'dalis. "I think both some of the Sandstone and Jasper riders could use someone practical, logical, and willing to hit them upside the head when they're being dumb... figuratively, of course." Except the last is added kind of belatedly, though maybe it's just distraction as she takes a peek at her next set of cards.

"They certainly could," Lilah agrees to the assessment, a low laugh escaping from her lips at the summary. "23." The number is thrown out simply, before her attention is taken with dealing, focusing on that briefly.

N'dalis' cheeks turn pink, but he seems pleased. "Suraieth's interested," he admits, without glancing back at Reesa. "Not because of Khiabeth's /feelings/ on the subject, though. I don't know. She has her own logic, sometimes. I'll... talk to my wingleader." And presumably Jasper's, too. He reaches, now, for his glass, toying with it idly before adding, after Lilah has finished dealing: "That's not so old. You may well get another chance, then."

The grin that Reesa bestows on N'dalis is as much for his agreement to /talk/ to his Wingleader, as for the two cards she shows him: Weyrleader and ace - before putting them face up on the table. "Good," she says, like it's some sort of foregone conclusion. "And Dal's right, there'll probably be at least three clutches before you're too old. And sometimes they let you stand longer, if the dragons keep showing interest. /Or/ if you make eyes at the Weyrwoman." The very concept of that has the blonde smirking.

"I'm not sure whether to think the Weyrwoman would let me or not. She's a difficult woman to read, isn't she?" This is an honest question, curious for the others' opinions as Lilah slides a look between the greenriders.

Clearly, Dal's picked up enough of the game to understand why Reesa's pleased with her hand... and yes, he's well aware of why she's pleased about the rest. The corners of his mouth turn up again, though he says nothing; a moment later, he's glancing back at Lilah. "She can be," he confirms. "I find Junior Weyrwoman Ali a little easier, but they're both... we're very lucky with our Weyrwomen. It can't hurt to ask, if it comes to that, I should think."

Reesa's answer is straightforward, "I definitely wouldn't be playing poker with her." A beat, then, deliberately casual, "Still, she seems to want what's best for the Weyr." With a little shrug of her shoulders, the blonde's leaning back in her seat to watch the rest of the hand play out, sipping her wine as she nods agreement with Dal. "Pay your respects to their queens, and I can't see why they'd refuse."

"I'll keep that in mind if you both end up coming to the tournament," counters Lilah teasingly to Reesa's answer, her lips twisting into a quick smile. She nods, then, at the riders' answers. "Of course. It never does anyone any good to disrespect any dragon."

"Tournament?" N'dalis clearly /doesn't/ pay much attention to this kind of thing - but at least he sounds interested, now. "What are your reasons for wanting to Impress?" he asks, abruptly, with an apology almost instantly written across his face, even if it isn't verbalised. "Given you seem to be doing quite well, here."

"Tournament?" A woman with her ear on things as Reesa has surely can't have failed to hear about it, and yet the lilt in the greenrider's voice is a request for further details, nearly echoing N'dalis' request. The other greenrider's question of Lilah does indeed interest her, too, blue eyes focusing on Lilah, head tipped.

Lilah nods, confirmation of N'dalis's question, before she explains, "We're holding a Weyr-only tournament here in a couple of weeks. Give people the chance to let off steam, win some prizes." The other question takes longer for an answer, the subtlest hint of lips thinning at it despite that non-verbal apology. She finally not-answers, "Why does anyone want to impress? It all is buried in the same reasoning, I'm sure."

N'dalis' thoughtful nod answers the explanation of the tournament, his expression otherwise relatively neutral. "Interesting," he says. "I suppose that makes sense. I don't think /I/ will be participating, but... it sounds like fun for those who do." Really, he's rather more interested in her answer, sneaking a quick glance towards Reesa before he says, "I find people have a lot of different reasons. I know I accepted Search because it felt it was my duty to do so, when Reesa asked."

"Let off steam, huh?" Reesa contemplates this with a shrug of shoulders. "Can think of far more /fun/ ways to do that, but I guess that doesn't include the /whole/ Weyr," with a grin. She shakes her head in pointed disagreement, even as she reaches to collect her winnings from the previous hand. "Everyone has different reasons," the blonde agrees with Dal. With a flick of her wrist, another chip is tossed over the table, although this time when the cards are dealt, she nudges them in N'dalis' direction with a brief grin, though it doesn't linger: she's glancing back to Lilah for her answer.

Lilah's laugh is quiet, her words wry where she tacks on to Reesa's sentence: "Not if you're doing it right." And despite Reesa looking to her, apparently without the question presented again, she will go right back to dealing the cards. What, that conversation wrapped up nicely, right?

N'dalis /might/ have pushed Lilah for another answer, though that might be pushing too far towards the 'impolite' end of the things, so perhaps not, but Reesa's nudging her cards at him, and he's looking semi-panicked instead. "I still don't really know what to do," he objects. "I'll lose your chips."

Reesa's brow furrows, glancing quizzically at N'dalis for a moment, before looking back to Lilah. "You're never going to convince the weyrwomen to let you stand if you don't even know /why/ you want to stand. Come on; practice on us," she offers, though perhaps the offer isn't solely motivated by friendliness. To N'dalis, "Don't worry about the chips. Here, you're trying to get as close to a total of twenty one as possible without going over. The face cards are tens, and an ace is either an eleven or a one. If you beat the dealer without going over twenty one you win, or if you get a face card and an ace, of course." She's matter-of-fact when explaining, pointing from the cards to Lilah as she does so.

It seems, for long moments of silent stretched out while Lilah deals everyone else's hands including her own, that she is not going to give her reasons to that invitation. And when she does, it is a simple, "There's security in being a dragonrider," that doesn't invoke any questions with the slight sharpness of the words. Just that.

Brow furrowing, N'dalis takes in a deep breath and then gives Reesa a hesitant nod: he'll try. The cards, now carefully held between his fingers, are studied long and hard. Finally, he says: "I think I'll need another card, then. Just security?" So he /is/ still keeping track of the conversation. "I would have thought there's security here, too. There's always work for dealers, I think. Here, or elsewhere."

"Far more security in a craft," is Reesa's own opinion, half leaning to watch N'dalis' cards, with an approving nod when he asks for another card. "Especially these days- if you've been her for the last couple of Turns," and is that a hint of disbelief in her tone? "-then you know there's very little /security/ in being a rider at all."

"Mmm." The sound is vague, dismissive, but then Lilah can't help but insist, "There's security here. Look to N'muir. Even if he was a renegade, there is no talk of turning him out of the Weyr. No talk of anything except that it may affect the leadership flight." She shrugs a shoulder up, brief and sharp, anxiety buried in the gesture before she throws another card to N'dalis.

N'dalis, sounding surprised: "Do you worry about being kicked out of the Weyr?" He accepts the card almost on auto-pilot: Lilah's words have surprised him enough that he's genuinely distracted from the game. "I mean, you obviously don't because the Weyrleader isn't being, but... if security is so important to you, that is." His pause is abrupt, and then he shakes his head. "That was rude of me, I'm sorry. And I'm out." Alas, his hand is now definitely over the requisite twenty-one.

The mention of N'muir earns a grimace from Reesa, pointedly keeping her attention on the cards in N'dalis' hands, grimacing as the next card puts him over. "Well, part of it is chance," she murmurs, before flicking a glance towards Lilah. "It's hard to remove a Weyrleader. Riders can always be transferred away, though. Or put on watch duty forever." The thought of that makes her nose wrinkle.

"But they are always part of a Weyr, even if not this Weyr," Lilah replies, though she tips an agreeable nod for what may happen to a rider.

Quietly, "There's not many people who become Holdless, at least." But N'dalis has apparently lost any inclination to argue, and sets his dead cards down so that he can focus, instead, on his drink, which once again he plays with, shifting it from one hand to the other. "In any case, I do wish you the best of luck."

Reesa straightens her pile of chips as she drains the last of her wine. She doesn't add another chip for the next round; instead she starts to pocket what's left. "If you're looking at a dragon as a way out of a situation- that's entirely the wrong way to look at it. A dragon /is/ a situation. And they can see and know every part of you, so if you have- if there are things you don't want /known/, it will come out."

Lilah's dark gaze falls steady on Reesa as the other woman pockets her chips, studying. But, eventually, she only offers a smile to N'dalis and a dismissive, "Thank you," before she moves to gather cards to shuffle the deck.

Hey, that got awkward. N'dalis doesn't smile, though his need is quick and relatively easy. He gives Reesa a side-long glance, and then sets his wine glass down, drawing his chair back as he does well. "Well. Thank you for the lesson, Reesa."

The dealer receives a long look from Reesa, the greenrider shrugging after a period. "You need more lessons," the blonde tells N'dalis, rather plainly. "Later. When I've had less to drink," a rueful smile, as she, too, pushes to her feet. Outside, Khiabeth wings across the distance between weyrs, effortlessly landing on the ledge to await Reesa's arrival.