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Post by Gracia Rodello on Apr 23, 2008 16:56:44 GMT -5
The scent was not pleasant, it had been almost two years ago and so much had changed. Gracia stood in front of the place where everything had begun so long ago, drawn by the scent of the sea and humanity she moved forward.
Slate gray eyes had aged somewhat, sable lashes fluttered downwards onto smooth skin for a moment as she tried the knob.
"Ere, Ere! What we have here..a lady?"
Pretty painted lips formed into a devilish smile at the words of the rather craggy old sea dog that sat at a scarred table near the entrance. Eyes looked over the room, the smell of stale drink assaulted her nostrils and a nod towards the group of men and women sitting around a table.
The lythe figure moved forward, the lythe figure moved with the knowledge of attracting stares from the lowliest of sorts. Something to keep her busy that evening, she was feeling rather blood thirsty. There was something about this place that gave the air of despair, but not her, and not those seated around the table.
The cards had already been dealt, eyes had darted around the table at the players. The dealer, someone well known to them all shoved a group of cards at her direction.
Fingertips moved over the table as she slid her fingers over the glazed cardboard decorated in black and gray. About to expose them to her eyes, the words stopped her short.
"Pick up those cards and you won't be able to go back."
A little challenge made goose bumps raise over milky skin as she stopped for one moment and chewed on her bottom lip with a devilish smile. The words, a lazy drawl of honey over cynicism dropped like a lead balloon.
"I know. It's why I'm in."
The look in the gaze of all those gathered around the table was approving.
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Post by senaida on Apr 24, 2008 21:58:03 GMT -5
Head tilted upwards, verdant eyes fixated on the newcomer as the words parted in a sensual cadence. [glow=red,2,300]"Mi Amor"[/glow] The r's rolled off her tongue like honey [glow=red,2,300]"I'm so glad you've joined us"[/glow] The practiced flutter of her fan snapped outwards to hide her smile The lady sat upon her right hip and leaned forward on slim elbow, the cards had not been dealt to her but it was clear that she had been running the game. [glow=red,2,300]"What great tales do you bring?"[/glow]
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Post by The Sinner on Apr 25, 2008 1:34:28 GMT -5
Sound drained from the table, disappearing only for a fraction of a second, but disappearing altogether. The cards fell into place and the hands were dealt. The next sound, pulling those at the table out of the momentary audible void lifted from what once was a vacant seat at the table, that of something sizzling. Dried leaf, wrapped around a potent herb, ignited drawing the thick smoke down into expanding lungs.
The corners of his lips lifted into a smirk allowing white serpents to coil free of the cavernous mouth and drifted upward in search of release. Two fingers tapped down on the worn wood, which swelled from the heavy scent of sea-salt on the air.
Two floating pools of heavy indigo swirled in anticipation as they locked on the femme mystique in charge of the game. The figures frame leaned forward just a few inches causing the outlines to manifest into structure and detail revealing a pearlescent mirage of deep blues and purples as the sleeves of the jacket were brought into the direct glow of the soft light.
The words were hardened and tempered by a influential tone. It came from the solar plexus, a place of willpower and confidence and spread through the air of the present other players of the game. It sounded of thunder, of a rolling intention of strength.
[glow=blue,2,300]"I’m in."[/glow]
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Post by Gracia Rodello on Apr 25, 2008 2:33:16 GMT -5
The shadows danced about the table as the evening progressed, revealing each of its players, the candles and oil lamps spit and flickered earnestly from side to side as if trying to ward something off. Her curiosity was piqued, this was evident in the narrowing of the slate colored eyes. Usually the arctic look within those icy depths held a note of what was to come.
"I actually have no tales this day. Except that I think I'll have a few pets for you soon. I hope that one is worth something at least"
A rueful smile curved pretty painted lips, her attention was drawn to something else just outside her peripheral vision. Her head turning slightly, the scent of smoke tickling her nostrils as her head tilted up, a sniff, the fine scent seemed out of place. A slightly different scent in fact than the smoke that hung heavy in the air that now mixed with the salt water. That look of interest was replaced by something mischievous. A glint of a challenge that could prove to be dangerous for whoever it was meant for.
"This evening is full of all kinds of surprises. Are you sure you're willing to take the risk?"
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Post by The Sinner on Apr 25, 2008 18:51:24 GMT -5
Behind the amber glow of the cigarillo the hues of indigo caught the light seeming to sparkle with tints of citrine as the smile broadened momentarily towards Gracia. Head tilted slightly as he appraised her openly a few moments before answering.
[glow=blue,2,200]"Heh." [/glow]
A single digit drifted lazily atop the cards drawing small invisible circles before finally lifting them into his palm and fanning them. Though the cards could have been either perfect or an abomination of intention it never showed in the trained stare which moved across the features of the others present.
[glow=blue,2,240]"Are you ready to be beaten?"[/glow]
His brow lifted as again the eyes settled on the Rodello returning her challenge with one of his own.
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Post by Gracia Rodello on Apr 25, 2008 23:46:34 GMT -5
Never one to shy away from a challenge, head tilting forward as eyes trained on the cards before her. Her head tilted up as she placed the glossy cards facing downwards. Fine fingertips tapped atop the selection, neat square cut nails tapped against the top of the cards, such a contrast between the prettily made up face.
As his eyes traveled upwards her lips tightened at the corners just a bit, that rueful smile was erased as she canted her head sideways, graceful column of her neck exposed the remnants of bruising caused my fingers. This Rodello had been up to naughty things recently.
"Before it gets too serious, we may want to see if anyone else has a stake in this game?"
Inhaling the smoke that drifted upwards her nose wrinkled just a bit.
"What exactly has everyone been up to?"
These words said with careful precision as if she were hiding something beneath the down turned cards. One fingertip tapped against the top card as she motioned towards Sin, the shell of her ear exposed to listen to any words he had to offer.
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Post by Riyadha on Apr 26, 2008 23:58:08 GMT -5
She was terrible at cards.
Her 'tells' were too easy to read, emotions too quick to hit the surface. They exposed her. She bet rashly, wagering everything and exploding with a volatile anger when she lost a moment later, as she inevitably always did. It made her a popular player; easy to take advantage of. Easy to take advantage of in cards, that is.
The others had been largely ignored while she studied her hand, running through the various options available to her in her head. She never folded, of course, even when it was clear that all she held was a handful of trouble. Some people just failed to learn the graceful art of retreat.
Cards slammed down, rattling the table. "I am in." Dusk blue eyes swung towards Gracia then, acknowledging her inquiry, and there was a pause while she thought about the question. "Well.... I got a dog...."
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Post by The Sinner on Apr 27, 2008 18:18:15 GMT -5
Even though Sin usually loved talking about his work there was certain protocols beyond even his measures that kept his stories to a bare minimum of what they should have been.
Eyes lifted to the other player then around the table to the others with the same mild amusement before returning to his cards.
[glow=Blue,1,200]"I'm here on vacation, though I may make it an extended one."[/glow]
He had missed these lands and often enjoyed his trips for the upwards of centuries before returning back to work.
[glow=red,2,200]"I'm itching for a good battle too, havn't had any action in a while and it gets hard."[/glow]
Just the thought of the adrenaline pumping, blood pounding, body beating, sweat producing rushes of a heated battle caused traces of amber to flash in anticipation through the indigo hues and surely could be tasted in the accents put into his words.
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Post by Sabra Darklure on Apr 27, 2008 21:09:08 GMT -5
“Funny,” quipped the brunette as calloused skin grated over the corner of her cards, a single finger caressing it and scratching out the discordant tune of a wood saw, “I always thought that getting action is what makes it hard.” Sabra leaned back and hooked an elbow casually over the chair’s back, lips twitching to smirk.
The humor didn’t reach her eyes; it rarely did. Instead the cool gaze slid clockwise around the table, taking measure and revealing nothing. “Brawling, marauding – the same old, same old.” Sabra was motivated by who could put the best food in her belly and supply the finest rot-gut. The Empire won hands down. And Riek seemed to have trouble finding her here. That was always a plus.
Her glance flickered back to the cards, fanning them once then laying them face-down on the scarred wood of the table. “So," she began, the predatory glint that struck like flint in her eyes was thus far the only emotion to touch them, "What are the stakes in this friendly game we play?”
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Post by Gracia Rodello on Apr 28, 2008 19:02:43 GMT -5
The table rattled as the rather volatile Riya slammed the cards upon the table. Her attention going to her, wondering exactly what'd it be like to have her let go of all those volatile emotions and subject someone to
them. It would probably be fun to watch. Thus her lips twitched, trying not to sound cynical.
"A dog..."
Nothing else was sad as thoughts curled through her brain like the infernal smoke wafting from the miniature cigar that Sin was smoking. These strands of lucidity reaching and tugging at a few memories, all which flashed within the blink of an eye. It was like poking a wild animal with a stick, she couldn't help herself, she wanted some kind of response that would cause her to start a fight or something. Maybe the opposite, she'd be more controlled.
"Need a drink or three to settle your nerves?"
Her head tilted to one side hearing Sin's words as she inclined her head in agreement then. Always ready for a fight she'd joined a few other organizations in hopes of either beating someone down, at her wrist lay a bracelet three small charms hanging off them. This was new, but what proclaimed her as part of these organizations.
These shadows led to another figure, her head turning sharply towards Sabra's direction. That smirk would possibly set anyone else on a nervous edge, but as Gracia tipped her glass up to her lips to take a sip she eyed the woman over the rim. Something was cold and bereft in a number of women's eye, usually it was warmed up by the presence of a significant other. Sensing that this was not the case she took a good long swallow hearing her words. A nod was given just then as she placed her cards down as she question was asked about what was at stake.
"Trouble. Whoever wins, gets to choose a target of their own choosing. Anyone who is not part of the Empire is fair game. And we'll back you up"
How fickle, that someone's life should hang in the balance, ready to be destroyed for no reason other than losing a game of cards. Her smile broadened like a wolf, that face infused with the barest hint of a glow. The pleasure was almost palpable.
"Nothing less will do. So who's in?"
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Post by Riyadha on May 1, 2008 17:14:58 GMT -5
"What makes you think I need to settle my nerves?" Dark eyes snapped toward Gracia, glowering beneath a veil of black lashes. She was sure there was an insult in there somewhere. Nonetheless, Riyadha never turned down the offer of a drink, so she gave a gracious shrug. "I will have an ale. Anyone else?" Glancing around toward the others.
Gracia's stakes for the game gave her pause, and she returned a narrowed gaze to the other woman, as if attempting to determine her motives. Riya had people outside the Empire, but perhaps she was the only one. Eventually she shrugged, tapping her cards with a finger. It was not as if she could actually back out now, even if she wanted to.
"Fine. I am still in."
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