Credits for Merenzane Gold!

[Nyx N1X3]

Nyx's cranial unit turned toward Kiff and angled itself slightly to the right at the man's response. Was it one of the most common backgrounds in the galaxy? The Droid began scanning through its databanks of people encountered to date; most of which she knew little or nothing of their backgrounds. Few were incredibly well-off, however, so Kiff's assessment might be accurate. Truthfully, such data had been irrelevant until just recently with her classified employer's interest in Nyx.

Perhaps it was a Droid's perspective that had made the rigors of living in the galaxy less noticeable. After all, Nyx did not need food, water, or shelter to survive. Oil, routine maintenance, and energy, of course, but those were in relative abundance in a galaxy replete with starships, droids, and countless weapons. Furthermore, in such a vast galaxy, there were countless opportunities to earn credits to afford such necessities -- for a Droid like herself, anyway. Most Droids might not be so fortunate. Their programming held them to one Master whose fortune dictated their own. A subject Nyx would have to commit additional resources toward study and analysis; it could explain a great deal about organic behavior.

Kiff's toss of credits drew Nyx's red gaze just for a moment. She examined her cards again as though they were not already committed to memory. Baldor would go first as rules dictated; only then would Nyx match the current bet plus twenty. "It would seem our fates are in your hands, Kiff." A obvious fact given his position as dealer, but a critical point now that the game had come to this.

Spoiler

[member='Kiff Brayde'] & [member='Aurelius Baldor']

 

[Aurelius Baldor]

Aurelius, of course, raised his bet, tossing twenty credits into the pot nonchalantly. "So, Kiff, what do you plan on doing once you're out of here? Back to the Navy? Or is this part of a term of shore leave?" The Devaronian did indeed respect the naval profession, even if naval officers were the most responsible for busting smuggling operations. Even if he didn't know the extent of Kiff's position in the Confederate forces. "And Nyx, would you be so kind as to indulge me in following me aboard my ship after we're done here?" As much of a gamble as the sabacc game, some might say. Nothing ventured nothing gained, he'd say.

The game was nearing its end, and Aurelius would most likely be returning to Kessel unless other business came up. He absently tapped his fingers on the backs of his cards, holding his head with the other as he relaxed. The Devaronian smiled at his opponents. "No matter who wins, it's been a joy sharing the table with you both."

Spoiler

[member="Nyx N1X3"]
[member="Kiff Brayde"]

 

[Kiff Brayde]

"I guess you could say this is shore leave, but it's up after today. It'll be back to the Navy for me," Kiff said in a half-smile. The Confederacy would be invading the United Confederation of Mandalore, but that information was top-secret. High Command would be a lot more harsher on Kiff if he added spilling military secrets to his list of truancy. The game was nearing to an end, anyways, and he didn't want to have to spend any earnings on defense attorneys.

Seeing the high bet of Nyx, Kiff matched it before feeling the smooth dice in his hands one last time. This could make or break it, Kiff thought as he rolled them on the table. They seemed to clatter for what was an eternity before coming to a rest, revealing. . . double spikes. The crowd hooted with excitement and pleasure as Kiff gave a rogueish smile, throwing in his cards to exchange for a completely new hand. Things had just gotten interesting.

Spoiler

[member="Aurelius Baldor"]
[member="Nyx N1X3"]

 

[Nyx N1X3]

The droid looked over at Baldor once more at the man's invitation. Join him aboard his ship? Would it not be more efficient-- no, convenient to conduct a meeting in a booth within the current establishment? "If that is preferred to further conversation at this venue," she replied in acceptance. It had, after all, been one of her objectives to establish further contacts among criminal elements. Even though others had evidently established such contact with Baldor; Nyx was unaware of this useful information. Regardless, she was curious what the Devaronian would wish to discuss.

Another toss of the dice captured the attention of all present. Sadly, Nyx did not possess an adrenal gland to feel apprehensive about the outcome. Perhaps the endless fluctuations in probabilities could be counted as excitement?

And once more, the dice came up double and all held cards were voided. Kiff certainly had luck on his side; it was unlikely he would have beaten her hand otherwise. Nevertheless, her cards slipped away and fresh ones provided. Once Baldor finished his turn, Nyx paused only three heartbeats before she deposited twenty additional credits on top of those required to meet Baldor's bet. No remark passed her lips as the red eyes turned to Kiff and then Baldor to see if they would fold, call, or raise.

Spoiler

[member="Kiff Brayde"] & [member="Aurelius Baldor"]

 

[Aurelius Baldor]

With a tssk, Aurelius discarded his cards and received his fresh ones. Oh well. He was disappointed, but he also expected that to happen sooner or later. He raised, as was to be expected of him by now, and retrieved another tabac stick, which lit itself as he placed it between his lips. That would probably be the last raise, as while this wasn't about winning he didn't want to throw away too much money.

 

[Kiff Brayde]

With a devilish smile, Kiff raised the droid's bet as he kept an eye on the now seemingly deject Devaronian. The sudden downcast attitude of the gangster could mean that his new hand was not preferable, or that the scoundrel was bluffing. Either way, Kiff had a twinkle in his eye and the crowd was veritably holding their breath. Ever the gentlemen, Kiff nodded for the female droid to show the crowd her cards as he leaned back casually, taking another sip of his Storm Brewer. Perhaps Kiff could buy a nice flat in Golbah City, or even a small retreat on the tropical world of Scarif with the winnings. He could even open his own bar, the possibilities were endless.

Spoiler

[member="Aurelius Baldor"]
[member="Nyx N1X3"]

 

[Nyx N1X3]

It was practically impossible for Nyx to win with this third hand, but she met Kiff's raise anyway. Appeared her efforts to encourage the men to fold had not worked. It was no of concern; the Ministry had slush funds for situations like this.

"You have a smuggler's luck, Kiff," the Droid commented as she laid down the two in her hand along with the face card. Positive Eight. Negative Eight. Positive Nine. Nine total showing. "I will be most interested to see if that luck holds." Aurelius had yet to show his hand, which would now draw all the attention.

As for losing, Nyx accepted the hand she'd been dealt. This was just a game; one that was immaterial to the social game that surrounded it. Some lost credits hardly mattered in the grand scheme of things.

Tag: [member="Kiff Brayde"] | [member="Aurelius Baldor"]​

 

[Aurelius Baldor]

"Tough luck, I guess. There's always the next time." Aurelius finally showed his hand. A negative four, a nine, and a negative one. Four overall. Not an instant loss, but it didn't secure the win either. The same devilish grin graced his face once again. "Looks like it's all on you, Kiff. Which one of us is walkin' away with all the money?" He relaxed in his seat once more, puffing his tabac stick calmly.

Tags: [member="Nyx N1X3"] | [member="Kiff Brayde"]​

 

[Kiff Brayde]

"I wouldn't count your luck dry just yet," Kiff said with a bittersweet grin as he turned his cards over; a sylop, a negative ten, and a five -- a negative five overall, missing the win by one tally and handing the sabaac pile to Aurelius. Even though he'd lost, Kiff kept his playful smile; it was not much out of Kiff's purse, and it was always a good idea to lose to a new friend. "Drinks on me!" he shouted jubilantly as he thrusted his glass of Storm Brewer into the air, the now half-drunken mixture quickly refilled by a serving droid. The crowd cheered and clapped as Kiff turned back to the Devaronian and Droid. "It was a good game, friends. What're you going to do with your winnings?" Kiff playfully asked Aurelius.

Spoiler

[member="Aurelius Baldor"]
[member="Nyx N1X3"]

 

[Nyx N1X3]

Nyx regarded the cards for a moment laid out before the three players. Cheers erupted as Kiff declared free drinks, and soon the many eyes that had been upon them would begin to find other matters to occupy their attention. To say this had been the expected outcome would be a misrepresentation.

The red, illuminated eyes of the droid turned to the Devaronian victor at Kiff's prompting. However, she turned her cranial unit to regard their dealer as well briefly, "It was a pleasure to participate. Perhaps we will enjoy the opportunity again." Whether that was now or a later date.

Either way, what impressed Nyx the most was how well Kiff seemed to handle the loss. The Espionage subroutine she'd created displayed the possibility that Kiff might be engaging in spy games of his own by deliberately losing. While possible, a single data point did not allow drawing conclusions -- or a line, to use the vernacular.

Her optics were trained back on Aurelius then, curious to his answer.

Tag: [member="Kiff Brayde"] | [member="Aurelius Baldor"]​

 

[Aurelius Baldor]

Aurelius grinned, shrugging in apology. "Better luck next time, my friends." This turn was unexpected, but not unwelcome. The Devaronian collected the chips and the pot. "It was a great time, and I had fun with you both," he said, smiling. "Winnings'll probably go into business expenses. Maybe keep it aside as a start to building a casino of my own. I've been looking to expand into the field for a while, after all." He put out his tabac stick, putting his fur coat back on. "Drinks on me, my friends. I know just the one." Rising, he beckoned for them to follow him as he went over and exchanged his winnings for credits, then turned to them, arms wide. "To the bar!"

[member="Nyx N1X3"] | [member="Kiff Brayde"]​

 

[Kiff Brayde]

Kiff couldn't help grinning. Despite his loss, the attitude of the Devaronian was infectious. "I'll gladly take your proposition, Aurelius, unless its a ploy to fish more credits out of me. Any more money lost out of my pocket, and I'll be quite a poor Confederate," Kiff said as a jape. As ever, there was a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "This choice drink of yours, however. . . do feel free to educate me." The atmosphere of the Merchant's Wife was quite jubilant and noisy, but that was too be expected if free alcohol was on the menu. Kiff only hoped that there were not too many patrons at the Casino at this hour -- japes aside, Kiff unfortunately did not have a bottomless pocket as if might seem. Gambling could be the ruin of him after all, the High Marshal mused as he followed Aurelius towards the bar of the Casino.

Spoiler

[member="Aurelius Baldor"]
[member="Nyx N1X3"]

 

[Nyx N1X3]

"A casino?" Nyx pondered Aurelius' life choices or sense of humor. Though if he were criminally inclined perhaps it was just so much a jest as he let on; had the winning been so substantial, however? They were certain to give the Devaronian a financial boost regardless.

The droid slid back from the table and rose to her feet. Aurelius was undoubtedly in a good mood, and made no small show of inviting them to drink. Kiff seemed of a mind to join, though joked about his financial straits. Nyx might have begun to question how deep the man's pockets were otherwise.

"By all means. We trust in your taste, Aurelius," Nyx echoed the sentiment in joining in a friendly round.

Tag: [member="Kiff Brayde"] | [member="Aurelius Baldor"]​

 

[Aurelius Baldor]

"Don't you worry, Kiff, no ploy here. And yes, Nyx, a casino. Lots of money to be made there." Aurelius brought the group over to the bar, and put a fair amount of credits on the bar top. "Merenzane Gold for my friends here and I, on me," he said, turning to them with a smile as the bartender brought them the drinks. He handed them their glasses and raised his own. "To you, to making new friends, brightening my day, and fattening my wallet!" He grinned, imbiding deeply of the golden spirit. "And to future endeavors!"

[member="Nyx N1X3"] | [member="Kiff Brayde"]​