Golden, an Oakhaven bloodhound, Gunther, a Rottweiler, Micana, 1 Saik Guard arrive, following Lucita.

Orathy is sitting around the tournament table, though there is reluctance to join the high stakes poker game. Twenty thousand was a lot of silver for those in the upper boroughs and he hasn't the best reputation with perhaps the group that could afford the buy in. As it is, he is speaking with Waldemai, who is at the bar, about some alternatives to the sit-and-go game of Hold 'Em. "Aye. Figured the draw of such a purse with all the prices of shiny shit in the market going up, would be an allure fer some," he goes about shuffling the deck of cards, "Next one I be starting at a lower buy-in. This one ain't going to run until ten sit and at this rate-" he looks toward the door, "Ain't thinkin that be the thing."

Waldemai laughs. "I'd lay five hundred on that, but it's a sucker bet and it's not something I want to see anyway." A poker show...that's a night's worth of entertainment right there.

Arik arrives with Lucita evidently coming together for the game. While one might guess he is a noble from a pair of swords hanging on his right hip one of which is fanciful enough to be a House blade the attire he is in is fairly common. Tunic, belt, trousers and boots meanwhile his companion very much seems a noble woman perhaps more so by comparison. "I am curious who else is willing to try their luck... or actually knows how to play cards. I assume you've played a hand or two before?" he asks Lucita in a deep pitched voice as he peers around the establishment and then down at his companion.

Aviana looks over hear that familar voice and smiles, "Hello again." she says to Orathy looking him over then moving to find herself a seat to sit down and watch.

Lucita gives Arik a sidelong glance. "Cards and I have a long standing relationship. I consistantly lose at them. My brother tried to teach me to play and I never knew if he was teasing me with changing the rules around so he would win or if I just could not remember them all. So I'll just watch!

"Reckon people got cold feet," Orathy is easily managing the cards between his hands, flexing them so the cards fly from one palm to the other. "That or the people be thinking the Golden Hart be the right way to do it. Ayyye, but here is some proper gamblin. Figurin some might be-" he pauses as he looks toward the entrance to see a noble couple arriving, "Ahh, welcome m'lord, m'lady. Make yerselves at home aye? Plenty on the tap to drink, plenty of gamin tables to pick from. Poker seats be empty yet, but it is the way with large buy ins. Smaller next time aye." His dark eyes flick to Aviana, "Hello lass." He flashes a wink to her then, shrugs, "I be givin it a bit longer to see if anyone be fillin these seats. If not, aye, I be invitin the lot of ya to play 21. It won't be fer no hundred thousand silver, but it be somethin to take the edge off a long day. Aye?"

Simon, the Mastiff Puppy, 2 Redrain novice guards, Chantilly, the demure companion arrive, following Elgana.

Arik eyes Orathy as Lucita and himself walk further into the establishment and the card shuffling floor man or maybe the owner, Orathy. "Shame, with the rebuilding efforts after Stormwall you'd think some of the more savvy members of a House hoping to surprise their family with a sack of silver would have though it worth their stipend." he comments in a wry voice a small smirk touching his lips as he looks aside to Lucita and asks, "If we play twenty-one, I can stake you it sounds as if it will be rather cheap."

Aviana nods her head, "I do not know about playing but I will watch I do not know what 21 is." she gets a slight pink to her cheeks.

Elgana enters the casino arm-in-arm with a pale blonde, a pair of young men in Redrain livery trailing after them. The princess leans in to murmur something to the blonde who nods and whispers back before the small retinue continues deeper inside. The princess is dressed decidedly 'down' from her normal appearance today, no floofy gown and slippers, but a loose blouse and pants and boots, and her hair tugged into an elaborate braid that rests over her shoulder. Those curious dark eyes wander about as she looks for familiar faces, her smile warm. "Very lovely place," she says softly.

Lucita listens to Arik and says. "It is a gamble, and knowing my usual history of losing I know not to risk my stipend. Are you sure about this? I really can just watch and cheer you on which is what planned to do!

Orathy raises is hands, "Reckon them suckers all gave it away to Sir Jeffeth, who damn near raised a million silver for the orphans. Hope most of it does reach them kids though." He settles an elbow on the table, "Reckon I bet most folk think they be savvy and they ain't." He taps the table top, waving his hand to gesture those toward the twenty-one table, as he rises from the empty poker table. He regards Aviana with a nod toward the table, "Well I can be teachin ya. It be easy. If ya know how to count up to twenty-one, then you can be playin." His eyes travel over toward Elgana, his booming ruffian voice calling over, "Welcome to the Crossroads! I ain't got no fancy saying for it yet, but I reckon it's all about choices. And chances."

"I think my coin purse can take the wager, besides double the players double the winnings." Arik says to Lucita as he approaches the table Orathy is at only to look over his shoulder at Elgana with a polite dip of his head before it's back to Lucita and a suggestive, "Could do a side wager on who between us will come out with the better night?"

Orathy has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Arik has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Lucita says, "What is the buy in again on this? or is a bet per hand or how does it work?" She moves toward the table to sit adjacent to Arik and lowers her voice to speak."

Lucita has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Waldemai has left the a polished wooden bar carved with flora and vines.

Waldemai has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Elgana has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

The booming voice gets Elgana's attention easily enough and she grins toward Orathy giving a dip of her chin in a nod as she tugs the blonde woman's arm and starts her way toward where it seems everyone else is gathering at a table. Arik gets a polite smile and dip of her chin once she draws closer. Lucita a polite nod as well as the princess remains curious but uncommitted for a moment before she finally sighs and joins the others at the table, letting go of the blonde and simply setting in.

Waldemai brings his ale over to the twenty-one table. "This is more my speed," he says. "Hello, Lady Lucita. Out for a night on the town?"

Duarte steps out of the backroom briskly in murmur with Orland. He pauses just outside the door and watches the floor. "Ah! Twenty-one. Best of luck everyone." He smiles, attention to the dealer, "What's the minimum bet tonight?"

Aviana has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Aviana nods her head moving over to sit down with everyone else, she nods to those she does not know and her hands move to rest in her lap.

Lucita murmurs softly. "Lord Arik Halfshav, have you met Master Waldemai Isenhu as yet. He is a good armorsmith and fought with us at Setarco. And she gives Waldemai a little nod. "Lord Arik is an old friend and encouraged me to get out a little. Seems most things had gone to were business or duty till now. Even the Shadow Carnival had Prince Talen talking business with me.

1 Grayson Guardsmen, 3 Armed Confessors, Confessor Dunn, Confessor Wick, Confessor John arrive, following Gareth.

"Sometimes the house be having to take a hit to draw in the players," Orathy notes to the matter of twenty one. He moves to where the dealer was standing, pats him on the shoulder and sort of semi-takes over the table. The dealer looks at the gathering crowd, then turns over to answer to Duarte, "Twenty five silver." Orathy is going to apparently lead the first game of the night. "Side wagers be just fine, reckon so," Orathy nods to Arik. The Culler isn't even drunk! Like stone cold sober. "Aye so the rules. I be dealing out one card to everyone in the first deal, and one fer myself as the dealer. It be face up, so you can be seein what I may be getting. Then the second card for everyone be dealt. You be trying to get twenty one without going over while beatin the dealer. When it be your turn, you be tellin me if you want to hit or stay. You tap the table if you wanna hit, wave your hand over your cards if ya wanna stay. Beatin the dealer pays out 1-1, meanin if you bet twenty five and win, you get another twenty five. Getting a twenty one pays 3-2. A push means you be tying the dealer's hand and you be keepin your bet." He looks around, "Questions?"

The line has been dismissed by Orathy.

Arik pulls out a coinpouch and places it on the tabletop between himself and Lucita with a low chuckle. "Sounds like I remember it being." afterwards there is a brief back and forth between himself and Lucita in hushed murmurs and he chuckles again this time a bit louder. "Well that is good, I hope you don't expect a cut of the side action?" he asks in a wry manner to Orathy only to add as he looks from Lucita to Waldemai, "I have not, it's a pleasure... I hope you are a lucky man."

"Sounds simple enough of a game," Elgana says with a little smile as she regards Orathy for a moment before the gaze slips to those others at the table. Duarte gets a little grin and a quick wink that may have just been a trick of the light as the princess runs her hands down along the front of her pants, a habitual movement it seems as she caught herself midway and stopped to fold her hands in her lap instead. Finally as if remembering herself she looks again to the others. "Forgive me of my poor manners. I'm Princess Elgana Redrain," she says softly to those who do not know her.

Waldemai says, "Pleased to meet you, my lord." He shakes his head. "Prince Talen is all business these days, seems like. Too much to do and not enough people he can count on to do them."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Gareth before departing.

Lucita glances over at the others who are playing at the table and gives a little smile, introducing herself to the strangers. "Hello. I'm Baroness Lucita Saik, a pleasure to meet you, Princess Redrain!" And then she looks back at the dealer, listening to some of the others.

"Reckon I be Orathy Culler, Princess, 'n I happen to run this place. We be havin a good grand opening thus far, aye." Orathy looks at the money that's been placed on the table by Elgana, sliding it forward. "Money up then m'lords 'n ladies." The decks are given a thorough shuffle before they begin.

Duarte has joined the line.

Arik has joined the line.

Elgana has joined the line.

Lucita has joined the line.

"It would be a poor show to not sit in for at least one round." Duarte says as he approaches the table and slaps down that first 25 silver bet.

Orathy picks up Bravura Hold 'Em Link.

Waldemai has joined the line.

Waldemai takes a seat and lays a silver coin on the table. "Twenty-five the only bet? I could stand a hundred."

Duarte says, "Minimim bet is 25. Bet 100 if you're willing."

Aviana has joined the line.

As money is slide onto the table Arik pulls a hundred silver from the pouch and stacks it in front of himself with an easy smirk before commenting to Lucita "Just remember you only need to beat Master Culler over here... Just because any of us have better than you it doesn't mean anything."

Duarte has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Orathy has joined the line.

Turn in line: Duarte

"A pleasure to meet you Baroness Lucita," Elgana says to the woman with a bright smile as she leans a touch. "To meet all of you." Her gaze flicks from each face, not missing a single one of them, not even Orathy as he introduces himself. "It is a lovely establishment. I hope to pay many visits as I do so enjoy some fun." Her silver placed down, Elgana folds her hands once more as she watches the shuffling of cards and the shifting of silver about.

Duarte has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 6, 11

Duarte smiles. "I'll stay, thank you."

Lucita tips her head and listens to Arik. She says "So I put silver there. Ok, I can do that." She gives a soft laugh. "Do we have the deck with King Alaric and his wife on it?

Turn in line: Arik

Arik has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 7, 13

Waldemai has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 8, 12

Arik checks his cards and his smirk gets wider as taps them with his calloused finger, "I'm good."

Turn in line: Elgana

Waldemai has that same look on his face. "I'll stand here, I think."

Elgana has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 9, 11

Turn in line: Lucita

While the cards are flying and decisions are made Arik peeks at Lucita's before commenting to Waldemai, "I'm actually looking at having some work done on my family armour. Would you be the man I should trust?"

Lucita has rolled 2 11-sided dice: 4, 9

Elgana looks at her cards, then nods. "I'll stay." She smiles at Arik and winks. "Luck of the North?"

Aviana pulls out a small pouch and puts the 100 silver forward watching everyone then looks to Orathy as he gives cards out.

Orathy is dealing the cards out and he is giving a little grimace at the good hands, nods to Lucita. "Ya wanna hit or stay?"

Lucita eyes her cards and looks back at Arik. "That is not very good, is it. Guess I better try again, it is only...er... thirteen!

Baldassare arrives, following Ennettia.

Lucita has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 5

Turn in line: Waldemai

Turn in line: Aviana

Lucita says, "That's a good place to stop, yes? I should stop there?"

Duarte nods to Lucita, "A smart manuever. Yes."

Aviana has rolled 2 11-sided dice: 1, 1

Orathy looks at the five that he deals up Lucita, nodding, "Aye, ya got eighteen. It ain't likely ya gunna get a three for a twenty one. Chances ain't good for it."

Arik says, "I would."

Duarte is quick on the take here. "Don't forget to post a new bet if you split the hand." Silver signs dancing in his eyes.

Orathy's brow arches up at the two aces that are laid down in front of Aviana, nodding at Duarte, "Reckon if ya want to split 'em, which is the best thing you otta do here, cause otherwise you be only having twelve or two."

As the game goes on, a casual late-comer appears! Ennettia Igniseri and her moody shadow, drifting towards the table to take in what's going on, pausing near Duarte. "Do say who's winning, dearest. Am I too late for wine?" A lazy smile is thrown towards the table at large, with a puckered air-kiss in the direction of Lucita and Elgana, faces she knows.

Aviana nods her head handing over another 100 silver.

Aviana has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 12

Aviana has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 10

Orathy flips a card and it turns up a king, over an ace. It's clear that the first split ends up for a twenty one on one of Aviana's hands. The other he flops down before her... and a TEN! TWO twenty ones! Orathy scoffs, "Well well. Reckon that be two wins for you lassy." He then moves to deal the final card for the dealer.

Orathy has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 3, 12

Orathy has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 7

Duarte pats the seat next to him and smiles at Ennettia, "Not late, love. This is the first round. And wine? Of course." He waves over one of the many cocktail servants to take Ennettia's order.

Orathy flops down a twenty for the House.

Turn in line: Orathy

And.... most of the table gets swept away, pooled and stacked in the dealer's money tray. The only one that gets paid out is Aviana, with her double twenty ones! "Congratulations Aviana." It's almost painful for Orathy to count it out, but five hundred silver gets slid toward the young woman. He grins over toward the rest of the table, "How was that eh? Looks like yer little lady here be having lucky horse shoes, aye?"

Duarte claps for Aviana, "Good show, my lady! Enjoy your winnings."

Ennettia has joined the line.

Waldemai picks out a larger coin for the second round. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Turn in line: Duarte

Lucita says, "So the dealer won, beat everyone?" She looks along the line of players or wait, she got twenty one so won, yes? We do this again?" And she spots her cousin. Hello! good to see you. I don't know who here you have met and who have not, double cousin Lady Ennetia."

Duarte slides up 100 silver for his next bet. "It seems to be the way to play." He winks to Aviana.

Elgana gives a polite clap for Aviana. "Congratulations on your win! Very impressive." More silver gets placed neatly onto the table to cover her next go. And then finally, but never truly last, Elgana's gaze sweeps to Ennettia. "Darling are you stalking me now?" she teases with a wink.

Duarte has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 3, 11

Aviana smiles and takes the silver from Orathy, she puts it in her pouch and leans back to watch everyone else for the time being . "Thank you." she blushes some while watching sitting this round out for the moment.

"Twentyone is always paid out everything else was a sweep, aye." Arik says as the cards and coins are collected. He fishes for another palmful of silver and sets it down in front of himself. With the commotion over Ennettia the Halfshav looks in her direction and dips his head, "m'lady."

Duarte taps the table for another card.

Duarte has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 10

Duarte laughs as he busts right after claiming 100 was the magic bet.

Orathy shuffles the cards out and then goes through the process first, nodding at Duarte's larger bet, "Aye. A 13. What ya wanna do then?" As another card is tapped, he delivers and ... immediately Duarte is seen to BUST. Orathy sweeps away the 100 silver that was plunked down.

Turn in line: Arik

Arik has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 7, 12

Arik waves his hands in front of his cards, "Stay."

Turn in line: Elgana

Orathy nods, "17. Aye." He turns to Elgana then, "Princess, what ya biddin?"

Elgana has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 1, 3

"4 or 14" Orathy offers.

"14, and I'll stay," Elgana chuckles. "Not going to push /my/ luck."

Orathy nods and settles in to deal for the next player.

Turn in line: Lucita

As the twenty-one game moves forward, a small group of people can be heard cheering at the dice table. Apparently Orland is hitting 7s all over the place. He earns a glare from Duarte.

Lucita has rolled 2 11-sided dice: 4, 10

Orathy nods, "14." He hovers to see if she would want to hit again.

Lucita has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 9

Lucita says, "Fourteen, guess I need another card, Oh oh, that's too many.""

Ennettia smirks a bit at the cheers Orland gets, whispering something to Duarte in a murmur before looking towards Lucita sympathetically, "There is always next round, dearest double-cousin.

Orathy nods at Lucita's additional card, the deal busting her hand. He takes away her silver and moves to the next.

Turn in line: Waldemai

Waldemai has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 2, 5

Waldemai passes over his coin and peeks at his cards. "Oh, fer...Hit."

Waldemai has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 4

Orathy offers with a raspy voice, "A seven." Chortling as he moves to give the man another card.

Waldemai rubs his hand over his bald head and groans. "Hit."

Orathy provides, "Eleven. Aye-" And he slaps down another card...

Waldemai has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 4

Waldemai has his boots off to count. "Hit me."

Orathy adds up, "15." Then drops another card.

Waldemai has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 9

Waldemai shoves the coin across the table as he busts. "I'll get you next hand." Heck, yeah, it's fun!

Arik shakes his head as Waldemai does the slow death to the bust before looking to Lucita and Ennettia, "Double cousin, on both sides of the family?" he asks in a perplexed manner.

Orathy rakes in the coin that Waldemai had bet, the last card far too many. "Aye, reckon ya might get lucky like Aviana," he grins toward her with a pleasant wink.

Turn in line: Aviana

Ennettia smiles towards Arik, "I went from Saik to Ignseri, by marrying her cousin. She went from Igniseri to Saik, by marrying my cousin. Twice-related."

Orathy regards Aviana, "You in with all that silver in yer pocket? Chance to make more, aye?"

Lucita glances up at Arik. "Yes, she was a Saik, married into Igniseri making her my cousin, then I married into Saik, so double cousins by marriages, or at least so we call ourselves." She grins over at Ennettia as she speaks. "Hope you are luckier at the cards than I seem to be!"

The dice table goes into a grumbling silence as Orland seven outs and dice change hands to a decidely less lucky individual. "Snake-eyes!" the boxman yells.

Aviana hmms watching them and nods, "Sure."

Aviana puts her silver up and waits to see what she gets.

Orathy leans over the poker table with a sort of charming lean toward Aviana, "Aye, how much ya bettin there lassy? Ahh, a hundred. That be close to buyin yerself a pretty ribbon for yer hair, ain't it?"

Orathy has rolled a critical success!
Orathy checked charm + seduction at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Aviana has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 6, 10

Orathy deals out the cards for Aviana and it turns out, "16." There is definitely a roguish smirk on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "Reckon we ain't talking for a time. How be your shop going, miss Aviana?" He waits to see if she wants another card and doesn't seem to be all that worried that he's seductively leaning. Hey, at least he trimmed the beard!

"Oh, I'm positively awful." Ennettia says easily, smirking in response to Lucita. "But if I spend silver, I may as well do it to amuse myself in good company and equally unlucky souls."

"It seems our dealer has a favored among us." Duarte says with a raised brow and amused smirk. "It does not bode well for the rest of us."

Orathy has joined the line.

While Orathy beguiles a young and helpless shop owner Arik squints at his seventeen hand before remarking to Lucita and Ennettia "My idea as well, though I was hoping to be playing poker it seems that not many if any others were interested in the amount of coin it took to buyin."

Aviana watches Orathy she tilts her head a bit to the side watching him with a smirk on her face, "I am waiting to hear back from Princess Isabeau to give me the okay but I have been given a space in the Menagerie as well and working to stock it currently." she looks to her cards then back up. "I will stay."

Turn in line: Ennettia

Orathy might be the one beguiled! It takes him a short span to draw away from Aviana, straightening up and turning to deal to Ennettia, dealing her out a set of cards, while he responds to Aviana, "Reckon that be somethin then eh? Hope it be workin out fer ya."

Ennettia has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 1, 3

Orathy provides, "4 or 14."

Ennettia raises a wrist to hide her lips as she giggles at Duarte's words, "Does he really? How positively cruel." SHe states, before moving her skirt aside at the split to get at the thigh-pouch. Several coins are handed towards Orathy, before Ennettia leans forward, wine in hand, waiting for her cards. Upon seeing them, she laughs. "Hit, of course."

Ennettia has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 5

Orathy nods at the ask for another card and turns over a five for her and the table to see.

Ennettia smiles at the card, "Let's see...that's nine or nineteen, isn't it? I do think I'll stay with that. Perhaps I shall end luckier than I thought."

Respectively, Orathy waits to see what Ennettia will do, providing, "Aye. Nine or nineteen." He does provide any hints on what she should do and it finally looks like it is dealer's cards.

Orathy has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 5, 9

Orathy has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 9

Orathy turns up another nine and the dealer busts!

Orathy starts to pay out from the dealer's tray the bets back to the people. Arik gets two hundred and fifty to match his proposed bet before him - five hundred all together, Elgana and Lucita each win an additional twenty five, Aviana gets another hundred, and Ennettia rounds it off with a further 75! The table wins big!

As Orathy deals himself a bust, Arik chuckles with no small amount of relief as the cards are swept and silver counted out. It seems his initial bet was 250. "I can confirm the lucky bet is two hundred or more." he says in a pleased manner even as Lucita gets some money back, they seem to be sharing a coin purse and murmuring between themselves from time to time. "Is anyone interested in a side bet, ten silvers everytime you turn an ace... The house included?"

"No side bets from the house, but we will take a rake on it." Duarte grins.

Arik says, "Tip yer dealer at the end of the night, of course."

Aviana smiles, "It is, perhaps I might see you there some time or at the shop when it opens hmm?" she leans back in her seat watching the large man with the cards.

Turn in line: Duarte

Duarte has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 1, 5

Orathy spends a good deal of time shuffling the cards, looking between Arik and Duarte, "Aye, what he says. No side bets from the House, but you be doing as you see fit with yer friends aye? Always good to make a bit more coin." As he indicates another round, he starts to deal out the cards and nods to Duarte, settling on him first as the half-circle around the table dictates, "Aye, well what ya wantin to do with that?"

Duarte hmmmsss and agonizes over the decision. "I'll hit."

Lucita looks a little surprised to be given silver back and perks up. Oh, I thought I lost." She tries to pay attention and says as she slides part of that back for the next round. "At least I'm not losing as fast that way."

Orathy nods and provides Duarte another card.

Duarte has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 3

Duarte smiles, "I'll stay here."

Orathy eyes Duarte a bit, "We ought to play dice sometime, you 'n I. Reckon I got more luck in that." He nods and then deals for the next!

Turn in line: Arik

Arik has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 7, 11

With the previous win Arik does not take coins back, he adds to the pile! Easily a thousand silver worth of a wager in front of him he waves his hand above his cards. "I'll sit pretty, thank ya."

Orathy whistles at the silver that Arik drops down. A cool thousand silver. In return, he gets dealt a hard 17. "Shit.." he chortles, moving on.

Turn in line: Elgana

Elgana has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 1, 5

Duarte clasps his hands together behind his cards and looks at Arik's stack approvingly. "I hope you come back often my lord!"

Elgana smiles as she slips some silver onto the table again, but the Redrain stays mostly quiet.

Arik does looks fairly pleased despite the arguably medicore hand. When a server passes by he lifts a hand and says, "Whiskey, spiced if you have it." and then it's back to the table. "I intend too, if you ever have boulder tossing contests, let me know." the northern says with a reckless grin.

Orathy provides for Elgana, "6 or 16."

"Hmm," Elgana muses. "16 and stay, please."

Turn in line: Lucita

Lucita has rolled 2 11-sided dice: 5, 6

Lucita frowns as she looks at the cards and counts out a few more silver.

Lucita has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 3

Turn in line: Waldemai

Waldemai ups his bet again, and takes his cards.

Waldemai has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 3, 8

A cocktail waitress returns with everyone's drink orders. Whiskey for Duarte. Wine for Ennettia. Spiced whiskey for Arik. And whatever else was handwaved.

The double down didn't go as planned, but it wasn't over yet! Orathy moves on to Waldemai as the silver gets added too. The five hundred pile is considered and two cards are given. It's also an 11. He waits to see what Waldemai will do with it.

Waldemai taps the card. "Hit me..." He looks around for Esoka, but she's not there. "Dame Esoka might take that literally."

Waldemai has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 5

"16," Orathy tallies.

Waldemai waves a hand. "Sit," he announces i a voice honed by years in the pubs of Southport.

For the table, the Culler looks around at them, "Reckon I were thinking of holding a horse race in the future. Would that be somethin the lot of you would bet on?" He considers as he moves onto the next person.

Turn in line: Ennettia

"We'll also be laying odds on challenges and champions." Duarte offers, with a look to the proprieter as if to say 'right?!'

Ennettia has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 5, 12

"Aye! That be right!" Orathy nods in agreement to Duarte, "Reckon we ought to be hopin for another challenge soon so we can get proper bets on the fight."

Lucita says, "What kind of race? Speed or endurance?" She asks as she considers the question. "I don't know much about horses. Princess Caelis and Prince Lorenzo do though and might be very interested."

"Had I known the bets would have gotten so much larger I would have brought more funds." She says, reaching for the discreet thigh purse for several more coins, clinking them on the table. Then her numbers pop up, and she pouts, "I shall stay, I suppose."

Waldemai waves a hand in the air. "Speed, endurance, dancing...If I can get coin down on it, I'll put coin down on it."

Duarte smiles to Waldemai, "That's a man after my own heart. No wrong time or place for a wager."

Orathy nods at Ennettia, "15." Then he answers Lucita, "Reckon just a race. Could be a short race or a distance race. Reckon the folk in the Lowers, some of 'em fancier sorts, used to race horses through the streets." Yes, street racing, come on it's a thing! "Supposin there could be some sort of thing set out in the city proper or outside in the forest. Just be needin a road with a start 'n and end." He side glances at Duarte, then smiles at Lucita, "Aye. Reckon we be needin some proper fun like that round here. I ain't knowin much about horses 'n all that matter to me, be which one come in first." He nods to Ennettia as she stays.

Orathy has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 3, 11

Orathy has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 5

Orathy flops three cards out, "Dealer 19." He states.

Duarte snickers, "I won one."

Orathy coughs, "18. 18..."

Waldemai loses his larger coin. Time to go big or go home. He starts grubbing around the bottom of his pouch.

Ennettia leans forward and kisses Duarte's cheek, leaving a lip stain she rubs off with her thumb after, a cheeky smile on her face. "Congratulations, dearest! Now you shall pay for the wine."

Aviana enjoys watching the others play a soft smile on her lips as she watches everyone play.

"I already paid for the wine when it was stocked." Duarte laughs. He watches the large house win be collected by Orathy with a faint smile and a nod to the dealer.

"See? It's as if you already knew you'd be treating me." Ennettia says with a smirk.

Orathy passes out a good chunk of coin to Duarte, a few hundred silver and he goes to shuffling the cards about again. "Reckon what be more interestin? A horse race? Or stickin rats in a maze... bird fights? Dog fights?" He ... shows that he's from the Lowers, has that rough edge to him and none of what he just said bothers him.

Turn in line: Duarte

Arik loses quite the sum but that is alright he leaves the smaller coin purse for Lucita and pulls a small bag of what appears to be coins from the left side of his belt and plunks it down on the table with an audible *thump*

Duarte has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 1, 4

Duarte taps the table upon seeing his cards and then smiles over to Ennettia. "I suppose it will be the state of things moving forward."

Elgana gives a little smile at the others as she rises from her seat. "Thank you all for a lovely time," she murmurs looking somewhat sleepy as she stretches. "I shall have to come back at some point and try my hand at some other games." She gives a nod to those she knows before she slips a little silver onto the table top and makes to leave, her retinue filing in behind her and out she goes.

Elgana has left the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Simon, the Mastiff Puppy, 2 Redrain novice guards, Chantilly, the demure companion leave, following Elgana.

Duarte has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 7

Orathy watches the Princess move on with a nod, scooping up of course the little bonus silver that she's left behind. That doesn't go into the dealer's tray. He moves on with dealing cards and gives an ace and a four to Duarte. He'll deal down another one after the tap to the table.

Orathy smirks, "12"

Duarte has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 12

Duarte sighs and hangs his head.

Turn in line: Arik

Arik has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 7, 9

Orathy's eyes widen a bit at the larger bet put on the table in front of Arik, providing the next set of cards, "16."

Arik has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 7

Orathy lays down another card and looks sympathic for the attempt, "Aye. Reckon that be too many."

Turn in line: Lucita

Lucita has rolled 2 11-sided dice: 1, 8

The deal goes well for Lucita, it's an ace and an eight, "9 or 19." Orathy nods and looks already to be moving on to the next person.

Turn in line: Waldemai

Lucita has put a small bet down, enough to keep interest in the cards and counts that up. That looks a good spot to stop and not risk losing!

Waldemai hands over his bet, a fat one. Looks like he's planning to win his losses back in one hand! "Give me cards," he says.

Waldemai has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 7, 10

"One way or another, I'll come out of here up for the night." Arik comments as he taps the trio of cards resulting with a bust and then peeking down at Lucita's own hand to comment "Well there we go, mayhap the Baroness will offset my losses?"

Orathy deals a 17 for Waldemai after the big bet, looking over to Arik, "Aye, lots of opportunity fer ya to make yer bets back. Reckon we be having more games like this to come. And poker if we can be gettin some better attention on it."

Waldemai's hand cuts the air over his cards. "Sit."

Turn in line: Ennettia

Orathy moves on from Waldemai with a nod for his call to stay, looking expectantly to Ennettia and then dealing her two cards out.

Ennettia has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 2, 2

Ennettia removes a few more coins - this time pulling a small purse from her bustline and casually opening it to offer Orathy her new bet. She laughs a bit at her results, "Hit, please."

Ennettia has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 5

2 House Velenosa Guards arrives, following Sofia.

Duarte stands "I am going to take a short breather." He goes and climbs up into the rafters like a monkey to sit in the bower.

Duarte has left the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Duarte has joined the a small bower tucked into the rafters.

Orathy considers the hand that Ennettia was dealt, "Yer at a 9."

Duarte has left the a small bower tucked into the rafters.

Duarte has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Duarte has left the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Duarte has joined the a small bower tucked into the rafters.

Duarte apparently fell while trying to climb. But he is determined! And makes it up there on his next go.

Ennettia has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 7

Ennettia rolls another, then quirks her lips in a smile, "I'll stop there, I think."

Orathy adds another to her pile, "Aye. 16." And now it's dealer's cards!

Orathy has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 9, 9

Waldemai groans, but not too loud. "Losing is the price of admission, I always say."

Orathy flips up to nines and declares, "Dealer 18." And then the sweeps of the bets start to happen. All that money. Except, Lucita seems to get money back!

Curiousity has drawn Sofia into this establishment much to the disgruntlment of the two Velenosa guards that follow her. Breezing into the room the Princess lets her eyes sweep slowly over those present and looks faintly interested. Approching the table where one group is playing she tilts her head and observes with a thoughtful gaze.

Sofia has joined the line.

Turn in line: Arik

Orathy goes through the act of shuffling cards, as people decide if they wish to continue playing or not.

Aviana leans back in her seat watching them all still play, her eyes looking from person to person then to the dealer.

Arik has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 11, 13

Baldassare leaves, following Ennettia.

Arik didn't downsize his bets either placing another easy twenty-five hundred onto the table before waving his hand over the twenty showing in front of him. "I'll come out ahead by the end of the night, mark my words." he says after a brief exchange with Lucita, whispers it seems.

Two face cards pop up for Arik once the deal begins on the new round for the table. Arik lands a jack and a king. "Twenty-" Orathy provides.

Turn in line: Lucita

Sofia watches as Orathy starts a new round, taking a seat at the table with a thin smile. "I hope no one minds if I join?" She waits her turn calmly.

Orathy gestures to Sofia and invites her in, "Aye, reckon we just be startin up again. Come on in m'lady."

Lucita has rolled 2 11-sided dice: 9, 11

Orathy grunts as another twenty forms on the table. At least Lucita didn't bet a big bag of silver! He goes right along with dealing out the cards.

Lucita slides the small amount of coins over to the dealer and tips her head, counting the numbers on the cards. I think, to stop there.

Aviana moves to stand up, "I should be going now, I thank you for showing me how to play and it is a very nice place you have here." she leans in to whisper something to Orathy.

The dealer really meant a nineteen!

Turn in line: Waldemai

Waldemai pushes over the last of the coins in his pouch. "Win or lose, a good night."

Arik gives Aviana a dip of his head as she whispers to Orathy.

Waldemai has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 1, 5

Orathy stalls in dealing just for a time, or does he do it without looking. Either way an ace and a five card get dealt out to Waldemai.

Waldemai taps the cards in front of him. "Hit."

Waldemai has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 9

Orathy, distracted by the pretty lady whispering in his ear, turns away from Aviana with a roguish grin on his face when Waldemai taps for another card, turning down an nine for the man, "15."

Waldemai taps the cards in front of him. "Hit."

Waldemai has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 13

Turn in line: Sofia

Orathy puts a face card down and it's not what Waldemai wanted, clearly! The hand is bust.

Waldemai doesn't exactly throw the cards down, but it was close...

One of Sofia's guards twitches an eyebrow slightly at Orathy's manner of addressing her. But Sofia just smiles softly and nods to Orathy. When its her turn she will place her bet of a thousand silver and eye her cards carefully. She seems somewhat cautious to begin with.

Sofia has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 4, 8

Sonfia glances at her cards and taps them gently with one manicured nail. "Hit."

Sofia has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 5, 8

Sofia has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 4

Orathy answers for Sofia's cards, "16."

Sofia taps her cards once more. "Hit."

Sofia has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 9

No expression shows as Sofia goes over she merely smooths out her gown and glances across the table to the others.

Aviana nods her head to Orathy, "Have a good evening Master Orathy." she nods to everyone else and heads for the door a grin on her lips.

With that last hit, Sofia busts her card hand. Orathy turns to deal his cards now, against the last two standing hands - very good hands that is!

Orathy has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 11, 13

Aviana has left the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Duarte climbs back down from the bower and rejoins the table. He smiles to Sofia as he settles in. "Your highness! Delighted to have you tonight. I hope you enjoy your time at Crossroads."

Duarte has left the a small bower tucked into the rafters.

Duarte has joined the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Duarte has joined the line.

It's a push then and Arik seems to let out a disappointed sigh, "Close... There's only one thing to be done for it." he comments while keeping his initial bet out and adding to it. "Luck favors the bold... and welcome Your Highness." he says to Sofia in an idle manner.

The deal provides a push for Arik's hand and a loss for Lucita's. Orathy's cards read twenty just as well as Arik's. He spreads his hands and starts shuffling the cards again. "Reckon ya'll in for another hand?"

Turn in line: Arik

Arik has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 10, 10

It takes some time for Arik to split off the silver but nearly ten thousand sits on the table as a pair of face cards drop in front of him and he smirks at Orathy while saying in a low rumble a voice, "I'll sit and see if we have a repeat?"

Turn in line: Lucita

Lucita has rolled 2 11-sided dice: 3, 8

Looking over to Duarte Sofia smiles softly her expression warming a bit. "Thank you kindly for the welcome. And I suspect I will enjoy my time here very much indeed." She looks over to Orathy. "I'm willing to play another round." Looking over to Arik she nods to him as he welcomes her. Her expression is a calm one as she prepares to try again.

Orathy regarded the bet by Arik with a raised brow, nervous. It was definitely something that was making the man who loves his silver, nervous. The max bet was nearly made on the table. He shifts to Lucita then, answering to Arik, "Aye. Reckon if ya win that, then the House loses big." He gulps a little and provides Lucita her cards. He nods to Lucita, "Reckon ya gonna double down or hit regular like?"

Lucita has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 9

Turn in line: Waldemai

Orland walks by and scowls at everyone as he passes.

Lucita fumbles with her coins as she considers her cards then finally passes a few over and takes another card. She catches her lower lip between her teeth for a moment then gives a little smile as she sees the final card.

Waldemai pushes his last coin across the table. This bet is not so large as the last several.

Waldemai has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 11, 11

Orathy is regarding the table and he exhales loudly.

Turn in line: Sofia

Sofia has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 1, 9

Sofia slides over another bet as she examines her cards for this round. Her expression stays perfectly neutral as she considers the others and her own hand.

Turn in line: Duarte

The good luck across the table continues.

Duarte has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 2, 10

Except for Duarte.

Duarte hits.

Duarte has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 2

Duarte narrows his eyes and hits again.

Duarte has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 7

Orathy shrugs at his patron and deals another card. It doesn't really help. See. The casino is totally not rigged...

The second card that Duarte wants well, it shows up just exactly where Duarte wants it. Orathy grumbles a little.

Orathy has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 5, 8

Orathy has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 2

Orathy has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 5

"Very lucky." Arik grouses as he once again takes no coins back and instead adds to the pile. "My last hand."

Duarte had been holding his breath and then when the dealer pushes with the big hands around him he claps his hands and laughs! "Oh my! Such suspense!"

Waldemai gets his one last coin back again and flips it into the air. "That's the lucky one," he says.

Orathy.. might have just about fallen on his ass from relief! The casino certainly didn't want to be losing so much money! But the luck of it was nail biting. The TIE that ends up from the dealers flip, means that all that bettin money stays with the players and no money is lost. Duarte does get a bit more back, considering he struck a 21.

Turn in line: Arik

Arik has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 1, 13

Let no one claim Arik Halfshav shys away from danger, foolishness, or a serious gambling problem... Because after dumping a pile of coins onto the already large pile of coins he's dealt the lucky twenty-one leaving him laughing boisterously an drinking his spiced whiskey in one gulp, which he had forgotten up to this point. Afterwards he keeps laughing and eases back on his stool, clearly having been on the edge of his seat!

Lucita looks over toward Arik and murmurs. "Remind me never to bet against you! You were right when you said you were lucky!" She laughs good naturedly.

Orathy glances down... unbelievingly toward the twenty one... on the MAX bet. Yes, there was ten thousand silver on the line and Arik Halfshav pulled out a twenty one. It looks like Orathy is stunned. Like. Absolutely stunned in the wake of this devastation for the House! Really. It's not supposed to go like this! The laughter has him groan, "Reckon I best go talk to Seymour eh." He chortles and notes to Arik, "You be doin me a favor, aye? Bring yer friends back for some poker."

Turn in line: Lucita

Waldemai tucks his lucky coin back in his pouch. "I'll have to fill that up again before the fights in a couple days. Anyone wants to get a bet down, catch me there." He waves in a jaunty manner and heads for the door.

Lucita looks over at the others still at the gaming table. "So far it has been fun, win or lose, long as my losses aren't too big.

Orathy picks up 25000.0 silver from a double belt of grey leather with forest green interlocking circles.

Waldemai has left the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Lucita has rolled 2 11-sided dice: 4, 10

Lucita has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 13

Sofia cannot help it she laughs merrily, a bright and musical sound escaping her lips even as she reaches up to cover them. Looking over to Arik she smirks. "Congradulations. It seems you are a lucky charm given life." She rises from the table, bowing out now it would seem.

Duarte stands and applauds the 15,000 payout back to Arik. "Well done and congratulations." He sits back down and smile, "Do tell your friends and come back again often! We'll get you some comps."

Orathy deals with a matter of some paperwork to get... some of that silver coming to the big winner. Hearing Duarte's words about the comps and applausing the man with the Luck up his arse, Orathy grins, "Aye. Reckon ya got some coin now to be saving yer spot at the poker table." He shrugs his shoulders and deals the cards for Lucita. She doesn't have as great of luck and busts with the ten high card and a face card.

Turn in line: Sofia

Out of the winning pot Arik does toss some back to Orathy with a grin as the final cards are dealt and the winnings paid. He picks up his small coinpurse, the bag, and offers his arm to Lucita. "Well I will surely be back, hopefully with more friends next time. A fine game, a fine game." he says with a laugh still in his voice and a reckless grin plastered across his face, almost as big as his beard.

2 House Velenosa Guards have been dismissed.

Lucita has left the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Lucita says, "lovely evening. I'll see about maybe returning sometime...eventually. Maybe when not having to waddle so much.""

Turn in line: Duarte

Duarte has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 4, 4

Duarte has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 1

Duarte stays at 19.

With the brandy downed, Lucita on his arm, and a comfortable weight on his hip Arik dips his head to those remaining and says "When I return from the North again I will come back with coin aplenty and a half dozen eager gamblers. Mayhap next time dice!" he says in a deep pitched voice that carries in the room before beginning to walk out with Lucita. He can be heard commenting, "I won our side bet."

Orathy watches the bit tossed back to him for a tip, gritting his teeth but hey, trying to smile underneath that whiskery beard of his! "Reckon it were good to have ya at the table. Come back ya'here!" And.. the House.. has no luck! 19. Really, Orathy has terrible luck. The official dealer is giving him a nudge nudge to step back after this deal finishes.

Orathy has rolled 2 13-sided dice: 3, 3

Duarte is overheard praising Orathy for: A charismatic dealer!

Orathy has rolled 1 3-sided dice: 1

Arik is overheard praising Orathy for: A lucky dealer, in all the right ways.

Orathy has rolled 1 13-sided dice: 1

Arik has left the a large green satin covered game table - Twenty-One.

Lucita clears her throat and finally manages to reply to Arik. "I'll see to it the debt is paid, I won't gyp you." And she glances back over her shoulder a moment as they walk out.

Golden, an Oakhaven bloodhound, Gunther, a Rottweiler, Micana, 1 Saik Guard leave, following Lucita.