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A Game of Confidence; Intro [Open - Ask First]
Topic Started: Jan 28 2014, 01:30 PM (426 Views)
Chidarake
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Naoki appreciated the extra money greatly, but spoke nothing of it. Instead, he smiled as Treo accepted his offer, and dealt out two cards to each of them.

I have to admit, something like this isn't bad every once in a while. The only person I've been able to play an honest game against was my old man, and I certainly can't do that anymore, Naoki said, leaving his cards face down. Now that he had finally spoken the truth to someone, it felt refreshing, and he wanted that feeling to continue.

I just hope the day never comes when I feel that desperate. I'd hate to do that to my mother. What's the wager on this hand? Naoki went on, suddenly switching gears as he peeked at his two cards; the Seven of Diamonds and the Jack of Hearts. The cards spoke well of his new acquaintance.
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Dante
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WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
The teen nodded. "I understand. It has been a while since I've had someone to match my own wits against. For that alone the price of admission was worth it." He smiled somewhat as he dealt the cards. "Well now you know if you ever want an honest game, you only have to ask." It felt right to say that in return. He wasn't his father, but the notion of an honest game must have been relieving.

Treo smiled. "As long as you keep yourself focused on what's important and never lose sight of it, you shouldn't ever feel that desperate." The wager. Hrm... now that was something he didn't know. "Well, I won't ask any more deep questions, it wouldn't be right after all. Double or nothing on one simple fact. If you win, you can ask me anything you want, no matter how deep, or how embarassing. If I win however..."

He scratched his chin. "I honestly don't know what to ask. My curiosity is well sated and I would never ask for my money back. If I win..." He shrugged. "Perhaps the answer will come to me if I win." It was a move that would keep the boy guessing, what exactly would he stand to lose. As he placed the cards down on the box, Treo peeked at them. Jack of Spades and Two of Clubs. 12. Not bad, definitely a good hand to start with. 11 was better, but where was fun without a little risk?

"You know its funny. In blackjack, its not like poker. There's no buildup, no reading of the minds. No guessing what everyone has. Its just two cards then you draw another and another until you reach 21. Its probably why its the most played game in Vegas." He grinned. "Anyone can play it. Much like Chess."
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Chidarake
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One question, huh... Alright, I'll take that, Naoki accepted the offer, although a bit worried about the openness of the other end. Still, he had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to ask. He kept his cards laid face down on the box.

That's true, Blackjack is almost entirely up to the cards. No strategy, no psychology... Naoki went on, but couldn't keep himself from smiling before the next part. But I dare say, if you underestimate the game of Chess, you're very likely to lose, he said. I could sit here and stare at you all day, but that wouldn't change the twenty in your hand. But in chess, there's always a play. 'What is he thinking?' 'What's his next move?' 'Has he read ahead of me?' All of these are questions people take for granted in a regular old game, and it seems you do as well. But they're the questions that keep me alive out here, keep food on my table. Not many people can do it, but I'm still playing, he said, finishing his little rant and emphasizing his point by tapping his chest with his palm.

Which leads me to my next question. Are you attacking my king, or defending yours? he asked, gesturing towards the deck.
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Dante
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WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
Treo smiled slightly. "Brilliant. You know your way around a question of philosophy. You are smarter than you look." A pause. "But I suppose that's the way the game works. To be a good conman, you need to be the smartest man in the room, but you need to look like you don't know right from left." He continued on about Chess and the teen laughed.

"Excellent! Very true. The two of us could stare at each other, but the cards will not change. If someone is under enough pressure, their game will falter. The difference between Blackjack and any other cardgame is precisely one thing. It is what draws people to Tarot as well. Blackjack and Tarot share one quality."

He tapped his cards. "Its all in the cards. Sure you could shuffle the deck in a certain way, or you could learn to count cards, but in the end, its all in the cards. The cards are the be all and end all of the game. Much like there are 22 Major Arcana, the Goal is 21. The end of the fools journey. Isn't that rather apt? A strange number otherwise."
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Chidarake
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Naoki was starting to get the feeling that he was being studied, like some sort of new specimen under a microscope. The more he listened to Treo, the more he wondered what was going on behind that smile. At the mention of Tarot, however, Naoki's interest was once again perked.

Well you see, I'm more of a modern type of guy. The Major Arcana are wonderful and all, but I prefer when the cards speak their own mind during a game. For example... he said, flipping over the top card of the deck and placing it off to the side, away from their hands; the Seven of Clubs. This card is telling me that I had a successful business today, but not much luck with the ladies, he explained, laughing a bit as he remembered the five or so women that had ignored him that day.

The fool walks a long path, but I want to enjoy every little bit of it, not just skim the major details.
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Dante
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WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
He smiled. "That's where it gets interesting of course. The tarot deck is the foundation of playing cards. So all those that feel like the cards were a lot of superstition, well, we never truly stopped playing with the cards." He laid his hands out in the air.

"What do you know about Texas Hold'em? They draw cards. Five in total. Three to begin with. Exactly how they read Tarot. Three Cards, then another. Then a final card." He grinned. "Vegas is no more than a testament to fate. Perhaps that's why they call it a city in which you can get lucky. If the cards allow you to, of course."

He nodded. "No man should rush his journey. I myself fear the end of the Fool's journey. By the end, what kind of man will I be? Will I be rich? Successful? Strong? Helpful? It all depends on what the steps are." He smiled slightly. "I like you. You're able to keep up with me mentally as well as with cards. Definitely something I haven't encountered before."

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Chidarake
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Oh don't worry, I know all the card games, Naoki said in response. But sometimes I wonder; are we walking a path laid before us by fate, or is fate simply our friend, walking the same path, simply there to guide us when we're lost? he said, flipping over three more cards.

The past, the Four of Spades. Financial difficulties, problems. The present, the Queen of Spades. A woman who lost her husband. And the future, the Ace of Hearts. A home filled with love and happiness, the issues of the past losing their hold. These cards are my friends, my companions, and they give me hope when I feel we have none. Despite whatever fate may have in store for me and my mother, I know we can overcome it, together.

Having finished his own personal reading, Naoki pushed the cards off to the side and smiled. The same holds true for me. Here we are, two sides of the same coin, having just met but talking about the world like old friends. I'm glad you decided to stop here today.
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Dante
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WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
Treo nodded slowly. "I believe in a simple saying. There is no fate besides that which we make for ourselves. Everything happens for a reason and that simple reason is because it is our fate. Perhaps there is more to this than that, Fate is a word that carries many negative terms along with it."

He listened intently. "These cards act as a guideline for the future. Perhaps in time you will earn your Ace of Hearts. Perhaps soon, you will find a way to change your card." Despite his age, he was very smart, not to mention resilient. "Perhaps you can. It is as I said. If you keep your focus, there are few things in this world that you cannot resist."

He grinned. "What kind of man would I be if I didn't at least find out why you were playing Three Card Monte. The game of my youth. I'm glad I stepped over here. I expected to lose, but in reality I've gained so much more."
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Chidarake
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Naoki simply nodded at Treo's words, glad that he had found someone who could understand, instead of just labeling him a greedy street rat like the others.

Well, as the cards speak of my life, I believe I should speak for theirs; I think we've kept them waiting long enough. Shall we finish our game? Naoki said, motioning towards the two cards Dante held. I'm not taking another card, but how about you? he asked. He wasn't too happy with his hand of seventeen, but it wasn't the absolute worst.
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Dante
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WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
Treo nodded. "If you won't take another card, I'll take another one." He tapped his cards to indicate another and nodded. "Perhaps we have kept ourselves busy with other talk of cards. More importantly, I will be honest with you. In this situation, I want to draw anything below 9. We spoke of fate as a friend. If I draw a Jack, or a King. Perhaps we will know who that friend favors."

He chuckled. "That's why luck is a lady after all."
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