(Flashback) Responsibility [The Spinning Coin]

[Xalet]

47th day of Summer, 505 AV In every meeting Bob Barton had with Xalet, the Akalak had been a quiet, well mannered individual. True to his word, thoughtful to others, and perhaps a bit naive, Xalet was nothing like the youthful Akalak that sat behind the enormous bar within the Spinning Coins property. For the first time ever, Bob would get to meet Xuphim, the crude, vulgar, narcissistic jackass of a dark half Xalet had to share his very existance with. Most likely they would get along smashingly. Already a few drinks in, Xuphim was quickly realizing that due to his size and overall muscular mass, getting tipsy took a bit of work. Nothing he couldn't handle of course, and Xalet seemed to do well enough to save every penny ever given to him. What good was money if you never spent it, the darker half thought to himself. In a rare moment like this, a moment where Xalet had lapsed and Xuphim got a glimpse of true freedom, he had to make sure it counted. Who knew when the next time he would get to interact with the world was. Of course Squires didn't exactly get days off. Responsibilities had to be shucked in order to make this day happen, and for that reason Xuphim had ignored contact with his typical training for the day. The good part about having a Sergeant for a Patron was her busy schedule. Having to take care of official Knights left her less time to directly supervise Xalet, or Xuphim in this case. That meant he could get away with more for longer before getting caught. It was perfect. Even now he didn't look like a Knight at all. In a stained tunic and simple black breeches, Xuphim looked like any other poor sod sipping back a glass on a fine Summers day, save for the excessive height and enormous build. He had told Bob Barton to meet him at the establishment, which could have seemed fairly unusual considering "Xalet's" typical demeanor. He had no intention of having Bob meet his Patron after all, but the half-sized Human didn't need to know that. Not yet anyway. Xuphim remembered Bob talking about having some experience with gambling. That was the perfect partner for raking in some easy Mizas and having a little bit of 'fun money'. With the way Xalet spent, or rather, the lack of any spending he did, there was no doubt that extra coin would be around the next time Xuphim could come out to play.

[Bob Barton]

That...Xalet...Spinning Coin...?!? "What the heck is going on?" Bob asked himself in total amazement. As soon as he found out that they were supposed to spend the day in the Spinning Coin, Bob became suspicious. This Priskil obsessed akalak must have something planned to weed out the bad, bad gambling habits in him. That must be the only explanation. Even more worrying is whether Xalet will try to do it alone or bring along some company. The former would be better since it is easier for Bob to run away or outsmart the akalak that exercised all his muscles except the one that mattered but the latter would be bad. Quite bad. The only other knight person that Bob knew Xalet knew is that patron of his he always talked about. But...she was the sergeant. Why would she come...unless! Was Bob an extremely bad influence that needed brainwashing?! Better not remind Xalet about the akalak's earlier offer.

All that thinking made Bob completely paranoid and he did go to the Spinning Coin. However instead of waiting for Xalet inside he stayed outside. Borrowing some items from his busker buddies earlier in the day that had no discernible use until the reveals, Bob took a spot in a side street which had a nice proper view of the entrance to the Spinning Coin. No one would notice him because, da-da-da, reveal #1. Bob borrowed some very raggedy and oversized clothes for himself. A big brown longcoat to make him look slightly bigger that normal, if it worked out as he planned and another big brown hat to make his head look bigger as well as cover his face when he wore it tipped slightly forward. Alright so it did not quite worked as he planned. The people who passed by him grumbled something about a beggar. Hopefully none will set the knights on him too early...until he got out of these beggar clothes.

But as a hidden bonus, some of the more generous members of society gave him mizas. Score! If he really went into the Spinning Coin he would have some mizas to use. Nonetheless as he kept a look out for his purple friend and as he did squatting on the ground, Bob acted like a real beggar just to blend in. Weakly holding out his hand with the longcoat's sleeve sagging to the ground, Bob was weaving his body back and forth whining in an obviously faked squeaky voice "ahny chhange feh a phoor shoul?" Some of the really unlucky people will have the beggar midget leaning forward with cupped hands asking "phleaseee?" Gods this might all be for nothing. Xalet would never come into the Spinning Coin for any reason whatsoever as Bob knew the akalak.

Bob waited and waited. Observing each and every person that came close to the Spinning Coin and paying special interest to those who wanted to pass through its doors. Syliras might have many races but most of those were humans so Bob felt nothing off when those were most of the ones he saw especially when they were better dressed than him. Bob was finally drawn to the sight of a purple man getting close. "Xalet?" he whispered to himself. No it cannot be. He had a matching height and colour but...Bob could see what was wrong from far. The akalak had no armour. He did not even have a weapon at the normal spot Bob was looking out for. The worst part was what he was wearing. Even if Bob could not see the stain, the clothes the akalak was wearing was a lot sloppier than his beggar disguise.

If it was really the akalak, then Bob had no choice but to confirm that the akalak was really up to something. Perhaps it was a ruse to put him off guard when he gets caught and thrown into the Tank for corrupting Xalet...or maybe his patron finally found out that Bob nearly put her valuable charge at risk with the boar episode. He found his sight shifting to the back of the akalak to see if there are any knights following but Bob could see no one with any armour on them. Looking harder to the people who were more at the front, he could not even see any weapons on the hip. It was time for a test. Getting up rather quickly unlike the sickly beggar he was acting as, Bob hobbled over and bumped into the akalak slightly. Straight after as a prepared reaction he adjusted the hat to be between his face and the akalak muttering "schory. A phrayer to Priskhil ferh me?" he asked holding out his hand weakly. The only way to be sure.

[Xalet]

A heavy hand came down into the tree of beer nuts sitting next to the Akalak, quickly being depleted of its volume. After a few more handfuls the salty snacks were gone, leaving only a beaten wooden bowl in their wake. "Ay keeper! Keeper!" he yelled down toward the bar keep, whom was busy tending to another patron. In the midst and action of the coin on a fine day such as it was, the ability for Xuphim's voice to be carried well enough to be heard at that distance was slim. "Son of a bitch, doesn't even hear me." he grumbled to himself, swishing a dark, cloudy drink around in his cup. A short jolt had him spilling a bit of the top most portion of his drink, "Gah." he turned to see who the culprit was, noticing the height, or lack there of, of the person responsible. He gave the disguised Bob a bit of a sideways glance, and although anger was apparent upon his face in the very beginning it slowly waned toward a more neutral expression. Oddly enough despite the various things Xalet had said in the past to Bob, even when he chased after them during their initial meeting, not many emotions ever laid across his face. At least none so plainly as they did for Xuphim. "Startin' the beggin' a little young eh there squirt?" the Akalak replied, the once perfect speech he had cast aside for a more relaxed, casual tone. Slowly Xuphim began to turn more directly toward Bob, as if a shock of realization was starting to come across him. Priskil? Who the void asks for prayers from Priskil in the Spinning Coin? That slave driver Xalet perhaps, but who else? "Wait a damn chime..." Now Bob could plainly notice Xuphim hunching over at the waist, trying to get a better glance at his face. It was starting to come to the Akalak. "Gods damn Bob, that you? Man, you like shyke." he chuckled, his words were quite plain, no hidden overtones. Xuphim said exactly what he meant, perhaps sometimes he was a bit too blunt. "Got a hint of the slum in you today eh?" the purple Syliran continued before taking a moment to look down at his own rather unkempt attire for the day, "Guess there ain't much reason to dress up. I got plans today Bob, important plans. See there's an amateur gambling competition that comes together on every day ending with a '7'. You said you've got some skill tossing down them bones right? Counting cards? Calling numbers? Whatever you'd call it. We don't get to have enough fun, you an' me. I was thinkin' it's high time to rack up some 'fun money'."

[Bob Barton]

Who would ask prayers from Priskil in the Spinning Coin the akalak asks? Maybe if the young beggar was actually real, him and probably many other people who are down on their luck in the Spinning Coin. There is nothing else for them to do but to hope for a win. At least now the midget knows that his disguise works. He might even be a natural at this. More natural than being a follower of Priskil. Bob might have been one of them being one of those gamblers that had bad times, maybe. Only if he did not learn about her from Xalet and did not experience the wicked power she gave him in that dangerous situation with the boar.

Yes, that is dangerous situation too "...petch" he whispered to himself. Why was Bob testing this akalak again despite his misgivings with the situation? When the akalak started to come closer to take a look, Bob held on to his hat and tried to pull it forward so that the akalak will not be able to peek. "Shir? I no know noh Bhob..." and he did not like being called shyke unless maybe he has some mizas to make it pass? Unfortunately the akalak was sure that Bob was Bob. That was not the only problem. He was actually announcing in public, in the Spinning Coin no less that Bob cheats. That or he did not know the proper term. But the people here are crazy. Obviously they will take the worse interpretation. He cannot have that.

Which is why it was now time for reveal #2! If Xalet wanted slums he will have his slums. Earlier in the day, Bob already borrowed some blackish powder he had no idea was what for except that it was the one to use. With the makeup brush he also borrowed, he was able to use it instead of messily putting it on his face with his hands. Of course he did not know what to do initially. He was wrong from the start since these things were only for women andddddd, hahaha, he was not. It took a woman to correct him when he was using the smallest brush to apply the soot on his face. Not really his fault since painters would tell him that the thinner the brush the more accurate the work and accuracy was what he was going for here.

So back to reveal #2, especially since Bob knew that he needed to use the biggest brush he immediately got to work. Putting on the blackish powder, and with a little timely help he got done dabbing it on his cheeks. His face was all black like a street urchin who never got a chance to take a bath, living happily in his dirt and grime. Bob should have went further and tried smelling like one but he was not going to go that far. Since he was already prepared Bob took down his hat and showed Xalet his face, to make the akalak think that he was mistaken. Of course Bob who knew nothing about make up and disguise never will have a chance to fool Xalet with this despite his best efforts. Even if that included staying hunched with sucked in cheeks to look and sound impoverished.

Sighing, Bob will wipe off the stuff on his face with the coat's sleeve for all the good it would do him. Most of the thing was still stuck. "Yah coulda fholled me?" Bob said in one last try as a joke. Anyway, "what is this about fun money?" It sounded good, too good coming from someone like Xalet. "Are you sure this isn't you leading me into another boar again?" because that got money too, even if it was not too fun.

[Xalet]

Against the common man it was possible that Bob might not have been found out. His disguise had all of the elements, perhaps with a bit more practice he could certainly pass for an emanciated street urchin. Xuphim had the benefit of all that ridiculous Knight training. Remember faces and keeping your attention sharp was part of the deal. You had to quickly recognize wanted folks, as well as be able to observe situations as they developed. Of course Xuphim suffered from a set of senses that were slightly dulled from the very beginnings of drunkenness, but he wasn't impaired to the point where he lost his keen observational skills. Not yet anyway. If they were as successful as he hoped, there would be plenty of time to get hammered later on. "Folks in here come to have their fun on the Sevens. They lose plenty, that's for sure." Xuphim began, bringing his voice down so that hopefully only Bob would be able to hear the specifics. Lucky the Coin was always busy enough that the ambient noise level drowned out the possibility for any eavestrapping. One could never be too careful though, "They don't got any real skill see, it's almost like a social thing for them. Yeah, there's one or two that play to win, but if they go out early victory is a snap. There's a bit of a twist though." Xuphim's head twisted from side to side, simply making sure that things stayed between the two of them, "The game changes every week. They alternate between a few, but it changes. You've got to buy in before you play, that's the first gamble. I got that covered though. The Knights have ears, and today's game is going to be a team card game. We've worked together before, and you've got experience gambling like you said, right? We play this right we can take it all, fifty fifty. What do you say?" Xuphim didn't have the interpersonal politeness of Xalet, but that wasn't how he got the job done. Persuasiveness wasn't justa bout who could act the nicest, it was about who could provide the best avenue for giving the person they were interacting with what they wanted. OOCI'm not super knowledgable about gambling or team card games, but I was thinking something similar to Kemps for the game unless you've developed some Mizahar card games during your play.

[Bob Barton]

"Hmmmm..." Even Bob has heard about the famous Sevens held by the Spinning Coin but he did not really bother with it. Too many people that any money to win would be spread out too much to amount to anything. "Losing is not a problem" if winning does not offer much either Bob thought, "unless you know what to do." The akalak may be right about how he divided the people in the Coin even if it is a little sneaky for him but if Bob would divide the pair right now, Xalet would be the one without any real skill and Bob was the one he needed to win. Yes Bob knew what to do now but when the suggestion of a twist came up Bob decided to keep quiet until the akalak was done explaining just in case he refused to tell Bob the useful thing once he found out the gamblers intentions.

And what he had to tell must be really good because he was being all cautious about it. Bob found out why. Somehow, one way or another the squire did something that he was unable to do since Bob had no knights to help him. Xalet knew the game! It was Xalet in the position of power now and not Bob as he thought earlier. Fortunate that Bob decided to not say anything. Pausing like he was thinking hard, Bob decided to make his own gamble when he countered with "seventy thirty." The akalak had the right idea. It was about providing the best avenue and here Bob knew that "you need me more than I need you. I've been taking chances all my life and while knowing is good it does not mean that we'd win." He gradually turned from referring to himself individually to the pair as a collective only to try and suggest that while the akalak had something offer, Bob doubted that it was any good.

That would not be too effective on its own Bob knew but he allowed the suggestion to stay while the akalak processed it. Regardless of any protests or attempts of renegotiate Bob would continue saying "I'll need to prepare you for the game too. I don't think Mr Honorable Squire of Priskil even knows how to gamble", heck Bob still did not know what brought on this change of heart but "you can think of my extra twenty me as the fee for my lesson." That sounded pretty good and "I'll even throw in a guarantee that you'd be a better gambler when we're done." Hopefully the akalak would not ask about a guarantee of winning because Bob could always get away with some lame excuse justifying why Xalet has become a better gambler in the event that they lose. Not that he wanted to but if he was going to get partnered up with a novice the possibility is there.

Of course Xalet can still try his luck with anyway he can think of. Maybe that resolve might even impress Bob? Maybe.

[Xalet]

That Bob was a wiley bastard, Xuphim had to admit. Though from his appearance alone it was easy to underestimate the vertically challenged man, it seemed Bob was prepared with justification for almost everything. Seventy/thirty. The very thought made Xuphim drum his fingers loudly across the bartop, which had been supporting his heavy upper body as he listened to his 'buddy'. Though the Akalak didn't know much about the game of haggling, her understood the basics was always asking for more than you want, and then work downward toward something agreeable. Fifty/fifty was always an impossibility as, much like Bob had said, Xuphim needed him more than he needed Xuphim. "Sixty/fourty." the big man finally responded, as he did so the drumming of his fingers immediately stopped. That put Bob in the advantage when it came to the top, "I think 10% off the top sounds like a pretty suitable tip." Xuphim wasn't prepared to give all the winnings away. While gambling itself wasn't exactly illegal for a Knight, it wasn't exactly condoned. The dark side could care less what people thought of him, but he had a job to do. The best money later in life was made at the top of the promotional Syliran Knight chain, and the best way to get there was to look like you could be trusted. Unfortuntately that meant having pristine morals. One way or another, it seemed Bob was agreeableapproved by Bob to the arrangement, of course from Xalet's previous dealings, Xuphim knew what a slippery snake he was. "Alright, lets get outside, we've got some time to go over the game. Wouldn't want to do it in here lest people recognize we're focusing on one game only. Don't want to blow our advantage." the Squire had dropped his voice low once more as he suggested taking the tutorial outside. More than likely they'd have to go around the corner which was fine, the warehouse district contained some of the only free standing buildings in all of Syliras.

[Bob Barton]

Well Bob did not expect Xalet to just give in. Not as the akalak that chased him through the alleys in his full armour just to preach about his beloved Priskil. If Xalet had given in there and then Bob would have laughed, accepted but give a warning that he would not have what it takes to go far. But Bob could not allow it to look like he accepted so easily just in case the akalak remembered for the next time and started drumming his fingers on his chin because doing it on the table might not be noticeable to his bodybuilding knight coach. Looking to the left and right so that it might seem he was still thinking Bob gave a smile agreeing with the "sixty-forty, and you'll be in charge of the celebrations later" giving the implication that with the dwarf they had already won and well...the celebration can come in many forms depending on how pristine the akalak wanted his morals to be maintained.

But first things first, the two would have to win. Bob thought a little bit when Xalet told him that the game was Kemps. Not really a game that Bob was familiar with it since it needed someone that he could trust to work with him but "we've already worked quite well together wouldn't you say? I'm pretty sure we can win this but we're going to need to prepare." Bob said nodding like some wise teacher since it would be the first time that he is teaching the akalak something. Looking around in case they have been overheard, Bob led the akalak out of the Spinning Coin before letting the squire that was more familiar with the layout of Syliras to lead him to the warehouse district or anywhere else he thought was suitable for them to have some privacy. Once they were there, Bob would be able to start the akalak's crash course in the game of Kemps.

"I'll go over the rules first" Bob told him. It was simple really since "we'll only have to make a four of a kind before them and say the word." Of course it was oversimplifying it. In terms that the squire would understand, "this will be a war of who gets what they need first" and whatever it was, it was up to the akalak that was more well versed in the field. However "unlike a war you will be opposite your teammate while your allies will be at the side in places you couldn't be bothered to care about." That might seem like a disadvantage but "co-ordination is key. You need to think about who holds your cards and having one person on your side who might give it to you can make it a lot easier. I'm sure we can give up the first round to get yourself used to it, if you're sure you can win us the others" Bob suggested with a grin hoping to bring out the akalak's competitive spirit.

"Now when the cards are opened, you need to try and identify the four cards you want and grab them first." To try and illustrate this, Bob held his deck out and flushed them out to the ground asking the akalak to "try and get a four of a kind as soon as possible." When he was done he will ask "easy right?" knowing that its not especially when "later there'll be more people and less cards for you" before collecting the cards to try it himself. Doing the same Bob waited for the cards to land on the ground. A mix of open and closed cards that will never be a good enough substitute for the intensity of competing with others. Doing his best to not allow the closed cards to distract him Bob looked at each of the cards settling on the sixes he saw and took it as a sign from Ovek. He looked for the others that were hidden among the other cards before snatching them all up, "see?"

"Now, do you want to try somemore or shall we continue?" with Bob explaining the rest of the rules to Xalet before going on to the next set of preparations that he had in mind. Hopefully the squire was not set on keeping up his image too much.

[Xalet]

Out within the middle of the warhouse district, Bob and Xuphim pretty much had the place to themselves. There wasn't a lot of reason to be inside of the district unless you worked there, or you were stumbling around trying to find the Spinning Coin. The Knights themselves did patrols of course, but most knew Xuphim by his appearance alone and wouldn't think anything unusual of the Squire being around. He was often sent all over Syliras as part of his training, tasked with doing any number of unusual missions to hone various skills that could be useful to the Knighthood. Of course today, the plan was for no one to know he had shucked off his responsibilities and was currently utilizing his time to try and get some coins. "Of course I plan on winnin'. This is my kinda game. So you need to have some speed if you want to grab the stuff in the middle first. I like it. And you need to make sure you and your partner ain't going for the same cards. Guess that means watching who throws what out while trying to throw stuff out and grab stuff you need is damn important." of course, nothing was a better teacher than actual experience. Picking up the cards, Xuphim decided to deal them out to Bob and himself, as well as to two phantom opponents. Xuphim had two sixes, a queen and a jack, the 'player' to his right had a five, a nine, a queen and a two, the 'player' to his left had a three, a pair of tens, and a seven, and Bob had a queen, a six, a five, and a two. "Heh, sixes again. So here, I would go for sixes. You could go for anything, an' I'd need to make sure you're not going for sixes either. I could throw in the queen and the jack, and then you and the player to my right would be interested in that..." It took a bit to get used to the concept, but interestingly the game itself seemed surprisingly easy, it was just a pain in the neck trying to watch and remember everything going on at the table at once. "Ok, so what happens when everyone has made their trade? Is there anyway of stoppin' um once they get their four of a kind? I guess we'll need some signals for each other as well. See we can come up with all this ahead of time, it should be useful when competing against hastily made teams consisting of a bunch of greedy amateurs." of course there was some irony there. Xuphim himself was an amateur, that was for certain. It remained to be seen just how greedy he was, but clearly he was there today for the money, and considering Bob's shrewd way of doing business, he imagined the man wouldn't turn down an opportunity like this. "What else can we do to make sure the chances are in our best favor?"