[He laughs faintly, just a barely-there sound, despite himself. Despite everything, he can take humor of the self-deprecating sort—which is probably the only kind of humor he does out without effort—with the grace of a man who holds no high opinion of himself.]
Yeah. No need to change my diet of cigarettes and whiskey when it’s been a staple for so many years now.
I was actually thinking that with what we eat, your complexion is looking a little better? I should hope that my cooking isn't too bad.
[ She's a light eater, but with Booker around, the meals have been a bit more substantial. Amelia looks at her revealed hand of her cards that total in eighteen and expectantly glances at him. ]
Amelia stares at the cards on the table and then looks at Booker. Then back. Repeat two more times. Long story short, she is stunned. The witch crosses her arms her brow starting to wrinkle and leans forwards, trying to study the cards as if her laser gaze will somehow change the result. ]
[He leaves his cards splayed on the table, staring up at her for as long as she cares to look at them. Booker can’t help but seem at least a little pleased with himself.]
Don’t tell me you thought you were guaranteed a win? You know that you’re at the disadvantage, don’t you?
[He’s obligated to give her a hard time over it if she is, but Booker is quick about gathering up the cards again, shuffling the deck with practiced fingers, and doling out the cards.
He’s dealt her a low hand. His own shows a seven.]
You’re up against someone with a lot more experience than you.
[Which is not necessarily a good thing. But a fact.]
[ She is. Amelia glances at her cards, keeping a straight face. But the longer one is around her, she can be strangely easy to read even with the most neutral of expressions. ]
I do concede to your point of having more experience. I probably just need a few more games to get the hang of it.
[Booker doesn’t sound convinced on either of those statements, but he’ll humor her for as long as she likes.]
A few more rounds, then. Maybe your beginner’s luck is just a late bloomer.
[And even if it was, Booker could play a little nicer as the rounds pass. Could make a few bad calls as the house dealing the cards, knowing that the odds favor him. But there’s something amusing about her expression as she loses one hand after another; that vaguely annoyed consternation of not being good at something right off the bat.
It’s funny, kinda cute. Morever, he’s having a little fun, because a winning streak like his was hard-won at a real gambler’s table.]
If we were betting real money, I would’ve cleaned you out by now, Amelia.
[—he says after she busts yet again.]
Part of playing the game is knowing when to admit defeat and walk away.
[ There are otherworldly forces that have got to be messing with her. That must be it. With every victory, Booker collects and every loss stacking up on her end, Amelia's eyebrows are wrinkled in a near-permanent frown. Her arms are crossed with one finger tapping impatiently in the nook of her elbow.
There is probably some metaphorical steam rising up from her red hair as she mulls over the games. ]
Well.
[ Well. She uncrosses her arms and takes a deep breath. ]
I think we have both learned something important from this.
[ And with a completely straight face: ]
I'm going to have to study more to increase my chances of winning even if the house has the advantage. This will be a good opportunity to review my understanding of probability and the like.
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sunfloras2020-12-26 11:29 pm
no subject
That would be not only missing the point, but vaulting right over it.
Ah, well. It's not like I should be fattening you up with jelly beans anyway. Isn't that a thought?
no subject
Yeah. No need to change my diet of cigarettes and whiskey when it’s been a staple for so many years now.
no subject
[ She's a light eater, but with Booker around, the meals have been a bit more substantial. Amelia looks at her revealed hand of her cards that total in eighteen and expectantly glances at him. ]
Alright. So did I win?
no subject
[Not a lot. His appreciation exists, at least, in the proper nutrition she gives him — even (or because) he can’t be assed to do it himself.
The cards, though.
Booker flips his over, revealing two face cards. A queen and a jack.]
Nope. House has got you beat.
no subject
[ And then there is silence.
Amelia stares at the cards on the table and then looks at Booker. Then back. Repeat two more times. Long story short, she is stunned. The witch crosses her arms her brow starting to wrinkle and leans forwards, trying to study the cards as if her laser gaze will somehow change the result. ]
... Oh.
[ Is she confused?? Yes. ]
I guess... That was just the first game...
no subject
[He leaves his cards splayed on the table, staring up at her for as long as she cares to look at them. Booker can’t help but seem at least a little pleased with himself.]
Don’t tell me you thought you were guaranteed a win? You know that you’re at the disadvantage, don’t you?
no subject
I thought my chances were good, that's all.
Anyways, another.
[ She appears to be fired up with a new determination. ]
no subject
Don’t tell me you’re a sore loser.
[He’s obligated to give her a hard time over it if she is, but Booker is quick about gathering up the cards again, shuffling the deck with practiced fingers, and doling out the cards.
He’s dealt her a low hand. His own shows a seven.]
You’re up against someone with a lot more experience than you.
[Which is not necessarily a good thing. But a fact.]
no subject
[ She is. Amelia glances at her cards, keeping a straight face. But the longer one is around her, she can be strangely easy to read even with the most neutral of expressions. ]
I do concede to your point of having more experience. I probably just need a few more games to get the hang of it.
no subject
[Booker doesn’t sound convinced on either of those statements, but he’ll humor her for as long as she likes.]
A few more rounds, then. Maybe your beginner’s luck is just a late bloomer.
[And even if it was, Booker could play a little nicer as the rounds pass. Could make a few bad calls as the house dealing the cards, knowing that the odds favor him. But there’s something amusing about her expression as she loses one hand after another; that vaguely annoyed consternation of not being good at something right off the bat.
It’s funny, kinda cute. Morever, he’s having a little fun, because a winning streak like his was hard-won at a real gambler’s table.]
If we were betting real money, I would’ve cleaned you out by now, Amelia.
[—he says after she busts yet again.]
Part of playing the game is knowing when to admit defeat and walk away.
[says the man who had a gambling problem]
no subject
There is probably some metaphorical steam rising up from her red hair as she mulls over the games. ]
Well.
[ Well. She uncrosses her arms and takes a deep breath. ]
I think we have both learned something important from this.
[ And with a completely straight face: ]
I'm going to have to study more to increase my chances of winning even if the house has the advantage. This will be a good opportunity to review my understanding of probability and the like.
[ Seriously... ]