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Post by Croupier on Feb 8, 2022 11:22:38 GMT -8
There he was.
For over an hour, Dan stood by the bar, ordering drinks and taking in the building crowd of guests. The Old Fashioned wasn't doing it, so Dan had changed his order to a Seven-and-Seven. By his new drink came over, Dan's eye landed on a figure whom immediately caught his attention.
Henley had entered with all the grandeur that most of the other guests could muster, and suddenly Dan felt his adam's apple tighten in his throat. He had heard about this Lost - the one who, on a recent incursion into the Hedge, had found a waterfall which was made of the collective joys and good memories of countless souls. A waterfall that Dan had known so well, but thought he would never see again.
On instinct, Dan's legs snapped forward and he tried to approach Henley, but the courtier had already found someone else and seemed deep in conversation about something.
For a moment, Dan thought to lose his nerve and just return to his drink. The more he tried, the more he found himself thinking back to that waterfall - how it was the best moment of his life. How for, just a brief moment, he was happier than any other time he or anyone else had ever been. And how no high he chased was ever going to compare.
Steeling himself with another drink, Dan waited until Henley finished his conversation. He turned to the bartender, ordered two more Seven-and-Sevens, and carried the drinks over to Henley.
Oh how he wished he could clear his hands. It would have to wait until they were empty of the drinks.
"Evening." Dan flashed his most disarming smile, offering one of the drinks with an outstretched hand, "You looked like you needed this."
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Post by Henley on Feb 10, 2022 11:11:30 GMT -8
After such a strange conversation with the Maker, Henley had found another glass. A hand reached up to scratch idly at the long scar across his chest, which reminded him of a need with a pang that cut to his soul. The more fucked up he got, the more it would dig at him. The Thorns giveth. The Thorns taketh away.
An affable, handsome Spring Courtier who was dressed just as cool as he was made his way over, drink in hand. He accepted it, giving the beverage a sniff before downing half of it.
"You've no idea. Thanks. I'm Henley."
The Ogre reached a long, lanky arm out for a shake.
"If you're looking to bear your soul or shoot the shit, you're welcome. If you're looking to bitch about things I've got no control over, Winter Courtiers are over there somewhere."
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Post by Croupier on Feb 10, 2022 20:31:16 GMT -8
"Dan." he accepted the hand with as firm a grip he could muster and gave two shakes, "But most people call me Croupier."
Dan laughed at the comment and shook his head, "Just shooting the shit. If I wanted to bear my soul or bitch I'd have met my therapist today."
Now that he was here and the ice was cracked, Dan looked for a way to turn it into a break, "Still, been a fucking crazy year, hasn't it? Rite or not, I think we all needed something like this."
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Post by Henley on Feb 11, 2022 21:22:14 GMT -8
The comment about meeting his therapist earned a chuckle. Two shakes back with one hand as he glanced at the stunning Leechfinger's outfit.
He sipped the seven-and-seven, barking out a bit of a grunt about the mention of the year. "You're telling me. Things really have been rather complex, haven't they? And now we've the troubles." The Freehold was aware of the conflicts within Spring, of that he was sure, but he lowered his voice nonetheless.
"A croupier is a gambling facilitator, yes? I hope you find yourself on the right side of the odds. Debts can lead to danger -- the kind of thing we're all wise to avoid if we can."
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Post by Croupier on Feb 11, 2022 21:34:14 GMT -8
The Nymph was a fine-looking man and Dan found himself enjoying the man's company. Strangers they may have been, but it was good to let off some steam, especially if it helped melt some of that ice Dan was looking to breach.
Dan found himself nodding in a solemn, conspiratorial fashion when Henley whispered about The Troubles. The schism growing in the Spring Court was probably the worst-kept secret at the moment, but it still did little good to bring it to attention now. Worse still with Spring Court's time being right around the corner. Something told Dan that once the thaw hit the ground, things were going to become very interesting indeed.
At the mention of his profession, Dan nodded, "That's why I like staying on my side of the table; doing the dealing and none of the playing. Never put my own money on the table if I can help it, unless the payout and odds are really in my favor."
Taking a sip from his drink, Dan added, "Still, one needs to find their thrills when they can. I fence, do some work when needed, even do some bungie jumping once in a while to get the heart pumping. So... I guess one could say I like to be a high roller."
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Post by Henley on Feb 11, 2022 21:44:20 GMT -8
Henley leaned against the wall lazily, rolling the beverage between long, blue fingers like a cat playing with a toy as the Leechfinger explained his professional way of handling the cards. That made sense. "Sensible. I've got a great mutual fund for you," he quipped at the idea of keeping his money off the table unless the odds were ever in his favor.
"A sword-fighting, bungee-jumping Fairest -- Lord, you'd find yourself among fabulous company among some of our Summer Court. Look up a fellow named Sweeney and ask him about his love of helicopter gunnery as a thrill ride. I assure you, you will not be disappointed in the tale. He's the Cajun Blightbent. Trust me. You'll know him when you see him." The Elemental was bloody distinctive, a walking pollution. "Have you been out long, my man?"
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Post by Croupier on Feb 11, 2022 21:57:41 GMT -8
"I may just have to do that, thank you!" Dan pointed at Henley with the drink-laden hand before taking another sip. He glanced around, wishing that this place had some waiters or some staff to come replenish the drinks rather than having to break off and back to the bar.
The question tightened a knot in Dan's stomach and he shuffled his feet as he pondered his answer. "Not long. A year, maybe year and a half? Time was kind of funny once I got out." His instinct was to play his cards close, keep them hidden. But the way things were going, it felt right to risk a little and show his hand, if only a little. "Funny thing is, I escaped almost entirely by accident. I was supposed to be collecting all the joy and happy memories of the other slaves and pouring them into this great waterfall of pure joy - only I happened to slip in and found myself caught in the current. At the time, I was so overwhelmed by the euphoria that I didn't even know I was out until I was spitting up sand just outside the city."
With a chuckle, Dan stirred his finger with the tip of his finger, "Guess you could say my biggest gamble paid off, and I didn't even know I was placing a bet."
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Post by Henley on Feb 11, 2022 22:07:07 GMT -8
There was a deep yearning that rose in Henley's mind, a yawning pit in his stomach that just couldn't be filled as the Fairest referenced the flow of power from the Tsarina's Domain.
"I know it. Bent it to my purposes, in fact. You'd be surprised what Hobs will give you just to feel even a dilution of something like that. But such concentrated, raw emotion... it has a certain power. You're lucky to have escaped it. The Tzarina dumps it all like so much garbage, but it couldn't be more alluring."
He leaned in to whisper, a glint of something in his eyes.
"You don't want no part of that shit, Daniel."
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Post by Croupier on Feb 11, 2022 22:22:52 GMT -8
There it was. The ice was broken, and all the little secrets laid bare. Dan had wanted to know if the rumors were true, and he could not have asked for a better confirmation.
At Henley's warning, Dan flashed his most disarming smile, "You're right. Thinking about things like that really can't be good for our health, and there's no sense in trying to go back and risk getting caught or killed for something not even worth it."
In an effort to change the subject, Dan looked down at Henley's drink, "Feeling like a refill? My treat."
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Post by Henley on Feb 11, 2022 22:32:35 GMT -8
Henley flashed a thumbs-up. This guy got it. You didn't fuck with a place like that for fun. "Not saying it isn't worth it, but... it depends why. If you left an Icon near there like some did? For fucking sure, it might be. Maybe. But it's deep, deep in the Thorns, past the Trods and the Hedge right on the border with their Realms." He shrugged. It was everyone's risk to choose, but he wouldn't choose it again casually. "Outback did it. Gavin Graves and I, with one of our Nobles and another guy, Yuan. Got it done, but we barely got out alive. Huntsmen. All over. Things to consider."
It was fucking awesome. He shook his head; the drink was only half done.
"In a bit, my man. Let me get there. I'm well fucked on the Winter Sauce already." He laughed, holding up a finger before his lips like it was some big secret that everyone here was trashed on sweet magic juice and that a seven-and-seven might as well be water compared to what the Arrow was peddling tonight. "Dan. You a Hedge diver, or new to it?"
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Post by Croupier on Feb 13, 2022 14:45:36 GMT -8
Dan listened intently to the Nymph's description of the perilous journey to the waterfall, taking care to nod at all the right places and wait for the right pauses before making an appropriate gesture. The words came out as a warning, but it was not hard to interpret it also as directions... or perhaps, even a potential invitation to a future trip? If all it took was saying you were looking for something left behind, Dan would only be half-lying about that. He felt like he had left everything behind. Everything that mattered, including that one sweet moment.
Things to consider, indeed.
At Henley's grand display of conspiratorial secrecy, Dan gave a good laugh. He had yet to try any of the real fun stuff on tap tonight, but the night was still young, and he couldn't think of a better moment to cut loose. Harder drinks, and harder drugs, were most certainly in Daniel Douglas Miller's future tonight.
Dan's ears perked up at the mention of the activity. He flashed a smile, "New enough to be interested in giving it a try."
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Post by Henley on Feb 13, 2022 17:15:26 GMT -8
"I'll keep that in mind, then," Henley replied with a nod, a mischievous half-smile crossing his face. "It's dangerous as hell, but with the right knowledge and right crew, it can be genuinely profitable. You want the real goods on the Hedge, though... go find the Autumn Razorhand. You'll know him by... well. The Kith is aptly named." He gestured somewhere off in Gavin's general direction. "Gavin Graves is his name. Tell him I sent you. We do the Hedge, and he's the guide. Everything you'll want to know about surviving it, he can teach you. Nothing's free, but if you care about it, the price will be worth it."
Thumbs up.
"But enough about crazy adventures. What do you do, Croupier? How are you going to get what you desire?"
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Post by Croupier on Feb 13, 2022 17:31:17 GMT -8
"I will do just that while I'm here." Dan accepted the offer with a wide grin. Dangerous as hell? Just as profitable? A chance to dive into the Hedge and get a lay of the land? How could he pass up an opportunity like that? His eyes followed the general direction Henley pointed to until he found the Kith the Nymph had mentioned. Gavin Graves was most definitely... unique. Intriguing, even.
After he took a sip of his drink, Dan answered, "I work out of one of the casinos as a dealer; one of the smaller ones that Lotus keeps an eye on, just off the Strip. Big enough to have the crowds to fill me with joy, small enough that they don't need me all the time."
Staring into his dwindling drink, Dan wondered about the question. How was he going to get his desires? The biggest thing he ever wanted was to fulfill that quest for the Biggest High... but was there after that? Or how could he get that chasing gamblers and jumping from bridges?
"I guess you could say I was just waiting to see my hand come up." he admitted to Henley as much as himself. "Betting the minimum, breaking even, waiting for the one hand to come where I can throw everything in and play the odds." It was so easy to fall back on gambling metaphors in this city. Dan almost felt like a walking cliche for the city. "And I think I might now have that opportunity."
With one more sip, he asked, "How about you, Henley? What do you do when you're not shooting the shit with strangers and offering them golden opportunities of employment?"
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Post by Henley on Feb 13, 2022 17:41:20 GMT -8
So he was working as a dealer, rather than working as a criminal. That was fine. Good, actually. The fact that Lotus of Winter was also involved meant there might be an opportunity they could make. It made him curious, curious if they could do something more. He nodded slowly, staring off into the distance for a second as he thought about something.
"Hedge stuff isn't employment. But given your particular vocation? I don't know your identity is, Croupier, but I know Talos of Winter has papers on sale. However, they aren't cheap. Well out of most people's price ranges... but if getting good papers and better money than you'll make at an off-Strip casino is something you wish, then I can potentially help you with that. I would want you to help another Spring Courtier out in exchange, but it's right up your alley." He nodded. "There's a fellow named Hua Yuan who I think may be able to make some good things happen if he were to have the kind of money, experience and resources that it would take to start the spread of an underground poker game. Wouldn't hurt you, either. Never know who you might meet."
A long finger came up and then down, pointing gently at the stunning Leechfinger.
"I'm the money. He's the resources. But you're the experience. Think about it. Get back to me. That's a real employment opportunity. Bring the Winter Courtier along if you want."
As for his final question? He smiled humbly.
"I'm a stock broker for about two hours a day. The rest of the day, I like mimosas, shows and making a bit of a difference where I can."
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Post by Croupier on Feb 13, 2022 17:56:09 GMT -8
An underground poker game among the Courts? Dan liked the sound of that, but he tempered his excitement at the prospect. Answer too quick, act too eager, and you can come off as desperate. Or worse, impulsive.
"I'll give it some thought." Dan nodded thoughtfully. He added the name of Hua Yaun to his mental rolodex, "I must admit, an opportunity like that sounds rather tempting, especially if its a win for all those involved." "All those" in this case being everyone but the players involved. Still, people either say things to their dealer or around their dealer that they would never say to anyone else. Bartenders, therapists and priests wish they had the sort of dirt a dealer could dig up without ever trying. "I'll pass the idea to Lotus next time we meet. Even if she says 'no' at first, an idea like this has a way of living up in someone's head."
Upon hearing an average day in the life of Henley, Dan had to admit he felt a tinge of jealousy. "Sounds like a rewarding time on all fronts. Especially the ones that matter."
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