perfectmatch | week two

[ Well.

It seems someone in wardrobe got confused, because Aventurine was very particular about what he'd like to wear to a casino, of all places. Instead, he arrives dressed like this. Like, yes, he's serving, that's not the point. ]

I hope I don't make us stand out a little too ostentatiously. The House will notice us right away... [ A shake of his head. ] But we're here to enjoy ourselves, and that's exactly what we'll do, hm?

[ A glance out at the gambling hall around them. ]

Does it live up to your imagination?

[God. Verso thinks that he might as well be wearing a potato sack next to Aventurine. He looks incredibly handsome in that outfit — though he suspects the man can pull off just about anything.]

My imaginings of winning the fabled jackpot? Concerning that, we’ll just have to see. It’s definitely an interesting sight all around, but it’s the thrill that’s supposed to be the draw, right?

And I’m sure you’ll win us plenty, if you’re as good as you claim to be.

[ It's the thrill, the lights, the sound of chips spilling, the House watching your every move — understanding intimately that everything rides on a single roll of the die, and still pulling each and every move off flawlessly. Even dressed for some swashbuckling on the high seas, Aventurine is still in his element, and he offers Verso his arm. ]

Don't worry too much about that. Just enjoy the ride, and let your heart call the numbers for you. Now, which game should we try first...

[ A beat, as they start into the heart of the casino, through the rows of slot machines. ]

You're looking very handsome today, by the way.

[He takes his arm, and maybe it's because he doesn't feel quite as handsome in comparison that it makes him clear his throat, face warming a little. Still, that doesn't really affect his overall tone, which is as humorous as always.]

Not as handsome as you. Are you... a pirate?

[A handsome pirate.

As for games, the slot machines are indeed available, bright and chiming. But Verso wonders if Aventurine prefers ones that require more skill as a baseline; there's also the cards table coming up. A blackjack table, to be precise. A roulette table, for something different, is also clattering and spinning just beyond that, entertaining a couple no doubt about to lose a big bet.]

So it...seems. I had a very particular outfit in mind for this outing, but ah well. I rarely say that I'm overdressed, but this might just one such instance.

[ And as they walk and talk, Aventurine's gaze grows keenly focused on the game tables, on the dealers and players. His attention lingers on the roulette wheel more than the others; as much as he enjoys the mind games of a game of poker, there's something so satisfying about bamboozling the crowd with an unimaginable spin of the roulette wheel.

And so, he nods to it, patting Verso's arm. ]

Shall we start with one of my favorites? A simple game of odds, sheer luck, and spectacular payouts.

[ When he's playing, anyway. ]

Don't tell me you have an outfit saved just for gambling.

[But with his apparent love for it, maybe it's not so surprising. Still, Verso thinks he'd like to see it someday.

But for now, he's still the best-dressed one here. And no doubt will continue to be, no matter which activity they pursue. He nods, following his gaze towards the roulette table.]

You really meant it when you said you never lose a bet, didn't you? [Either that, or he's just very lucky and/or confident. Verso will find out one way or another, especially if they come out of this date with a huge payout.] Sure, let's go for it. And you can tell me how you became so good at gambling in the first place.

[ He won't tell him he has an outfit for gambling... because he has several. He is nothing if not committed to his aesthetic. ]

There's not much to tell, really. I was born with a so-called blessing of luck from the goddess of my clan, and born under such a fortuitous sign... I've always had a way with winning.

[ Which doesn't explain when he got so good with bluffing, with reading the room, with mind games and logic chess. Those he all acquired over time, through risk and practice and a lack of self-preservation.

Letting go of Verso's arm, Aventurine drops a stack of chips from their allowance they'd been given before the dealer. ]

The question is...how lucky are you feeling today? Think we can beat the odds?

[Born under a fortuitous sign? That must be quite a boon, he thinks. Something that many would wish for, but perhaps the jaded part of Verso knows that there's always a flipside (no pun intended in this case) to such things.

Aventurine wouldn't be here, otherwise, if his life was purely sunshine and rainbows, right?

He draws close, standing next to him at the table. He's never actually gambled before, but already, he can feel the burgeoning excitement. He'll ask more about the other's experiences, but first...]

With you here? I'm feeling extremely lucky. Let's go big.

[ Despite his unfortunate attire, between Verso's winsome company and doing something he really enjoys, Aventurine's smile reaches his eyes, brighter for his date's enthusiasm for the bet. If they aren't going to go big, why even bother? ]

I couldn't have said it better myself. Let's see...do you have a favorite number?

[ He'd like to go all in on whatever Verso would like go go with. That's why his intuition is telling him to go with. ]

[He really does seem to enjoy this; a man in his element. Verso's glad this ended up being their date, if ony so he can see Aventurine light up like that.]

Hm. Thirty-three.

[Not at all surprising from a meta standpoint, anyway. Verso is kind enough to offer-]

The number of my last Expedition.

[ He said it!! He said the thing!!! His last expedition, though...the last one he happened to go on, or the last one he will go on?

Briefly, to the dealer: ] You heard the man. Thirty-three hundred credits on number thirty-three.

[ They may as well stick with the theme. As the dealer gathers a few other bets from nearby players: ]

Your last?

[ He can't help but ask. ]

[He said the thing! It's a tribute, if not a complicated and mostly melancholy one.

He will cross his arms, watching this whole thing play out in the meanwhile.]

Ah... I've been a part of a few, the ones traveling the world to get to the Paintress. It often ends... badly for them.

[He doesn't want to bring the mood down too much, so he continues.]

But Thirty-Three, my Disaster Expedition. Despite the name, we were the luckiest of all at the end. The last team I ever needed to be a part of.

[ The Paintress, hm...he gets the impression that isn't just a woman with a talent for art, but he likewise doesn't want to drag down the mood, and if the expedition was a lucky one for Verso, then it's all the better. If it was the end of the journey, whether literally or figuratively...

Well. Aventurine understands...better than many. The allure of the end of a journey, of rest. ]

Then let's see if our luck combined can defy the odds.

[ With the bets taken, the dealer at last spins the roulette wheel, sending the ball rolling, until it starts to slow, slow and slow...

And land in 33. ]

[ ...

POINTS

No, actually. His brows raise, and Verso points. To where the little ball lands on the 33.]

Mais non! [WOAH] You really did it.

[ Aventurine might be used to this kind of victory, but Verso's enthusiasm is infectious, and his grin warms, standing a little straighter, preening like the peacock that he is. ]

All thanks to you, my friend! What will you do with your winnings?

[ It's mostly hypothetical. He's pretty sure the producers aren't gonna let them go on a wild spending spree and buy boats and cars or something, sadly. ]

[He is well and truly impressed. Maybe Aventurine can garner some novelty from that, at least. His brows look like they're going to leap off his face and fly into the ceiling.]

Me? I'm going to buy a [Mc]mansion overlooking the sea, and retire early, sipping wine until I'm old and grey!

And what of you?

I was thinking of maybe sailing the sea and learning the art of ocean fishing. Retiring early is a given.

[ Now that is a fanciful dream. ]

[A laugh. The table around them is abuzz with excitement over their lucky win.]

Really? I didn't know you were much of a fisherman.

I'm not - yet. But if there were ever a time to try something new...

[ But he's not one to dwell on dreams. ]

Come on. We should head to our next game before we attract too much attention.

[ ...Too late. ]

week two | dates

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aven was so piratey that gmail marked him as spam

HELP gmail got a little too into the roleplay

hits it with a stick, don't deny me bayley tags!!

uwu

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