perfectmatch | week two

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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