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Eavesdown - Episode 1: The Arrival; Alexis - The Collector
Topic Started: Jun 21 2016, 12:43 PM (1,841 Views)
Rabbit
Straight Outta Eavesdown
The Constellation Inn - a repurposed ship that not serves as an inn, a pub, and a casino. It's also the very low-key home of one of Eavesdown's power players: the enigmatic entity known as the Collector. Information is only a substantial payment away... if you know who to ask.
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Ace and Emerson
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Outside the Constellation Inn

”You sure about that?” He asked, and raised an eyebrow at his counterpart playfully. She was staring daggers at him, but the man known almost exclusively as Emerson laughed in replay to her disdainful look. He knew she was expecting him to express that he was only kidding when he asked, that he would never question the validity of Ace’s sources. But she’d get no such satisfaction. After all, she was so adorable when she was angry. He gave the slightest of shrugs, after a moment, his head quirking slightly to the side, before he raised the pear in his hand to his mouth and took a huge bite.

This, of course, served only to set Ace off further. ”I can’t believe you would ever ask that! You, of all people!” She reached up and swatted the pear right out of his hand, sending Emerson into a fit of giggles, flecks of chewed fruit springing forth. ”That’s ruttin’ rich coming from the bai chi who didn’t double check a source last week!”

Emerson grunted at that, having apparently underestimated how irritable she was today. He swallowed his fruit, looking up and resting a foot atop the handrail he was currently sitting on. ”Look, we helped get the baby back, I don’t know why you insist on harping on this. The bosslady let it go, maybe you ought to, too, dear.”

Ace’s lips twisted into a smirk, and she stepped forward, running her fingers along his leg gently. ”Well, in that case…” She looked up at him, her smirk turning to a playful grin, and then shoved him as hard as she could, sending him ass-over-teakettle off the railing and into the dirt. He lay there, stunned, for a moment, before bursting out into peals of laughter. Ace shook her head. ”Fine, we’re even. Now get the rutt up, the bosslady is waiting for us.” She begrudgingly extended a hand to her partner, who took the proffered appendage and pulled himself up, and then planted a kiss right on her lips. She had no complaints. Hand in hand, they turned toward the Inn, heading inside.

They continued this way, winding through the lobby area, offering high fives and brushes of fingertips to the regulars, waitresses, and randoms they encountered on the way through. Everyone knew Ace and Emerson, so regular were their own visits to the former space hulk, now restaurant, pub, inn and, lately, burgeoning gambling hall.

As if there was music playing behind them, they sashayed playfully through said gambling hall, giving playful shoulder brushes to gamblers, offering advice to blackjack players. Ace was asked to blow on a pair of dice on their way past a craps table, which she happily obliged, going so far as to kiss the knuckles of the man who asked and causing the rest of the table to laugh. They were minor celebrities, and while no one knew exactly what it was they did around Eavesdown, there were plenty of rumors.

Whatever the case, it was always better to keep on their good sides.

The gambling hall quieted down near the back, and there was a corridor with dark oak doors on either side. They quickly exchanged glances, making their best attempts to calm their jovial demeanors. It was time to get down to business.

There was a particular door they were seeking, one with some heavy locks and a camera above it, pointing downward to see whomever might attempt to pass through it. Emerson gave Ace one last look, before reaching over and pressing a button, signaling their arrival...

Hopefully, the Collector was ready to receive them.
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Alexis Andretti
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Alexis was sitting behind a luxurious, oaken desk with piles of flimsy sheets situated in an organized manner before her. When she acquired the Constellation in, it was a mess as far as its finances and crime rate. A small group of thugs thinking they could take it as their own. Though, the gambling never ceased.

"What are we going to do about Tiller? Pocketing some of the profits is as bad as cheating in my book, Boss." Marcus, also known as Slingblade to his friends, because he was deadly with a switchblade, leaned over the front of the wide desk. Alexis wore one of her custom made, dresses cut seductively low at her neckline. Showing just enough of her perfectly shaped, upper breasts. Damn her for doing that to me. Knows gorram well what she's doing. "We've got a reput---I mean, you've got a reputation to look out for.

Marcus corrected himself at the piercing eyes that lifted to meet his. He pushed off the desk at the sound of the doorchime.

"It's time he...retired. Have him taken care of. And, make it believable with no trace. You know the drill, Marcus. He doesn't have any family, so it should be easy enough." She glanced over at the single security monitor set on the far corner of the desk to see two of her favorite employees, motioning towards the door with a slender hand. "Let them in."

Like a well trained actress, Alexis changed her demeanor to one of a pleasantness and warmth for Ace and Emerson.
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Ace and Emerson
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Emerson heard the door click, a response from the bosslady. He started to turn the knob, but then stopped and looked at Ace.

"Wait! Why do I have to go first?"
"'Cause you're the man!"

He frowned slightly. "You know she likes you better. Probably because I'm a man. Nah, if I'm goin' first, we gotta at least shoot for it."

She gave him another incredulous look. It was clearly well-practiced. She raised a fist, and he responded. They pumped once, twice, and then she punched him hard in the sternum, doubling him over slightly, the air escaping his lungs with half a cough. Ace took the doorknob and turned.

"Xiao mugou..."

She entered the room, glancing and nodding at the guy she knew as Marcus. He was known as Slingblade to his friends, whoever they were. Emerson stumbled slightly in his entrance behind her. Ace eyed him with a smirk, before looking back to Alexis.

"Looking chipper today, bosslady. As well you should, obviously. Business has been burning up since that hubbub the other day."

"Yeah..." Emerson croaked out weakly. "Lotsa comings and goings. Apparently, got some returnees from back in the day. No positive IDs yet, but one redhead, one scruffy guy. Scruffy's got business with Ink, so you know he's bad news..."

Ace nodded. "Red was set up in town with a food cart or somethin', said Bonney Bites on it. Bonney might be a name. First, last. Rumblings about someone called Anne Bonney from way back, haven't confirmed it, but seems likely."

"If that's the case..." Emerson started again, his voice returning as his lungs regulated. "Then she'd have had ties back to those kids that operated about ten years ago around here, mostly orphans and the like. Bunch of 'em still holed up at the parish, such as the clergy like roundin' up wayward children and what have you."

Ace crossed her arms, considering that for a half-second. "Could be we could leverage Alan for some info on her, at least. He's got a thing for me."

"'Cause you slept with him."

Ace paused, then glanced at Emerson again. "That was ONE time!" His look was one of disbelief, and she sighed. "Okay, two times, but if you can think of a better way to get information, I'd love to hear it!"

Emerson stood, silently, for a fraction of a second. Then he nodded. "No, you're right."

Ace raised her hands, tilting them in victory. Emerson shook his head, bemused.

"Anyway, that's the big news. The rest is minor follow up stuff. It's all in the report. But I recommend we stay on these newcomers, if we can. At least one of us. Last known whereabouts were over at the Ivory. New folks, that bald preacher, the florist, Ink, Ayden and the girls... all in one central location..."

The two runners looked between one another, and nodded.
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Alexis Andretti
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"Anyway, that's the big news. The rest is minor follow up stuff. It's all in the report. But I recommend we stay on these newcomers, if we can. At least one of us. Last known whereabouts were over at the Ivory. New folks, that bald preacher, the florist, Ink, Ayden and the girls... all in one central location..."

Alexis sat with her usual expression of carved stone, listening to Ace and Emerson. Ace being the one with a good head on her shoulders and seemingly unwavering in her presence. Unlike Emerson who had the nervous thing going whenever around the boss-lady. Alexis' eyes flicked to Marcus standing beside the desk with his well-muscled arms folded over his chest.

He had a thing for Ace, Alexis knew, but was she jealous? Not really. She could have Marcus and nearly whomever she pleased.

"I'll trust the both of you to use your...skills to find out everything you can about them." Alexis glanced down at the report that was mentioned. "I also want one of you, I don't care which, to do some more digging on this food cart owner and the connection with Anne Bonney. I don't like the coincidence of it."

Alexis tapped on the desk computer keyboard and spoke in a calm, level tone that was also laced with a mild purr of seduction like the sirens of Earth-That-Was. It was quite effective when needed."Your payment has been sent to your accounts. Nice work."

She didn't compliment often, but she knew when to give credit where it was due.
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Ace and Emerson
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"I'll trust the both of you to use your...skills to find out everything you can about them. I also want one of you, I don't care which, to do some more digging on this food cart owner and the connection with Anne Bonney. I don't like the coincidence of it."

Ace wiggled her eyebrows at Emerson when the Bosslady mentioned "skills." The Collector wanted results, by any means necessary. Emerson shrugged his shoulders slightly - what could be done? The two of them had been an item for years, almost as long as they'd been working together. But they had a very... understanding arrangement. This usually worked out more in Ace's favor than in his own, but he tried not to let it get to him. At the end of the day, she always came back to him. That was all that mattered.

"I call dibs on digging! I've got a pretty effective shovel." Her voice was chipper, and she stood up on her tip-toes to give Emerson a kiss on the cheek. He smirked. "You guys have fun, don't wait up!" She wheeled around on her heel and strode purposefully out the door, in search of Alan and information. Emerson tilted his head toward Marcus for a moment, then turned her gaze back to the Bosslady.

"I reckon she's got that well in hand, no pun intended. Maybe I could go keep an eye on the Rose unless..." He gave her a playful smirk. "You think, maybe, you're going to get out today? Maybe need an escort? I know Marcus here would give his left nut to be on your arm, but I've got better eyes and ears, dong ma?"
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Alexis Andretti
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"I reckon she's got that well in hand, no pun intended. Maybe I could go keep an eye on the Rose unless... "You think, maybe, you're going to get out today? Maybe need an escort? I know Marcus here would give his left nut to be on your arm, but I've got better eyes and ears, dong ma?"

Now Marcus wasn't to keen on the younger Emerson. Jealousy? Hardly. He just always had this need to punch him. Or shoot him. At the lad's comment regarding his nuts, Marcus could only shoot dagger from his sky blue eyes at Emerson. Alexis wouldn't take kindly about actually shooting one of her favorites.

Alexis put a steadying hand on Marcus' arm giving Emerson a nod. She was far from being one of those people who had an aversion or rear of going anywhere but the comforts of their own home. She loved going places and being seen in all her beauty on the gambling floor. She'd even by drinks for a selected few suiting her underlying needs.

"That's not a bad idea, Emerson." Alexis pushed back from her desk and stood up. Her eyes shifted between the two men sensing the ever present tension. "However, Marcus will be going with me as well as he has skills of his own I need. And, taking care of a little matter of letting go one of our beloved employees." Of course, her words were filled with that certain opposite tone of what she implied. Emerson would more than likely know the 'who and why'.

She offered her arm to Emerson. The arm that didn't have her small derringer tucked away under her sleeve. "What are your thoughts on our leads, Emerson? If Anne does own this food truck, I could use a good cook." She added, though certain there was more underlying to this woman or Ace and Emerson wouldn't have bothered Alexis with useless information.
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Ace and Emerson
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Emerson took the proffered arm with a playful flourish, matching Marcus's dagger shots with a wry grin, artfully displayed over their employer's bust. Lookee what I got. That would stick in ol' Markie's craw for a bit. Just the way he liked it.

"What are your thoughts on our leads, Emerson? If Anne does own this food truck, I could use a good cook."

Her voice was honey, and he knew that it was but one of the many arrows in the bosslady's quiver. You didn't get to the top without being damn good at being on the bottom first. Without a doubt, there was a trail of broken men for for years that had given everything to that voice without a second thought.

"Well, nothing concrete as of yet, but there are rumors and innuendo, which just so happen to be my coin in trade. Here's what I know about Anne Bonney: she used to run with a buncha orphans led by a girl called herself Baba Yaga. Baba bein' some kinda Earth-That-Was witch or somesuch nonsense. Anyway, mostly minor crimes, grifts, cons. Anne Bonney was a... trusted lieutenant? Some folk say there was something more goin' on between 'em, but you know how people talk." He gave her a knowing glance there, following along with her stride. "Anyhow, Baba's big beef with the Boss was the sex trade, guess she and Bonney knocked over some pimp, took all his sex money and left him with his pants down. They forgot rule number one of Eavesdown: Don't Cross the Boss."

He sighed. This was the part he knew for sure, the part every kid in Eavesdown knew. "Next ya know, kids start turnin' up dead. Associated with Baba's crew. Obviously a message. Baba, Bonney, couple other high-end members of the low-end crew, they scratch gravel. Never hear from them here again. Until, possibly, now."

His free hand moved to the back of his neck, just below his sandy hair, and scratched a few times at a nagging bug bite. "Gotta be true with you, Bosslady, if this is Anne Bonney, she's radioactive goods. Only a matter of time before the Boss gets to her. Hate to be in the crossfire iffenwhen that happens. I'd advise not hiring a new cook, honestly. Tomorrow's special could be.. bullets."
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Alexis Andretti
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"Gotta be true with you, Bosslady, if this is Anne Bonney, she's radioactive goods. Only a matter of time before the Boss gets to her. Hate to be in the crossfire iffenwhen that happens. I'd advise not hiring a new cook, honestly. Tomorrow's special could be.. bullets."

At the bottom of the metallic staircase, which Alexis had covered with a dark red carpet, she stopped and partially turned to face Emerson with a gleam in her eyes. She squeezed the arm he'd offered for escort with her slender fingers, and it was firm. Almost bordering on pain. Behind them a few steps above, Marcus stopped with his hands folded in front of him, and watched the patrons on the gambling floor below like a blood-thirsty raptor wanting someone to cause trouble.

Alexis smiled one of her smiles at Emerson, and when she spoke her voice was pleasant and seductive. Though she worked for The Boss, it was a marriage that was a necessity that more than not served a purpose for them both. "I'm sure she's good for more than making coffee and biscuits, my dear Emerson. I want her with me. Anne's decision to return will get her killed. I'm sure a deal can be made with with The Boss."

The overhead lights reflected in her eyes giving them a certain sparkle as she continued down to the gambling lounge. "I can find a use for her and convince 'him' to stop is hunt." She added confidently.
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Ace and Emerson
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She stopped, seconds before his heart threatened to. Her fingers squeezed his arm, and he winced slightly. He'd been in this position before, as had Ace. He'd questioned her, which she didn't always take very well, and this time was certainly not a time taken well. Still, he stood by what he'd said to her. Anne Bonney was no good for them, and would likely cause them no end of problems. But, the bosslady wanted what she wanted. And, apparently, she wanted Anne Bonney.

Once she'd finished speaking, and smiling that ever-deadly smile, he finally let himself breathe again. He looked over his shoulder at Marcus, who had the slightest hint of a smug smile on his lips. Laugh it up, jerkass. He then turned his attention back to the Collector.

"Yes, ma'am. Loud and clear. We'll find out if it's her, and we'll bring her to you. I'm sure my better half is halfway to the info as we speak." Jealousy wasn't really his bag, but if it were, he might have felt a pang of it as he considered Ace's tactics for extracting said information. Of course, turnabout was always considered fair play.

"I've got a few angles I can work, but it could wait until tomorrow if you'd rather I'd stuck around. I'm sure Marcus wouldn't mind, would ya, buddy?" He shot the bodyguard a playful grin, as revenge for the idiot smirk from before. As much as he hated to admit it, he took a certain joy out of pissing all over Marcus's day. Guy like that had a real stick up his ass, and Emerson saw it as his personal mission to ram it up there as far as possible.
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Alexis Andretti
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The tone and look that Emerson had given Marcus didn't go unnoticed by Alexis and the smallest of curls at one corner of her lips was a sign of that. "I'd rather not be too hasty. Let's see what Ace comes up with and we'll go from there."

Marcus dealt silent, piercing darts at the young man. But, said nothing and did nothing. His self-control and patience was admirable. Like that of a serpent waiting for the right moment. Oh, Marcus wouldn't kill the lad. No, but he had his ways of making his point quite clear on matters. So, instead he did his job. And that was to protect Miss Andretti and, yes, even Emerson and Ace. The latter he did more gladly.

She started to walk across the main gambling hall, enlightened by the growing crowd for the late afternoon. The sounds of the machines and joyous calls of those having won filled her ears. Her grip on Emerson had retired to a more formal grasp. "Right now I feel like a little Blackjack before dinner. I hope you can join me, Emerson."

It was hard to say if that was a non-negotiable request or a genuine option. But, in figuring on a pause, Alexis laughed and shook her head gently. "It's alright if you have other plans. It's just a simple invitation." She turned her head to look at Marcus who had moved to a more tactical position nearby and winked at him which was received with a telltale smile of his own. "I'm sure Marcus isn't busy."
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Ace and Emerson
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Emerson chuckled a bit at the notion of "other plans." With Ace off on her fact-finding mission, as it were, he had little in the to-do department. Not that he minded a little downtime, of course. But an invitation from the Bosslady wasn't something he was eager to turn down, either way. If he could keep her happy, he could keep himself employed. He wasn't above being a bit of eye-candy on occasion.

He shot her an easy grin. It came so naturally, effortlessly. It was as if he'd never had a care in the world. "Well, who could pass up an invitation from such a fine woman as yourself? Of course I'll join you for a bit of blackjack, ma'am. I happen to be quite an ace at it." With that, he shot her another wink. His partner's nom de guerre was a natural fit into such puns.

And so, he led her further into the Inn and Casino, and many an eye crossed over them as they passed. Emerson, of course, made quite a show of it. He would grin and headlift, nod and wink. He gave one be-hatted man a pair of finger guns that might've made his mustache twirl, were this a Cortex 'toon. He could practically feel Marcus's seething behind him, and he could not have cared less about it. This was the sort of enjoyment he got from his employment. Ace could have all the awkward groping with desperate virgins she wanted. Emerson didn't hate the occasional taste of the high life that being a handsome young buck afforded him.

He led her to the tables, past the cheapy tables for the tourists looking to get a free drink or two while losing way more money than they could realistically afford to. Past the mid-grade tables where the up-and-comers leaned over their little hit/stay cards and tried to play as mathematically accurately as possible. There, through the velvet rope, were the high-roller tables. The whale tank, he liked to call it. These were the businessfolk, the real shakers and movers of the Verse. These were the fish that the Bosslady would be wanting to reel in. And he was going to help her.

He glanced over to her as the pit boss let them through the vaunted entryway. "See anyone promising? Got lots of angles we can work... depending on how hands on you wanna get."

That last bit was for Marcus.
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Alexis Andretti
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"See anyone promising? Got lots of angles we can work... depending on how hands on you wanna get."

Alexis 'hmm'd' at Emerson's underlying meaning as her eyes seemed to sparkle in the lighting, and after a minute of thought, turned around to face Marcus. "The stakes are higher tonight, so make sure the security's tighter. But, I don't need to remind you how I hate to be crowded with it while I'm...playing."

Marcus didn't say anything but offered a nod. Though, he'd always made his concern for her want of space clear enough. He had his own little ways of working around it. He moved to two other of his security detail.

Alexis greeted to pit boss in her charming manner and took her seat. When she was on the floor, a crowd seemed to gather to watch her with intrigue. No matter. She didn't mind at all. Relished it actually. And, as with any other time, a bartender approached with her drink and one for Emerson if he so wished to take.

"Show me a good time, Emerson."
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Ace and Emerson
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Emerson followed her to the table, scooping up the offered drink and drawing it almost immediately to his lips. A little sauce to calm the nerves. The casino wanted people to get drunk and make poor decisions, but some folk thrived on alcohol. He imagined the bosslady wasn't much different. She hated to be out of control, he knew, and so any drinking would be carefully measured.

She took a seat at the blackjack table, and already people were drawing in around them. A beautiful woman like Alexis Andretti always drew eyes. They drew mine. That's why I'm here. He hated to admit that his attraction to her was the initial impetus behind wanting to be employed by her, but that was the long and short of things. Would be foolish and dishonest to say anything else.

The table she had chosen already had three people seated, two men and another woman. The two men he recognized, and he leaned in close to her ear.

"To your left, in the bowtie, is Julius Kramer, adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Persephone. I'm fairly certain this is where his salary ends up weekly. Wife, Marga, deceased. Two sons, both off-world. He would be about three years from retirement, if he'd managed to save any money. As it stands, he's probably going to be doing that job until he croaks. Good for him he loves it, but still..." His eyeline adjusted slightly to the right now. "To your right, Buchannan McCoy, of the Shadow McCoys. You can tell by the big hat that he's a cattle rancher. Decent blackjack player, as well, until you get a bit of booze in him. Feel like he's on wife number four, but it's hard to keep track... as for the woman..." His eyes darted over to the dark haired beauty sitting on the far end. She was willowy and almost elfin in appearance, with piercing blue eyes that seemed like they had never known a care in the world. He studied for a moment, but he knew that wasn't a face that anyone would forget. Resigned, he shrugged. "Got nothin' for ya, there. Never seen her before in my life. Reckon she's some off-worlder playing at being a whale. Maybe inherited money, but then again, something about her says she's had it all along. Other than that, I reckon you're on your own... probably not worth knowing, anywhere. Tourists rarely are."

The dark haired woman remained aloof, idly fingering her stack of chips, seeming to be barely interested in the game. The dealer flipped the cards - 19. McCoy had won, but the other two players surrendered their chips. The dealer, a handsome young man in a crisp white shirt and suspenders, smiled his most charming smile at Alexis.

"Will you be joining us, Miss Andretti?"
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Alexis Andretti
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"Will you be joining us, Miss Andretti?"

Alexis smiled back at the dealer. Wondered what secrets he had as he was nearly too perfect to the eye. But, he had impeccable skill at the table. Knew when to let the newcomers win enough to make them feel like they could own the world. "Yes, I believe I will. Deal me in."

She leaned over enough that her lips nearly brushed Emerson's earlobe whispering something only he could hear followed by her slender yet firm fingers resting on his thigh. "I'd like to find out more about Mr. McCoy and his little family. I could expand on my network through beef of all things."

Straightening in her seat, Alexis locked onto McCoy's eyes with one of her charming smiles before lifting only the corner of her dealt cards to see what she had. She then flicked her un-telling gaze to the elfin woman wondering if she'd hold out as she gave Emerson's thigh a gentle squeeze under the table. In her left ear, Marcus continued with the now and then reports on the on-goings around the establishment. So far nothing noteworthy. "I wonder how long Ace will be out shopping. She usually returns with damn good things, and I'm curious to see what she'll have this time. It was of course code regarding Miss Bonney.

Her piercing eyes flicked to Emerson beside her after shoving a pile of blue and red chips towards the growing ante. Her lips slowly curled into a knowing smirk as she lay down her hand. Twenty one.
Edited by Alexis Andretti, Dec 12 2016, 01:03 PM.
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