video.

[pushesback]

Looks like someone forgot to pay their electric bill.

[Nick looks only mildly amused. He's actually had that happen, and it's not so fun, but someone's already said that they're working on it, so....]

There's way too much crappy art on board this thing, and not enough crappy artists showing themselves. I'm getting a little bored of chasing ghosts.

['Unnerved' would probably be a better word, not that he'll admit it.]

So if anyone's got a deck of cards or some dice, let's get something going. We don't even have to gamble, not unless you're willing to take a silver filling for payment.

Comments

voice;

[pushesback]

Right, that guy.

[Nick hasn't seen him, but he's heard about him. Frankly, Nick wonders if he's somehow responsible for his abduction. Maybe the Tranquility developed a thing for his face and now he's here.]

Nick.

voice;

[alsohawkeye]

Nice to meet you, Nick. Shame about the circumstances, et cetera, et cetera. I meant generally, but yeah you do definitely look like that guy. [ She sounds a little apologetic; the doppelganger thing is definitely weird and some people take it better than others. Sharing a face with Captain America could be better or worse, she's not sure which. ]

So what's your game?

voice;

[pushesback]

Yeah, likewise.

[At least it's just the face, a lot more shaven than Nick's is. His shoulder to waist ratio isn't quite as...you know. Dorito.]

Ever play two card guts?

[alsohawkeye]

[ Trading some muscle mass for less self-righteousness would be okay in Kate's book, but she's never actually met this Steve with his actual sense of humor. ]

No, never heard of it. I don't suppose it's anything like poker?

[pushesback]

Sort of, except it's played with just two cards. You can win or lose your ass pretty quickly playing it. That's why they call it "guts".

[alsohawkeye]

Yeah, two cards doesn't leave much room for error. Where'd you learn that one?

[pushesback]

[There's a second, just a second, where he hesitates.]

My dad.

[alsohawkeye]

[ Kate leaves that for a second as a sort of acknowledgement. ]

My dad is terrible at cards. He thinks he's got some great poker instincts or something but he's always getting taken for a ride.

[pushesback]

[He laughs a little at that.]

Truth? My dad was probably the one taking guys like your dad for that ride.

[alsohawkeye]

[ Kate laughs, too. ]

Good for him. That's what you get for being greedy.

[pushesback]

It wasn't exactly the lord's work we were doing either.

[alsohawkeye]

What, it wasn't a Robin Hood deal? [ Her disappointment is fake, a mild tease, same as when she clicks her tongue reproachfully. ]

[pushesback]

I guess that depends. We did sort of rob from the rich and give to the poor - ourselves.

[alsohawkeye]

I mean that's not as cool, but if they could afford it and you didn't hurt anyone....

Some friends and I did our best to scam a shady backroom poker game on Arima so we could try to hire a shuttle out of here so I don't really have a high horse to ride, here.

[pushesback]

Sounds pretty dangerous. Wish I'd been in on it.

[alsohawkeye]

[ Kate's laugh is briefer this time, an amused huff of a breath. ]

I guess it was. We did end up fighting our way out with pockets full of chips. I'd rather that sort of dangerous than what we usually get around here.