WEEK 6

[bathymetric]

Good morning, passengers. Happy Sunday. Happy New Year.

Three more of your number gone - or four, depending on your point of view. But regardless, you're down three bodies. The boat is getting less crowded, week by week. A loneliness only exacerbated by yet another new floor, and yet another section of topdeck. There are almost too many facilities for you to use by now, aren't there? And yet the amenities keep on coming. One of them is even personalized, this time, and perhaps not in a way you're fully comfortable with.

Who knows, maybe if your number falls enough, you'll be able to just exist permanently on the different floors. Might keep you out of the trial room for more than a week.

Are you at the point where you'd settle for that yet?

And if you look to the horizon, out in the distance... there are clouds starting to gather on the horizon this week.




SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

[ ooc: Welcome to week 6, everyone! Remember to turn in AC here and coins for regains over here! If you wish to get in contact with the npcs, Davy Jones is over here, and The Captain is over here! And as requested, profiles are accessible here. ]

Comments

[scouserer]

[Constantine lets out a sharp laugh, sitting down in one of the stools and smirking.]

Well, it won't be terribly exciting with just the two of us, but I'm sure we could get some Jackbucks out of it. Maybe you can buy some of those sticky hand toys and whack people with 'em.

[Anyways, he finishes shuffling and lays five cards face down in the middle of the table. He slides Filbo two cards, then gives himself two cards of his own. He doesn't look at them--not yet.]

Maybe we could get the others in on this. Though I'd wager we'd probably have to explain the rules.... [He tilts his head to the side.] I'm surprised you Grumpuses have so many similar games and concepts to that of my world, but s'not all that uncommon in parallel universes, I suppose.

[ahelpingpaw]

Trust me, I have spent this whole time wondering how there's so much familiar stuff in other worlds!

[Many things aren't exactly the same as his world, but it sure is similar enough to make him pause and wonder what the heck's up with everything, geez.

Filbo takes his cards, immediately making a face of discontent once he sees them. Welp]

It'd mean most of us would be on the same level of skill! That'd help, right?

[scouserer]

[Oh, Constantine saw that reaction. He smirks a little, then lifts his cards to see what he's got. It's just a three of clubs and a Jack of hearts--nothing special, and nothing too bad, either. He hardly reacts when he places them back down on the table, tapping the felt and raising his bet.]

That'd definitely help. Though, it'd probably be in everyone's best interests if I sat out of any games with complete newcomers.

[AKA, kindly telling Filbo that he'd probably bankrupt them in no time. The man didn't make a living out of conning horse race betting places without at least having some sort of luck or skill. He scratches his chin, leaning back in his chair.]

You holding or raising?

[ahelpingpaw]

Hold.

[Yeah, looks like Filbo isn't going to win any poker tournaments, hah. Oh well]

I guess! But at least you'd have an eye for anyone out to cheat. I don't think it's gonna happen but you never know when it's about poker!

[Better safe than sorry, hah]

[scouserer]

[Hey, as long as Filbo's having fun, that's what matters! Constantine nods, flipping over the first few cards--ace of hearts, ten of spades, five of clubs.

Pretend I know anything about poker because I'm pretty sure this is not good for Constantine's hand???]

You want me to check if other people don't cheat? [Constantine lets out a laugh.] That's certainly something I've never been asked to do. Usually I'm the one cheating in the situation.

...Not that I'm cheating now. I wouldn't do that to you.

[That's the truth!]

[ahelpingpaw]

[Saaaaame, hah! Poker, how do you work]

The one who can watch out for others doing it is someone who has done it before!

[Hey, he admitted he cheats, therefore the logic stands. Filbo watches the cards that got revealed, still looking rather unsatisfied with what he has in hand]

Besides I don't think I'd dare to play if we were trying to use real money. I'd lose so much money I'd retire after a few hands!

[You can't get a gambling addiction when you're already convinced you'll lose!]

[scouserer]

Heh. Can't argue with that.

[Anyways, Constantine holds...and reveals the last two cards. Nine of diamonds, Queen of hearts.]

Go on, show your hand. See how many sticky hand toys you can buy, eh?

[ahelpingpaw]

[According to the random card shuffler generator, looks like it's the king of spades and five of diamonds. Filbo shows the cards, chuckling]

A negative number of them? I should find one to give to the store.

[Pair of fives is all he had, yup. Definitely the sort of thing that'd make a more seasoned player back down because it's so likely someone else has something better -- he had been hoping the king would be of use, but alas, it sure wasn't]

[scouserer]

[Constantine lets out a laugh. I've already forgotten his hand and I'm too lazy to read back, so...]

See, the real solution to gettin' your hands on those prizes is breakin' the box and taking them for yourself. Though...I doubt there's anything in there really worth having in the first place.

[Maybe that was what Chloe had in mind before...you know.]

If you want, I can give you some tips on how to have a better poker face.

[ahelpingpaw]

I think I can make use of that! Alright, how can I have an actual poker face instead of...what little I have already?

[Looks like Filbo is willing to listen to tips, yup]

[scouserer]

[Constantine clasps his hands together.]

Right--so, first things first, let's focus on your face. We can get to body language and stuff later, but we'll start small for now. No getting fancy with bluffing or anything.

[For now, at least!]

The important part about maintaining a neutral expression is relaxing your face. If you're already tense, you'll be naturally inclined to react in some way. Take a deep breath, detach your mind from the situation.

[ahelpingpaw]

So...empty your head for a moment and it'll be easier to just show nothing on your face? ['Detach your mind', said Constantine, after all] Uh, somehow that does make some sense. Maybe I can do it at least for a little while when it counts.

[Sounds like the most basic thing, so if he can at least get it done, perhaps everything else will be easier. He hopes so, at least.

...time to try. Filbo does take a deep breath and just tries to relax his face. Somehow, that ends with him having the slight smile that he has most of the time when he's not feeling down in the dumps]

This is my neutral face. I think.

[At least what passes for one when it's about Filbo]

[scouserer]

[Constantine surveys Filbo for a few moment. His face gives away nothing as he watches Filbo try and maintain a neutral expression. After a few moments, a small smile cracks across his face.]

Good enough. The more you practice, the better you'll get.

[He snorts, rubbing the back of his neck.]

A lot of it comes down to being more...well, acting like you've got a royal flush, even when your hand is shit. Because if you believe it, other people will believe it, as well. Of course, that also means you gotta recognize when you've gotta fold.

[ahelpingpaw]

Being good at poker almost seems like it requires lying to yourself a lot!

[Which he was never really good at, hah]

I dunno when to fold, honestly. Y-You know me, I find it hard to back down once I get my mind into something!

[Please keep Filbo away from competitions involving money, he'd get fleeced so hard, hah]