The Card Game An aside with Colt Sebastian Taylor and Ametrine
Colt and Ametrine strolled through Baulder's Gate, looking for the Solid Centaur, a small tavern. Colt had intended to write an article about it, and Ametrine, have not seen Colt work as a writer, wanted to come along. He happily agreed, and the two casually strolled the streets as the sun began to set. Colt pointed out various establishments he had been to and the good food and drinks at those places. Colt was very playful, giving hints about the trouble he had gotten into but never giving many details. Eventually, they reached a tavern called the "Steel River Tips," and Colt paused. "Oooo. There is usually good trouble in here." "What's good trouble?" Ametrine asked curiously.
"Well, there are two types of trouble. Bad trouble, which usually results in cuts, blood, and pain. And then there is good trouble which results in laughs, drinks, and fun," Colt said with a smirk. "Good trouble sounds... good," Ametrine replied, hooking her arm with his. "Hence the name," Colt said, leading her into the tavern.
The tavern itself was of decent size and fairly well-lit. There were a variety of different people in this location. Some were at the bar, others were laughing at tables, and a few kept to themselves at various corners. However, what caught Colt's attention was a card game near a large front window. "Oooo... " Colt said, rubbing his chin. "That looks interesting."
"Why are they holding a paper with numbers on it?" Ametrine asked, tilting her head. "They are gambling," Colt said. "What's gambling?" She asked, looking at him. "Well. It's a game. And if you win the game, you win some gold. And if you lose the game, you lose some gold," Colt said, thinking this was the best way to explain this. "It is fun." .
"Well, there are two types of trouble. Bad trouble, which usually results in cuts, blood, and pain. And then there is good trouble which results in laughs, drinks, and fun," Colt said with a smirk. "Good trouble sounds... good," Ametrine replied, hooking her arm with his. "Hence the name," Colt said, leading her into the tavern.
The tavern itself was of decent size and fairly well-lit. There were a variety of different people in this location. Some were at the bar, others were laughing at tables, and a few kept to themselves at various corners. However, what caught Colt's attention was a card game near a large front window. "Oooo... " Colt said, rubbing his chin. "That looks interesting."
"Why are they holding a paper with numbers on it?" Ametrine asked, tilting her head. "They are gambling," Colt said. "What's gambling?" She asked, looking at him. "Well. It's a game. And if you win the game, you win some gold. And if you lose the game, you lose some gold," Colt said, thinking this was the best way to explain this. "It is fun." .
"Losing does not sound fun," Ametrine replied, a little hesitant.
"Then don't lose," Colt said with a smile. Ametrine hooked his arm, and the two walked over to the table. Sitting there were a pair of humans, an elf, a Tabaxi, and a large mountain of a man that was likely some sort of half-giant. Colt introduced himself, of which his name sparked some recognition. Colt introduced Ametrine and explained that she was new to this area and the game. Everyone was very welcoming to her at the table, introducing themselves. While they were all smiles, Colt told her they were friendly because they thought they could win her money.
The pair played cards on the table for the next two hours. During this time, drinks and food were ordered, and there was a lot of casual gossips. Ametrine was amused watching Colt in this setting. He presented himself in two different ways depending on who was around. He was a bit more reserved with close associates or friends. He was jokey and pleasant; by now, although he would deny it, he was very protective of those he considered to be his friends in his own ways. Ametrine read Colt like an open book in many respects and could see this change in him. In this setting, Colt was gregarious, told stories, complimented people, and was all smiles. He was quite pleasant in these settings, but she could see him eyeing up other people across the table. .
"Then don't lose," Colt said with a smile. Ametrine hooked his arm, and the two walked over to the table. Sitting there were a pair of humans, an elf, a Tabaxi, and a large mountain of a man that was likely some sort of half-giant. Colt introduced himself, of which his name sparked some recognition. Colt introduced Ametrine and explained that she was new to this area and the game. Everyone was very welcoming to her at the table, introducing themselves. While they were all smiles, Colt told her they were friendly because they thought they could win her money.
The pair played cards on the table for the next two hours. During this time, drinks and food were ordered, and there was a lot of casual gossips. Ametrine was amused watching Colt in this setting. He presented himself in two different ways depending on who was around. He was a bit more reserved with close associates or friends. He was jokey and pleasant; by now, although he would deny it, he was very protective of those he considered to be his friends in his own ways. Ametrine read Colt like an open book in many respects and could see this change in him. In this setting, Colt was gregarious, told stories, complimented people, and was all smiles. He was quite pleasant in these settings, but she could see him eyeing up other people across the table. .
Ametrine used her powers to poke into Colt's mind to see that he was categorizing the weapons they had on them, assessing any possible magical ability, and of course... in this setting... seeing if they had any tells that could help him win. Everyone, except the half-giant, seemingly enjoyed Colt's banter. The half-giant, notably, did not, and Colt seemingly gravitated towards that, poking at him verbally to keep him off balance. Once or twice he pushed things too far, and it looked like the half-giant would grip his arms off, but Colt quickly apologized and bought him a drink. Not wanting the game to end, the others at the table also helped calm down the hulking brute.
The game continued with Colt and Ametrine winning many hands and never seemingly losing much in the way of gold. Colt lost here and there but seemingly did pretty well for himself. Ametrine lost at first, but once she understood what combinations of cards were better than others, she either won or did not contest the round. They were seemingly doing very well for themselves at the end of the two hours. The others at the table were slightly annoyed by Ametrine's "beginner" luck, but Colt's compliments softened their annoyance that they had taught her well. Again, Ametrine could see Colt weave his words in a way that convinced them they were partially to blame for her good play. She smiled at him and kept her tongue, knowing what he was doing. The half-giant, however, remained less impressed with Colt's words and was annoyed that the earth Gensasi was winning.
Where Colt failed to lower his simmering anger, Ametrine tried to defuse the situation. "You are mad," She said, causing the others to gasp slightly. "No," he replied. "Not mad. Just wish my luck would change." .
The game continued with Colt and Ametrine winning many hands and never seemingly losing much in the way of gold. Colt lost here and there but seemingly did pretty well for himself. Ametrine lost at first, but once she understood what combinations of cards were better than others, she either won or did not contest the round. They were seemingly doing very well for themselves at the end of the two hours. The others at the table were slightly annoyed by Ametrine's "beginner" luck, but Colt's compliments softened their annoyance that they had taught her well. Again, Ametrine could see Colt weave his words in a way that convinced them they were partially to blame for her good play. She smiled at him and kept her tongue, knowing what he was doing. The half-giant, however, remained less impressed with Colt's words and was annoyed that the earth Gensasi was winning.
Where Colt failed to lower his simmering anger, Ametrine tried to defuse the situation. "You are mad," She said, causing the others to gasp slightly. "No," he replied. "Not mad. Just wish my luck would change." .
"Why?" She asked curiously. "So I can win my gold back," he replied.
"So losing is bad for you?" she asked. "Losing is always bad," he replied, looking at her. "Me winning means you lose. I feel bad because I feel good, but you are angry," she said with a frown. "This is the first time I've played this. Should I feel bad you lost? You can have my gold." "Ametrine," Colt said, clearing his throat. "No, I want our new friend to feel good," she said, pushing gold over to him. The half-giant laughed, pushing it back, "No, no, no, Rock Girl. You won fairly. I am sorry. I just don't like your friend." "Many don't," Ametrine said with a smile. "Hey, that is... " Colt shrugged and looked back at his cards. "Not completely true, but it does hit a few points from time to time to time." "But he is actually quite nice," Amerine said, looking at everyone. "The Colt Sebastian Taylor you see here is all an act."
Colt looked around and cleared his throat, "I am as advertised. My friend here has.... seen.... other parts of me that not everyone does." "Oh, yes, I've seen him naked. We are lovers," she said. "Okay, Well..." Colt said but was drowned out by laughter in the tavern as Ametrine's voice did travel a bit. The somewhat tense mood is lessened.
"Why are people laughing?" Ametrine said. "Do you not want people to know we are lovers? Are you ashamed of me?" She said, tilting her head. There was another round of laughter as Colt blushed slightly. "I don't understand." As much as Ametrine had learned to read Colt, Colt had begun to pick up on her tells as well. The slight turn of the corner of her lips clued Colt that she, perhaps, knew exactly what she was saying, knowing it put Colt in an uncomfortable light. Ametrine, poking into Colt's surface thoughts, smiled politely at him, winked, and leaned in to kiss him on the forehead. "Never," Colt said with a smile. "Just isn't something that is said during a game." .
"So losing is bad for you?" she asked. "Losing is always bad," he replied, looking at her. "Me winning means you lose. I feel bad because I feel good, but you are angry," she said with a frown. "This is the first time I've played this. Should I feel bad you lost? You can have my gold." "Ametrine," Colt said, clearing his throat. "No, I want our new friend to feel good," she said, pushing gold over to him. The half-giant laughed, pushing it back, "No, no, no, Rock Girl. You won fairly. I am sorry. I just don't like your friend." "Many don't," Ametrine said with a smile. "Hey, that is... " Colt shrugged and looked back at his cards. "Not completely true, but it does hit a few points from time to time to time." "But he is actually quite nice," Amerine said, looking at everyone. "The Colt Sebastian Taylor you see here is all an act."
Colt looked around and cleared his throat, "I am as advertised. My friend here has.... seen.... other parts of me that not everyone does." "Oh, yes, I've seen him naked. We are lovers," she said. "Okay, Well..." Colt said but was drowned out by laughter in the tavern as Ametrine's voice did travel a bit. The somewhat tense mood is lessened.
"Why are people laughing?" Ametrine said. "Do you not want people to know we are lovers? Are you ashamed of me?" She said, tilting her head. There was another round of laughter as Colt blushed slightly. "I don't understand." As much as Ametrine had learned to read Colt, Colt had begun to pick up on her tells as well. The slight turn of the corner of her lips clued Colt that she, perhaps, knew exactly what she was saying, knowing it put Colt in an uncomfortable light. Ametrine, poking into Colt's surface thoughts, smiled politely at him, winked, and leaned in to kiss him on the forehead. "Never," Colt said with a smile. "Just isn't something that is said during a game." .
"Oh, well, I am new to this. Thank you for the advice," she said, picking up her cards and looking through them.
"Mmm... yes, advice," Colt said, taking a deep breath and looking at his cards.
They continued to play, and now Colt seemed to win quite a bit, acquiring gold over and over again. His comments towards those at the table were a bit more biting, so to speak. He was teasing those at the table who were laughing, but as Colt won more and more of their gold, there was a bit of tension at the table. While Colt did not win every hand, he did seem to win most hands that he played. He did lose now and again, and often to Ametrine, who teased him much to his annoyance, although it was more of him annoyed that he couldn't figure out how she was winning if this was the first time. During this time, there were a number of drinks as well as food that the card players enjoyed during the game. Some were having more drinks than others, but Ametrine noticed that Colt was actively trying to get them more intoxicated. She smiled, knowing by now the tricks he likes to pull on others. He was a smooth talker, but she had learned many of his angles and phrases. She found it fun to watch him "work" a group of people. Both he and Star, when they were "working," stood differently, spoke differently, and handled people differently. Most did not pick up on it, but Ametrine did.
While everyone was having a relatively good time, the half-giant was not. Having a much higher constitution, it took a lot more for him to get drunk. However, as he got tipsy, he got angry at losing and did not find anything that Colt was saying funny at all. In fact, it seemed to only enrage him. Finally, he slammed his fists onto the table, cracking it, and stood up. Grabbing a pitcher of ale, he threw it into Colt's face. "How in the hell did you win?! Impossible to lose this much! How!"
"Mmm... yes, advice," Colt said, taking a deep breath and looking at his cards.
They continued to play, and now Colt seemed to win quite a bit, acquiring gold over and over again. His comments towards those at the table were a bit more biting, so to speak. He was teasing those at the table who were laughing, but as Colt won more and more of their gold, there was a bit of tension at the table. While Colt did not win every hand, he did seem to win most hands that he played. He did lose now and again, and often to Ametrine, who teased him much to his annoyance, although it was more of him annoyed that he couldn't figure out how she was winning if this was the first time. During this time, there were a number of drinks as well as food that the card players enjoyed during the game. Some were having more drinks than others, but Ametrine noticed that Colt was actively trying to get them more intoxicated. She smiled, knowing by now the tricks he likes to pull on others. He was a smooth talker, but she had learned many of his angles and phrases. She found it fun to watch him "work" a group of people. Both he and Star, when they were "working," stood differently, spoke differently, and handled people differently. Most did not pick up on it, but Ametrine did.
While everyone was having a relatively good time, the half-giant was not. Having a much higher constitution, it took a lot more for him to get drunk. However, as he got tipsy, he got angry at losing and did not find anything that Colt was saying funny at all. In fact, it seemed to only enrage him. Finally, he slammed his fists onto the table, cracking it, and stood up. Grabbing a pitcher of ale, he threw it into Colt's face. "How in the hell did you win?! Impossible to lose this much! How!"
"My friend," Colt said, reaching over and pulling in a pile of gold. "Sometimes you are just really good." "Plus, he has extra cards," Ametrine said, reaching over to grab some food from a plate and sipping a drink. The comment was like she had cast a Time Stop spell as everyone froze in place, and eyes slowly moved to Colt, whose eyes slowly moved to Amtetrine. "I'm not sure how this game is played because I do not have extra cards to use. It is very hard without them." "Uhhhh..." Colt said with a wide smile. "I have no idea..." Before he could finish his sentence, the half-giant reached over, grabbed Colt by his shirt and yanked him across the table, and threw him to the floor. He slid a good 20 or so feet before crashing into a group of people causing everyone to tumble.
"Oh," Ametrine said, sipping her drink. "There is a physical component to this game. Colt, he didn't mention this." "Um.. well... excuse me, ladies and gentlemen," Cotl said, trying to untangle himself from the pile of people. The half-giant came over and threw a Tabaxi woman to the side and a pair of halflings over to the bar. He gripped Colt and picked him up. "Oh hey, I feel like this is a bit of a...." The half-giant tossed him head over heels into a table, causing him to crash down into it. "Cheater!" the angry half-giant yelled. Colt stood up and brushed some wood from his hair. "Whoa! Whoa! Everyone here knows me. Am I the type of person who would cheat?" There was an awkward silence among the crowd. No one came forward to back Colt up. Someone in the back yelled, "Yes!" "Oh fuck you, Greg," Colt grows, putting his hands on his hips. The giant came rushing over, and Colt attempted to draw his sword but was punched squarely in the chest, sending him another 20 feet back across another table, spilling beer everywhere as he tumbled to the floor. Colt gasped for air, crawling away. "Ametrine..." .
"Oh," Ametrine said, sipping her drink. "There is a physical component to this game. Colt, he didn't mention this." "Um.. well... excuse me, ladies and gentlemen," Cotl said, trying to untangle himself from the pile of people. The half-giant came over and threw a Tabaxi woman to the side and a pair of halflings over to the bar. He gripped Colt and picked him up. "Oh hey, I feel like this is a bit of a...." The half-giant tossed him head over heels into a table, causing him to crash down into it. "Cheater!" the angry half-giant yelled. Colt stood up and brushed some wood from his hair. "Whoa! Whoa! Everyone here knows me. Am I the type of person who would cheat?" There was an awkward silence among the crowd. No one came forward to back Colt up. Someone in the back yelled, "Yes!" "Oh fuck you, Greg," Colt grows, putting his hands on his hips. The giant came rushing over, and Colt attempted to draw his sword but was punched squarely in the chest, sending him another 20 feet back across another table, spilling beer everywhere as he tumbled to the floor. Colt gasped for air, crawling away. "Ametrine..." .
"Yes, Colt?" she said, tilting her head down. "Is it my turn to deal?" "No," he said, coughing. "I need..." He felt his ankles gripped as he was pulled up and tossed like a rag down through the large picture window in the front of the tavern into the street. The tavern gave a collective grimace as it was a rather hard throw. Colt, having been thrown through quite a few windows, managed to get his arms up to take the brunt of the impact. He hit the ground and tumbled to the ground, and got to his feet. Winded, he stumbled back, fell down, and got back to his feet again. This was getting some attention from the crowd as he stood up and drew his sword. "I am going to crack your head open, cheater," the half-giant said, picking up a large morning star that was practically half the size of Colt. "No one cheats on me!" Colt held up his hand, "I have never cheated," Colt growled and twirled his sword. "But if you want to make a go at it, I am more than happy to dance." Ametrine stepped out and looked a bit concerned, "Colt, is this part of the game?" "No, love," he said and took a deep breath. "This gentleman means to kill me." "Oh," she said, pausing for a moment, "No, I don't think so." She waved her hand and cast a spell, reversing gravity around the half-giant and sending him flying up into the air harmlessly. She smiled at Colt, "I thought this was part of the game." The giant was swearing, suspended 100 feet in the air. "Are you alright?" "Nothing a good drink and meal can't fix," he said, coming to her sheathing his sword. He looked around, "Waterdeep is a little strict about spell casting." He stepped closer to her, "Better stop before you are spotted."
"Sure," she said. She stopped the spell, and the giant plummeted to the ground, crashing through a wagon. Colt smiled and took her arm, and went back into the bar. He gave the nod to a few associates, and they began to clean up the place in case the authorities came in. Colt looked to the side and saw that the folks they were playing with had already left, taking their winning. The bartender had a smaller pile of gold for Colt and Ametrine. "I thought we won more." "Well, I think.. umm... well.. it doesn't matter, love. Thanks for the assist," Colt said with a smile. He pushed the pile towards the owner of the tavern. "This should cover the damage, some meals, and... your discretion in anyone asks." The owner took the money, "Of course, Mr. Taylor. Food?" "Please," Colt said, pulling a hood up so he could be a little less obvious. Colt took a deep breath and looked at Ametrine with a smile, "That did not go as I had hoped." She nodded and then smiled, "I sense, however, not the first time that has happened." Colt smiled, "I have no idea what you are talking about." He paused for a moment and whispered, "How did you know I was cheating with extra cards?" "I read your mind," she said simply. She sipped a fresh drink, "Everyone was pretty open at that table." "Oh," he said, nodding. He paused, "Wait, were you reading everyone else's mind?" "Yes," she said. She looked around and then back to him, "If they didn't want their minds to be read, they would have tried harder. They were singing to me." "Wait," Cotl said, drinking his drink. "Did you know their hands, and that was how you were winning?" "Yes," She said quickly. "Is that cheating?" Colt took a deep breath and began to laugh gently, "Ummm... Ya know... Much like me having extra cards, that is something you just don't want to tell anyone, okay?" "Sure," she said with a bright smile.
Colt narrowed his eyes, "You know that is cheating, don't you?" She gave a small smile to him and leaned in, "I think what you should be asking is if I cheated before or if it is something I picked up from you." "Touche," he said, clinking his mug with hers. "Just don't throw me under the bus next time without telling me." "I will," she said with a wide smile.
