Casino Night!

[broken_brushes]

When I'd first come up with the idea of Casino Night, I wasn't sure if it was even possible on the island. In retrospect, that might have been naive of me, because if there was anything I'd learned in over four years on Tabula Rasa, it was that its residents were capable of doing just about anything save getting home

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[usethecompany]

Kennedy would not attribute a marked ability to play cards unto himself, though he had shared many a table and watched many more with his fellow officers during the slow, darkening hours of a day. As such, high hopes were not in abundance when he made his appearance at the casino night. His expectations had limited themselves to a few drinks, socializing and the show.

But upon arrival, Archie had chanced to observe the mah-jongg table. Observation being the best teacher -- second only to the gentleman running the games -- Archie soon found himself in the thick of it, deeply engaged in play. Though perhaps never meant to be a captain, the strategy of playing with men beyond him, the strategy of playing with tiles proved well within his grasp. He excelled at the game, and quite happily so, until he had in his possession a most impressive collection of chips.

[bennet_beauty]

"Are you having much luck?" Jane asked with wide and eager eyes. She could not imbibe any of the liquor and did not feel as though she wished to drink, but she found great delight in watching the games of other people. This game with tiles seemed so odd and so she had lingered here, searching for a manner of play over the time.

[usethecompany]

Looking first to ascertain who was speaking to him and to whom he would be speaking in turn, Archie smiled warmly when he realized he was in the company of the now Mrs. Lipton. "A great deal, it would seem," he replied, unable to help the breadth of his amused smile. "I confess, I am not certain as to how I acquired such luck as I was quite unfamiliar with the game before tonight. But I am in what would appear to be a very long streak of luck."

[bennet_beauty]

Jane was most happy to learn that Archie was experiencing a great deal of luck. She adjusted her stance in order to grow closer to him, peering at the strange tiles. "I do not think I shall ask you to explain the rules, seeing as I do not wish to waste your time, but do at least tell me that you have profitted well."

[usethecompany]

"The rules do defy a brevity," Archie conceded, smiling downwardly at the admission. "Otherwise I would insist upon you joining the fray and adding your company to the entertainment. But I am most assuredly doing well. For the moment," Kennedy hastily added, lest he ruin his luck with overconfidence. "Who knows what the next turn might bring."

[bennet_beauty]

"And is there something you are looking to win, in particular?" she asked, her eyes bright. She was far more interested in the winnings than the game of gambling. After all, she did not particularly like to think of the path that it led Wickham down, taking Lydia with him. "I had hoped to contribute something, but I do not think that I have anything worthy of wanting."

[usethecompany]

"I had such hopes as well, and the same thought," Kennedy replied. His desire to contribute to the community and its brand of philanthropy at times clashed however with the values of his time. Money held no meaning here. His service as a sailor he would gladly give but that was not the sort of thing to be bid upon. It had felt to him there existed nothing for him to give that he did not already give. "I haven't any particular desires," he continued. "Though I must admit, a dinner with beef preys heavily on my mind."

[bennet_beauty]

"I have been missing such a thing, as well, but I have learned to make do," she said in a tone that implied that she would have far preferred if she had not needed to make such a sacrifice. "I am proud of Carwood for offering what he has, however. I am glad at least one of us has talents. Though, I do not think you would be in the market for a child's toy," she admitted.

[usethecompany]

An amused but politely-toned laugh escaped him at the remark. "No, I am afraid that is not among my desires. Not tonight, anyway," he replied. A family had never been high among Archie's desires at any point, but with such a plethora of time to be used only in thought on the island and the memory of Edward in his mind, sometimes he allowed himself to wonder.

"I believe tonight is similar in some respects to Shrove Tuesday," he continued. "A bit of indulgence. So I will seize the opportunity and set my sights on that which we must needs do without on any other day."

[bennet_beauty]

"That seems a sound decision," she said, most thoughtfully as she shared a fond smile with Archie. "I would offer my help, but I do not think I would be able to do such a thing. I was never permitted in the gambling halls. And for good cause, if those halls produced men such as Mr. Wickham."

[usethecompany]

The reference struck no chord in Kennedy's memory, the family name wholly unfamiliar to him. "A scoundrel?" he presumed, the lack of restraint in most of the island's manners encouraging him to inquire where normally he would not. "I appreciate the offer, nonetheless, Mrs. Lipton," Archie added. "However any more luck or help and I would feel some guilt for my success."

[bennet_beauty]

Jane pressed her lips together and felt as though she did not wish to bring such horrible words to any man, but after what Wickham had done to her family, it seemed almost deserved. "He absconded with my youngest sister, forcing her into marriage at only sixteen," Jane said, most gravely. "It was not a happy time."

[stoicsidekick]

Bush liked gambling of a very particular sort. Cards weren't for him, and neither were dominos, or bets on games of chance. No, for him the only thing that would do were games of chance: dice and the like, where the excitement lay in the drop of a chip or the spin of a roulette wheel, and nothing like strategy was necessary. Aye, he'd take the simple trick of fate at the gaming table over more complicated games any day.

Unfortunately, his luck had done him just as well on Tabula Rasa as it had ever done in pubs, and clubs, and gunrooms back home. Abandoning his losing streak, he found Archie again and peered over his shoulder. It didn't take long before he was completely lost. "Christ, that looks worse than whist."

[usethecompany]

"It is," Kennedy confirmed promptly with an ever so pleased but politely contained smile on his face. "And much more fun. And, it would appear, that it fancies me a great deal more than whist ever did."

Leaning back in his chair, for he had leaned himself greatly in an opposing angle to overlook the board intensely, Archie tilted his head back to look at William. It would have been easy to lean just a bit more or take his hand, but he restrained himself. Perhaps for no good reason, or perhaps for the most important of ones. "Will you be joining me or are you too afraid of the tiles, Mr. Bush?" he queried instead.

[stoicsidekick]

"You and Hornblower both, you're hopeless," Bush declared, and though he sat down next to Archie, it wasn't to play. " 'm afraid I've had far too much to drink to make any sense of that." Then again, he was pretty sure that even sober he would have been too drunk to make sense of the tiles laid out on the table.

[usethecompany]

"It does require quite a bit of cleverness and a clear head," Archie remarked agreeably. Returning the majority of his attention to the board, he made his move, rearranging a few of the tiles and adding a few of his own. "You've been enjoying yourself elsewhere, I hope?" he prompted.