Beginner's Luck, accompanied by Din

[legendsqueen]

[Let's skip the confoundment and get straight to the gambling. Half hour after arrival, Queen Rin found her way to the Game Corner in the Central Meeting Area. She'd also found a few coins on the floor, and just discovered what they were used for. But what it was still eluded her. After a while of placid reeling (and two button pokes), three sevens

Comments

[girlfromunova]

[IS THAT A GAME CORNER

SHE DOES NOT HAVE GAME CORNERS

FINALLY SHE CAN PLAY IN A GAME CORNER

...Hey, wait a sec, who's that girl over there? Will approach.]

Something wrong?

[legendsqueen]

[Rin hesitates for a moment.]

Many things.

[The slot machine quiets down after it spills out a few more coins.]

But I am adjusting. What can you tell me of this place?

[girlfromunova]

[She momentarily scratches the back of her neck. It's a habit of hers that she never quite managed to get rid of, despite how infinitely annoying it could be for some people.]

Which one, the island or the Game Corner?

[legendsqueen]

The island, if you will. I have done all right figuring out these instruments.

[Except Rin's wondering if the slot machines can dispense food, too, what with the cherries on the reels.]

All the nobles on the floor

[eflamberge]

[Edmond just entered the Game Corner by complete accident. He's utterly clueless about technology of all kinds, and he doesn't have the slightest idea what all these... things with lights are. They make really unpleasant sounds, too! Edmond is about to head out away from this blinking, eardrum-shattering hell when he sees somebody who might possibly be... nobility like him? ... And she seems to be quite distressed! And so, the Count approaches.]

The top of the day to you, madam. What is someone like you doing in a place like this?

The DANCE floor.

[legendsqueen]

[Rin hadn't seen Edmond come in. Otherwise she'd try to be ignored, possibly slip away before all the racket came. But as it happened, Rin stands tensed in confusion, fright, and awe, her hand clasped to her collar bone, one foot stepped back. Edmond's voice startles her. Rin flinches and looks at him, her eyes wide, eyebrows pulled together. Then lowers her hand and she breathes a sigh of relief, as though expecting more. Rin even finds it in herself to smile a little.]

Winning the game, it seems. And you?

[eflamberge]

Ah... a game?

[Yeah, he has no idea what this place is. He really hopes this beautiful lady wants to go talk somewhere else, because he feels really uneasy here!

But, first things first. An answer and an introduction.]

I'm afraid I am only here by mere accident. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Count Edmond Flamberge, of Lavaridge Town. Collector, swordsman and Zangoose breeder.

[And BFF of everyone in Team Magma, but you don't need to know that.]

[legendsqueen]

[Edmond will be disappointed, because now that Rin knows he's unfamiliar with the Game Corner, she's quite happy to stay. That it makes him uneasy? Good. Works to her advantage.]

Collector?

[The slot machine ends its jingle, its flashing lights, its coin spitting. Rin glances at the money, but quickly refocuses on Edmond, looks him straight in the eyes.]

If I may, what do you collect, Edmond?

[Rin's voice is soft, her tone light and interested. Collecting is the only thing he mentioned that didn't remind her of war.]

[singlespoon]

[There is a Kadabra who seems to have claimed a machine across the aisle. He turns and is staring at you jealously, Rin. Why can't he ever get a payout like that? Man, she isn't even picking it up. She pretty much deserves to have it all stolen or something. Is he enough of a douche to do that? He is not sure. Yet.]

[legendsqueen]

[Rin hasn't noticed you yet, Kadabra. She's staring at the slot machine wondering if it'll blink and jingle and spill forever. But the thing about being stared at is that people feel it. After a long moment, Rin looks around and sees the Kadabra. It's close. And glaring daggers at her.]

How long 'til this strident noise ends?

[She has to speak up because of all the money she's winning.]

[singlespoon]

[She is practically ignoring it what kind of person does that!? Oh wait, she said something to him.]

It depends how lucky you are.

[Not that he's crabby about it or anything!]

[legendsqueen]

[But ah! A few moments later the slot machine cools down. The jingle stops. The blinking fades. The coins trickle and dry. Rin takes a breath, long and slow.]

We may split it if you wish. My luck sparked your envy, correct?

[isolde_electric]

Ay, ya won! [Big smile from Isolde.] Nicely done, lady. Didn't know any other women liked the Game Corner on this island but me. Name's Isolde O'Kenna. Good to meet ya.

[legendsqueen]

[Rin jumps a little, then looks at Isolde, a small, if slightly embarrassed smile on her face.]

Really? Who else have you met?

[After a few moments, the slot machine ceases its flashing and jingling and coin spilling. Rin glances at the machine, still not understanding what it is beyond a matching game.]

[isolde_electric]

Well, so far I've met a 'double' of a friend o' mine, a baby Mewtwo who's scared of everything, and seen a Kadabra with a gambling problem. Most folks back home, though, who use the Game Corner are all men. Congratulations on your win. What'll ya buy with it?

[legendsqueen]

[A double of a friend...that means nothing to her. Unease churns through the Queen, the only visible sign being a clench of her hand. Rin reminds herself that this is a foreign land. The farthest land. She isn't expected to know. And she has no power here.]

...What is there to buy?

[Her voice is quiet, faintly shaky. She feels her throat tighten a little. To distract herself, Rin focuses on the coins she'd won. They were foreign, too.]