he said, "son, I've made a life out of readin' people's faces" [open]

[qunari]

WHO: The Iron Bull and YOU (open)
WHAT: Wicked Grace
WHEN: Afternoon and Evening of Firstfall 19
WHERE: Skyhold, in The Herald's Rest
NOTES: The practice rounds in the afternoon are one-on-one. The game in the evening for veterans will be party style, and we'll keep it to five total to make it manageable. If more than that want to play, we can start a second thread. Questions? PM me or ping me on plurk.

Afternoon

Well. Turned out more than a few of the Rifts were game to try their hand at the latest proposed form of distraction. And hey, Bull wasn't so bad of a teacher. Kind of fell in line with his nature, in a way. So all those newcomers who wanted to learn the ins and outs of Wicked Grace without gambling away what little they'd brought with them? Had access to a private training ground of sorts. A couple of tables set up near the back of the tavern, and a few of the Chargers who'd volunteered to help -- the more sociable of his merry band, anyway -- and anyone asking could easily be directed back to where Bull was shuffling up the cards, and nodding in welcome to those who approached.

"Hey. Glad you could make it. Pull up a chair, and we'll get started."




Evening

Playtime was over.

As the sky darkened and the fires in the tavern burned brighter, the booze started to circulate. Coins rattled in purses, and those who knew the game well enough were invited to come play for real stakes. No more taking it easy. Bull fully expected the best game out of those who came, or at least an entertaining one.

Maybe someone would drag a few of their stiffer companions along for a round or two. Cullen, for example. Man could use a break like no one could. But chances of that were admittedly slim, and they'd make it work, no matter who showed up.

Comments

[qunari]

And it reads loud and clear across the table. He isn't really here for the game. But Bull lets him think it plays, with a mild shrug and a gesture to his drink. "Gonna get a little lubricated first, but alright. How often you play?"

Meanwhile, he's already working on shuffling the deck. Surprisingly well, for someone with a few fingers short by a few knuckles.

[justice_is_blond]

"I haven't in a couple of years. Before that, it was nearly weekly for a few years." He doesn't know if he's fooling the Bull at all, but it doesn't really matter. Anders isn't trying for deception. ...Which is a good thing since he's bad at that too. He takes a breath and tries to ease up a little.

"I won once. In my partial defense, playing against Isabela and Varric is difficult at best. Especially when lubricated." That's a little better. Granted, he hadn't actually gotten to drink much in Kirkwall, Justice had been bothered by anything he deemed excessive. And when excessive equals more than one, Anders had spent a distressingly long time sober. "How often do you play?"

[qunari]

"Eh, Kind of fallen out of it for a while. Had other things on our plate. Figure it's as good a time as any to bring it back, see if anyone misses it."

"Keeping our eyes on the end goal, that's important. Taking care of all the other, smaller shit that crops up along the way? That's important too. But so's taking your eyes off all that for a minute or two, letting your mind resettle, resort everything."

The cards stack neatly in front of him, before he leans back heavily, motioning for one of the servers to come refill his drink.

"Doesn't matter how dark it gets. You stare into a flame long enough, you're just gonna hurt yourself."

[justice_is_blond]

He's not fooling Bull at all, going by how serious the conversation has already gotten. Anders is quiet for several moments, breaking it by asking for the server to bring him a drink as well once he's done refilling Bull's.

"Sometimes the flame's all you can see, especially when it's burned a path through every corner of your life. When it's paused its advance but still threatens to resume. Smaller shit and taking your mind off can easily fall through the cracks." It's been something he's struggled with since making the deal with Justice, prioritizing. Also not hurting himself, because he's not entirely certain that he shouldn't be hurting.

"I don't know if I've missed Wicked Grace, personally. I suppose I'll have to see how losing repeatedly feels before I know that one. Figuring out the rest will take far, far longer."

[qunari]

No chill. Anders has it.

He's got all the hallmarks of an obsessive personality, and paired with the ideals being an oppressed mage in Thedas gives you? This isn't something he wants to delve into too readily. So he simply half-shrugs in concession, before taking a swig of his fresh drink.

"Hey, I'll take it easy on you. How's that? Playing's no fun if the outcome's already decided," he offers lightly, before moving the deck to the center of the table. He gets to cut it, since it looks like they might be alone this round.

[justice_is_blond]

"A more honorable person might protest some mercy being given." The smallest smile appears at the corner of his mouth, despite everything else. "I'm not that honorable."

Once Bull's cut the deck, Anders deals it out and picks up his cards. ...And immediately picks up his drink. Two serpents and one of each of the other suits, of course. At least he hadn't drawn the Angel of Death this time, though.

"I believe you go first?"

[qunari]

"Yeah," Bull rumbles, observing his own hand with a considering look. With his free hand he reaches for the top of the deck, pulling a card into his hand and squinting, before laying out a dagger card on the discard pile.

"Eh, besides. Game's about taking advantage when the time comes to. So really, you're just playing into the spirit of things."

[justice_is_blond]

"It's about time I fit into the spirit of something." His voice is dry draws... a third serpent. Okay. That's better. A set of three, even in the worst suit, isn't bad. Anders nods to himself, not even thinking about the motion. Anders discards a songs card and looks up at Bull.

"So how do you learn when the time's right, and not too early or too late?" He doesn't just mean the card game, but he doubts the secondary question is going to be answered.