Gail uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/span02Buy a drink for the Winner.

Gail grins a bit as she leans back, “Oh I’d say that’s pretty easy. Might be the first time I’ll be the one buyin’ the drink, though…”

“Oh no, it’s like level 2.0 of spin the bottle,” Hester murmurs, intrigued, after Arachne points that out.

Esme gives the wheel a spin when it’s her turn!

Esme uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanAnswer any single question truthfully from the Winner.

Alice hops up to spin the wheel!

Dovie nods at Gail, “Yes, some are easier than others. There’s a few unique ones that I’m rather a fan of, but they haven’t come up yet.”

Alice uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/span12Let the Winner draw on you with a marker.

Esme offers a high-five to Aeryn, “Wager twins.”

Gail purses her lips, whistling at that one.

Aeryn laughs after Alice’s spin. “That could get amusing.”

Jenny stands up as her turn comes up moving to spin the wheel after Alice “Lets see what I get then.”

Jenny uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanAnswer any single question truthfully from the Winner.

Dovie claps and turns to Seraphina. “Ready to spin the wheel? Any questions so far?”

Once Jenny has spun the wheel, Seraphina approaches it and gives it good spin. There is a light bounce on her heels as the wheel goes ’round, hands clasping together as it begins to slow to reveal what Fate fortunes her. “No whammies!”

Seraphina uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanBe the Winner’s hype person for the next fifteen minutes.

“Awh, that’s a pretty good one,” Hester mouthbreathes from her table when Seraphina’s lands on that.

Dovie grins and claps. “There we go, that and another were one of my favorites.” She pats the top of the automated playing card shuffler. “Okay, so on your turn, you’ll be dealt two cards (ooc: ‘use card’ twice). You may choose to HIT (ooc: use card again as necessary) or STAY. Remember, you want to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. We’ll keep playing rounds of blackjack until there’s one person standing.” She gestures to Arachne, the first one up again.

Gail covers her lips with her fingers to giggle at what’s been selected on the wheel, smirking afterward with a pleasant sigh out through her nose. Leaning back, she steps out of her chair for a moment to head toward the cafe’s counter, leaning against it with her palms and murmuring her order. After a short delay, she returns to the table with a drink in tow, holding it by the lid and nursing on the straw as she glances sidelong to Arachne to see how she plays.

Alice quietly declares, “Always hit on seventeen or lower.”

“In the bag!” Seraphina says, cheerily. She heads over to where Hester sits, and wiggles into a spot at thier table. “Hester, right?” she asks.

Gail glances to Alice, quietly replying, “I’m not sure if it matters in this match. The rules don’t mention it.”

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 7 of Hearts/span>/spanArachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the King of Hearts/span>/spanDovie nods at Gail. “Yes, we don’t have a dealer playing, so you don’t need to hit on 17, per se.” She glances at Arachne’s card and grins at Alice. “Psychic!”

Hester ponders Alice’s suggestion with a few owlish blinks behind her glasses. As Seraphina approaches, she does at least try to give some space at the table – for as much of that as she can do. She bashfully shrinks as her name is recognized. “Ehm, hi, yes. I’m Hester. Miss Hawke, right?”

Arachne glances over her cards briefly as the automatic dealer hands them out to her, then tells Dovie and the group, “I’m going to stay.”

Gail nods curtly to Arachne, Gail glancing over to the deck of cards and then to Aeryn with a slight smile, waiting patiently.

Aeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 9 of Spades/span>/spanAeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 3 of Clubs/span>/spanDovie nods at Arachne and turns to Aeryn. “Your turn!” She nods to August. “Would you like to join, August? Not too late. I can explain quickly what you need to do.”

“So you have 12, Aeryn. Would you like to hit? If so, take another card.” Dovie tells her.

“Why not?” Aeryn shrugs.

Aeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 9 of Diamonds/span>/spanDovie claps for Aeryn. “Twenty one!”

Aeryn blinks. “Suffice to say I’ll stay here.”

Hester joins in the clapping with a mouthful of egg-chive crepe, just because.

Settling on a seat among the crowd, August draws his seat aside, a respectable distance from the games, and closer to the crepe cart, instead. “Hey,” Though, his hand is quickly lifted in a small wave towards Dovie, “I know how to play blackjack. I was lulled by the promise of gambling, but free food calls to me more right now.” And truly, he looks like he’s had a massive hangover from his brief, one-day absence. His sunglasses are unfolded, and slipped over his eyes, with a casual flick of two fingers over his shoulder at the chefs for, naturally, food.

Gail raises her brows with a grin, “Twen-ty one… I have a feelin’ this’ll be just one round.”

Gail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Spades/span>/spanDovie waves to Derek. “Hello Derek! We just started the game. It’s not too late for you to join as we’re just on the first round, or you can help yourself to food and wait for the next game!”

Gail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 8 of Spades/span>/spanArachne scrunches her nose at Aeryn when she manages a perfect score, legs rearranged with a harmlessly scoffed breath at her cousin. “If I find out you’ve fed from a bunch of fae before this, I’m going to make sure your name goes down as a cheater permanently like Obie,” she threatens irelessly, turning her head to see Gail now.

August’s crepe is rolled up into a burrito of chive and eggs, and with his legs crossed, he even slides a little forward – practically moans with a mouthful of food at the first bite. “Holy shit,” And as if he’s eating for the first time- wait, where did the crepe go? Why is there a second in his hands already? Vacuum cleaner.

“So if there is a tie, I imagine the two, or three, will draw again?” Seraphina asks Dovie. She nods to Hester, “Yes, but you can call me Sera if you like.” She looks to the newcomers, fingers wiggling in greeting to August and Derek.

Gail keeps one leg crossed over the other, bouncing one foot with a slight hum. Glancing up to Dovie, she gently taps her fingertips on the table, “Oh Dovie dear? Does this mean that unless I match or beat Aeryn’s number, that I’m out of the game?” She tilts her head slightly, lips curling at the corners, “Or do I get t’ advance, because… as Alice mentioned, I’m above a seventeen?”

“I would never,” Aeryn shifts her eyes to Arachne with a look of mock-horror, hand to her chest. “Too many of them ink.”

“I wasn’t saying you have to hit on seventeen, I was saying you should or you’re a coward,” Alice says happily, sipping at her latte. “It’s strategy, not rule.”

Derek lifts a hand to wave to Dovie once or twice. “Hey, Dovie-dove.” he greets softly, probably looking as if he’d just rolled off a midday nap – or maybe he just slept in. Lazy Sunday. “I think I’ll grab one of those strawberry crepes, though, for good measure.” Promptly he retrieves a serving, poking delicately at it wit a fork before sampling a bite.

Arachne twists in her seat to watch August gorging himself on crepes, shaking her head once with quiet exasperation. “It’s like he’s never had before,” she murmurs beneath her breath to Aeryn. At the sight of Derek, she wiggles her fingers and adjusts her cards in her hand.

Gail snickers to Alice, sipping from her drink and raising her brows, “Oh? My mistake.”

Dovie tells Gail, “So far Aeryn is winning. But if you get a 21 and tie her, you can go to the next round, if there is a tie,” she nods to Hester, having answered two in one. “Do you want to roll the dice, Gail?”

“Maybe he hasn’t,” Aeryn lifts a brow toward August, nodding aside at Arachne. “I’ve had that reaction to food, but it’s rare.”

“Closest to twenty-one wins.” August lazily adds, behind his food, and – Damn, it’s already gone again. The chefs are agast, they’re pulling up another and trying to cook in haste to fill the unfillable pit of August’s stomach, but it doesn’t look like it’ll ever be enough, because August speaks hushedly. Something that urges them to move faster.

Gail looks to Dovie, “So it seems I’m losin’ no matter what if I don’t draw an Ace, yes? I’ll just hit, then.”

Gail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 2 of Diamonds/span>/spanGail tsks, “So close…”

Alice says “Bust! “

Dovie gestures to Esme, “Your turn!”

Gail grins to Alice, snickering and sitting back in her chair with her arms folded across her midsection.

Esme peers at the shuffler machine, “Alright. Let’s see if some ah Obie’s luck’s with me today…”

Aeryn crosses one leg over the other, leaning back in her chair as she watches the drawing of cards.

Esme uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Hearts/span>/spanEsme uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the King of Spades/span>/spanDid August forget? He probably forget. He’s barely paying attention after his brief request. His last crepe is folded into four, made a stack unto its own, full of its usual filling – and he- oh, it’s already gone by the time you finished reading this.

“Awh, you’re nice. Thanks, mis– I mean Sera. I recently met your friend again, I hope she’s doing alright,” Hester dips her head towards Seraphina, wiping at some crepe butter off her mouth. A natural roam of her glasses hastens past Derek, but the eyes within narrow as if not quite recognizing August. She really can’t be one to judge how much the man eats, but.. here she is. “.. oh, August Pierce.” Always the full name. “That was you after all. Ehm, okay..”

“Fourteen…not horrible.” Esme lightly scratches at her jaw in thought. “Alright, I’ll hit.” She goes for another card.

Esme uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Diamonds/span>/spanGail sighs, glancing to Esme, “Same spot I was in, hun.”

Esme laughs and nods to Gail, “Apparently so.”

“Will she or won’t she?” Seraphina asks, watching Esme.

Esme says “I don’t think I’m gonna get an ace…but no point in staying right? …I’ll try“

Esme uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Hearts/span>/spanGail grins, “Bust.”

Esme grimace as she pulls the heart and laughs again. “Expected as much.”

Alice reaches over to get her own cards, now, saying, “Okay! I’ll pull the twenty one of hearts in the first go!”

Derek’s gaze drifts languidly over to August, blinking slowly, before he rubs at his eyes sleepily, then mumbling, “I think you already have my number, then…? I can DM you it if not.” He stifles a yawn, then goes back to nibbling from his strawberry crepe, a slight smile crossing his expression as he tastes it.

Alice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 8 of Hearts/span>/spanAlice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Diamonds/span>/spanAlice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 9 of Clubs/span>/spanHester tries to flag Jenny’s attention, “Hey, Jenny. What’s your number?”

Alice slumps, snapping her fingers. “Dang.”

Derek’s brow quirks slightly to August, before he just gives a dip of his chin, his eyes drifting down to his phone momentarily.

Jenny looks down at her phone as her phone does not seem to be working “I think my phone is broken…” she calls over to Hester

“I need a funny, gimmicky name for a groupchat.” August tells everyone at the table, while he’s half-turned away from it on the side. Then, searching, he pulls out a ten dollar bill out of his pocket to lay it out. “Someone come up with something funny and,” It’s nudged, he wags the bill around on the table with his finger on it.

“Awh, did you drop it in the boba?” Hester cranes her head at Jenny to try and get a look.

Jenny says “Test. “

“Well atleast my radio still works…” Jenny looks down at her phone suspiciously before drawing her hand

Jenny uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 7 of Spades/span>/spanJenny uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Spades/span>/spanJenny uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 10 of Hearts/span>/spanDovie claps for Jenny. “21!! Tied with Aeryn!”

August glances at Jenny’s cards, and nods. “Nice.”

Gail claps, “There we are. Twenty-one.”

Esme says “Nice one!“

Dovie grins and looks over to Seraphina. “Will we make it a threeway tie?”

Jenny grins looking down at her card as she fiddles with her phone trying to get it working

Derek provides a polite golf-clap after Jenny. “Well done, then.” he intones softly.

Hester makes a raisiny face at August, somewhat less intimidated by the senior while they’re in a cozy, colourful space. “We’re the student union government, why not just a groupchat that kinda reflects that?” the nerd tuts quietly, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Oh, your phone’s working now, Jenny. Thanks!” she waggles hers at Jenny.

“Lucky,” Seraphina says to Jenny as she makes her way past the woman to the dealer. She winks at Dovie, “We’re going to try.” She raps her knuckles on the table.

Seraphina uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 8 of Hearts/span>/spanSeraphina uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 8 of Clubs/span>/span“Hit, of course!” Seraphina says, eyeing the two cards.

Seraphina uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 9 of Spades/span>/span“Very nice,” Aeryn nods her head to Jenny, attempting to take a drink of tea. She gives a smile as the liquid is drawn through the straw, completely ignoring the fang puncturing the plastic.

Dovie tells Seraphina. “Nice try!” She chuckles and announces. “Aeryn and Jenny are going into the finals! Aeryn, will you start us off?” The automated shuffler reshuffles all the cards.

Gail drums her fingers on her elbows, tilting her head, “There we have it…”

Aeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 9 of Spades/span>/spanAeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 2 of Clubs/span>/spanSeraphina lays that last card down and stares at it like it has betrayed her, but then she turns them upside down and puts them on the spent pile. “Oh well.”

Aeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Clubs/span>/spanAeryn frowns slightly. “Decisions, decisions.”

Aeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Spades/span>/spanGailsomeone, “Oh dear…”

Gail winces, “Oh dear…”

Jenny winces as the queen of spades comes up “Does that mean I still need to draw?”

“Going to end the tie,” Aeryn notes. “But, I think I just solved it.”

Dovie leans in and winces as well. “Ooooh, good try, Aeryn! Jenny still needs to go. She may bust out in which case we have no winner.”

Jenny uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Spades/span>/spanJenny uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Ace of Hearts/span>/spanJenny says “Yeah.. i’m stayin’.“

“Nicely done,” Aeryn concedes to Jenny with a grin.

Dovie gestures to Jenny. “The winner for this round is Jenny! Jenny, I have a list of favors owed to you, do you want to get the truths done now? You can also use these for IOUs for later if you wish.”

Jenny gives a shake of her head thinking “I’ll have to think on those. Maybe later in the game I might.” she says opening the note app onher phone and writing down things.

Dovie reads off from the notes on her phone. “Seraphina owes you being your hype person for the next fifteen minutes. You can draw on Alice with a marker. Esme and Aeryn owe you an answer to a question. Gail owes you a drink, and Arachne owes you food. If anyone wants to opt out of their favors, please pay Jenny $25.”

She looks over to August, Hester and Derek. “Joining this round?”

Esme pulls some cash out of her purse and passes it to Jenny with a grin. “Good game.”

Alice grimaces a little, looking askance.

Hester covers her mouth to stifle the hideous snort-chuckle that dares to be expelled. Dovie startles her out of it, the wide-set woman straightening up. “Ah! Yes. Yeah. I was totally paying attention to the rules.” She was not.

August flashes a short-lived, small smirk at the corner of his mouth before taking the straw of his boba in his mouth and drinking. A look is cast out towards Derek, too sly – and wait, when did he get that crepe? Why is it already half-way eat- it’s gone. He makes a thumbs up towards Dovie, “I’ll participate. Let me know if there are different stakes than blackjack.”

Gail smiles kindly and shakes her chin left and right, “I haven’t had to chance t’speak with Jenny all proper. I’d gladly buy you a drink sometime.” Her gaxe travels to Alice, whom she can’t help but snicker at, covering her lips with her wrist before bringing her strawberry match latte close for a sip.

“I need to see the rest of these favors on the wheel,” Aeryn decides, another literal stab made at taking a drink of tea. “Why are these straws like this….”

Esme waves to everyone as she heads out.

“Would like my plate too,” Arachne lifts her plate, offering it over toward August when she notices him still eating.

Jenny grins back to Esme “Thanks! Always love a game of blackjack. And i’m lovin’ the stakes for this one.” as she gives a wave to Esme

August wags a finger at Arachne, that yes, he would.

As Dovie waits for Derek’s response, she explains for August and Hester’s benefit. “So, I’m going to decide a turn order. Then everyone who is playing is going to spin the Wheel of Fate and Favors. Whatever you get is what you’re wagering for the game. Once everyone has spun the wheel, we’ll start the blackjack game. If you all aren’t opposed, I’d like to modify the rules this round so that as long as you don’t bust, you can continue to the next round.” She looks around. “We good with that?”

Derek is looking down at his phone, tippity-tapping a text message right as August probably snags his crepe; he looks up to Dovie to respond. “Sure-” and his crepe’s gone. “Did I-… Hey.” he states, staring at August. “Surely you wouldn’t have something to do with this?” he states dubiously.

Derek’s crepe is already half-gone, and when August is noticed, he only continues. Levels a deadpan stare at the Fairchild while eating the rest slower. On purpose. Bite by bite. Savoring each and every one. Whatever kind of sick powerplay this is, it lasts until he’s finished the whole thing, and then he lies, blatantly. “No, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But Dovie gets a nod, at what she’s suggested, too.

“Alright, yes.” Hester finally says, after a few minutes staring right at Dovie, or through her. Once her mind snaps back to reality, ope there goes gravity, she claps once. “Let’s do it. Ehm, who else is playing too? Who goes first?”

Dovie writes out a new turn order on the chalkboard: “New order is Arachne, Aeryn, Gail, August, Seraphina Alice, Jenny, Hester and

Dovie writes out a new turn order on the chalkboard: “New orderr is Arachne, Aeryn, Gail, August, Seraphina Alice, Jenny, Hester and

Hester waits at the edge of her seat.

Gail hums, glancing sidelong to Arachne, a slight smirk on her lips, “Poor Arachne… she just has to hope everyone gets lower than she does.”

“Turn order is Arachne, Aeryn, Gail, August, Seraphina, Alice, Jenny, Hester, and Dovie.” Dovie tries again.

Derek crosses his arms, levying a highly skeptic look at August. “I’m sure you don’t.” he remarks dryly, lifting a hand to run a hand through his hair as if trying to sort it out. He looks over to Dovie, anticipating the order, though he does glance back to August with a narrowed gaze for a moment, then looking back to Dovie. “You missed me!” he states.

Arachne glances up from her phone to review the new order of turns, nodding once toward Dovie. “Well going first is a blessing and a curse,” she muses, echoing Gail’s sentiments. “Will we be spinning again each round too?”

“Remember that if you don’t bust, you’ll qualify for the next round and I appreciate you all bearing with as we test out which one works better!” Dovie calls out, looking apologetically to Derek. “Sorry! You’ll go before me, I’ll adjust the list!”

Malin stands beside the group, watching and commenting, “Oh, Obie isn’t here, so I’m assuming no one is cheating.”

Dovie waves to Malin. “Hello! Are you joining? We’re just about to start a new round if so.”

August winks at Derek, but leaves his seat for now – stands at the edge of the table to reach for the wheel, and spin it before anyone else. “Lady luck, don’t make me look bad in front of the Fairchild’s.”

August uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanGive the Winner a 10 minute hand or shoulder massage.

Arachne uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanGive the Winner a gift.

Malin gives a shake of her head, telling Dovie, “I just planned on being a Blackjack Voyeur for now.”

August drops into his seat with another crepe- Where the hell is he getting all these? Whose plate is this from? It’s too late, he’s already finished it, and he’s licking the chocolate off of his fingers.

Dovie stares at August. “How many crepes have you eaten today?”

Arachne rises from her seat, approaching the wheel to give it a good spin. “That’s the antthesis of the qualities anyone wants to see in the President of the Student Council,” she chastises him on her way back to her chair, deciding, “Giving a gift is certainly the easiest thing I can do.”

“We know.” Derek states dryly after August, before he simply signals for another crepe to be brought to him – this one raspberry nutella. He looks to Dovie curiously after her question. “He’s had quite a few.”

“Is it me?” Aeryn wonders, standing to spin the wheel.

Aeryn uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanGive the Winner a 10 minute hand or shoulder massage.

Aeryn’s eye starts to twitch.

“He’s just saying that ’cause he’s ehm, off-duty. Right?” Hester anxiously raises her voice from her own seat, silent judgment and envy for the nth crepe August has now.

Gail uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanAnswer any single question truthfully from the Winner.

Malin glances between the crepes, Dovie, and August, commenting, “But maybe August is a growing boy.”

“Ooooh, that’d be lovely!” Seraphina says of Aeryn’s spin.

Dovie comments. “Lots of massages this time,” she nods to Seraphina. “Your turn!”

Gail smirks slightly, tilting her head, “Not so awful.”

“Largely depends on the person,” Aeryn supposes to Seraphina.

Dovie takes notes on everyone’s wagers. “You can always pay the winner $25 if you don’t want to do the favor!”

August affirms, “I’m a growing boy.”

Seraphina rises once more, and approaches the wheel. She gives a good solid spin and waits for the fast spinning thing to slow, and then stop. She nods and concedes to Aeryn, “True!”

Seraphina uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanBe the Winner’s hype person for the next fifteen minutes.

Alice uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanGive the Winner a ride (can be a future IOU).

Aeryn snorts softly in August’s direction.

“Aww..” Seraphina says when it lands on what he had last time.

Malin lets August have her chance at a crepe, nodding in understanding.

Alice claps at that pull, saying, “Oh, yay! More people can meet Sunday Brunch!”

Jenny uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanBe the Winner’s assistant for the next game or a future event (IOU).

Derek uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/span04Execute a dare issued by the Winner.

Hester rises from her seat with a creak and a grunt, padding to the wheel and giving it a spin on her way to the crepe station. Surely if August can eat that many and not look like her, she can have a second?

Aeryn says “Now that one I like.“

Meandering back to her seat, Seraphina finds her plate of crepe, and takes a nibble from it.

August drawls on, chewing on the straw of his boba, “I already forgot my favor – did it say give a handy to someone?”

Hester uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/span04Execute a dare issued by the Winner.

“Daring Derek!” Dovie giggles as she spins the wheel.”

Jenny raises her eyebrows “Getting myself one of the good ones.”

Hester says “.. awh fudge.“

Gail tsks, “How risky…”

Derek clears his throat after his result, humming. “So it seems.” he muses after Dovie.

Dovie uses a Wheel of Fate and Favors/span>/spanGive the Winner a ride (can be a future IOU).

With the wagers all set, Dovie gestures to Arachne to kick off blackjack.

August pokes his tongue at Dovie, but lazily, remains in his seat. It’s all the carbs, weighing him down, and he’s had enough for at least five people. His head hangs from the back of his seat while he’s slouching, legs cross, handso n his boba that seems threateningly low. Sugar-high and carb-sleep, which culminate into a yawn.

Dovie adds with a sigh, “No one has hit my favorite wager yet.”

Arachne threads her arm companionably through Aeryn’s own when her turn comes due to draw cards. “Here we go. Wish me all the luck in the world so I can win a round without having to influence the luck today,” she urges her cousin, reaching for the automated dealer.

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Spades/span>/spanArachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 7 of Clubs/span>/spanGail looks to Dovie with a humorous smirk and a quirk of one brow, “Work for you at Wild Bloom for a day?”

Dovie leans in curiously to see what Arachne might decide this time. “We’re adjusting the rules this round so that as long as you don’t bust, you can move forward to the next round.”

Holding up two crossed fingers for Arachne, Aeryn watches the cards play. “Look at you,” she notes. “Luck for two rounds.”

Dovie laughs in Gail’s direction. “I hope you are. Successively.”

“This must be some sort of cosmic sign. That’s the second time I’ve gotten this number,” Arachne squints lightly at her cards, flicking her wrist to show them to Aeryn and Derek before choosing, “I’ll do one more.”

August clicks his tongue.

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 3 of Hearts/span>/spanHester wiggles fingers to select another egg and– but they’re all gone now. Wonder why that is. Frowning near as wide as she is, she looks to Kayla and around, in case anybody might be coming to refill. She settles for the last savoury crepe in the mix, pilfering a mushroom one. Hunching low on her way back to her seat, Malin is noticed out the corner of her eye. Her round features brighten and she gives the Swede a little wave.

Dovie gasps, and looks on in relief. “Bold!”

“Twenty. I stand,” Arachne declares.

August says “Very bold, you don’t hit at seventeen.“

Gail snickers, nodding her head slowly up and down, “Good number, Arachne.”

“And worthwhile,” Aeryn nods to Dovie when Arachne’s score goes up just enough. “Not sure I’ll be able to pull that off to match it.”

Dovie claps for Arachne and chuckles at Aeryn. “One way to find out!”

Licking a bit of nutella from her thumb, Seraphina says to Arachne, “All the luck, Arachne.” She whistles at the hand, and the woman’s choice to stay. “Luck is fickle enough. So good call!”

“But I thought you were supposed to hit at seventeen,” Hester murmurs to herself all quiet, peering Alice’s way as she sits back down. Carefully.

Huffing an unnecessary breath, Aeryn goes for the cards.

Aeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 5 of Hearts/span>/spanAeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the King of Hearts/span>/spanAeryn uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the King of Diamonds/span>/span“You totally are,” Alice promises Hester with a wink.

August lifts his hands defensively, then takes a long swig of his boba.

Gail clucks her tongue, “Bust.”

“Sometimes it favors the bold,” Aeryn grins to Arachne, settling back in her seat with another attempt to figure out her boba.

“I would hit at seventeen.” Derek murmurs after August with a shrug, then digging into his raspberry crepe – evidently with more haste to avoid it being stolen.

“Bust,” Arachne frowns sympathetically at Aeryn, rubbing her arm soothingly. “It’s alright. I’ll share some of my favors with you as consolation for this round.”

Gail leans over to take her cards from the shuffler with an excited smirk and a lid of her eyes.

Gail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Clubs/span>/spanGail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 10 of Hearts/span>/spanGail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Hearts/span>/spanGail tsks, “Well… I lose anyway if I don’t be Arachne’s twenty…”

Gail glances to Dovie, “No?”

Seraphina cheers for Gail, “Do it, do it…”

“I’d still do it,” Aeryn decides, nodding.

Gail grins, “Oh. In that case… yes. I stay, hun.” She shakes her head to Seraphina, “I’m not foolish, I’ve already made it in.”

“August, you’re up,” Dovie tells him.

“Alright,” August straightens up and scoots his seat closer, but stays sidelong against the table. His boba switches hands so he can bring the other over the table and..

Arachne fans her trio of cards with her face, eyes upon August when his turn comes due. “No pressure, Pierce.”

“Twenty six crepes might have him out of energy for cards,” Aeryn murmurs.

August uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 3 of Clubs/span>/spanAugust uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Hearts/span>/spanAugust uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Diamonds/span>/spanAugust uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Spades/span>/span“God damnit,” August sighs and flicks the last card into the pile, and sinks into his chair.

“The dangers of too many crepes. I meant- too many cards!” Dovie chuckles. “Looks like you’re owning someone a hand or shoulder massage.” She waves at Stelle. “Welcome! Please help yourself to some crepes.”

“Next time,” Seraphina assures August at the man’s flicking of the cards, humor poking a dimple in a cheek as she smiles. “My turn?” she asks Dovie, getting up to take her two cards.

Arachne turns her head to give Ambrose and Stelle a gentle wiggle of her cards, “Welcome. There’s still some delicious crepes left, if you’re hungry.”

Derek snickers after Aeryn’s comment, giving August a look-over in his crepe-laden state, his eyes flitting to the card shuffler with mute curiosity.

Dovie bobs her head!

Stelle pops a peace sign towards Dovie in greeting, shaded eyes looking over the crowd of people. There’s a pause at someone in particular but it’s not entirely clear before she comments towards Dovie, “Afternoon, and thank you, no?”

Seraphina uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 9 of Hearts/span>/spanDovie waves to Ambrose as well.

Seraphina uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 8 of Spades/span>/span“Diet,” Ambrose reminds Arachne placidly, unbothered and watching the game. Not that her words were intended for him. A waggle of fingers for her and Dovie, unlooking.

“Admittedly I didn’t count, exactly,” Aeryn shrugs a shoulder to Derek with a tiny grin.

Seraphina twitches her fingers, debating. “I coooould stay but, lets give chance a go.”

“Hi Mr. Vasquez! And Miss Stelle!” Hester chirrups through a mouthful of mushroom crepe mush, waving her partially chomped food in the air at Ambrose and Stelle.

Seraphina uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Hearts/span>/spanAugust grabs a napkin off the table and pulls it close. His boba is set aside so he can pull out a marker and twirl a little ‘I.O.U’ on it in red, then shove the napkin back to the center. Marker in pocket, his boba back in hand, he sinks into his chair to nurse his crepe-high. “I might disappear for a council meeting in a little, so whoever wins, I’ll do their massage later.”

Stelle wanders over to the crepe stand, a wave given to Hester in turn. “Hey, feeling better?”

Alice claps her hands together once, announcing, “My turn!” before reaching forth to, well, take that turn.

Alice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 3 of Hearts/span>/spanAlice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 10 of Diamonds/span>/spanAlice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Hearts/span>/span“Stay!” Alice announces happily.

“Who won that whole student council thing, anyway? Has that election happened?” Aeryn wonders.

August points at his face, and flashes a sly smirk at Aeryn.

Dovie nods at Alice and looks to Jenny. “Your turn, Jenny!”

Jenny uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 10 of Clubs/span>/spanJenny uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Spades/span>/span“Miss Flanagan,” Ambrose greets Hester alike, a bare glance before it’s back to the cards. “Mmm.”

Jenny raises her eyebrows at the twenty that is handed to her “I should really go to an actual casino at this point…”

“Congratulations. Shall we call you Mister President?” Aeryn nods to August. “I look forward to that party, in that case.”

“I’m Treasurer.” Derek fills Aeryn in casually, then nibbling some more at his raspberry crepe.

Dovie chuckles at Jenny. “Staying? Or pressing that luck more?”

“I had no doubts you would be,” Aeryn smiles to Derek. “I feel you are the only logical choice.”

Jenny says “Hm.. fuck it. Sure why not?“

Jenny uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 7 of Clubs/span>/span“I shouldn’t…” Seraphina says to Jenny, a laugh on her words. She returns to her seat, and leans in onto Ambrose a moment. “Mister Vasquez. Always a pleasure.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Derek adds to Aeryn with a brief grin, dipping his chin to Dovie thereafter.

Dovie blinks in surprise at Jenny. “I admire the boldness,” she chuckles again and nods to Hester. “Your turn!”

Seraphina places a placid kiss onto Ambrose’s cheek.

“Ahh, yeah, Dr. Lin is asking to see me again this week for some more chelation therapy but.. my stitches are fine now, at least,” Hester affords Stelle some fair enough news, a self-conscious chuckle to match. “Good you could come, Alice has been giving -great- Blackjack advice– oh!”

Hester uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 2 of Clubs/span>/spanHester uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Clubs/span>/span“I like the sound of that.” August wonders, much to himself, while tilting his head to stare away. Something regal in his poise, in the lift of his chin and reflection of his aviators. His cap is tucked up with the flick of a digit, “Mister President August Pierce.” It’s like he’s mouthing the word, perhaps for future reference. “Yes, yes I think I like that. Do call me President Pierce.” When he looks back, it is as severely deadpan as ever. “I will issue my own candidacy for the presidency of United States of Pierc- America.”

Hester steals a look at the rules sign again and bobs her head at Dovie.

Hester uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Hearts/span>/spanAmbrose drifts an arm up and around Seraphina reflexively at the lean-in, a belated attempt at a return cheek kiss on his end catching mostly air. The man’s attention is mostly on the cards, and the sun’s got him moving a little molasses-like.

Stelle nods at Hester though whether or not the blonde has the slightest clue about chelation is left ambiguous as she drifts over to Gail and comments, “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

Hester sucks in a sharp breath. “That’s eighteen…”

Dovie nods at Hester. “Indeed, what are you thinking now?”

“I feel I created something unintentionally,” Aeryn blinks several times with deliberate motions of her eyelids as she speaks aside to Arachne.

Rather than play it safe, Hester opts to simply screw it and hit it again. “Hnf!”

Hester uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Ace of Spades/span>/spanDovie laughs. “19!”

Hester says “That’s… what is that.“

Gail glances sidelong to Stelle with a raise of her brows and a slight smirk of her painted lips, “Oh I could say the same for you, hun. I s’pose our circles don’t intersect terribly often, now do they?” Her head tilts slightly, hair leaning enough to grant a peek of her normally-hidden ears, “Been doin’ well for yourself?”

Hester stares blankly for a minute. “Ehm.. someone already got more than 20 though, right?”

“So, ah, does that mean if you don’t bust on your initial pair there’s no reason to hit again?” Derek wonders after Dovie.

Hester backpedals back to her seat with her 19, slumping down again.

“Options traders do lots of things ‘for the excitement’. I make a lot of money off them.” Derek supposes with dry amusement after Aeryn, before he nods once or twice to Dovie. “Got it.

Derek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Spades/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 3 of Spades/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Diamonds/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Hearts/span>/spanDerek says “19. Stand.“

Dovie nods to Derek and starts to pull her cards.

Dovie uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 6 of Spades/span>/spanDovie uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Diamonds/span>/spanDovie uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 7 of Hearts/span>/spanDovie uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 9 of Diamonds/span>/spanStelle bites down into her crepe and nods. Her response it simple and answers everything Gail’s said so far, “Yes.” There’s a little pause then, a swallow following before Stelle adds, “How is your sickness? Better?”

Dovie sighs a moment and looks around the room. “Okay! So the next round finalists are: Arachne, Gail, Alice, Hester, and Derek!” She adjusts the board. “Arachne, please kick us off again?”

Malin watches the game continue to unfold.

Gail smiles to Dovie, but then winces, “Oh dear…” Her eyes travel to Stelle, whom she watches pensively with a somewhat neutral expression before she smirks again and nods her head slowly, “Oh it’s been doin’ much better lately. For about a week now, maybe a lil’ longer, I’ve been feelin’ better’n I ever have. Call it a miracle.”

“I will repay my hype to the winners at a later time,” Seraphina says to Dovie, “I should be getting on with my day. But thank you so much for hosting this. It was worth rolling out of bed for. I was doing Sunday morning rot.”

Arachne draws herself away from her work, gray eyes skimming over the faces of the gamblers around her with an apologetic curve of her lips. “Where are we now?” she asks of Aeryn aside, ever dependent on her cousin for a sense of direction while she juggles text messages and gambling.

Derek sits back and nibbles at his raspberry crepe, seeming momentarily distracted, before blowing a puff of air out of his nose after Seraphina’s comment. “Lazy Sundays are the best.” he opines.

Stelle hums and nods slowly, commenting towards Gail, “Good to hear, though I euh… have found that actual miracles tend to be rather rare.”

Gail glances to Seraphina and smiles to her, lifting her right hand to wiggle her fingers in a wave, “Nice t’see you, Sera, even if we didn’t chat much. Take care, won’tcha?”

Hester gives Arachne a polite clap when she’s set to kick off the new round. The rest of that time is spent in silent study of Ambrose, as if waiting for the man to blink. Even once.

Dovie points out the new order of finalists on the chalkboard for Arachne.

“I think it’s…yes,” Aeryn nods to Dovie. “Your turn.”

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Clubs/span>/spanArachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 2 of Diamonds/span>/spanAeryn entirely nodded to Arachne.

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Ace of Clubs/span>/spanGail eyes Stelle with a quirk of one brow, “They wouldn’t quite be miracles if they weren’t, now would, they? I think it was the town anyhow… this place has a way of makin’ strange things happen, now don’t it?”

Gail glances to Arachne, smirking, “Seventeen…”

Derek says “Or seven.“

Arachne nibbles delicately upon her bottom lip as she draws seventeen, a long moment ensuing before she decides, “Stand,” to Dovie, then turns an expectant look to Gail.

Dovie nods at Arachne. “She lives for another round!”

Gail snickers to Arachne, “Your lucky number.” Turning her chin, she keeps it held high as she looks down at the automatic shuffler, reaching over to take her hits!

Gail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 5 of Hearts/span>/spanGail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 2 of Spades/span>/spanGail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Hearts/span>/spanHester had really angled herself some way to see sideways into Ambrose’s sunglasses there. She blinks first, alas. Spectacles up, the fat freshman rubs some moisture back into her eyes by the heel of each hand.

“You know, Gail has a point,” Aeryn tells Arachne. “That’s three times now, on a seventeen.”

Gail nods curtly, “Four times… Seventeen. Stay.”

Dovie nods in agreement with Aeryn.

Seraphina nods to Dovie, extending an arm in order to try to give her a quick side hug, “Looking forward to it!” She offers another nod to Gail. “It has been a long time. I think the last time I saw you was when I was in the Supernatural History Museum.” She wiggles her phone at the woman. “I’ll text.” She walks past someone, exclaiming, “They are!”

Alice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Spades/span>/spanAlice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Diamonds/span>/spanSeraphina nods to Dovie, extending an arm in order to try to give her a quick side hug, “Looking forward to it!” She offers another nod to Gail. “It has been a long time. I think the last time I saw you was when I was in the Supernatural History Museum.” She wiggles her phone at the woman. “I’ll text.” She walks past Derek, exclaiming, “They are!”

Alice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Hearts/span>/spanAlice loudly declares, “Eighteen! Stand!”

“I wondered the same last round,” Arachne tells Aeryn and Dovie, sitting pretty in the seventeen club with Gail. And then, of course, Alice outdos them and the monarch is sighing delicately. “Well, even my luck runs out some time.”

Gail taps on her lips with a knowing look as Seraphina mentions that and nods very slowly, “I do believe so, yes…”

Hester huffs and gathers all of herself, the lot of it, back up to take her turn. “So I just have to not bust.”

Dovie chuckles, nodding at Hester. “Yes though at some point the game has to end.”

Hester thumbs her phone and twiddles the thumbs.

Hester uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Ace of Hearts/span>/spanHester uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 7 of Diamonds/span>/span“Hasn’t yet,” Aeryn shakes her head in Arachne’s direction. “There’s another round.”

Hester heaves a breathy, “Fffuuuudge- oh this isn’t 17?”

Alice says “Aces are eleven or one.“

Hester chews on her bottom lip, and goes again. “Alright, let’s not be scared..”

Hester uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 5 of Hearts/span>/spanAmbrose watches on placidly, head tilting a bit to the side in silent consideration of the cards.

Hester says “Again.. “

Hester uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Spades/span>/spanMalin stresses to Hester, “You need to do a Britney Spears impression and yell, ‘Hit me, baby, one more time!'”

Seraphina pauses by Ambrose a moment and leans in to ask, “Come with me? I wanted to talk to you about something.” She does look back to the game, and then to Ambrose, “Unless you want to see who wins. We can always chat another time.

Dovie chuckles at Malin.

Hester gives a pinched look as the shuffler ultimately betrays her. A sullen look dims her face as she turns to Malin. “… Who’s Britney Spears?” And she leaves that hanging for a long while, before a cheeky, “Heh. Just kidding. That’s the Smurf lady, right?”

Derek squints down at his phone for a beat, as if zoned in on something for a moment before he looks up cluelessly.

“Huh? Oh.” Derek mumbles, before he goes to be dealt.

Derek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the King of Clubs/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 10 of Diamonds/span>/spanDerek says “Stand. “

Dovie nods at Derek and announces. “The field is slightly smaller now, next round is Arachne, Gail, Alice, and Derek!” She goes to adjust the board.

Belatedly, Ambrose’s attention does peel off the cards to Seraphina after he’s addressed. “Mmnh?” Another beat of consideration, a look back toward the game, and back to her. “I can find out later. Too daytime regardless,” before he turns wholesale toward her to follow.

Dovie looks to Arachne. “Your 17 awaits, methinks,” she chuckles.

Malin forms a heart shape with both hands, positioning them before her modest chest as she rocks that choreography back and forth. “I have so much to teach you,” she says to Hester.

Aeryn stares at her straw with the look of a woman betrayed. Clear holes mar the plastic, and her nose wrinkles with a frown. “Damn this….” Still, she’s taking another drink, stabbing a boba on the tip of her fang.

Gail nudges the backs of her knuckles against her throat, smirking, “Indeed. I think. Five-Four-Eight this time? That’s my guess.”

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Spades/span>/spanArachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 7 of Spades/span>/spanAlice says “Come on, six…“

Malin eyes Hester for a few moments and then says, “We need to get you in a red, vinyl catsuit and we can re-film the Toxic music video.”

Seraphina wanders out of the shop humming a familiar (to most) song. Thanks Malin.

Derek says “Literally. “

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 10 of Hearts/span>/spanDovie claps for Arachne as she hits 21!

Alice says “WOW. “

Aeryn claps her hands. “Hah. Very nice.”

Hester dopily smiles at Malin, friendly as the Swede is to her. “I’d be open to lessons still!” she assures, except the next thing to come out of the other makes her look like she wanted to eat the words right back up. “.. ehm, m-maybe when I’m 3,000 pounds lighter..” she croaks.

Alice laments, “The seventeen curse is broken!”

Gail pouts her lips, eyelids lowered, “Awh… and here we’ve broken her streak.”

For his part, Derek doesn’t seem all that surprised, a slight smile crossing his expression as he presents a golf-clap for Arachne. “Well done, then.”

“Don’t you dare talk shit about Britney, bitch.” August chastises Hester from where he was in a brief, crepe-induced coma.

Gail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 10 of Clubs/span>/spanMalin sings out loudly, right at Hester, “Don’t you know that I’m toxiiiic!” She shakes her head, though, insisting in a speaking voice, “It’ll help you lose weight. We can dance our arses off. Plus vinyl will make you sweat an ungodly amount and will help.”

Gail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the King of Hearts/span>/spanGail smiles to Dovie with one brow inclined, “Think I’ll stay on those two, hun. Do love my ten-king pair. Not a single blackjack tonight, though, hm?”

Arachne melts back within her chair, one thigh draped over the other as she inspects her perfect manicure. “The Queen of the Illusium Court remains undefeated thus far,” she announces in feigned haughtiness toward Gail, barely suppressing her amusement at Derek’s golf-clap. “At least you benefit if I win, Derek.”

Alice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Spades/span>/spanAlice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 8 of Spades/span>/spanAlice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 2 of Diamonds/span>/spanAlice uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the King of Diamonds/span>/spanAlice collapses onto the table. “Ugh.”

Gail grins at Arachne, shoulders hunching as she snickers and covers her lips, “Undeposed… for now.”

Derek tilts his head with mute curiosity to Arachne’s comment, seseming to think that one over for a moment, before he looks to Alice. “Ouch. Twenty-four.” he muses with a click of his tongue.

Derek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 10 of Diamonds/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Spades/span>/spanDerek says “20, stand.“

Hester drops her jaw when August calls her the B-word, the reference sadly flying riiight over this youth’s head. “What did you call me??” gasps the chunky one, aghast. “Wh-what is that, zumba lessons now, miss?” she nasally asks Malin, caution in her tone.

“Alright, down to only three. Arachne, Gail, and Derek!!” Dovie announces.

Malin looks up from her phone and gazes at Hester. “This is way better than Zumba! It’s like…” She begins to gesticulate wildly. “Hestlinoomba,” the woman pairs their names together and throws in the suffix. “And it’s going to be amazing.”

Malin looks to Dovie, “You work with vinyl?”

“August, dear, are you prepared to give a massage?” Derek muses to the crepe-laden Pierce, his attention drifting back to the cards and Dovie with mute interest.

Dovie nods at Malin. “I can, yes.”

August purses his lips at Derek over his phone while texting, and makes a kissy-face at Derek. “Anytime for you, baby.”

Dovie adjusts the board.

Gail titters as she watches Derek and August, “Adorable…”

“Oh my goodness,” Hester woozily murmurs, forehead meeting her palm in the wake of Malin being Malin.

Derek blinks once or twice, staring for a moment at August before he snorts, something of a goofy smile crossing his expression.

Malin mmms softly, nodding at Hester. “This is going to be freaking fantastic,” she coos out.

“.. you’ve been watching too many replays of that chubby Chinese mermaid,” Hester weakly shudders at Malin, gripping at her mushroom crepe. Her one small victory is forgetting she was eating.

Gail hums toward Arachne, sitting up in her chair a bit and drumming her sparkly nails against the tabletop, “Oh Queen of the Illusium Court? Contestors to your title are waiting to have their chance.”

Alice leans back at her table, resting happily now that she’s out of the running, and she’ll only owe a couple favors… she sips her latte, watching the rest of the game continue.

Malin gazes at Hester, trying to think, but then she gasps. “Oh! That guy who does the underwater show stuff?!”

Derek says “Wait, so whose turn is it…?“

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 7 of Spades/span>/spanArachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Clubs/span>/spanGail sighs, “The dreaded seventeen returns.”

Dovie gasps. “The 17 strikes again!”

Gail eyes August, “I don’t think she stands anythin’ to gain from it, hun’.”

Malin starts swiping and tapping across the screen of her smartphone, pulling up a video of the overweight Chinese dude in his merman costume. She nods her approval.

“Y.. yes,” Hester reluctantly confirms for Malin, turning to the 17 that once again poses its threat.

Malin points at Hester, not unlike an accusing lawyer. “You’re going to be famous!”

“Malin,” Arachne calls upon Malin with just an edge of weight to her voice. “Focus. I’m phoning you in. Hit or stand?”

“Please no, I don’t like people looking at me,” Hester groans at Malin, deflating in her table spot and seeking relief in her phone. To watch the same chubby merman on Youtube.

Malin does have a terrible time trying to focus, but Arachne snaps her out of it for a moment. “Hmm? If you don’t want to stand, you have to say a Britney Spears lyric out loud!”

Gail lowers her eyelids as she watches Arachne’s hand and then steals glances over at Dovie, “Hardly a reason to…”

Dovie laughs at Malin’s ask.

Malin wets her lips, peering over at Hester again. “Let’s have you hold some really distracting, like a sausage or something, and then people will be looking at that the whole time instead.”

Arachne turns away from Malin, promptly ignoring her again. “I’ll stand,” she decides to Dovie, resting easy on her lucky number seventeen yet again.

“Yes,” August relays to Arachne, but he’s soon standing up, “I’m gonna dip, there’s a meeting in five and that’s how long it’ll take me to drive.” A small wave at the table, and – wait, when did he get those two crepes in his other hand? They’re already a burrito, two-in-one! A crepe with a crepe filling! “Whoever wins,” August’s hand slips into his pocket to peel out a couple of bills to lay on the table and slide towards Dovie, “They can have my money instead of the massage, I change my mind about the IOU.” And off he goes, stuffing his face in his stride.

Gail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 3 of Diamonds/span>/spanGail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 2 of Spades/span>/spanGail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 9 of Hearts/span>/spanGail uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Hearts/span>/spanDerek says “The dreaded 24 returns.“

Derek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 5 of Clubs/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Hearts/span>/spanDerek says “Is this the last round, then? Or do we continue until someone busts?“

Malin isn’t even on drugs this time around.

“Ehm.. whoever wins, just text me. I’m alembic mind on MyHaven,” Hester startles and stands when someone makes to go as well. She hurriedly pat-pat-pats Jenny on the head on her way out. And for some reason, forgets Derek.

“Ehm.. whoever wins, just text me. I’m alembic mind on MyHaven,” Hester startles and stands when the Pierce makes to go as well. She hurriedly pat-pat-pats Jenny on the head on her way out. And for some reason, forgets Derek.

Gail sighs deeply, “The dreaded twenty-four indeed.” She smiles sidelong to Derek with a low lid of her eyes, “Guess I owe someone a truth.” She gazes at Arachne after, sitting up prim and straight as she waits for the grudge match to reach its conclusion.

Derek squints, before he decides, “Stand.”

Malin smacks her lips together, raising both eyebrows and when Derek says ‘stand’ she automatically straightens her posture, to stand a little taller, as if it was a command.

Gail stares at Derek, “You can’t stand on a fifteen, hun. That just means you lose…”

Derek says “Is that true. Hm.“

Derek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 5 of Hearts/span>/spanDerek says “Okay, I’ll stand on 20. Again.“

Gail giggles silently, sighing pleasantly after.

Malin gasps, and she claps in a delighted manner for Derek. “Yay, the People’s Boyfriend!”

Dovie nods, looking between Arachne and Derek. “Fairchild versus Fairchild! Arachne versus Derek! First one to bust loses! I’m going to institute that you have to hit on a 16 or less since we’re getting towards the end!” She looks to Arachne, “Your turn, dear Summer Monarch!”

“I need to run, thank you so much Dovie. Whoever wins, text me for what I owe.” Aeryn beams a smile to Arachne, “I’ll get in touch with you about a fitting,” she promises, and then stands to head out.

Jenny stands up as the game starts, hanging around until the last cards are drawn but she starts giving a wave as she lingers near the door

Derek smirks over at Gail, melting back into his seat as he looks over to Arachne, his gaze flitting to Aeryn as he lifts a hand to wave once or twice. “Bye, Aeryn. Nice seeing you – let me know when you have your new lineups ready to model.”

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Spades/span>/spanArachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 5 of Hearts/span>/spanAeryn waves and out she goes.

Gail inclines her brow, “Oh? Could it be? The Queen of Seventeen is about to see her empire crumble?”

“Two.” Derek attempts to call the next card with dry amusement.

Stelle rapid fires her thumbs across her phone, huffing.

Arachne presses her mouth into a quiet line, an edgewise glance flung at Gail’s commentary. She lets no one pressure her, leaning forward to draw the next card. But before she does so, she calls back to Stelle, “This one is for you, American Barbie.”

Now that Malin has lost those she was terrorizing on a psychological level, just a little bit, she’s looking for her next victim, and spots Stelle. “Hey,” she interrupts. “How are you?”

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the 4 of Hearts/span>/spanGail tuts, “She never misses, does she?”

Dovie claps for Arachne. “Derek, you’re up!”

Derek looks over to Arachne’s card, humming, before he goes to draw.

Derek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Hearts/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Diamonds/span>/spanDerek says “Two jacks; stand.“

Derek says “On twenty. Again.“

Stelle might have been preparing a response but the two face cards shown gives her pause and she returns to her phone, smiling faintly.

Dovie shakes her head. “You two… Alright, Arachne, your turn to draw a new hand.”

Derek smirks over to Arachne. “The number twenty favors me.” he supposes with a vague little roll of his shoulders.

“It favors you no more than it does me. I had it last round,” Arachne muses toward Derek, reaching to draw again.

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Hearts/span>/spanArachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Spades/span>/spanMalin stares at Stelle very hard between each text she’s sending off.

“I’ve had it for four in a row.” Derek muses as Arachne draws a twenty. “…Hm.”

Gail leans her cheeks into her palms, elbows on the table. She gives Arachne a tired, but wry look, smirking slightly, “Don’t you two get tired of winning?”

Derek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Hearts/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Diamonds/span>/spanDerek says “Twenty, stand.“

Dovie simply stares.

Derek says “And mark five in a row.“

Gail glances to the right at Derek.

Jenny says “Lady luck is truly in this room.“

“I will never tire of winning,” Arachne says in aside to Gail, eyes drifting back to Derek. “You may forfeit, Derek. None would fault you for bowing in deference to your liege and Queen.”

Gail speaks in her breathy tone of voice, “I would fault him, but what good is an interloper’s opinion in royal affairs?”

Arachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the King of Spades/span>/spanArachne uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Ace of Diamonds/span>/spanDovie gasps.

Arachne smiles triumphantly at Derek. “You cannot say that I didn’t give you a chance to be spared from the sting of defeat, baby cousin.”

“Why would I forfeit when I’m doing so well?” Derek states with an amused glint in his eye, looking over to Arachne with curiosity, then adding, “Though of course, there is a massage at stake.” He lifts a brow at Arachne’s 21, then. “Mm.”

Derek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Queen of Hearts/span>/spanDerek uses a automated playing card shuffler/span>/spanThe dealer lays out... the Jack of Spades/span>/spanDovie gasps again. “Arachne wins!”

Alice looks up from her phone, where she’s furiously typing, and sweetly says, “Good job, Miss Arachne,” putting on the charms a little heavy. “I owe you a ride on Sunday Brunch, whenever you’d like!”

There’s a crackle of glass as Stelle’s arm tenses, head shaking as she wanders off towards the exit rather abruptly.

Dovie tells the group. “Arachne is owed a hand or shoulder massage from Aeryn, an answer of a single question from Gail, 15 minutes of hype from Seraphina, a ride from myself and Alice both, an assistant for an event in Jenny, and dares with Derek and Hester!”

Gail smirks sidelong to Arachne with a lid of her eyes, “And I a truth for you to tug on. You have my number, don’t you, Arachne?”

Derek sighs. “Fiiiiine.” he draws out, before adding, “I was tired of winning anyway.” after losing, propping himself from his seat – but not before eating the rest of his crepe.

“Thank you everyone for coming and bearing with testing out a slightly different mechanic too. I’m going to have to head off, but I appreciate you all, and will hold more gambling in the future!” Dovie calls out.