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<div style="float: left"><u1></u1></div><center><t1>A Stranger Plays Cards at Night</t1><div style="float: right"><u1></u1></div><div style="clear: both;"></div>
<u2>by [[Bertilak.|https://bertilak.itch.io/]]</u2>
<u2>Written for the [[Single Choice Jam 2023|https://itch.io/jam/single-choice-jam]]</u2>
[[Start|Begin]]</center>Though most patrons had long since headed home, your corner of the pub was as lively as ever. The weekly meeting spot was still merry and with last call fast approaching Raj had sauntered closer with his arms impressively full of pints.
Old Johnny took his with only a curt nod of thanks, usual for him. For such a quiet man he was wickedly good at cards, no doubt thanks to that uncannily keen eye of his. Not at all like Young Jonny, whose mouth blabbed without thought. A tactic no less useful. Distracting an opponent from the game had given him many a win, even if it had also cost him many a fight with the impulsive Vanessa.
Vanessa herself accepted her half pint, she'd drink just as much but with twice as many glasses, //'Like a woman should.'// she'd joke, and Raj would laugh and clap her on the back.
//'Aye, when've you ever gave a shite what a woman should do?'// he'd ask, and she'd simply reply with //'When it get's me what I want.'// An accurate assessment. The only correct way to resolve a dispute was Vanessa's way, whether she was right or not.
With a gentle, almost unseen, tap on Vanessa's shoulder Raj took the seat between you and her, sliding your pint over with a graceful wink.
The barman was already pacing. The repetetive tap tap tap of footsteps a sure sign he was already eager to pack up, he'd leant a mop up against the barback and polished his glasses with vigour, looking up only when the door opened.
[[The stranger that walked through took off his hat.]]He was tall and stick thin, with dark hair and eyes. Handsome in a generic sort of way. He'd been dressed formally and all in black, as if he'd gotten lost on his way back from a funeral.
His eyes had lit up when they landed upon the table, coins messily piled up and playing cards haphazardly splayed where Vanessa had slammed them down in annoyance.
"Mind if I join?" His voice was like velvet.
Raj laughed and elbowed you, taking a moment to silently seek your judgment.
"Sure, siddown." You nodded at the chairs of the table next to you. "Ain't like we're short of seats."
"Looks like youse got a lot to lay on mate." Young Jonny noted. The stranger had smiled and nodded, hands dancing across the back of a rickety wooden chair.
"Oh, you don't know the half of it my friend. I've got plenty. What're you playing for?" Somehow the strangers smile widened.
"Cold 'ard cash!" Vanessa announced with a giggle. "We've got 18 each on the table." The stranger nodded, pulling out the knackered chair with a flourish.
"Not much, I'll match that."
"Oh?" Vanessa leant forwards, "No raise?"
[[The stranger leant forwards.]]He held up a hand.
"Remember, you asked." His smile stopped, but only momentarily, back as quick as it was gone. "I'll raise."
"To what?"
"Whatever you want, I can give you that." There was a glint in the stranger's eyes then, and he'd looked around the table meeting the eyes of each of you in turn. You were struck with the idea that he wasn't as handsome as you'd first thought, his features too long and too sterile.
"What you getting at?" Young Jonny asked, taking a swig of his already half empty pint.
"Exactly what I said. I'll give the winner whatever they want, and on the occasion that I win- the losers will give me whatever I want." He almost purred.
Old Johnny slammed down his cards.
"Fold." His voice was gruff when he spoke for what seemed like the first time that evening. The stranger simply shrugged.
Raj laughed along with Vanessa. Even Young Jonny joined in. Each of the three leaning forwards, clearly enticed. Pausing only to look back at you. You'd remained leant back in your chair, legs crossed leisurely as you smiled.
"Aight. Sounds good." You nodded your assent and the laughter continued.
"Well, I know what I'd want from each of youse!" Young Jonny looked pointedly at you. "You owe me a new bike!"
"Go on." Vanessa gestured towards the stranger, her chin resting upon her hand.
"Why not." Raj grinned, tapping the table like an inpatient child.
The stranger surveyed his captive audience before finally he snapped his black eyes back to you.
[[The stranger gestured for Raj to shuffle.]]And so Raj did. Taking his sweet time as he threw the cards back and forth and flashed smiles all around.
He handed out the cards, chatting all the while.
The final card was static, sticking to your your fingers, then fluttering to the ground.
You folded to the floor, instinctively going to pick it up before some cheeky bastard took a peek.
[[The stranger bent to pick it up before you.]]After what seemed like an eternity the stranger broke eye contact, turning back to Raj, who continued his dealing like nothing was amiss.
The stranger was an impressive foe. He matched Young Jonny's blabbering without so much as a stutter in his focus, and matched Vanessa's stubbornness without balking. Time passed in a hazy blur, the only indication of how late it was getting the noise of the barman locking the front door. The click of the lock came just in time for you and the stranger to lock eyes, it all came down to two.
The room was silent, even the barman had stopped his pacing.
The stranger looked down at his own cards as if they were unfamiliar, then over at the hand you revealed. He seemed to take extra delight in beating you, specifically.
"Well played." Vanessa announced.
"What is it you'll be taking?" Your voice came out unnaturally cold. The stranger hadn't taken his eyes off you.
"I think you already know." He stood with only a sly grin and a tap of the table.
It was only when he reached the door that he spoke again.
"Until next time." He departed with a chuckle.
[[End|thestart]]The stranger's eyes snapped to your card, as though if he gazed hard enough he could look straight through.
When he looked back at you it was with narrowed eyes and a almost undetectable quirk of his lips.
His eyes swept over the table, then back to you. A silent dare you didn't quite know how to rise to.
The others looked towards you, uncertaincy suddenly on their faces. Even Old Johnny shuffled in his seat, eyes meeting yours in silent understanding.
"I think you'd better leave mister." The old boys voice cracked, and the stranger looked back with vitriol, jumping up like a petulant child.
"I've got enough already!" He cried, and you watched his goat-like feet as they marched straight out the door.
[[End|thestart]]You reached it first, fingers struggling to get it form it's position flush on the floor. The stranger recoiled.
The movement caught your eye.
From that angle you could see his body fully. His trousers tight and cropped, if not well tailored. An odd juxtaposition to his lack of footwear.
It's odd how your mind went to that first, perhaps trying to find some way to rationalise what you saw.
Not bare, human feet, but hooves.
You sat back up, because what else could do?
"Come on, just one round is all you need." His eyes were piercing and you couldn't look away.
[[Hold.]]
[[Fold.]]21/07/23 - First release.Double-click this passage to edit it.
IF WIN
The stranger looked down at his own cards, raised his eyebrows, and blinked.
He returned his gaze to yours, with a surprisingly genuine smile.
"Lucky." He laughed, foot tapping against the floor. "Tell me, will you take what you want?"
[[End]]