[ Life hasn't quite returned to normal after the blackout, but people are doing their best to resume their old habits. Unsurprisingly, it's vices that everyone seems to pick back up first, and Fern might have been shocked at how quickly the Elysium required her to pick up shifts again, except that she knows how people are.
Still, reverting to a more normal routine isn't a bad thing, and Fern is glad to be working again.
Well, except for one thorn in her side.
Josuke has been here a number of times by now. He seems a bit on the younger side, so she's surprised that they even let him in, but it isn't like the people of Panorama have ever had much interest in playing by the rules. Still, she's had a theory about him for a while now. His luck seems just a little too good, and while no one has actually been able to catch him cheating, it's not like people having powers is outside the norm here.
For now, his wins have been modest enough that no one has raised an eyebrow. Tonight, though—
He's hit it big, winning what is supposedly a priceless item from one of the Elysium's most notable patrons, a high-roller by the name of Rory Protich. He always comes in with an immaculate outfit and a cane which seems to have a real diamond at its head, along with what look to be high-quality finishings. No one had actually expected him to put it up as a bet.
Now, Josuke has it, and the entire room has blown up with yelling, cheering, jeering, and so on. Fern does her best to move among the crowd and assure that everyone stays calm, but she's got her eyes on the winner himself.
When they happen to make eye contact, she squints at him. ]
[ It had been getting heated at Josuke's table for a while now. Something about this guy was just easier for Josuke to read than others, and he took to Josuke's goads just a little better than most. Maybe it's the practice he's had with Giorno; maybe a grueling week of stress over a voice in his head tempered him enough to pull this off. He really owes Giorno, too, not just for helping him practice his poker face, but also because... he might have started tonight's gambling with most of their rent money. Good thing his Stand is the greatest stand in the world, or he'd be more cautious with how important that money is.
Josuke watched his funds plummet as quickly as rise. A crowd had gathered. The air blazed and was thick with the smoke from the patrons, because these two combatants were as hot-headed as the other when it came to cards. At the end of the night, Mr. Protich lays down his cane in a fit of brazen confidence and frustration – he was certain he could take it all from Josuke on this bet.
Josuke might not be great at hiding his tells. But he could see in the eyes of Mr. Protich that his opponent believed with all his heart he could win this run. Josuke shivered. He knew, with just the right draw, Jouske would win – and he knew he could guarantee that card if it came down to it, but if they confirmed his hand as legit? He'd be toast. Sweat pours off his cheeks, as well from his opponent's. The last cards are dealt. Josuke peels his card off the table. The corner of his lip and eye twitches. Mr. Protich lays out his Galactic flush. And, without the help of Crazy Diamond, Josuke lays out his Super Galactic Flush. Whatever the hell space game this is.
Even a concussion didn't make him feel this dizzy. His heart is out of control. The room goes ballistic and Josuke slams his hands on the table with excitement, a cheer for his own victory. One of the older patrons grab his shoulder and shake him with a hoot. Their dealer is sweating, but who's paying attention to any of that when Josuke Higashikata, the yankii kid from Japan, pulled off a one in a million play.
But the room seems to quiet as Fern approaches – most people recognize her from her longer tenure. Josuke looks as well, sweating all the way up from his scalp. His lips cut a funny, quivering smile as their eyes meet. ] Uh— hey! Great game, yeah?
[ Although his last play had been honest, he knew nearly every other one had been a dirty cheat. The little glimmers of yellow light, rare but present, easily mistaken as a trick of the eye begs his thoughts, but no one could have seen that! No one here's a Stand user! He swallows before turning to scoop his winnings, wishing his stunned-silent opponent a "good game," and makes a small mistake while his guard is down. The cane drags across the table, knocking a cup onto the ground, where it smashes to pieces. He doesn't even think about it when he reaches out to pick it up. ]
My bad. [ That same yellow glimmer forms around the glass when he bends down to pick it up, "repaired" in nearly an instant, and he sets the empty cup back on the table, smiling again awkwardly as he skirts past Fern. Probably better to get the hell out of Dodge while things are calm. ]
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josuke.
Still, reverting to a more normal routine isn't a bad thing, and Fern is glad to be working again.
Well, except for one thorn in her side.
Josuke has been here a number of times by now. He seems a bit on the younger side, so she's surprised that they even let him in, but it isn't like the people of Panorama have ever had much interest in playing by the rules. Still, she's had a theory about him for a while now. His luck seems just a little too good, and while no one has actually been able to catch him cheating, it's not like people having powers is outside the norm here.
For now, his wins have been modest enough that no one has raised an eyebrow. Tonight, though—
He's hit it big, winning what is supposedly a priceless item from one of the Elysium's most notable patrons, a high-roller by the name of Rory Protich. He always comes in with an immaculate outfit and a cane which seems to have a real diamond at its head, along with what look to be high-quality finishings. No one had actually expected him to put it up as a bet.
Now, Josuke has it, and the entire room has blown up with yelling, cheering, jeering, and so on. Fern does her best to move among the crowd and assure that everyone stays calm, but she's got her eyes on the winner himself.
When they happen to make eye contact, she squints at him. ]
no subject
Josuke watched his funds plummet as quickly as rise. A crowd had gathered. The air blazed and was thick with the smoke from the patrons, because these two combatants were as hot-headed as the other when it came to cards. At the end of the night, Mr. Protich lays down his cane in a fit of brazen confidence and frustration – he was certain he could take it all from Josuke on this bet.
Josuke might not be great at hiding his tells. But he could see in the eyes of Mr. Protich that his opponent believed with all his heart he could win this run. Josuke shivered. He knew, with just the right draw, Jouske would win – and he knew he could guarantee that card if it came down to it, but if they confirmed his hand as legit? He'd be toast. Sweat pours off his cheeks, as well from his opponent's. The last cards are dealt. Josuke peels his card off the table. The corner of his lip and eye twitches. Mr. Protich lays out his Galactic flush. And, without the help of Crazy Diamond, Josuke lays out his Super Galactic Flush. Whatever the hell space game this is.
Even a concussion didn't make him feel this dizzy. His heart is out of control. The room goes ballistic and Josuke slams his hands on the table with excitement, a cheer for his own victory. One of the older patrons grab his shoulder and shake him with a hoot. Their dealer is sweating, but who's paying attention to any of that when Josuke Higashikata, the yankii kid from Japan, pulled off a one in a million play.
But the room seems to quiet as Fern approaches – most people recognize her from her longer tenure. Josuke looks as well, sweating all the way up from his scalp. His lips cut a funny, quivering smile as their eyes meet. ] Uh— hey! Great game, yeah?
[ Although his last play had been honest, he knew nearly every other one had been a dirty cheat. The little glimmers of yellow light, rare but present, easily mistaken as a trick of the eye begs his thoughts, but no one could have seen that! No one here's a Stand user! He swallows before turning to scoop his winnings, wishing his stunned-silent opponent a "good game," and makes a small mistake while his guard is down. The cane drags across the table, knocking a cup onto the ground, where it smashes to pieces. He doesn't even think about it when he reaches out to pick it up. ]
My bad. [ That same yellow glimmer forms around the glass when he bends down to pick it up, "repaired" in nearly an instant, and he sets the empty cup back on the table, smiling again awkwardly as he skirts past Fern. Probably better to get the hell out of Dodge while things are calm. ]