[ He doesn’t drink right away this time. He just lets the glass sit in his hands and watches his own reflection ripple in the alcohol. ]
I don’t want your bounty, and I don’t want you dyin’ a pointless death in the middle of someplace like this. We’ve got history, and that counts for somethin’. Not that I won’t fight like hell when you do decide to come get your due.
[ She wondered what would have happened if it had been her in that situation. Would she have jumped first. She wasn't that self sacrificing, but she'd been injured by protecting her stupid boys before, so when push came to shove she did care.
She shifted on the sofa after pouring another shot, and tucked her legs up under her as she turned towards him. ]
I wouldn't expect anythin' else. I guess...I guess I should say...thanks. And...don't do it again.
[ She looked away for a brief moment as if she were completely embarrassed. When she looked back, she noted how hot he looked. Quickly, while the alcohol was working through her system, she reached over and placed the front of her wrist against his forehead. ] Aww, hell Jesse, you're burning up.
[ While she’d been turned away, Jesse had looked up. He’d been in the middle of studying her profile, puzzling over the strangeness of the moment and wondering at the deceptively simple act of her thanking him. Then she turns back, and he expects… something that isn’t this. Maybe something sarcastic, or sharp, and certainly not her checking his temperature. Her wrist is cool against the veritable furnace of his fever-heated skin. ]
It’s fine, I’m fine-
[ He reaches up to nudge her hand away, only then noting how dry his mouth feels. He clears his throat and blinks away the fuzziness of his vision. The flu is to blame for all of this, of course. Nothing else. Certainly not the alcohol, or anything else in the room. ]
[ She pulled her hand back quickly enough, but goes to stand up and make her way toward the kitchen again. She'd been hoping that she'd enjoy watching him suffer, and she had insisted she would give him no help. It provides a good distraction at least, something to do while they talk.
Her own head feels light, but she hasn't had enough to really get drunk, just comfortable. ] For future reference, B.O.B. has the job of shieldin' me pretty covered. I know he was out of sight at that particular moment, but you can let him go back to doin' his job from here on out.
[ She returns with a cold cloth, and a glass of water with two tylenol. She takes her seat on the sofa again and offers over the water and pills. ]
Hey...do you remember that time just after we founded Deadlock, when we got hit with that really bad flu.
[ Will wonders never cease? Jesse takes the pills first, then water, half wondering if he should have checked to make sure they weren’t poison first. But really, given the way everything has gone, he doesn’t think she has it out for him. Not right this second. He’s not convinced Chloe had it all right either, but… there might have been some truth to it, maybe. ]
Damn, well I try not to because that’s the sickest I’d been, before comin’ here. Swear you had it worse off than me though.
[ He’s grinning when he says it though, despite how terrible the memory supposedly is. ]
B.O.B. had his hands full between the two of us, still tryin’ to run things outta our sickbeds.
[ Oh, she was going to have to have a talk with Chloe at some point about trying to make it sound like she cared. Those were things she wasn't sure how to explain and really didn't want to. The truth was that despite how there was still a lot of walls to climb over, Ashe had faced a lot while Jesse had been gone. She'd faced a lot and she wasn't at home in her usual patterns. She'd been plenty uncomfortable, but the things she had to focus on were different.
She gave a small chuckle over it. ] Yeah. That's what made me think of it. Your head is as hot as it was back then. [ Once the pills were swallowed. She sets the cold cloth against his skin. Despite the act, she makes sure to appear put out by the whole thing. ] Not that you ain't always hot headed. Good to know some things don't ever change. You are still a hot-headed dumbass, who does stupid things when sick.
Poor B.O.B. sometimes I feel sorry for him, always pickin' up after us. Be honest, he's the reason you won't collect my bounty, you don't want to make him sad. [ That, or maybe it was because she kept the lawless Southwest in some resemblance of order. Maybe not a good order, but order all the same. She'd cleaned it up with her rules and business model. Or maybe some other reason, she couldn't begin to guess.]
[ It wasn’t long ago that Jesse’d had Mercy fussing over him and tending to his fever, but this feels completely different. And Ashe does it like it’s not a big thing, casual as can be. The only reason he doesn’t say something is because he’s sure that if he brings attention to it, she’ll stop. ]
You talkin’ about me tryin’ to ride that motorcycle into town for more orange juice? Seemed like a great idea. That curb came out of nowhere.
[ He realizes he’s turned toward her at some point, his one arm propped on the back of the couch while the other holds his water. He grins and glances over to where the omnic is idling, for away enough to give them privacy but near enough to be of use should something happen. ]
Yeah, you got me. It’s the reason I always let him win at cards too. Can’t stand to see him sulkin’.
[ A straight-up lie. B.O.B. was just inherently good. Jesse had already been good at cheating, but trying to beat B.O.B. had been a big motivator to get better. ]
And then B.O.B. had a whole new situation to deal with. [ A half smile curves on her lips and her free hand goes for the bottle, to just take a swig of it. Her other hand continued to dab at his forehead with the cold cloth. ] I think I lost my voice yellin' at you We were such stupid kids.
[ Times since then had been so different, but the memories, she recalled so many good ones. Of course, there were the bad ones like the gang that had been chasing her around during his absence. But the good times were so good. Like the card games that B.O.B. had always beaten them at. ]
You weren’t far from losin’ your voice before that. Not my fault you had to holler ‘til you ended what the fever started.
[ Jesse’s smile slips easily into a familiar smirk. The weird thing about all this is how it’s both familiar and foreign all at once—but even so, nothing comes quite as easy to Jesse as grandstanding. It’s much too easy to fall into that particular habit, strangeness be damned. ]
Think so? You want to grab a deck of cards and prove it?
[ That was certainly true, she'd only made it worse. ] Yeah...well, y'know I had to yell where B.O.B. couldn't.
[ The look on her face shows clearly the amusement the memory had brought up for her. She never would have thought she'd have fond memories of a time like that. Least they'd fought it together. The same way they'd fought everything together back then.
Her tone turns teasing though as she continues to try and cool his head. It seemed to be helping. ] Seems unfair, seein' I am better than you at the best of times. Like this, you are at a true disadvantage. [ Whether or not she was better, she would stick to her claim. ]
Sure he would’ve had some choice words for me if he was the talkin’ type. Probably still does.
[ Her amusement is reflected right back in his grin. Between that and the whiskey and the cool cloth, he’s feeling better than he has since coming back from the dead. Not how he’d expected this visit to go, but in a good way. ]
Now those are some fightin’ words if I ever heard any. Just one round, Ashe. We can wager somethin' to make it more interestin'.
A little harder to yell in sign language. [ Chloe had been signing with him a lot recently. Ashe sometimes missed the conversation she might have had with B.O.B. but they had a certain language between them that only they knew, so for her it worked out. She had a feeling he'd give her a few choice words as well.
She hadn't expected it to feel this comfortable either. So much had happened over the years and Deerington had really sped things up into interesting directions. ]
Well if you are offerin' up free stuff, who am I to say no? [ She looked over towards B.O.B. ] B.O.B., grab me the cards would you? [ As he left to go get them, she turned back to Jesse. ] What do you wanna wager, cowboy?
[ The thrill was matched in her own eyes. There was nothing like a card game to get the blood pumping. But now she had to actually think about something that she would want for a win. ]
You're right though, for all I know, you'll go home and forget all out this bet of ours and I still won't have a bike.
[ She went to a drawer to get the deck of cards, and brought it back over. She was incredibly good at cheating at cards, but she was also good at playing a fair game and against him, she wanted to win fair and square. This would be yet another thing just like old times. ]
You got any ideas on what you want? ...In the unlikely chance you win.
[ He’d not be above just giving her the bike itself with no keys. That’s why you always have to be careful what you bet for, or so Jesse likes to say. ]
Looks like you’re not wantin’ for much. I’m sure I could find somethin’ around here…
[ He turns his head, eyes scanning the room. He’s not wanting for anything much either, aside from the things he’d lost when he died. But she wouldn’t have his Peacekeeper, or his serape. No magic key out of Deerington either. ]
What about a bottle of your most expensive alcohol? I know you never skimp on quality liquor.
[ That sounded more like Jesse. She gives him a pointed look, before flopping back down on the sofa. ] Well, I can make a new set of keys.
[ She sat opposite him, crossing her legs as she pulled out the cards. It was hard to think of anything that she wanted from him. If he knew she had a couple of his things, she was sure that he would have placed his bets on one of those things. She waffled on whether or not to offer one. Things were crazy out there, and while he would do fine with any pistol, peacekeeper was as much an mechanical attachment as that arm. ]
Funny, I would have thought you'd ask for your gun. [ There was a wicked little glint in her eyes, but a smile on her lips. ] But I'm happy to wager a bottle of my best if that's what you want.
[ Jesse goes very still, eyes locked on her and searching for any reason to think that was a joke. He’d never call himself a sentimental man when it comes to things. When you’re always on the move, you can’t afford to care about too much. Can’t take it all with you. Peacekeeper, though… that had always been the one constant, aside from the clothes on his back.
And Ashe has had it this whole damn time.
He should be angry—and maybe he is, a little—except that this all seems fair within the Wild West sort of rules he and Ashe had both once sworn by. You steal from me, I steal from you with interest. Can’t be too made when you kick a rattlesnake and then get bit. ]
You sayin’ you have it? Or is that just a bluff? I’m gonna want to take a look before I bet.
[ She had taken it for a couple of reasons really. One, she had been annoyed at everything and all the feelings his sacrifice had brought out of her. It had been like taking a piece of the comfortable rivalry back. There had also been the fact that it was a little bit of revenge. But it hadn’t been purely due to their rivalry or spite, it had also been the fact that Peacemaker was far too fine a weapon to lay forgotten on the road. Who knew who would pick it up, or what would happen, and then it could have been truly lost.
She gives a nod to show it’s a fair request before she heads to her bedroom just off the living room and goes to collect it. The serape is still there too, but she isn’t quite ready to let that go. She’ll excuse it later by saying it was collateral for another time. She returns with the weapon and holds it up.
She is smiling as she shows it, the same kind of smile she held on her face back when they were best friends and playing at one upping each other. It’s the smile of someone knowing that have the upper hand. ]
Can’t remember where I left the bullets though... [ She could, she’d used them for target practice. ] I may have taken it for a ride... I forgot how much kickback she has.
[ That’s his weapon, no doubt about it. It’s reassuring, which is at odds with the self-satisfied smile on Ashe’s face. He doesn’t expect her to pull any punches. Might be she’ll even hit harder, given it’s something so precious to him on the line. ]
She’s an ornery thing. Takes a firm hand to shoot her straight.
[ He’s still got that same smile on, that same easy way about him. But there’s a new sharp glint in his eyes that signals he’s no longer treating this like a game. ]
That’s too bad about the bullets, but beggars can’t be choosers. Now that I know what I want- [ He nods towards his gun. ] You still gotta say what you want from me.
[ She was at odds with herself over the fact that she wanted him to have his gun back. However, she had already displayed more of a show of caring than she liked and so outwardly she was going to hit hard and savor every second of it. At least it was being represented in a more typical way. She had something he wanted and she was taking delight in it. Even if she wanted him to have it, she'd make him work his ass off for it. ]
Well you do have a lot of experience with ornery things.
[ He didn't really have any objects that she wanted, but that didn't mean that he had nothing she wanted. Maybe she could even get at his pride a little bit. ]
Tell you what, I do have something I could use. Your help. I'm gettin' a little somethin' goin'. With you being one of the bouncers at the Hair of the Dog, I think you might just be able to keep an eye on a couple of things for me. Maybe I could use a little extra protection in a... different way. Not that I need you, but I think you could be of use. [ She quickly adds. ] Don't worry, you don't gotta deal with the big things, and it's not like back home, so you don't gotta feel guilty or get your hands dirty or whatever, because no one is gettin' hurt. In fact you might even not hate what I'm doin'. But I need eyes upstairs. So what d'you say? Your gun for your eyes?
[ She raised her own eyes suggestively at him, figuring he'd know what she was asking wasn't completely decent. She waited to see if he'd bite at the challenge. ]
Edited (i edited so much! I am sorry) 2019-08-09 22:54 (UTC)
[ These stakes are just the kind Jesse loves to play with: ones that matter, and that would severely burn him if he were to lose. Not the safest hobby, but he’s always had an unhealthy taste for danger.
He does give the proposition the consideration it warrants first. Working with Ashe again on some ambiguous endeavor would be no small thing. Given what Chloe has said about it, he already knows it’s something shady. But he’d have to keep his word, if he were to lose. It’s all he’s really got.
Finally, decisively, Jesse nods once. His hand goes out for her to shake. ]
[ They were the kind of odds she loved too. She wanted him to know she was laying something worth fighting for down on the line. She wasn't even fully sure whether to trust him on protecting her. He'd already died for her, but where her work was involved, she wasn't so sure. At least she knew he would bring his game, because the stakes were high.
They hadn't shook hands like this since Blackwatch had taken him, and it was a weird feeling to be doing it now. No matter, she reached out with confidence and took his hand in her own and gave it a firm shake. ]
Then let's play.
[ She held the handshake for a moment longer than necessary, just remembering another time. Then she let go to pull out the cards and deal. ]
[ There had been a strange sense of déjà vu for Jesse as well. He’d never entertained the notion that they would ever shake on anything ever again, the days of being cordial far behind them. Just goes to show you should never say never. ]
You know I like to get my hands on the deck at least once before a game.
[ He doesn’t do anything untoward with the deck when he shuffles though, in part because he hadn’t come prepared. He’s not even confident that he could cheat effectively, with the fever still burning through his veins. So he merely gives the deck a simple shuffle before sliding them back to Ashe. ]
[ She wasn't expecting him to cheat, but she could still recall his old tells. Naturally he could have learned some new ones, and she had picked up a few herself, but she'd keep her poker face on in hopes of not letting him read her for her hand. She wanted to play fair though and wanted to win fair.
The last thing they needed was chips and she had those tucked into a drawer. She went to retrieve them, before dividing them up between them. ]
There we go, we're even.
[ Though it would have been a bit easier to play at a table, he didn't look up to that so she dealt the cards out on the cushion between them, making sure they stayed put. Taking her hand she looked her cards over. It wasn't a bad start. ] You start.
[ When Jesse draws a bad hand to start, he isn’t too fussed about it. He’s played good games off of worse, and he’s motivated to win this one.
It’s too bad, really, that his flu doesn’t care one way or the other what happens to him or his gun. As the game goes on, it becomes clear that his situation isn’t getting any better. His thoughts are muddled, his strategy sloppy. Things don’t necessarily get worse, but they aren’t good; and when playing with Ashe, ‘good’ is the minimum necessity.
But he doesn’t give up. Jesse plays through it with his jaw set, eyes intent on his cards and his poker face just as good as ever, despite it all. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ He doesn’t drink right away this time. He just lets the glass sit in his hands and watches his own reflection ripple in the alcohol. ]
I don’t want your bounty, and I don’t want you dyin’ a pointless death in the middle of someplace like this. We’ve got history, and that counts for somethin’. Not that I won’t fight like hell when you do decide to come get your due.
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[ She wondered what would have happened if it had been her in that situation. Would she have jumped first. She wasn't that self sacrificing, but she'd been injured by protecting her stupid boys before, so when push came to shove she did care.
She shifted on the sofa after pouring another shot, and tucked her legs up under her as she turned towards him. ]
I wouldn't expect anythin' else. I guess...I guess I should say...thanks. And...don't do it again.
[ She looked away for a brief moment as if she were completely embarrassed. When she looked back, she noted how hot he looked. Quickly, while the alcohol was working through her system, she reached over and placed the front of her wrist against his forehead. ] Aww, hell Jesse, you're burning up.
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It’s fine, I’m fine-
[ He reaches up to nudge her hand away, only then noting how dry his mouth feels. He clears his throat and blinks away the fuzziness of his vision. The flu is to blame for all of this, of course. Nothing else. Certainly not the alcohol, or anything else in the room. ]
It’ll burn itself out in a week, so I hear.
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Her own head feels light, but she hasn't had enough to really get drunk, just comfortable. ] For future reference, B.O.B. has the job of shieldin' me pretty covered. I know he was out of sight at that particular moment, but you can let him go back to doin' his job from here on out.
[ She returns with a cold cloth, and a glass of water with two tylenol. She takes her seat on the sofa again and offers over the water and pills. ]
Hey...do you remember that time just after we founded Deadlock, when we got hit with that really bad flu.
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Damn, well I try not to because that’s the sickest I’d been, before comin’ here. Swear you had it worse off than me though.
[ He’s grinning when he says it though, despite how terrible the memory supposedly is. ]
B.O.B. had his hands full between the two of us, still tryin’ to run things outta our sickbeds.
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She gave a small chuckle over it. ] Yeah. That's what made me think of it. Your head is as hot as it was back then. [ Once the pills were swallowed. She sets the cold cloth against his skin. Despite the act, she makes sure to appear put out by the whole thing. ] Not that you ain't always hot headed. Good to know some things don't ever change. You are still a hot-headed dumbass, who does stupid things when sick.
Poor B.O.B. sometimes I feel sorry for him, always pickin' up after us. Be honest, he's the reason you won't collect my bounty, you don't want to make him sad. [ That, or maybe it was because she kept the lawless Southwest in some resemblance of order. Maybe not a good order, but order all the same. She'd cleaned it up with her rules and business model. Or maybe some other reason, she couldn't begin to guess.]
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You talkin’ about me tryin’ to ride that motorcycle into town for more orange juice? Seemed like a great idea. That curb came out of nowhere.
[ He realizes he’s turned toward her at some point, his one arm propped on the back of the couch while the other holds his water. He grins and glances over to where the omnic is idling, for away enough to give them privacy but near enough to be of use should something happen. ]
Yeah, you got me. It’s the reason I always let him win at cards too. Can’t stand to see him sulkin’.
[ A straight-up lie. B.O.B. was just inherently good. Jesse had already been good at cheating, but trying to beat B.O.B. had been a big motivator to get better. ]
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[ Times since then had been so different, but the memories, she recalled so many good ones. Of course, there were the bad ones like the gang that had been chasing her around during his absence. But the good times were so good. Like the card games that B.O.B. had always beaten them at. ]
I bet I can still beat you at cards too.
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[ Jesse’s smile slips easily into a familiar smirk. The weird thing about all this is how it’s both familiar and foreign all at once—but even so, nothing comes quite as easy to Jesse as grandstanding. It’s much too easy to fall into that particular habit, strangeness be damned. ]
Think so? You want to grab a deck of cards and prove it?
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[ The look on her face shows clearly the amusement the memory had brought up for her. She never would have thought she'd have fond memories of a time like that. Least they'd fought it together. The same way they'd fought everything together back then.
Her tone turns teasing though as she continues to try and cool his head. It seemed to be helping. ] Seems unfair, seein' I am better than you at the best of times. Like this, you are at a true disadvantage. [ Whether or not she was better, she would stick to her claim. ]
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[ Her amusement is reflected right back in his grin. Between that and the whiskey and the cool cloth, he’s feeling better than he has since coming back from the dead. Not how he’d expected this visit to go, but in a good way. ]
Now those are some fightin’ words if I ever heard any. Just one round, Ashe. We can wager somethin' to make it more interestin'.
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She hadn't expected it to feel this comfortable either. So much had happened over the years and Deerington had really sped things up into interesting directions. ]
Well if you are offerin' up free stuff, who am I to say no? [ She looked over towards B.O.B. ] B.O.B., grab me the cards would you? [ As he left to go get them, she turned back to Jesse. ] What do you wanna wager, cowboy?
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I’d offer up the bike, but I don’t have it here. And I’m pretty sure you won’t take a promise as collateral.
[ He hums thoughtfully, eyes tracking B.O.B. across the room before he turns back to meet her gaze. ]
Suppose it depends on what you want.
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[ The thrill was matched in her own eyes. There was nothing like a card game to get the blood pumping. But now she had to actually think about something that she would want for a win. ]
You're right though, for all I know, you'll go home and forget all out this bet of ours and I still won't have a bike.
[ She went to a drawer to get the deck of cards, and brought it back over. She was incredibly good at cheating at cards, but she was also good at playing a fair game and against him, she wanted to win fair and square. This would be yet another thing just like old times. ]
You got any ideas on what you want? ...In the unlikely chance you win.
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[ He’d not be above just giving her the bike itself with no keys. That’s why you always have to be careful what you bet for, or so Jesse likes to say. ]
Looks like you’re not wantin’ for much. I’m sure I could find somethin’ around here…
[ He turns his head, eyes scanning the room. He’s not wanting for anything much either, aside from the things he’d lost when he died. But she wouldn’t have his Peacekeeper, or his serape. No magic key out of Deerington either. ]
What about a bottle of your most expensive alcohol? I know you never skimp on quality liquor.
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[ She sat opposite him, crossing her legs as she pulled out the cards. It was hard to think of anything that she wanted from him. If he knew she had a couple of his things, she was sure that he would have placed his bets on one of those things. She waffled on whether or not to offer one. Things were crazy out there, and while he would do fine with any pistol, peacekeeper was as much an mechanical attachment as that arm. ]
Funny, I would have thought you'd ask for your gun. [ There was a wicked little glint in her eyes, but a smile on her lips. ] But I'm happy to wager a bottle of my best if that's what you want.
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And Ashe has had it this whole damn time.
He should be angry—and maybe he is, a little—except that this all seems fair within the Wild West sort of rules he and Ashe had both once sworn by. You steal from me, I steal from you with interest. Can’t be too made when you kick a rattlesnake and then get bit. ]
You sayin’ you have it? Or is that just a bluff? I’m gonna want to take a look before I bet.
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She gives a nod to show it’s a fair request before she heads to her bedroom just off the living room and goes to collect it. The serape is still there too, but she isn’t quite ready to let that go. She’ll excuse it later by saying it was collateral for another time. She returns with the weapon and holds it up.
She is smiling as she shows it, the same kind of smile she held on her face back when they were best friends and playing at one upping each other. It’s the smile of someone knowing that have the upper hand. ]
Can’t remember where I left the bullets though... [ She could, she’d used them for target practice. ] I may have taken it for a ride... I forgot how much kickback she has.
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She’s an ornery thing. Takes a firm hand to shoot her straight.
[ He’s still got that same smile on, that same easy way about him. But there’s a new sharp glint in his eyes that signals he’s no longer treating this like a game. ]
That’s too bad about the bullets, but beggars can’t be choosers. Now that I know what I want- [ He nods towards his gun. ] You still gotta say what you want from me.
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Well you do have a lot of experience with ornery things.
[ He didn't really have any objects that she wanted, but that didn't mean that he had nothing she wanted. Maybe she could even get at his pride a little bit. ]
Tell you what, I do have something I could use. Your help. I'm gettin' a little somethin' goin'. With you being one of the bouncers at the Hair of the Dog, I think you might just be able to keep an eye on a couple of things for me. Maybe I could use a little extra protection in a... different way. Not that I need you, but I think you could be of use. [ She quickly adds. ] Don't worry, you don't gotta deal with the big things, and it's not like back home, so you don't gotta feel guilty or get your hands dirty or whatever, because no one is gettin' hurt. In fact you might even not hate what I'm doin'. But I need eyes upstairs. So what d'you say? Your gun for your eyes?
[ She raised her own eyes suggestively at him, figuring he'd know what she was asking wasn't completely decent. She waited to see if he'd bite at the challenge. ]
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He does give the proposition the consideration it warrants first. Working with Ashe again on some ambiguous endeavor would be no small thing. Given what Chloe has said about it, he already knows it’s something shady. But he’d have to keep his word, if he were to lose. It’s all he’s really got.
Finally, decisively, Jesse nods once. His hand goes out for her to shake. ]
You got yourself a bet.
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They hadn't shook hands like this since Blackwatch had taken him, and it was a weird feeling to be doing it now. No matter, she reached out with confidence and took his hand in her own and gave it a firm shake. ]
Then let's play.
[ She held the handshake for a moment longer than necessary, just remembering another time. Then she let go to pull out the cards and deal. ]
You wanna give them a shuffle too?
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You know I like to get my hands on the deck at least once before a game.
[ He doesn’t do anything untoward with the deck when he shuffles though, in part because he hadn’t come prepared. He’s not even confident that he could cheat effectively, with the fever still burning through his veins. So he merely gives the deck a simple shuffle before sliding them back to Ashe. ]
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The last thing they needed was chips and she had those tucked into a drawer. She went to retrieve them, before dividing them up between them. ]
There we go, we're even.
[ Though it would have been a bit easier to play at a table, he didn't look up to that so she dealt the cards out on the cushion between them, making sure they stayed put. Taking her hand she looked her cards over. It wasn't a bad start. ] You start.
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[ When Jesse draws a bad hand to start, he isn’t too fussed about it. He’s played good games off of worse, and he’s motivated to win this one.
It’s too bad, really, that his flu doesn’t care one way or the other what happens to him or his gun. As the game goes on, it becomes clear that his situation isn’t getting any better. His thoughts are muddled, his strategy sloppy. Things don’t necessarily get worse, but they aren’t good; and when playing with Ashe, ‘good’ is the minimum necessity.
But he doesn’t give up. Jesse plays through it with his jaw set, eyes intent on his cards and his poker face just as good as ever, despite it all. ]
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