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They Call Me Blackjack Davy


Date:  March 18, 2004
Place:  The Even Odds
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  Proving that gambling can be a family affair, Kassima 
and three of her children have hit the Even Odds during the Weyrlings'
Bitran campout, only to be met there by Dehlan, Yselle, and T'van.  As
is per usual when Tel's around, Kassi has to point out that no, she 
won't be stripping naked today.  But as is not so unusual, she also 
has to protest his attempts to play matchmaker, born of an odd tension
between the bluerider and the resident.

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The Log:

Dehlan comes in from the casino.

Yselle comes in from the casino.

There probably aren't so very many people in the gambling hall at this
hour, compared to earlier in the night, but a few still drift from table to
table--including a small knot of black-haired folk with an uncanny
resemblance to each other. Kassima's one of these. She sits at the
blackjack table, nursing a half-emptied glass of wine and trading lively
banter with the dealer.

"Kassi!" pity if the woman wanted some peace and quiet, since neither of
those is T'van's strong suit, he's wearing... guess what? A new shirt, and
is looking all handsome and stuff. "Kassi Kassi Kassi! Everytime I see you,
you're even more beautiful than the last!" he's got his arm around Yselle,
who seems to be making quite an effort to dislodge it, and they've both
just walked in. /She/ on the other hand, is in plain old riding leathers.
"Hey Kassi," she calls. "Tel, shut up, she isn't going to kiss you again."

Dehlan snickers quietly at T'van's less than subtle entrance, and waves
from the bar, "Hey Yse, T'van."

Well, that draws a measure of Kassi's attention away from her game. A shame
she's not fool enough to bid while distracted, or the dealer just might
thank her. "And every time I see you, you're more full of it, T'van!" she
greets in return, with much amusement; "And Ys is quite right. I'm just
nay. Nor will m'children, so make eyes at them and die. Do nay *tell* me
this lout has conned you into strip poker, Ys? Because just for the record,
if'n he has... I am *so* nay playing."

"Oh but /Kassi/ I /want/ to see you naked," T'van moans, giving up
possession of Yselle's waist to dance over to the greenrider and say, "I
bet you're even more beautiful naked. I'm quite beautiful naked too. I'd be
glad to show you." Yselle rolls her eyes. "Sorry," she says. "They'll let
anyone into this place. Hey Dehlan," she affords him a glance that's only
slightly awkward. "I thought you were back in Telgar?"

Dehlan grins readily at the greenrider, and stands up, walking her way,
after a wary glance at her protector, "I was.' He says, training his gaze
on Yse as he nurses his drink, "But I wanted to see how the party was going
down here, and another rider was coming, so. I hitched a lift!"

Rather than answering T'van, Kassi slews a look towards Yselle. "Exactly
how much has he had t'drink? It must be a lot. T'make him *this*
delusional. T'van, tonight is apparently the night that you learn the
important lesson that we don't always get what we want in life. Also the
important lesson that you are *never* going t'see me naked. Ever. Ever."
The glance she fires off to the other side, towards two other dark heads,
is a smidge uncomfortable. Their owners must sense it, since they look
up--the young woman grinning wryly, the young man coughing and
fidgeting--and decide that this is a good time to gamble at a table rather
more distant. "Evening t'you too, Dehlan."

Yselle strides over to T'van and grabs him by the ear. "Before you ask, I
don't want to see you naked either. I'm pretty sure Dehlan doesn't,
although feel free to ask him," weirdly, T'van pulls a face at this,
apparently, Dehlan is excluded from his hit-on list. "I'm sure there's a
bunch of Bitran girls who'll be impressed by your knot though," she says.
"Run along and if you find yourself in trouble with some fathers, don't
expect me to drag you out of it." To Kassima, wryly "You know he doesn't
need to drink to be that b---ow!" that's her response to being hit
playfully on the backside by the bluerider. "Leave or die," she says. He
grins, blows Kassima and Yselle a kiss and dances over to one of the
tables, just drawing a line across his throat in Dehlan's direction. Yselle
rolls her eyes, and, tells the resident "Oh well at least we don't have to
worry about /you/ drinking. Everything's going fine.. that I know of."

Dehlan makesa face at T'van, and turns to Yselle, "Why DO you put up wit him?

Dehlan makes a face at T'van, and turns to Yselle, "Why DO you put up with
him?" He asks, amused, and adds, "Seems fine here too, albiet quiet.
Evenin' Kassi. I see T'van's a pain in your neck too huh."

Kassima points out, "Well, he does normally have *some* tact, if'n never
subtlety... but so long as he continues t'take 'nay' for an answer, mayhaps
we can let him live." With the threat of a naked T'van dispersed, she's
free to study her cards again, and finally signal for a hit--then a stand,
after. The dealer can only shake his head when he turns up an eighteen to
Kassi's nineteen. "I love this game," she sighs as she collects an eighth
mark. "From time t'time. Nay so bad as with Yselle, though."

Yselle grins. "Do you ever lose, Kassima?" she slides into a chair near the
woman, although pointedly refusing cards. "I put up with him because he's
the best friend you could ever have... when he's not hitting on you or
messing up your weyr or getting you to solve all his problems, or reading
your private letters or..." she grins. "Have a seat, Dehlan, do you play
cards?"

Dehlan smiles gratefully at the invite and, drink in hand, sits next to the
two ladies, "I'm from Bitra, Yse." he grins, "If I didn't play cards, I'd
be some very rare breed of Bitran. Though I'm not an expert and I don't
play for marks often, and I'm not /all/ that great or crazy about it..so I
guess I'm not much of a Bitran after all. But yes, I do play sometimes."

"Oh, from time t'time. Several times tonight, I assure. But never *much* in
one place; the secret t'my success--" Kassima, too, waves out of the game,
and the dealer does not exactly look dismayed. "Kisai, now, lost a full
quarter mark a'fore she fell asleep. I had t'promise nay t'tell her father.
But Khari had turned a profit the last I checked with her. A'course, she
*says* she's more interested in checking out other artists' cards,
but--if'n you want t'play, Dehlan, this poor dealer's probably free. And
would doubtless love a chance t'play with someone else for a change. I've
been monopolizing him."

"I'll monopolise you," T'van appears out of nowhere, with a glass of the
wine Kassima's drinking in one hand, which he gallantly offers to her, and
an exotic cocktail in the other, which he offers, with a flourish to
Yselle. Now many people would know Yselle avoids alcohol, but she just
grins at T'van and says "Thank you." He winks, says, "Anytime babe," and
reaches around the chair to pinch her butt, ignoring her yelp. "So you're a
/Bitran/?" he asks Dehlan, slightly aggressively. "Like to gamble. Gamble
with people's emotions maybe?"

Dehlan looks strangely at T'van, "What /are/ you on about now?" He shakes
his head, and replies to Kassi, "Maybe in a bit, Kassima. But I didnt'
bring any marks with me, so maybe not."

Kassima gives T'van a look that brims with droll amusement. "You haven't
the stamina nor skill 'twould take t'monopolize me," she says, sweet as
strawberries. "Trust me. But the wine is much appreciated," and she's not
shy of making quick work of her last glass to accept this new, nor toasting
him in thanks. "Mmm. Lord Vorlin mentioned that the Telgarian visitors were
being permitted a few complimentary chips, but I don't truly know whether
that includes people nay involved with Weyrlings or nay."

T'van turns to draw his finger across his throat menacingly again, just in
case Dehlan missed it the first time. "Shut up Tel," Yselle mutters,
without paying much attention to him. She's rubbing her butt with the hand
that isn't holding the drink. "Free chips? Maybe I should get some, I'd
probably lose them all though," she says in the unbothered way of someone
without the gambling bug. "Well at least stay for a drink, maybe Tel will
give you a lift when you have to go home?"

Dehlan glances towards Tel, "No, I think not, he'd push me off his dragon."
He looks thoughtfull towards Kassi, "Maybe I can get some chips, hm? NOt
sure, seeing as I'm not technically here on the whole affair as it were.
You should grab some Yse! It's fun. Long as you don't go too far and gamble
too much. Some people do."

"Well, 'tis what I said, that I don't know whether you can," Kassi agrees,
slightly sheepish. "I didn't try it m'self, though when I'm nay here with
most of the brood I just may. But I'm fair sure you can, Ys--and aye, why
nay? 'Tis on the Hold. If'n you lose, it just means they get their money
back."

Yselle laughs. "Oh very well," she says, easily enough. "Got no idea how to
play this though, who do I ask?" she puts her cocktail down and looks
around. "Maybe you can give me some tips? Kassi and a native Bitran. I
should clean up!" T'van sits next to Kassima and says "I wish you'd teach
/me/ some things, Kassi-Wassi."

Dehlan chuckles softly, "I could show you. Or Kassi might. She's the expert
here, even if I am Bitran!"

Kassima suggests, "Go ahead, Dehlan--I'd nay mind watching, for a change.
'Twill speak up if'n you leave out any important parts, but I doubt that's
a worry--" Excuse her while she pauses to try and thud an elbow into
T'van's ribs. Lightly, though. "I just bet you do. But you'll have t'keep
living in soul-weeping envy of those who *have* received my, ah, dedicated
tutelage, m'lad."

Yselle snorts at T'van and adds a whap upside his head to Kassima's
elbowing. He oofs good naturedly and murmurs "You have such sexy elbows,
Kassi. I wish I could have some of your dedicated tutelage. Isn't she
lovely Dehlan?" that's somewhat emphasized. Yselle rolls her eyes and
wanders off to find the promised chips. "Kassima... you like traders don't
you?" the bluerider encourages.

Dehlan raises both eyebrows at T'van, but says nothing, "Kassi, poke him a
few times for me if you want." He turns to the dealer at the table and
gestures, "Ok Yse! You wanna see how it's done?" He grins at her hopefully.

"T'van, you wouldn't be trying t'*set me up* with Dehlan here, would you?
Because you should know I don't appreciate that sort of thing," Kassi
warns, and there's a touch of genuine warning behind it--not enough to
threaten, just enough to be clear she means it. "As far as the question
goes, I haven't known many. O'wyn was a Trader once; methinks 'tis as close
as it gets t'like in the sense I suspect you mean." Of course, Dehlan in
his turn gets a wry look too. "Always such a good sign when men don't
answer that question. I'm sure T'van will get more than his share of poking
ere the evening's out, at this rate." She leans back in her chair, the
better to savor her wine and watch the lesson with interest.

T'van assumes an innocent expression. "He's tall," he points out.
"Handsome. Just your type, Kassi," like he'd know, anyway. "I sure hope I
do get some tonight." Yselle returns with the chips, and sends another
thwap upside his head, which he dodges. She grins easily enough, and says,
"Sure." To the dealer, she grins and says "Be nice." First though, she sits
opposite him, and sips her drinks, placing the marks nearby. "What do I do?"

Dehlan eyes T'van, "You really are a nut." He remarks, and smiles at Kassi,
"He's probably used to it if he always talks this way." He nods to Yselle
with a wink, "Allrighty, the rules of this game are simple as pie. Err.
Simpler. Pie crust is a shardin' hard thing to make." He points at several
cards, "Face cards are worth ten, everything else but the aces is worth
their number value, aces are one or eleve in value, you pick which. Over 21
you automatically lose. Simple huh?"

Kassima repeats, "*T'van*." And this time it would be pretty hard to miss
the cut-it-out note. "I don't like hook-ups, all right? Leave off." She
does not suggest he go get himself poked, although by her expression she's
rather tempted. "You'll be dealt two cards to start," she adds. "You get to
choose whether or nay you want more. If'n you do, signal for a hit. If'n
you don't because you think you're already close enough to twenty-one that
the dealer won't beat you, then you stand. Can keep hitting until you get
to or over twenty-one if'n you want, though it gets risky."

T'van points out in a less friendly tone. "That's bluerider to you,
resident." Yselle shrugs cheerfully and says "I sure hope it's easier than
cooking, I've never made anything edible in my life. Is that all?" she eyes
Kassima "So... it doesn't /sound/ that hard."

Kassima shakes her head, confirming, "'Tis about the easiest thing here
aside from the Trader's Wheel. Which is dead *easy*, just harder t'win at.
Play a hand, why don't you? And then I'd best be scooping up m'sleeping
kitling and calling Kris and Khari in, since Kim and Ky have already gone.
'Tis later than even bears thinking about."

Dehlan glares at T'van and turns to Kassi, nodding, "That's it, she's told
you just the way. It's that simple." He says to Yselle, with a grin, "But
it's still a risky game sometimes. You can lose easily!"

Yselle looks up at the dealer and cheerfully says "Hit me," in an aside "I
heard a gambler over there say that." She grabs her two cards as they're
dealt... a nine and an ace. "Okay, what now?" she shows them to Kassima and
Dehlan. "That's... ten or twenty?"

"Twenty," says Kassi, peering at them. "I'd stay with that if'n 'twere you.
Chances of you getting another ace are pretty bad, and twenty's a good
number t'have."

Dehlan bobs his head, "Ten, or twenty." He replies, "Obviously you want
that to be a twenty since it's close to twenty-one, and he probably won't
beat that."

"I'll stay," Yselle says, grinning at both Dehlan and Kassima as she tells
the dealer. "Is this where I bet?"

Kassima bobs her head, then finishes off the last of her wine and sets the
glass aside. "Mmm-hmm, 'tis; so just decide how certain you are you can
beat the dealer's hand, and wager accordingly."

Dehlan echoes Kassi, "Yes, this is the point at which you wager." he grins,
and gives Yselle a thumbs-up.

Yselle grins, and shoves about a quarter of her pile across. "How's that?"
she asks them. "More? Less?"

Kassima considers, then decides, "If'n you want it done all in one whack,
'tis well--if'n you plan t'stay awhile, you might bet more conservatively."

Dehlan mms, "Don't bet it all, but with a 20 you're very likely to win."

Yselle pulls back a chip or two and grins at the dealer. "I'm staying," she
says. To the other two, "This is kind of exciting isn't it?" The dealer
tosses down an ace, and then a ten. "Oh uh... what does that mean?" she
asks the two, now looking worried. T'van hisses "If you win money Yssy, you
can buy me a new shirt."

Kassima winces at the cards and shakes her head as she rises from her
chair. "It means he got a twenty-one," she says, ruefully, "and you just
lost your cash--but feel cheer! You have deprived T'van of a shirt! So all
is nay lost, hmm?" She gives T'van a grin for that--teasing, if wickedly
so--and moves to the couch where her twelve-Turn-old daughter sleeps,
scooping the child with some difficulty up into her arms. "She owes me
*such* favors for taking her home this way. Kris, Khari--" But the two
older children had already left their game, perhaps having overheard their
mother. "G'luck in the rest of your gambling, Ys, Dehlan, hey? And T'van,
g'luck in nay getting kneed in the groin tonight."

Dehlan blinks at that in amazement, "What're the odds!" He shakes his head,
"YOu had great odds to win that time, but now you know why it's a risky
game!" He waves amiably at Kassima, "Take care, Kassi."

"I'll go without a shirt any day around you, Kassi," T'van says, grinning,
getting up and attempting to get close enough to smack a kiss on her cheek.
"I'll come around when Yssy's sick of me." "Bye Tel," Yselle says
cheerfully, turning to the dealer and saying "Deal again, please," he puts
down two cards, a three and a six. "What do I do?" she asks Dehlan. "Night
Kassi, if he comes by, don't let him in, he makes a mess."

Kassima doesn't duck away from the cheek-smack, but does crinkle her nose
at him afterwards. "I'll tell m'fire-lizards t'be on the alert," she
promises. "One glimpse of you and they'll dive for the part you like best,
claws all extended--g'night, g'night, g'night!" On that cheery note, she
departs, Khari and Kris trying desperately not to look amused as they trail
after. And failing. They *are* her spawn, after all.

You open the door and step out into the Great Hall.