epidemiology | (no subject)

CHARACTERS: Meallan and Open
DATE: 4/11
WARNINGS: None currently
SUMMARY: Elf drinking his sorrows instead of dealing plus optional card game

It's been over a month, and he's barely seen Evan at all. Meallan had been trying not to pay attention to how long it had been, but his mind is all too happy to keep track of exactly how much time had passed since he'd made the mistake of being far too forward and Evan had… left.

He had hoped that a few days would be all that the younger man would need at that at least then they could be friends again but it seemed a naive hope and now… now he's aware of exactly how much so. Now he'd just be happy to hear that Evan didn't hate him, but he doesn't know if messaging the younger man to ask if that were the case would seem like pressuring him for an answer that Evan mightn't be willing to give.

So, lost for what else to do, Meallan had put some thought into what some of his friends in the Inquisition might have advised if he were here, and… well the majority would have agreed some drinks were in order. Dorian would likely have suggested more than just a few and Meallan, feeling a bit reckless, hurt, and still aching from his own encounter with Koltira and the wounds that were slowly healing, decided that sounded like a good plan. It's perhaps fortunate then that he doesn't drink much normally, since then the coin he has remaining can get enough that he's feeling warm and flushed within no time, and after spending a lot of time staring broodily at his magitek and wondering if he should say anything, Meallan ends up turning it on to make a quick request to the rest of the team in general instead.

Then he signals the barkeep for another bottle of something potent and takes a decent swig of that as well before setting his glass down again. It occurs to him that he doesn't much care if his request goes answered or not, that whatever happens, he'll likely get good and drunk before the day's done. But if anyone does approach, he doesn't turn them away either, looking up at them and giving a lop-sided grin and a nod towards the deck of cards he's been absently shuffling.

"Interested in a game?"

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"You oughta know I am."

It hasn't escaped his attention that Meallan had essentially withdrawn himself in a few ways. Really, it's not as if Fate isn't capable himself, and didn't see fit to chase him even if the thought had lingered in his mind.

Here they are, at least. He should leave it well enough alone, whatever it is Meallan is thinking or feeling, but he's already planning ways to find a method to have the elf talk to him.

Twisted Fate pulls out a chair and slides into it smoothly, sitting back and looking over Meallan. "I'm ready to learn."

He's not terribly surprised to see Twisted Fate there considering their discussion earlier, and gives the other man a wan smile before nudging the cards towards him. "Feel free to take a look at them and get used to the deck first."

As the other man does that, Meallan reaches over to pour him a drink as well, sliding him a glass and leaning on the table to watch as Fate handles the cards. There's bruises on Meallan's throat still, not as dark as they'd been before but still healing from his brush with Koltira.

"It's not that hard to learn, but I've noticed the deck I'm used to is different from others here. Otherwise we each get five cards and we take turns drawing a card and discarding another to build a hand of five that's worth the most. When the Angel of Death card is drawn, the game ends the the player with the highest ranked hand wins."

Learning a new card game could be useful in a lot of ways. Besides, playing something more familiar with Meallan will work well for their bonding -- and it seems clear enough that he's in need of a distraction.

"Sounds like an easy enough game. Appreciate the drink, by the way." He chuckles, having a sip. "Are there some cards that are worth more than others?"

It sounds simple enough to cheat at, if he really wants to. But it's a friendly game, and he has no interest in beating Meallan.

"It's more how you combine them," Meallan explains, appreciating the distraction in explaining the game. As much as a part of him wants to dwell on his own problems, it's nice to have something else to focus on.

"Two of the same are worth more than a mixed hand, for example, even if the cards in the mix are higher suits. Snakes are worth the least, then daggers, songs, knights, and then angels are worth the most. Do you follow it so far?"

"Oh, I think that I do."

That doesn't sound too difficult. Twisted Fate leans in and smiles. "Anythin' else I ought to know?"

He grins wider then, thinking Fate might enjoy this game quite a bit with the next part.

"Well it's not a part of the rules really, but it's fairly standard that many people cheat if they can. Especially if betting is involved."

Pausing to take a sip of his drink, Meallan raises an eyebrow in challenge. "How much of a gambling man are you, Fate? Care to play for something other than coin?"

"What a relief." Fate chuckles. "I'm capable of playin' fair if it strikes me, but good to know no one would get up in arms if it happened."

Oh, he likes this. Twisted Fate folds his fingers together. "I'm always up for a gamble, Meallan. What do you have in mind?"

"Well," Meallan laughs, "some people still would if there's coin involved but chances are those same people would be more angry that they weren't cheating as well as you. I'm sure you know how it goes."

Reaching out for the deck, Meallan starts shuffling it again, giving the other man a wolfish grin.

"We could always play for questions. The winner gets to ask the loser something that they must answer truthfully. It might be a bit safer than coin at least, lest I wake up tomorrow and find that you own everything I'm wearing and my hart."

"Oh, that I do. Try playing card games with pirates where everyone's cheating; that's always a hoot. Also, prominently more bloodshed, but it's a real excitin' time."

Questions. Twisted Fate is a naturally curious man, and he doesn't have a problem with those stakes much if he was playing to win.

"You got a lot of faith in a card shark if you think I'm gonna be honest in answering," Fate points out, grinning. "You have a hart? Seriously?"

"Lets just say I don't think you're the type to cheat and lie with something like this. It gets rid of all of the risk, doesn't it? And if you do that... why even play?"

Meallan tips his glass enough to swirl the liquid around, amber eyes almost the same colour as he watches the other man.

"Besides, the only other thing I can think of otherwise is for clothing and I don't think either of us want to go down that path tonight." His expression turns darker, a moody look in his eye. "I'd rather avoid making even more mistakes with people I care about."

There's a short silence before he can pull himself away from that again, taking a swift gulp of his drink and trying another crooked smile, amused by the wording and how it sounds, especially considering the situation. "Do I seem like I don't have a heart to you, Fate?"