another pretty young buck

[pokedoll]

[in a casino, not really having much luck—swear to god these things are rigged, SWEAR TO GOD; seems to be intently watching someone sitting in front of a slot machine]

...so. What did you do to get all 7s?

Comments

[withoutdespair]

[Yanks on the slot machine's arm and turns around; the 7s line up as he replies]

All it takes is a good eye and a little bit of luck. Among other things.

[pokedoll]

[pokedoll]

You lie.

[withoutdespair]

It's not my policy to lie about gambling.

[pokedoll]

[arches an eyebrow]

And what do you lie about?

[withoutdespair]

[Shrugs, lips quirking slightly upwards]

What every other adult lies about. Their academic accomplishments, their marital status, and their income.

[pokedoll]

[...snorts] You're not some pokemon champion from out of town?

And here I thought I'd gotten lucky! [heaves an exaggerated sigh, face contorting in disappointment] Move over, ordinary denizen, if it's just a good eye and some luck, I've got all of that and more.

[withoutdespair]

Be my guest, Miss Overqualified. Let's see if you've got the right touch.

[steps off and sits on the next machine, inserting a coin and pulling the lever]

I'll even make you a nice offer. If you can score a jackpot, I'll give you all my winnings, including what I just won.

[DINGDINGDING, another lucky spin!]

1/3

[pokedoll]

[...replay, replay, replay]

A fluke!

2/3

[pokedoll]

[...lotads, three in a row]

I wasn't paying attention, that's all.

[pokedoll]

[one cherry, two cherry, three cherry]

[SHE'S NOT EVEN GOING TO SAY ANYTHING, BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY UPSETTING]

1/2

[withoutdespair]

[...stare]

'She's... not doing so hot.'

2/2

[withoutdespair]

[after watching her sulk in despair for a few moments, he scoops up his latest winnings and then dumps it in her tray]

...You got three cherries. You can have this consolation prize.

[patpat] Don't worry. Slots, uh... They're not for everyone.

[pokedoll]

[i-insulted!!!] I don't need consolation.

[...ugh still a bit downtrodden, but tries to remain dignified] For every wager, there's a losing and a winning side. You said if I got a jackpot, you'd give me everything you earned — but I couldn't even manage three Azurills.

With that said, what do you want me to do?

[withoutdespair]

...Oh, yeah. I guess that's how wagers work. I was just curious to see how long it'd take for you to get it or give up.

[ponders, looking her over and drawing several blanks before he finally shrugs]

I guess you could treat me to lunch. I'm sorry it's not as exciting or terrifying as your lofty expectations may have anticipated it to be.

[pokedoll]

I was hoping you'd take pity on me and actually ask nothing of me, but I guess that was too much to hope for.

[glancing down at her wrist watch, slowly coming to a stand] Where at?

1/2

[withoutdespair]

'...Who does she think she is?'

2/2

[withoutdespair]

There's a cheap noodle stand next to the Gym. And you only have yourself to blame. I wasn't even going to ask you anything until you brought it up.

[pokedoll]

[heading straight towards the entrance] And once I do bring it up, you decide to take advantage of me?

People have limits to the amount of cruelty they can take.

[withoutdespair]

...Then walk away. I won't chase you. I don't even know your name.

[pokedoll]

Ivesa. [grins, pulling the door open] Anyways, it's too late! I'm a woman of my word and I'm not so much of a sore loser to deny the winner their prize. Now, after you.

Make sure to lead the way, I don't know this town at all.

[withoutdespair]

'You're a strange one.'

[shakes his head and steps out before turning back] I'm Nathaniel. You can call me Thane, but not Nate. Please don't call me Nate.

[and he turns around again, heading towards a small wooden stand right next to the Gym] Well, here we are. I'll claim a beef bowl for my troubles.

[pokedoll]

[slides the money across the counter and takes a seat beside him, notably not ordering anything for herself]

How plain.

[withoutdespair]

I told you, I like to stay out of the limelight. Plain and uninteresting things have their own charm.

[grabs the cook's attention and points to an exorbitantly expensive version of his beef bowl] If you're not hungry, I'll just eat that one too.

[pokedoll]

...you're contradicting yourself.

[waves a dismissive hand anyhow] But, fine, go ahead. You can eat everything on the menu for all I care.

[withoutdespair]

Ah, well, old guys have spotty memories. What was I saying about simple things earlier?

[the first bowl arrives and he digs into it, scarfing down about half of its contents before speaking again] Aren't you hungry? I figured going into the red at the slots would have at least stirred an appetite out of anger or sorrow.

[pokedoll]

There plenty of other ways to shake off the bitterness and disappointment, I assure you.

[rests her chin the palm of her hand] As much as I appreciate the concern, I'm fine.

[withoutdespair]

Suit yourself. [devours the rest of his beef bowl, then stares at the overly extravagant and incredibly large bowl that slides over to replace it]

...Well, before I suicide on this bowl of pure sodium and cholesterol, I'd suggest that you tug the slot machine levers a bit to the right as you pull them down. For the next time you decide to throw your hard-earned money at the Game Corner.

[bottoms up!]

[pokedoll]

Whose to say that I earned my money?

[...interested piqued!!!] Wait, what does that do? Is it some sort of trick you've been using all along? Be honest.

[withoutdespair]

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. [starts struggling to keep his composure about halfway through the bowl, and the question is a more than welcome interruption]

Well, all mainstream slot machines are manufactured by Kanto's Silph Company. They're all designed with a little kink that allows Game Corner owners to show them off and lure hapless gamblers in with the promise of riches. Tugging the lever just a bit to the right will queue up an instant jackpot roll no matter what.

[looks at his bowl and decides continuing the conversation is a much better idea] It's a very well-kept secret, so try not to tell all your friends right away. I want to clean out Unova's coffers before they release the new machines next year.