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

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.