it's beginning to look a lot like christmas. . .

[skincares]

Who: Carmilla and you!
Where: All around Shehui.
When: Days 161 - 167
Open/Closed: Open! Very open! HMU at goatsong if you want a prompt that's not here! You can never be late ;^)

Warning for potential NSFW.

(A) - COINS!

(1)
[In the end, Carmilla acquiesces to doing menial work. She's unhappy about it -- what noblewoman wouldn't be aghast at the situation? -- but she understands what she has to do. Money is power and money is what will keep her here. Even if she must submit to tasks she openly and spitefully disdains, she'll lose less face than if she were kicked out. Throughout the week she can be seen working some less labor-intensive jobs, though it's clear her heart isn't into it. She doesn't seem keen on paying close attention to detail. If anything, she seems to be taking a lot of breaks?! Hopefully you aren't her coworker.]


(2)
[--and, if you're lucky, you may catch her at Coins!

The casino isn't where you'd expect to find such a cranky woman, but she must find some other way to amuse herself, now that fighting and killing are options beyond her. She makes sure to dress up whenever she goes out. Carmilla doesn't have much choice in attire so she keeps it simple: a coat (most likely furred) with some manner of high heels that click loudly as she walks. Her favorite seems to be the poker. Classic. If you happen to be about and you pass by her table, you may catch her watching you. Meet her gaze and she'll only give a small smile before glancing at the seat beside her.

The invitation is clear.

Will you play?]

(B) - ANMUNG TOWER

[... someone is doing a little late Christmas shopping. Carmilla can be seen comparing gifts, though what she picks out looks more suited for an entourage of dancers than actual clothes...? There's no way someone would wear something so gaudy in real life! One of the stands is selling a polka-dotted clown costume. Carmilla pinches its sleeve, lifting it ever so slightly with a wrinkle of her nose.]

My. This is hideous. Yes, I think this will suit them just fine.

[... who exactly is she shopping for...? Shouldn't you put more care into gifts?!]

(C) - CAT CAFE? CAT CAFE.

[If you're visiting your local cat cafe, you'll notice that some weird, white-haired woman has been lingering outside like some pale ghost. She doesn't stand there. Of course not. That'd be too obvious. But she's definitely passed the premises at least three times in the past half hour. She fakes being interested in a pamphlet or in the scenery, but as she passes by she will always sneak a glance into the cafe.

... could it be that she wants to come in...?

Oh! It seems as though she's finally stopped in front of the cafe's menu. But judging by the look on her face, she's awfully conflicted. Why?]

(D) - SANTA, BABY - POSSIBLE NSFW OPTION

[Escorts were an overlooked population. Nobody liked to talk openly about sex work -- not unless you were crass or shameless or both. There's no law against it but Carmilla knows the shame frequently assigned to the communities. Those who recognize her may start to see her heading towards the red district-esque areas of Shehui. It's never for the company offered. If anything, she seems to take more interest in the shops. Particularly those selling BDSM gear. After some time, she's struck up some form of acquaintanceship with one of the shop owners. If you're in the area (for whatever reason), you'll spot her chatting freely with said owner, looking absolutely comfortable as they discuss this and--]

These decorations are heinous.

[So saying, she puts a hand on the large cutout Santa in front of the shop and gives it a push, just to show her disdain.

Better watch out for kinky Santa! Don't let him hit you!

ooc: if you want the nsfw option mention it in the comments and i'll pp you to work out the details!]

Comments

[skiouros]

[His past is neither dark nor sordid in his book, but having a stake sounds appealing. If nothing else, he'll go for that.]

Beat me in this game, and I'll buy you a drink.

[skincares]

[Now that's what she wants to hear. Carmilla takes her hand.]

And if you win?

[skiouros]

We'll even the wager: the loser treats the winner. Any complaints?

[With that, Eizen follows suit.]

[skincares]

My luck is rather poor.

[The chips she has say otherwise.]

I sincerely hope you won't expect anything high-quality in the event that I lose.

[skiouros]

[He shrugs, because that would just even the odds.]

That's too bad. It sounds like you won't be getting anything worthwhile from me, then.

[skincares]

I do expect you to be worthwhile entertainment.

[The dealer dishes out the first cards. Carmilla glances over them before pushing in the minimum bet.]

Which means you should at least work to keep my interest.

[skiouros]

[He keeps quiet while Carmilla makes her move.]

Then it's time that we stopped talking and focused on the game.

[Not to mention that it's table etiquette. That's enough banter for now; there's poker to be won or lost, and he's curious to witness how his luck has changed.]

[skincares]

[Playing with her food is fun, though? But Eizen has a point. Carmilla hides the rest of her words behind a sly smile, fanning out her cards to look over her choices.

Needless to say, it's a quick game. By the end of it, Carmilla and Eizen have made it to the final round. All the other players have folded. She taps the top of her chip pile. It's clear she's enjoying herself.]

My, Eizen. You're determined to earn that drink, aren't you?

[skiouros]

[As the game progresses, Eizen's good mood becomes apparent in the easing of some tension from his shoulders. It's rare to enjoy a game of poker while having a shot at getting so far. He straightens in his seat, shooting Carmilla a faintly mirthful look—which, with his face, probably just looks like a less severe expression than his usual.]

I could say the same for you. But I'm also interested in seeing who wins and who loses.

[For once, that result isn't predetermined.]

[skincares]

[Carmilla assumes he's finally getting into the spirit of things. Eizen seems the sort who needs a little buttering up before diving into anything. His look is met with a sly smile and she pushes in half her chips.]

So you say. But you've quite a cocky expression on your face. I hate prideful fools.

[Even as she says that, there's a noticeable lack of her usual venom in the words.]

[skiouros]

[She seems to make it a habit of hers to needle at others for the sake of needling, though this time around sounds more like teasing. So Eizen matches her with an even tone, challenging her claim.]

It's a good thing that the game's almost over. Let's finish it, and you or I can walk away from the prideful fool who buys the drink.

[skincares]

[Needling is how Carmilla connects with others - being straightforward and honest? Ha! There's a reason why she is the way she is. If it sounds as though she's warming up to Eizen... well, it surely must be a trick of the mind. What she does appreciate about him is that he isn't one of those sentimental, friendly types. In some ways, his personality meshes well with her antisocial tendencies.]

Then let's see what the cards say.

[And the dealer tosses them out--

...]

[skincares]

[Eizen's won. Even as her chips are given to him, Carmilla looks oddly... calm about it? In fact, she'll even laugh.]

Congratulations. You put up a good fight.

[That's part of what she really wanted in coming here.]

[skiouros]

[In spite of his established experimenting, Eizen allows a smile to creep onto his features. But it's not the victory itself that pleases him.]

So did you. How about that drink?

[skincares]

[She's in a fairly good mood - enough that she doesn't scorn him right away for reminding her. Carmilla pretends to pout.]

You'll still have me pay? How cruel.

[She stands up. Now that she's satisfied, she has no interest in the other players.]

Come. I'll give you something that'll burn your tongue.

[skiouros]

[He prioritizes his vice before the crocodile tears of a woman (always), which means he's just as ready to leave the table.]

I'll hold you to that.

[skincares]

[Stop being an alcoholic Eizen :/

Though, she doesn't mind serious types. Carmilla leads the way to one of the opulent bars in the giant casino. The tables are constructed of some sort of reflective material reminiscent of tinted mirrors - though, with how they distort the reflection, it's a little unsettling.

She asks the bartender for two shots of "Dragon's Spit." The drink itself is a red and white mixture packed into a compact glass. Carmilla picks her up with dainty fingers.]

Are you a heavy drinker, Eizen?

[skiouros]

[Don't tell him what to do.]

Not usually. It wouldn't set a good example for the rest of the crew.

[Instead, it'd give them ideas, and they'd be sailing drunk all day. That doesn't strike Eizen as a good idea. But more importantly, he'd run out of his secret stash too fast.

That being said, he picks up the glass and studies the mixture. Interesting.]

[skincares]

It sounded as though you carried a great amount of responsibility upon your shoulders.

[It's an unsubtle press for information. Spill your guts, Eizen.

As for the drink itself - it smells a little sweet.]

[skiouros]

[He likes his guts where they are.]

I did. After all, I was the skipper: it was my duty to look after my men.

[But those glory days are behind him. These days (before all of this), he's a content observer.

Benwick and the others soften his mood, and not in a bad way. With a mirthful huff, he takes a sip.]

[skincares]

[The drink can be likened to a spicy tequila. Carmilla leans on the bar, her reflection murky.]

And how exactly did you gain such a title?

[skiouros]

[It's strong. Eizen pauses mid-sip, as if to savor the taste, before he nods his head and continues drinking.]

I was the Captain's first mate. He'd recruited me after raiding the ship I was on.

[That, to say, had been a moment.]

[skincares]

[Good. He can handle his alcohol. Carmilla, meanwhile, keeps her glass where it is.]

How oddly merciful of him. He didn't even consider killing you? I would have misgivings in recruiting my victims.

[skiouros]

[He pulls the glass away, finding that he doesn't particularly care to be labeled a victim. Although—]

It's the opposite. He chose to become the victim of my curse, which had wiped out the previous crew. That's the kind of fool he was—and also the reason I played against you, given that I don't normally have luck with cards.

[skincares]

[The mention of a curse is what grabs Carmilla's interest. There's a subtle shift in her demeanor. She was listening before out of respect to Eizen's status as a winner. Now? It's clear that she's genuinely curious. It's in how she leans in ever so slightly, in the questions within her eyes.]

What do cards have to do with your little... ailment?

[Will she be struck by it? What were the details of it? She has much she wants to know, but she refrains from throwing all of them out at once.]