The arrival of winter with its snowfall and icy winds, has ultimately driven Marquis Hadrian Mazetti indoors. That interior just so happens to be the Traders Tavern and it doesn't take long for him to find a place near the crackling fire and quickly laying claim to the table nearest to it. As the tavern's server makes their way around, Hadrian lifts a hand and lowers it again. His interest in the server's attention made, he does not go about demanding their immediate attention. In the meantime, Hadrian procures a deck of cards and starts laying out challenges to passersby, inviting them to a round of poker. A bit of spirits, while keeping the spirits high, while enjoying the spirit of excitement that comes with gambling. Eventually he shrugs from the heavy great coat draped over his shoulders, which is promptly retrieved by an assistant in the form of Luigi. As Hadrian begins to shuffle the deck, his attention dances throughout the Traders Tavern, "Come, come now. Someone must want to get some new money put together for a new pair of boots or something," he playfully challenges with a charcoal-whitened grin to the random patron who wanders nearby. Still he continues to shuffle the deck even as the server soon ventures up to the table with a tray of glasses, whiskey by the looks of it, before disappearing again.

Orathy has joined the Table by the Fire.

Videl has joined the Table by the Fire.

For reasons related to artistic pursuits, Videl has been spending some time in an establishment she doesn't usually patronize. The promise of games draws the frail noblewoman's ear, and she heads over to the table. "I'm up for some games to pass the time. How's this game of yours played?" She asks, innocently. "I'm Lady Videl Igniseri, to whom do I owe the pleasure."

"Reckon I be givin it a shot-" comes the rusty tone paired with the accent of a Lower Boroughs type, having been sitting in the long shadows of the tavern, pickling himself over a bottle of whiskey. The grizzled Culler rises from his seat with his hand secured around the neck of the bottle, coming toward Hadrian's table in a distinctive prowl in his swagger, dark eyes already assessing the others who have decided to sit down with the challenge as ewll, lingering on Lady Videl, "What be the buy in eh?" He asks as if it matters, though the fact is he's moving to sit down and that seemingly tells the tale that it doesn't.

"Lady Videl Igniseri," Hadrian repeats the name, as though sampling and memorizing the face with the echoing of it. He nods once before he beckons her forward and into a seat before he offers a brief explanation, "I'll pass cards out to each player. More or less, the cards with the greatest combination? Wins. The buy-in," Hadrian segues into an answer cast toward the gruff Culler that is already lowering into a seat, "will be one thousand a hand. Quick and clean for all of us. Have a little fun until the snow passes, have a few drinks," Hadrian remarks with a gesture of his free hand to the tray of whiskey glasses, "as my treat to all. I get a little entertainment and fun while I'm stuck here. You all get the rush of gambling. We win, we lose, we have some fun with it all. Then we go our separate ways and enjoy our winnings or lament our losses. Everyone in?" That question asked, Hadrian seems prepared to begin tossing cards out.

"Sounds good to me." Videl answers, taking her seat and taking a look at the other players, before glancing to her assistant who puts down a platinum duke for the buy-in. "So who do I have the honour of playing with tonight?"

The Culler isn't as forthcoming with his name as the Lady Videl, as he fiddles with the belt on his person to loosen a good sized coin purse. "Aye, thousand a hand..." for a man from the boroughs, perhaps he should be balking at that, yet, by the mixed apparel he's got, he's not as hurting for coin. He takes his time to settle in and spills out the necessary coins to add up to the required amount, platinum may be not as accessible for him even still. After a bit of a drink, a nod to Hadrian for his gesture to the whiskey glasses, he finally grunts out what sounds like a name, "Names Rath."

Hadrian drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Videl drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Orathy gets 10000 silver from a double belt of grey leather with forest green interlocking circles.

Orathy drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

"Ah, yes, introductions. My apologies," Hadrian offers back at Videl with a bright smile. As the platinum duke is placed onto the table, Hadrian's head tilts back and aside to send a long stare in the direction of Luigi. He blinks once or twice, before finally Luigi slips forward with a faint bow of his head. Soon enough another platinum duke joins with Lady Videl's. Meanwhile, Hadrian's head drifts back around to regard Videl, a broad smile drifting over his face and away again before he offers his introduction, "Hadrian Mazetti, Marquis of Mazetti, Count of Ostria, and much more". The cards begin to fly across the table and the game is on. Hadrian's attention shifts to each gambler as the cards are swiftly passed out. Only when the hand is dealt in its entirely does Hadrian speak, "So, Lady Videl and Rath. What fortuitous circumstances that the snow picks up and just so happens to trap us all here together. Either of you given a try to those marmot furs I heard buzz about, from House Clearlake?"

Hadrian checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Oli, a flute playing apprentice with green eyes arrives, following River.

Videl picks up her cards and takes a look, frowning heavily at them for a moment. "I should visit Ostria some time." She comments, before glancing towards Orathy and considering the man some more. "So, Messere Rath, do you have any interesting tidbits to share about yourself?"

Oli, a flute playing apprentice with green eyes have been dismissed.

Orathy moves a blade out from underneath a sleeve, as he pushes them up to show off his wrists. The blade is housed in a new spot on his person, another sheathe likely along his belt. He does it rather casually enough but yet the exposure of the metal is potentially enough to alert the noble's guardsmen. He relaxes his elbow on the table, sitting forward as he gathers his cards too him, considering Hadrian from across the table to watch the dealing. His answer will be well timed to linger behind Videl's, to be nothing more than a simple, "Needed ta drink. Closest place to stumble too..." The flurry of titles and names, well, it doesn't impress the commoner who's wearing steelsilk, "Ain't knowin bout this buzz, now mirrorsilver 'n onyx... heard bout those, 'n a course steelsilk. I reckon I got a good supply of that still, invested in it.. before people at the top cut the legal supply..." His eyes flick to Videl then, "Reckon I do. A long list that ya gotta pay to see."

Orathy checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Videl checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Stepping into the Tavern with a look about nd his head down with a hand to push a few locks of dark hair from his eyes, /self looks about the Tavern whilst adjusting his clothing to make sure it is modest, though modesty is questionable when it is lycene fashion. He spies all going on then he bobs his head to himself before walking with fluidity through the people about an making his way through the crowd. then he asks, "Do you mind if I buy in?" His smooth tone cuts through the din, drawing up behind /orathy, and seeking to rest a hand on the lrge man's shoulder.

Stepping into the Tavern with a look about and his head down with a hand to push a few locks of dark hair from his eyes, River looks about the Tavern whilst adjusting his clothing to make sure it is modest, though modesty is questionable when it is lycene fashion. He spies all going on then he bobs his head to himself before walking with fluidity through the people about an making his way through the crowd. then he asks, "Do you mind if I buy in?" His smooth tone cuts through the din, drawing up behind /orathy, and seeking to rest a hand on the lrge man's shoulder.

"Oh should you?" Hadrian asks curiously of Videl's declaration that she should visit the Walled City. Hadrian spares his own cards a glance and while doing so rocks his head from side to side, before shrugging. Orathy's answer earns a brief glance and a twitch of a smile slips across his sharp features before he comments, "An entrepreneur then and one with a great deal of insight, by the sound of it". Hadrian goes quiet again and as the hand progresses, he blows out a breath which transforms into a quiet chuckle. He folds his own hand and lifts a hand to curl in fingers in a light wave in farewell to the platinum duke. The arrival of another prompts Hadrian's hand to rise up and beckon River to the table, "By all means. There's no guest list at this table. Whoever sits down, buys in. A thousand a hand. Winner takes the pot". Only when the hand has concluded in full, does he gather up the cards in preparation for the next hand.

Sirius With a firm, tall stance; an uplifted jaw, a set of strictly straight shoulders and a measured pace--measured enough so all who'd get in the way won't be bumped upon, Sirius enters. Lanky, it's with an arachnids' precision that he looks left, then right, taking in the view of people within the tavern before spotting the playing group. Not too long after River, the Valardin man approaches the table on the side, a hand dipped within his buckled coat's cut. "Or two, buy in," he wonders after the Thraxian, his lips suggesting a half-smile before sitting down.

"Cards been dealt, gotta wait fer the shuffle-" Orathy offers with a very gruff tone, to River, something that was entirely focused. Once the bets, checks, and calls have been made, he quite wolfishly lays down his set of cards which is a fairly strong hand, a high straight. He lets his look skitter toward Hadrian, "Helps being born on the docks, ya hear the winds of change befer more do, reckon so." Once it becomes clear that Orathy's hand stands the highest, he leans forward and scoops in the pot. Only then, with the money safely on his side of the table, stacked, does he gesture to River, nodding to him to the open chair beside himself.

Orathy gets 3000 silver.

"Another platinum duke is tossed after the first round is played. "Well yes. I need to be able to articulate all the ways in which it is inferior to Granato." That is clearly a joke by the tone in her voice and the smile on her face. "Join us, the more the merrier if you ask me." She considers what Orathy has to say, "I've never had much interest in steelsilk myself. I prefer my dresses to be entirely unsuited to any practical purpose."

River slips into the chair then and his hand briefly touches Orathy's arm before he bows to the other in a deferential gesture, reaching into his coin purse and he drops a large pile of silver onto the table, waiting for his cards to be dealt nd picking them up then.

River drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Videl drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Hadrian drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Sirius asks, "Must we put the silver right away on the table?" His gaze roams to Hadrian, then Orathy; then River, all who'd inform, while he pushes through the inside of his coat in search of his pouch. The whole pouch. "I rarely pursue games of chance, but one hand shouldn't be too bad," he reasons, finally sequestering his little bag of money next to the rest.

Sirius drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Orathy asks quickly to Videl, "Then you be after the mirrorsilver. Reckon I can get a pretty decent price fer it. Paid only a bit more than every hand here, for a peice the other day..." he mutters, "Not that I know what to be doin with it. I ain't sure what's so special bout it other than the whole city seems bout to go wild fer it." Once River settles, he announces to the table, "This is River. He be the other half of my coin, aye." He reaches out a hand and pats River's thigh. Orathy strays a look toward Sirius, "Tis a buy in. If ya wanna raise the stakes, ya bet as we go along 'n force us to call it. Ya ain't ever played befer neither?" (OOC: We're handwaving the actual bet/check/call).

Orathy drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

"Aha!" Hadrian barks out a laugh that's obviously exaggerated for the benefit of Videl's obvious joke. "I'd visit Granato, but, well, I'm not even sure where it is on a map". He winks playfully back at Videl before his attention returns to the cards and the gamblers arrayed around the table. He offers a nod toward both River and Sirius, then the cards begin to whip across the table to each awaiting individual. In answer to Orathy's own remarks, Hadrian comments back, "One has to admire a resource, informed individual. They're a vital component of society". Then Hadrian's hands scoop up his cards and he hovers over them, peering around the table for a moment, then back down at his cards. As he hunkers over them, a quiet chuckle can be heard before Hadrian's gaze rises up and considers Sirius, "One hand or twenty hands, as long as you have a bit of fun? That's all that really matters, I suppose". Then Hadrian's attention returns to the cards.

Hadrian checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

Orathy checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Sirius checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Videl checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

River spreads his cards in his hand, looking over the various depictions before he nods his head starting to consider each around the table in turn. "River Culler, a pleasure, though I admit I'm a face less seen, an even less known."

River checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

The Valardin Lord's throat gets cleared, hard. It's due to Orathy's straightforward question- it's a matter of pride, that he doesn't answer right away. "I have, of course," he assures, waving off the implication of not before he eases his features some, by the brows. "But I'd appreciate some, hrm, directions," he elaborates further, fiddling with his cards quietly. Eyeballing them, as if he didn't quite understand their meaning. "You all may call me Sirius," he muses off-handedly next, brows furrowed.

"It's rather brave of you to profess such profound ignorance, my lord." Videl answers the man in turn, taking a look at her own cards and squinting at them for a moment, "I think this may be a good hand." She states in a somewhat questioning tone, she clearly isn't sure; nor does she seem to particularly care. "I've considered mirrorsilver, perhaps after the dragonweep piece I have commissioned will be done." She answers the man, "I'm looking forward to seeing how that one turns outs." She then addresses the newcomers, "I'm Lady Videl Igniseri."

"Ya alright there fella? Ya ain't chokin over yer tongue are ya?" Orathy states just as bluntly back over his cards toward the Valardin Lord, seemingly not being as focused with his hand this time, considering the most immediate distractions of conversation and company. Orathy muses toward Sirius for his polite request for direction, "I be Rath, that's River 'n I ain't gunna tell ya how to beat me at this. I like me silver heavier in my pocket 'n not yers eh?" He notes Videl suddenly when she mentions dragonweep, brows arching, "Aye, dragonweep? Reckon it would look well upon yer neck or dangling from yer hair. Aye.." Or in his pocket - so reads his eyes. Sometimes he's blunt in other ways too. Good things there's guards in the room and River to draw his attention back to the game.

"Brave? Why, thank you, Lady Videl. Do please send my regards to your cousin, though. I'd meant to visit during the last dinner that House Igniseri held, but I was busy with an important matter. Next time, hopefully," Hadrian offers back with a sidelong grin cast toward Videl. He too turns his focus back to his hand though. As the call is made, Hadrian blows out a breath. The four identical cards among the hand speak for themselves. While Hadrian reaches a hand forward to draw the coins in toward himself, he adds with a nod toward River and Sirius both, "Hadrian," he offers back simply. Once the cards are gathered up into the deck, Hadrian makes a show of reach over the table and placing the deck before Videl, "My lady, if you'd be so kind as to be the dealer for this hand?"

Hadrian takes 5000 silver.

River "Ah what is the piece in particular?" River asks of Videl, s he slips back the sleeve of his robe to reveal a piece of jewelry on his wrist tht seems much more precious to him, with its many prayer beads upon it though it is perhaps less overt as the dragon wrapped about his other wrist. "I am a supporter of the arts still though my time is spent in other areas now, an so when people speak of pieces to be commitioned I am always caught with some interest."

Orathy drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Hadrian drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

River drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

At first, Sirius' excited. His eyes perk; his bodily exchange's positive, almost as if he's about to leap for the coins, until Hadrian reveals his hand. It's not at all telling- it's everyone else's face that tips him off that he's no winner this time. His mouth askews poutingly, and he surrenders the weight of his torso a bit more than necessary against his chair. "I'm not choking on my tongue sir, no," he assures Orathy finally, his tone petulant- disdained. The cards get dipped back in the deck, and Sirius' hands find what rustic surface they can to aid him up. "Well, that's my one game- good playing with you, nice people."

Videl shuffles the cards with deft hands, a quick shuffle. "Just one game, your highness?" She asks Sirius with clear disappointment, "Come join us for more. I'll even pay for your buy-in, if coin is a concern." The noblewoman offers the prince. Then begins dealing cards, "It's going to go into a brooch, but the piece isn't done yet. Art cannot be rushed, at least that's my experience."

Videl drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Orathy scoffs, "Highness?" he looks at Videl who is looking at Sirius and then he does a once over of the man, "Yanno, yer highness, it ain't an abnormal thing fer fellas to be having to borrow some money to be playin with. Come on, ya jist got here, play a while." Videl offers the man coin and Orathy scowls a bit, before he offers, "See. She's got yer back, especially iffin she gets brooches made of dragonweep." Here he whistles, "Fancy stuff. That." He drags River to sit closer to him, just by a smidge, throwing his one arm over the back of River's chair.

Orathy checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Videl checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

River huffs at Orathy's casual declaration but it makes him smile as well before he draws up the next hand of cards into his fingers and he starts the betting game considering his opponents, "I am rather glad i have been saving a good bit of funding, though mhm...I don't have any star iron and that is very sad."

River checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Sirius' features transmute uneasily at Videl's offer, his brows undulating with thought. He considers her, but doesn't speak. And doesn't speak. And, still, some fiddling seconds of touching the buttons on his coat, he nods quietly to Videl and calmly succumbs to the chair yet again. "Very well," he allows, appeasing all doubt for Orathy and company with a smile--the slanted kind of smile, as he takes a pair of cards. "But I'll pay you back," he ascertains, the certainty reflected on his rigid posture.

Sirius checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 49 higher.

Videl drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Hadrian checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

Orathy checked composure at difficulty 7, rolling 1 higher.

The banter that circulates around the table earns a few watchful glances from Hadrian, but for the moment he remains quiet while he considers his cards. For a moment his lips purse, then pucker, and then relax again. When the call is finally made, a glance is sent to Videl, and then to the rest of the table. When he places his cards down, both hands slide them forward for proper viewing. When it becomes clear that he's taken the hand, he reaches out to collect the winnings. A lift of his chin is given and Hadrian's focus shifts around the table, "Dragonweep is a lovely stone, indeed. Though I find myself partial to others, not because of their value, but simply their appearance". He slides another coin forward, preparing his buy-in for the next hand.

Hadrian takes 5000 silver.

Hadrian drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

River shakes his head as he says, "It seems that I am never good at cards." He glances over at Orathy Then he shrugs. "I should think one more round only for..." he trails off and his hand just subtly lifts to put on Orathy's arm.

"The stone was a gift from my cousin, for the hard work I've done to support the house." Videl clarifies, "Regardless, I can afford to miss a few platinum dukes. Granato is a prosperous city." She puts down two for the next round after this one is lost, one for herself and the other for Sirius.

Videl drops coins worth 2000.0 silver.

"Aye 'n what kind of stones have yer fancy?" Orathy asks across to Hadrian with a sort of tighte tension in the back of his jaw. River's words are heard, though it takes a moment for Orathy to look over at him, nostrils flaring for a second, "Aye, one more round. We got business to take care of..." His eyes narrow in on Hadrian, regardless, as if he's going to be overly watchful to make sure the man isn't cheating. Then a beat of curiosity, toward Videl, "Where is Granato?"

Orathy drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

A near-pleading, mewled bray bemoans fate deep from within Sirius' throat, watching with hurt as the coins - as Videl's well-intended coins - disappear in Hadrian's grip. A tough swallow's made, and he bothers one of his hands--a right hand, out towards the deck, fishing two tentatively uncertain cards from the stack. "Very well," he mumbles. To himself, to someone in particular; to River, beside him? Hard to say. He just looks at his new pair of cards, mute, begging litanies clear in the beseeching of his eyes now studying them. "Perhaps the next draw shall be ours, Lady Videl?" He wonders- even if he's not looking at her at the time.

Nallah, a buff-looking tortie cat with green eyes, 2 House Mazetti Aspirants, Sirra, a very quiet maid arrive, following Alessia.

Nallah, a buff-looking tortie cat with green eyes, 2 House Mazetti Aspirants, Sirra, a very quiet maid leave, following Alessia.

Nallah, a buff-looking tortie cat with green eyes, 2 House Mazetti Aspirants, Sirra, a very quiet maid arrive, following Alessia.

River drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

Videl checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Orathy checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

River checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Sirius checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 47 higher.

Videl looks at her cards and scowls faintly, "Perhaps." She tells Sirius, sounding uncertain; before she answers Orathy. "In the south, it's a port city lies in between Gemecitta and Lenosia. Most shipping to Gemecitta goes through our ports." She explains, "And we produce some lovely wines and olive oils."

Hadrian checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 46 higher.

River looks at his cards and then he just folds them outright. "Mmhmm... I just don't have it at all." He shrugs. and then sighs, shaking his head. "That is all for me I think."

"DAMN..." Orathy thumps his fist on the table as that beautiful pile of silver gets easily gobbled up by the others at the table. No one said he was ever good at cards. Still, he looks to Videl with a flicker of interest, "Wines eh? I ain't much into wine. Whiskeys aye. Stonemountain one in particular. There used to be this stronger one on the market, but the fool who made it got himself blown up on some black shore..." He looks aside to River than back at the others at the table, "Aye. Better money to be had with people who ain't sharkin us-" he looks between the nobles, because THEY should be embarrassed of how awesome they did. RIGHT. He stands and offers his hand to River.

Videl gets 5000 silver.

"Well, all of them, truth be told," Hadrian offers back in way of an answer to Orathy's inquiry, "though I've always enjoyed a ruby with a lovely cut". Hadrian's cards are pressed to the table and slid forward, at which point he settles back in his seat and drapes one arm over the back of his chair. One leg rises up to rest over the knee of the other and he watches as the other hands are laid out. A smile blossoms across his face anew, even if he's lost, he seems to take some enjoyment in the game itself. He then turns his focus around the table, harlequin eyes flicking from one face before his hands brush together, "I suppose that does it, seems the game's breaking up and the snow doesn't seem to be letting up. May as well make way before it gets worse". Hadrian rises up from his seat and soon enough Luigi steps forward with the great coat, which Hadrian slips over his shoulders and he offers a bow of his head toward the other wayward gamblers, "It was certainly entertaining, thank you all for the bit of fun".

Probably by chance, Alessia wanders into the Traders Tavern, giving the room a sweeping glance as she delves further. Her brows rise on spotting her cousin sat at the tabe and she approaches, a faint smile on her lips. "Marquis." She turns to the others. "My lady, messeres." Her gaze lands on Sirius, unfamiliar to her. "Lady Alessia Mazetti, a pleasure."

River gives another subtle bow, then reaches up and he slips his hand into Orathy's as he bids to the trio still remaining, "A good evening to you, and be well and enjoy your evening." Then he turns and he may have just pushes the man towards the door with a soft tug on the man's hand.

Stoic, silent pleasure ebbs at length on Sirius' face, seeing the silver scooped away into Videl's hypothetical coffers. His brows wiggle- not just for Videl, but Orathy as well. "Well fought," he very martially announces -- because truly, the tension made it feel so. "I've never been a connoisseur of wine myself, truth is; I've always had a soft heart, and strong want, for tea. Tea, mhm, but wine's good enough. If it's strong, certainly," he additions to the overall conversation, reaching out for another pair of cards just as Alessia draws introductions. "Sirius Valardin, Lady Alessia. It is, mhm, a pleasure to meet you," and humbled under such introductions, Sirius bows his head. It's somewhat of a distracted affair- he's a bit taken by the game, and his cards.

@emit "Oathlanders and their tea, next you'll tell me you prefer milk over rum." Videl answers Sirius, clearly teasing as she stores the coin. "I probably ought to be off myself. I'm probably already due a yelling from my physician, and it'll only get worse if I wait for the weather to take a turn further towards the cold."

Orathy's brow twitches at something Hadrian says, responding, "Reckon I don't mind them green ones myself, or the dark blue ones - sapphire I think them called. Course, them rubies glitter just like the rest. Hard choice fer a noble like youse, but I'll keep an eye out fer the red ones." A proclamation of his resourcefulness before he draws River in closer, muttering into the other's ear, before he states over his shoulder, a wolfish lift of his lips made, "Weren't my silver anyway..."

The arrival of Alessia at the table earns a glance from Hadrian, a smile, and a nod accompanied by a couple of words in acknowledgment, "Number One". That acknowledgment given, Hadrian's attention drifts back to the gathering as he settles his coat into place. It is clear that he's preparing to depart, though he does pause long enough to comment at Alessia, "Have fun. I'll see you at dinner tonight, I imagine. Until then? My study awaits my arrival. It's time to put on my robe and warm slippers". The gathering is given another nod in farewell before Hadrian starts for the streets beyond the Traders Tavern.