For Reeve

[emovampboy]

When it came to use of his phone, Vincent was very much like Cloud. He left it on, received messages and listened to or read them, but quite rarely responded. The few times he did respond tended to be if he deemed an actual answer to be required, or when from time to time Marlene got hold of Cloud or Tifa's phone and contacted him. Since it was so rare for her to do so, he always took it as a good thing to answer.

Which meant he had answered when she called him a few days after a message from Tifa asking him to come to a party for the girl, which he had ignored; his first mistake. Once answered, the girl had spent several minutes speaking to him, until suddenly springing the question of if he were coming to her party and making it quite impossible for him to really say no without seeming like a total heel, and so he agreed to go; his second mistake. And then he had made his third mistake - actually going.

At first, it really wouldn't have seemed to have been a bad idea. He knew everyone who was invited, how they acted around one another, and that Tifa would keep the whole group from going completely crazy over the course of the night, but he had not expected having to assist in breaking up one of Cloud and Barrett's squabbles when the woman had to leave for a short time to fetch something, and honestly he was glad that Reeve was invited and could help diffuse the situation with; especially when Yuffie and a very unhelpful Cid decided it would be a great idea to bet on who would win if they actually took to fistacuffs over whatever stupid thing it was this time which set them off.

All of this had left him rather done with company, and as soon as Tifa was back to be the adult in the situation, he'd snuck outside for some relative peace and quiet.

Comments

[emovampboy]

"You have any screws you aren't using? We could use those as currency." He watches Reeve closely, able to tell where his mind is without much issue.

[plate_builder]

"Do I have any..." Reeve laughs as he moves to the work table with the pieces for Cait. Multiple jars with screws of various sizes. They'll make good chips. "Here we go. Why don't you allot us some currency and I'll get something dealt."

Maybe he's just imagining it, but he could swear he feels Vincent watching him. Strange.

[emovampboy]

Vincent takes the jar and sorts out several same-size screws, making sure he uses only large ones, passing Reeve about thirty and giving thirty to himself, before closing the jar back up and setting it out of the way.

"It's a small amount, but it will do."

[plate_builder]

"Is there a prize for the winner?" Reeve asks playfully as he finally deals for them. Something he can afford to lose?

[emovampboy]

"I don't have any suggestions." Vincent tilts his head a bit, but does seem to be thinking as he speaks. What is a good, safe prize?

[plate_builder]

Well, Vincent is good to think. "If you come up with something, let me know. I'll do the same."

And at that point he's considering his cards. The game is on, and he throws in his ante.

[emovampboy]

"Alright." Vincent looks to his cards as well, doing what he needs to before asking for one card. "Perhaps whoever loses pays for dinner?"

[plate_builder]

"Alright. But really, all you had to do was ask and I'd treat you," Reeve answers as he deals for Vincent and then again for himself. Two cards. He's good with that. "You've got a face that doesn't give much away. I'm doomed. Which is why I couldn't play strip with you. I'd... enjoy your eyes on me too much."

There you have it. He can finally admit it with the cards in front of him as a defense.

[emovampboy]

"Then we would not have a prize." He responds, before giving Reeve the raise of a brow, putting in a slightly higher bet. "Are you an exhibitionist?"

[plate_builder]

"That is true enough," Reeve agrees. But when Vincent says that other thing, Reeve smirks. It's not necessarily an exhibitionist streak. It's knowing someone you long for is looking at you.

"For you I fear I could be."

[emovampboy]

That response earns the very faintest of blushes from Vincent. "Not my style."

[plate_builder]

The blush is beautiful and not obscured by anything. Stunning.

"Not mine either. But to have the eyes of someone I desire on me would..."

Well, he shrugs.

[emovampboy]

"That can be done without true exhibitionism." Vincent taps the table, trying to draw Reeve back to the game and away from his blush.

[plate_builder]

Right. Game.

"I have no clue how we got to this conversation," Reeve admits as he raises the bet. He's got just about nothing in his hand, but he needs a distraction.

[emovampboy]

Vincent shrugs, although he's well aware how they did, and he calls Reeve's bet; he has a decent hand, and is hoping Reeve's isn't as good.

[plate_builder]

It isn't. When Reeve reveals his cards it's just a pair of fives, but he needed something to serve as a barrier to the conversation they'd just been having. Truly he must seem quite mono-focused. Which was silly, because if he wanted something so simple as that, he wouldn't have pining over this man.

"Did you play cards much with the Turks in your time, if you don't mind my asking. I know it was a popular past time more recently. Actually I've heard it's popular in general. The Gold Saucer is talking about doing some sort of tournament."

[emovampboy]

Vincent lays down three Jacks, a winning hand in this situation, and nods a little bit. "Occasionally we played, but it was a little more difficult than it is now, I imagine."

[plate_builder]

"I imagine that any surviving Turks would indeed have a bit more free time to play."

And Reeve? Reeve never has time to play. Which causes some annoyance, but he's fine with that. The fact that he even has cards should be considered impressive.

[emovampboy]

"Yes. Less oversight nowadays." Vincent hands his cards to Reeve so he can shuffle and deal another hand. "You can imagine business was all that was encouraged in Shinra and the Turks in my day."

[plate_builder]

There Vincent would be quite wrong. "I think you would be shocked at how Tseng controlled his people. Granted I don't know how he controls Reno..."

That will always be a mystery. But he expects the Turks in Vincent's day were also a bit more playful. Perhaps Vincent just didn't see it.

[emovampboy]

"I don't mean the head of the Turks." Vincent hopes that specifies things enough. "Although I don't think Tseng controls Reno... probably easier to let the man do what he wants and only order when necessary."

[plate_builder]

"True enough," Reeve agrees as he gathers the cards and shuffles them again. But he knows what Vincent is getting at. Reeve isn't exactly going to imply that Rufus is alive. "Do we have any idea how many hands we intend to play?"

Before crisis implied president Shinra really did keep the Turks super busy

[emovampboy]

Except Vincent has little knowledge of Rufus and his rule. He does, however, know the original President, and that man kept the Turks very busy.

"I suppose we can go until one of us is out of 'chips.' Just like real poker."

Indeed it did. Seemed like the 'research' team was always busy

[plate_builder]

"Well, if the first hand indicates it shouldn't be a long night," Reeve chuckles as he deals another hand. At least he's starting with better than a pair. Two pair with an outside chance at a full house. Let him hope.

Yeah "recruiting"

[emovampboy]

"You never know when luck will turn." Vincent places down, and asks for two cards. His hand isn't quite as strong yet.