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

[plate_builder]

"I thought I had nailed that one, but I guess I screwed up the delivery," Reeve quips as he passes more cards to Vincent. Interesting, his own hand is middle of the road. Not great, not terrible. It leaves him with a minor frown.

[emovampboy]

He can see the frown, and tries to judge it. His own hand is alright, but he can keep a straight face and take time to judge Reeve's hand.

[plate_builder]

Damn straight face. Reeve is almost frustrated at that. But he has gotten a chance to crack it Every now and then and that matters.

“Alright, dealer takes two,” Reeve says after a moment. He must win and have the right to buy this man breakfast.

[emovampboy]

"I'll stay with what I have," Vincent says, and pauses for a moment before giving Reeve a serious look. "By the way, you missed a good joke before.ç

[plate_builder]

"Oh?" Reeve asks, quite curious as to what pun he could have missed. And where Vincent manages to find a sense of humor strong enough to point out what Reeve may not have caught.

[emovampboy]

"You could have said how screwy the situation today has been." He ups his bet a small smirk on his face.

[plate_builder]

Oh. Reeve can't help but laugh, shielding his face with his cards.

"Who knew you could manage such a terrible line," Reeve grins. "I would expect that of Cid, but you?">

[emovampboy]

"Perhaps I've been around Cid too much." He shrugs gently, obviously passing the blame to the other old man. "Although I do hope that Yuffie hasn't driven him completely mad. We probably owe him a drink for diverting questions."

[plate_builder]

“I will see he gets one,” Reeve assures Vincent. Probably more than one actually. Best way to pitch what he wants out of Cid is with a bit of liquor.

Another round of cards. Reeve frowns at his new hand but tries to school his expression. Vincent doesn’t need to know he has trash cards.

[emovampboy]

Vincent will also probably buy the man a drink next time they hang out, a rare thing, truly, but probably more frequent to happen than for any other part of the group. Reeve included until now.

Reeve who forgets how observant Vincent is...

"It seems it's good that you rejected the idea of strip poker."

[plate_builder]

“I know,” Reeve admits with a sigh. “I don’t play much. And somehow for all that I can manage controlling my expressions at most other points there is just something about cards...”

Perhaps it is that nothing truly relies on them.

[emovampboy]

Vincent chuckles a bit, and indicates Reeve to deal himself some cards if he wants.

"We all have our weaknesses."

[plate_builder]

“And mine is playing cards. And handsome older men,” Reeve laughs. Looks at his shame. He is taking a whole four cards.

[emovampboy]

"Mine seems to be dark-haired individuals, in many ways." Vincent doesn't request anything, just watching Reeve. Yes, he's had issues with dark-haired individuals, good and bad, and supposes he should be grateful Reeve isn't a scientist. His biggest issues seem to revolve around scientists.

[plate_builder]

He is a scientist. Just a different kind. City planning and architecture is a combination of art and science and r likes his little junction thereof.

Of course right now he is very seriously considering Vincent. No cards? Could be good or bad. Somehow Reeve has drawn up a three of a kind and even managed not to smile at that. Perhaps he can win the hand.

“You’ve got an impressive poker face my friend.”

[emovampboy]

A completely different type of scientist, far enough removed that Vincent doesn't count it. Architect actually seems more difficult at times than science, in his mind.

Perhaps that's why he's good with all of this. Or maybe, it's just he knows Reeve, and knows his own mistakes... One can't repeat them so easily if they keep their eyes forward.

"I've been told." He lays down his cards, two pair.

[plate_builder]

“I am sure you have,” Reeve agrees and smiles as he lays out his three of a kind. “And I learn to value small victories.”

[emovampboy]

"Now if you can just keep your luck." Vincent remarks, sitting back a little. "You don't have much left to gamble with, even winning that hand."

[plate_builder]

“I could throw my watch in the pot,” Reeve counters with a smirk. “Or an IOU.”

[emovampboy]

"And I'd still pay for dinner." He tilts his head, and holds up his good arm. "Just with a watch instead of nothing."

[plate_builder]

“Well I can spot you the gil to pay for dinner,” Reeve laughs as he takes the cards and shuffles them. “I suppose I should ask what kind of food you like.”

[emovampboy]

"I do carry some Gil on me, Reeve." Vincent watches Reeve shuffle quietly, listing off a few types of food he enjoys.

[plate_builder]

"Oh, so you won't be paying with my watch then? How kind of you. I would still try to ransom it back of course. I need it to tell time," Reeve teases before holding the deck out to Vincent. "Deal should change to your for a while."

Which may just be an excuse to see Vincent's fingers working. So sue him.

[emovampboy]

"No, i just would keep the watch for a time." Vincent takes the cards, beginning to shuffle them. "Are you hoping you'll have better luck if I deal?"

[plate_builder]

"Traditionally the role of dealer switches throughout play. Or Reno lies to me," Reeve counters. "And yes. Clearly I need something if I am to win. Not that losing is that much of a loss as it were. The company would still be mine, and I do find it to my taste."