finalgambit | evocate inbox.

[ he manages to keep his expression neutral ( despite his surprise ) as he enters and takes a seat at the table… his movements practiced from years of being on the other end. ] Waiting for little ol’ me… and with a game, no less. How about a drink, or is that [ his lips quirk. ] pushing my luck?

[with a chuckle, the man lifts his fingers and snaps them - a glass of something strong appears in front of Aventurine]

It would seem you're lucky today, because I've forgotten my manners. Forgive me, I'm a bit rusty.

[ nodding his head in appreciation aventurine takes the drink. he should be wary, because there's a chance it's spiked, but he never got anywhere by playing it safe. he takes a sip. ] Many thanks. And not to worry. The accommodations here are already an upgrade. So... what's the catch? One doesn't simply get called to a mysterious room and treated to a drink without a catch.

[it's perfectly fine. Top quality, even]

There's no catch at all. I said I would be coming for you eventually, so here I am following up on that . . . for introductions, for some explanation, so on and so forth.

[a gesture to himself] To start, my name is the Obverse.

An explanation would be appreciated. [ he dances his fingers across his "nameplate" necklace. ] Especially about the disappearance of my name. [ he takes another sip and, once again, his host gets a polite nod. ] A pleasure, Obverse. You can call me Gambler.

Gambler. [a slow smile] You've picked a wonderful name.

[he produces a pack of cards out of nowhere and begins to shuffle them]

The answer to that is rather simple; a name ties a person together. And if you take it away . . .

Hmm. But a normal conversation is boring. Perhaps a game of high and low? I'll place a card, and you guess higher or lower. If you guess correctly, you can ask another question. Fair?

[ ...hm. ] And if I guess incorrectly?

I don't answer the question and you must ask something else.

Alright then. [ he finishes off his drink, setting it aside, and scooting forward. ] At your leisure, Obverse. [ he makes a motion at the deck. ]

[he gives the deck a few more shuffles, then places it down and draws the first card, placing it between them on the table]

5 of hearts.

Ask your question, then choose higher or lower and we will see what the next card is.

Higher.

And if you take it away... what?

[he draws a card, smiles, then lays it down: 9 of Clubs]

And if you take it away, then there is nothing holding you together.

Perhaps a more apt description would be that one's name is more like a lock. It's in place to keep everything about you safe - your spirit, your essence, your memories . . . while it can't keep everything out, the more the lock is bypassed or opened by someone else, the stronger it becomes.

In taking your names, that lock has been removed entirely.

... [ he had a feeling obverse would tell him something like that. names are powerful, but he still has more questions. he considers pushing his luck a little, but this is just the first ( of many ) round(s). ] I see. [ he hums, nodding as his eyes flicker to the deck for the barest of moments. ] Shall we continue~ I'm sure you realize I now have more questions than answers~ [ but, nevertheless, he's thankful he's getting to have this conversation at all. ]

Oh, of course. I'd be very surprised if you didn't have even more questions.

[he taps the 9 of clubs]

Higher or lower?

Good, I'm glad. [ shhh. i can read, i swear. ] Lower.

And your question?

[as he's drawing the next card]

I thought I might keep it a surprise~ [ he smirks. ] But if that's against the rules, then why me? And I don't mean as far as this place is concerned. I mean you.

[he places it down.

5 of diamonds]

You were the first to accept when I asked.

And I had a feeling we would get along.

And who else did you ask? Or was I the first.

"Who" I asked I can't answer. But I can tell you that I had you and someone else picked out, and the other person was scooped up before I knew it.

Consider that a freebie. ♥

…can you tell me who, or can I make a silly little guess and you simply nod or shake your head~?

[taps the deck of cards]

Higher or lower?

Higher.

[he draws a card and places it down.

3 of hearts]

Ahh, looks like I can't answer that one.

Next question?

[ cant win ‘em all. ]

What do you want with us? There has to be a reason we’re all here. You generally don’t kidnap somebody or, in this case, somebodies for fun~

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