#earthrunes

--------------

"I am losing my shirt," Earl says and lays down some cards.

"You went with a pair of 10s?" Bachdion smiles, "No wonder"

His own three jacks reign triumphant ....

this hand.

Jack sighs at his three 9s, "You've got a good poker face for a troll, DeBuke. But you got to know when to fold"

Magnus did fold, "Oh Fiona are fearless, but not stupid. I got such a bad hand captain hook was laughing."

August sips his water.

Bachdion glances at August "Having fun so far, August?"

August nods. "It's kind of you to include me. Thank you."

"Well ,it's your deal, August. " Earl says "Maybe you'll be kinder to me than these guys"

August takes the cards and shuffles. "I can't arrange for anyone to get specific cards...."

"I was joking," Earl says

"Or was he?" Magnus says faux suspiciously

"I wish you the best, of course." August offers the deck to be cut.

The Deck is cut. Folks may notice Bachdion is wearing some spectacular leg warmers that seems to be a tribute to the 'up on the hill is a lonely goat herd' song from Sound of music

August noticed, but tactfully said nothing. His boots make further footwear observations difficult. He deals the hand.

As the hand is dealt each gathers them up. and looks over what August has wrought.

"Interesting" Magus says

August's face is his court-blank mask.

Bachdion looks over at August "I wish I could look tthat impassive in a poker game"

"I thought that was his normal default anyway?" Jack says

"That's what makes it so ideal" Bachdion says

"Hm?"

Chips start to go in , Earl starting it off a bit timidly

August bets conservatively.

"What is this? Are we playing poker or old maid here?" Jack says " raise"

August regards his cards, and folds.

"Sure, let's separate the men from the boys" Magnus says and goes with it then grins at the others "Suitably macho, Jack?"

"Better" Jack nods "I wish Innish could have joined us. Now he can play some cut throat poker"

Earl looks really unsure, "Oh what the heck.I'm in"

Bachdion chuckles "Well, I , for one, and am secure enough in my masculinity to fold without shame" He does

"You better be secure wearing those out like that" Jack says with a smirk at the leg warmers.

"I am always secured armored in signs of a lady's affection" Bachdion says graciously

"thank you, Sir Bachdion, my lady would be pleased to hear you say that," Earl says

A small smile grace's August's lips.

"Fine fine, I'll fine something else to egg you guys about so I don't end up in a duel or something" Jack says

Magnus grins "If it's a duel from one of us after insulting a witch's socks that has your worried, you're not thinking it through, Jack."

A few chuckles around the table.

August joins in them.

Magnus is forced to drop out as the stakes raise again.

Earl winces, but sticks with it, and calls.

August watches.

Jack coughs and lays down his pair of threes and his pair of twos.

Earl says "Gee, all I got are two pair too... a pair of fours, and another pair of fours"

"I could learn to hate Iowans," Jack groans as the pot goes to the farmborn troll

"Well played." Mildly.

Earl says "tahnks. My poker face needs work, but I'm an artist- I'm better at reading people than I get credit for."

"There goes my fun money for the next two weeks" Jack groans.