Bets and Debts

Gambling was simultaneously Tsubaki’s favorite and least favorite vice. She loved the thrill, and she loved winning big, but she absolutely hated losing any money. Because of this, she had learned to get really good at gambling, calculating each risk meticulously and setting aside a gambling fund that wouldn’t mess with her regular finances. 

Normally she would avoid the Wonderland casino since the big the casino, the more rigged the games typically were, but tonight was an exception. Tsubaki was in a strange mood. She was craving risk and a challenge. And what bigger challenge was there in the world of gambling than to play against Angora, the owner?

But Angora wouldn’t play with just anyone. Tsubaki knew she had to grab her attention somehow. And that ‘somehow’ was to impress her with her gambling. 

That was how Tsubaki found herself at a poker table, playing against an ever-rotating cast of buns as she won hand after hand. Tsubaki had an excellent poker face and knew when to stay in and when to fold, making her tough for the average person to beat. She had amassed quite the pot until finally Angora took notice. 

“What would you say to playing a round against me?” Angora smiled as she took a seat at the table across from Tsubaki. 

“How could I refuse?” Tsubaki answered, a glimmer of excitement flashing in her eyes. Finally, this was what she was waiting for.

Their hands were dealt and both placed their starting bet. Tsubaki glanced at her hand. It wasn’t great, there were no pairs and seemingly no potential for a flush or straight. She exchanged two cards, noting that Angora only exchanged one. After receiving her new cards, Tsubaki determined that she only had a King high. Not a great hand, but she couldn’t let that show. 

“I raise 10,000 carats,” Angora placed a large stack of chips into the pot. It was a bold move, considering that Tsubaki only had 12,000 carats worth of chips in her possession. Angora was clearly wanting to win the casino back all that money quickly rather than playing it safe. Perhaps she was bluffing?

“Call.” Tsubaki answered, shoving a stack full of chips into the pile. 

“Reveal your hands.” The dealer announced.

“Two pair.” Angora placed her cards on the table.

“Tsk.” Tsubaki dropped her own cards face up. “King high.”

“The winner of this round is Angora.” The dealer announced as Angora pulled all the chips close to her. 

“You have a good poker face, but you have a tell.” Angora smirked. 

A tell? Tsubaki would need to figure it out, and figure it out quickly, as she already lost nearly all her winnings. “One more.”

“Gladly.” Angora placed a chip in the center for a starting bet. Tsubaki did the same as another hand was dealt. 

Angora and Tsubaki both swapped two cards from their hands. 

“All in.” Tsubaki announced, pushing the rest of her chip pile in the center, which now had little over 2,000 worth of carats. 

“I see that kind of desperation all the time in those who are losing.” Angora commented. “Call.” She pushed more chips in the center. “By the way, your tell is showing.” She smirked, knowing it was too late for Tsubaki to fold now.

“Please reveal your hands.” The dealer once more called.

Angora placed her hand down on the table. “Full house.”

Tsubaki smiled as she revealed her own hand, and Angora was quite surprised to say the least. “Royal flush.”

“Tsubaki is the winner of this round.”

“Not quite as easy to read as you thought, am I?” Tsubaki smiled. “Want to go another round?”

“Oh, you’re good.” Angora admitted. “Deal me in. This is a nice change of pace.”