Some Nights I Stay Up, Cashing in my Bad Luck, Some Nights I Call it a Draw [May 1]

[dead_black_eyes]

Characters: L Lawliet, Bakura Ryou
Location: Starting at the apartment, ending in Las Vegas, baby!
Rating: PG for showgirls, and for L treating Bakura like a servant (wait, no, valet.)
Time: May 1, 4:00 PM to around 10:00 PM
Description: L has figured out where Light is hiding out after the cruel and humiliating "dinner party" events. But traveling without backup is a bad idea, and there are a lot of ways for two game-loving young guys to kill time before unfortunate quarries return to their crappy motel rooms.




L had not traveled outside Death City since arriving except through Shibusen's mirror transportation for missions. That made this a somewhat special occasion, but that being said, he was traveling very lightly. He had one change of clothes, Light's toothbrush (despite the fact that Bakura had bought him a whole stack of new ones), and his communicator, and that was about it. They barely filled half of the blue backpack L had chosen to carry his personal belongings, and so he filled the rest with candy.

He sounded like a piñata when he walked, but it was worth it to know that he would have snacks on the bus.

He waited expectently for Bakura to show up; the bus would be arriving within ten minutes, and while L was aware that Bakura was typically punctual, he would leave without him if he was late even this once.

Comments

[dead_black_eyes]

"As I said, blackjack is my preference. You'll purchase me one $100 chip, and then I'll handle the chips from that point onward."

By L's rules of being wealthy, it wasn't alright for him to handle money, but chips, apparently, were acceptable.

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura nodded. "Just the starer, got it," he confirmed. Of course Ryuzaki would be that confident. "Shall I stand by why you're playing?"

[dead_black_eyes]

L gave it some careful thought as he slipped Bakura a crisp $100 bill.

"You don't want to play, yourself? I recommend a different game. I'm going to be cleaning up. It's fine, as long as you come back when I need you to change the chips back into money."

[shiromadoushi]

"Of course I want to play!" Bakura nearly laughed. Silly question, that! "So we can meet back up after, then. Say... in an hour? Or do you think that's too long? Or did you just want to text me when you're done?"

[dead_black_eyes]

"Yes..." L said, pausing, running over some brief, concise calculations behind his mirror-like eyes.

"An hour should be plenty of time. Just don't forget where my table is. You know I'm not good with crowds."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura nodded. "I'll remember, don't worry." And he was sure his friend would be causing a scene by that time anyway... "And if you need me before then, just call and I'll be there!

[dead_black_eyes]

"I know you will," L said, perhaps foreshadowing the extent to which he could take Bakura's kindness and attentiveness for granted.

The rest of their trip to the gaming hall was relatively uneventful. L's sloppy attire got a few strange glances, but Bakura was so smartly dressed that if people made unfortunate assumptions about L's mental state, they merely averted their eyes politely, since he was clearly well-attended.

[shiromadoushi]

And Bakura made it quite clear that he was there to assist, standing almost protectively close to his friend, yet at the same time, seeming detached. It was almost fun to play the part, imagining himself to be someone different. This was why costumes were important, adding to the illusion of being another person.

As L took his seat, Bakura took a slight step back to give him space, but stayed, standing attentive. He wanted to see his friend in action... Once he had, then he'd slip away for some games of his own.

[dead_black_eyes]

L placed his sole chip on the table, and what followed could almost be described as a ballet rather than a game.

He lost a few hands, of course, enough not to arouse suspicion of cheating too early on. But the lion's share were called with eerie precision. It wasn't merely card-counting; it was uncanny, and L's talent for probability was on full display. Soon his chip value was in the thousands, and the people who had started out side-eyeing his ratty clothes were displaying a measure of disbelief.

It was entirely possible that L simply enjoyed surprising the people who judged his lackluster appearance before seeing what he could actually do.

[shiromadoushi]

Just as to be expected from Ryuzaki~

It was rare to have a sense of pride while watching the detective at work... perhaps because it was just so rare to not be the target of L's manipulations.

After a short while, he slipped away into the gawking crowd to find another table that was less occupied. While he had no illusions that he would do even half as well as his friend... he was optimistic that he could make a tidy pile of his own.

After all, when one believed in one's deck....

[dead_black_eyes]

After about a half-hour, L had racked up just under $10,000, and security was beginning to side-eye the slender young man who was suddenly the center of many people's attention.

He signaled Bakura over.

"Will you take care of my chips?" He inquired, when Bakura noticed and made his way over. "I need the men's room."

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura's own winnings were far more modest, but still sizable, resting easily in his pocket already. He nodded at L's request, carefully scooping up the sizable pile to carefully carry over to the exchange window.

It felt strange, holding so much cash on his person, and he was quite sure the eyes that had been on L before were now on him as he walked.

... hopefully the detective would be quick....

[dead_black_eyes]

L was quick, all right... just not about returning. Far more likey was that he had slipped out, discreetly as a shadow.

"Hey, sweetie," a scantily clad showgirl, not much older than Bakura, linked an arm through his. "I didn't see you walk in. Win a big jackpot, or are you collecting for someone else?" She winked, as if the second option was a complete joke that no one could possibly overlook.

[shiromadoushi]

Oh shi--

Bakura's entire posture stiffened as he attempted to pull away. "Aaa-- It's-- it's for my employer..."

Damnit, Ryuzaki, what was taking you so long to get back?!

[dead_black_eyes]

"Ooooh, you work for a high-roller? Sounds exciting. Is he as young and handsome as you?"

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura again attempted to pull free. "I'm really not at liberty to speak of my employer... he values his privacy...."

...and please get off my arm. he wanted to add, but didn't.

[dead_black_eyes]

"Sounds mysterious~" she cooed. "Do you want to tell me all about your job somewhere a little quieter? If your employer values his privacy so much he's probably retired to his room, and he probably wouldn't mind if you used a chunk of his change so we could get our own room."

[shiromadoushi]

"I really would rather not... nor would I like to gain his displeasure by abusing his goodwill...." Not that Bakura thought L would object to his funds being used that way.. he'd likely think it was funny.

.... he better not have set this up. Seriously, how long did it take him in the bathroom? There wasn't a line!

[dead_black_eyes]

L would think it was funny, if the suddenly-absent detective ever found out about it.

"Come on, sweetie. You're in Vegas, have some fun."

[shiromadoushi]

"I'm here for employment related reasons, I really can't afford to take liberties while on duty..."

Another minute... L had another minute before Bakura just did his best to get the hell out of there.

[dead_black_eyes]

L's reappearance, unfortunately, was not forthcoming.

"Your duty seems pretty chill to me. I'm starting to wonder if you even have an employer, or if you're just gay. Because, sweetie, if these aren't doing anything for you..." She squished her chest, uninvited, against Bakura's.

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura all but blanched at the sudden closeness, stumbling back, a death grip on the envelope holding Ryuzaki's winnings.

With a stumbled apology, he turned and all but ran up towards his room.

Damnit, Ryuzaki! Of all the times for the detective to vanish....!