[PP-PT-F01] Forsaken Penance

[Mari 1]

Mari visibly bristled, body tensing almost like a cat - as Sin took away her much needed catharsis in the form of straight alcohol. Everyone around her was relaxed, and having fun but Mari was struggling to fit into the vibe. The other woman commented on wanting to join and Mari turned her attention away to catch the other shot Warren slid back to her, downing it instantly. It didn't help that Oscar said Mari didn't have the 'juice' not even together. Mari had wanted to hold her tongue, to be a little more proper and at least respect her friends wishes, of not sharing his sexual dalliances, but - this was a matter of her pride. "Last I recall, you seemed pretty worn out." She shot back at Oscar, tired blue eyes almost challenging him. 

"Perhaps it best you weren't called - " Mari tapped the table for yet another shot. Her sixth, at this Warren gave her a look but obliged. Mari knew she'd be cut off soon. Best drink what she could and let it all hit her at once. "What I did today..." They all wanted to play this game, fine. Mari placed emphasis on the word, her eyes shifting from Sin back to Oscar. "It was far too rough. And I'm afraid I couldn't...share the experience."

Whilst people were mulling over their cards Mari messaged Lancaster again;

Mari --> Lancaster: Its turned to strip poker...would you join? its at XX YY ZZ
Lancaster --> Mari: Too far, I am afraid.
Lancaster --> Mari: Cheat. Make sure you make the final hand after they strip naked to have them go through a town wearing a hat. Good times.
Lancater --> Mari: Then later, I want my own show.

Mari could practically hear the laughter from her husband from here. He set her at ease, he was fine. One day...Mari would get him to venture out, to make his own connections outside the LC; but for now - 

Hands dealt, cards played, and fate had graced Warren as the winner - it seemed the entire table had picked up on what was supposed to be happening. Today was no longer about Mari, about Redemption or even about penance - it was about Abellio and Lysette - and for Mari...that was a relief.

Mari picked up her hands, no cards needed to be swapped. Was she...staring at this right? Was this - a Royal flush? Mari elbowed Lysette first, then Sin,  allowing them the chance to look over her cards - then she sighed. "I might have to...fold again...what about you all?"

 

Edited November 4 by Mari

[Oscar 0]

Lysette's eyes lit up as Mari put her cards on display. In her mind, why would they need to waste an opportunity like that? She leaned over, whispering in Mari's ear:

"I think you should play through. You can tell me to take my top off. I really think that would get my man hot under the collar."

Sin smirked. She didn't really need to hear Lysette's suggestion in order to piece it together. Oscar, too. Though it was more because he could read her lips thanks to his <<Searching>> skill. Abellio showed Oscar his hand. Four of a kind. A damn strong hand. He shot Mari a look, tilting his head to the side. Whichever way the showdown went, it would definitely be interesting. And much as he wanted to play wingman for Lysette, he was also in it for the entertainment value. And besides, everyone at the table was conspiring for one goal in mind. Let the man keep up some token resistance.

"I fold," Warren said. Of course he did. He wasn't going to expose himself to getting exposed. Ever the pragmatic dealer. Oscar, on the other hand, had no such issues. He had nothing, but he stayed in. And it was probably much the same with Sin given that there were two really solid hands at play. Math said that there wouldn't be much else left in the deck.

"Two," Oscar said, playing his part. Warren flicked two cards into Oscar's direction, picking up the discarded pair and adding it to the bottom of the deck.

"Shall we go into the showdown?"

[Mari 1]

Mari flinched slightly as she felt the warm breath from Lysettes whisper, then relaxed. She had to remind herself she was safe here. It was difficult to just switch off, especially with so many people around her. Mari flashed a small glance to Oscar. He didn't seem phased, going as far as to give her a languid smile. Mari shifted her eyes back to Lysette and gave her a small nod. Truth be told, Mari didn't really know how to play too well. But Lysette wanted her to play through. Mari trusted the woman. "I'll stay." Mari said. Watching as the others took cards, was she supposed to do that? No, right? She had a flush, maybe?

Mari chewed her bottom lip. As long as no one picked her to take off any clothes everything would be fine, and it seemed the group was hell bent on playing wingman for Lysette and Abellio. 

As Warren folded Mari signalled for him to get her another drink, he obliged but gave her a concerned look. The woman had just downed several drinks in quick succession after all.

"All in!" Mari said as she slammed her empty glass down. 

That's what they said at poker games right.

@Oscar

[Oscar 0]

Sin giggled at Mari's exclamation. "Well go on then," she crooned. "Put it all on the table." Her eyes raked up and down Mari's body, a light smirk playing at her lips.

"It's not fair that Oscar's the only one that's seen you... Well. You know."

After a moment, Sin's smirk morphed into a smile, then a pout. "Don't tell me you've got cold feet? Or do you not know what all in means?"

She leaned over, folding her hands on Mari's shoulder as her lips hovered just inches from her ear. "You gotta take it all off and throw it on the table, babe." She leaned back, admiring Mari's frame. Her hands wandered south, fingertips ghosting over her collarbone as the other wound in her hair. "I'll join you," Sin said. "If you're feeling a little shy."

"Sin."

Oscar called them all back to reality with a word. With feline grace, she pushed off of Mari and settled back in her seat. She let out a heavy sigh, leaning against her fist as she tossed her cards back towards Warren. "Daddy's mad. I fold." She cut her gaze back towards Mari. "Must not have laid it down as well as you thought if he's still in such a boring mood."

[Mari 1]

Sin laughed beside Mari, a soft tinkling laugh that had devious undertones as she leaned over her. Pressing her skin firm against Mari. "U-Uhm..." Mari wasn't sure how to react, she was already a little flustered at absolutely everything going on - the sudden influx of people, not sleeping properly for the week leading up to Redemption; her subsequent failure....the sheer amount of alcohol. Mari wasn't entirely sure what Sin meant by saying put it all on the table. So Mari placed her cards face down on the table. She continued to tease Mari, her eyes followed the curvature of Mari's body, how loose the shirt was, how sheer her stockings were. "All in is, yanno?" Mari tilted her head, brows furrowing. The alcohol hitting her a little harder than she thought as she struggled to collect her thoughts. 

"Meaning, I don't need no more cards?"

Mari drew in a sharp breath, her back straightening as Sin reached out to her, fingers lightly dancing over her collarbone, barely touching her and yet the sensation caused goosebumps to erupt over her exposed skin. "I-I what!?"" Mari sounded alarmed. That was not what she intended. "B-But I haven't lost...a-and...wait- Join me!?" Mari couldn't help but look down at Sin, she was beautiful - but...she hadn't expected something like this, she thought they were trying to help Lysette and Abellio. How did things take such a turn. "Doesn't that mean if no one else matches me, I win and everyone else yanno..."  Sin simply laughed, brushing back a strand of hair behind Mari's ear, her lips grazing closer - a brush of lips, then teeth then-

Sin."

Mari breathed a sigh of relief when the other woman detached herself from Mari, leaving naught but a cold space between the two. "Actually..." She wasn't sure she should mention it at all, really - but the blow to her pride was too much. Liquored up with loose lips Mari muttered "Uhm...Actually...I attempted Redemption today and Oscar sorta, scooped me up -helped me out - we didn't get up to much....tonight. I was just really fuckin' dirty." 

 

[Oscar 0]

"Redemption?" Warren cocked an eyebrow. "That's a hell of a boss. Glad you made it out okay."

By which Warren meant to say that he was surprised that she was here, playing cards, and not a name on the Monument. He took a sip of his drink, sliding another one over to Mari. Sin intercepted it. She'd yet to have the previous drinks really hit her. They'd need to wait and see how that hit her before she was gonna let Mari take another drink. She quickly downed the contents of Mari's glass, placing it down hard on the countertop. Without saying a word, she opened her inventory and filled the glass with a bottle of water that popped into existence.

"Yeah about what I expected," Sin said. There wasn't an edge to her voice, not a hint of teasing. A neutral statement of fact. "That's really sweet of you, Oscar."

No one at the table needed to even question the lengths that Oscar would go to. And this was barely an inconvenience.

"I'm glad you think so," Oscar said before nodding to Warren. "And I agree-" His head swiveled in Mari's direction. "I'm very glad that you made it out okay."

The moment was punctuated by Abellio slamming his hand down on the table and rising from his seat. "So are we gonna go jump that Redemption fucker or what?"

"Easy there, Seabiscuit. Quest's solo only. And you can only take it if you're a PKer."

It was always sad to watch Abellio deflate. Especially when he was so ready to go. It didn't take much to rev his engine. Oscar had to admire the kid - always ready to get stuck in simply because it was the right thing to do. And this was that. Right. Mari had long since paid her debts. Long since redeemed herself.

If ever he could get a moment alone with the Former Finger of Laughing Coffin, he would love to give the man his thanks for that.

"Oh," Abellio said.

"But maybe I can kit you out? I'd need to get you in my office. Take some measurements. Clothing not allowed, of course. Everything has to fit just right, you know." Sin gave Mari a sly grin before sparing Lysette a glance. She was waiting patiently, but they were beginning to miss the point. "Alright, whatever. Cards on the table guys. Winner of the hand decides who takes off what."

[Mari 1]

Mari fiddled with her empty glass, listening to Warrens words. He was...glad? "But you don't really know me I -" She paused reaching for her drink but Sin intercepted. Mari simply turned to stare at the woman in shock, then a second after it wore off Mari reached for the glass, leaning over the other woman, one hand on Sins thigh, the other reaching for the drink. "C'mon - I kinda need that right now." Then, in one quick motion the other woman downed the contents of the glass and replaced it with water, setting it on the table with a small smirk. 

Mari muttered some incoherent words as she picked up the water and took a small sip from it, she got where the other woman was coming from, but she didn't understand why.

"I'm very glad that you made it out okay."

Mari lowered her glass to the table slowly, along with her eyes. She didn't want this. She didn't want to ruin their poker night. Well..Strip poker night. She was an outsider. Not to Oscar, but to the others. Mari pulled away from Sin and shifted to get up, but found a hand firmly wrapped around her wrist, Sin promptly pulling her back down to the bar stool.

 "So are we gonna go jump that Redemption fucker or what?"

"You really...." Mari wasn't sure what to say- watching the man quite literally sink back down into his chair, lips down turned into a pout. He was so animated with his actions and words. "I...appreciate it but...Warrens right..." She traced the rim of her cup with an index finger. "Besides... We aren't exactly close, no point risking your life for me. Sides..." A pause as she picked up the glass and took two full swigs, not realizing just how thirsty she was. "I attempted it. That's the main thing....I don't need to take it. I'm at peace with who I am."

She may be at peace with who she was but...she wasn't entirely sure what she was doing here. Why they were being so kind to her. Mari leaned forward, finally winning herself another glass of whiskey from Warren. He had only given it to her half full this time, but Mari accepted it all the same. Then - Mari choked on it as Sin asked Mari to come to her office naked. "Sorry-what?" Mari wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "You..." Mari drew in a deep breath. She had to shake this feeling. For Oscar at the very least, she wasn't going to put a damper on his night. Mari was able to handle Pkers, able to handle the Laughing Coffin, even failing Redemption. The woman was able to stand tall and proud, but when it came to matters like this, she was all too easily flustered, and was so easy to crumble.

"I...didn't think you'd want to see me naked so badly, Sin." Mari managed as she recovered, taking another sip, this time a much slower one.

"Winner decides. All in...right?"

 

[Oscar 0]

"Don't need to know you," Warren chimed in. "You're here."

And she was. Here. Alive. Warren didn't always like what Oscar did. He would always share his opinion there. But he did resonate with the man one one simple thing. If he was present and he saw someone needed help, he would stick his neck out for them every single time. But inviting them back to his home? That was something different. So if Mari was the type of person Oscar felt comfortable bringing back to his home, Warren had no questions.

"Stop being so weird about it," Lysette said, resting her chin on the edge of the table. "'Not exactly close.' Get real. You're in, skin." Lysette and Abellio showed their hands at the same time. A pair of twos against Abellio's four sevens. Lysette did her best to look disappointed.

"Never really known our host to be hospitable to just anyone. Jumping into fights half-cocked like he's got a death wish for complete strangers? Sure, that's Oscar. But you're welcome in his home. You don't have to keep acting like you don't belong."

Oscar dropped his cards next. Somehow he had managed a hand worse than Lysette's. "Tough shit, Mari. I don't know if you haven't figured it out yet, but let me spell it out. Anyone at this table would ride out for anyone else here. You are no exception."

Sin just shrugged, leaning back over to cling off of Mari. "They got all this nice shit to say, but sometimes the mood just strikes." She leaned in closer. "And fuck me if I'm wrong, but I'm better that cursor means you're a wild lay."

"Action's on you, Mari. Show us what you got."