[video, backdated to 7-4]

[kneecaptain]

[ Bucky has the communicator on some sort of table, level. He's sitting down in front of it, evidently in a good mood. In the background, there's an old-timey looking radio playing. It cackles with static, but you can just make out a torch song. ]

I dunno how many of you know this, but it's a regular holiday where I'm from. [ He smirks, but doesn't explain. ]

Anyway, I got to thinkin', what better way to celebrate than me taking all of your money? Or… candy bars, or whatever else you got to stake. I'm flexible. I'll take 'em all.

How many of you know how to play poker?

[ The radio buzzes out, and Bucky hits it, once, hard. The sound comes to life again, now an official sounding broadcast. "The objectives of the Initative consist only in ruling by the sword, sowing the see of death and desolation until the take over power. They would then rule by the sword, that is their objective. We my therefore wonder how people who came with the confessed objective of shedding our blood, in our cities, can deceive the population by claiming to bring democracy and freedom. How can anyone claim to bring salvation—"

The broadcast dies. ]

Comments

video

[sweetling]

[Hello, have some face tattoos.]

Sounds like somebody doesn't like the Initiative very much.

Anyway, I'd be up for poker.

[kneecaptain]

It's a UE broadcast. S'all you can get here.

But I'll mark you down for poker.

[sweetling]

They're the supposed bad guys, right?

And good. Got an address for me?

[kneecaptain]

They are bad guys. You don't need to have good guys to have bad ones.

Depends how many people want in. I'll let you know.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her smile is wry and sharp.] Well, that's one way to set the mood.

[kneecaptain]

I don't choose what comes outta that thing.

Sometimes the music's nice. [ Really, he wants to keep tabs on the UE as best he can, so he fixed up a radio. There's nothing else playing in Exsilium. ]

[bodilesswarrior]

That would be interesting to hear. [You can tell a lot about a place from its music.

She gestures to the radio.] You make that yourself?

(video)

[braavado]

[Got one Avatar staring at you suspiciously, Bucky.]

When you say taking your money, you don't mean stealing, right?

[Okay, so maybe she hasn't gotten out of the habit of interfering just yet.]

[kneecaptain]

Nah, I mean winning it.

I don't cheat. [ But he doesn't seem too bothered by Korra asking. Good mood! ]

[braavado]

Winning it…in a game? [Korra suddenly cheers right up.] You called it poker, right? Think you can teach me?

[Yeah, yeah, she’s pretty sure this is gambling, but come on. With the White Lotus restricting pretty much everything she did before, and now Tenzin keeping an eye on her, there’s no way she could get away with this. A few tries can’t hurt, right?]

video;

[freewoman]

What do you celebrate?

permavideo!!

[kneecaptain]

It's called Independence Day.

[freewoman]

From what? [She knows very little about America.]

video

[chittybang]

I've heard of poker. Isn't that some sort of gambling game?

permavideo

[kneecaptain]

With cards. I guess you don't hafta wager, but it's better when you do.

[chittybang]

I might be interested if I could get a few practice rounds in.

[video]

[legal_eagle]

[This is a picture-perfect smile.]

I play.

[kneecaptain]

[ Oh, he can match that with a John Q. Public smile of his own. ]

Ace.

[legal_eagle]

Question, though.

[video]

[demonbloodblade]

Almost sounds like three-dragon. You've never heard of that, I've never heard of yours, but I'm willing to try. I'm saving my money a bit - trying to get some things together for missions for people - but I do have this.

[She holds up a bottle of Jack Daniels.]

Would this count as an acceptable ante in?

video

[kneecaptain]

Yeah. [ A grin. ] I think we can swing it.

video

[demonbloodblade]

I knew stealing a case of this on that last mission would come in handy sometime.

I'm Meliantha. Let me know when and where and I'll show up.

[devilsfruitdoctor]

[Oooh you don't say!]

Poker? I'm in!

...For a friendly match, that is. I don't like playing for stakes that would make anyone angry to lose.

[kneecaptain]

The important things are the stuff you can't bet.

But I don't lose, so we're fine.

[devilsfruitdoctor]

[Oh so that's how it is.]

All the better! I never mind losing as long as it's done well. I'll try to make you work for it.