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POSTED ON Oct 7, 2021 10:07:47 GMT

Martín del Mar likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angelo"]

[attr="class","angelow"]

[break][break]

Ale flows cheap at the ren-faire, just as the betting table at the pop-up, ol’ 'Galarian' pub is plentiful and rowdy… [break][break]

Why hadn’t Angelo come here sooner? [break][break]

Calloused fingers roll worn, off-ivory dice in his palm, their surface flashing like the teasing flicker of a sharp grin. Dangling the edge of suspension, while eyes around the circular table cluttered with PD coin and tin stein, lined with nothing but dregs. [break][break]

Angelo has hopes that his pockets are not destined for the same fate. [break][break]

“Six.” [break][break]

He declares his main, then throws his luck down.

[attr="class","angelotag"]Martín del Mar

[attr="class","angelonotes"]

notes.

[attr="class","angelopokes"]

sagitta / m / long reach / spirit shackle, phantom force, laser focus, leaf blade, smack down, double team

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Azul

Mars | Tuesday

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Canalave City, Sinnoh

Bi / Demiro

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TAG WITH @mars

POSTED ON Oct 7, 2021 11:19:18 GMT

angelo vestri likes this

[attr="class","samcam"]

Ye olde ren-faire.

Bright notes rise enthusiastically from a bard’s lute as laughter and cheer join them in the air, the lively crowd enjoying themselves playing pretend at a life that never actually existed at the Hoenn region to begin with. It’s amusing to see.

Among them, the banker does what he does best: he plays himself, for what better role is there to play?

All too elegantly dressed is that he leans against a table at the small pub, watching the betting while a smirk tugs at his lips.

”Mind if I join you?”

When the question comes, the black tips of a Meowth’s ears peek over his shoulder; the pokémon that had been clinging to his cape now gazing at Angelo with its curious feline gaze. The coin on its forehead shines brighter than any on the table before them – rose gold and perfectly polished.

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angel, rogue bastard

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TAG WITH @angelo

POSTED ON Oct 7, 2021 12:20:02 GMT

Martín del Mar likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angelo"]

[attr="class","angelow"]

[break][break]

The numbers show nine. [break][break]

“Tch…” It’s a chance, at least. One that Angelo intends to twist into a win. Multiple sets of eyes scrutinise the rolls that follow, making their own side-bets as the game between caster and banker continues. [break][break]

Hazard is far from a high-stakes, complex game but it’s still a rush when the Angelo hits the nick and a couple of coins are shoved his way. [break][break]

He’s dragging his winnings across the table, roughened hand propping himself against a splintered corner, when a familiar and aptly dressed face slips into the circle. [break][break]

“Fat Cats are always welcome,” an eyebrow is hooked upwards as his gaze slips from Martín del Mar to his feline, an apt nickname for bantering with the banker. He grins. “We were playing Hazard but if you want to up the ante, I’m game.” [break][break]

Piercing eyes flash in his shadow, Decidueye a phantom spectator around the table.

[attr="class","angelotag"]Martín del Mar

[attr="class","angelonotes"]

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Azul

Mars | Tuesday

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August 4th

Canalave City, Sinnoh

Bi / Demiro

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POSTED ON Oct 7, 2021 13:41:27 GMT

[attr="class","samcam"]

Despite being part-owner of a casino – or perhaps lately also because of it – Mars has never been a betting man. Too many risks, too many factors that are out of his control, not enough that he can be certain of. The banker likes his earnings guaranteed, but for all of his dealings with shimmering coins, even he isn’t greedy enough not to spare a few of these for a fun little game of medieval-style dice.

His greed doesn't have much to do with money, but that’s not a topic to go on about right now…

”Tsk, Angelo, you’ll make Cash Money here feel bad if you call her that.” The smirk remains, playful yet sharp like a dagger – Mars being well aware Angelo was definitely talking to him and not his cat. ”Let’s stick with hazard for now. When in Rome, do as Romans do, no?”

With this, a wink; the thought of wearing a toga and lounging on a lectus while being fed grapes ever one too appealing. Too bad that this time around he’ll have to settle for cheap beer from a stein while sitting in front of an old table, but beggars can’t be choosers, right? Except that, well, Mars is no beggar, as is perhaps proven by the small stack of freshly minted coins that is soon set on the table.

”You’re caster, we’re bank, yeah? I bet on seven.”

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POSTED ON Oct 7, 2021 20:22:55 GMT

Martín del Mar likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angelo"]

[attr="class","angelow"]

[break][break]

“Cash Money? What, she cough up pocket change instead of furballs?” If so, he has a Galarian Meowth he’d like to trade in… [break][break]

Yet despite the banter, it’s when cerulean eyes lock onto the dagger lurking beneath a refined veneer that his teeth flash wild. [break][break]

Angelo had always been drawn to the sharp. Danger tempting a curious fingertip to press upon the blade and see how much pressure he could risk, sinking until it falls away or he does. [break][break]

Mars of POG bank may come across as some silver spoon during what interactions they’d had, but competition beckons Angelo like a seductive curl of a finger. [break][break]

A clatter of PD is haphazardly tossed onto the pile, far less eloquently added to the betting pool than the man across the table.[break][break]

“Lucky number seven, huh? C’mon now Mars, don’t make me kiss the dice…” There’s a slice of sarcasm to his words, accepting the bet despite the swing of the odds. “I’ll main eight.” [break][break]

With ivory dancing concealed in his palm, Angelo releases them to Lady Luck’s mercy upon an ale drenched table…

[attr="class","angelotag"]Martín del Mar

[attr="class","angelonotes"]

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Azul

Mars | Tuesday

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POSTED ON Oct 8, 2021 13:43:08 GMT

angelo vestri likes this

[attr="class","samcam"]

Cash Money the Meowth had actually been given such a name after much debating on part of POG Bank’s marketing team. They needed something fresh, modern, that people would easily remember, and let me tell you: it sure works wonders to get the attention of younger generations. Taking the money of foolish young adults, a pillar of banking right there!

”I guess you could say that.” As if on cue with his words, it’s the Meowth’s PAY DAY that makes a shiny rose gold coin appear in his hands, looking much like a smaller version of the pokémon’s own charm. It’s with ease that Mars rolls it across his knuckles, as if this is something he has practiced doing during his many hours stuck in his office up in the heights of POG Bank’s corporate HQ. That’s right on the money, actually, but at least it's a cool trick, alright?

”Who says seven being a good number has anything to do with luck?” There’s a wink then, for Mars has never been one to call Fortuna his mistress. The Fates, on the other hand…

Despite the portentous words of one adorable yet creepy little Lake Guardian, Mars will always be one to believe fate is on his side.

It’s pretty simple, really. Out of all possible choices, seven can be the result of the greatest number of combinations when throwing two dice. It’s still less than twenty percent, and eight isn’t all that bad either, but apparently, fate may just actually be on Mars’ side…

A six and a one, and the grin the banker shoots at our dear caster at that very moment is one so radiant and so perfect that it could easily belong in a toothpaste ad.

"Told ya."

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angel, rogue bastard

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POSTED ON Oct 9, 2021 19:12:28 GMT

Martín del Mar likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angelo"]

[attr="class","angelow"]

[break][break]

It doesn’t matter whether Mars slips cash into his pocket on occasion for a cargo loaded plane, discreetly transported. Business stayed within the realm of business. This, standing around a crowded, rowdy pub table with glittering coins and stilled dice faces and teeth that warranted punching, was anything but. [break][break]

“Fuck off.” [break][break]

Angelo’s canines are far from toothpaste ad material, they flash too sharp before a wicked tongue. Biting back against the smug grin plastered on the banker’s face with an insolent one of his own, poking kindling with an insult that trails with a chuckle. Not malicious, but defiant and provoking.[break][break]

The challenging spark is fiercer now that some of his coins have ended up in Mars’s clutches. Angelo decides he much prefers their dynamic where he’s the one who gets to pocket the CEO’s pretty change at a day's end. [break][break]

But he’d get it back. And then some. [break][break]

“What d'you say, banker? You up for another?” The title curls around his tongue, slow and intentionally breathed like a Galarian word which rhymes. [break][break]

Luck. Fate. You make your own path, even if you have to claim skies higher and further than the rest – [break][break]

or twist it to your favour.

[attr="class","angelotag"]Martín del Mar

[attr="class","angelonotes"]

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[attr="class","angelopokes"]

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Azul

Mars | Tuesday

He/Him

August 4th

Canalave City, Sinnoh

Bi / Demiro

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Underboss

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TAG WITH @mars

POSTED ON Oct 17, 2021 14:17:25 GMT

angelo vestri likes this

[attr="class","samcam"]

What follows the indeed incredibly smug grin of the banker is a laugh of his own – light and quick to fade in favour of playfully teasing words:

”Oh, come on, Angelo. Don’t be a sore loser.”

With how competitive he is about most things in life, were Mars in Angelo’s position, he’d actually be kind of bitter about losing. But, does he take even a single second to consider that? Obviously not! He’s the one who's winning, and that’s what matters here, isn’t it? Him and how amazing he is... For knowing to pick the number that has the most chances of being rolled when it comes to two dice.

Statistics and probability, baby!

When have those ever failed anyone?

They don’t usually fail Mars, at least, and perhaps that’s why after a swing of cheap beer, there’s only one answer he could possibly give to our pilot now turned caster:

“Of course.”

Sharp smirk, confident words, coins sliding over wood, and yet…

”Correct me if I’m wrong, I’m a bit rusty on my Hazard, but since seven is chance for eight, don’t you lose this time if you roll your main?” The question comes casual and as if genuine, but is it really or is it just feign ignorance on part of the banker?

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POSTED ON Oct 25, 2021 20:25:28 GMT

Martín del Mar likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angelo"]

[attr="class","angelow"]

[break][break]

Martín del Mar was a real pretentious bastard, wasn’t he?[break][break]

And yet Angelo makes no effort to remove himself from the betting table. Nor does he look away from the obnoxious grin that stretches over his associate’s face, far too sharp for the ignorance that slides between unrealistically white teeth. [break][break]

He can never resist rising to – greedily revelling in – the addictive buzz of clashing wits and competitive butting of heads. On the enchantment of coin scraping across wood… [break][break]

It makes the foul taste of cheap ale in his stein taste all the more tolerable. [break][break]

“Knew you wouldn’t fold on me just yet, moneybags,” the competitive curl of Angelo’s lips remains even when hidden behind the back of his scarred hand, last dregs of his drink swiped away before the empty tin clatters back to the table. [break][break]

“Nah, you got it. Eight is a no-go for me now. What I want…” He humours him, fondling the six-sided cubes in his palm before cerulean eyes fall to the grubby table, watching shadows stretch. Spectators and participants drawn into the game, casting a dark layer of expectant pressure, their gazes greedy for failure. [break][break]

“Is to take that lucky number seven of yours for myself.” Angelo’s teeth flash. Weightless. Insolent. [break][break]

Beneath the shadowed hood of the lurking Decidueye, sharp eyes glint… [break][break]

When the dice slowly cease, a two and five face the tavern celling.

[attr="class","angelotag"]Martín del Mar

[attr="class","angelonotes"]

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Azul

Mars | Tuesday

He/Him

August 4th

Canalave City, Sinnoh

Bi / Demiro

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POSTED ON Dec 5, 2021 18:15:40 GMT

angelo vestri likes this

[attr="class","samcam"]

Mars is indeed a pretentious bastard, and as mentioned before, he’s also incredibly competitive.

So much so that when Angelo dares to commit the crime of claiming Mars’ own precious lucky number seven (once again, this totally isn’t about luck at all) he leans forward just so slightly, his gaze remaining fixed on that of the caster.

Numbers run through his head, probabilities being calculated almost as if by instinct.

What are the odds of rolling two sevens in a row?

Just as he reaches the answer, the dice that had been thrown onto the table come to a stop, and it’s a two and a five that face up. Mars narrows his eyes.

”You cheated.”

Does he have any reason to make this accusation? Does he have any proof? Is it merely a hunch or is he just being a sore loser about all this?

It would be hard to tell what the answer is, because the words are said with absolute certainty, never looking away from Angelo while the Meowth’s ever UNNERVING stare also remains fixed on him.

”You filthy cheater.” With this, a smirk, that dagger-like sharpness now unsheathed. ”Throw again.”

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angel, rogue bastard

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POSTED ON Dec 7, 2021 18:47:32 GMT

Martín del Mar likes this

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[attr="class","angelo"]

[attr="class","angelow"]

[break][break]

“You cheated.”[break][break]

Brows knit together, smile fading like clouds drifting before the moon in overcast. For a moment everything turns still as cool cerulean eyes lock onto Mars’s accusing stare, an allegation triggering the change of the wind’s direction. [break][break]

Unfounded. Speculative. Conclusions jumped to off the edge of a self-satisfied smirk. [break][break]

How gratifying it would be to wipe it clean off the banker’s face. [break][break]

Shame he was right on the money. [break][break]

“Are you really throwing a shit fit over losing a game, Del Mar?” [break][break]

His gaze remains unwavering even when Cash Money’s piercing eyes burn into him, giving no acknowledgement to the Decidueye that lurks within the shadows it had manipulated to his benefit. [break][break]

“Sure.” Reaching across the table, Angelo collects the scuffed dice and his smirk with a smooth swipe of his wrist. Daring to reveal to the banker a play of his hand, an opportunistic nature hinted on a sharp canine bared. [break][break]

“After you hand over the winnings you owe me.”

[attr="class","angelotag"]Martín del Mar

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Azul

Mars | Tuesday

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August 4th

Canalave City, Sinnoh

Bi / Demiro

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TAG WITH @mars

POSTED ON Dec 11, 2021 0:26:00 GMT

angelo vestri likes this

[attr="class","samcam"]

What need does a banker have for a few measly coins? Is a man who runs a financial institution really not used to letting such things go? Is it greed, avarice, does he want to hoard them as if they were a dragon’s treasure? Or, is it perhaps a matter of principle; of what’s just and fair and right.

No, it’s about his pride.

”Vestri.” This time, his gambling companion is addressed by his surname, as if this made it clear that things are now serious. A sudden shift, tension in the air, smiles like blades, the effects of cheap beer intensifying emotion that otherwise may have been much milder and much more pleasant. ”I don’t owe you anything.”

Martín del Mar paying a man who just tried to swindle him? Many have suffered greatly for much less, and while Mars would perhaps appreciate Angelo’s keenness and ingenuity under regular circumstances, he sure doesn’t when it comes to his damn money.

”Don’t make this harder than what it needs to be.”

What is he, a mafia boss?

Well, heir to one and high in the ranks of another, but of course, today Mars is no more than an extremely wealthy pseudo-medieval banker, and he really likes staying in character.

Thus, shouldn’t this be resolved the way he imagines it would be resolved during such times?

As he waits to see if Angelo backs down or not, it's finger by finger that an elegant leather glove is slowly removed.

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angel, rogue bastard

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POSTED ON Dec 12, 2021 12:00:55 GMT

Martín del Mar likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","angelo"]

[attr="class","angelow"]

[break][break]

Martín del Mar ruffles his feathers, preparing himself for business as his precious pennies and pride are threatened, and he preens. [break][break]

Satisfaction rolls off Angelo’s broad shoulders like the tide, ushered along by the knowledge of words sinking beneath skin. That a dagger sharp smile had nicked a nerve. [break][break]

It doesn’t cross his mind, doesn’t bother him, that beyond the walls of this grubby ol’ pub they had a handshake business partnership. As far as Angelo was concerned, as soon as their boots had hit the sticky beer-soaked floor and their dice had tumbled across the table, it was all in another world.[break][break]

Standing exactly in place, shoulders solid and undaunted, bottomless blues – as hungry and everlasting as the horizon or the sea – watch Mars expectedly. Intentionally, he rolls the dice between calloused fingers, flashing snake eyes but never releasing them. [break][break]

The banker’s warnings are but music to his ears, competition a siren song. [break][break]

And it lures nothing but words and smirks that crave its trouble. [break][break]

“Thought about saying please?”

[attr="class","angelotag"]Martín del Mar

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Azul

Mars | Tuesday

He/Him

August 4th

Canalave City, Sinnoh

Bi / Demiro

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POSTED ON Dec 13, 2021 15:41:42 GMT

angelo vestri likes this

[attr="class","samcam"]

It was all in another world.

When in Rome, do as Romans do. Thus, it stands to be believed that ‘when in ren-faire, do as you think people did back during those times even though geographically speaking none of it fits the way things must have been in Hoenn back then’. A bit of a long saying, isn’t it? Anyway…

The banker, ever wealthy and ever proud, continues to look at Angelo, clearly not sharing the caster’s amusement with the whole situation. Or, perhaps he does, for even in all of his annoyance there’s still that smirk of his – sharp and dangerous as it may now be.

”How about I say something else?”

Calmly, slowly, Mars stands, his figure ever so imposing in that manner that is so fitting of a man of his social standing (and also the pretend social standing he has in this ren-faire). Not once does he look away from Angelo, nor does the Meowth. ”I believe it goes something like this…”

The glove that had been so carefully removed is then raised, and the motion is swift: a slap across the face, elegant leather meeting sun-kissed skin. Even if not done with particular harmful intent, it’s far from gentle, but what matters is the words that follow the gesture:

”I challenge you to a duel.”

The blade that showed its edge has striked, and a glimmer of excitement and amusement shines in the banker’s gaze, only matched by how serious he is in his statement. Duel over a few coins? The true ren-faire experience, at least according to Mars.

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esuna

angel, rogue bastard

he / him

twenty-six

july 21st

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