The gently bubbling blue concoction of a drink was returned to the lips of the scruffy brunette, where a small sip of the liquor was taken. Holding the glass before his mouth, his hands covering his face from the bridge of his nose down, Ruce's sharp blue eyes looked upon each of the three card players sitting at the poker table, studying them carefully. A new hand was dealt, the button sitting at the Farmer's side and the human walrus and captain played their small and big blinds respectively. There didn't seem to be any tension or hostility at the table. No, it was just a game of poker between three strangers. No weapons were visible, no death glares were being sent around and the general relaxed atmosphere was present at the poker table much as it was across the rest of the pub. Bets were made, chips were slid into the middle of the table and the flop was revealed. A king of hearts, a three of spaces and a four of diamonds. The cards were in near pristine condition, which was a surprise for the Down and Out, so the ability to cheat was minimal. Did the deck belong to one of the players? Unlikely.

Ruce took another sip of his drink and continued to study the players, watching their faces as they looked at their cards and decided on their next moves. They all seemed average skill players, with perhaps the Captain having slightly more skill. Or perhaps the flash of his medal or maybe the stripes on his sleeve, or maybe even the looming hostilities overhead in orbit, gave him an advantage, psychologically? The Turn card was played, an eight of spades and bets were made. The humanoid walrus opted out when the Captain raised his bet, but the Farmer called and the River card turned over, a jack of diamonds. A near inaudible intake of breath between pursed lips came from the Captain, Ruce's ears picking the sound up. Was that deceit, or perhaps the River card had been unkind? The fact that both Captain and Farmer checked this turn made Ruce wonder if they had both been bluffing the entire time. Their hands were revealed and the Farmer took the pot, winning with a pair of kings compared to the Captain's attempt at a straight, four through eight, but since the seven never arrived, he ended up with a high card of eight.

[color=blue]”Ah, good job! You're not bad at this friend!”[/color]. The Captain said heartily as he tossed his cards down on the table, clapping his hands afterwards and raising his drink towards the Farmer. The Farmer rubbed the back of his head and smiled, giving the Captain a sort of half nod half bow, before gathering in the pot from the middle of the table and adding them to his pile. Between the three players, there looked to be an easy 60,000 credits to win. To the Captain that was probably a day's work, but to the Farmer that could be a brand new piece of equipment for his farm.
[color=orange]”You're not too shabby yourself, Captain.”[/color]. Came the young man's reply as the table settled and the players got ready to receive their new hands from the dealer. Before that happened though, the scruffy pilot stepped forth and approached the table, sitting down in an empty seat and placing his drink down, beaming a grin at the other players.
[color=007236]”So, 'ow much is the buy in?”[/color], Ruce asked as he rubbed his hands together, interlocking his fingers and cracking his knuckles. He seemed to have all but forgotten about his mission to acquire teeth and blood for the azure-haired chick back at the bar.

The dealer cast a sideways glance to each of the other players, whom all seemed happy to let the pilot join their game. It was clear that none of them knew who the brunette was, perhaps bar the dealer, and that was all fine and dandy with Ruce.
[color=yellow]”It's a 20,000 credit buy in, if you want to play.”[/color], the dealer confirmed as he returned his attention to the scruffy pilot. Ruce nodded his head and pulled out the credit chip he stole earlier, checking the balance. There was enough, just about, so Ruce handed the chip over and the dealer took payment, followed by sliding the scruffy man his chips. Benner looked far too excited and he glanced over his shoulder to see if he could spot the young lady at the bar, but the bodies around the table, mostly that of Sky watching over him, blocked his view. Twisting back around to view the table, Ruce grinned and picked up his drink, raising it to each of the other players in turn. The Farmer and the humanoid walrus gave puzzled looks, but the Captain just smiled and nodded his head.
[color=007236]”May tha' best man win, gents!”[/color]