Scenario:Richard - All Bets Are Off
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All Bets Are Off
Richard, who often suffers bad karma in exchange for his gambling luck, makes a misplay in a poker tournament when he realizes his crush, Therese, is watching him. Despite losing the hand, he ends up winning the tournament and is crowned Phantagrande's top gambler; the casino manager, Christina, observes from afar with a crafty smile.
Have you heard of a tournament called the Casino Crown Jewel?
It's an event hosted on the Jewel Resort Casino Liner to determine Phantagrande's top gambler.
When the day of the event arrives, players from all walks of life pack the casino halls.
Sparks fly between the card sharks at a poker table, where the final stretch of the tournament is taking place.
???: Well, shut my mouth. Sorry to say this, friends...
???: But I think Lady Luck has fallen for yours truly.
Gambler 1: Psh! So what if you've got a lucky lady on your team? It ain't over till the fat lady sings!
Gambler 2: Tch, laying it all on the river is the mark of a true gambler. I'll show you a comeback for the ages.
???: Haha, now we're talking. If I wasn't looking for a challenge, I'd have played fifty-two pickup.
???: Can't leave the table without experiencing the electrifying thrill of bluffing.
The last remaining players are seated together. One man in particular is nearly hidden behind a mountain of chips won in consecutive hands.
That man's name is Richard, who has earned a reputation as a gambling prodigy.
Richard: Hoo boy. This winning streak isn't the result of my usual lucky string of risky plays.
Richard: Nope! It's gotta be divine intervention!
Richard: (If I've gone this long without a single stroke of bad luck, that can only mean one thing...)
The gambler is grateful things are going his way, but he tempers his elation.
Richard is susceptible to ordinary bouts of bad luck in exchange for the good luck he enjoys in gambling.
Richard: (This win streak is a miracle. And knowing how my luck works...)
Suspicious Man: ...
Richard: Hm?
Richard: Wait, wha? Wh-where's my wallet? Oh man, it was stuffed with cash too...
Drunkard: Watchin' a punk like you hit the jackpot pisses me off! Take this!
Richard: Yeowch!
Richard: What was that for? I didn't even do anything!
Richard: D-down, boy! Somebody help meee!
Richard: (It's hard to believe all the misfortune I've suffered through.)
Richard: (But this time, I don't feel any negative shadows around me!)
Richard: (If anyone tries to use violence or cheat, the casino staff will surely put a stop to it.)
Richard: (And I don't have to worry about my fear of dogs since they're not allowed in the casino! Let's see... what else could go wrong?)
Richard: (I guess someone might step on my foot or spill a drink on me. Small annoyances to be sure.)
Richard: (But in terms of a disaster bad enough to offset my winnings, I'm in the clear!)
Richard: Hahaha!
Richard: All right, dealer, let's get the next hand going!
Richard's loud laughter, no doubt getting under the other players' skin, can be heard across the casino floor.
(Captain) and company are also at the casino today, delivering cargo. A quick glance at the surrounding activity reminds them that a tournament is underway.
Vyrn: Wahoo! The energy in here is electric! I wanna go watch the action!
Lyria: Uh-huh! I do too!
Choose: What are we waiting for?
Vyrn: Awesome! Knew you'd agree!
Vyrn: Yeah! A crowd this size proves this tournament is no joke!
Vyrn: Bwuh? Where did (Captain) go?
Lyria: Ah! Over there!
Vyrn: It'd be bad if we got separated... We oughta simmer down and pay closer attention.
Continue 1
The crew make their way to the poker table where the final event is in full swing.
As they draw closer, they spot a familiar face behind the imposing stack of chips.
Lyria: Hey, isn't that Richard?
Richard is a crew member
Richard notices his fellow crewmates and calls out to them during a lull in the action.
Richard: Oh, hey, guys. Did you come to celebrate with me after I win the championship?
Vyrn: You could've at least left a note or something telling us you were entering a tournament! How rude!
Richard: Sorry, sorry. You guys seemed busy, so I decided not to bug you about it.
Lyria: Wow! Look at all the chips you've won!
Vyrn: Seriously! You've pretty much got the title locked up, eh?
Richard not in crew
Vyrn: Oh yeah, it is! He's the guy we met during the Festival of the Falling Flame!
The man behind the chip stack calls out to the crew during a lull in the action.
Richard: Haha, long time no see, you guys. Thanks for the help during the festival incident.
Vyrn: Hehe, don't mention it! So it looks like you're in a real good spot!
Continue 2
Richard: Heh, who do you think you're talking to? They don't call me Richard the gambling wizard for no—
Richard: Gasp!
Vyrn: Uh, what's wrong?
The crew follow Richard's gaze, and they quickly come to understand why he suddenly froze.
Therese, a casino duelist, has spotted the crew and is coming over to greet them.
Therese: Heehee. Fancy meeting you all here.
Richard: Th-Th-Therese!
Therese: Oh my. I've never seen such standout skill among a group of expert players. Amazing!
Richard: Th-this is only the beginning!
Vyrn: He's like a completely different person...
Richard: W-watch me w-win it all!
Therese: Um... O-okay! Good luck.
Richard: (Great! This is my moment to show her my brilliant play!)
Richard: Hey, dealer! Keep the cards flowing!
And so a red-faced Richard, high on some sort of euphoria, is dealt his hand.
Gambler 1: Bahaha! This pot's mine! My revenge starts now!
Richard: ...
Richard: (Damn! That was supposed to be my place under Therese's spotlight!)
Richard: Aha... Ha... A small misplay is all that was. The, um, next pot definitely has my name on it!
Vyrn: Oh, brother... He's falling apart in front of Therese.
Lyria: Ahaha... But I'm sure he'll win the next one!
Therese: I suppose that one hand was simply following the ebb and flow of probability.
Richard: Y-yeah, exactly!
Richard: I'll make sure it doesn't happen twice!
Therese: That's the spirit! Unfortunately I have to help set up a duel.
Therese: I'll be cheering for you though, Richard.
Richard: ...
Vyrn: Focus. You're only a few chips away from winning it all. You can feel lonely later!
Richard: You're completely right.
Richard: Okay, okay. This ends now!
Richard's attitude takes a dramatic shift, and his winning ways return.
When all is said and done, Richard stands above all other gamblers in Phantagrande, boasting a new title and a huge payout.
Lyria: Congratulations, Richard!
Richard: Well, the odds were simply in my favor.
The skilled gambler sweeps his bangs to the side and clears his throat.
Richard not in crew
Richard: Conquering this tournament proves there isn't a gambler left in this skydom who can give me a run for my money.
Richard: If I remember correctly, you guys are on a journey to some far-off place, right?
Richard: Hah, that's it. Guess my memory isn't that bad after all.
Choose: Yeah, we're going to Estalucia.
Richard: It wouldn't surprise me if there are artful gamblers living in other skydoms.
Richard: I mean there's just gotta be!
Richard: Okay, my mind's made up. I'm joining you guys!
Vyrn: Er, hold on there! You can't just decide without—
Richard: You've seen my gambling skills with your own eyes! You'll never have to worry about running low on funds again!
Lyria: Um... What do you think, (Captain)?
Richard: There's a one hundred percent chance you say yes. Looking forward to the journey, (Captain)!
Richard's eyes twinkle as he grasps (Captain)'s hand in a handshake.
Although Richard hasn't given the captain much of a choice, (Captain) is no less impressed by his enthusiasm.
Choose: Mm-hm, welcome aboard.
Richard: Thanks for taking a bet on my dreams.
The crew members nod at Richard, who is grinning from ear to ear.
Richard: I hope you don't mind if I change the subject...
Vyrn: What's up?
Richard: It's about Therese.
Richard: When you guys helped me out during the festival incident, I confessed my feelings for her.
Lyria: That's right. It's too bad you couldn't beat her in a duel to win her over.
Richard: Be that as it may, I haven't given up on her.
Richard: So can I ask you to help me out again?
Richard: I won't put her on the spot about becoming a couple like I did last time.
Richard: First I'll ask her to go on a d-d-date. Will you help me?
Richard: Thank you! The one thing you can always bet on is friends!
Richard finishes shaking hands with (Captain) and breathes a sigh of relief.
Choose: Are you serious about this?
Richard: I am. When I start thinking about her, my heart goes into overdrive.
Richard: If that's not serious, then I don't know what else to call it. You know it's true, (Captain)!
(Captain) acknowledges Richard's resolve with a firm handshake.
Continue 3
Meanwhile...
???: Hehe...
A woman on the fringe of the milling crowd watches Richard and the others without their knowledge.
With an air of invincibility, Christina—manager of the casino liner—makes her move.