9 Self Control

The Bandoset Corale. The galaxy's biggest gambling ring that can take place anywhere and at any time. As long as you call for a gamble to take place with the Bandoset company, they will come to look over any sort of gambling that takes place between other people. A variety of races take part in the Bandoset trials, many take place in gambles revolving around the Bandoset. They are above law and above other planets. They will overlook any type of gambler if it is hosted by another while two others gamble between each other or otherwise.

If I were to say that no one was above them though, that would be a lie. They are not above the Vineskin Proverbs, if they go out of line in any way, either it is gambling planets away and such, the Vineskin Proverbs will have no choice but to get involved. I greatly exaggerate their stranglehold on the galaxy as well, they are a normal gambling company that accidentally gets involved in extremely illegal ruts, but the Bandoset company's motto is to always let a gamble go through, so only outside sources could get involved when it comes to canceling a gamble that goes too far. Which is why the Vineskin Proverbs exist.

Sponsors and the like include the entire National Pientris organization, which holds all major nations within the galaxy, the Benbefit Voralis, an organization that opposes the National Pientris, and the Tinitris Fief, races such as the Phrelem and the Tereskish Posh are involved who oppose all factions and are rather violent towards many small solar systems harboring life.

Commentaries from the Abyss, Ludis Minor, Commander of Terra.

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The Gambler knocks the door to his room and Ren allows him to come in, "The warp will take about a-" The Gambler stops, stunned, Ren, half-naked in front of him wiping herself down with a towel. The Gambler closes his eyes and clenches his fist, "Please don't test me, I'm at my limit."

Ren turns around, a faint smile on her face, "I do not mind, my maidenhood is nothing compared to a debt, I just want freedom," She sighs, "Which warp gate did we go through?"

"The one in the southern quadrant nearest to Nier'adad."

"Cursed plains, that is the names meaning."

"I see..." After staring for too long a time, The Gambler looks away shuffling awkwardly.

"You can stare."

The Gambler stiffens like a child who's been caught, "It's rude... right?"

"Well, it's my intention," Ren gets close to the Gambler, wrapping her arms around his neck, staring into the Gambler's eyes. "Why are you so hesitant?"

"This is my first... well... the first time a woman has..." The Gambler stops himself in embarrassment. "I might fall in love with you."

She smiles, "That's fine, just don't go around cheating on me."

He clicks his tongue, giving in to his desires, throwing her onto his bed.

"I'm pure as well... so be gentle."

At that moment, it's like something broke in the Gambler.

***

A casino, people gathering in large crowds playing various games arranged throughout the establishment, some sitting at the bar and examining their surroundings. A variety of races have gathered, some are of the worm people while some are even of the Ufesto Berest which could be seen by their clockwork robotics they are famous for. Menatis'blok, creatures around six feet tall, horrendous faces but are known to be the most polite race in the galaxy, some are Titan's, humans have gone past the boundaries.

Around the bar of the casino, a human man sits on one of the stools, watching as others gamble their lives away, wine in hand. His sharp white hair is slicked back with a loose hand, noticing someone approaching him on his right. A Feris Mons, known as the race of plants. It's white wooden features in contrast to its beautiful white suit comparable to the Pope's, cherry blossoms falling from his branches. The human man at the bar grabs one of the petals in the air, smelling it. The Feris Mons man leans towards the silver-haired man, a quizzical expression coming across his face as the Feris Mons's slow movement begun to irritate him.

"What?"

"Have you... heard... about the..."

"Please... speak... faster..." The silver-haired man sneers.

"The failing gambler... have you heard?"

"No, who is that?"

"He's a gambler... who fails... but then wins big time..."

"Isn't that a normal occurrence?"

"No... he's been... doing it... with every game..."

"Wait what?"

"Like it's intentional... wanna see?"

The silver-haired man laughs, "Sure, might break the monotony of today!" The Feris Mons gets up, waddling to the man he was talking about as the silver-haired man follows, an expectant smile on his face.

A boisterous scream comes across the casino and they head towards the sound, seeing a young man with black hair wearing a Mexe, a Cakas'mirilin at his side as a Human man he is facing against stares at what is in front of him with anger in his eyes, an old human man wearing the uniform typical for a captain. The young Human man places a card down and the old man drops to the table, hands gripping the sides of his head.

The Gambler and Ren.

The Gambler stands from his seat, placing all the chips he had earned in a large bag already filled to the brim with chips. Ren looks at him with intrigue.

"How did you do that?"

"Well, if you keep losing, it'll be easier to get a read on an opponent since they'll show you who they really are since they thought they won. It's like when villains in media when they think they've won, they tell their entire plan to the hero."

"Really?" Ren tilts her head and raises an eyebrow.

The silver-haired man from before stops in front of the Gambler and he notices, looking over to the man, confused. "Hello?" The Gambler says quizzically, putting the bag over his shoulder.

"I want to gamble with you." The silver-haired man says, hands in his pockets. The silver-haired man takes out his hand, holding it out for a handshake, "I am Temis Maradoll, nice to meet you, and you are?"

The Gambler shakes Terris's hand, "The Gambler."

Terris smiles, "I see, so your name reflects what you do?"

"I like gambling."

They stop shaking hands, the Feris Mons moving to be in front of Terris, holding out his hand for a handshake as well, "I am Loa Martitis." The Gambler shakes Loa's hand as well, quickly separating after feeling a stinging feeling run across his hand. Loa laughs lightly before moving to Terris's side once more. Terris walks to the Gambler and places his hand on his shoulder.

"Let's go somewhere more private."

The Gambler nods, Ren and Loa following as they head into a room above everyone else in the casino, a window showing everything there is in this place. Elevators reaching multiple floors of the casino, long creatures looking over the goings-on. Terris claps his hands together, sitting behind a table with Loa, Terris motioning for both Ren and the Gambler to sit down. The Gambler looks to the door and back at Terris, "I don't like facing my back to the door."

Ren chimes in, "The Cakas'mirilin never face their back to the door."

Terris chuckles, changing where he sits, instead of facing a window, his back is facing a wall. The Gambler nods, sitting opposite to him, Ren sits down beside the Gambler. She looks at the sight seen from the window of the private room with awe, Terris notices, "Is this her first time in space or something?"

Ren turns to Terris, "Yes it is."

"I see, what's your name then young lady?"

"Ei'liea-Ren, I will not disclose my last name."

"What do you go by?"

"Ren."

Terris nods, "So, what game do you guys want to play?"

The Gambler raises an eyebrow, "You aren't choosing?"

"It's fairer for the opponent to choose is it not, especially in my own facility."

"You own this place?"

Terris nods, "Are you two in a relationship by any chance?"

Ren looks at him excitedly while the Gambler is stunned by his question, "Yes!"

Terris chuckles, "So, what do you want to play?"

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