Operation Convince Ebony

"So your telling me, a random teenager in cosplay beat you first try, stealing all your stuff in the process, and that you need my sister and I to join you on a possible suicidal quest to reach the top of the Battlefield world?" Ebony asked, the disgust evident on her face.

"Well... when you put it like that..." James started. "It does sound kinda bad..."

"KINDA BAD!? It's insane! not only is it a stupid plan, even if it was the best plan you ever come up with, why the hell would we help you anyway!?" Ebony shouted.

James rubbed his ear a bit, wondering when Ebony could shout so loud. He knew that frankly, he should have seen this coming. But damn it, he was dead set on his plan. So, he had to pour some honey into his words, something that was slowly becoming his go to method of manipulation.

"Look, i know you have no reason to trust me, hell, you have ample reason to hate me. But just think of the possibilities! Imagine what would happen if we won!" James started, thinking that to get her imagination running would be the way to go.

"You mean what would happen if you won." Ebony said angrily. But James could see it, the gears in her head were starting to turn, that little flicker of doubt in her eyes.

"No, if WE won. I'm here asking for help aren't I? Just imagine, forget the small house, you could live in a mansion. You could have literally anything you desire. The winners of the Government created Tournaments? They are the real legendary players. Forget famous, you might as well be a queen! And what about Verity? She could have anything she wanted too!" James said, subtly keeping himself out of his speech.

Truthfully, James wasn't lying. All that could be hers and Verity's easily when winning one of those tournaments. But he wasn't in the business of sharing. Ebony was right the first time, it's more if James won then anything else. He's not heartless though, so he would let Ebony and Verity get their dues. Just not nearly as much as him. Ebony didn't need to know that though.

He could see that Ebony was starting to have real doubts now, but not quite convinced. So, in his final bid, he tried his trump card.

"Ebony, surely you must see what an opportunity this is! Just think, the life of a queen. But something greater, even better. If you already have anything, you would never even need to play a game again! Neither would Verity! You could just hang up your deck in a frame somewhere and retire! After all, who's gonna go through literal layers of security just to play a game with you? I don't think anyone would try..." James said, pouring as much naive hope as he could into his voice.

Ebony gave James a look that told him Ebony knew he was playing with her, and that she didn't buy his tone even a bit. But she seemed to be struggling, because she knew James was right. James could tell, the potential idea of Verity never touching her deck again, in a possible death game, was just too good for Ebony to pass up. James smiled, knowing he won.

"No."