Chapter 48: Playing around

Araceli found herself in one of the well known casinos in the entertainment district of the city.

This wasn't what she expected when she set out to get in contact with one of her people, but this was the location, she had cross checked so she knew she hadn't made a mistake.

As a member of the academy, under normal circumstances, she shouldn't be anywhere near an establishment like this, however she had her own objectives and needed to go inside, it was only a matter of hiding her identity, and luckily she came prepared.

On her face was a mask that covered her face, and her hair had been dyed from their natural bright blue, to a dull platinum silver.

It didn't take much for her to get in, as the casino was open to all, her looks weren't even given a second glance as it wasn't the first time someone would come to the casino while wearing a disguise.

Araceli stepped into the what could only be described as sheer magnificence, the outsides of the mansion used as the casino hall was beautiful on its own, the artisan that created it wasted no efforts in bringing out the beauty of the materials used on it, but the insides were a different matter altogether.

It was a palace. Everything was made of gold and other beautiful gem, giving the environment a luxurious feeling. The staff and the visitors were all dressed in exquisite outfits that matched the atmosphere of the casino perfectly, even those wearing masks had the mask tailored to fit their outfits, giving the impression of guests at a masquerade ball.

Araceli didn't even need a second to regain her composure and answer the attendant that had approached her, she hadn't lived countless lifetimes for nothing.

"This way madam, let's get you ready before you mingle"

The attendant bowed as he spoke to Araceli, his tone polite but not subservient, a quick look at him and Araceli could determine he was a high level awakener.

'Truly deserving of the best casino in the city'

Araceli thought as she followed to attendant to a different section of the casino

"Pardon me madam, this is where we part ways"

He bowed once again before handing Araceli to the two female staff waiting at the entrance.

Even after Araceli and left with her escort, the man stood still, deep in thought, only he knew that the aura the guest he had just welcomed although was hidden was not something he could ever match up to.

Cold sweat ran down his back as he exhaled, turning back to move towards his position.

"It's been hectic lately, and the addition of these ascendants is too much for my poor heart to bear. I might have to retire soon"

The man muttered.

***************************

"I'm bored"

A dark haired handsome figure at the poker table yawned before downing the glass of whiskey they had on the side.

"Let's go all in this time"

They said after belching hard, pushing all the chips in their corner towards the centre of the table.

All the spectators and the other one gamblers at the table burst into a feat of laughter.

"Send, you haven't won a single game all night, you keep losing and losing, tonight would make it the third night in a row you're losing, yet you choose to go all in"

A bald man on the other side of the table snickered as he berated the dark haired figure. The other watching joined in on the action.

"Yeah Send, just how much have you lost here already?"

"I reckon it's nothing less than seven thousand gold"

The dealer watched on with his expressionless face, but deep inside, he was trembling. All the staff of the casino knew about the cash giving cow that was Send, a dark haired, dark skinned person.

They referred to Send as such as it was impossible to tell their gender. From their mannerism, to their voice and even body figure, Send was just too androgynous, and since they didn't make clear their gender, everyone just referred to them in the gender neutral pronouns.

However that was not the concern, every employee that had worked as the dealer whenever Send was gambling at the table had lucked out.

An employee makes a cut of the money they are able to get off the hands of the customer, if you get the point, and it was finally his turn.

According to accounting, they had won thirty thousand gold off Send alone in the span of the last three days in different games. They (Send) were just that unlucky, and the dealer was looking forward to his bonus at the end of this match too.

The pot had been raised with Send's all in and the rest of the table had to decide if they would go all in or fold, however, they all knew of Send's unlucky streak and the allure of being the one to win the pot drove them all to play, raising the stakes to a whopping hundred and fifty gold coins.

A quick glance from the dealer to the two house planted gamblers went unnoticed by everyone in the room, and now everyone just had to reveal..

They were a total of six players, and the results were as follows:

Full house

Pair

Full house

Four of a kind

Straight flush

The dealer sighed in relief, although one of the gamblers planted by the house only had a pair, the second had a straight flush and the win was as good as theirs, all eyes now laid on Send and for him to reveal his cards.

With a yawn, for the first time since the game started, Send touched their card and unfurled them on the table, and the results shocked everyone.

Royal flush

Send just won their first match, and it was an unprecedented one.

************************************

Araceli had gotten changed into an attire that befit the standards of the casino with the aid of the attendants.

Turned out the casino provided such services, as long as one had the money, anything could be found here, and money was one thing Araceli was never short off.

When she got out, she sat at the bar and ordered a cocktail, times delight, while holding small conversation with the waiter.

"You know, they say time heals all wounds, but I beg to differ"

The waiter set the drinks he was about to mix down on the table and stared right at his guest.

"It seems we have a philosopher among us tonight.

Well do you care to enlighten me, oh and since you ordered times delight, you might as well tell me the order you want it made"

After a short period of silence between the waiter and Araceli, Araceli spoke up

"Time brings joy and comfort, before taking it away and leaving one in despair and sadness, with just a tinge of hope"

"But still, the passage of time washes away that pain and brings solace to the weary soul"

The waiter continued the statement, this time mixing the cocktail in the right order before passing it to his guest.

Araceli received the drink and smiled at the waiter

"Or sometimes the hopes and efforts are dashed as time yet again shows it waits for no man and is on no one's side.

Just as it can heal a wound, it can also breakdown the strongest mountain"

And she took a sip of the drink afterwards.

"Hmm, that was excellent"

She commented on the drink.

"A pleasure to be of service ma'am"

The waiter said as he took a step back and bowed towards Araceli.

"Welcome, there's a private booth just for you on the ninth floor, room twenty one, you should take the elevator on the right"

And he raised himself up leaving to attend to other customers.

Araceli savoured the cocktail in her hands a little bit more as she watched the gambling game going on between the people in the house.

It ended in the win for the young dark haired man, or was it a woman, Araceli couldn't tell, but she was drawn to the figure.

'Well, I can figure that out later'

She thought to herself as she dropped the glass on the table, and stood up from the chair. Her meeting had finally been set.

A few steps was all it took to get to the elevator, and with a simple press of the button, the door opened for her, Araceli stepped in and the door closed behind her.

She set her destination to the ninth floor, which happened to be the second highest floor on the mansion, and the elevator began its steady movement.

At that moment, Send turned away from the game at hand and looked in the direction, the elevator Araceli had just stepped in.

"Well, that was a good game, Dealer, make sure it all goes into my account, now if you'll excuse me I have to leave"

The house was still in shock and awe, as Send, the one that had been cursed with badluck and had finally won a match, in a spectacular way.

Amidst the uproar, no one noticed, the person of the hour, Send, had vanished.