[ the woman is shuffling the deck with a predatory smile. it feels a little like sitting at the table with a lion while one realizes they're a field mouse, huh?

poor, poor mouse.

Abel is hovering at Dokja's shoulder, leaning over to speak low into his ear as if he's some kind of coach... ]

If you lose? Um, actually-- I've lost sixteen times in a row, and she said if I didn't bring someone back here to win back my losings she would take my liver an eat it in front of me, so please do your best, would you...?! There's a good lad.