Who: Kaz and Chuuya What: A random run-in at the Casino. When: Early May Where: The casino Status: Close; Completed Gdoc Rating: PG-13 at most.
Chuuya was feeling a bit bored tonight, so he decided to go to the casino for a bit. This time he would be going as a regular patron. He had used to work at the casino, as a pit boss at first before he became night manager. But once the jewelry store was up and running, he had to quit his job. Chuuya liked to keep busy, but even he knew there was no way he could do both jobs at the same time. Or he could but he wouldn't have any time for Irina or drinks with Miriam and Damien or visiting Claudia and Rebekah at the museum.
He walked into the casino. It was a little strange being there and not be working, but he ignored the feeling and headed towards the bar to order a drink. He took the glass of wine from the bartender and took a sip as his eyes scanned the crowd. But there was nothing interesting happening, so he turned back to the bar and took out his phone. Maybe there was something more interesting on the network.
Kaz spent most of his free time at the casino. He was still too young to acquire a job as a dealer there, but that didn’t stop him from scoping the place out on a daily basis. It also reminded Kaz a lot of home. In Ketterdam, Kaz owned a gambling den called the Crow Club. There was nothing quite like the sound of patrons losing money and a little bit of themselves to make one feel comfortable. While the casino he resided in now was far more advanced than the Crow Club, it still was far more familiar than any other aspect of this town.
While underage, Kaz still settled himself at the bar. He flashed his high-quality fake I.D. at the bartender, but only ordered himself a soda for the moment. He preferred to keep his wits about him even if he wasn’t currently on a job. As the bartender filled a glass, Kaz turned and surveyed the crowd. He couldn’t help, but notice the young man beside him do the same before turning to his phone.
Whatever he was looking for, he didn’t find it. Kaz offered a nod to the bartender as he set the glass on the counter. He raised the glass to his lips, taking a sip, before casually addressing the man with the glass of wine.
“Didn’t happen to see anything that caught your interest?” He inquired.
The casino had been one of the more familiar places for Chuuya as well. The Port Mafia had owned a few of them in Yokohama. While Chuuya wasn't in charge of them, he did visit once in a while to make sure the managers were running the casinos up to standard. Sometimes they also did their illegal dealings there.
He didn't really notice anyone sitting beside him. He only glanced up from his phone when someone spoke. "Not really. I mean, that guy over there is cheating at blackjack but that's it." It was clear that Chuuya didn't care. He didn't work there anymore and sometimes he didn't do anything even when he had.
Unlike Chuuya, Kaz noticed everything. The guy cheating at blackjack was doing it poorly. Most likely, this was his first attempt at cheating. From the sweat on his brow and the way his eyes darted around, Kaz assumed he’d probably only decided to cheat because he was desperate. He had no choice. Something or someone had forced him into the precarious position he was in now.
“You noted it even though it is clear you don’t care,” Kaz commented, keeping his tone casual. It wasn’t a far leap to assume this young man had some experience around casinos too.
Chuuya did notice everything. It was hard for him not to when he had heightened senses thanks to being a vampire. Even now when he wasn't paying attention, he could hear/see/smell/etc everything that was going on around him. There was just nothing that kept his interest at the moment. Just the blackjack cheater but that wasn't enough to keep his attention.
He shrugged. "I don't work here anymore, so why should I care?" Even when he did, he still didn't say anything. He'd cheated at casinos himself, plus committed other numerous, worse crimes.
Kaz shrugged. “You shouldn’t. As you said, you don’t work here anymore. It is none of your concern.” It did, however, make Kaz note that the man beside him was quite observant too. Plus, it proved his theory that he worked for the casino. It was all information Kaz stored away for later. Was it a secret he could sell? No. But any information could have merit depending on the situation.
“Though, I imagine it might prove mildly amusing when they kick him out.” Kaz’s gaze shifted back to the man just in time to see security haul him up from the table and yank him towards what he presumed to be the security offices. No doubt the police would be waiting for him there too.
No, and it wasn't even a secret anyway. Everyone at the casino knew he used to work there. But he could understand the importance of information, no matter what it was. Even something that didn't seem like a big deal could be used in some way. Maybe not right now, but it was good to lock it away just in case.
Chuuya turned just in time to see the security escort the cheater out the building. "He didn't last very long, did he? Not surprising." First time cheaters always made several mistakes and got caught quicker.
Because Kaz was still relatively new and did not work at the casino, the information was new to him. Sure, he probably would have found it out from someone else eventually, but finding it out from the source was certainly easier.
The Bastard of the Barrel nodded. “It’s not. He made quite a few mistakes. Of course, I’m sure you noticed it.” Because he worked at the casino previously, it wouldn’t surprise Kaz if Chuuya spotted the reasons why the guy failed too. He wasn’t doing a great job of concealing them anyway.
"It's always the same mistakes too, I've noticed. But yes, it's easy to see the signs when you've done it yourself plenty of times before," Chuuya shrugged before sipping his wine. It had been awhile since he had done so, probably a few years before he arrived in Madison Valley. But he still remembered how to do it.
"Not to mention his heart was racing pretty bad." A sign that the cheater had been lying and also quite nervous.
“Most people are slow learners.” Kaz knew how to cheat at cards. He knew all the tricks. He’d mastered sleight of hand at a young age in order to increase his standing on the street. He might have been the best in the Barrel. However, Kaz wasn’t eager to share that talent here. At least, not yet.
The comment about the poor bastard’s heart racing captured Kaz’s attention. This man was either a heartrender or a vampire. If he had to bet, his money would be on the latter. “That’s a useful talent. Being able to pick up on heart beats,” Kaz commented, taking a sip from his bubbling soda.
"True," he shrugged. He only knew a few people could cheat at cards. He remembered trying to teach one of his subordinates but the guy just didn't get it and Chuuya just gave up. He wasn't sure what happened to the guy but guessed he probably ended up as a grunt.
"It comes with being a vampire," he shrugged again. It did took awhile to get used to, and he had once snapped at some old lady who was chewing loudly (or she had been to him at least), but nowadays it was natural for him.
When Kaz acted as a dealer, he could manipulate the cards to make certain people sad and one person very happy or vice versa. He’d done it to Jesper during one of their many schemes. Of course, in that instance, he’d ensured Jesper lost in order to keep up a certain appearance which was necessary for their act to be successful.
When the man confirmed he was a vampire, Kaz nodded. “I noticed there are quite a few vampires in town,” he replied, keeping his voice casual. “Though, you’re the first one I’ve met personally.”
"Yeah, most of them are from the same world and there's a whole family here." Well, he didn't know if it was the whole Mikaelson family that was here. He didn't know how many there were in total. Regardless, there were still quite a few of them in town.
"Only a few of us are from different worlds." Like Miriam and Damien. He didn't know of any other vampires in town.
Kaz had seen just as much on the network, but he didn’t know much about them. Yet. Kaz’s knowledge about the supernatural was limited. He only knew the lore from his world and most of that revolved around the Grisha.
“I was only vaguely aware of a whole family being here,” Kaz replied carefully. “And as I said, you’re the only one I have met personally.” He took a sip of his soda, considering his next question carefully.
“I’m guessing you all get along in town then?”
"Yeah. I only know them because one of them was the one who turned my girlfriend." He hardly ever spoken to Klaus, though. Maybe once or twice on the network, but he couldn't remember for sure. The only one he did speak to on occasion was Rebekah whenever he visited the museum for a bit.
"I don't know about the others, but I don't mind most of them. There's just this one guy I don't like, but I just avoid him." Which was a miracle considering they lived in a small town while also being unable to leave. But he hadn't ran into Kol since he tried to kill him.
Kaz nodded. Small world. How many vampires in town were related to this ‘family’ of vampires? He was certainly learning a lot about them tonight. He was pleased with himself for speaking to the vampire beside him. It provided him with a plethora of information.
So there was some tension. It was impossible for it not to happen in a town so small. “It sounds as if, for the most part, you all get along,” Kaz noted. “Aside from that particular individual. Care to share his name in case I wish to avoid him as well?”
It was certainly a miracle the town was painted red with blood with some of the vampires in town. Especially the more trigger happy ones.
"Yeah, which is a good thing," Chuuya shrugged. "His name's Kol." Although the other vampire hadn't caused any trouble in a long time, so maybe Kaz didn't have to worry much about him causing any problems. But he did ask so Chuuya answered.
“Thank you.” Kaz filed the vampire’s name away. While he hadn’t seen anything on the network involving that particular vampire, it was always best to know potential threats. That way, one could plan accordingly should they decide to become actual ones.
Kaz slipped his phone from his pocket and glanced at the time. He’d spent enough energy milling around the casino bar for tonight. Besides, during his chat with Chuuya, he’d spotted a potential target that he believed Nina and him could easily con. Tonight had proven fruitful in a number of ways for the Bastard of the Barrel.
“Well, I have an appointment I must keep. It was good to meet you, Chuuya. Perhaps we will run into one another here again.” Kaz found he didn’t despise the vampire and if he could get one of them on his side? All the better.
“Enjoy the rest of the night.” Kaz tossed a few bills on the table to cover his soda and turned to leave.”
Chuuya nodded. He himself didn't really consider Kol a threat, but the guy was still a vampire and one of the stronger ones in town. Kaz, as far as he knew, was human and Chuuya didn't blame him for wanting to know about any potential threats.
I'm sure we will." Especially if they both frequent the casino. He might not work here anymore, but he still enjoyed having a drink once in awhile. "You too," he added as he turned to the bartender and ordered another wine.