Class and Schemes

The day had been bright long enough, and it was a relief when the moon and clouds invited themselves. The clock had just struck 9, and the usually empty tavern will quickly fill with locals hungry for another day's chance of deepening their pockets. Aaron Kerwin wasn't too familiar with who came and went, but he ventured out here enough to recognize winners' faces. How they walked in dripping with pride and walked out with heavy bags, smiling so hard their faces almost tore. People couldn't miss them even if they wanted to. Their gelled hair, expensive dress shirts, and set eyes that were so fierce one would cower away with a glance.

Aaron neared the tavern, and the custom smell of cheap drink and cheaper smoke welcomed him. The tavern's location was along a dark alleyway, with dim lamps lighting up the mini bazaar that ran down its length. Shopkeepers were yelling out their once-in-a-lifetime offers, random groups of men huddled in corners and drank solemnly, and women passed by dressed in vibrant skirts and ornaments.

Aaron scrunched his nose as a man passed with an odor so foul, he was just left to wonder what had happened. A few more surprising encounters later and Aaron finally arrived at The Jewel. Its wooden sign was effortlessly recognized by those who came nightly. There was a tilt, the painting was coming off in various places due to constant rain, and the lights around it flickered. However, no one seemed bothered by the sign, and it was left as is.

As Aaron walked in, loud banter and laughter ringed his ears. Juice bottles and plates piled up on each table while distressed servers tried to control the increased flow of orders. A few knocked-over chairs lay on the carpeted floor, and Aaron was sure those who weren't right in their minds anymore would trip over them and then make an announcement that they'll get their hands on whoever did this to them. He strolled past bored bartenders and people trying to converse with them before narrowing his focus to the far back of the room.

The players were already seated around the long table, but the game hadn't begun yet. Aaron had played cards far too many times in his 17 years and won just as many. Due to his father passing away and Aaron inheriting his father's shop, he had given up playing for nearly a year. He wasn't planning on coming here had he not heard that tonight hosted a special event. Maybe it was out of greed, or his long-standing love for cards and competitions, but he closed his shift early and came down to The Jewel for a game.

As he made his way to the table, a few players greeted him with nods, while others didn't break away from their discussions. He wasn't the last to arrive, since there were still two empty seats, one of which belonged to the notorious champion, Valor Hange. Of course, he'd come late, Aaron thought. Valor loved big entrances and flashy after-parties. Who could blame him, though? He had won consecutive games for almost two years and caused men desperate to win a big bet to go bankrupt.

Aaron still wasn't sure what caused him to come to The Jewel so suddenly tonight, but at least now he had a reason to stay.