#mxchinationfm

Marie had the idea that the best way to make people think you had more than what you did was to risk it. Have a casual attitude about things and she’d be damned if she would let anyone of the ton think any less of her. There hadn’t been too much talk of what was going on with her but she knew that wouldn’t last. Forgetting that for a night, she spent time with the ladies of the ton before making her way to the casino room. It was nice there and she easily had a good time and found some wins going her way with some decent hands. 

Whist was a favorite of hers so she went straight to that table and partnered with someone she didn’t know. They’d played for about twenty minutes when her partner left for other games but she wanted to stay so remained seated as another took the place of the former partner. Money was placed down and the cards dealt and only then did she look up to see Lysander at the table as her new partner. Forcing a smile, she wanted to leave, not wanting to deal with that past just yet but unable to move from the table. “I’ve been on a winning streak Mr Digby and if you change that I’ll be cross.”

All of the nobles and the ones outside of that circle had come dressed in striking costumes as creatures or deities that looked exceptional in the light of the party. “You know,” he says striding over to Lysander, “a dragon is not what I expected you’d dress as but I have to say that you do look one of the best here. The costume, I mean.” He didn’t want to inflate Lysander’s ego too much after the last time they’d been at a public event he’d been beaten at their competition. Again. “Everyone loves a mask, are you going to pretend to be someone else or just enjoy everyone looking over?” There were already a few eyes going their way and even Tobias’s ego knew that it wasn’t directed at him, clearly everyone was ogling Lysander.

The competition between the two had always been fun for Tobias, he missed the fire that it bought and even though he’d lost more times than he wanted to admit, it was still fun. Waking up in Lysander’s bed hadn’t been a new thing but he’d not done it so long after he’d lost one of their bets. As rises from the bed and pulls on his discarded pants from the night before, he spots the money he’d left on the table that was for the bet he’d lost. “What are you going to spend your winnings on?” he asks, deliberately getting dressed slowly.

TIME HAD BEEN SPENT SCOURING THROUGH EVERY LEDGER KNOWN AND THOSE KEPT HIDDEN WHEN PIET TOOK OVER FOR THE DOCKS WITH SOME UNSURPRISING NOTIFICATIONS KEPT SECRET AND CODED FOR CURIOUS EYES. The man he had been could recognise when something was off and with effort could decipher it. It all led to an establishment. Brook’s Club. A gentleman’s one but clientele of high esteem didn’t stop secret goings on from happening.

With a newly granted membership acquired, Tobias wasted no time in putting it to use and sought out the club. By day he had found it refined and full of the typical gentlemen wanting to play cards or chat and smoke but by night, he made it his personal mission to get it as lively as he could like the nights when he was away and things took a drunken turn for the better and everyone let loose.

His wish was granted and at his own insistence and generosity, the place was rowdy and everyone drinking far more than they could handle. Gentlemen, when let loose, could be as messy a drunk as some of the people he used to drink with. “Instead of watching us all have fun, why don’t you join us?” he beams, clearly feeling the buzz of the drinks he’d consumed. “Come! It’ll be fun! What a way to celebrate the start of the season!”