The hubbub and buzz of chatter and dozens of beeping and clacking machines were somewhat less noticeable in the little corner of the upper deck, where a few chairs and tables of ornate, almost gaudy, design provided a solace for those whose feet were weary, throats were dry or eyes were dazzled by the blaze and light of glory that the Gold Saucer had become the moment it had opened. It was not a place of comforts for the timid, the easily distracted, or the pure, but since those sorts of people were in short supply as it was, there remained plenty of guests to fill the massive entertainment hall nearly from wall to wall with giddy people.
The bard who stood tall on the chair in the corner had tried his hand at some of the games. Of course, he'd been largely distracted by the green-gold of the eyes that were staring up at him, from the adjacent seat, eyes that would make an irresistible asset to one of the salacious bunny-outfits that the casino attendants wore.
The thought made him chew his lower lip, and a long breath was forced on him as he considered the aftermath of the party of the night before, in Soliloquy House, and beyond it. The guests had been many, and festive, and he'd been kept on his toes for a good while, between hobnobbing with them, serving wine that he'd smuggled in when the hostess had not been looking, and breaking into a sudden combined performance that had left blushes, odd stares and giggles floating about the room. It was supposed to have helped a friend get something he'd really, really wanted, but there was only so much one can do with a single song. Oh, yes, and there had been fortune-telling going on downstairs, too, and very well received, apparently, though the bard himself had been more interested in hobnobbing with the drink-loving blonde and the ardent redhead to either side of him - the same redhead, in fact, who was with him now, and whose look seemed to drift between a public face of dispassion, and hints of the most desirable kinds of mayhem.
But, business before pleasure, and he'd not been given an hour's leave to perform here by the establishment simply to squander it in exchanges of looks. That would come later. For now, the little crowd that had gatherered were watching him intently. It wasn't really especially unusual for a tall male of Highland stock, dressed in coastal fashions, to try to get attention in the casino, but one with a deep voice, a lute, and the intent to use them might well be worth a few minutes of time between the Chocobo races and the next show on the center stage.
But attentions were flames that needed fanning and fuel, and so he spoke.
"Welcome, guests of the Gold Saucer! I've been given a chance to play a little something for those of you in this comfy corner today. It's not my usual style, but I'm a man who won't turn down something interesting when he hears it. This one was taught to me by a well-heeled Lalafellin gentleman, who relieved me of much of my playing funds last week, and agreed to give me some back if I would play his song on occasion, to commemorate his mastery of the cards. Consider this my debt paid, and you as the beneficiaries, lads and lasses, and lend your ear to what is probably the most aggressive thing I've ever had to perform."
He lifted his lute, but instead of strumming, hung it from his neck, and began to beat it softly, like a drum of sorts, and moved his other hand to a tabor drum strapped to his belt, creating a heavy, slow and percussive beat. His voice dropped to its lowest register as he began a chanting sort of song.
"As I stride through the Saucer, where I'm fully invested,
I know that you can't get in, because it's fully congested.
But that's all right, because it would be a waste
To let in scrubs like you just to fall on your face.
At the first crack of dawn, I'm there hittin' the tables,
And I'm taking down Elmer like his brain was disabled.
Triad's triplin' my winnings every time that I play,
So if you're lookin' for a score, you might as well stay away
I'm a gambling man, and I'm playing to win,
My pouch keeps gettin' fatter while yours gets thin.
If you think you got a shot, by all means, go ahead,
But when I take your MGP, don't go cryin' in your bed.
We'll be spendin' most of our lives
Playin' in this Manderville paradise.
Bought Fenrir once or twice,
Livin' in Gold Saucer paradise.
I accept the sacrifice
Of stayin' in this gambler's paradise.
I once heard PVE was nice,
But the Saucer is my paradise.
A pretty Roe-lass challenged me to Triad last week
Sent her packin' with Bahamut and a kiss to the cheek
Bring Minfilia out? Then I'm takin' her in
When we play the Swap match that I'll easily win.
I'm nabbin' MGP from those who don't deserve it,
And I get the table first even if you reserve it,
'Cause I'm buddies with Godbert, and you haven't a chance,
Though I kinda wish m'boy would put on some pants.
If you're just here to visit, I'll be lettin' you be
'Cause it's such a great place, and there's plenty to see.
I'll even wish you well at the Chocobo race,
But if you bring out your deck, I'm puttin' you in your place.
We'll be be spendin' most our lives
Hanging out in gambler's paradise.
The Riviera shirt looks nice
When I wear it in this paradise.
Lovin' every kind of vice
Livin' in Gold Saucer paradise.
Victims of our own device,
Livin' in this Manderville paradise.
Bunny girls starin' at me with looks that could melt butter;
Kissed three last night, and soon I'll have another.
Think you can take on a card-carryin' primal?
When the tournament comes, I'll take you out in the final.
Still baitin' newbies long as they keep bitin';
Won't wear the Gambler's Coat 'cause it's ugly like Titan.
There just ain't no way to keep this player from play,
Gonna win me that cactpot at the end of the day.
The remainder of our lives
Are bein' spent in gambler's paradise.
Found the pie, and got my slice
Here within Gold Saucer paradise.
Goin' raiding might be nice
But not as good as gambling paradise.
So let me put your deck on ice
'Cause I'm the Sultan of Manderville's Paradise."
The bard who stood tall on the chair in the corner had tried his hand at some of the games. Of course, he'd been largely distracted by the green-gold of the eyes that were staring up at him, from the adjacent seat, eyes that would make an irresistible asset to one of the salacious bunny-outfits that the casino attendants wore.
The thought made him chew his lower lip, and a long breath was forced on him as he considered the aftermath of the party of the night before, in Soliloquy House, and beyond it. The guests had been many, and festive, and he'd been kept on his toes for a good while, between hobnobbing with them, serving wine that he'd smuggled in when the hostess had not been looking, and breaking into a sudden combined performance that had left blushes, odd stares and giggles floating about the room. It was supposed to have helped a friend get something he'd really, really wanted, but there was only so much one can do with a single song. Oh, yes, and there had been fortune-telling going on downstairs, too, and very well received, apparently, though the bard himself had been more interested in hobnobbing with the drink-loving blonde and the ardent redhead to either side of him - the same redhead, in fact, who was with him now, and whose look seemed to drift between a public face of dispassion, and hints of the most desirable kinds of mayhem.
But, business before pleasure, and he'd not been given an hour's leave to perform here by the establishment simply to squander it in exchanges of looks. That would come later. For now, the little crowd that had gatherered were watching him intently. It wasn't really especially unusual for a tall male of Highland stock, dressed in coastal fashions, to try to get attention in the casino, but one with a deep voice, a lute, and the intent to use them might well be worth a few minutes of time between the Chocobo races and the next show on the center stage.
But attentions were flames that needed fanning and fuel, and so he spoke.
"Welcome, guests of the Gold Saucer! I've been given a chance to play a little something for those of you in this comfy corner today. It's not my usual style, but I'm a man who won't turn down something interesting when he hears it. This one was taught to me by a well-heeled Lalafellin gentleman, who relieved me of much of my playing funds last week, and agreed to give me some back if I would play his song on occasion, to commemorate his mastery of the cards. Consider this my debt paid, and you as the beneficiaries, lads and lasses, and lend your ear to what is probably the most aggressive thing I've ever had to perform."
He lifted his lute, but instead of strumming, hung it from his neck, and began to beat it softly, like a drum of sorts, and moved his other hand to a tabor drum strapped to his belt, creating a heavy, slow and percussive beat. His voice dropped to its lowest register as he began a chanting sort of song.
"As I stride through the Saucer, where I'm fully invested,
I know that you can't get in, because it's fully congested.
But that's all right, because it would be a waste
To let in scrubs like you just to fall on your face.
At the first crack of dawn, I'm there hittin' the tables,
And I'm taking down Elmer like his brain was disabled.
Triad's triplin' my winnings every time that I play,
So if you're lookin' for a score, you might as well stay away
I'm a gambling man, and I'm playing to win,
My pouch keeps gettin' fatter while yours gets thin.
If you think you got a shot, by all means, go ahead,
But when I take your MGP, don't go cryin' in your bed.
We'll be spendin' most of our lives
Playin' in this Manderville paradise.
Bought Fenrir once or twice,
Livin' in Gold Saucer paradise.
I accept the sacrifice
Of stayin' in this gambler's paradise.
I once heard PVE was nice,
But the Saucer is my paradise.
A pretty Roe-lass challenged me to Triad last week
Sent her packin' with Bahamut and a kiss to the cheek
Bring Minfilia out? Then I'm takin' her in
When we play the Swap match that I'll easily win.
I'm nabbin' MGP from those who don't deserve it,
And I get the table first even if you reserve it,
'Cause I'm buddies with Godbert, and you haven't a chance,
Though I kinda wish m'boy would put on some pants.
If you're just here to visit, I'll be lettin' you be
'Cause it's such a great place, and there's plenty to see.
I'll even wish you well at the Chocobo race,
But if you bring out your deck, I'm puttin' you in your place.
We'll be be spendin' most our lives
Hanging out in gambler's paradise.
The Riviera shirt looks nice
When I wear it in this paradise.
Lovin' every kind of vice
Livin' in Gold Saucer paradise.
Victims of our own device,
Livin' in this Manderville paradise.
Bunny girls starin' at me with looks that could melt butter;
Kissed three last night, and soon I'll have another.
Think you can take on a card-carryin' primal?
When the tournament comes, I'll take you out in the final.
Still baitin' newbies long as they keep bitin';
Won't wear the Gambler's Coat 'cause it's ugly like Titan.
There just ain't no way to keep this player from play,
Gonna win me that cactpot at the end of the day.
The remainder of our lives
Are bein' spent in gambler's paradise.
Found the pie, and got my slice
Here within Gold Saucer paradise.
Goin' raiding might be nice
But not as good as gambling paradise.
So let me put your deck on ice
'Cause I'm the Sultan of Manderville's Paradise."
"But in the laugh there was another voice. A clearer laugh, an ironic laugh. A laugh which laughs because it chooses not to weep."
![[Image: 3610850.jpg]](http://assets-cloud.enjin.com/users/1266293/pics/original/3610850.jpg)
