Phoenix Salt&Sassy bar
“That’s impossible! How do you…you are cheating!” the guy in front of me roars, slamming his useless cards onto the table. I just raise a brow and reach for the small dagger he had thrown in. Here is a lot of card games going, no coins or whatever, people play with what they have.
Mike has told us about the casino he sometimes visit. Kyle then grinned saying then after all he knew how we can stuff if hunting doesn’t work. He boasted about me being a poker genius I wouldn’t go that far. I had years to watch people play, within being a slave there wasn’t anything else to take your mind off then playing.
I pretty quickly understood then that counting is essential. Count the cards, memorize which are still in game… Play, keep a indifferent face…
I smile and throw the knife back at him. He catches it “Don’t insult me! You won it…” I shake my head, Kyle sighs “He thinks it’s not fair to take a weapon from you…” I nod and reach my hand out to Mike. He shakes it, looking in my eyes.
“I’ll go and see if I can bring you lot over to the building. You probably are eager for some quietness…” He bites his lip and looks tensed at me “Sorry… That was insensitive…” I chuckle soundless while he goes to talk to Deliah.
“Honestly man… You’re too nice!” Kyle says, swatting my head. “No I am not. You’re just a blind fool!” I sign to him. Taken aback he looks at me “What makes you say so?” He signs. “You didn’t realise the look in his eyes. He was thankful I didn’t take that knife. He knew it was his fault. No one forced him to throw that into the pot. He underestimated me… Now he knows it’s not just boasting, when you say I am good… And still kept his dagger. I don’t need it. We don’t need it. But he might. I probably saved him from trouble with Deliah. I don’t think she likes her guards gambling away their weapons…”
Kyles mouth goes round as I sign to him. “Ohhhh…you did that to make him grateful to you…” Sam rolls her eyes “Honestly… That’s why you are NEVER making our plans Kyle. All this years and you still don’t grab it!”
They start bickering and I turn away. No need to “listen” in. I grab my bow and quiver and fling it over. Then I take my rucksack. Mike returns and waves to us.
I snap my fingers between their faces. They look at me and I look back sternly. I nod over to Mike. Both then grab their own things and we turn to the bar. Deliah grins at us “Don’t worry… The place is quiet soundproof!” She winks. I understand that she goes on being just her usual self. People will think we are just staying a while in her dormitories.
“Good to know… Sam’s rather loud!” Kyle jokes, what gets him a kick from our girl. I sigh and roll my eyes,following them out.
Old building at the docks
After only a short walk we stand on an old building. “This once were quarters for sailors and harbor workers. The rooms are pretty simple. Everyone has to get his or her own furnishments. Everyone cleans his or her own room. There is a place with a cooking fire behind the building. No open fire IN the building. Energy is rather restricted, so we prefer to only use it for light and warm showers. No heating. Use blankets. Water is provided due to several rain filters”
Mike draws on while we follow him into the building and climb the stairs. Fuck… Are we on top? Not exactly what I prefer…
But I don’t complain as we enter the dust free room. There aren’t Rats around, no cobwebs or whatever.
“See… Here are some furnishments even. Cupboards and such. That door there leads to a simple bathroom.” I nod “Any questions?” Mikee asks. I shake my head. Sam smiles at him “Thanks. Our journey was really long… We are glad to havd a roof above our heads…” Mike nods “I can understand that. I know that Deliah show maybe was a bit… Unusual. But she’s a good one. When she takes you under her protection…”
He looks short at each of us and leaves then with a goodnight. Kyle and I share one look and then at once go over to the side corner where some small cupboard stands. We hurriedly shift it over to the door, to stand in front and block the way in. Sam meanwhile looks closely into corners, using a flashlight with a dynamo. “No cameras…” She signs. I nod. I didn’t expect here some as the energy seems really restricted. But we have stayed in places with energy systems and cameras spying on us.
I go and open the window and look around. Relieved to see the firestairs I turn and sign “Firestairs are left side. We can keep the door closed and can still escape…”
Once this is settled, we start to make a bed from our sleeping bags and blankets. Sam dissappears into the bathroom and we hear her actually sing while she showers (of course ‘hear’ is wrong in my case. I rather feel the vibrations of the water and Kyle’s grin tells me she is singing!) . But soon the sound stops and she comes back, dressed now in some more comfortable things. Kyle then takes a shirt shower and appears in shirt and pyjama bottoms. We always gave some sleeping clothes with us. If given the chance it’s just wonderful to sleep in something else then day to day clothes when on travel.
I then follow their example, shower, dress and walk back into the now dark room. Only Sam’s flashlight guides me. I slide under the blanket that Kyle lifts up.
“You know you gave Deliah a weapon… She now knows you both would do wehatever for me. She knows Kyle and I are your weakness…” Sam speaks gently, the flashlight illuminating her face.
“She knows we three are each others weakness, but also each others strength. And mind… She didn’t see our fighting skills man on man. It’s why you didn’t fully fight there or? I have seen you wiggle out of the hold of bigger guys…” “I wondered too!” Kyle speaks and signs.
Sam shrugs “I was curious… And wanted to see whats going on. It didn’t seem wise to just go and beat the shit out of them…” I grin and pull her in my arms, I feel her snuggling up. Her arm goes over my waist and pulls Kyle closer who then spoons me. It’s not often I let myself be the middle of our sandwich. But tonight I might need it. Sam’s soft warmth in front and sweet tropical scent and Kyle’s reassuring, strong body behind.
Her hands caress my side, her lips kiss me softly goodnight. His lips wander along my neck, tease my ear a bit. I feel him chuckle as I giggle soundless. I am ticklish there.
Tonight there won’t be more planning or tossing ideas. Tonight it’s just us…
