piratejournal | [Written]

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[Written]

[It's late at night when the journal entry appears.]

Evening.

I suppose I am writing in this thing because I can't sleep. I haven't really figured out what to do about that. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[There's a pause, before he adds more.]

Is anyone else up at this hour? What are you doing with your time?

[Another pause, longer than the last.]

If anyone would like to talk right now, that would be fine.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sits down across from him, taking the deck and starting to shuffle it.]

Mmm, I know a few -- I think. If I can remember them. Which one do you know?

I don't really remember what it's called. You can just pick something.

[He gives his head a small shake.]

I played in grade school a few times but not since then and in high school it was mostly video games.

[Thinks.]

Ever heard of Egyptian Ratscrew?

Never.

[He watches Riku shuffle for a moment before he glances away.]

How do you play?

It's easy.

[He cuts the deck in half and hands one stack over to Natsuno.]

See if you have 26 there. Don't look at them, though.

[Starts counting through his own stack.]

Basically...I put down a card, you put down a card. Back and forth. If we put down matching cards, the first person to slap the pile gets all of them. Same with sandwiches -- so, like...I put down a three, you put down a five, then I put down another three. Follow so far?

[He counts his stack with a bit of a fumbling hand. He's not used to handling cards, just like he said.]

Yes, I understand the rules.

[He reaches twenty-six and holds out three cards to Riku.]

[Only had 23, so at least they don't have any cards missing! He takes the three Natsuno hands him.]

Okay. If someone puts down a face card -- King, Queen, or Jack. Oh, and Aces, too -- then the other person has to put down another face card, or they lose the pile. You haves four chances with Aces, three with Kings, two with Queens, and one with Jacks. And if you can't tell where this is going, the winner is the one who ends up with the entire deck of cards first.

[Looks up at him.]

Still good?

[He nods in agreement, committing the rules to memory.]

Alright, I think I've got it.

Awesome. I'll start.

[Puts a card down, keeping his eyes on the pile that will eventually grow and his hands close in case any pairs or sandwiches pop up.]

So...how's the sword training and all that coming, anyway?

It's fine.

[He his own card, it's not even close to the same as Riku's.]

I practice most days. I'm being very diligent about it.

[Already putting his next card down practically before Natsuno's hand is out of the way. Still nothing.]

You said that. I meant, how do you think you're doing? Feeling more comfortable with it yet?

[He drops a six on the pile.]

Much more comfortable then I am with my pistol.

[Have a five.]

That's good. ...Heh, you're going to become a weapons specialist or something.

[This time he draws a nine.]

Perhaps, but perhaps not. Then again I have ample time to do so.

[Another nine! Riku's distracted from replying just yet as he instantly slaps his hand down the second the face of the card is revealed on top of the pile.]

[Natsuno is a little startled to say the least, but it makes sense within the rules. He sighs.]

These are mine now, right?

Nope, mine. The goal is to get the whole deck.

[Shoots him a quick grin, then puts down a Queen.]

Uh huh.

[He also draws a Queen. He takes his hand away and there's a slight pause before he remembers he needs to bring it down on the pile.]

[Doesn't hesitate, he's slapping his hand down on the pile as soon as he sees the Queen, but it puts his hand in contact with Natsuno's so he snatches it back kind of quickly.]

Ah, sorry. [Clears his throat.] It's yours.

[He pulls his own hand away too, his cheeks heating up with embarrassment more than anything. He swallows a little.]

Okay.

[He reaches out again and pulls the cards to him.]

[Rubs the back of his neck a little awkwardly as he waits for Natsuno to put a card down.]

Uh...where did you get your pistol anyway? Do you always keep that on you, too?

I picked it up on the island with the hot spring.

[He plays the next card, a three.]

I keep it with me since Logan got me.

[Nods, putting down a ten.]

Guess it makes sense to want the extra protection.

It's kind of a back up. Ace taught me how to shoot it.

[He throws a two down.]

well, backups are never a bad thing to have.

[Adds a King to the pile.]

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