Gambling had always been a favorite pastime of mine, due to my, uh, upbringing. Sure, I was a tiny bit too young legally (I was sixteen), but who cared, they’d let me into the casino if I paid enough cash, which I’d always had lots of, considering I’m, like, the best at gambling.

So, as usual, I waltzed into my local casino and bribed the security guard some extra cash to get in. Then I strolled to the usual table I played, and won, at.

I took my seat at the table among the adults who frequented the casino (the ones who didn’t care about my age, anyway). We began our usual game, offering money or various objects of worth onto the table.

For my addition, I unclamped a gold bracelet from around my wrist and plopped it down onto the table. I didn’t care for the bracelet…it had next to no sentimental value, like most everything else I wore (I only valued one item out of all my many articles of jewelry).

Some time passed; I, as usual, was winning. ‘Oh look,’ I thought in mock-boredom, ‘someone’s approaching the table.’ I could, in fact, detect a being walking up to the table. A fellow gambler, perhaps.

Out of courtesy, I turn my head, a smirk gracing my lips. “Oh? Come to gamble? I suppose you could join in,” I remarked casually. The adults seated around the table nodded their heads in agreement. “…that is, if you’re prepared to lose.”