interesting – a similar reason for WHY people attended hope’s peak it seems. the promise of MORE in life, of a higher chance of success. and altogether, it was not surprising in the SLIGHTEST that a school such a hyakkou would have connections to politicians and ceo’s. government, running a business – it was all GAMBLING as well. and the people were JUST as seedy, if not seedier than the worms in the underworld. never much PRAISE in her mind for people of those positions, but if mary wished to rise up in the world – it DOES make sense. celestia just personally had DIFFERENT goals.
but one thing sticks with her – the fact that she had no idea that this school ran on gambling. that seems like it COULD have been a costly mistake. something dully noted.
“ there are a great deal of things people will put up with for the means of bettering themselves in the long run. self preservation, and a keen eye for the future are ADEQUATE reasons to attend, i suppose. still… “
there is a pause here now, nails thrumming on the top of the desk between them. the slightest tilt of her head to follow, skewing those drill curls. really there is no thought here – just a POWER move of stalling the conversation and making it flow at her OWN rate.
“ it does seem like a MAJOR oversight to miss the gambling aspect. “
a THINLY veiled insult – if one could call it that. it was a mistake, clearly – and one that celestia will hold onto, even as she listens and thinks upon what else is said. claims not to be an ADDICT – a claim celestia could only ever make in a web of lies. there is no TRUE doubt that the gambler is an addict, that gambling is her LIFE – but that doesn’t need to come up. instead, she decides to focus on the ending of the words. for the BRIEFEST moment, her calm smile slips to something more MALICIOUS.
“ do not get me WRONG – there is nothing i adore more than emptying the content’s of one’s wallets and witnessing the look of ANGUISH on their features as they realize the mistake they made. i enjoy the HUNT of gambling, the strategy of it. “
– nevermind the fact that she NEVER had a choice. that gambling was her life by force, from such a young age. grown up and it was ALL she knew. when she speaks again, her voice is PLEASANT in spite of the content.
“ but to appear fanatic, to be so DEEPLY lost in it is hardly becoming. i prefer to have DIGNITY and poise, as is suspected of someone of HIGH society. i may have to SIT among the maggots to play my games, but i REFUSE to be like them. “
PERHAPS IT REALLY WAS a major oversight . had she been more cynical , perhaps she would have thought to dig deeper . but that was the past — already set in stone . impossible to change . because yes — whether or not she’d made an error in accepting her scholarship to hyakkou without second - guessing it — SHE was the one who stayed . wasn’t as if no other high school would accept her . after all , her grades were certainly good enough to get her into the nearby public high school — but her pride wouldn’t have allowed that . a fact for which she would accept the blame .
but she didn’t regret it . not yet , at least . she’d clawed her way up through the ranks && risked everything she had . studied probabilities && statistics && strategies && cheats on top of her coursework . she’d EARNED her place as one of the top gamblers at the school . knew that every passing day would bring on an even greater chance that she might slip up , but she’d pulled herself from the brink before . because this was only the BEGINNING . && if she could survive these three years , she could almost definitely be accepted into even the most prestigious universities .
the risk , terrifying as it was , was worth the REWARD .
&& perhaps she understood at least some of celestia’s statement . because really , hadn’t she so often relished the destruction of an opponent who underestimated her ? one who used their position — their power — to threaten those she cared about ? she would be lying if she denied that much . the feeling of conquering someone others believed unbeatable . calling out cheaters . using their own cheats against them .
but for the most part , it wasn’t something she enjoyed . didn’t come to school looking forward to challenging others . didn’t find pleasure in the suffering of those whose greatest mistake was gambling with her . && perhaps that was where the two of them differ .
it wasn’t necessarily that she thought those addicted to gambling or even OBSESSED with it were beneath her , no matter how stupid the concept seemed . rather , in a sense she pitied them . how they’d fallen into an endless cycle of self - destruction — bound to keep going until they were destitute . no . they were STUPID , but they were people . similar to the thoughts she held on the student council president’s HOUSEPET system . fundamentally disagreed with the concept that those either stupid or UNFORTUNATE enough to have fallen so deep into debt were subhuman .
but she wasn’t looking for a fight . not when she hardly knew celestia . it wouldn’t be worth the argument . but it was INTERESTING speaking to her , at least . would offer a shrug . “ i was naive . but i like to think i know better now . ” golden eyes narrowed slightly as she’d assess the other . wasn’t as if she was unfamiliar with people like celestia . those who seemed almost stoic . unreadable . who thought they were above others . but celestia wasn’t a student here — && that fact alone made her words feel less threatening . because even if mary managed to anger her , what could she really do ? challenge her ? mary could so easily walk away . wasn’t above that much , even if there was a crowd .
it was that knowledge that let her continue . “ i can appreciate the honesty , though . && i’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on how our school is run . ”