Jake gazes at the darkened panes that shielded the otherâs eyes from his own, his reflection warping along the sleek surface as he shifts his weight across his tired feet. Ace had always been a bit of an enigma to the other survivors, but even more so to the hermit. Always smiling, always seeming to be in good spirits. The thing that bothered Jake the most about the gambler, though, are his shades- and not because he canât see the manâs eyes.
More so because there is no feasible way he should be able to see through those lenses with how dark it is in the realm- and Ace didnât seem like much of a health nut, so him having consumed an absurd abundance of carrots is likely out of the question.
Jake feigns a look of being taken aback when the other mentions the tattered appearance of his med kit, one that had obviously seen better days. His dark eyes drop briefly to the satchel, before lifting to greet the glossy surface of Aceâs glasses. Something about not being able to see his eyes settles his otherwise fried nerves. The encounter didnât feel as awkward as perhaps it would have with anyone else.
âSo quick to seal the deal. That wary I might cheat you?â He sighs, sounding almost a little offended. The gentle noise of tools sliding around in the metal tin is a cold-hearted taunt. Jake could never hope to be as slick as Ace, but that didnât mean he hadnât prepared a card for such a response.
âI know you must do a lot of reading, but havenât you learned not to judge a book by the cover?â The saboteur muses, head tilting as he props the kit on his forearm and against his chest. The noise of metallic teeth being separated fills the air as he pulls the zipper around to the other side of the battered case.
With deliberate slowness, the man procures from the dinky kit an intimidating syringe, which is protected by plastic casing. Gripping tightly onto the fabric of the container as not to let it spill onto the dirt, he extends his arm further out so that the other man may have a look inside. Alongside the supplies one might find inside similar medical bags, there seems to be a packet of sutures, still neatly packaged and seemingly sterile.
After a moment, Jake gently returns the syringe to its rightful place, pressing the kitâs flap closed with the tips of his tender fingers. He honestly has no idea if this would sway Aceâs interest over his offer, but he can count on one hand how many times heâs seen one of these syringes, and how many times heâs seen them be used on the very few chest hairs that sprout from his skin.
âEven if it isnât very pretty to look at, the guts of this thing ought to carry some weight. Perhaps Iâll just give them to Claudette, if you donât fancy. Though youâll have to inform me of the details of your credit contract.â
 Sunglasses were as staple of an accessory for gambling as shin guards were for soccer practice. Particularly for men like Ace with softer eyes than most. The ability to read covert intentions before an opponent even played a card was a paramount skill for detecting deceit and since Ace was fond of figuring out the best means to slip himself a few advantages against those who were not at all shy in doing the same, he wore the darkest, most reflective pair of sunglasses he could find on the discount rack at Bear Guts Bait and Tackle. Gamblers more disciplined than him would have seen a reliance on shades as training wheels, but since heâd perfected a poker face from the nose down, Ace didnât see why a soulful pair of peepers had to stop him from attaining gambling greatness when he could easily slip into some sunglasses.
 Jake, on the other open hand, speaks volumes to the gambler with an expression raw enough for the wolves gathered round any poker table to gleefully rip apart. On the surface, the saboteurâs cluelessness over quality seemed genuine enough. How could anyone expect this wild child to weight worth when he probably thought a handful of walnuts was some form of currency just because squirrels paid him with their company for a taste of foraged goods?
 Ah, but that was the ace in Jake Parkâs hole, wasnât it? âYou would think the heir of a reputable business would offer me something of greater substance.â He shrugs, not at all reserved about reminding the lost boy of his ties to more modern successes. âKid, donât take it the wrong way, but I donât think youâre capable of cheating on an open-book exam.â This could have very well been a compliment to folks with shoes squeakier than his swamp-logged suedes if cleanliness was even possible for Jake to attain.
 Eyeing the kit curiously behind the shadows of his shades, Ace studies the syringe with some smothered interest. Thereâs no denying itâs a nice find, but nice or not, was it really worth the treasure trove of tools heâd excavated from the Huntressâs lair? âI wouldnât call an ace in the hole its âgutsâ. Unless you prefer your guts,â he muses, jabbing Jakeâs stomach with the corner of the toolbox, âto have a one-time use?â A shitty med-kit, no matter its contents, would remain a shitty med-kit, no matter its contents because once those were used up, nothing remained.  Fortunately for hook-boy, Ace was more of the type to rely on quick thrills to stable reliability. âOffering me add-ons to get your next sabotage fix? You must be getting desperate to hear a hook drop.â Chuckling, he shoves the box further against the puffy layer of Jakeâs parka. âHere, Iâll help you out of your hole for now, nene. Think of me as your dealer for destruction. But, youâll have to keep me in mind when Daddyâs money makes its way to your neck of the woods.â If they ever got out of this place, he was going to live comfortably--one way or another.