It's almost humorous, how those with different backgrounds all flock to the same place. No matter the legality, everyone here has simply come with one single intention - To play a game. Ah, how relaxing it is to finally be able to throw everything up to chance... The gambler is in his element once more. Grimsley is supposed to be in recovery, at least, that's what a certain friend of his wants him to do, but what's one game, right? Besides, he's getting better, he's been gradually slowing down his game nights. He certainly hasn't been playing as much as he used to.
...If only Grimsley could actually throw everything to chance this time...
The hairs on the back of his neck raise, a subtle drop in temperature, there's something looming in the shadows... If Shauntal taught him anything, it would be not to turn his nose up at any signs of supernatural meddling. Dragons, is it hard not to chalk it all off to simply being paranoid, however.
What really confirms his suspicions, however, is when his Liepard lounging next to where he's seated slowly begins to sit up, now appearing alert. The large cat sniffs at the air, and then lightly sneezes, to which Grimsley simply briefly pets the cat's snout to calm her down with his free hand while he stays focused on the game. ...The cat simply flops back over.
Pokémon aren't usually allowed out during a game to avoid foul play unless proven that the creature has no capabilities of messing with the outcome of such. His Liepard can't help him cheat in any way that isn't obvious, but she does work as a body guard or good detector of anything else wrong with the room. As long as she stays well-behaved, which she's been proven to be so, the establishment allows her to be out. Plus, that cute feline face truly is difficult to deny. ...The perks of being charming.
He could try outing the culprit... But he doesn't want to cause a stir, and deniability is still plausible. It's already so difficult to find proper places where he can play poker with actual stakes in this region... Plus, the gambler can't exactly pinpoint who is the cheater right now at first glance. His hand is forced, the only call left here is to cheat at their own game. Grimsley resists the urge to tiredly sigh, he hasn't cheated at a game in a good while. The former Elite finds such things to be boring.
...But as the game progresses further and more people are forced to tap out, there's one that has remained with a pretty good streak of luck... This guy appears rather confident in his hand what with going all in, he's quite certain this one is the culprit. The Liepard has already been back to laying down and lounging as per usual, but the occasional moody flicks of that long tail portray her displeasement for not being allowed to attack the foreign presence in the room. The gambler is lucky Pokémon are allowed here to some extent, some places try to pat you down and kick you out if they find even one Pokéball on you. It can be quite the pain in the neck. If this were the case here, he'd be solely acting on a mere hunch.
It's quite nostalgic, the way it comes natural to Grimsley. The short work of sleight of hand movement and the stored cards in his yukata allow him to rig his hand into having an incredibly good match. ...An even higher straight flush. Nothing of his face indicates anything of his hand until it's revealed, and even still, his mask maintains its humility. There is nothing to be prideful of this win beyond that of being reminded that he's 'still got it' in the cheating scene. Once again, a bore, but at least he's got cash now, he supposes, so he keeps his cool about it.
As he finally finishes continuing the mask of good sportsmanship, it appears the suspected stranger is still tagging along with him... A ballsy move. The Liepard that gracefully walks alongside him begins to lowly grumble, before another gentle pet to the snout indicates for the Pokémon to relax once more.
"Quite lucky indeed~ You did as well, hm~?" Grimsley calmly speaks, but he can tell in the stranger's tone that there's more to it than that. He stops in his walk as well, turning to the other as the question is asked of him. "...Having troubles accepting the loss, it seems?" The gambler feigns a sigh, before lifting up his arms as the large oversized sleeves droop down. This only serves to push the cards back further down his yukata by means of gravity, though if he had manually pushed his sleeves up, the same would apply.
Fact is, Grimsley's wide sleeves are easy to look into for any cards, and the gambler takes account of that via hidden sewn compartments and attachments to help keep the illusion of emptiness.
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