✗ : Explain how they portray feelings of hostility or dislike.
A deck of cards passed around a table to avoid the hands of any would-be cheaters eventually makes their way into the tatted hands of the Coyote. Conversation over a game was always easiest, but to say that Caelric particularly enjoyed anyone at his table would be a considerable overstatement. They were loud, obnoxious, and at best leering towards the waitress that had been tending their drinks that evening. Most of them he could do without and likely would, once this game was all over.
“I’d put ‘em in their place I would!”
“Har! Yeah! Couple good smacks, or a kick to the teeth...that’ll do it!”
“Right! People don’t get hit enough these days. Back in my day, you get beat just for lookin’ at someone sideways. Now? Damn younglings are soft. ”
Caelric began dishing out cards, and while he did, he spoke, adding his own perspective to the conversation. “I mean, sure. Every so often, someone deserves a quick clip to the jaw if they cross a line, but me, I’m more a long con kind of guy.” he explains, offering a brief eye to the others at his table.
“See, I might not like everyone, but just about everyone has some kind of value to them. So I might keep them around if they aren’t an absolutely deplorable piece of shit. There are times when I need things that only shitty people can provide, and I’m willing to maintain a cordial relationship if I can benefit from their presence. Like you guys. I don’t really like a single one of you, but you all play one hell of a game of poker.”
He grinned and even got a couple chuckles with that, and yet he wasn’t joking despite how casually and personably he spoke. They were all watching him talk, but they hadn’t been watching his hands, a dangerous move considering the night was ending, and the pot was substantial after a good two bells of betting. There was a look of confidence from a few, others were keen on their poker face, but Caelric had a good sense of most cards on the table and wasn’t all that worried on the outcome.
“It’s easy to string people along for a line, and get what you need out of them if you know how to do it right. People are generally, very easy to mislead and manipulate. I’m not one to really take advantage of just anybody, mind you, but if people suck I won’t lose any sleep over running game on them.”
“I do however, feel pretty damn bad about this.” He lays his cards out, and against the other hands his was superior. What a surprise. “Read ‘em and weep, boys. This one’s all mine.” he chuckles amidst a series of groans and unhappy protests, reaching forward to scoop his winnings for the night. A stack of coins were left however, as he gestures magnanimously. “Drinks are on me though, for the trouble.” That smoothed over a couple disgruntled looks as few people, particularly drunks, ever fussed over free liquor.
Before he left, he slipped the bag of gil into the waitress’s hands, hiding the action with a seemingly flirtatious whisper against her ear. “I doubt these guys are big tippers, but tonight they donated considerably. Should be enough to get you that dollhouse you’ve been wanting for your kid. Send her my best, and I’ll see you some time next week. Catch you around, beautiful.” She waved the conman off with a knowing smile, all too aware of her regular’s antics and all too happy to be on the generous side of them.
