thenearshore | A prayer for payout

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A prayer for payout

Who: Suzaku Kururugi and Edge
When: December 6th
Where: An casino in Tokyo
What: Edge and Suzaku go to answer a prayer.

Suzaku stood at the side of the street waiting for Edge watching the people pass by. No one noticed him of course and he was glad about that. It was something he had found from his first day, that he felt relieved that he was was unnoticed and easily forgettable on the Near Shore. He kept his eye out for Edge though he was a little early, the place had been easier to find than he had thought.

He and Edge were going to answer a prayer. Suzaku had never done such a thing before but he had agreed readily when Edge had asked him. He had been trying to find as much to do as possible this last week, feeling strange and out of place. Lady Marinette had been very kind, as had Adrien and Snake but it didn't stop him feeling slightly lost, purposless. So an opportunity to get out and do something was something he was grateful for.

Even better if that something was helping someone. He looked around again, sure that Edge would be here soon.

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So far so good even if this was wrong, cheating. Suzaku threw paper and the man threw rock. Suzaku looked at the man impassively, wondering if he would up the bet or not. After all Suzaku only had to win one more throw and it was all over.

But gambling had deep claws it seemed for the man reached into his pocket again and pulled out what seemed to be his last few notes, his face was a sickly colour.

Suzaku's face was set, no mercy was coming from him. He pulled out another couple of notes himself accepting and matching the mans bet. His eyes flickered to Edge.

Good. This seemed to be having the desired effect; their 'victim' certainly looked like he was questioning his life choices right about now. "Rock," murmured Edge into the man's ear, even as he held up a hand for paper again.

Honestly, being a shinki almost made stealth too easy.

Paper. Suzaku closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening his hand flat as the man kept his closed in a fist. Paper wraps rock. Suzaku had won. The man went even paler, shook his head as if he he could not believe that such a thing would happen.

He put his hand in his pocket as if hoping there was more money there and then looked up to glare at Suzaku.

Suzaku just stared back, feeling awful. But this was the plan, he had lost everything and now they just had to... turn that into something positive. Suzaku, who never hesitated in a fight looked like he was frozen in place.

What do you say to a man who you have just led to believe they had lost everything?

Luckily, the crowd did what Suzaku couldn't -- and laughed, pointing at the fool without sympathy or slapping Suzaku on the back and crowing at how he'd taken that fool for all he had. Their victim slapped at his pockets, desperately searching for the more money he knew he had to have, even as he scrambled up to his feet.

Edge trailed out after him as he ran for the door, trusting Suzaku would free himself from the crowd easily enough.

Slipping away was a relief. He disliked having so much attention on him and even though he knew it was just an act, it still felt wrong to have people congratulate him for ruining this man.

Luckily it didn't take much for them to be drawn to other entertainment and for Suzaku blend into the background. Once he thought it was safe, when people had stopped noticing him he exited through the door where Edge and the man had gone.

He looked around, to see if he could spot them. Hopefully they hadn't gone far.

Not far. Just outside, where the man was desperately patting himself down again, questioning in a muttered voice they could both easily overhear how he could have spent all his money and lost so badly, how he was in such deep trouble, how it could have gotten this bad.

Behind him, Edge rifles through a fan of bills, waiting for a moment in the chaos to slip them back into the guy's pocket.

Suzaku makes his way to Edge, handing over the money he had won from the man, to add to Edge's pile. Edge was definitely the sneakier of the two and the one better for this part of the task.

The moment came relatively quickly, two men exiting, a snide comment. Their guy turned to them angrily, "You got something to say to me?"

The men laughed, unkindly and for a moment it seemed like they would say something. Like a punch might be thrown from any direction.

The tension didn't even last a minute, but Suzaku knew Edge was quick.

Uh-oh. This was not an expected twist, though Edge realized he should maybe have seen it coming. He shot a quick glance to Suzaku, hoping the other man understood his plea to keep this from coming to violence.

Then he was in motion, brushing past their victim with a deft step that probably wouldn't have seemed like the breeze even if Edge weren't of the Far Shore and thus a world apart. The man never felt the bills enter his pocket.

Suzaku nodded, understanding exactly Edge's thoughts as they mirrored his own. They were not there for a fight and hopefully this would not lead to violence. He stepped closer, ready to intervene if anything happened but luckily the men just laughed again before turning away, leaving the beaten gambler stood looking dejected.

He shrugged, as if trying to convince himself that it didn't matter and shoved his hands in his pockets. A moment later he brought his hand out, eyes wide at the money that was now in his hands.

"How?"

This moment was critical. Edge took a step back, waiting and watching like a man about to leap into combat. If their mark turned and went back in, or if he showed anything but relief... then they'd blown it, and had to reconsider in a hurry.

But if he praised the gods for a second chance...

He shot a sidelong glance at Suzaku. Be ready for anything.

Suzaku met Edge's gaze for a brief moment before returning his attention to the man.

"How can this be? I checked..." He looked around and Suzaku stood very still, making himself as unnoticable as he could. Luckiy whatever heavenly beings the man was imagining the source of his miracle he was not expecting two shinki loitering in an alley. They went unseen.

"I can't believe it..." His eyes had filled with tears, "A miracle... It has to be..."

He was muttering to himself, looking at the money, then at the door of the gambling den and then out, to the street beyond.

Okay. Maybe a nudge.

Edge stepped forward, keeping himself behind the guy to minimize any idea of being seen. "Second chances," he murmured, low and quiet, "only come once."

"Second chances only come once..." The man hadn't seemed to notice Edge at all but the words had registered. He looked at the money in his hands again and then with a look of great determination put the money in his pocket and with a last glance at the gambling den he stepped towards the alley.

"Kasume did mention that field trip she wanted to go on, she will be so happy..." He continued murmering to himself as he walked away.

Once he was out of sight Suzaku turned to Edge and nodded. "Well done, that was a good plan."

"Scared me at the end there," Edge said, letting go a huge breath that practically seemed to deflate him. After one relaxed moment, he straightened his spine once again and flashed Suzaku a thumbs-up. "You played your part perfectly, too."

"It was rather worrying, I thought he was going to go back in there." He understood that gambling was a powerful lure and he was glad that the man had fought it. Hopefully he would remember this day.

"Thank you. I am glad we were able to help him."

"We agents of the heavens sure get up to some crazy things, huh?" Edge grinned beneath his mask, but it came through in his voice nonetheless. "Come on, let's celebrate. I'll buy lunch."

...Don't ask where he got the money, Suzaku. Just don't.

Suzaku smiled back, it was a little strange but it felt good to have helped somebody. He had felt more lost than usual since Lady Grell had disappeared and it was good to feel like he was actually doing something.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to inconvenience you." Despite everything he's seen of Edge today he still automatically assumed he has money through legitamate means, from his god or a job on the near shore. Though the latter is less likely, Edge stands out a bit too much.

"No worry at all! We've done our mission, that means it's time to enjoy some time to ourselves. Balance in business and pleasure." Something he had the feeling Suzaku probably needed to learn.

"I suppose so." They had completed the mission after all, he supposed that taking some time for themselves wasn't all bad.

"Do you know anywhere that's good to eat?" Because he didn't. He didn't really know many places on the Near Shore at all.

"Haven't a clue, but I bet we can find one. Just need to keep our eyes peeled!"

Of course, this might be another wild adventure in the making.

"I will do." He follows Edge looking around for anywhere that might serve food.

Hopefully this adventure will be a little bit more in Suzaku's comfort zone.

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A prayer for payout

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Aannd scene

Thanks!