[The city was quiet enough that Kakyoin decided it would draw few if any weird looks to go out in just that--a white collared shirt, the skirt from Polnareff, and the heels from Giorno. It felt a little ridiculous to just relegate something like that to the house, but Kakyoin couldn't quite help but bristle at the mere concept of being looked at like he was weird or unusual.]
[Either way, he made it to the Den with no real trouble, pushing his glasses into place and walking inside.]
[He'd been a little nervous, truth be told. Not because he had any problem with it, but because he was a little afraid he'd do something wrong and send Kakyoin reeling. The guy had already felt like an outsider from his parents and his schoolmates; Polnareff would never forgive himself if he made him feel that way too.
But so: Kakyoin walked in, right, and it was . . . different, for sure. That was no bad thing, but it was different, and he blinked once or twice before offering a grin.
He looked good.]
Yeah. You're definitely gonna kill him with that. Christ, I'm good, it fits perfectly, I oughta buy all your clothes from now on. Grab a cue-- that's the sticks.
[Kakyoin laughed just a bit awkwardly at Polnareff's appraisal--like he'd been nervous and was relieved there was no real reason for it. Trying to play that off, he shrugged and picked up a cue.]
It's pretty comfortable, too. You did a great job.
[He starts racking the balls, not really paying much attention to the order they go in. This isn't exactly a high-stakes game. Setting them up, he lines the cue ball and nods to Kakyoin.]
All right: you see how there's two different kinds of balls? Striped and solid. We shoot until one of us lands a ball into a pocket, and then that's the side we're on. From there, the point is to land all of your type of ball into the pockets, except for the solid black one, the 8-ball. That's for last, once you land all your types in. First one to do it all wins. Uh-- oh, you take turns, back and forth, unless you land a ball in, then you get to just keep going until you miss.
Yeah! They're pretty basic rules, the trick of it is knowing how to get the shot in. And then learning how to do tricky stuff, but we'll save that for later.
So for holding the cue, right, it's like this--
[He demonstrates: holding the base of the cue in his right hand, threading it under his left thumb and between his pointer and middle fingers.]
There's a couple different ways to hold it, but the point is to make as accurate and strong a hit as you can. This works for me, but there's no rule against experimenting.
[He pushes the cue a few times in demonstration before bending over, eyes narrowing. It isn't as if Kakyoin knows much better, but Polnareff is only human and he wants to impress. The cue ball cracks against the balls, scattering them, and Polnareff grins.]
So it comes down to simple physics and geometry. [That came with a confident smirk, Kakyoin scrutinizing the table's arrangement carefully. This seemed right up his alley, so to speak.]
That does seem easy. [Kakyoin leaned over and lined up a shot, the cue ball striking the solid orange 5 and sending it in a sharp angle to rest a few inches from the corner pocket. Aiming was laughably simple, but mastering the correct force was going to be a bit trickier.]
Yeah, I figured you'd be pretty good at this. See, shit like this is why I'm pissed we don't have money; between the three of us I bet we could rack in some serious cash.
[The 12-ball was fairly near the opposite corner; Polnareff set his sights on it as he spoke.]
When you get good at it, you can start naming shots. Like . . . 12-ball, corner pocket.
[It was an easy shot, and he grinned as he sank it.]
Now just imagine doing that, but when it's tricky and you've got fifty euros riding on it.
I am not nearly stupid enough to leap to wagering my soul a second time, thank you very much. If we meet another enemy like that, we're skipping the game and beating the hell out of them.
I dunno, it was kind of fun watching D'arby lose his fucking mind when Jotaro bluffed him.
[Or, well. See the aftermath. Whichever.]
But right, got it: stick to hustling bars. I'll charm em and you destroy them. You've got the innocent look, it'll be perfect, nobody'll think you're a force of nature.
[It was a surprisingly quick game. Kakyoin had sunk in another two; Polnareff sank in another ball, matching him. The score was three each; they only had another four to go.]
A lot of trick shots are like . . . the balls need to be in certain positions, so since we're still playing, we'll do those later. But something basic and flashy? Easy.
[He hops up on the pool table, slinging the cue behind him. It's an easy shot into one of the left side pockets, and so it's just a matter of angling himself. The movement is practiced and easy, and he grins as he sinks it.]
Are you sure? Because I'm afraid I'll definitely outperform you in that department. [...he said, actually switching out his glasses for the sunglasses in his pocket.]
It's dangerous to challenge me to something like that.
[Kakyoin narrowed his eyes at the table in concentration before singling out the emerald green 6, taking careful aim and shooting particularly hard--it bounced off the edges and between the rest of the scattered balls several times before a quick flash of green over Kakyoin's shoulder sent it into an impossibly sharp left into a side pocket.]
[Pay no attention to the small emerald shards now on the table. That's probably nothing.]
It can't possibly be cheating to use all the skills at my disposal. [Kakyoin answered with a mischievous smirk, Hierophant fully manifesting behind him.]
But I guess I could have at least given you of all people fair warning.
[He tsked loudly, shaking his head, as he lined up his next shot.]
And it's absolutely cheating. You got an unfair advantage, your Stand is practically built for cheating at pool. God, we haven't even finished our first game yet and already you're like this . . .
[But that was more a mutter than anything, as he focused on landing his fifth ball.]
Oh, come on--it's not my fault Hierophant's built for a lot of things. [Kakyoin rolled his eyes in mock annoyance.] I'm sure you could use Chariot to help you if you got a little creative.
[He narrowed his eyes and shot the ball, bouncing it off one of the walls before it made contact. It got close to a pocket, but didn't land, and Polnareff huffed in annoyance.]
I would never have--
[The words trailed off. Polnareff's eyes were trained on something behind Kakyoin, nestled in a shadowy corner on the other side of the Den.
They could come into houses now, of course. He'd known that. He'd woken up to one at the foot of his bed yesterday. But there was something terrifying about the way the Strangers could suddenly appear, there with no noise or warning. He'd been certain they were alone, and he'd let his guard down, and now--
It wasn't even doing anything. Just standing there, head tucked down, face blank. It didn't seem to notice the lapse in conversation, nor the way Polnareff stared. He couldn't hear it breathing, not this far, but he could well imagine that ragged wheeze.
Did it know he'd seen it? Maybe. But maybe not. Chariot appeared behind his user, blade drawn, as Polnareff said slowly:]
--cheated. With you. Not you.
[It was an attempt at casual conversation. If they could attack it without it knowing they knew, maybe this could be over before it began. Those things could move lightning fast, darting around in the blink of an eye. It would be too easy for it to get close if they just charged forward.]
I wasn't seriously going to cheat at this whole thing, I was just-...
[Kakyoin trailed off as well once he realized Polnareff was looking at something behind him, glancing to Chariot in concern. It was Hierophant that moved--turning its head just enough to look behind them--and Kakyoin that reacted, turning pale as his shoulders went rigid.]
-...just joking around, that's all.
[He looked from Chariot to Polnareff again, silently waiting for some kind of signal for what to do or how to react.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 02:20 am (UTC)[Either way, he made it to the Den with no real trouble, pushing his glasses into place and walking inside.]
Hey. Didn't keep you waiting, did I?
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 02:34 am (UTC)[He'd been a little nervous, truth be told. Not because he had any problem with it, but because he was a little afraid he'd do something wrong and send Kakyoin reeling. The guy had already felt like an outsider from his parents and his schoolmates; Polnareff would never forgive himself if he made him feel that way too.
But so: Kakyoin walked in, right, and it was . . . different, for sure. That was no bad thing, but it was different, and he blinked once or twice before offering a grin.
He looked good.]
Yeah. You're definitely gonna kill him with that. Christ, I'm good, it fits perfectly, I oughta buy all your clothes from now on. Grab a cue-- that's the sticks.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 02:40 am (UTC)It's pretty comfortable, too. You did a great job.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 02:56 am (UTC)[He starts racking the balls, not really paying much attention to the order they go in. This isn't exactly a high-stakes game. Setting them up, he lines the cue ball and nods to Kakyoin.]
All right: you see how there's two different kinds of balls? Striped and solid. We shoot until one of us lands a ball into a pocket, and then that's the side we're on. From there, the point is to land all of your type of ball into the pockets, except for the solid black one, the 8-ball. That's for last, once you land all your types in. First one to do it all wins. Uh-- oh, you take turns, back and forth, unless you land a ball in, then you get to just keep going until you miss.
Make sense?
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 03:08 am (UTC)So for holding the cue, right, it's like this--
[He demonstrates: holding the base of the cue in his right hand, threading it under his left thumb and between his pointer and middle fingers.]
There's a couple different ways to hold it, but the point is to make as accurate and strong a hit as you can. This works for me, but there's no rule against experimenting.
[He pushes the cue a few times in demonstration before bending over, eyes narrowing. It isn't as if Kakyoin knows much better, but Polnareff is only human and he wants to impress. The cue ball cracks against the balls, scattering them, and Polnareff grins.]
All right. Let's start.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 03:16 am (UTC)That does seem easy. [Kakyoin leaned over and lined up a shot, the cue ball striking the solid orange 5 and sending it in a sharp angle to rest a few inches from the corner pocket. Aiming was laughably simple, but mastering the correct force was going to be a bit trickier.]
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 03:24 am (UTC)[The 12-ball was fairly near the opposite corner; Polnareff set his sights on it as he spoke.]
When you get good at it, you can start naming shots. Like . . . 12-ball, corner pocket.
[It was an easy shot, and he grinned as he sank it.]
Now just imagine doing that, but when it's tricky and you've got fifty euros riding on it.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 03:30 am (UTC)[He aimed at the 5 again, knocking it in without a problem.]
...But on the other hand, I think this might be something I could be very skilled with.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 04:04 am (UTC)[This might turn out to be an actual game. He'd known Kakyoin would be good at it, of course, but he hadn't thought it'd be so quickly.]
I'm just saying: if we ever have to deal with another piece of shit gambling enemy, we're gonna crush em at pool.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 04:10 am (UTC)[Or, well. See the aftermath. Whichever.]
But right, got it: stick to hustling bars. I'll charm em and you destroy them. You've got the innocent look, it'll be perfect, nobody'll think you're a force of nature.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 04:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 04:16 am (UTC)[It was a surprisingly quick game. Kakyoin had sunk in another two; Polnareff sank in another ball, matching him. The score was three each; they only had another four to go.]
Wanna try something tricky?
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 04:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 07:03 am (UTC)[He hops up on the pool table, slinging the cue behind him. It's an easy shot into one of the left side pockets, and so it's just a matter of angling himself. The movement is practiced and easy, and he grins as he sinks it.]
Cool, right?
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 07:06 am (UTC)[...that look means Trouble.]
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 07:08 am (UTC)[Put on your sunglasses dude.]
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 07:16 am (UTC)It's dangerous to challenge me to something like that.
[Kakyoin narrowed his eyes at the table in concentration before singling out the emerald green 6, taking careful aim and shooting particularly hard--it bounced off the edges and between the rest of the scattered balls several times before a quick flash of green over Kakyoin's shoulder sent it into an impossibly sharp left into a side pocket.]
[Pay no attention to the small emerald shards now on the table. That's probably nothing.]
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 05:02 pm (UTC)You cheater! You go off on how you can't believe I'd ask you to gamble, but cheating's okay? You can't use Hierophant, Kakyoin!
[...]
Not with me, anyway.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 05:05 pm (UTC)But I guess I could have at least given you of all people fair warning.
no subject
Date: 2016-08-17 12:24 am (UTC)[He tsked loudly, shaking his head, as he lined up his next shot.]
And it's absolutely cheating. You got an unfair advantage, your Stand is practically built for cheating at pool. God, we haven't even finished our first game yet and already you're like this . . .
[But that was more a mutter than anything, as he focused on landing his fifth ball.]
no subject
Date: 2016-08-17 12:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-08-19 06:58 pm (UTC)[He narrowed his eyes and shot the ball, bouncing it off one of the walls before it made contact. It got close to a pocket, but didn't land, and Polnareff huffed in annoyance.]
I would never have--
[The words trailed off. Polnareff's eyes were trained on something behind Kakyoin, nestled in a shadowy corner on the other side of the Den.
They could come into houses now, of course. He'd known that. He'd woken up to one at the foot of his bed yesterday. But there was something terrifying about the way the Strangers could suddenly appear, there with no noise or warning. He'd been certain they were alone, and he'd let his guard down, and now--
It wasn't even doing anything. Just standing there, head tucked down, face blank. It didn't seem to notice the lapse in conversation, nor the way Polnareff stared. He couldn't hear it breathing, not this far, but he could well imagine that ragged wheeze.
Did it know he'd seen it? Maybe. But maybe not. Chariot appeared behind his user, blade drawn, as Polnareff said slowly:]
--cheated. With you. Not you.
[It was an attempt at casual conversation. If they could attack it without it knowing they knew, maybe this could be over before it began. Those things could move lightning fast, darting around in the blink of an eye. It would be too easy for it to get close if they just charged forward.]
no subject
Date: 2016-08-19 09:07 pm (UTC)[Kakyoin trailed off as well once he realized Polnareff was looking at something behind him, glancing to Chariot in concern. It was Hierophant that moved--turning its head just enough to look behind them--and Kakyoin that reacted, turning pale as his shoulders went rigid.]
-...just joking around, that's all.
[He looked from Chariot to Polnareff again, silently waiting for some kind of signal for what to do or how to react.]
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