Chapter Text
“No. Our casino doesn’t allow that, Miss.”
“Are you serious…?” Amy tried to appear unaffected. “I can’t surrender? You gluttons won’t be fine with half my bet?”
“No.” Shadow eyed her with indifference.
Amy slammed her hands against the table, everything on the table rattling as she stormed off.
Shadow rolled his eyes before turning to Sonic, who was waiting to sit down. “She’s not normally like that. She’s… pretty good, too.” He returned his eyes to the deck before resting his chin on his hands.
“It’s alright.” Sonic sat down in the now-vacant chair, holding his briefcase on his shoulder. He then pulled his bills out and handed them to Shadow, smiling.
“I wanna buy in for 1,000.”
A look of shock fell across Shadow’s face. “Are you… an experienced gambler?”
“That’s one way to look at it!” Sonic smiled.
“I legally have to kick you out if you’re drunk.”
“I’m as sober as you are.” Sonic leaned into the table, grinning and mimicking Shadow’s pose. Shadow didn’t match the grin, looking suspicious of Sonic’s antics.
“What’s your name?” His eyes narrowed.
“Can I buy in or not?” Sonic interrupted, crossing his arms on the table.
Shadow’s eyes narrowed in annoyance before he took the money, passing over a hefty stack of chips. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Sonic took the chips, still smiling as he replied. “You won’t have to know it anytime soon.”
Shadow chuckled under his breath. He leaned back in his chair, unconsciously mirroring Sonic’s position. “What’s your bet?”
“All of them.”
Shadow’s eyes widened. “All of them?”
“Yes.”
“I—Fine. It’s your money. I’ll match your bet.”
Sonic’s childish grin grew as he pushed his chips into the center of the table.
Shadow shuffled the cards, eyes still fervently locked on Sonic. “This is called a dovetail shuffle.”
To his surprise, Sonic didn’t reply, deciding rather to keep smiling as he shuffled the cards.
“The Jokers are already gone. I removed them last round.” Shadow pushed a card towards Sonic facedown, and took himself one from the stack. He then repeated the process, giving another to Sonic and one to himself.
“Hmm… what a tough one!” Sonic proclaimed, eyes panning over Shadow’s cards. 4 of Hearts, and one facedown. Sonic, having an 8 of Spades and 9 of Hearts, had 17 points total. Sonic tapped the game table, indicating that he wanted another card.
Shadow bit the inside of his mouth, forking over another card from the deck to Sonic.
4 of Hearts. 21 exactly. Sonic’s grin grew as he leaned into the table again. “Alright, your turn.”
Shadow, not saying a word, flipped over his last card. 9 of hearts. 13 points total.
“You know, 13’s an unlucky number!” Sonic replied, taking the chips for himself. “You wanna play again? I love this game.”
A look flashed upon Shadow’s face.
“No. Not with you.” Shadow slammed his cards against the table, using the other hand to fix his quills.
“What, afraid you’ll lose? You seem terrified right now. It’s all in good fun.”
“Not with you.”