Let the good times roll (EA10)

[Zanebry Varliss]

"Well you can call me a rake and a scoundrel if it helps make up for it Hala. I suppose I'm a bit of both after all."

"Usually, I suppose that all depends on how much you want me though." His tone turned teasing as he offered a sly smile her way.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"And what should I call you if I do want more of you?" she asked with a coy smile, lifting her left hand so that it hovered near his cheek.

[Zanebry Varliss]

"I suppose that depends on the exact reason your calling." He replied his eyes shining a bit mischeivously. "Though I admit I've always enjoyed when a woman says my name with a bit of a purr."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I'm sure you could give me a reason or few," she answered, running the backs of her finger nails carefully along his cheek down to his jaw.

"And what does your name sound like when purred? Care to demonstrate?"

[Zanebry Varliss]

"I'm sure I could." He offered with a smirk, letting his hand come up to rest on her hip.

"I don't know if I could do it any justice." He replied sadly. "Are you certain a intelligent woman like you can't come up with a solution on her own?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

She chuckled and shook her head.

"I might be able to, but I was hoping you'd do it."

[Zanebry Varliss]

He joined her with a light laugh, rising to his feet and leaning in to steal the older woman's lips for a few moments.

"It's probably better that you didn't, you don't want to try and sleep with me today my dear." He replied as they parted.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"What, afraid you'd break me harder?" she asked with a vaguely daring tint in her voice.

[Zanebry Varliss]

"We wouldn't want you back in the hospital." He replied with a teasing smile. "And after the morning I've had, I couldn't be gentle."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"'The morning you've had'?" she asked politely, concern seeping in to take the place of playfulness.

[Zanebry Varliss]

"You aren't the only one who had problems yesterday evening." He offered her a crooked smile. "I've been dealing with the repercussions his earlier today."

"This is where I came in hopes of unwinding at least a little bit."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"What happened?" she asked, further slipping back from her playful demeanor.

[Zanebry Varliss]

"I lost a friend, while a man who I thought I could trust stood by and did nothing." He smirked. "I thought long and hard about how I'd kill him. My friend wouldn't have wanted that though."

"So I let him live, saw him punished in ways that would hurt him deeper. Then walked away, he's not worth my time."

"Can't say I'm not still angry though."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

A thought of levity flashed across her face, but it became conciliatory instead.

"I hope he didn't suffer, this friend of yours. Least we can do for the dead, since suffering should be the domain of the living."

[Zanebry Varliss]

"She, and it looked like it was quick. I wasnt there though so I couldn't say for certain." He smirked. "You are right though, suffering certainly seems to be the domain of the living."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"She, ah. Maybe we shouldn't, then. Wouldn't want to break you, either," she said softly, lowering her hand from his face.

[Zanebry Varliss]

"She was just a friend." He replied with a smirk. "It's not like I'm with every woman I become friends with." A good number of then certainly. Not all of them though.

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I'd assumed not. That would mean we weren't friends then," she answered with a smile.

[Zanebry Varliss]

"True, and we are friends aren't we." He smirked. "Just without some of the added benefits."

"Still thank you for your concern Hala, I appreciate it."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Of course," she said, shrugging appreciatively.

[Zanebry Varliss]

"So." His lips curled into a smirk. "Now that I've completely ruined the mood, would you like to join me for a hand of cards or two?"

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"I might, though dice games are more my vice," she said with a conspiratorial grin.

[Zanebry Varliss]

"Never were much for dice." He replied with a chuckle. "Though if you like I'll watch as you play. I think I've lost enough of my money at this table."

[Col. Hala Moraal]

"Then watch close," she winked and moved to a table. She got a few shady looking characters together and explained an overly complicated variant of a game then sat down around a spare table and began to play. As she did, her ploy had certainly paid off as one rule after another seemed to fall into her favor. Finally, the floor manager noted their game and walked over to take the houses' cut which she surrendered without complaint and tucked the rest back into an inside pocket within her uniform.

[Zanebry Varliss]

He smirked as she walked back over. "I don't know if I would call that gambling or a con-job Hala." He said teasingly.

"Still, looks like you did well for yourself. Thats all that really matters right?"