"Yes... I suppose there are people like that everywhere. Pity we find ourselves in the hands of such an individual now, but I must admit that's a recognizable drive where I'm from as well." The benefit of sadists was that they were at least predictable, as much as a drunkard or... a compulsive gambler. Vlad watched Kaiji's shuffling, having lowered his own voice in response to the near growl of the other man's tones.
Power applied so carelessly was childish, though. True, exploiting power against someone else was enjoyable when the opportunity arose, but power was like chocolate, the fact that it could be enjoyed didn't mean it was appropriate for everything. Used incorrectly, it was at best crude, at worst distasteful. It did suit the deck, though, didn't it? An 'Emperor' whose base was unsteady, a 'Slave' who could win because he could afford to throw everything to chance...
Shuffling his own deck a little more calmly, Vlad tried to return his mind to the game, though his attention wasn't entirely on it anymore. Kaiji's agitation might make him harder to read, and winning again might not go well anyway. The choice of a Citizen was only because again, he thought the first round would be too soon, and Kaiji was the one insisting on more games. After that, it would be reliance on chance. He wasn't aware of how exactly points were tallied and at any rate, had nothing to win off of Kaiji.
"It's rather morbid to think of, now." Vlad's incompletely human figure turned green spheroid waited patiently off to the side. "But if you're keen to continue, I'll not disagree." He turned his card over, wondering if there were a particular etiquette to which turned their card over first. Kaiji hadn't complained, at any rate.
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Power applied so carelessly was childish, though. True, exploiting power against someone else was enjoyable when the opportunity arose, but power was like chocolate, the fact that it could be enjoyed didn't mean it was appropriate for everything. Used incorrectly, it was at best crude, at worst distasteful. It did suit the deck, though, didn't it? An 'Emperor' whose base was unsteady, a 'Slave' who could win because he could afford to throw everything to chance...
Shuffling his own deck a little more calmly, Vlad tried to return his mind to the game, though his attention wasn't entirely on it anymore. Kaiji's agitation might make him harder to read, and winning again might not go well anyway. The choice of a Citizen was only because again, he thought the first round would be too soon, and Kaiji was the one insisting on more games. After that, it would be reliance on chance. He wasn't aware of how exactly points were tallied and at any rate, had nothing to win off of Kaiji.
"It's rather morbid to think of, now." Vlad's incompletely human figure turned green spheroid waited patiently off to the side. "But if you're keen to continue, I'll not disagree." He turned his card over, wondering if there were a particular etiquette to which turned their card over first. Kaiji hadn't complained, at any rate.