From the Casino to Cafe to Cafe to Casino

[Spade Aeries]

Spade Aeries would stake his life on it; he most certainly heard the name Martha before...but from where exactly? Stirring his black coffee idly, he came to the conclusion that it had to do with either the casino last night or the bar two nights ago. But the throbbing slap ingrained in his cheek did not shed light on the matter. ...Unfortunately. She was hot though. He watched the door to the small cafe slam behind her and he noted with strangled awareness that everyone was staring at him. Damn he was popular.

The playboy let out an exaggerated sigh and slid his flashy sunglasses up on top of his head, pushing wavy dark brown hair from his jade eyes. Any year now Ike would decide to arrive. Spade was actually relatively excited. For once this year he could talk about something with a fellow male that he enjoyed rather than drone on and on about Amestris, Creta, and the coup. Maybe he would even drag the guy to the casino later and show him how to get the sexiest woman alive, lady luck, to smile on him.

Eventually, Spade decided to actually drink his coffee. He just didn't want to make it obvious how early he had come, nor admit how nervous he felt--wait. Spade almost spit out his coffee. It was the wrong cafe! Spade had the desire to slam his head into the table, but he knew it would attract unwanted attention--not that attention was unwanted; he just didn't want to look like a deranged fool. Except now he felt like one.

He sprinted out of the place, throwing money at people and almost getting run over by a car. He collided with the glass door of the other cafe of the same name that was down the street, and rushed in.

[Guest]

As soon as Spade made his entrance into the cafe, a hand fell onto spade's shoulder and that hand belonged to none other than the person Spade had came here to meet.

"Well hi there, old friend."

Ike was tall and skinny, a typical build of someone in shape. As usual his hair looked as if it hadn't been combed, but that was how Ike preferred to have his hair, he thought the untamed and messy style was cool.

"I saw you in the other cafe when I was walking past. That sort of thing is unlike you, Spade. Maybe you were so nervous about seeing your great friend Ike Harvard that you entered the wrong cafe. Don't worry I haven't lost any respect for you. I blame it on this country, obviously there's too many temptations here for you to handle!"

It was plainly obvious that Ike was teasing Spade by the sarcastic way he was speaking, Everyone of had the pleasure (or displeasure) of meeting him knew that he was somewhat of a clown, always messing around. He took his hand off Spade's shoulder and sorted out his bow tie, which was a little off perfect. Ike's whole outfit gave the impression of a bartender, with the bow tie and tight fit waistcoat, which he thought look damn good on him. Ike, finished with his bow tie, pushed up his blue tinted shades up the ridge of his nose.

[Spade Aeries]

"Yo! Ike!" Spade brightened up, slapping his good friend on the back. "Nice to see work hasn't devoured your soul yet~" The playboy smirked, a strange gleam entering his green eyes. He leaned in close to the blond, whispering in his ear. "So have you got yourself a girl yet?" He pulled away, reeking of hospital antiseptics and laughing evilly. "Didn't think so. We gotta get you one." Spade nudged him in the side, pulling out a cigarette and balancing it between his lips. 'Course he couldn't light it for the NO SMOKING sign mocked him from the corner. Bitch. Spade gave it a dirty look.

Ike began speaking again and Spade's attention was thwarted. Hah funny; he laughed. "O Great Ike, you must not know me enough to believe that a mere cafe irked my desire. I think not!" He put a hand dramatically over his heart. A few girls having tea and cakes off to the side whispered amongst themselves with blushes coloring their adolescent faces. Spade grinned his crooked grin, pulling Ike lightly by the collar. "We should go to the casino! I'll show you real temptation." One certainly wouldn't think that Spade had be hospitalized a few days earlier...

The womanizer pushed his sunglasses back down to the tip of his nose, smirking. No one beat Spade at the teasing game...or any for that matter. "Though I don't believe they need any more bartenders."

[Guest]

Ike laughed quite loudly and the girls who were blushing were starting to look at Ike as if he was a madman. Ike gave a passing glance to them

"Spade-Kuuuun, I think you're right, they don't need bartenders, but they don't need drunken troublemakers that cheat at card games, so that must mean you're out as well...hey"

Ike continued and moved his face even closer to Spade's face, this time he whispered

"you seen those girls over there, they think you're cute, and you know me, I can't allow that."

Then as quick as a whistle, Ike pulled out his own lighter from his waistcoat pocket and lit the cigarette in Spade's mouth. Ike flashed Spade a malicious grin before standing up straight, and began to proclaim.

"GOOD SIR, CAN YOU NOT READ! THE RULES CLEARLY STATE NO SMOKING, I'M AFRAID I'LL HAVE TO ESCORT YOU OUT OF THE PREMISES FOR YOU INCONSIDERATE BEHAVIOR!"

The way Ike shouted the words out were a classic example of over the top and awful acting, put that was part of the fun. Ike turned spade around and pushed him out the building, it looked as if Ike had created a conga line, but had forced Spade to the front. If they unconvincing shouting wasn't bad enough Ike literally marched out of the building. Once outside, and Ike's littler performance was finished his body relaxed and he pulled out his own cigarette and lit up as well.

"Well I'm glad that's over, it was too awkward in there with you and you're fan girls. Maybe you should cut down on the fan service..."

Ike took a deep sigh and took pleasure in the refreshing cigarette

"A casino did you say? As corrupted as ever I see. However I can't say its a bad idea."


*Side note*- "Kuuuun" is deliberate, Ike will often over pronounce words like a child trying to bring you're attention to said word.

[Spade Aeries]

A smug smile alighted upon Spade's lips during the entire affair. He took a long drag on his newly lighted cigarette and blew the smoke up into the spring sky. After a moment, he turned daring green eyes onto Ike. "Oi," Spade said simply, frowning now. "I don't cheat. You know that." He pushed his prized sunglasses further up the bridge of his nose. "You're just jealous. After all this time, you still haven't landed a girl?" Spade shook his head in mock dismay. "I'll have to retrain you."

He took a final drag on his cancer stick and then tossed it next to the trash can. He always missed. What he tried? Wasn't that good enough? ...Fuck it. He glared at the dirty thing and then turned back to Ike, pocketing his hands in his washed-out jeans. "What was it that you wanted to talk to me about? It's been ages--what happened?"

[Guest]

"What happened? You sound as if I have a massive scar over my face..."

Ike paused, and then suddenly ran up to the window of the cafe and stared at his reflection, he moved his face closer to the glass to get a good look and clasped his cheek with his hand. After careful examination Ike gave a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness. A scar is the last thing I need. My success rate with the girls is low enough as it it. HEY SPADE-KUN!" Ike turned and unnecessarily shouted to his friend who was only a couple of meters away.

"SPADE-KUN! WHEN ARE WE GOING TO THE CASINO, I'M BORED OF THIS PLACE!"

If people didn't know better, they would think Ike was avoiding the question Spade gave him. Ike walked back over to Spade,

"and this time no cheating, there is no way some is that lucky with woman AND gambling..."

[Spade Aeries]

"You do: those hideous sunglasses! How long have you has those for? A year? ...Six?" Spade sighed, watching him examine himself like a girl in the dirty cafe window. He rolled his eyes. "Scars are hot. Girls dig 'em. You got everything backwards, Ike. Let me show you the--" Spade was cut off as his friend spontaneously began bursting the brigadier general's ear drums. Ike tended to do that...

Massaging his temples, Spade grabbed the other man's sleeve and began pulling him down the cracked, uneven, unsightly, sidewalk. Just then, the streetlights decided to flicker on and light the path through the approaching night. Perfect. That meant the casino would be all the more worthy of a challenge. The playboy was laughing evilly to himself when he realized that Ike had completely sidestepped his previous question. Well, the letter didn't exactly say much. Maybe Ike just wanted to catch up and pick up some ladies. Spade was good at that. Spade was also good at winning.

"Lady luck likes me best. It's all about luck and nothing to do with cheating. Watch me; I'll show you."

They reached the enormous sky-casino just as the trillions of lights sprung to life. The entire street was lit up by classy music, hot chicks in slim outfits, and well...Spade's pizazz. The towering glass doors accented with gold plating and shiny diamond replicates opened up for them and they were instantly lifted up on an escalator to the game floor, lined with gambling machines. Spade turned from them in adherence and escorted Ike across the glass sky-walk to the other side of the building made for cards. It was time to work some magic.

[Guest]

"These sunglasses are cool, what you talkin' about? Also I've only had them 3 years. Although a had the same type of glasses before this pair."" Ike mumbled as he was literally being dragged along the street by spade. The night was young and Ike had no doubt that Spade would know the best places to go and have fun, seeing as it was his favorite hobby.

"So, Spade-Kun if you're so lucky, then you wouldn't mind lending me some money to use when we get there? After all, if you're so awesome at this thing, then you'd quickly win the money back, Mr Brigadier General."

Ike knew that his was very unlikely to work, but you never got anywhere unless you tried. It wasn't that Ike didn't have money, he just liked to see how far Spade-Kun could be pushed. The whole area was ready for the night, with its music, lights and women, but was it ready for Ike and Spade?

Inside the casino was already filled with people hoping to hit big. Ike stopped after he stepped into the casino, just so he could take it all in.

"Phew, this place is truly something, but you would already know that wouldn't you Spade-Kun."

[Spade Aeries]

Spade reached into the pocket of his military jacket and withdrew a few hundred dollar bills, tossing them to Ike as if he was giving him toilet paper from the stall over. "Don't lose it all in one place--wait--I'll make sure you don't. Let's go quadruple it. Then you can buy real sunglasses." Spade placed a hand on his chin in deep thought. When he came to a decisive conclusion, he pushed his sunglasses on top of his head and grinned a secret grin at his friend. "Black Jack and Jack Daniels: the key to victory tonight." He paused to let his brilliance soak into Ike before continuing. "Let's split up. You get the spot; I'll get the beer." He went to leave, but turned half-step. "You've lost your job, hm? Let's make it worthwhile."

* * *

Spade strut off to the bar and ordered more beer than he could carry, of course. The Jack Daniels were carted after him to the table where Ike was. The master sat sat beside his friend and place two opened beers down, but then got two more opened ones and set them beside himself. "Start with two, end with more than you can count--the key to luck."

[Guest]

"I ain't lost my job, my position in the hospital is as good as ever." Ike lied as spade wandered off to the bar. His position was secure, however Ike didn't work at the local hospital, Ike worked in the underground syndicate agency, and was pretty high up the ladder, he just didn't like to brag about. what was there to brag about, he was a criminal, an assassin at that. Noting more. He may not act like it but his life had required him to be cold in the past. especially up to... Ike stopped, he didn't even want to go into that certain event in his life. Not now, not ever. Ike focused back onto the present, cards, gambling, women...much better. Ike found a table and sat down, making sure there was a seat for spade. There was and it was quickly occupied by spade himself. He set down two beers.

"Great," Ike said, picking up the beer, "I needed this"

Ike took a long drink, and sighed in satisfaction. He turned to Spade, who was giving him the "key to luck", Ike removed his glasses and placed them into his waistcoat.
"that sounds simple."

Before he knew it Ike and spade had been dealt into the game. Ike sneaked a peak at his two cards, and ace and a jack. Ike thought for a second, he wasn't sure what this meant. Then spades advice re-entered his mind "end with more than you can count--the key to luck"

"I'll take another card, my friend" Ike said to the dealer, just before give spade a quick wink.

[Spade Aeries]

"It is," Spade retorted, satisfaction gracing every corner of his being. "Like this." Spade laid down his cards only three rounds after they were dealt to him. "See? Your win." As Ike laid his down, horror struck the dealer and he stepped back a few feet. Spade laughed. Ike's victory seemed to come as a shock. Immediately after the blond's killer five-hundred-dollar win, ladies from around the casino crowded around them with shrieks of surprise. Apparently no one had been able to beat the dealer yet. Spade rolled his eyes. This was a child's game. And despite the flood of women around him, there was a clear sadness resonating from the playboy.

Spade downed the rest of his first beer and went for the second while sizing up his buddy. "Ike, where's your beeper, is it okay to leave it at home even if you're off-duty?" Spade was obviously scrutinizing the guy. Hell, it was part of his job. He was in the military after all! Spade picked up his next hand from the table and motioned for the dealer to continue. He knew Ike well enough to know that the guy had a passion for alchemy. Unless he was a brain surgeon, Spade would bet his life's savings that Ike didn't work at the hospital, and he would win--like always.

[Guest]

Ike internally glared at Spade. He'd just won at poker...or blackjack, he wasn't sure, the name wasn't important anyway. A group of women was gathered around them as well. However it seemed the Spade wouldn't let up on the hospital thing. Even if Spade was one for his better friends, he wasn't going to tell him about his real job, for a number of reasons, one being that he was a military man.

" Don't worry about it, I'm on temporary leave from the Hospital. I needed a break, so I pretended that a family member had died and took a few days off for a fake funeral, luckily It worked, I'll be back into work once again in a few days, then I''ll have to have my beeper on me at all times." Ike said nonchalantly, "I'll be back into business soon, and then I''l buy the first round of drinks, and maybe some pizza."

Maybe Ike wasn't a good lair, because when he thought about what he just said and how it said it, it didn't seem like something the Ike that spade knew would say. It wasn't lively enough, was he coming off as a little depressed? If he was then it was down to all this reflection on his choice of life style.

Enough of this crap, this time should be used to enjoy myself

He looked at his hand, oh well this is great, a pair of three's, what the hell should he do with this!?!, Ike looked over to Spade and grinned
"Spade, I think my luck has run out..."

[Spade Aeries]

Spade choked on his beer. He dropped the bottle (right-side up luckily--Spade was lucky) on the blackjack table and smacked his chest so he could breathe. Eventually he managed to swallow and stop coughing whereas he stared at Ike as if he had transformed into a big, yellow alien with oddly-shaped sunglasses that somehow was sharing a beer with him in a casino. "Wh--you mean you're serious!?" Spade set his cards down and stood up abruptly, leaning over to whisper with alcoholic breath into the blond's ear. "How do you manage to keep your job?" Spade leaned back and stared at the ceiling until he got dizzy with the effects of his alcohol consumption. "Are you a brain surgeon? Jesus man..." He sat back down and stared blankly at his cards, unable to concentrate. There was something wrong. This wasn't the Ike he was so fond of. A struggled look entered the playboy's emerald eyes.

He picked up his beer and took another heavy swig.

[Guest]

"A physician, actually." Ike said seriously. " See, I'm not a big lazy layabout like you think...I'm just kiddin', I'm not sure what you think about me..."

Just before Ike continued he changed his facial features to give Spade an over the top death glare, and he even lowered his voice, to make it sound more threatening.
"I hope you don't think I'm a Lazy layabout, because i don't appreciate that..."

Ike changed his eyes focus onto his cards, but continued to talk to Spade about his fake job. Maybe, subconsciously, he didn't like to lie to his friend, but he didn't have any other choice. If Spade did find out, then his duty would mean he'd have to take him into questioning, and then all of Ike's past could be revealed, and that was the last thing he wanted.

"You do know that you should really address me as Dr Ike Harvard, or at least the girls should. The pays good as well, it's just the hours, I could be called up at pretty much any time."Ike joked as he turned his head slightly and winked at Spade.

[Spade Aeries]

"Eh well you do resemble the doctor type. So what do you handle, like colds? So next time I have the flu I can come whine to you about it?" Spade laughed and then shut up when Ike started glaring at him. He turned around and looked behind him and then turned back, finding nothing worthy of a death glare such as that. So..it was directed at him? He didn't get it. He gave his friend a cold look, and it was rather rare of the playboy to dish out that sort of expression. The dealer backed away slightly, thinking a fight was about to break out. "'Course not, fool! What layabout goes out to a casino to drink?" You could just had tap at home and just never leave, but here you are, picking up these lovely ladies. He winked at them and grinned when they moved closer to the blond, cooing in his ear. Spade of all people knew how sweet those whispers of nothings were.

Spade was staring at his cards as well, but absentmindedly. He looked up in time to catch the wink. That's better. What was with this serious conversation!? "Right Doc, my bad. You can call me Brigadier General Spade Aeries then. Make sure you say all of it five times fast every time or I won't respond," he joked back. "So was this what you had to tell me? That you got this nice-paying job as a doctor, but you still wanted to leech winnings from me?"

[Guest]

Ike waved his hand over his ear, when Spade was pulling back from doing his little 'wooing' ear trick, as if he was trying to get rid of an annoying fly.

"C'mon pal, you should know by now, the killings i make from beating your ass at cards is my secondary income, it pays for me to pick up chicks."

While Ike re-said that sentence through his mind just after he said it, he was unable to tell which was the biggest load of bullshit in that one single sentence. That didn't matter, half the taunts that Ike and his mate said to one another were a load of rubbish.

" Oh and by the way" Ike added in his usual sarcastic tone " You can forget the Brigadier General stuff. Its a waste of breath, and I've still to figure out how a drunken womanizer like you could become a general, let alone head of central city!"

Ike gave a short chuckle before continuing, "I bet that place is collapsing under your leadership, cause you got all the higher ups drunk!"

[Spade Aeries]

Spade leaned back in his seat and laughed. "Your income must be so low! I feel bad for ya! But you're right, women dig doctors; they're supposed to make tons of cash, but..." He trailed off, grinning, and then waved over a walking bartender. He ordered something fancy this time. He was in a fruity mood perhaps. "I'll have a martini, no salt." Spade rearranged his cards some. And flashed the dealer a you-can-continue-now look. "Oh, and get something for the ladies. Whatever they want. And this blond guy here too. Did you know...he's a doctor." Spade was a bit tipsy, seeing as he was now beginning to be entertained by the fact that his friend was a doctor. What were the odds?! It was pretty cool. Spade was actually..a bit proud.

Ike began speaking and Spade smirked, a gleam entering his eyes. "You just gotta be good at what you do. They don't care if you're a drunken fool as long as you get your job done." He nodded. "No, no Central ain't collapsin' under me that's for sure. There's a bunch a great people, you know? We just have fun while trying not to create war. Peace and Love, baby!!"

[I think Ike should tell Spade about the letter..if he is going to~ So we can finish this and start a better one. ;D -starts plotting-]

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