Poker, Anyone? {Open}

Axelle hurried busily about her house, grinning in excitement and humming to the music that was playing throughout. She was finally going to have… a party! A poker party! Something that she loved and that other nations had also been interested in. It was like a dream come true. Now, she wasn’t sure the exact guest list, because it had been a general invitation with a few responses. However, she was sure she’d have enough… everything for everyone. Cards and tables were abundant, if needed, there was plenty of food and drink. If there was one thing that Monaco knew how to do, it was throw a damned good poker party.

Now that the party itself was ready, she could focus on herself. A new dress…! One was, of course, in order for her party, and she had the perfect one lined up! It was nice, dark green taffeta, one of her favorite fabrics. It had a sweetheart neckline, and fell to her knee with a single slit on the right side up to her mid-thigh. She had a nice set of black heels to compliment the dark green of the dress. Lastly, of course, she had her mini top hat, with a few cards sticking out of the small, now dark green, band of fabric around the bottom. Everything was perfectly in place.

With nothing much left to do, she sat at the main table in the Dealer’s position and began shuffling the cards. Let the games begin~

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My beautiful first non-Gakuen post. :'D

A poker party at Monaco's place. 'How exciting' Carlos thought as he dressed. His usual casual wear would be inappropriate for such a lovely party, he had to wear his fancy casual wear. His best cabana shirt, patterned with palm trees and waves and finest shorts, paired with his best flip flops he was dressed. He had trimmed his thin beard and fixed his dreads. He carried with him a bottle of his best rum as a thank you present for his invitation.

He made it to Monaco's place in no time at all. Knocking on the door he smoothed his shirt a bit and waited. Hopefully, others would already have arrived.

How fun! I haven't gone to a party in a while, let alone played poker for some time, too, Helena thought, walking to Axelle's place. She couldn't wait for it and was very happy that she got invited. She didn't mind gambling, so long as it was doen in a civilized way.

Helena wanted to look nice, so she had done some shopping the day before. And it helped. She wore a beautiful,long, white halter gown that had a V-neck cut and showed a wide expansion of her back. The dress itself was a couple of inches from touching the ground. She wore a pair of white, open-toed, sandal-like shoes that had three-inch stilettos on them. A rhinestone choker graced her neck and small studs glittered in her earlobes.

If there was one thing that would surrpise her host, it would be the fact that her hair was straightened. Though it was tied up with a white satin bow at the nape of her neck, two pieces of hair framed her face and made her look quite lovely.

She walked to the door only to see Carlos there. The fact that she saw a familiar face made her happy.

"Hello, Carlos. Come to play some poker, as well?" she asked.

When the bored Axelle heard a knock at the door she leapt from her chair in a most unlady-like fashion. She straightened her chair, thanked goodness that she didn’t knock over the poker table, and headed for the door with a bright smile on her face and polite words in her head. “Welcome, welcome!” She greeted the two waiting guests as she opened the door to usher them in. Standing by the side of the door to allow passage, she felt like she needed to continue her lady-like dialogue.

“How are the two of you doing? And your hair is especially lovely this evening, Helena.” Axelle’s calm, friendly, polite words completely disguised her inner emotions. Her inner emotions were that of anxiety, excitement, and slight terror. She was not used to hosting parties by herself. Co-hosting, yes, sometimes, but hosting? No. Dealing with people who were had used to be her far superiors as respected equals? This was blowing her mind. She could only hope her inner turmoil was reflecting in her body language.

Helena looked beautiful as always, such a wonderful, elegant lady. He would like to show her his island some day. He bet she could dance. He was about to comment on her lovely dress when Monaco opened the door. My,she looked fetching as well and that little hat was just too perfect.

He laughed and grinned. "Thank you for the invitation, Miss Axelle. I do think tonight will be quite a treat." He stepped aside to allow Helena passage first. "Ladies first, Miss Helena." he said with a calm air. He then turned and offered his rum to Axelle. A thank you for the promise of a lovely evening."

Helena didn't get to hear his reply once Axelle came to the door and greeted Carlod and herself. She grinned when Axelle complimented her hair.

"Thanks, Axelle. You look absolutely fantastic tonight."

When Carlos said 'ladies first', she smiled and stepped in.

She also held out a gift for Axelle.

"I have some baklava here for you. Thank you for inviting me."

Axelle smiled as she stepped aside to allow them both passage. Both Helena and Carlos were so esteemed… Both were also calm and seemed to be perfectly pleasant guests. That put Axelle so much more at ease about the oncoming night, having two people that were sure to be no problem whatsoever. She was sure that dealing with them would be easy. They would make being a host for the first time a lovely experience.


Smiling, nodding politely, and thanking them for their gifts as they stepped through the door, she shut the door closed behind them. Rum and baklava, how lovely! She placed the gifts on her kitchen counter, perhaps they could partake in them later, but for now… showing them around. She directed them towards the main poker table, “Here is where we will be playing our games! Poker, whatever cards you’d wish, I know them all~” She began. She gestured with one hand to the bar and snacks, “Help yourselves.” She offered. Waiting, in case they had questions to sit, they smiled a polite smile and hoped everything was to their liking.

He couldn't help but smile at her nervousness. She was doing a wonderful job as a host. He was being well cared for, she was addressing their needs and concerns and the place looked lovely. Like a real casino. He could not wait until they started playing. He very much enjoyed the card games. He often would say he was quite skilled in them. He could not wait to show them off.

"Ah, thank you Ms. Axelle. I think I shall start off with a small cocktail. Perhaps a martini?" he turned to Helena. "Can I get you something to drink Ms. Helena?"

Oh gods he felt like hell.
He had dressed nicely, seriously.
Put on his best modern interpretation dress tunic, that looked like an extended dress shirt that went to his knees, artfully tied his red bowtie, and neatly buttoned up his suit jacket, cufflinks neatly in place.

His sandles were laced up to his knee, and his hair perfectly coiffed, smoothed back in a rather mafioso fashion. Which was what had got him into trouble...
Sure he had done shady dealings in the past, needing to fund some of his worse habits, and to run into someone who he may have gently screwed over with an iron hammer...
Well he wasn't as neatly put together anymore to put it bluntly. However, after a quick straighten, his clothing wasn't harmed, it was just the cut lip and black eye that gave things away.

Adjusting the basket with various bottles of wine and cheese, he rang the bell. He wasn't even sure why he was bothering to still go, since his mood was rather rotten after that incident....

As Gupta approached the house, he had to look twice at the suspicious figure a;ready waiting in the doorway. Yes, that was him all right. The small nation wasn't sure what to make of his presence at such an event. He joined Rome's side and looked up at him.
"As-salamu alaykum," he greeted calmly, hesitantly hugging him. He was getting better at this whole 'displaying affection' thing, he was sure of it.

Surprised by the approach and affection of the other nation, Rome hugged the other back firmly with one arm, the other being preoccupied with the gift basket.

"Ciao!" he responded, mood being uplifted by the affection. "Surprised to see you here, not that I mind - in fact I'm delighted to see you."
As if emphasizing the delight he felt, he planted two firm kisses upon the others cheeks in an extended form of greeting.

"Sadiq always said I'd be good at poker," he replied, "so I thought I'd give it a go." He glanced at the chocolates he held in his right hand. They were very good quality; he always made sure to give good gifts. He hoped Monaco would like them.

(Excuse me while I win this game with my ridiculous poker face.)

"Lovely place, Axelle~! I feel like I'm at a Vegas casino~!"

Helena looked at carlos and smiled.

"Sure. Rum and coke, please."

Rome let out a loud belly laugh, and then winced. "True!! Your face takes after your mothers... First glance expressionless, until you pay attention. Ve~ do you still believe if you dont draw in a certain manner Chaos will happen?"

Axelle made a small list in her head of what to get for Carlos and Helena and thanked Helena for her compliment on her home. Martini, rum and coke, that was pretty easy. But the door bell had rung and that was before making the drinks on her list of priorities.

Striding up to the door, she opened it, smiling politely and tried not to let the shock cross her face at the sight of Rome. Oh gosh… He looked beat up… What did a host do in this situation…? The same thing someone else would do, she guessed, not mention it. Stepping aside to let them through, she smiled, “Egypt, Rome, come in, please. Welcome. Thank you for coming.”