-Now these are good games.-

  Much like the other room, there were sailors, soldiers and merchants all rolling dice and shouting with wins and losses. Ruby spotted a few games she knew, ‘Ace and Pair’ where the object was to be the first one with three dice and have a one, also known as the ace, nd at the same time with a pair. Rolling triple ones on a given turn doubled the pot. Riffa, where the goal was to roll three dice and get a pair, then re-roll the third one, totaling the sum. The highest number wins, except on triple sixes, which was an automatic win unless someone tied. In the event of a tie, the pyers re-rolled using the same rules, where the winner takes all. Familiar with all of the dice games, Ruby hovered around the ‘Ace and Pair’ tables and after a few strolls through the area, a woman scooted her chair to the side, “I could use some luck and that dress looks lucky, sit with me?”

  Happy to oblige the older woman, Ruby slid an empty chair beside her and ordered them both a drink. “Dark rum for me, what will you have…” She tapped the sandy-blonde woman on the shoulder, “.. Mercy mermaid, I don’t know your name.” Ruby leaned down close to the woman’s ear. “...wanna tell me?”

  Overwhelmed with the look gleaming from both Ruby’s hazel eye and the way her eyepatch seemed to dance, the green-eyed woman nodded, “Elias…um…I can’t think…um…” Flustered, the woman wiped a bead of sweat from her neck. “Elise. Elsie Aleiki.” She held out a thin hand for Ruby, “You are?”

  Pcing a light kiss on Elise’s hand, Ruby faced the barmaid. “I think Elise and I will both have dark rum.” Ruby fished out one silver to pay and then faced Elise. “Everyone calls me Ruby.” She pointed to the eyepatch and then lifted her skirt to reveal her matching ruby dagger. “I have a thing for the gem, it seems.”

  Taking a little liberty with Elise, Ruby hooked her arm through her companions. “Ace’s and Pairs, huh? How much luck do you need, because I will gdly share my luck with you.” Ruby pyfully giggled and scooted closer to Elise.

  Picking up the three dice, Elise held open her free hand. “I am down about fifteen silver and looks like I am about to lose another three if I don’t hit this roll.” Looked down at her open hand, “A kiss for luck?”

  Ruby reached out and pced her finger under Elise’s chin, “My kisses are rare, worth a fortune and have the best of luck.” Ruby winked, “For now though, the dice will do.” Lightly blowing her sweet rum-enhanced breath across the dice, Ruby nodded.

  Enjoying the fun little game the two were enjoying, Elise rolled her eyes when she caught whiffs of sweet rum mixed with Ruby’s light musk that swirled with amber and bck cherries. “Here goes…” She threw the dice and ended up with triple ones. Elise stared at the dice and then back to Ruby, nearly coming out of her chair with happiness.

  Tightening her grip on Elise’s forearm, the pirate pulled her close. “Sweetness, never show them. Stay stoic, like you knew that was going to happen. You could drive some of the others away. Calm and charm, alright?”

  Nervously nodding, Elise picked up her coins and tucked her winnings away. “Gentlemen, I am calling it for now. Mayhaps, Ruby here can join in?” Elise saw the indifferent looks on the guys' faces and she turned to see Ruby’s charming hazel eye almost bzing. “Oh my…um..” She slid back and stood behind Ruby. “Let’s see if you are just as lucky.”

  Nearly an hour into Ruby winning roll after roll, the young pirate sat back in her chair and patted Elise on her hand. “I have one st game, alright?” She winked and watched Elise nod and hug her from behind. “Okay gentlemen, the bet this time…anything goes. Winner names the prize when they win. Deal?” Ruby raised one slender and sexy eyebrow as the guys all started ughing.

  “Anything goes, aye? mayhaps we put a limit on the coin, yes? Only that which we carry. I am nay owing these lubbers more, y to that.” A grumpy merchant muttered.

  One by one the others at the table finally agreed and Ruby picked up the dice. “I suggested the bet, I’ll toss st. Good luck gentlemen.” She confidently spped the three dice in the center of the table. While some of the rolls got close with either a pair or a one, none of the guys managed to secure a win. Ruby scooped the dice into her hand and deftly worked the three through her fingers. Once all of the dice had passed over all ten of her fingers, Ruby threw the dice and triple ones rolled to a stop. A table full of men grumbled and shook their heads knowing that they’d just lost anything that Ruby decided to abscond with. Ruby stood up and bowed to her fellow pyers. “My choice is made, I am taking..” She spun on her heels and tossed Elise over her shoulder. “...You.” Ruby strained under the weight of the older woman as the guys around the table all started cpping and ughing.

  “Here’s to ya Ruby!” They lifted their mugs and cheered.

  Stumbling her way through the door, Ruby got about a hundred feet away from where she’d started and set Elise down lightly. “I wasn’t really sure I could do it. Agile, yes. Strong no.” She winked and bent over breathing heavily.

  Elise wrapped her arm around Ruby and led her up the road and away from the party parts of town. “I know many of the folks around here, I haven’t seen you before.” Elise stopped when Ruby leaned on her. “I live just over the hill, do you think you can make it?” Elise ughed.

  Head and stomach both spinning and on the verge of revolt, Ruby clutched Elise tightly as she tried to gather her strength. “I spent a few hours dancing, then walked over and pyed cards and threw some dice.” Ruby politely burped and stood up. “Oh, that’s better.” She ughed, “..I think I drank my weight in rum.”

  Half-dragging the pirate to her home, Elise got the door open and pushed Ruby inside. “Overdrinking is something that happens quite a bit, down there.” She watched Ruby make her way to a chair and rex, while still holding her stomach. “So, Ruby.” Elise paused and knelt down in front of the pirate. “I can’t believe that you carried me out just to give up now.” Elise untied the streamers from Ruby’s elbows and knees and massaged her calves, then stopped at the dagger. “Oh, look at this.”

  “That’s where I got my name, I sort of left out that my dagger is the source. I didn’t want to make you nervous with it.” Letting a heavy sigh as she felt her legs being cared for, Ruby opened her eye and sat up with a smile on her face. “I got the feeling that you enjoyed my presence, given that you look ready to crawl up and kiss me right now.” Ruby reached down and ran her fingers over Elise’s lips, “So I took the chance on a big wager and won.” Ruby got a devilish look in her hazel eye and raised one brow. “You didn’t exactly fight me on it.”

  “I forgive the lie this time.” Elise puckered and kissed Ruby’s finger as it did little circles around her heart-shaped lips. Elise reached the apex of Ruby’s legs and slid her finger between her nethers lightly then smiled. “Only if you are up to it, I mean you did drink quite a bit.”

  Reinvigorated, Ruby stood up and scooped Elise as though she were a bride. “Mercy mermaids, Elise.” Ruby walked through the small house and into her companion's bedroom. “Let’s find out shall we?”