1 Money to Burn [Training | Closed] Sat Aug 15, 2015 12:03 am
Daraku
D-rank
Gambling: an age-old practice where money was waged upon games of chance in hopes of profit. Some thought the practice to be wasteful and impractical, but those people were just stingy. Ever since he was old enough, Daraku had loved to gamble. Why not? He liked money and gambling was quite simply the easiest way to get it (and perhaps the easiest way to lose it, just as quickly). Large gambling hubs with slot machines, pachinko, lotteries, and high-stakes card games were established more famously in Hi no Kuni and apparently Kaminari no Kuni, as well. Other place banned the establishments altogether, deeming them unethical and suspicious. In a desert city like Sunagakure, there was nowhere to go to get a gambling fix other than in the Sand Dune Slums. It was a dangerous neighborhood, but it was also where Daraku spent a majority of his time from the first day he started as an academy student up until his final days as a Special Jounin before defecting from the village. Spending so much time in a place where the law wasn't exactly "priority", Daraku learned his way around the craft out of the basements with shady characters during sandstorms or in back alleys where hustlers dared passersby to try their hand in a round or two. What measly money he had, either earned from missions or stolen from negligent people, he was gladly willing to spend if it meant he had a chance at getting rich. Granted, aside from small profits here and there, he never did get rich, but he grew to love gambling for the fun of it. It was an adrenaline rush; that feeling of high-risk high-reward tension as beads of sweat slid down your forehead, when the cards were laid out on the table and you could see the glint of ryo in your peripheral vision, so close you could almost taste it.
And shit, Daraku was a high roller! Look at him. It wasn't exactly a rags to riches type of thing, no...his clan lacked any substantial wealth in his younger days. They had become assassins and thieves, their infamy was set in stone and they were paid well for whatever jobs they could get—oftentimes just enough to survive with a little extra. Daraku's missions starting at Genin were what fueled his spending cash, and so being a ninja was profitable. He didn't have many assassin jobs because he was only around 13 years old and inexperienced It was too dangerous to go on a job alone, but he learned from the best. By the time he was a missing ninja, he could kill most things effortlessly and was paid handsomely for it, so that's what he did. Blood money was the best money. He continued to save it, only spending it occasionally for equipment; a couple thousand ryo for each of his favorite swords, a few hundred for a place to stay while traveling. His savings started to pile up and so when he got back to Suna, already 22 years old, he was well-off. He continued to live in the Ishido Castle, but if he wanted to, he had enough money to purchase a home of his own in the village. Financial security was pretty sweet.
Nearly another year later and here he was, staying at a luxury resort in Kumogakure no Sato. Since he arrived in Kumo to see the Chuunin Exams, Daraku had seen advertisements on TV and billboards everywhere about the Golden Horn Casino: a grand hotel for the wealthiest aristocrats and people with expensive taste. What a coincidence! Daraku happened to be fairly wealthy and he had the most expensive taste of anyone he'd ever known, always wearing pure silk clothing, soft cotton garments, extravagant armor and using only the highest-quality weaponry. It seemed he was finally in the right place at the right time. He had plenty of money on his person to spend, and close to an establishment where the craft of luck was legal and even encouraged! It brought him back to his younger days, in a strange way, but even better because now he wasn't gambling in secret or breaking the law. He was gonna fit in with the rich people and love every second of it.
The Sannin arrived at the hotel with his pockets full and his mind prepared. He looked up at the casino that towered over him and its staircase that led straight into an opulent open floor. This was where a lot of the magic happened, and the first thing he did was go to the blackjack tables. Half an hour later and still ecstatic beyond belief, Daraku took a break from the card tables and hunted down one of the waitresses walking around with pristine faces and wearing short skirts. He ordered a tall glass of champagne and thanked her kindly (almost unusual for him considered he didn't care for manners or formalities), and he didn't even try to flirt with her. He was too engulfed in the scene unraveling around him between the floor bustling with movement and people gambling to their hearts' content.
A renewed sense of optimism and the gait in Daraku's step made it obvious to everyone around him that he was happy, and people were attracted by it. A few of those walking by initiated conversation with him, mostly idle talk and introductions, but he welcomed it. Eventually, one man who was more-than-a-little inebriated came Daraku's way, introducing himself as M. "What, your name is just a letter? Or are you not comfortable giving me your real name?" Daraku asked while he sipped at his champagne. It was aged just enough to have a refined taste that paired perfectly with its carbonation. M hiccuped uncontrollably but managed to mutter, "I'm not sure, honestly..." Despite his current state, M was insistent that he and Daraku go to an exclusive area of the casino that was upstairs. It was open to anyone who had the appropriate membership card, which M claimed to have, so Daraku shrugged and went along with it. Within a few minutes, they reached a closed door that read "VIP Access" where a bouncer stood. When asked for verification, M flashed the card and the bouncer let the two of them in without hesitation. Behind the door was a moderate sized room with a bar, a couple of poker and blackjack tables, around a dozen pachinko machines and various seats and lounge chairs. There couldn't have been more than 10 or 15 people in the room, compared to the hundreds downstairs, meaning that whoever was in this exclusive club must've had some serious connections. Daraku wasn't even sure how to get a membership; M didn't bother to explain. He assumed it was expensive, though, so he didn't complain and gladly reaped the benefits of being an invited guest. He finished his champagne, went to the bar, and ordered another.
M led him to one of the lounge chairs where another man and two women were sitting as well, and M introduced him to them. The three seemed happy to see an unfamiliar face and quickly grew to like Daraku. They talked for a long time; it was obvious that one of the women was high on some kind of drug and the other was married to the man in the group, so Daraku wasn't exactly looking out for a hook-up. He was happy enjoying the situation as it was, but after a while, M tapped him on the shoulder. "The person I really wanted to introduce you to finally got here. C'mon, she's sitting at the bar." Daraku nodded and bid farewell to his new acquaintances before following M back to the bar.
And shit, Daraku was a high roller! Look at him. It wasn't exactly a rags to riches type of thing, no...his clan lacked any substantial wealth in his younger days. They had become assassins and thieves, their infamy was set in stone and they were paid well for whatever jobs they could get—oftentimes just enough to survive with a little extra. Daraku's missions starting at Genin were what fueled his spending cash, and so being a ninja was profitable. He didn't have many assassin jobs because he was only around 13 years old and inexperienced It was too dangerous to go on a job alone, but he learned from the best. By the time he was a missing ninja, he could kill most things effortlessly and was paid handsomely for it, so that's what he did. Blood money was the best money. He continued to save it, only spending it occasionally for equipment; a couple thousand ryo for each of his favorite swords, a few hundred for a place to stay while traveling. His savings started to pile up and so when he got back to Suna, already 22 years old, he was well-off. He continued to live in the Ishido Castle, but if he wanted to, he had enough money to purchase a home of his own in the village. Financial security was pretty sweet.
Nearly another year later and here he was, staying at a luxury resort in Kumogakure no Sato. Since he arrived in Kumo to see the Chuunin Exams, Daraku had seen advertisements on TV and billboards everywhere about the Golden Horn Casino: a grand hotel for the wealthiest aristocrats and people with expensive taste. What a coincidence! Daraku happened to be fairly wealthy and he had the most expensive taste of anyone he'd ever known, always wearing pure silk clothing, soft cotton garments, extravagant armor and using only the highest-quality weaponry. It seemed he was finally in the right place at the right time. He had plenty of money on his person to spend, and close to an establishment where the craft of luck was legal and even encouraged! It brought him back to his younger days, in a strange way, but even better because now he wasn't gambling in secret or breaking the law. He was gonna fit in with the rich people and love every second of it.
The Sannin arrived at the hotel with his pockets full and his mind prepared. He looked up at the casino that towered over him and its staircase that led straight into an opulent open floor. This was where a lot of the magic happened, and the first thing he did was go to the blackjack tables. Half an hour later and still ecstatic beyond belief, Daraku took a break from the card tables and hunted down one of the waitresses walking around with pristine faces and wearing short skirts. He ordered a tall glass of champagne and thanked her kindly (almost unusual for him considered he didn't care for manners or formalities), and he didn't even try to flirt with her. He was too engulfed in the scene unraveling around him between the floor bustling with movement and people gambling to their hearts' content.
A renewed sense of optimism and the gait in Daraku's step made it obvious to everyone around him that he was happy, and people were attracted by it. A few of those walking by initiated conversation with him, mostly idle talk and introductions, but he welcomed it. Eventually, one man who was more-than-a-little inebriated came Daraku's way, introducing himself as M. "What, your name is just a letter? Or are you not comfortable giving me your real name?" Daraku asked while he sipped at his champagne. It was aged just enough to have a refined taste that paired perfectly with its carbonation. M hiccuped uncontrollably but managed to mutter, "I'm not sure, honestly..." Despite his current state, M was insistent that he and Daraku go to an exclusive area of the casino that was upstairs. It was open to anyone who had the appropriate membership card, which M claimed to have, so Daraku shrugged and went along with it. Within a few minutes, they reached a closed door that read "VIP Access" where a bouncer stood. When asked for verification, M flashed the card and the bouncer let the two of them in without hesitation. Behind the door was a moderate sized room with a bar, a couple of poker and blackjack tables, around a dozen pachinko machines and various seats and lounge chairs. There couldn't have been more than 10 or 15 people in the room, compared to the hundreds downstairs, meaning that whoever was in this exclusive club must've had some serious connections. Daraku wasn't even sure how to get a membership; M didn't bother to explain. He assumed it was expensive, though, so he didn't complain and gladly reaped the benefits of being an invited guest. He finished his champagne, went to the bar, and ordered another.
M led him to one of the lounge chairs where another man and two women were sitting as well, and M introduced him to them. The three seemed happy to see an unfamiliar face and quickly grew to like Daraku. They talked for a long time; it was obvious that one of the women was high on some kind of drug and the other was married to the man in the group, so Daraku wasn't exactly looking out for a hook-up. He was happy enjoying the situation as it was, but after a while, M tapped him on the shoulder. "The person I really wanted to introduce you to finally got here. C'mon, she's sitting at the bar." Daraku nodded and bid farewell to his new acquaintances before following M back to the bar.
- Training:
- Training Speed B-Rank to A-Rank
700/700
623/800
0/900
0/1,000
Last edited by Daraku on Wed Sep 16, 2015 5:56 am; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : closed thread.)