You bet Katara

“I bet my Katara, who should be worth 90k,” you say, starting the round strong. You figure even if you lose her, you will be able to win or buy her back later.

“In that case, my small blind will be my Rayla,” Collins declares. You could hear the Rayla complain about being bet in a human game. You wonder how she would react to Aelita who has elf ears and her relationship to you.

Your dad distributed the first cards and you checked your hand. You did your best not to let your disappointment show as you only had a two of diamond and a seven of diamond, a throwaway hand. You did your best to look pleased but you could see your dad sit up straighter.

“I raise season tickets to the National Ponygirl Circuit, private VIP box,” Hoofer said as he put them in the center of the table. Everyone else looked at him in surprise and concern.

“You sure about that? You haven’t missed a race in ten years, I don’t think,” you dad looked at him in surprise. “Are you okay? Do we need a doctor?” Hoofer looked back confused and upset.

“I don’t need no doctor! I’ve moved on to something a little different and don’t need them anymore,” Hoofer huffed. “I am all about the motorcycle girls now.”

“If you’re sure…” Don said as he put in 200k in the pot with your dad then matching. Your dad grabs three cards and reveals them to the table, a Ten of Diamonds, an Ace of Hearts, and a King of Hearts. You knew that you have no real chance of winning at this point especially since the fern close to dad revealed he has a King of something.

“You folding or just pausing for dramatic effect,” Hoofer said, snapping you out of your thoughts. You sigh and fold causing Hoofer to laugh in victory.

(POV Change)

Katara heard her master put her up for the blind bet and already dread was creeping into her mind. When James took her and Aelita over to Albuquerque, he had done the same thing and she had to spend the night in that casino’s storage before he won her back. James may have burned that casino down a few hours later.

Her fears were quickly proven true when James had to fold when his dad had revealed the first three table cards.

“Not again,” she sighed while the remaining player continued to place bets.

“The bastard lost you and you just say ‘Not again’?” Gogo confronted Katara over her blaise attitude.

“First, don't call him that. And second, he might’ve lost me before but he won me back,” Katara glared at the slightly taller girl. Katara waterbended one of the drinks and looked pointedly at Gogo.

“He shouldn’t be betting us in the first place.”

“Get used to it, we are just merchandise to them,” Suki said as she let out a defeated sigh and drank a sweet drink. “At least the drinks are half decent, the last game I was a part of didn’t even give us anything.” As Suki bent down, Katara could see several marks evenly spread out on her back and a little tattoo saying ‘Escapee’ and two lines next to it. Katara wasn’t going to ask but the others were not as tactful.

“What is that tattoo about?” Tea from Hoofer’s pen asked when she saw it. Suki straightened up and gave a little glare.

“I managed to escape RealDreams a few times, they said if I tried again…” Suki shrugged, swishing around her drink. “I’ll be disposed of or something. That Frank Collins guy bought me as part of a shipment for his stores and had used me yesterday for a different game.”

“Well, if you wind up with James permanently, hopefully you like his home,” Diana suggested, causing Suki to scoff. Katara was about to say something when she was grabbed from behind. She let out a squeak of surprise when she was lifted up and dropped in James’ dad’s pen.

(POV Change)

You were relieved that Katara ended up with dad, he will give her back by the end of night. Or he might keep her trying to teach me a lesson, he could go either way. The next round started shortly with Collins’ blind being 100k and Hoofer’s small blind being his Tea. You were hopeful with your Pair of Fives that you might have something going.

When it was next your turn, you matched the current bid and as it was your turn to be the dealer, you got the next three cards and presented them. It was a King of Spades, Eight of Hearts and a Four of Spades. Thanks to the twitch of Hoofer’s mustache and a plant hanging by him, you knew he had a King, meaning he had the higher Pair.

You quickly fold, knowing the risk wasn’t worth it, especially when Hoofer made an offhand comment about a Numbuh Five his youngest grand kid had a crush on. Collins ended up winning the pot with a surprise Three of a Kind made up of Fours. Hoofer’s Tea, your dad’s Malon, Don’s vintage wine collection and nearly half a million dollars went to Collins.

When the next round was set up, you were particularly interested when the Hoofer put up his Spider-Gwen as the blind bet. Don Hanover put his Tenten and 30k as the small blind. Once you got your next cards, a Ten and Nine of Hearts, you gained a good feeling about the round…