The group was, one again, claiming territory in Anon's room. Twilight watches through the door, having knocked and peeked in a second ago.

The TV quietly flickers, showing some movie about cars that go fast, driven by bald men. Good ambience, the volume lower than usual.

Speckled around the mini-house, each of the usual suspects is trying to work on their group study, calling out and commenting on things as they try to narrow down how they feel about each-other, and what improvements they could make.

Anon was laid back on the bed, holding his paper in the air. Sunset was by the couch, using the coffee table. Starlight was on the floor a few feet from Anon, back-hooves kicking in the air as she lays on her stomach. Trixie was pacing around the entire room, trying to get her brain into motion, dressed in her full regalia; Hat, and Cape.

Twilight nods, content to see them actually tackling her lesson. Maybe they'd take this one to heart? She slowly closes the door, off to handle some Friendship tasks for the next few hours. She'd check in on them later.

The moment the door clicks shut, all heads in the room snap towards it, waiting. Listening. Sunset turns the TV down even further, as they listen to Twilight's hoofsteps get further.

And... gone.

All four spring from their places, papers tossed aside as they rush to slide into position around the coffee table. The TV is turned up by Sunset, as Starlight, Anon, and Trixie slowly pull out something from underneath the couch.

A ready-to-play Poker game laid out on large, flat tray, decked out with the works. It's quickly placed on the Coffee table, all four taking a spot on the floor around it.

Sunset had been introduced to the concept of 'Gambling' during her time on Earth. When she asked Anon bout it, the two took to learning some of the various types of games. This, of course, evolved into an addiction of spending what few bits they had to their names in an ever-revolving door of bit-hogging, all earned through manipulative gambling tactics.

Classic Friendship Lesson material, really. Nevermind the fact they barely know how to play. Sunset had been bringing back more and more games, and the group was smitten. Particularly when Bits were involved.

"Thought she'd never leave." Sunset huffs, sliding her cards into her hooves.

"Trixie knows! Trixie can only idly pace around for so long; even if she does so magnanimously." Blue Ego huffs, her soft blue glow encapsulating her cards.

"I wasn't even writing anything, just looking at a blank page, trying to look all inquisitive and shit." Anon snorts, picking up his. He's pulled a gambling visor out of... somewhere.

"It looked to me like you were waiting for her to leave so you could use the bathroom." Starlight chides, throwing him a look.

"Then the intended effect was had. Thank you for noticing, Starlight." Anon grins.

Starlight snorts. "Anyway, ladies -- where were we?"

"Getting run for your money." Sunset grins, competitive side flaring again.

Cards in hand and hoof, the game is back on. Sunset deals, sliding out a fresh hand to each gambler. A generous 25 bits between each of them, as gazes turn to suspicious, poker faces find their place, and cocky demeanor is in full swing.

Dealt cards are pulled close to their chests; Starlight's and Trixie's held by magic, Sunset by hooves, Anon's by hands.

Small Blind of 1 Bit, Big Blind of 2 bit. Suspicious glances are thrown; and the gambit begins. Sunset, Trixie, Starlight, Anon.

Starlight checks.

Anon checks.

Sunset checks.

A cautious first round. The first three cards roll out. Jack of Spades, 8 of Hearts, 3 of Clubs.

Sunset keeps a stern face, eyes roaming over the others. She puts a small bid of 3 Bits.

Trixie is already smiling at her cards, before pushing her entire stack forward.
"The most Magnanimous Trixie is All In."

"Already?" Starlight huffs, rolling her eyes, folding.

"... Fuck off, blueberry." Anon folds.

Sunset tsks, folding.

One of Trixie's favorite tactics; because it was easy. Full-send, and, scoop up the pot when the others don't commit. Trixies pile grows, as does her smug face.

"If she keeps doing that, I'm introducing this group to Russian Roulette." Anon grumbles, Sunset smacking his shoulder.

Trixie deals, new hands, fresh pot.

Trixie's hoard grows. The hands the been dealt haven't been kind for the others, frustration mounting as her smugness continues to grow.

While Trixie haughtily laughs to herself, pulling in another small pile, the attrition is showing its wear on the others bit-piles, now a fraction of what Trixie holds.

Sunset is stewing over her terrible luck, mood growing more sour by the second. Starlight has mentally clocked out, folding right away without care if her hand isn't good. Which it isn't. So she folds.

Anon glares at Trixie, watching her; it's her turn to deal again.

"Trixie is surprised! Well, not really -- Trixie is the best -- but, after all... yap yap yap--"

Anon has spaced out her words, as Trixie proudly boasts, mostly to show off to Starlight. He leans, whispering to Sunset.
"Did we agree to gamble with the illusionist who does card tricks?"

Sunset's sour stewing slowly fades to realization. Trixie hasn't had a bad hand all game. They'd either fold to her bluff, or, when they finally confronted her when she didn't all in, she still had good cards.
"Bitch." Sunset mutters.

"Peep this." Anon says quietly. Sunset raises an eyebrow.

"I've gotta piss." Anon announces, pushing himself to his feet. He moves around the table, walking behind Starlight -- who guards her cards, eyeing him suspiciously. Until she see's him step oddly close to Trixie -- and whap, smack the hat right off her head.

The room is silent as three, entirely separate packs of playing cards -- one not even matching the type they were using -- pours all over the table and floor.

Trixie goes completely still, her smug speech -- which continued un-interrupted past Anon's announcement of needing to urinate -- stopped in its tracks.

Sunset and Starlight glare, their cards dropping from their hands.

Trixie has gone a few shades paler.
"U-uh... perhaps, this can be talked... out? There is, most assuredly, a good explanation in Trixie's mind. Any minute now."

Hooves and Knuckles crack.

Twilight knocks several times, before pushing the door open; she'd finished with her work, and was excited to see their progress on their reports. Would they have handled the criticism against each-other well? Did they pair-off and ignore the others? Or did they, Celestia forbid, actually handle it properly?

Oh.

Trixie is splayed across the table, crumpled hat and cape and all. An abhorrent amount of playing cards are splayed everywhere -- with the other three currently building a House of Cards carefully, using Trixie as the base.

Twilight purses her lips. This... hm.

She closes the door. She'll check again later.

Author's Note