The casino's Oak Door closed behind him, and a salty, damp sea breeze blew into his face. Lorne took a deep breath, trying to clear the lingering smell of tobacco from his nose.
"I still drew a little too much attention..." Feeling the chilly sea breeze, Lorne gradually came down from the excitement of winning money.
Thinking back on the card game, Lorne gave a helpless smile. Luck really was impossible to fathom. He had been just about ready to accept his fate, pay up, and leave after losing. Who would have thought things would turn out like that at the very end?
The smug look on the yellow-browed man's face when he played his bomb, only to crumble moments later over a lousy hand... Lorne's lips curled despite himself as his fingertips rubbed the newly acquired fifty-pound notes in his pocket.
"There were quite a few people in that casino. As an outsider, I can't be sure someone won't set their sights on me. A few dozen pounds isn't a fortune, but it isn't pocket change either. For a laborer in this era, it's a huge sum.
"And there's no telling whether that man might have other ideas. He might have to follow the rules inside the casino, but with how unwilling he was to lose, who knows what he'll do outside?"
In coastal waters rife with pirates, an outsider parading around with dozens of pounds was practically holding up a target and waiting to be robbed.
I shouldn't linger here. Better get back to the ship... Having made up his mind, Lorne quickened his pace toward the docks.
"Meow~"
Lucky suddenly began squirming restlessly in his shoulder bag, her claws lightly scratching his stomach through the fabric.
"Lucky, did you notice it too?" Lorne asked quietly, his fingers