The night deepened, but their energy didn't wane. After the food was all but devoured and the wine nearly finished, Jean suddenly sprang up, an idea lighting her face.
"Alright, enough lounging. We need something to really cap this night off," she declared, heading toward the corner where a dusty box sat.
"What now?" Elara asked, one brow raised as she watched Jean dig through the box.
Jean grinned, pulling out a deck of cards. "Cards. Simple, classic, and the perfect way to end the evening."
Cruzer smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You're just looking for another excuse to gloat when you win, aren't you?"
"Maybe," Jean said playfully, fanning the deck and shuffling it with practiced ease. "But the stakes make it interesting."
Elara glanced between them, her skepticism clear. "Stakes?"
