Welcome to Gaia! ::

As you enter the casino gates, a few sensations hit you at once. First is the smell, smoke and cigarette fumes everywhere. Then the loud chattering, the distinct smell of alcohol. There are impressive, entirely functional slot machines rolling as far as the eye could see. There are people just casually playing at various tables. The sight is surreal.

You wander around it, just a little longer, unsure what to do. How you wander is up to you. What you see is pretty much the same for each player. People just playing casually in a casino. A real life, working casino.

A person wearing a fashionable suit and vest combo comes to you, and passes you an expensive-looking cocktail. Whether you take it or not is up to you. "Welcome to Delta Casinos! To begin, we will play with a currency called Casino coins. You can use them later for fantastic prizes!"

You are given [ 25 casino coins] from the attendant:

Ritsa ran her fingers through her hair and looked around. This was not some place she enjoyed there was to many smells to much noise. Far too much sensational input, and it was draining. Part of her wasn't sure the idea of taking casino coins was really all that good of an idea. She wasn't good at cards, that was certain. Perhaps the slot machines would do well

Pulling the lever again, Ritsa heard the familiar ding of success. Picking up the coins she put them in her pocket quietly adding it to her collection

A little bit of time has passed, and you begin to feel sweaty and dizzy. Did you drink anything? Did you smoke something? Was it something you touched? Your senses begin to blur and before you know it, everything turns dark.

When you wake up, your body feels heavy and sore. You are tied to a chair, and as your senses slowly stir, realize you are in a dark room. You hear the heavy breathing and then muttering noises of other people: you are not alone. The lights suddenly turn on, flooding everything to a blinding white. For a moment you can't see, and your eyes water, struggling to find balance.

A voice booms in front of you, but the sound is muffled at first. You strain, and finally, all your senses align, and you are able to see the room around you, set up classroom style out of all things, and are able to hear the person in front of you. Not a person, just speakers in the room.

"Attention all Casino players! Welcome to our tenth annual casino games! A big round of applause to our new players!"

A round of applause plays off. You realize this was meant for you and those in the room. Your ropes are bound so tight, you cannot even speak or turn around to see who is around you.

"Now, let us explain the rules for the new casino players! All of you are given a number. There is a lucky lottery number drawing, if your number is drawn, you get to escape from here free. Lucky you! For everyone else, well, you are not so lucky. I'm afraid the only freedom for you comes from buying it. That's right, each of you have been given, and assessed a value. If you wish to escape, and you must do so by the end of this day, you must buy out your own value or we will buy you."

"'How may I buy myself out?', you may ask. Well, that is simple! All you have to do is play any of our games in our casino with Casino Coins! When you have earned enough Casino Coins equal to your value, you may request to make a purchase. Now, we aren't heartless here. You may purchase yourself, or another player. You may even purchase both if you have enough! Wouldn't that be nice! Anyone left unpurchased will be property of the Casino, and be auctioned for our dinner fundraiser tonight."

The announcement stops. And then continues again.

"Any questions?" One per person please!"

Ritsa's head swam as people around her voiced opinions, and asked questions. Her mouth however remained shut. She had no desire to talk in a situation like these. Before you can talk again, an attendant, wearing the Casino suit and vest, comes over and grabs you and your entire chair. You are dragged into a separate room. There are two people in the room, in the same situation as you.

"Now," booms the announcer voice in the new room, a much smaller one, "these are the losing players from the last game. A Bunch of sore losers if you ask me. But we're giving you a chance to redeem one as their patron. If you manage to buy yourself out of the games, then you will also buy one of them out too. Now, which one will it be?"

Ritsa looked to one person, She's quite a beautiful person, probably in her mid-twenties. She looks visibly terrified, her mouth is currently covered. She looks like she might have easily been someone's secretary or flight attendant. There was a pain in Ritsa's chest as she looked at her. Females had a harder time in hostage situations like this.

Looking towards the male Ritsa shook her head He's a very honest looking young man, probably in his late teens. He stares numbly at you, mouth currently covered. He keeps on alternating between crying and shivering uncontrollably. He looks like he hasn't even graduated from high school. While she was sorry for the lad she had a feeling that the age gap might cause a bit of a problem for her. So she opted to for the female.

As soon as her choice was made apparently Ritsa had to close her eyes. She couldn't look as the boy was removed from the room. Either way she guessed the choice could only end in disaster and it was best she didn't have the guilt on her conscious. Looking away was best in a situation like this.

Once the boy had been removed Ritsa glanced up to see the next room but remained silent. The body was probably going to be shown in there. And she had no desire to see another dead body so soon.

You and the lady are brought into the next room where both of you are given a chance to clean yourselves in a mirrorless washroom with no windows at separate times. She has just enough time to thank you before she is dragged away. You are alone again as you are escorted down the hallway. A single door lies in front of you. The door opens.