UNDERCOVER ⧗ BLACKHILL

Casino Practice - 3

(Maria's POV)

"Maximoff wasn't there?" Fury asks the next day at the debrief.
"Not that we could tell," I reply, a little shocked at the sentence myself.
"Par 18's," he adds.
"Hmmhmm," I confirm, knowing exactly what we gave them.
"Bar day's tomorrow, better get some last practices in."
"Yes sir," I get up out of the chair and head out of the room.

Heading out to the main congregation point for us, I see Yelena and Tony sitting at the table, playing the cards he had agreed to get us to practice with. He'd never admit it out loud, but you knew that he secretly enjoyed them, they were nice to have around to play with, business purposes or not.

Over the past few weeks, I've been getting pretty decent at card games, and so has everyone else. We found ourselves playing a game whenever we had free time, while we'd also be practicing telling bluffs and spotting bluffs.

Knowing that it'll be a different crowd when I attempt to play with the Maximoff crime organization people, I need a crowd who knows what they're doing.

"Whoever wants to come can come, but I'm going to a casino tonight," I announce my presence to Yelena and Tony, them snapping their heads at me.

"Ooh I'll come!" Yelena says excitedly, loving going to places like that and having fun.

"Maria, what makes you think you're going to a casino?" Tony gives me his signature questioning look.

"Cards," I reply confidently. "I love playing with you guys, but we all know they're going to be better than us, and to get an idea of what it'll be like, well, casino would be pretty damn similar."

"I hate you," he groans, putting his head in his hands. 

"Yay!" Yelena jumps up, running off to go get changed.

"Who knew she'd be so excited to go to a a casino?" I question aloud.

"She basically is a child," Tony takes a sip of his drink.

"We better get ready, when she's ready, she's gonna wanna go right away," I turn around and head off to go get changed in casino style clothing.

Looking through my closet, I realize that as an undercover agent, you don't have a lot of casino clothes. Sure, you collect some from other undercover missions that could pass, but you just don't go to casinos.

Eventually deciding on a shorter skirt and cropped t-shirt from some other undercover mission I was on a few years back, I throw my hair into a mid-high ponytail and pull out the front two strands. Looking back at my closet, I also have some heels, but those wouldn't be good, they would for the setting but if we were to need to ditch our covers, heels wouldn't help.

I spot a pair of black converse a few pairs away, and decide that those are my best bet, they're easy to move in, and a lot of people pair converse with party outfits. Looking over my outfit once more in the mirror, I decide it's good enough and head back out to find the rest.

Walking back down, I run into Peter, who looks confused when he sees me dressed up to go out.

"Where wasn't I invited to?" he asks, pointing to my outfit with his hand.

"Casino, you're not old enough, but I promise you can come when you are," I try to reassure him.

"Promise?" he repeats.

"Yes, I promise. And we're going to practice cards for when I go to the bar since it'll be more realistic, it's not like we're going out for all fun."

"Fine, but can I get updates?"

"I'll tell you everything when we get back."

"I'll take it," and we continue to what we consider the living room, seeing Tony already there.