Greater than Aesthetics
01

High noon Twisted Fate, High Noon Yasuo, Cowgirl Miss Fortune, and Sheriff Caitlyn

Yasuo sat at the by the counter at the saloon, nursing a drink the bartender had recently given to him. He mixed his drink slowly, head bowed low. His elbow rested on the table and his arm was straightened up, delicately holding his glass. Yasuo wore his hat within the sparsely lit saloon but no one called him out on it. He was sitting silently and bothering no one, sitting still with his katana by his side – why would anyone want to bother a wandering swordsman, after all?

He finished off the remains of his drink, and dumped his empty glass back on to the table, attracting the attention of the bartender. He walked over, and with a slight drawl, asked, "Want 'nother one?"

Yasuo merely nodded, and the man opposite the counter took the glass and prepared another drink. While waiting, Yasuo turned his head and tilted to the side, listening in on a conversation from the corner of the room. The gamblers' tables were very rowdy, but among the chatter he could single out the deep voice of his companion.

In the middle of the fray sat Twisted Fate with a sneaky glint in his eyes. His face was straight and emotionless – the only indication left was his glimmering eyes. Laying his cards flat on the table, he said, "Well, it looks like I've won."

"Again," snorted another man, sliding chips over to him. With another, more derisive snort, he said, "I knew it. Good thing I didn't put much down."

The table was slammed, loudly and hard, launching chips up and off the table. "Goddamn it," another player growled, sweeping the chips to Twisted Fate angrily. "You hack."

In response, the proud winner gave a sly smirk and tipped his hat. "Lady Luck is with me today."

"And every day, it looks like," says the remaining man, tipping the burnt ashes from his rolled tobacco. "You're a very, very lucky man." He pulled the tobacco out of his mouth, blew a puff of smoke, and grinned as he gently slid over his small pile of chips to the winner's direction. He took a swig of his drink. While his demeanour seemed gentler, there was a hint of something in his eyes. Suspicion, from the looks of it.

But that was something not uncommon to the infamous card master. Choosing not to make anything of it, he began to prepare to take his winnings and go – standard procedure – to be followed by his companion and guard, Yasuo. But before he could do so, the doors to the saloon slammed open, and the rowdy establishment fell silent.

Through the door walked a woman – blonde, slim but muscular. Her legs moved so smoothly it seemed like she glided in more than walked. Her long, blonde hair were tied at the ends, shining under the sparse sunlight that coursed through from the doorway. She wore a large hat, a cropped top, and leather chaps, leaving a majority of her creamy skin exposed. Most of the other patrons at the bar ogled her chest, but those who looked beyond were rewarded with a beautiful face, set in a determined expression. "You must be Twisted Fate," she said surely striding in to stop next to Yasuo, who didn't even turn to look. It seemed as if only he and the bartender were not enamoured with the new arrival.

The barkeep placed Yasuo's drink down in front of him, before turning to the newcomer. The man had started to ask what she wanted to have when she stretched her arm out and gracefully took the swordsman's drink from the rim before he could even wrap his fingers around it. "Wait, I can just-"

"Good choice," she said, after downing the drink in one go. She placed the glass back down next to the irritated Yasuo, who she patted on the back. "Thanks for the drink, handsome."

Twisted Fate cleared his throat. "Yes, I am." He palmed his deck of cards. "How can I help you?"

She confidently set herself down on the seat across from his. "I'd like to try my luck."

He chuckled in response. "Brave of 'ya," he said, shuffling the deck. "I'll be happy to oblige, after you've told me your name."

The blonde grinned brightly in response. "Sarah," she said. "My name is Sarah."

"Ah, yes," the card master said. "Lady Luck is smiling at me."

Sarah said nothing in response. Instead, she stretched her arm out and curled her fingers in. "Why don't you give me the deck?" she asked, watching as he cautiously gave her his shuffled deck. She began to shuffle it again, before handing it to the calm man next to her. "Will you be a dear," she began, "and deal these out?"

He merely nodded in response and began to deal the cards out. As the cards were flipping onto the table, Twisted Fate said, "What do I win when I do?"

Sarah shook her head. "So confident," she said. She reached out from behind her and pulled out a bag. "I know this isn't much," she threw the bag on to the table and it jangled slightly on impact, "but I've made room for the money I'm going to make when I win."

Saucy. Just the kind of woman he would be weak to. The dealer finished his duty and stood next to the both of them, watching them carefully. Had he been less experienced at his… craft, he would've been nervous about the man. He seemed clever. Clever, but not clever enough to figure things out. Twisted Fate took a peek at his dealt hand, and looked over to see Sarah doing the same. Her face was a blank slate, like his, but she did slide out two cards and the dealer gave her some fresh ones. In her eyes he saw emotion flash, briefly – cunning.

Looking at his deck, Twisted Fate was pretending to decide. He had a decent strategy, and it was time to implement it and win. It's a shame, he thought, I wonder if I could get her to play another game with higher stakes…

Around them, the rest of the bar had gathered to watch the infamous Twisted Fate play – but most were there to ogle some more at Sarah's bosom. They clambered over one another to stand behind her but she paid no heed. She continued her firm stance, sitting with her back straightened, cards gripped tightly. Judging by the looks on the bystanders' faces, she must've gotten a pretty decent hand.

While the other men fought over who would get to stand close to the beautiful Sarah, Yasuo had managed to slip next to his companion. His arrival brought on something inexplicable, like the metaphorical fresh air. After sliding two cards forward – he should get something better than what she currently holds – he leaned back and fought to maintain his blank expression.

Before they could reveal their hands, however, they heard another female from behind the crowd. "Excuse me," said the sheriff, who Yasuo had been looking to avoid. "But I'm looking for Sarah Fortune."

Faces turned to look at the blonde, who merely tensed slightly. She placed her cards gently down the table, still face down. "I suggest," she said to no one in particular, "that you duck."

Whipping out double pistols from her sides, she began to laugh manically while firing bullets towards the sheriff who was quick enough to duck out. Most of the patrons had caught her warning, but some were unfortunately caught in the fire. In the mess, the other patrons of the bar had kicked up the sand. Some people ran out, screaming. Scooping half the money into his pockets, Twisted Fate tilted his head towards the window, but it seemed like Yasuo was already ahead. Tossing a chair out the window, the two jumped out and pressed themselves against the wall. Shimmying to the alley at the back of the establishment, they paused to catch a breather while the mess continued on around them.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," said Sheriff Caitlyn as she walked towards them once the rumble had died down. She had a couple of scratches, perhaps from when she leapt out of the way of the bullets, but otherwise still looked as beautiful as she was brave. "Did you happen to see which direction the bounty hunter I was looking for went?"

"No, sheriff," replied Yasuo, head low and eyes shaded. "Sorry."

Sheriff Caitlyn nodded, and her giant top hat wobbled. "Understood." She gave Yasuo a long glance, completely overlooking Twisted Fate. "You… stay out of trouble," she warned mysteriously, before jogging the other way.

"Bounty hunter, huh?" Twisted Fate finally said, when his heart had calmed down. "I reckon that was too much excitement for one day." Pulling his prize out of his pockets with a pleased smile, he was confused to find paper among the coins. Pulling it out, he unfolded what seemed like a note.

Interesting match. Let's finish the game next time. I'll give you the chance to win the rest of your money then. Love, Miss Fortune.

Yasuo looked over his shoulder to read it, but said nothing. Twisted Fate, who had expected to feel anger or annoyance, instead felt excitement and slight attraction. Folding the note delicately back up to pocket it, he patted the remainder of his bounty. "This is still gonna be enough to buy a couple o' drinks. Let's go."