A Pair of Jokers
"This is grossly unfair," Selphie pouted, "I'm in a dress."
Quistis said nothing. She was, truth be told, rather pleased with her defenses. Irvine was coughing furiously in an unsuccessful attempt to conceal his smirk. "You can take it off in portions, if you'd like."
Selphie brained him. Rinoa smiled over at the tussling pair fondly. "I don't think she has anything to worry about, does she, Squall?"
"Oh, shut up," Squall muttered petulantly. But then, it was pretty cold when clad in only underwear. Quistis was careful not to make eye contact. Zell had no such reservations.
"Dude, you suck at this."
"I could still kick your ass."
"Sure, but you'd be naked and look stupid while doing so."
"It'd still hurt."
"You'd still be slimy and pale."
Squall looked at Rinoa imploringly. She was staring into space, but seemed to snap back upon noticing his growing ire. "What? You are slimy and pale."
Quistis abruptly excused herself. Hysterical laughter could be heard from the hallway.
"I hate this game," Squall said to the cards moodily. Rinoa leaned against him in an appeasing sort of way, smiling with the tilt of her eyes.
"I still like you, even if you suck at strip poker. And are slimy and pale."
"I feel so much better," Squall enunciated, and made the fatal mistake of trying to phase Selphie. She beat him with a pair of twos, and Irvine looked like he was about to start spouting marriage proposals any second.