The hostess slips the gold pen back into her brassiere-- or where it should be-- and nods to the players.  "We received word that the fifth player would be arriving later than expected.  The dealer, however, has offered to begin the game without him, if you all consent."<br/><br/>"Actually," a warm, rich voice fills the room effortlessly.  It comes from the west bedroom, where the daylight streams through vertical blinds like blazing gold fire before it is cut off by the heavy oak and brass door.  Each player could have sworn that the room was empty before...  "There's a lot of action in this room already."<br/><br/>He is a tall, lean silhouette as he saunters closer, wafting forth the faintest redolence of clove oil, musk, and... myrr?  The dealer wears a black suit-- designer-familiar will recognize it as a Michael Bastian-- with a white, button-up silk shirt open over a thin ball-chained silver pendant.  "We won't need a fifth."<br/><br/>His age is hard to place... eyes of a pale, almost amber-brown sparkle delightfully in a face of toned, honey-pale skin, touched by pronounced cheekbones and a strong jaw, a neatly cleft chin and perfectly disheveled, ebony hair.  Something about his movements are effortlessly graceful, and his build is that of a panther in a designer suit.<br/><br/>"Lucan," the dealer says with a broad, easy smile, reaching one long-fingered, strong hand toward the first chair's occupant-- "You must be Sally, then?  I hear you're quite the singer..."  He takes her hand gently, giving it a light shake, "And you are... Andi, isn't it?"  He shakes her hand, tipping his jaw to one side for a moment's consideration.  "Pleasure to meet you... tough luck in the tournament... the river wasn't kind.  But you'll show them."  He winks, the gesture warming and strangely, simply, provocative.  "And Cynthia, how are you enjoying Las Vegas?  Anything we can get for you?  Another drink?  Please, have a good time this evening... you deserve it."  He smiles fainter to Jim, shaking his hand firmly, smiling.  "And Texas Jim, a regular man-about-town..."  his amber eyes blaze with awareness, familiarity.  Knowing.  "I hope you'll enjoy the game... it's not your usual..."<br/>