Oíche fhliuch D’ollmhain, bhí an chathair ag labhairt ina cuid scáthanna agus scéalta.

On a wet night in D’ollmhain, the city was speaking in its shadows and stories.

Bhí boladh na deatach toiteána le brath sa seomra dorcha, agus bhí ceo éadrom ag báisteach na sráideanna taobh amuigh, ag meabhrú ar Halloween.

The smell of smoke lingered in the dark room, and a light mist rained on the streets outside, reminiscent of Halloween.

Bhí Niamh agus Cian ina suí os comhair a chéile ag bord poker.

Niamh and Cian were sitting across from each other at a poker table.

Bhí imní Niamh ina croí, ach bhí fonn ar a aghaidh.

Niamh had anxiety in her heart, but determination on her face.

Bhí séasúr caisleáin scáile ag gobadh amach taobh amuigh, fós bhí teine istigh ina shúile.

The season of shadow castles loomed outside, yet there was a fire inside her eyes.

Níor tháinig sí anseo don chluiche amháin.

She hadn't come here just for the game.

Bhí gá aici leis an mbua seo.

She needed this win.

Airgead, chun a teach a chaomhnú.

Money, to save her house.

Ach ar an láimh eile, bhí Cian, a cara chomh fada siar is a d’fhéadfadh sí a mheabhrú, ann.

But on the other hand, there was Cian, her friend for as long as she could remember.

Bhí Cian i gátar chomh maith.

Cian was in trouble too.

Bhí sé ag breathnú síos, ag iarraidh a bheith calma, ach is dócha gur thuig sé féin freisin an tábhacht.

He sat looking down, trying to remain calm, but likely understood the significance himself.

Bhí na cártaí curtha amach ar an mbord.

The cards were laid out on the table.

Phreab croí Niamh nuair a d’amharc sí orthu.

Niamh's heart jumped when she looked at them.

Bhí lámh mhaith aici.

She had a good hand.

B’fhéidir lámh ar a bhféadfadh sí bua a thógáil.

Maybe a hand that could win.

Bhí sé in am cinneadh a dhéanamh.

It was time to make a decision.

D’ardaigh sí a ceann, ag féachaint ar Chian.

She raised her head, looking at Cian.

Bhí súil aige, an tsúil bheag sin a rinne sí a thuiscint i gcónaí.

He had that look, the little look that always made her understand him.

Bhí sé ag blafaireacht.

He was bluffing.

Níor amhlaidh an pléisiúr ionraic a bhain sé as cluichí mar seo faoi ghnáthchoinníollacha, ach rud eile bhí ann.

It wasn't the genuine pleasure he usually took from games like this under normal conditions, but something else.

D’fhéach Niamh ar a cártaí arís.

Niamh looked at her cards again.

Anois bhí sé in am rogha a dhéanamh.

Now it was time to choose.

Dul “all-in” nó an cairt a thitim.

Go "all-in" or fold.

D’fhéadfadh bua seo a fhuascailt, ach d’fhéadfadh sé an lámh dheireanach a bhaint de Chian.

This win could redeem, but it could also take away Cian's last hand.

Bhí a fhios aici.

She knew it.

D’fheicfeadh sí an t-athrú éadrom ina shúile.

She would see the slight change in his eyes.

Cé mhéad rudaí a bhí tábhachtach di, níos mó ná airgead.

So many things were important to her, more than money.

D’aontaigh a croí nach mbeadh sí breá léi féin má chuir sí Cian i gcruachás.

Her heart agreed that she wouldn't feel right with herself if she put Cian in a bind.

Le hanála trom, chuir Niamh a chártaí síos.

With a heavy sigh, Niamh set her cards down.

D’fhilleadh.

She folded.

D’amharc sí ar Chian, a raibh ionadh air.

She looked at Cian, who was surprised.

Bhí an bua aige lena bluff, agus ag amharc siar, bhí áthas air.

He had won with his bluff, and looking back, he was pleased.

Ach taobh istigh di féin, díreach ag an nóiméad sin, bheartaigh Niamh rud tábhachtach a choinneáil.

But inside herself, just at that moment, Niamh decided to hold onto something important.

Bhí an cairdiúlacht níos tábhachtaí ná an bua.

Friendship was more important than winning.

Bhí an saol fada, agus bhí sé ag brath ar na daoine a sheasann leat.

Life was long, and it depended on the people who stand by you.

Shiúl sí amach sa cheo gach lá go raibh an chathair fós ag lasadh uaireanta solas, agus thug sí faoi deara go gcaithfeadh sí bealach eile a aimsiú.

She walked out into the mist every day until the city was still glowing for hours, and she realized she would have to find another way.

Agus ar an oíche sin, thuig sí cé chomh nádúrtha agus a d’fhéadfadh cairdeas a bheith.

And on that night, she understood how naturally friendship could be.

Cé nár tháinig an bua airgid di, D’fhág sí an seomra ag mothú níos saibhre, ní ar an mbealach a bhí sí ag súil leis, ach i gcaoi is go bhféadfadh sí dul an bóthar ag súil le tacaíocht Chian.

Though she didn't win the money, she left the room feeling richer, not in the way she expected, but so that she could walk the road looking forward to Cian's support.

Bhí sí ciúin ach iomlán.

She was quiet but complete.

Ar lá iontach i ndán.

On a wonderful day ahead.