Closed: Wheel of Fortune II

[wolfish]

WHO: Byleth Eisner fishfearme, Gavial kinaesthesia, and Yuri Leclerc wolfish
WHAT: Three mercenaries challenge a casino.
WHEN: January (backdated)
WHERE: Kowloon: The Crown
WARNINGS: None, will update if needed.

Comments

Play Your Cards Right → Blackjack

[wolfish]

[ It isn't an unfamiliar game, at least not for Yuri. The rules are straightforward enough to abide or break, and from what they've been told, cheating and getting away with it is rather the point. As their cards are dealt, he studies the features of those sharing the table with them, his expression yielding nothing in particular about what he observes.

Truth be told, he'd by far prefer not to be playing against Byleth and Gavial, but it seems they're denied the option to divide and conquer. Deeming himself the only experienced hand at cheating between the three of them, he has an idea of how this may go... But Byleth is difficult for strangers to read and Gavial is a spirited competitor, so perhaps he'll be surprised.

Ignoring the din of the casino, Yuri carefully picks up the hand he's been dealt. Mindful of anyone attempting to pass behind him and have a look, he spares them a swift glance and nothing more. It's all it'll take with him, attention quickly turning to other players. This will most assuredly be interesting — but information's on the line.

With any luck, it'll be worth their while. ]

[kinaesthesia]

[Gavial expected that a little competition might be on their plates for this mission—like, kind of hard to avoid in a gambling den, right?—but what she hadn’t expected is get roped into competing with the very people she’d come down here with to help. But whatever, she’s never been one to back down from a challenge, and she figures there’s no real losing here. If they play their cards right, someone will walk out of here with the information they need, even if the losers gotta deal with Coalbrand—can’t be that bad of a deal, right? (Wrong.)

So they start off with literal cards, in a game her luck tends to be hit-or-miss with. Most of the hands she’s played in the past took place at camp with drunk mercenaries or the occasional game night someone threw together on the Rhodes Island landship. Neither locale really called for cheating (for very different reasons) so this one’s gonna take a little more adjusting from her in the spirit of the required competition.

She takes a brief look at her hand, gives a thoughtful hum, and taps for another card. The mental calculations are starting there as she then leans back, cheerful smile on her face.]

Man, it’s been a while since I played this one. Let’s see if I can give you boys a run for your money.

[fishfearme]

[Much like Gavial, Byleth's experience when it came to cards were games played with drunken mercenaries who changed the rules depending on how deep into their cups they were at the time. As such, Byleth's approach to card games tended to be 'look very blank and hope that whatever hand you're making is actually viable by sheer luck' rather that utilising any kind of strategy or skill. How could he, if the game kept changing its rules after almost every turn?

As well, he'd never played card games in such glitzy surroundings. This was leagues different to sitting on stumps and tossing cards onto the grass between them. It left Byleth feeling out of his depth, though he didn't let it show. Instead he stared intently at his cards, looking all the world like he was busy calculating, strategising...

He was, in fact, actually thinking: are these cards good? i can't tell...]

...it's been a while for me as well.

[After some thought, he decided to mimic Gavial, tapping for another card.]

Enough so that I'm hoping beginner's luck smiles on me.

[wolfish]

[ Yuri eyes the strangers at the table, gauging their reactions. Some seem to believe his companions, others take their words as potential opportunity. A mixture is better than the lot of them believing that Gavial and Byleth are easy marks, which would be difficult to manage.

As long as one of them wins, they can achieve their ends. It doesn't mean he wants either of his companions getting targeted by people who may be career gamblers along the way though. ]

Can't say I've had much occasion since coming here, myself.

[ Which says nothing of his wealth of experience prior, but he needn't disclose that much to these strangers. With any luck, they wouldn't notice until it was too late. For now, he has another card dealt to him, assesses, and waits as others take their turn. ]

[kinaesthesia]

Well, lucky us taking some time to have a little fun, then. Gotta spice things up every once in a while, right?

[Her smile lingers a little longer, though it takes on a slight mischievous edge. It wasn’t like they came out here specifically to gamble away the hours, but if that’s what the mission’s gonna ask of them, it’s not like they needed to twist her arm to get her to engage in some fun and games.

It’s not exactly the sort of competition she’s used to—or excels in—but she’s going to give it a good try. She watches with interest clear in her eyes as the rest of the table goes through their turns, trying to keep in mind which cards are being dealt as they go along. And as she drums her fingers along the tabletop, she idly wonders if a bolder strategy might be more in order.

But it eventually comes down to the dealer, who flips over the final card to reveal its face to the table, and calculations are made.]

[fishfearme]

[Throughout the game, Byleth's expression remained fairly neutral, but a small furrow grew and grew between his eyebrows with each turn that passed him by. When it finally came to the last card, Byleth squinted at it and then his hand, and seemed to reach some sort of conclusion.]

Oh... I think I have a bad hand.

[Truly a beginner, to announce that so plainly before anyone showed their cards! He even looked at Yuri and Gavial, as if silently seeking some sort of guidance, despite this being a purely 'every man (and woman) for themselves' deal.]

[wolfish]

[ Were it someone else, Yuri would think this was an act. It's a detrimental degree of honesty. While Byleth wasn't entirely without guile if sufficiently motivated, the look on his face doesn't seem like a performance to Yuri. And for better or worse, Byleth's pouting (as he calls it) does have some sway with him. ]

You remember that story you told me about your old man busting up those thieves that were fool enough to mess with him? Sounded like he had a pretty damn good strategy.

[ It's the best hint Yuri can give without outright giving guidance he'd be called out on. If Byleth can remember that particular tale, he could use the same approach Jeralt had — just with cards instead of lowlives. ]

[kinaesthesia]

[Not being nearly as familiar with Byleth as Yuri is, Gavial is almost convinced this is some sort of ploy to let him be underestimated. But that look he gives and the follow up Yuri responds with has her second-guessing herself on that front. Unless they’re in on this a joint strategy, in which case…

Man, she’s over thinking things here.]

We’ll chalk that one up as a learning hand, then.

[There’s an easy grin from her as the cards from the last hand are collected and another round is dealt. Does she make a big show of upping the ante on this next bet while simultaneously trying to slip an old card up her sleeve? Perhaps.

Go big or go home?]

[fishfearme]

[Byleth caught the message, but he wasn't quite sure he'd be able to apply it here. Still, he appreciated the effort, and gave Yuri a nod of understanding as he surrendered his hand (it was completely worthless) and recieved a new one (equally worthless).

He did glimpse Gavial slipping a card up her sleeve, but made no comment. He was pretty certain Yuri had nothing but cards up his sleeve, and if Byleth was a bit more sly with his hand, he would've done the same. But alas, his vambraces make card-sleeve tactics a little difficult.]

That's a very bold bet, Gavial. Are you that confident in your hand?

[He will, however, remark on her upping the ante that much. Bluff? Or confidence?]

[kinaesthesia]

[Bold indeed, because she’s not exactly the type to be known for sleight of hand. But she does know the power of unfaltering confidence, and leans on that as she tries to play into the risk of it.]

I’m always confident.

[An easy smile as she taps one finger against the stacked chips of her bet.]

No one’s gonna chicken out, right?

[Her gaze sweeps around the table, daring (provoking?) each gathered player to go along with the higher stakes.]

[wolfish]

[ Though Yuri makes his attention less overtly intent, he does observe the others at the table. One seems to be fired up by the challenge, another furtively considers. In the end, they all slide their chips into the pot. ]

Well now, this will be interesting.

[ He only hopes Byleth manages to find his footing. After this, maybe they really ought to spare some time for learning how to turn a game in one's favor. Who knows, some Oracle might require deceit. If only he'd known sooner what sort of games Coalbrand favored...

But time will tell as to how they all fare. Gavial's got the spirit, and that's a start. ]

[fishfearme]

[Well, since everyone else was upping their bets...

Byleth picked up a few chips - and visibly paused for a moment, his gaze flitting down to the cards in his hand. His expression gave nothing away, but it was clear in that fraction of a second, that the gears in Byleth's head revved up into a fast spin, concocting an idea, encouraged by Yuri's advice and Gavial's boldness.

He set down his chips........ only to scoop up almost all of them, leaving only a scant few as 'insurance', and put them in the pot.

Go big or go home indeed.]

Is that confident enough for you?

[kinaesthesia]

[Gavial watches with easy amusement as everyone sets out their chips one by one, eventually letting her gaze settle back on Byleth as he takes that extra moment. …And then blinks in surprise when he raises the stakes even further, before settling on a bit of laughter.]

Must have some darn good prospects with those cards of yours.

[Which of course prompts her to give her own cards another peek, humming a little overly thoughtfully as her attention then slides to the pile of chips before her. Oh, she’s going to have to be really bold to make this work, huh?]

Well, I’m never one to back down from a challenge! [Grinning, she pushes more of own chips into the stakes to match.]

On a Roll → Liar Dice

[wolfish]

[ This game is a new one, in Yuri's experience. After Aigneuse provided them with information about Coalbrand and the sort of games he favored, Yuri had needed to look into this one. Bluffing is...also very familiar territory, even if the game itself is new. As they roll dice to determine turn order, he can't help wondering how the others will do.

Just as with cards, Yuri sorely wishes they didn't have to compete with one another. Still, the benefit is that one of them may walk away a winner — three of them means three prospects. How well his companions can do with deception, however... Well, it remains to be seen.

Once their turn order is determined, the game begins. ]

[kinaesthesia]

[Now this game feels like one that’s more Gavial’s speed. Bluffing’s a much easier ask from her, but who knows how well her companions could read the brash and excitable woman by now. Yuri’s got a sharp eye, so she knows to be careful around him, but Byleth is a lot harder for her to read.

All in all, it’ll be fun.

She drums her fingers idly against her dice cup, watching the initial dice roll to see who goes first. Low roll for her, so it seems like…]

Looks like you’re up first, big guy.

[She looks Byleth’s way, flashing him a friendly grin.]

[fishfearme]

[Finally, a game that played more to Byleth's strengths!

While lying wasn't exactly Byleth's strongest suit, keeping a straight face in the most absurd situations was, and even he could handle something as minor as brazenly lying to someone's face about what dice he rolled. So, when Gavial indicated it was his turn, Byleth was Ready.

He nodded at Gavial and promptly rolled the dice - all contained within a throwing cup that made it easy to hide the results from view. As they clattered to a stop, Byleth's expression didn't twitch when he took in the result.

Three ones, a three, and a five. Three of a kind, but of the lowest possible number. Hm.]

Two pairs. [He says while exuding pure :| energy.]

[wolfish]

[ When Byleth calls his rolls, Yuri idly observes the other players. One in particular seems skeptical, watching the mercenary very intently... But his unflinching expression ultimately seems to pass muster. Very few had Byleth's resting poker face, and fewer still were accustomed to trying to read such a person.

Yuri thinks he's bluffing, but he has lived in close quarters with the man since he got here. He'd better be able to tell...or rather, reasonably assume. Because there remains the chance he's wrong just the same.

That's the power of Byleth's :|

The next to roll is a woman who very overtly shakes her bosom in as distracting a manner as she can as she shakes the cup and slaps it down. She peers at her dice with an exaggerated imitation of being covert, and following this performance, declares three fives.

Yuri's sharp glance flicks toward his comrades in this venture, unconvinced three dice match there... But there's obviously an act going on at the same time. They'd best watch this one. ]

[kinaesthesia]

[It is indeed a very powerful :|. Gavial might be squinting at him a bit, as if that’s going to do anything to allow her to read much more from the ultimate poker face.

Ever since this venture of theirs began down here at the Crown, she’s been almost entirely focused on trying to read her two companions rather than the other incidental players. It perhaps mattered less during their round of cards than it would in this game built around bluffing, but she doesn’t seem to pay the other players much mind even here until the woman declares her dice.

She goes to turn to give her glance over—catching that look from Yuri along the way—and pauses a moment before smiling with a laugh.]

That so…

[The smile blossoms into something more like a cheeky grin, but she refrains from calling a bluff. Instead she grabs her own cup, gives it a hearty shake, and slams it down with a rattle of dice. A quick peek and then, still grinning, she declares:]

Three threes right here.

[fishfearme]

[Gavial might've seen Byleth's poker face break when the buxom woman had taken her turn, his expression turning into one of mild bafflement at her enthusiastically shaking her bosom. He even looked like he was going to comment, but after a pause let her bluff slide unchallenged, fixing his gaze instead onto his other companion: Gavial.

Byleth was observant, and on the battlefield he felt like he could read a person quite well. But in general? He was abysmal. He hawkishly watched her shake her cup and slam it down, his gaze practically laser-focused on her as she declared her result, like if he stared hard enough he could peer into her head and pluck the answer right from her skull.

No dice (pun intended).]

Hm.

[Was he contesting? Was he going to let it slide-?]

You're bluffing.

[kinaesthesia]

[Bluffing for Gavial is a funny thing, as she approaches it with just as much of a straightforward tactic as just about everything else she gets up to. All smiles and her brand of enthusiasm all the time, which is an easy enough ask when they’re having themselves some fun.]

Hmm, real sure about that, aren’t you?

[Not a single bit of faltering confidence from her as she turns to regard Byleth. She drums her fingers against the top of her dice cup for a suspenseful moment before tipping it back and letting it fall to the side to reveal the dice within.

A two, a six, and three threes.]

No luck this time, pal. Sorry.

[Delivered with a bright and playful smile.]

[wolfish]

Well now, we've got ourselves some sport.

[ It's an attempt, and it gives information just the same. Yuri watches the reveal play out and huffs an amused breath. He may excel in cards, but these two could give him a run for his money when it comes to this game. That makes their odds better, seeing as they have other players to concern themselves with.

So long as one of them wins, that's what matters.

Yuri holds to that thought as he shakes the cup he'd been issued and slaps it down. He eyes the results with a hum. ]

Four fours.

[ His delivery is calm and collected.

His dice are loaded. ]

[fishfearme]

[Darn.

Byleth briefly looked discouraged at his failure, but he concealed it after a moment and watched as Yuri cast his die. Much like Gavial, he didn't scrutinise the man so much as he laser beamed him with his gaze, clearly trying to figure out some sort of tell, but...

This was Yuri. It was likely he was cheating in some way. Perhaps he had some way to change the die to whatever he wanted...

So, after a very long moment of intense (and awkward) staring, Byleth........... says nothing.]

[kinaesthesia]

[There’s quiet consideration and and thoughtful shifting around the table after each of these dice rolls, and Yuri’s makes no exception. One of the other players at the table looks half-way to voicing their suspicion when Gavial leans a little closer to Yuri and beats them to it. She props one elbow on the table in front of her and rests her chin on a closed fist, scrutinizing her companion with a sharp look.]

Now that sounds a little too good to be true to me. Let’s see ‘em, champ.

[Did she have anything other than a gut feeling here? No, not really, and Yuri’s much too smooth to give much away, that much she’s already discovered after one set of games together. Misplaced accusation or not, call it a… learning opportunity to see how he might approach all this.]

[wolfish]

[ It is too good to be true, Gavial isn't wrong about that. However, when Yuri lifts the cup, he does indeed have four fours. His smile is a genial one, not betraying whether he is or isn't particularly pleased to have just what he said he did. ]

Sorry to disappoint.

[ He's been at this sort of thing from a very young age, not that most know this. People from home might, he's got a reputation, though that's a tangled mixture of empty rumor and genuine truth. ]

[fishfearme]

[As Yuri had said, he had four fours. Amazing luck...

...if gotten legitimately.

Byleth's stare gained a certain contemplative edge to it, words clearly on the tip of his tongue but held back. He had his suspicions, but at the same time, while they were all competing for the win, only one of them had to win. Possibly outing him to the others sitting at the table would do nothing but weaken them as a whole, even if it would mean Gavial's and Byleth's defeat.

So, instead of innocently requesting he just roll those die again, just to see what numbers they'd give, he said:]

Amazing luck, Yuri.

[Wink wink, nudge nudge (in Byleth style)]