chasma | WEEK THREE MINGLE 2.0

ahnkeen: week 3 mingle

in the sands of time

32 Remain

Waking up this morning will reveal some unfamiliar surroundings. The soft ripples of the canals and dulcet tones of otamatone fade from your ears, replaced by a steady, dry breeze and the ambient noise of the local populace filtering in through open windows. Another thing you'll notice is that it's warm - very warm. Light dress is recommended here.

You all awaken in your beds—although they aren't the beds that you found yourself falling asleep in previously, and you might not even see the same face as you had the previous night. But one by one, as you filter out, you find yourselves in a house, a bit on the older side but still comfortable. The decor is neutral and inoffensive, much like you'd expect of a place that sees many visitors.

Unlike the previous worlds you've visited, Ahnkeen is a bustling, busy place, full of people of all sorts - and not all are human, so please check your biases at the door. Though the world around them is dry and scarce of resources, the market town itself is alive and well, business booming, and the merchants here keep a close eye on their wares in case of any thieves.

Traversing down the streets of the housing district are the Temporals. For the most part they seem ready to receive everyone. Throwing their hands into the air and meandering down Rameel will be spearhead the introductions this time—their puma daemon trailing behind them. As an extra treat, they'll even seem to have their “black box” from previous with them this fine morning on full blast.

"Hello, hello everyone! WELCOME TO AHNKEEN!! The home to the great markets...probably. I hope more of you are used to these scenery changes by now, and by popular demand are your favorite Temporals. We've changed the set for the hat trick, but we won't stop there."

Satariel is standing close to Yomiel, their undercloak absent and their daemon raven-formed on their shoulder - it squawks after Rameel yells the welcome, but they offer everyone a warm smile. They do reach over to... turn down the "black box" of Rameel's, without looking, smile still intact. "For those of you that kept your things from previous worlds, especially the treasure from our adventures underwater, you might find that they come in handy here. We are in a market, after all."

The last Watcher has also shed their undercloak, staring at Rameel while their polecat daemon chitters. "Anyway," they turn to the rest with a vague gesture at Satariel. "Try not to steal too much this time. The last few worlds were pretty quiet, but you might run into trouble with the locals here if you keep that up."

With the new week, travelers will find that they are no longer connected physically and emotionally to another participant. As opposed to being drawn to one person in particular, they'll find themselves with the need to be physically close to any other participant they speak to. Go on, hold their hand, get your snuggle on - it'll make you feel better. This effect lasts all week.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Why..... is this what she has to do........

It's fine.]

I cannot play, but I can certainly identify a cheater.

[Why does she look smug]

I cannot claim any proficiency in cheating at such card games, but as luck would have it, I have recently been taught to play poker! I could, perhaps, act as a distraction.

That sounds good. You play, we'll watch for cheaters. Then we can beat them up when they cheat.

Don't beat them up, nii-san.

Who taught you to play poker? [And is he any good at it....]

Very well. Alphinaud, you can play and keep the attention directed your way.

Have we anything to use for a wager?

I must second that you needn't get yourself into a row. Now— Alisaie raises a valid point. We need an item to place into the betting pool...

But perhaps naught too valuable.

How about Yukio's glasses? He has two sets. And we can get the second set back later.

... fine. [He pulls his extra pair of glasses out of his pocket and hands it to Alphinaud.]

Very well. Brother, you're up.

[Go on, Alphinaud, show us those newfound poker skills in action!]

All right then, let's give this a go!

[ i, the player, will only pretend i know anything about poker ]

Let us begin, good sir! I look forward to our match.

It's okay, we'll get them back!

[But Rin stays back a bit to let Alphi work his magic.

I'm also going to say that these guys look like they're ready to take Alphi for all he's worth. And make fun of him.]

"Kid, have you even played poker before?"

[Yukio's also standing back, watching for signs of cheating.]

[Alisaie's going to just come up and stand behind Alphinaud, arms folded, like she's some sort of menacing bouncer rather than a tiny 4'9" girl.

(And yet somehow it's working??? Girl's got a solid scowl.)]

I daresay my brother could beat you even if he were learning the game as he played.

[ That isn't.... too inaccurate, really... ]

—But that is not the case, I assure you! Mayhap I may pleasantly surprise you.

[ It's like, his second time ever, so. Technically, yes???

Anyway, he'll draw his first two cards. ]

[The NPC does not seem too intimidated by any of this. He draws his first two cards too.

Maple does not know jack shit about poker so let's say magic happens and the game is carrying on for a while while they bluff each other.]

"You got anything useful, kid? Or are you just bluffing?"

[One of the other NPCs is in charge of the discard pile, and he is trying to discreetly hide cards. But for some reason, a clown horn honks every time he does something suspicious. Hm.]

[This is all pretty stupid. As usual.]

Do you need to keep insulting him to distract from the fact that you have no good cards?

[Without even turning her head, Alisaie's pointing in the direction of the discard pile.]

I see that.

[ Do you, Alisaie. ]

...

Come to think of it... What is that sound?

"It's nothing."

[When Alisaie says that, Rin also looks in that direction too.

And the guy with the cards starts eating a couple of the cards.]

They're not even trying to be subtle.

[I mean no she doesn't see it but LET HER HAVE THIS

Anyways why is he eating the cards]

That's disgusting.

[Well, it's. Hm. Are they really pulling from the discard pile anyway?]

[ but why ]

... S– sir, do we not need all of the cards to continue playing?

"Are you calling me a cheater?!"

[Now the man is SCOWLING up at the group.

Rin is looking hopelessly at the other three. NOW do they fight?]

It's going to be hard for you to deny that you're a cheater.

If you truly expect us to believe you're no cheater, why did your friend just drop a spare set of cards to the floor?

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arcsplainist - 2021-10-22 06:07 (UTC) - Expand

aono - 2021-10-22 11:48 (UTC) - Expand

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