VERDICT OS Documentation available at: http://padlet.com/BoredofDirector/verdictos
Voting is 15 minutes, write-ins are encouraged and will be integrated as smoothly as possible
Dice are 1d100, roll under with an obscured, unless in combat, DC. Best of three.
Old threads can be found on the suptg archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=To%20aru

>>36988033
>Her cooking

eyebrow safety tips are a must know

>>36988033
>Her cooking

start small

>>36988052
>eyebrow safety tips
Seconded.

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“This is very good,” you managed.

Your mother kept smiling as she reached across the table. Her hands brushed against the thin beginnings of the eye brows.

“I wouldn’t want to put you in danger,” she answered, “But it looks like I did anyway.”

She didn’t frown but you caught the regret. She was worried. It was natural after all. She was your mother. Well, she claimed to be but that kind of worry, it reminded you of Mum back at the orphanage. You didn’t glow red like her. You were an Ability User. It was something that affected her, and only her. Was it really a bad thing if someone like her were worried about you? It’s as you thought that did you want to tell her it wasn’t her fault. Your choices were your own after all. No one could change that. Instead you steered the conversation back to the topic of cooking.

“Can you teach me how to make this?” you asked.

“Of course,” she replied happily, “Anything for my dear son. Though I have to wonder why you want to learn when I could just cook for you.”

“I live alone.”

“Not any more you don’t,” her smile was strained, “We’ve been separated for far too long.”

Her hand wandered to your cheeks.

“I know you are still afraid of me,” she said, “It’s hard to accept but I know I’ve done terrible things. Maybe you’ll never love me as a mother, or even as Ilyena Torikov, but I do love you as my son. So at the very least I hope you’ll accept me in to your life.”

>”Of course, Ilyena.”
>”Of course, mother.”
>”We’ll see.”
>Write-in

>>36988358
>”Of course, mother.”

can we roll to work up the nerve to hug her?

>>36988358
>Of course, mother.

>>36988358
>”Of course, mother.”
I assume you're already aware that my sole purpose is to kill mages

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It was your reply that had her practically jumping with joy. Slowly, despite yourself, you managed to hold her hand in yours. You couldn’t feel the warmth from it. But it was enough to know that she wasn’t going to immediately destroy you just as you wouldn’t immediately destroy her, even if your job demanded it. Touma looked on with a satisfied smile on his face. He always was the kind of guy who would hold out his hand for anyone, even if they were the devil in disguise. Maybe she was a devil in disguise but that was for another time. For now, on the eve of Christmas, you think you could put aside that kind of thinking for a bit. Yes, having someone like her as a mother wasn’t such a bad Christmas present after all.

The time is now morning, the weather is snowy, and the date is now December 25.

Christmas day didn’t seem all that different to any other day. It was simply the people that made it the holiday that it was. In your inbox were several postcards, virtual and otherwise, with the season’s greetings on them. Shrugging, you went through breakfast as usual. There was still time before you had to attend Lupin’s party, but you were already prepared so there was only two things you could do this morning.

>Check in with Nayuta
>Go pick up your date

>>36988670
>Check in with Nayuta

>>36988670
>Go pick up your date

>>36988670
>>Check in with Nayuta

>>36988670
>Go pick up your date

>>36988670
> Go pick up your date

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You checked in at the office. Just because it was Christmas didn’t mean that Judgement weren’t working. You even bet that law enforcement worked extra hard this time of year. If anything, she might have more intel, or even goodies, to give away.

“Nii-san, it’s Christmas you know?” she half complained.

She was half working, half curled up under a thick blanket with some hot chocolate in arms.

“But you’re still here.”

“I’m only half paying attention,” she rebutted, “Ah whatever, I’m really busy later so I guess this is good timing.”

For presents you hoped.

“This is a memo from the top. They want to make sure that all Code M are being monitored, just in case.”

“Why the emphasis now?”

“Because it’s Christmas,” she answered, “It’s one of Christianity’s most holy days, even if pagans and unbelievers celebrate it. Just because there was a Christmas truce during the First World War doesn’t mean that there will be one now.”

That made sense.

“Ah, looks like Kaoru-chan is done!”

It was at that point did Kaoru walk in. She was in a dress, despite the heavy outer layers. Her face was as emotive as your helmet.

“Oh come on, lighten up a bit Kaoru-chan, it’s Christmas.”

“Didn’t you just tell me to be on guard?” you asked.

“You’re too carefree nii-san,” she replied quickly, “Kaoru-chan’s too serious. Hmmm, maybe you might make a good team then.”

Before it was too late, you left for the party.

[1/2]

>>36989287
It was an old train yard in School District 17. The older models were parked here before eventually being scrapped. Two train cars had been repurposed as a restaurant and it was here that the party was to take place. That or you had the wrong address. You doubted it. In an improvised parking area sat Ben-jii’s Camaro. Alongside it were other exotic motor vehicles. There was a sign on the entrance to relinquish weapons at the bar lest they were stolen. The bar itself was busy with familiar faces.

The counter was manned by Kyouko, an older looking Sparky, and who you assumed was Lupin IV herself. Ben-jii and his ‘date’ sat there. So did Sagara and Ilija. They were staring at each other while Lupin looked on amused. The opposite end held the two white-haired twins that lived next door. One of them was chatting with Kyouko. The tables away from the bar sat the rest of the Problem Children along with Toulour. Kaoru and you looked at each other. It seemed the rest haven’t paid much attention to your arrival. You moved to,

>Sit at the table
>Sit at the bar
>Other (write-in)

>>36989335
>Sit at the table

its a reunion!

>>36989335
Get a drink from the bar and sit at the table

>>36989335
>sit at the table.
Gotta let Toulour know we don't take kindly to people stealing Asuka for a date.

>>36989335
>>36989383
this seems best

>>36989425
just tell him Mama Torikov has another suitor after her affections too.

That should grind his gears.

>>36989335
>Sit at the table

File: Your bartender for today.jpg (56 KB, 450x290)

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You moved to the bar first, if only to order a drink. It was the older looking Sparky that greeted you.

“What it’ll be VERDICT?” she sneered, “And don’t think I can’t tell you’re packing heat under there. Hand it over before Ms. Kleptomaniac takes it.”

“That’s not fair Ex, I only take things that catch my eye,” Lupin shouted from her end of the bar.

Your bartender shrugged as you handed traded your handgun for a drink. It was a whiskey glass full of straight dry gin and a shot of Irish Cream. You were supposed to drop the latter in the former to complete the mix called an Irish Car Bomb. Kaoru opted for some Chai though it did get a nervous chuckled out of Lupin when she caught sight of the broadsword that was exchanged over the counter. The two of you took your drinks and sat at the table.

“Ah VERDICT, how nice of you to join us,” Asuka greeted, “As well as my favourite Homewrecker.”

“For the record, this is a purely professional relationship,” Kaoru said.

“Of course,” Asuka didn’t buy it, “It might be nice to have some competition.”

Your eyes settled on Toulour.

“I believe we haven’t been introduced, François Toulour,” he offered a hand.

You may have exerted more force than necessary.

“VERDICT,” you replied, “I believe you settled with Asuka as a second choice?”

“Oh she told you huh?” he replied cheerily.

“A shame,” you continued, “I heard she chose someone else over you.”

“Ah?” he looked crestfallen, “Huh? Really?”

“He happens to be an acquaintance of mine,” you grinned underneath the mask.

Asuka looked on in approval despite being rather grabby with your date, not that you minded. Further introductions were made as you started drinking. Who did you talk to first?

>Tadakuni
>Kyousuke
>Mishka
>Asuka
>Toulour
>Kaoru

>>36989862
>Toulour
So I heard you stepped down from the top spot?

>>36989862
>Mishka

>>36989862
>Mishka

>>36989862
>Mishka

>>36989862
>Kaoru

>>36989862
Wait, we're attending this party as VERDICT and not letting all of our friends and loved one's know Kyril is still (mostly) alive? Or are we planning a specific time for the reveal?

>>36990339
Most of them already know and letting the ones that don't know each time risks a bullet though the brain.

>>36990339
Or am I blind and missed a mention that everyone already knows and that we're staying undercover for a reason?

>>36990339
I think only Mishka and Kaoru are in the dark, not 100% sure on that though

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“So Toulour, I heard you were stepping down or something?” you began.

“Uh yeah, something like that,” he seemed to be distracted.

“Oh don’t worry about him too much,” Asuka dismissed the issue, “He’s only heartbroken because the love he was hoping to chase is already taken.”

Toulour sputtered.

“Yes, yes that’s it, says Misaka says Misaka as she agrees wholeheartedly,” your little sister added, “Our mothers are so pretty.”

You almost forgot that Mishka Torikov was also Sparky’s clone. What were the odds that both her mothers were still pretty despite their age? Maybe Touma wasn’t that much a deviant after all.

“Wait,” you remembered, “Who’s your date?”

You don’t think you’ve met the punk who decided to ask her out yet.

“Ah, Riko-nee-san said I didn’t need one yet but told me to invite a friend or family instead, says Misaka says Misaka as she explains the situation.”

She pointed at the ceiling. Looking up, you saw three heat signatures. With a noticeable whine, they shimmered in to visibility. On their faces were three green dots and in their hands was a bulky handgun each. One of them raised a finger to their mouth.

“Shhhhhhhh, says Misaka #10039 as she attempts to shush VERDICT.”

“You squeak and you’ll leak, says Misaka #13577 as she threatens VERDICT to obtain his silence.”’

“Impressive,” Kaoru commented.

“Isn’t it?” Asuka spoke, “It seems she’s finally come out of her shell.”

“Her what?”

“You may not know but she became terribly engrossed in video games,” Asuka provided.

“But they are a source of inspiration says Misaka says Misaka as she argues her case.”

“#20001 has become the third best hacker in the city, says Misaka #19090 as she affirms #20001’s choice.”

“You mean to tell me,” Kaoru spoke up slightly disbelieving, “That she’s Third Echelon.”

Mishka only beamed with pride at the appellation.

>Talk at the table
>Wander to the bar
>Let the game begin

>>36990393
>Let the game begin

>>36990393
>Talk at the table

>>36990393
> Talk at the table
Be good to catch up with the girls.

>>36990393
>Talk at the table

>>36990393
>Talk at the table

>>36990393
>Talk at the table
"So what did I miss while I was out for repairs?"

>>36990393
>>Talk at the table
MISHKAAAAA

File: Tadakuni (cheery).jpg (10 KB, 121x200)

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“So what else did I miss while I was out for repairs?”

“Right, there was this one time at the Louvre,” Tadakuni spoke up.

Phrases like, “Oh God,” and, “Here we go again,” erupted from around the room. Kaoru looked intrigued.

“Oh I remember that too,” Lupin chirped from across the bar.

Sagara had pulled up at the table as she leapt over the counter. Ilija was passing something over to Ben-jii and Lupin’s passage knocked everything over. You caught a flash of silver as Ben-jii bent over to pick up the pieces.

“Of course, you were there Riko,” Asuka sighed.

Lupin sat down in Tadakuni’s lap.

“We were after Charlemagne’s sword,” Lupin recounted.

“I recall the challenge was to steal it from the Louvre,” Toulour piped up.

“It was,” Lupin then turned to Tadakuni, “Until they decided to cheat.”

She gave him an exasperated smiled while he shrugged.

“How were we supposed to know we weren’t supposed to steal it during transport?” he asked, “All Sagara said was to take anything that looked remotely historical.”

“I said scope it out,” Sagara sighed.

“It wasn’t all that bad,” Tadakuni continued, “I mean Asuka got to square off with the Paladins of Charlemagne.”

“But we were still captured in the end.”

“You maybe, but I wasn’t,” Tadakuni grinned, “Well okay, they did have me at gunpoint.”

“Until they found out that you had stolen their ammunition and rigged their triggers to drop their pants, yes, yes, we’ve all heard it a thousand times,” Kyousuke finished.

Tadakuni was upset he couldn’t finish on his terms.

“But that’s what makes you Problem Children so endearing,” Lupin said.

“Oi Ms. Klepto, aren’t we supposed to begin the game already?” the bartender shouted.

“Oh, I knew I was forgetting something, alright, let’s begin,” Lupin clapped her hand, “So, one of each couple takes the first round, and when the blinds are raised we’ll switch. I’m dealing first, so line up kids.”

[1/2]

>>36991037
It looked like the Sagara, Tadakuni, Asuka, Ben-jii, Kyousuke, and the Accelerator were playing first.

>Take the first round
>Have Kaoru play first

>>36991080
>Have Kaoru play first

her presence will piss Asuka off and Kaoru will have Ben as an ally

I just hope Sagara doesn't cheat

>>36991080
>Take the first round

>>36991080
>Have Kaoru play first

>>36991080
>Have Kaoru play first

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You let Kaoru take this one first. It wasn’t that she’d be without allies in a table full of enemies anyway. Ben-jii was there and he looked the reliable sort. That left you to sit at the as the players filtered out to the adjacent car.

“Man, you really shouldn’t trust that uncle,” Kyouko spoke up as she joined your side of the bar, “Chibi? I can trust her but not that old uncle you hang around with.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” you answered.

Then the bartender slapped you. Before you could even ask what it was for she spoke,

“That was for going off and dying.”

“Thank you, says Misaka says Misaka as she thanks the Extra for her service.”

You were really confused as Kyouko grinned and introduced you to the bartender,

“She’s Misaka WORST, the extra clone.”

“Honestly I don’t give a rat’s ass but unfortunately I’m their outlet for negative urges,” WORST sneered, “So don’t take it personally nii-sama.”

She dragged out the honorific as disrespectfully as she could.

“Truly Teacher said that I’d find more interesting characters here,” Ben-jii’s date finally spoke, “Herlock Sholmes, at your service.”

“I liked it better when he didn’t speak to anyone,” WORST went back to polishing glasses.

“You don’t like anyone though,” Sholmes argued.

“Oh? How’d you know?”

“Don’t speak to him too much,” Kyouko warned, “He’ll talk the pants off of ya.”

“I would do no such thing. We’re on the same team after all.”

“Misaka is shocked and horrified, says Misaka says Misaka as she exclaims her disbelief.”

“Your sarcasm still needs work nee-chan,” WORST added before turning to you, “Oh and don’t try chatting me up, I’m not playing your stupid game tonight. Neither is #20001.”

The two other ladies kept to themselves. If you wanted to get their measure, you’ll have to engage in conversation them. With one being Accelerator’s date and the other the target that you had to secure, or kill if such a thing proved too problematic, you weren’t sure if you really wanted to.

[1/2]

>>36991681
>Speak with someone (specify)
>Order another drink
>Other (write-in)

>>36991709
>Speak with someone (specify)
Lupin
"So you and Sagara an item?"
>Order another drink
jack and coke

>>36991709
>Speak with someone (specify)
Accel's date, because I'm curious

>>36991709
Speak with Ilija

>>36991725
Lupin is the dealer of the first round and is currently not present.

>>36991709
>Order another drink
I remember the combat effectiveness meter goes up whenever Kyril drinks. Dunno what the deal with that is, but maybe let's work on maintaining that sweetspot of not-sober but not too drunk to do anything.

>>36991840
ah, then just order the drink and watch the players for tells

>>36991873
This

I suggest drinking heavily, causing a commotion, and securing the target in the ensuing chaos.

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“Get me another, little sister, and one for the two lovely ladies over there,” you ordered.

WORST sneered but complied.

“Ooooh, hitting on the girls already huh?” Toulour laughed

“I’ll have you know Suzushina Yuriko is already the property of Accelerator-sama,” Kyouko added.

“N-n-no I’m not,” the girl in question objected.

That stutter was faked but when your gaze met hers she genuinely shrunk back.

“Ah c’mon over,” Kyouko dragged her closer, “Pops might look and act like the damn Godfather but he’s a big softie on the inside.”

“I can imagine,” Ilija joined the conversation.

She wasn’t smiling innocently. The smile was more like she was reminiscing. Of what, or of who, you had no idea but you’d had to be remarkably similar for her to act that way.

“You’re a real player nii-sama,” WORST came back.

The drink was alcoholic, which apparently boosted your Overall Combat Efficiency to 101%. Not that you were expecting combat at the table but it was nice. Further conversation only cemented a few more things. Sholmes was very inquisitive but only ran at the mouth when things got interesting. An example was when Ilija fought with Mishka over the right to sit in your lap. You were pretty sure her drink was not alcoholic. Kyouko wore her heart on her sleeve and the only setting she’d ever show at the table was to attack relentlessly. On the other hand, Toulour was using his persona to mask his tells.

That left your last opponent, Lupin IV, a mystery. As you all sat the poker table, WORST stepped up to deal. It looked like Kaoru had lost a little of your buy-in she, hovering at 803,000 JPY. Sholmes was currently in the lead with Yuriko having the least. The rest were middle of the pack.

[1/2]

>>36992322
What shall be your general strategy?

>Aim for the leader
>Loose Aggressive
>Aim for someone in particular (specify, write-in tactic)
>Other (write-in)

>>36992343
>Aim for the leader

>>36992343
>>Aim for the leader

>>36992343
>Aim for the leader

>>36992343
>Loose Aggressive
If we are still wearing the helmet this should be a good way to play since they would have to rely on body language for tells.

>>36992343
>Aim for the leader
Think we can distract Sholmes by having him guess who is Verdict is or would that be a bad idea?

You were here to win, but you also had to keep a lid on things. There were politics in play as well. Toulour and Lupin was their own little bloc. You on the other hand had the nominal support from Sholmes. The last three were pretty much playing on their own. If there were any inclinations then Ilija swung closer towards the thieves whilst Yuriko was closer to your side. Your game plan was simple. Go after whoever held the lead, and if you were leading, attacking whoever had the next most.

It was a pretty obvious play. After a few hands, most of the players had caught on. The only one that didn’t was Kyouko. Poor girl didn’t quite understand why she was suddenly raking in all the cash in play. Little did she know that she was being fed in to a trap. At the end of it you were waiting. After all, it was easy to goad her in to going all in when you pushed in the pile of chips. You only had a pair but just looking at her face, you already knew she had a pair as well. It was when the hand was being played out did you realise that you had the better kicker.

“Bah, I didn’t want that stupid thing to begin with,” she complained and left the table.

Thus, you were now the richest player, sitting at a good 2.3 million. The game devolved most after that as you desperately tried to defend your lead before the blinds were raised again. Sholmes was more interested in throwing down with Lupin while Toulour tried to resist the charms of the two other ladies at the table. What surprised you was how Ilija was managing to bluff and push you pretty hard.

[1/2]

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>>36992929
When it came down to the last hand of the round, you were in for a two pair. With just the river remaining, Ilija went in all in.

>Go all-in
>Match the bet
>Back out

>>36992950
>Match the bet

Gotta play smart.

>>36992950
>>Match the bet

>>36992950
>Back out
We have high pair on the board, but there's a straight right there in front of us. If Ilija had a 5, we'd need an ace or a three, which is pretty poor odds to bet it all on considering that there are so many people at the table.

>>36992950
>Match the bet
Marathon not a sprint

and tg is nothing but conservative when faced with risks

>>36993000
I'll vote for this.

Play smarter.

>>36992950
>Back out

>>36992950
>>Match the bet

Dammit, suptg is down again....

>>36992950
>>Back out

Do you all even play poker? This is a terrible hand. We're on the wrong side of a flush.

>>36992950
>Back out

>>36993015
>nothing but conservative

What? Players tend to go balls deep when it comes to big decisions.

>>36992950
>Match the bet

>>36993043
*flush

Strait, don't play poker while drunk.

>>36993043
Do YOU even play poker? There's no flush on the table, there's a potential flush *draw* if someone has diamonds. What we're potentially on the wrong end of is a STRAIGHT. It makes little practical difference.

Our low pair is also poor, so if there's another ace in someone's hands we could be beaten by a higher two-pair.

>>36992950

>Back out

Would cheating with the helmet be a faux-pas?

>>36992969
>>36992976
>>36993015
>>36993026
>>36993060
Fight for it.
>>36993000
>>36993017
>>36993018
>>36993043
>>36993050
>>36993161
Back out

Backing it out it is. Oh well.

>>36993202
>Oh well
Did we just back out of the entire game or something?

>>36993215
She was bluffing. Hell Even in the post it said she was really good at it.

>>36993215
In this position we've either missed out on a bluff to be called or we would have gotten blown the fuck out.

Sometimes playing the long game is better, but it's very rarely exciting.

>>36993246
But it wasn't just the two of us in on this hand was it?

Bluff or not, our odds of winning were bad with more than one other player.

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We should have asked who were the remaining players in the hand and what they did in response to Ilia before deciding.

>>36993310
Can't have been, or else "all in" wouldn't have been an option (implying there's someone with more money still in the pot).

Still doesn't change the fact that the smart move is to back out, and call a bluff when we have the stronger hand than what's being bluffed.

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You backed out, as did Toulour, Yuriko, and Sholmes. It was all down to Lupin and Ilija now. To be fair Lupin was down to a tiny stack of chips so she just went all in. Her hand was a pair of sevens. Ilija turned her hand over for the showdown. It was an ace of spades and king of diamonds. There was a small chance that the river would be a card that could salvage what was left of her miserable hand, like a seven, or a five. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a six of clubs. The mysterious little girl swept the pot with a pair of aces.

“Zut alors,” Lupin sighed, “nice game Ilija-chan.”

Ilija only smiled as she silently counted her winnings. It was a cool 1.78 million, trailing behind your 2 million. Between the two of you, you had more than half of the total money in circulation. Sholmes was barely edging ahead of the other players but that was good enough for you. It was all a matter of seeing if Kaoru could defend against it. Ben-jii should help in that regard.

Once the players switched out, it was Sagara, Asuka, Kaoru, Ben-jii and Accelerator that went in.

“So how’d it go?” Kyouko asked her friend.

“It was terrifying,” Yuriko answered.

“Smart move there VERDICT,” Sholmes said.

“What’d you mean? He folded out on a two pair,” Toulour smiled.

“You’re just trying to drag him down to your level and beat him with your experience in stupidity,” Sholmes shot back.

“If I win, I’ll give you the shield if you go on a date with me,” Toulour offered.

“And if I win, you will go die in a fire.”

“Deal.”

“Then it’s on the books now François,” Lupin smiled.

Toulour’s smile wavered for a fraction. You elected to,

>Try to strike a deal
>Order another drink
>Talk to someone
Write-in for every choice

>>36993582
>Talk to someone
formulate a more cohesive strategy with Sholmes maybe?

>>36993582
>Order a stronger drink
>Talk to Sholmes
I'd like to know more about this Sholmes character.

We can't win by playing not to lose

>>36993582
How do people know what our hand was if we folded?

>>36993769
Sholmes probably counted cards in his head maybe?

>>36993769
Everyone was cheating somehow.

>>36993796
So we won, even as the straight man?

Kyril's got some good luck, aside fom the whole dying thing.

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You dragged Sholmes off the bar, which Kyouko was now tending, and ordered more drinks. The both of you got some kind of alcoholic punch. Depending on how the game went, it was time that the players were whittled down to the last few. Thus it was essential you secured a partnership with your only other reliable ally in the battle.

“Like I said, it was a smart move to play conservatively on a rigged table,” Sholmes sipped.

Come to think of it, how did Toulour even know you had a two pair?

“Lupin never intended to win the game, and if you saw how Toulour folded that last hand you’d have known how he was practically feeding Ilija ever since Toshino busted out,” Sholmes continued, “It’s obvious that Suzushina girl has no idea of what’s really at stake so we can’t get careless.”

“What’s the plan then?”

“I absorb Suzushina before letting you take my winnings,” he answered, “It’ll be down to you and that Ilija girl. She’s good, almost as if she knows all of your tells despite the helmet. Speaking of which, I’d probably take it off the helmet. You can never be too careful with the lightning.”

“Hey what’s this gossiping about?” Toulour joined the two of you, “Not conspiring against me or anything right?”

“Did I say lightning?” Sholmes continued unperturbed, “I meant to say lighting.”

It was lunch by the time your turn came around again. The situation was thus. You and Sholmes didn’t have the combined might to oppose Toulour and Ilija. Asuka had outplayed Accelerator and Yuriko was down to a smidgen of chips. As your round started you removed your helmet and,

>Followed Sholmes’ plan
>Started aggressively
>Played your own way (write-in)

>>36994000
>Followed Sholmes’ plan

>>36994000
>Followed Sholmes’ plan

So who all here at the table already knew who we were before we took our helmet off?

>>36994000
>Followed Sholmes’ plan

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>>36994000
>Followed Sholmes’ plan
There's no need to take off the helmet. Just have it display something else so it doesn't reflect.

>>36994108
D-does our helmet have a smiley face setting?

>>36994121
Sadly no. It is focused on internal display so externally displaying something was not implemented.

>>36994167
Well damn. Hopefully the lack of eyebrows and the face will work to our favor.

>>36994248
The table will be seduced by our good looks

pls don't be mad Asuka.

Yuriko is totally going to remember Fowl Gods.

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There was a reason you took off the helmet. You were pretty sure everyone at the tale knew you were, or didn’t really care in the first place. It was also a private area. Sholmes had also clued you in. The third best hacker in the City was attending. It shouldn’t be a surprise if someone managed to hijack your display. As for the game, it went rather predictably as Sholmes and Toulour tried to take the remainder of whatever Yuriko had. You played conservatively, winning a few, losing little, as did Ilija. Thankfully it was still WORST who was dealing. Shortly it was down to you and Ilja. It was a stroke of luck that Sholmes has managed to bust out Toulour before ceding to you. To be fair, he was being a bit selfish. He was the best matchup against Ilija who knew you best. When you asked him about it as he left, all he answered was that he was bored.

Both of you were roughly equal, less than 200,000 separating you as you went in to a showdown. With your helmet on all the time, you emoted freely from behind it. Now that you had it off, you had to school your features even further. It wasn’t really much help though. Ilija had read you like a book and slowly but surely, managed to gain the advantage. You could never tell when she was bluffing either since she held herself under that unnervingly stoic mask. It didn’t help that she had the money to throw around as the game went on. The gap grew so large that you had to make a big play, or gamble, or you were just going to keep losing money. Given your current hand you were just going to have to,

>Be patient
>Go all in
>Set up a trap

>>36994443
>Set up a trap
Playing fair is for people who don't like money.

>>36994443
>Set up a trap

>>36994443
>Set up a trap

>>36994443
>Set up a trap

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>>36994443
>Set up a trap

if we nab the girl and the shield do we get to keep the dosh?

You guys have any theories as to why Ilija can read us so easily?

>>36994568
mind reader?

>>36994568
All we know about her is that she may or may not be some kind of artificial angel prototype thing and that she really wants that shield.

>>36994568
powered by the Poker Logic Odds Tracker or PLOT device perhaps?

Oh, you're trying to set a trap for someone who can read your tells huh?
1d100 then, roll low.

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>36994679

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>36994679

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>36994679

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>36994679

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>36994679

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>36994679

>>36994709
That's good roll right?

>>36994730
It's roll under so yes. Now whether she is better at playing the game is up to Bored.

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>36994679
Nat 1

File: Her face when.gif (976 KB, 440x240)

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If she could read your tells then it was a matter of taking advantage of it. All you had to do was fake them. That would lead to her questioning herself. Of course you had to act the part. You wondered if Ben-jii would have something to say here. The hand still had to be played of course but you had to walk that thin line. You had to appear weak yet make significant gains. It was a fine balancing act. If your gambit succeeded, her doubting herself would just seal the deal for the rest of the game. Or it would at least level the playing field as she second-guessed herself eternally.

Of course you could barely tell if Ilija had taken the bait or not. She wasn’t obvious as Toulour who adjusted his glasses in different ways depending on how his hands played out. The turn came. It was a king of diamonds. No change, you inwardly thought, as you edged more money towards the centre. Ilija answered in kind. The river was an ace of spaces. Again, you made miserly bets. It was here that she threw in enough money to bust you out if you went on. Still you persevered and the two of you turned over your cards. Three of a kind versus a pair of jack was really not contest. It was then that she looked surprised.

“You thought I was bluffing?”

You couldn’t help commenting and grinning as you swept the winnings up. It was what made her school her features once more.

“It was simply unexpected,” she answered, “I will not fall for it again.”

There was doubt in her voice. You could pick it up even without the help of a computer. Good, now you either feed her self-doubt, but it’d risk drawing it to the last set of blinds. As good as Kaoru was, she was definitely not cut out for poker, and not against Ilija’s partner. If you attacked however, that could give the game away.

[1/2]

>>36994927
>Keep her second-guessing
>Close out the game fast

>>36994963
>Keep her second-guessing
I'm sorry Kaoru

>>36994963
>Keep her second-guessing

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>36994963
>Close out the game fast

>>36994927
>Close out the game fast

>>36994963
>Close out the game fast
Hard and fast. Same as everything else.

>>36994927
>Keep her second-guessing

>>36994963
>>Close out the game fast

>>36994963
>Close out the game fast
We got lucky when we tricked her last time

>>36994963
>Close out the game fast
she's off balance! push!

A swift and decisive 1d100 is required!

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>36995191
Luckily the dice gods favor me.

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>36995191
Nat 1

Rolled 88 (1d100)

>>36995191

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>36995191
Rolling.

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>36995191
High or low?

>>36995206
that should do it

fingers crossed

inb4 some crazy magic guy jumps and attacks everybody at the end

>>36995245
we roll under here anon

>>36995256
If that happens I would hug that crazy bastard. Both for the entertainment and for making stealing the target easier.

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While she was off balance was the best time to strike. You were sure CADRE would agree. Besides, as much as you trusted Kaoru, you’d rather not rely on her to close out the game. It was good that you introduced doubt now that you relentlessly attacked. Just like that, the balance of the game tipped to your side. In the face of your momentum, she conceded before long. With a relieved sigh you slipped on the helmet, collected a big fat cheque, and a big round hoplon. It was Ben-jii who greeted you with a smile and a hug when you walked out.

“Well then ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner,” Lupin announced, “Merry Christmas to you all.”

A round of applause was well deserved you think.

“Man we didn’t even get to play against him,” Tadakuni whined.

“Oh shush, VERDICT won fair and square and while I certainly won’t go after the shield, or Ilija any more, doesn’t mean you can’t.”

“Lupin always keeps their promises,” Sholmes elaborated.

You declined offers for another match or even a wager of course. After checking in with Nayuta, you would be able to keep the majority of the winnings, only having to return the 1 million the City provided you as an entry fee. All in all, not a bad day in your book. Ben-jii was your escort back, along with Kaoru and Ilija. The girls sat in the back whilst you enjoyed the drive back. Ben-jii was wondering what you were going to do with the winnings while Kaoru seemed to release all the tension she had no doubt bottled up. As for Ilija, well, crestfallen was just one of the many words you wanted to describe her.

>Try to cheer Ilija up
>Chat with Kaoru
>Plan future purchases

>>36995498
>>Plan future purchases

>>36995498
>Try to cheer Ilija up

>>36995498
>Try to cheer Ilija up
She played well, we just used her own game against her.
>Chat with Kaoru
You kept us in the game and did pretty well, remind e to teach you poker later.

>>36995498
>Chat with Kaoru
time to catch up

>>36995498
>Chat with Kaoru
make nice with our new partner. She must be confused now that she saw our face

>>36995498
>>Chat with Kaoru

>>36995498
>Plan future purchases
Concealable throwing knives for one.

>>36995498
>Chat with Kaoru

>>36995498
>Chat with Kaoru

>>36995498
Try to cheer Ilija up

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if we go with built melee weapon into one of the arms, should it be Wolverine claws, Baraka blade, or chainsaw?

>>36995678
You can't go wrong with a chainsaw, maybe go high-tech and make it a laser chainsaw?

>>36995567
I still want to get a sweet motorcycle

>>36995809
We do need that for sure. A sniper rifle would also be nice due to CADRE.

>>36995843
With our cybernetics why not try for a rail gun?

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“Good work keeping me in the game Kaoru,” you said to your partner.

“Naturally,” she smiled relieved, “It was only after that you had won did I learn of the true nature of the odds.”

“The house always stacks the odds,” Ben-jii interjected, “It’s just that people will beat them at some point or another. Vegas wouldn’t exist otherwise.”

“I suppose.”

“Well since I won I should get you a present for Christmas or something,” you continued.

“Let us see after we complete our assignment then,” she said.

“It was a near thing though,” you looked at Ilija, “It was a good game you played.”

“Not really,” Ilija replied, “I was so sure you would go all-in with the pair of aces. Looks like I was wrong.”

“Hmmm is that your power? Precog?” Ben-jii wondered.

“I’m a Level 0,” the girl admitted.

You didn’t sense any Code M emissions from her either.

“Fortune telling then?” Ben-jii kept asking.

Kaoru checked the girl’s possessions.

“Modelling putty?”

The car came to a screeching halt.

“Fucking shit, give that back to her quickly and close your eyes,” Ben-jii said, “We’ll have to get her out of the city.”

Before you could ask what, slivers of smoke spewed from the corners of the pavement. You couldn’t see them without your Code M filter. They were large, green Labrador retrievers if you had to describe what you saw. They leapt on to the hood of the car and cracked the windshield.

“What was that?” Kaoru asked needlessly.

Ben-jii kept repeating the expletive as she backed the car up as fast as he could as the creatures tried to enter the car. You had drawn your pistol but somehow you knew it’d be useless.

“Won’t last for long against those things, you can see them right VERDICT?” you nodded, “Shotgun’s in the glove box use that, it’ll buy us more time.”

Ben-jii looked back as you turned the weapon on them. It sent the creatures flying off the hood but it got up again and looked even more menacing.

>What do?

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well as long as we're windowing shopping/brainstorming. ..

>>36995939
T'was the fight before Christmas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U92pzQmV0ZI

>>36995939
Is CADRE malfunctioning?

>>36995939
Man fuck if I know. Just shoot the fucking things.

>>36995939
Just keep blasting them away with the shotgun if they get close and tell Benji to floor it. Maybe he could do that magic trick he used when we jumped out of the window and he was driving underground or something

>>36995939
man do we have a system that labeled the magic types by the color we see? cause i can't remember what green was. Teacher was green wasn't he?

>>36995939
>"Ben-jii drive. Quickly."
>Fire like a madman on these things. Need to keep them away.

>>36996046
Also tell Kaoru to make sure Ilija is both protected and unable to escape

>>36996073
Yep. Although I'm unsure if Kyril actually remembers that

>>36995939
Smack it in the face with the shield and then fire the magic shotgun.

>>36995939
well there should be a caster somewhere nearby right? my guess would be underground. take the fight to them.

we should consider upgrading our fire arm sometime. 1911A is a classic but we are dealing with Wizards and shit yo. they make owlbears for no reason.

maybe a D. Eagle. or for a non automatic option http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_Research_BFR

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You kept the shotgun trained on the creatures as Ben-jii performed a handbrake turn and started booking it out of the current street. They followed even as the car picked up speed. You dissuaded them with specially prepared buckshot.

“Can’t you do that thing with the concrete?”

“Not without a windshield,” he shot back, “Keep your eyes closed Kaur.”

“What are they?” the Sikh asked.

“Creatures that born of the angles of time,” he answered, “Regulators of the natural order. VERDICT here might see them as something cute and fuzzy but I’ve seen what they can do.”

You’d ask but you were busy blasting them. They kept coming like a pack of wolves, not even when they were trailing blue ichor from the wounds you inflicted on them.

“Ever seen a brain sucked out through a proboscis? Yeah, it ain’t pretty, or painless. The best you can do is to keep them away if you know how. It’s too late now that we’ve got their full attention. They don’t stop, they don’t get tired and they don’t leave witnesses.”

“Can the shield stop them?” you asked.

You blasted another one of them as they leapt at the car.

“It’s worth a shot,” Ben-jii admitted, “There had to be a reason she needed the shield. I just didn’t think it was supposed to protect her from the Hounds of Tindalos.”

Episode End. Interlude time.
>The Alimango Incident II
>Thunderbolts and Lightning

>>36996405
>Thunderbolts and Lightning

>>36996405
>Thunderbolts and Lightning

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83 KB JPG

>>36996405
>Thunderbolts and Lightning


oooh getting Lovecraft up in this bitch

>>36996405
>The Alimango Incident II

>>36996405
>Thunderbolts and Lightning

>>36996405
>Thunderbolts and Lightning

>>36996405
>Thunderbolts and Lightning very very frightening me

it looks like suptg is down...again

>>36996405
I feel so bad for Ben-jii. His nice car is constantly getting fucked up.

>>36996564
hows does it keep getting fixed? or is it even?

>>36996598
magic?

Mending is only a cantrip

>>36996405
Why is he telling Kaur to keep her eyes closed?

You are Jaswinder Kaur. Most people called you Kaoru. It was easier for them. Learning, as a taught in a classroom full of peers around the same age has always been a bit of a novelty for you. After a few months of it however, you’d like to think the novelty had worn off. You’ve had friends before, but none quite as normal as Saten Ruiko. She held no special power, but was a lively girl with penchant for gossip. It was rather comforting. To know exactly what your code protected made it easier. While there were times of doubt, you’d like to think you’ve been living your life correctly, if not meaningfully.

As part of Judgement, “student law enforcement”, you’ve seen many things. You’ve once seen a man reduced to his base elements with but a touch of a hand. You’ve seen the theft of a megalithic superstructure for the sole purpose of lawn decorating. Worst of all, you’ve seen war. It wasn’t originally an open war. The belligerents had always kept themselves to the shadows. Now that the whole world was exposed to it, there was little you could do, save contain it. The shadow it cast sucked the life out of the young. It was easy to dismiss as something that didn’t concern them. After all, it was out of sight, and thus out of mind. However, with mysterious explosions and visible Anti-Skill convoys passing through the streets, they couldn’t help but wonder.

Christmas was approaching, and while you didn’t personally celebrate, it has become somewhat of a global holiday. While you were sure the Christians were going to take advantage of one of their holiest days there wasn’t much you could do about it. To take your mind off such troubles, Saten had made you promise to,

>Go shopping with Misaka-san
>Hangout with your classmates

>>36996661
>Go shopping with Misaka-san

>>36996661
>Go shopping with Misaka-san

>>36996661
>Go shopping with Misaka-san


>You’ve once seen a man reduced to his base elements with but a touch of a hand.
I'm wondering what that was

>>36996661
>Go shopping with Misaka-san

>>36996709
she walked in on somebody masturbating?

Saten was right. You were constantly on guard. The tension and stress was more likely to catch up to you at this point than the enemy. A shopping trip, the typical stress relief activity for the teenage girl, or so you were told. As much as it might be a waste of time, it could also double as a way to keep abreast of the street. Saten had just told you to relax and forbade you from even pinning the Judgement armband on unless there really was an altercation. It’s what normal members of Judgement did after all. You weren’t always on duty, but it seems that you were a borderline workaholic.

You were not a workaholic. Saten and Misaka-san weren’t quite convinced of that. That was why you were at a grocer’s picking up ingredients. Misaka-san was mostly complaining about how she was recently been interrogated by law enforcement regarding the anomaly in the surveillance system a day or two ago. It was bogus of course, her alibi was air tight. She was only brought in because the hacker’s methodology was no doubt a result of being an Electromaster. There was only one who would be powerful enough to circumvent the system and she was currently browsing through baking chocolate. In fact, if it weren’t for Goalkeeper, then Misaka-san might as well be the best hacker in the City due to her power alone.

“Oh, it must be Third Echelon,” Saten spoke up, “They’ve proclaimed themselves as the third best hacker in the city.”

“A hacker?” Misaka-san mused, “Somehow I doubt that. There was evidence of Ability Usage.”

“They do take requests but are very picky since they do it for the fun and the challenge,” Saten countered, “At least that’s what they say, no one really knows.”

As usual Saten-san had her eyes and ears on the various rumours and gossip circulating the city. Most of them might not amount to much but all rumours had some grain of truth in them. This you knew so you,

>Asked about Third Echelon
>Asked about any other rumours

>>36996951
>>Asked about Third Echelon

>>36996951
>Asked about Third Echelon

>>36996951
>Asked about any other rumours

>>36996951
>Asked about any other rumours

>>36996951
>Asked about any other rumours

Well you really didn’t care about a group that supposedly named themselves after a fictional organisation.

“Who are you baking that cake for anyway?” Saten changed topic.

“No one in particular,” Misaka-san answered quickly.

Not even you bought her excuse.

“Well I was going to bake it for someone,” she finally ground out, “But it turns out he’s busy.”

“I’m not, and neither is Uiharu, or Kaoru, maybe we can have a little party,” Saten suggested.

You ignored being shanghaied into a social gathering with little say in the matter.

“I was thinking I could spend Christmas with Aniki,” Misaka said, “He shouldn’t be so lonely on Christmas.”

“Y-y-yeah, it might be a good idea,” Saten pretended to half-heartedly agree.

That topic was a landmine, both you and Saten knew. Before the sombre atmosphere could fully set in and cement the awkward silence, you spoke,

“Any other rumours of note Saten?”

“Huh? Oh, well there’s been another VERDICT sighting in School District 10 but we all know it’s some thug out to make a name for himself or something,” Saten furrowed her brows, “There’s always the classic ‘ghost’ Judgement Branch. It’s a branch office that officially exists but in reality has no real members. Or something like that.”

“There’s no such things as ghosts,” Misaka-san dismissed.

“Then how do the patrol routes, arrest records and even equipment requisitions? They were all approved but there’s no signature from the Branch’s head.”

“Who knows?” Misaka-san shrugged, “Maybe they’re Third Echelon?”

“So the conspiracy deepens,” Saten nodded.

“Somehow I doubt it is,” you voiced your opinion, “But I would like to hear more about,

>The VERDICT sighting
>The Ghost Branch Office

>>36997392
>The VERDICT sighting

we must be a shiddy onichan

>>36997392
>The VERDICT sighting

>>36997392
>The VERDICT sighting

VERDICT was a bit of an old rumour, started in September or so. There hadn’t been many sightings but it had become Academy City’s yeti. There were many theories of what VERDICT actually was. There was of course the ‘official’ explanation as an experimental robot. Beyond that, the guesses ranged from some superhero-wannabe to an out of control super soldier project. Well, those were the most popular theories. Others were farfetched, like the revenant of a vengeful older brother who died with a heavy heart. Still it surely was not coincidence that it often coincided with magic-related incidents.

“Well this sighting’s a bit weird,” Saten admitted, “I mean he was acting like a huge action hero or something.”

“You mean it’s related to that explosion at one of the Anti-Skill offices?” Misaka asked.

“I don’t think so, but there were reports that VERDICT jumped out of a building with a little girl in his arms.”

You smiled. Your two friends caught it.

“And no Kaoru, this doesn’t mean he’s some kind of overprotective super lolicon man,” Misaka stated.

You let her delude herself in to thinking that.

Interlude End. Happy Holidays to you all. See you next Friday.
https://twitter.com/BoredofDirector
A pun. It’s time to teach an old dog new tricks. Will you bang your head on the angles of time? When writefag and /tg/ meet, the story begins.
Questions? Comments? You have an hour!

So who doesn't know who we are now? Just Misaka? It seemed like Toulor didn't know at first but I doubt that's withstanding now.

>>36997773
How fast would Ilyena kick Kyril's ass?

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>>36997773
Kyril would never sexualize the imouto !

thanks for running

I'd archived this but Suptg decided to be down (for me anyways) I can wait for a bit I can go for another 2 hours and the thread could probably be bumped for quite a bit

Do you think we could maybe get a list of people that know and don't know Kyril is VERDICT?

I know Misaka doesn't but after her I'm not sure...

and how bad would a blast from Zappy fuck up Robo Kyril?

>>36997773
Will there be any negative repercussions for all the people that know our identity now? How badly does the Board want to keep our identity a secret?

>>36997843
He'd get spanked black and blue.
>>36997860
I'll make a list.

Pretty badly.
>>36997861
Possibly, but you won't notice. Trump cards are better off kept hidden.

>>36997773
Can we just do the mythology upload when we go in for upgrades and tests?

>>36997951
That was the plan guv.

>>36997970
What kind of tests are we gonna have to do? I imagine if we have a performance review it would be extremely positive

>>36997985
Probably a psyche eval. The physical stuff already speaks for itself.

>>36998009
How much money did we end up winning the poker game?

>>36998088
6 mil if you didn't follow the thread.

>>36998097
Does VERDICT outrank Shirai?

>>36998121
From my understanding, Judgement doesn't really have rank save for seniority and Branch heads. Obviously there is some rank structure and it's generally not expounded upon.

In this case, VERDICT does not outrank any member. If anything he should be everyone's bitch as City property but he also has special provisions normal members don't have.

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>>36997773
>VERDICT

>>36998189
We all know however that he can do anything as long as he keeps saying "Classified."

>>36998189
when do we get to kill a Cerberus?

waiting for suptg to not be dead bump

fix your shit licorice lord

dindu nuffin

>>36999911
bump of forlorn hope

boomp

why is suptg such a shit?

how many times has suptg been down before?

>>37004777
bout fucking time