>>2080474
It's as you're mulling the possibilities over in your head that you hear a knock at the door of your hotel room, and you're quick to answer it- only to see a certain familiar fat man on the other side. "Boss wants to see you in person. Come with us."

Well, that's certainly inviting.

The ride back is relatively silent, Tabo just glaring at you while you stick him with a sickly sweet smile. It's not long before he pipes up, either. "I bet you think you're real clever stuff, huh? Only been some few days before you manage to stick it ta Winters, and now I hear you're trying to dip out, yeah? Ain't got no plans to try n' wack the big guy when he shows up? Thought you were some kinda super-hit girl. Figured you'd slip inta wherevah he's stayin', leave 'im for dead in a bathtub. Rest of 'is crew would be scramblin' so hard about it, it'd be easy pickin's for the rest, yeah? Why head out to LaGuarda?"

You can't say you're surprised that he knows a bit about what you've been asking - even though you haven't said the exact reasoning yet, you get the picture that despite his attitude and portly frame, Tabo was one of her higher ups- he'd know a lot about what she would know.

>Tell him directly- you plan on faking allegiance to Spider and sow discord from within.
>Tell him the basics- you're going to kill Spider while he's vulnerable and an obvious target.
>Don't tell him anything- he's not the boss, so he doesn't need to know, simple as that.
>Other

>>2080484
>>Don't tell him anything- he's not the boss, so he doesn't need to know, simple as that.

>>2080484
>Don't tell him anything- he's not the boss, so he doesn't need to know, simple as that.

>>2080484
>Don't tell him anything- he's not the boss, so he doesn't need to know, simple as that.

>Write-in: "If you really want to know you can ask the boss after i tell her."

Locked, and writing!

>>2080484
>Don't tell him anything- he's not the boss, so he doesn't need to know, simple as that.

>"Remember the last time you presumed something about me? Have some faith in my abilities."
>"I must admit, though, that this situation would be over with quicker if she decided to let me off the leash. As well as much more fun."

>>2080484
>>2080494
>>2080500
>>2080517
>>2080549
You just keep silent and let him presume whatever he likes. He's already doubted you once before; he's apparently not learned his lesson yet. At the very least of the others car with you don't say anything either, instead choosing to focus on the drive. Tabo himself pauses for a bit, clearly expecting you to say something. When you don't, however, he simply snorts in derision. "Fine, play the quiet game, ya little so-an-so..." His grumbling lasts until the car pulls into what you can definitely tell seems to be the parking lot for a strip joint. You're only vaguely surprised that this is their base of operations, and as they pull around the back, you recognize the back area as where you left from. It raises your eyebrow a little bit, considering the implications...

But as you get out and are lead back down the stairs into the confines of the lower back area, you find yourself consistently flanked by the two suited men until you get to Carmel's office. One of the men knocks for you, and you can hear her voice say enter. As you take your seat across desk from her, you can tell that she's not exactly pleased- but a couple of seconds pass and complete silence before she speaks. "So, exactly what are you trying to pull here?" Her tone leaves no mistaking what she's talking about.

>I'm trying to infiltrate the Giogionne and destroy them from within. There might be some risks involved.
>I'm going to aim at Spider while attention's on Winters. It'll cause some disruption, but there's no way you should be implicated.
>Other (Anything else you want to note)

>>2080738
>>I'm trying to infiltrate the Giogionne and destroy them from within. There might be some risks involved.

>>2080738
>>I'm trying to infiltrate the Giogionne and destroy them from within. There might be some risks involved.

>>2080738
>>I'm trying to infiltrate the Giogionne and destroy them from within. There might be some risks involved.
I'm trying to go about this in a way that doesn't look like an assassin is picking them off. You want more direct, I can do more direct, but you'll need to be ready for the fallout.
Or something to this effect anyways.

Glad to have you back!

>>2080738
3 minute warning, just making sure of things.

>>2080738
>>2080749
>>2080760
>>2080764
"Wellll, I have a plan!" you say in a chipper tone of voice (something to be said to maintain appearances and all). "I'm going to play a game of pretend with Mr. Spider- only they won't know they're playing! I'm gonna 'pretend' to be on their side, and have some fun! Everything works out okay, and they'll be too busy worrying about each other to worry about me!" You lean your head back in a show of confidence. "Of course, gonna probably be a number of risks, but nothing you should have to worry about yourself!"

There's a long moment of silence as she takes it in, internalizing the whole of the idea. Neither of you say a word, and you don't hear anything outside of her door.

Eventually, she sighs. "No safehouses for you, then. No contact with my people, no nothing after you leave. If you want to play this out like that, then for all intents and purposes our partnership is - on the surface - annulled. You do anything stupid, make anyone ask too many questions to us about you, and I'll say that you got cut loose- and then I'll ACTUALLY cut you loose, hear me?" she leans forward. "That said, fine. You pull this off like that, and I might throw a bit extra your way if you get it done quicker. I got word my sweetie's already curious about Winters, so he's probably going to be sniffing around sooner than later. I need to keep him distracted..." As her eyes soften and her lips curl up into a soft smile, she doesn't sound all that annoyed to be doing that last bit. Quite the opposite, really. She shakes it off however, and her face resumes its hard expression. "Gimme a list of any supplies you want between now and tomorrow. Weapons, extra cash, goods... hell, snacks. I'll have you out on the soonest flight. Just don't overpack."

Excellent.

>What in particular do you want to ask of her? She won't give you anything over another $10 grand, and obviously you have to be reasonable in your requests.

>>2080915
A reasonable amount of poison, both common and uncommon, syringes for said poison, some knives, four feet of piano wire, a clean little purse gun (a lady like ourselves shouldn't go without protection), enough money to play the part of a tourist, two sets of false ID, and all the details of your date with your sweetie-pie over tea.

>>2080958
Oh, yeah, should add in some luggage with hidden smuggling compartments.

>>2080915
Some runes for stealth would be good to.
Also tell her if she doesn't like this plan we can work for other angle she is the contractor. But we thinked this would be a better way to keep things in the down low and avoid people paying attention to her as she asked.

>>2080958
So since we will be going for poison i wonder what nickname we will get.

>>2080958
I'll add a dozen or two feet of rope, some runes of various types with a focus on stealth and misdirection, and a mask just in case.
>>2080975
We've got our bag of holding don't we?

>>2081002
>We've got our bag of holding don't we?

For some reason, I keep forgetting about that...

Also, should we ask her to get those runes from the harpy? And after all of that's done, should we check in with Sal and discuss bringing her with us if the rest of her work is good?

>>2080958
>>2080998
>>2081002

Alright, seems fair enough.

Now...gonna need some rolls. 3d20, specifically, for the poisons, the ID quality, and the sigils/runes, in that order. Best of 3 for each.

Rolled 6, 15, 11 = 32 (3d20)

>>2081042
Well, shit.

>>2081012
I think we left in the hotel?

>>2081040
She must have a better supplier if she doesn't then we tell her about the harpy. Dunno i think we can just take the runes to our expert and make then research that.

Rolled 3, 4, 13 = 20 (3d20)

>>2081042
Here we go

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>2081042
rollin

>>2081040
>harpy
she semi-unwillingly did one job for us. I don't think she'd want to get more work from the mob, and the mob likely has their own suppliers. And we don't need more R&D in the company. Not worth the trouble.

Rolled 16, 10, 1 = 27 (3d20)

>>2081042

Rolled 8, 10, 12 = 30 (3d20)

>>2081042

Rolled 14, 18, 9 = 41 (3d20)

>>2081042
Rolling!

Rolled 19, 8 = 27 (2d20)

>>2081042
>>2081055
aaand here's the other 2

>>2081053
Urgh my rolls are terrible today.

>>2081055
I'll count this for the first one, but not for the other two, I think.

So

14, 15, 13. Hah, neat.

>>2081042
>>2081042
>>2081048
>>2081053
>>2081055
>>2081057
>>2081058
>>2081060
14, 15, 13- poisons, the ID quality, and the sigils/runes

She gives you pen and paper, and some time to think about it while she leaves the room for a minute to attend to something or other. By the time she's come back, you've finished your list.

-Poisons, both common and uncommon (No need for specifics)
-Syringes
-Knives
-Piano Wire (4 feet)
-Purse gun
-Tourist Money
-two sets of false ID
-Two Dozen feet of rope
-A Mask
-Invisibility/Stealth Sigils

She takes the paper from you and gives it a once-over, nodding at most of the request, but frowning at a couple of them. Looking up, she sighs. "Most of this won't be a problem; in fact we could probably get the majority of it to you in a couple hours. Good poisons might take a while to look up, though, and I dunno how many spare sigils we got. Fake IDs on such short notice might be an issue, but I think we've got some made for a rainy day stashed away somewhere. I'll make a few calls and see what I can dig up on that front. As for the money, LaGuarda is, in case you didn't know, a real swingin' city, so I'm gonna throw you an extra five grand. If you're going to be calling it tourist money, then you need to come off as a tourist; not a high roller considerin' how old you look, but enough new money to not make anyone wonder."

"Great!" you cheer. "So when can I expect the rest?"

"Hang around for a bit, we got most of that down here, and like I said, I'll send you back with it. I'll get someone out tomorrow to get you the other stuff before you head to the airport. Now come on, we need to get your picture taken." Well...at least you wouldn't be waiting as long as you thought.

The next day, you find yourself waking up to another knocking at your door. By the time you answer it, there's nothing there but a closed suitcase filled with the various objects that you requested along with a note.

'Special juice is in there. Red bottle is red death, tends to leave a lot of sores, pretty fast, though. Clear bottle with plants is Mournleaf. Grind it up for maximum effect. Yellow bottle is numbroot. Just make sure they inhale a lot of it. Manage to get you some pretty decent IDs, but don't make anyone look twice. Sigils aren't that great, how to use up a lot of our big stuff; what we got is an silence charm that lasts for about 5 minutes for anything in 2 meters of you and footsteps, and a light bending sigil that should last for around 2 minutes. Be careful with them.'

Here's your ticket. Flight leaves at 8.'

Checking your clock, it's 6 AM. You've at least got time for breakfast, and if you hail a cab now, you should have plenty of time.

>Taking a breather for an hour or so. I'll be back!

>>2081403
Eh these a pretty descent.Wonder if we can make some kind of incense with the numbroot. Or maybe just make it simple and use it as people used to do with chloroform.

>>2081403
Looks good.
>>2081508
>Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?

>>2081668
Smell like wh- hmmm!! hmm...hm.

>>2081403
We could use a list of who we CAN contact while we're there.

>>2081403
There's not really much about the taxi ride over to the airport, aside from a few curious looks you get when you give them your ticket. You put all of the fun stuff in your bag, and- funnily enough - it seems like the inspection couldn't pick up the fact that you had anything dangerous in it. Score one for extra-dimensional magic, you suppose.

The plane ride sucked, as many plane rides tend to do. Bitch didn't even have the good grace to at least spring for business class seats, and you find yourself taking a nap to pass the time. However, when you step off the plane and check out of the airport...

First word that comes to your mind is 'extravagant'. You're already surrounded by a number of neon lights and fancy, tall buildings in a way that makes it very clear that this is a land of the rich and foolish. Just by looking at the surroundings, you can tell that the city is far bigger than where you just were, and you're lucky you have a map of sorts- it's very much a tourist map, but it's enough. LaGuarda is a very entertainment heavy city, in a way that reminds you of the Festival District back home. Vast numbers of people wandering the streets, many in states of good cheer after a streak of luck, and just as many others who are in despair after losing it all. It...actually might take a bit of doing to figure out where Spider resides, but you've done enough of these jobs to know that generally, big folks like those tend to hang around wherever the most expensive and flashy places are. Fortunately, you at least had a map of the place as well as a brochure or two, and they listed a number of places that could be of interest.

You've just gotten a decent nap in, but you still need to make sure you get yourself set up in a hotel. As you browser the map for a good hotel, you also consider your options for where to go first:

>The Gold Theater, a place where you could catch a myriad of exclusive shows, plays and performances, often by...fine women. The place to be for the classy and refined- like Spider might believe himself.
>The Devil's Eye Casino, one of the biggest casinos in the city. Fortunes made and lost in such a place would no doubt attract at mobster like Spider.
>Gemini's, a club for the particularly upscale, or so it billed itself. It seems like a good place for a mobster like Spider to rest their head at.
>Via Maracca's, a restaurant that it's said only the rich and powerful can dine at, and you have to pay when you show up. Chances are Spider frequents the place, or you could at least find someone to ask questions.

>>2082033
>>The Devil's Eye Casino, one of the biggest casinos in the city. Fortunes made and lost in such a place would no doubt attract at mobster like Spider.
As reasonable as anywhere else, with the bonus of being 'touristy'.

>>2082033
>>The Devil's Eye Casino, one of the biggest casinos in the city. Fortunes made and lost in such a place would no doubt attract at mobster like Spider.

>>2082033
>The Devil's Eye Casino, one of the biggest casinos in the city. Fortunes made and lost in such a place would no doubt attract at mobster like Spider.

>>2082033
>>2082067
>>2082094
>>2082097

High and a winner, pay the front line, take the don'ts.

Writing.

>>2082033
>>2082067
>>2082094
>>2082097
The best first start would be the casino, you think. It's big, flashy, and you doubt anyone whom you would consider 'important' wouldn't at least hang around for some good gossip that you might be able to either over here or coax out of them. You managed to flag down a taxi, and you quickly give him the location. The gaunt man grins and nods, although what might be going through his head, you can't say. And you kind of hope you don't guess.

Fortunately, after a quick drop off at the hotel of your choosing (a 4 star affair ever bit as roomy as the suite you were in before with a complementary continental breakfast), you are right over there with little to no fuss- he's surprised when you pay the fee without any hesitation, and you find yourself in front of a massive, gold colored building with a large statue of a single, unblinking eye in the middle of it. 'The Devil's Eye' is in large, curved letters right below it.

There's a number of individuals right outside milling about, many of them in similar states as what you saw when you first arrived here; a lot of good cheer interspersed with sadness.

Suddenly, the large double doors open, and one bearded man suddenly passes through, being carried out by a pair of LARGE Ogre bouncers, the procession followed by a human in checked vest- though you don't see any yellow on him. The 'escorted' is too busy raving about how the tables were rigged - which they were, no doubt - and him demanding his money back, which the bouncers just laugh off, before they toss him bodily clear out several meters into the large, triple tiered fountain out front. This elicits laughter from a number of nearby patrons, although you notice, near the corner of the building, a pair of Binnin- the ratpeople- dressed in waiter clothes who aren't laughing at all. They simply give him an odd look, before turning away, heading back around and disappearing from sight.

"Yet another who lost themselves to the tables," a woman in red comments disdainfully next to you. "Seen it all too many times."

>Ask her about the casino itself.
>Help the man up, see what happened.
>Follow the strange ratpeople.
>Just get out one of your IDs and head on in.
>Other

>>2082440
>>Ask her about the casino itself.
Let's see if she knows anything worthwhile.

>>2082440
>Ask her about the casino itself.

>>2082440
>>Ask her about the casino itself.
Try to act like some kind of tourist, here to try a hand at the dice and win it big.

>>2082440
>>2082470
>>2082488
>>2082529
"Excuse me, m'am?" you ask in your best tourist voice. "Do you come here a lot?"

She side-eyes you with an air of vague annoyance, but she doesn't say anything towards that end. "Quite, and for good reason. It's pretty much the casino to go to meet the who's who of the business world. If you want to make any serious connections, you come here." Finally putting her full attention towards you, she gives you a quick glance, her annoyance fading into confusion. "Actually... If you don't mind my asking, child, why are you so curious? In fact, where are your parents? This really isn't the place for a youngster like you to be around."

... There's a slight ping of offense, before you calm down and begin digging purse/bag of holding. "Actually," and hear you flash your ID at her to which she actually gives a surprised expression. "You can see I'm entirely legal. I just look young for my age. Really, I just wanted to know what's so special about this place!"

The way she looks at you makes you think that she has a hard time believing that, but she simply sighs and doesn't question it. "Well, like I said, this is pretty much the place to be if you want to be a known name. It was built a long time ago by one of the first settlers out here, and built up over the years what it is now. All sorts of famous entertainers, politicians, musicians, everyone with a good bank account ends up here sooner or later. The minimum buy-in at the poker tables is anywhere from ten to two-hundred. There's rumors that there's a high roller's table out in private where the buy in is one-thousand, even- but I'm not such an addict that I'd ever risk so much," she proudly states. "I tend to keep myself in low-stakes games, and I'll only patronize people who have sense about them at the tables."

"Patronize?" you ask.

"Oh, right, tourist." She reminds herself. "Basically, this casino allows for people who really think they're hot stuff to gain what's called 'patronage' at the betting tables. Essentially, if you've got a good enough tongue, you can convince someone to buy in partially on your behalf, with the promise that you'll share a goodly portion of a certain amount of winnings with them at the end of your night. Should you lose or don't win enough, then they'll have to pay a penalty, which is of course the patron's choice. Signed and legal and everything, too. It's a rather interesting system if you ask me, and rather useful for individuals to avoid having to pay such a large penalty for losing..." and here she grins. "...If the patron isn't TOO angry, of course. Like myself. I have class."

You are not sure you can agree that that's entirely fair, but you decide to save the critique for yourself.

>Ask about the Giogionne.
>Ask her about patronage.
>That'll do for now. Head on in.
>Other

>Aaaand passing out. Will resume tomorrow!

>>2082876
>That'll do for now. Head on in.
No sense in risking our cover right off the bat.

>>2082876

Oh, uh
>Ask her about patronage.
This is meant to be 'ask her about HER patronage', specifically.

>>2082876
>>2082915
>Ask about patronage
An eagar tourist looking to cut expenses. We might even end up where we need to be with a decent cover story.
Cheers for running boss

>>2082876
>Ask her about patronage.
>That'll do for now. Head on in.
>Have a nice day Miss... (get her name)

No need for us to worry about our fake ID just yet.

Also, what's our cover ID and our back up?

Also also, what's our new purse gun like, and how many magazines do we have for it?

>>2082944
Actually forgot to mention that. Your first cover ID (the one you flashed):

Marie Sweeton Langley
Birthday/Age: 26

The second one is

Leelah Venus Maxton
Birthday/Age: 22

You don't recognize the name of the model of this particular gun, but in all respects it seems to be essentially a Glock 43. You have 5 magazines.

>>2082876
>>That'll do for now. Head on in.
>>2082988
>5 mags for a concealed carry
Christ. Well, better to have and not need, and it's not like we actually need the gun for protection if it comes to that.

>>2082876
>Ask her about patronage.
>That'll do for now. Head on in.
I doubt asking about the family here would help.

>>2082876
>That'll do for now. Head on in.

>>2082876
>That'll do for now. Head on in.

>>2082876
>>That'll do for now. Head on in.

>>2082876
>>2082886
>>2082940
>>2082944
>>2083072
>>2083231
>>2083377
>>2083456
>>2083759

That's enough for now, you figure. You don't want to get to asking her too much, and there's little time to waste at the moment. "Thaaanks!" you offer, and she merely nods in acknowledgement, turning away as though she's looking for someone. With that settled, you head up to the entrance underneath the awning, where one of the ogre bouncers is screening anyone who tries to get in. You flash your ID, and he merely takes a glance at it before he nods and waves you in. You're vaguely surprised that he didn't really do anything else, but you chalk it up to your unassuming looks.

The inside of the casino is just as extravagant as the outside. Prevailing color scheme seems to be gold and silver. There's a massive bar area further back and to the right, where a number of individuals are caressing drinks as the Binnin bartenders serve up more liquid comfort on request. Out in the main hallway there's slot machines aplenty, all sorts of people with paying to take on the one-armed bandit. And beyond that... The poker tables. Craps tables. All that sort of stuff, with a number of well-dressed and some not so well-dressed individuals thinking they're about to take everyone else for a ride. There's even a rather wide sitting area near the back with a stage- has a big band, dressed to the nines belting out a soft, trumpeting beat to the delight of the various resting patrons, a comforting backdrop to the gambling den you find yourself in. Near the back, straight ahead, you can see various doors, and an elevator off to the right side- one of the ogre bouncers is hanging around it, almost acting like a guard.

>Head towards the bar area.
>Get situated at one of the poker tables.
>Head towards the sitting area with the band.
>See about the guarded area.
>Other


Woof, sorry about yesterday.

>>2086668
>Get situated at one of the poker tables.
Immediately heading for the bar or getting near guarded areas might rouse suspicion. Let's try to get some info from the tables, maybe.

>>2086668
>>Get situated at one of the poker tables.

>>2086668
>>Get situated at one of the poker tables.

>>2086668
>Get situated at one of the poker tables.
So we have a cover identity, one that if examined would come back as false.

Do we want Spider to find out that our ID is fake, so that he’s left wondering who we really are, and we kill a few people proving to him that we can back up our claims?

>>2086668
>Get situated at one of the poker tables.

>>2086668
>>Get situated at one of the poker tables.
We've supposed to be a tourist, let's act like a tourist. Maybe start at a lower buy-in until we get the hang of things and make sure this universe's poker is the same as the rest.

5 minutes till locked.

>>2086668
>>2086672
>>2086675
>>2086678
>>2086679
>>2086682
>>2086687
Well, first thing to do is to try your hand at one of the tables; if for no other reason than to really complete the touristy look. Besides, ideally you wouldn't lose a ton at these tables; you'd call yourself pretty decent in poker. As you approach and look around at the open tables, you notice that some are clearly better dressed than others- it's fairly easy to take a guess as to who's established and who isn't- and is just here to try their luck, like you're supposed to be.

You could try and make a bit of a splash by trying to insert yourself into a high roller group; chances are high the people in those would know more about Spider, at least in some capacity. That'd be a lot of money on the line, though. Alternately, you could take the safer route and keep to the low buy-in tables and try to feel things out that way; you doubt that anyone would know a ton about your target, though it might be worth trying. There IS one or two tables that seem to have a mix of sorts, but you're not quite sure what the deal is with that. One in particular is rather raucous however, with hooting and holler amidst both the men and women situated.

>Try your luck with the high rollers for guaranteed information. (Buy-in: $100 / DC: Hard)
>Stick with the low buy-in group and see if there's diamonds in the rough. (Buy-in: $20 / DC: Easy)
>Try your hand at the mixed group- the quiet-ish one. (Buy-in: $50: / DC: Medium)
>Try your hand at the raucous mixed group. (Buy-in: ??? / DC: Variable)

>>2086718
>>Try your hand at the raucous mixed group. (Buy-in: ??? / DC: Variable)

>>2086718
>>Stick with the low buy-in group and see if there's diamonds in the rough. (Buy-in: $20 / DC: Easy)
Let's start low, and if we come up dry we can jump up to the high rollers.

Oh, almost forgot:

>Current funds: $1,400. You spent a bit on hotel costs and whatnot.

>>2086726
Jeez, really? We were given 5 grand on top of what we still had of the original 10(?) grand. We blew some 14 grand on room and board?

>>2086728
Oh damn, you're right. I can't count. No. No that number isn't right at all. Should be $14,000. (I'm rounding a bit for sake of ease.)

>>2086718
>Try your hand at the raucous mixed group. (Buy-in: ??? / DC: Variable)

5 minutes till call!

Called. We're going for the weird mix! Writing!

>>2086718
>>2086719
>>2086738
>>2086721
You suppose you might as well go see what all the fuss is about; the way they're acting is a bit odd to you, and the fact that they're not getting reprimanded at all means that it's expected, nonetheless. As you approach, they don't actually seem to notice you, too wrapped up in their card game as though they're all old friends; all except the dealer at least. He's just passively watching the entire session with a careful eye, but not speaking up.

The group really is a hodgepodge. There's a younger man with a sport jacket and sunglasses that makes him look like he just came from a sporting event, a lady with a frayed dress and stringy hair that makes her look like she should be in a Halloween event, a man who looks like he should either be at a black tie event or perhaps at a funeral, and a larger, heavyset man who seems to have a perspiration problem. They're all in various states of merriment, even if the sweating man seems to be a bit nervous.

"Alllright, let's see what we can add to this one..." the sporty man says with a grin. "Wednesday. Free entry for all the winners. How's that?"

"Fine." The stringy-haired girl says. "Friday, a day in my villa, for free."

"Sold!" he says.

"A day's meals at their behest," the large man says. The well dressed fellow stays silent, just chuckling. After agreements, It's only after another hand passes and cheers and groans go out that the sporty man looks to you. "Huh. New blood, huh? Wanna step in?"

"What's it cost?" you ask.

The sharp Dressed Man gives a bit of a grin. "We've got a bit of an unusual system at this table - we don't just trade money. It's all about experiences here. If you can grant a good experience, that's as good as gold! I'm an agent- fightin' agent, that is. I get people in the ring, and give the audience a good show. Sandra here," and he motions to the girl, "is a fan of the finer things, being an actress. Louis is a music man- got his own record labels. Maurice is a restaurant owner and bit of a star chef, too. We're all pretty good at giving experiences. What about you, little lady? You don't quite seem like the sort, but maybe you can convince us."

That's...hm. There's a number of things you can do, but you don't exactly think just saying that you're a mercenary would go down in such company.

>Offer yourself as a servant for some time.
>Offer your physical skills as a guard.
>Offer rare goods, or information.
>Other

>>2086828
Could we feasibly put on a magic show with shit ass low powered spells? I dunno how much of an entertainer Miranda can be.

>>2086847
You could certainly give it a shot. Who knows, maybe you could use it as a chance to inspire yourself.

>>2086847
Like, magi blasts can be controlled mid flight, we could juggle and/or put on a flight show...

>>2086828
>Offer a magic show.

Magi-wave to put out candles from a great at distance with a simple gesture or a light show with energy channel

Try to keep it simple and low key like they're a magician's tricks

Locked. Magic show, eh? Interesting choice in a place like this...

Oh, and I'm gonna need 4d20. Best of three.

>>2086863
Sorry for the stream of consciousness posting, I'm on the phone and afraid captcha will eat line posts, it happens often.

The energy channel description just made me think of something. This is thing for later and not a show here, but since it creates a burning Aura and can be localized on a body part I thought that we could use it to make our eyes glow and stuff. Can be useful if we ever need to be extra demonic, or to simply hide our eyes. With practice we might even be able to focus it on our irises and change their color with magic. Subtle lighting to subdue or enhance facial features as on the fly make-up. Lorelei will be so jealous

Rolled 3, 17, 20, 4 = 44 (4d20)

>>2086880

Rolled 4, 14, 5, 18 = 41 (4d20)

>>2086880

Rolled 11, 19, 8, 4 = 42 (4d20)

>>2086880

>>2086880

>>2086887
>>2086888
>>2086891

Oho. Seems like Sandra, Louis, and Maurice in particular are very interesting folk...

Writing!

>>2086880
>>2086887
>>2086888
>>2086891
It takes you a few seconds to think of a reasonable offer... but in a flash of inspiration, something comes to you. "I can do...unusual magics," you offer. "I could offer a free, private shows to anyone."

The rest of them look around at each other as though trying to gauge whether that's a reasonable offer. Louis is quick to nod first, and the other two quickly followed shortly thereafter. Interesting it's only the sporty man who doesn't seem to take to the idea very quickly, instead of letting out a low hum as he considers it. "I'm not too sure...how unusual?" he asks.

"Oh, come now," Louis says curiously. "I like the look of this one. I doubt she'd be so callous as to try and purposefully lead us on. She says she can do some unusual magics? Something outside the norm, perhaps into the realms of the greats, or perhaps simply abnormality? I have to admit I'm interested in the claim."

"As am I," Sandra agrees. "It's not something to say lightly, but she seems rather confident. I say let's let her in, Jacob." Jacob, the sporty man, frowns briefly, but then eventually nods. Satisfied, the lady turns to you with a small smile. "The buy in is $30, if you don't mind."

You don't. You're quick to get a stack of chips- $500, to be exact, after a quick inquiry about recommended amounts.

As you settle in, you learn a bit more. Apparently, while they still play for money, the 'experience' bet is part of the buy-in; you didn't have to come up with something for every hand. You could bet it like a normal monetary amount, and you HAD to bet it at some point. Meaning the experience could change recipients right up until the end of the game, or someone threw in the towel.

The cards are dealt, and the game begins.

cont.

>>2087018
To your non surprise, all of them have very good poker faces, although in an odd way- they talk, joke and laugh, but it hardly seems to change depending on whether they have a good or a bad hand. It's clear that they all know each other, but aren't afraid of others getting a temporary invite into their little circle.

Jacob's the first one to address you again after a few pots have come and gone - one of which you managed to win."So, if ya don't mind me asking, where'd you come from, miss? You look a lil' young to be in a place like this, but-"

"But I could tell you stories," Sandra remarks. "She wouldn't be the first lady I've seeing who's looks mask their age. Some are just lucky like that." She squints at you again. "Although I MUST ask how you keep yourself looking so young, dear...your skin seems rather flawless. The people I have to reach out to to keep my reagent supplies regular..."

"I've told you for years there's an easy solution to that," Maurice mutters. "Just regulate your diet a bit more instead of all the cake."

"Or just exercise," Jacob states bluntly, but with a smile. "I keep saying you'd be better off picking up a sport hobby!"

"And risk sweating for something other than the camera?" She scoffs lightly. "Not a chance."

Hmmm...this might be a good opportunity to begin probing for information. You just need to ask the right questions...

>I can be pretty active, actually. I use my magic a lot, but I often go out, meet new people- like this!
>So, you're pretty much a star, right, Miss Sandra? What kinds of people do you meet?
>You said you're a chef, Mister Maurice. I have to imagine your clientele is pretty impressive!
>Other

Wrapping it up for tonight, will be back tomorrow, hopefully.

>>2087027
>I can be pretty active, actually. I use my magic a lot, but I often go out, meet new people- like this!

>>2087027
>I can be pretty active, actually. I use my magic a lot, but I often go out, meet new people- like this!

Do we go with the book writer disquise we used on the other town?

>>2087027
>I can be pretty active, actually. I use my magic a lot, but I often go out, meet new people- like this!

>>2087027
>I can be pretty active, actually. I use my magic a lot... "How fast are you Jacob? Sprint or long distance, I bet I could leave you in the dust. I feel awful if I don't get to exercise my body so I keep it in as perfect shape I can."

A young friendly sporty girl is probably the most disarming opener. We should let them bring up their acquaintances on their own not try to drag it out of them.
Bonus if we get a date with him over an innocent shared hobby.

>>2087063
>>2087027
I'll back this.

>>2087063
That seems pretty counterproductive to the image we want to project in order to lure Spider into hiring us. And as interesting as these characters are, they don’t seem to have the connections we’re looking for, nor the type that would hire us for the types of jobs we want to take in order to build the reputation we want.

>>2087111
You're right, I scrolled up and Jacob isn't one of the interesting ones we rolled. Still I think getting in good with one of them, plus our magic show means we'll find ourselves invited to meet them all again. We can simply come back here the next evening they gather and aim for one of the others.

Also don't discount the possibility of throwing the game so we can pick the winner for our show. We can save that for one who is more useful seeming.
We decided to play the long game, so there is no need to rush. If we meet spider tomorrow or next week won't make much of a difference since we can time skip, and a little girl probing for mafia connections is just suspicious.

>>2087176
>little girl probing for mafia connections is just suspicious.
I agree that it is, but I disagree with it being a bad thing.
We want Spider to take notice of us and think himself clever by seeing through our tourist cover, that he can use us as a means of eliminating the competition. And to sell that, we have to show that we’re good at making problems disappear.

>>2087176
Oh, and while there isn’t an explicit deadline, we still have to make sure that the Giogionne Family doesn’t have the spare attention to direct back at our client’s boyfriend. There’s a lot of termination with prejudice clauses in this contract that we have to be careful about because they’re either conditional or ambiguous.

>>2087271
Well first we need to make sure that any of these people are involved with him and not law enforcement, impotent it may be. I'm saying that easing into their circle and meeting their friends who may be a step closer is a safer bet.

How do you want to show spider that we are a mercenary killer by speaking here? Hell if we play too hard and any of them are from another family or on the right side of the law we are compromising ourselves and become a known face before we even do anything.

We could do it the movie way and go to a rowdy table after this and get into a fight. Taking down an angry grown man using only one hand is sure to get someone's attention. This doesn't have to be the only group we interact with tonight

>>2087176
>throwing the game so we can pick the winner for our show
>Meaning the experience could change recipients right up until the end of the game
Try again.
>>2087271
>think himself clever by seeing through our tourist cover
Conversely, he'll think we're incompetent for getting caught so easily.
>he can use us as a means of eliminating the competition
There's no shortage of other families we could already be working for. We could be a spy, an assassin, or just a little to nosy. He has no reason to approach or even trust us.
>show that we’re good at making problems disappear.
If we can 'figure out' what we doing, we are by definition not good at making problems disappear'.

>>2089103
lemme try that last line again
If he can 'figure out' what we're doing, we are by definition not good at making problems disappear'.

Live check, who's still around after I was half dead for a couple days?

>>2098845
Still alive.

>>2098845
here

>>2098845
Still here.

>>2098845
I'm here!

>>2098853
>>2098854
>>2098874
>>2098922

Fantastic. It's page 7, but I think I can squeeze out a few more updates on this thread...

writing!

>>2087027
>>2098853
>>2098854
>>2098874
>>2098922
"I can be pretty active, actually," you cheerily admit as another hand is dealt. "I use my magic a lot, but I like to go out often, meet new people- like this!" you give her a sunny smile before you check your cards - three tens. Meh. A quick glance around at the table of reveals that nobody seems to be giving away anything in particular that could be called a tell - seems like everyone here is rather experienced enough to keep anything to the simple banter.

"And good that ya do," Jacob nods, a small smile growing on his face as the blinds are thrown in. "Best way to have new experiences is to just go out and find 'em! It's how I find my clients- I don't just stick around the usual gyms and competitions, I hit up bars, clubs, all that stuff! You never know what you'll find under the next rock!" He tosses in a few chips, and everyone calls- the pot stands at $120. "In fact, found a guy just the other day in a barfight who might be a real star in the making- human, big fella though. Got a chin like no one else; saw 'im take like three bottles without flinching. When I got them out and asked him what was up, he gave me the debt story, poor sod."

There's a few sympathetic looks around the table, and Jacob glances at you concernedly before continuing. "I, uh...figure I might be able to get him in easy, set 'im up against some cans. Just to keep 'im, uh 'warm', y'know?" He puts slight emphasis on the word, and you get feeling that he means in more ways than just staying comfortable.

"Let's hope your associate doesn't know you're being so charitable, hm?" Sandra says with a rueful smile. She turns back to you, her face shifting into something much more serene. "He's rather the soft-hearted type when you really get down to it. But what about you, then? Are you perhaps a performer by trade, or is it a hobby?"

>I'm a magic performer, yeah. I'm new on the scene, though!
>I'm more of an up and coming author, really...
>You could say I'm kind of an actress, too. Not on the big screen, though.
>Other

>>2099116
>"Just a hobby, but it pays for food now and then. You could call me a drifter, or maybe backpacker? I'm too young for a career!"

>>2099116
>Other: You could say I'm a Jane of all trades. I go wherever, fixing problems and entertaining people.

>>2099116
>You could say I'm kind of an actress, too. Not on the big screen, though.

We kinda are and we cab use magic to entretaing our employer.

30 minutes to start of run, so... 5-6 more minutes? Basically. Last votes, get 'em in.

I can work with this!

Writing.

>>2099236
This will be interesting.

>>2099116
>>2099134
>>2099144
"It's really just a hobby," you admit. "I guess you could kind of call me a Jane of all trades. I just kinda go wherever- fix problems, entertain, whatever's needed."

"A drifter? Really?" Sandra seems both confused and impressed. "I must admit, that's not exactly what I was expecting of you..."

"Oh, come on! I'm too young to be stuck in a single career!" you offer up, and that gets you a number of laughs. "Really, though, it's not all that bad. I've seen a lot of things and been a lot of places. It's pretty alright."

"I can't say the idea isn't appealing," Louis admits. "The idea traveling all across the world, seeking out new tastes and new dishes...the idea certainly has a lot of charm. I wonder... Perhaps I should take a bit of a leave in order to take a sojourn of my own."

"Oh, please don't," Jacob says with a playful whine. "You do that, and you're going to cause riots in the city!" another round of laughter follows of that, as Louis nods in agreement with a small grin on his face. There's a number of further bets as cards are exchanged.

"So then," Jacob starts again. "Wanderer, huh? Haven't gotten into much trouble, have you? A gal like you could attract a whole lot of...unscrupulous sorts. Believe me, I should know." He mumbles something that he's clearly not expecting you to overhear:

'Friends like him...hoo boy.'

>Roll 1d20, let's see how your hand ended up.

>Honestly, those are the most interesting sorts! Why, do you know any?
>Oh, don't worry any. I know how to handle myself. But jobs are jobs, y'know?
>Who's to say I'm not unscrupulous myself~? You have to be clever out there...
>Other

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2099420
>Oh, don't worry any. I know how to handle myself. But jobs are jobs, y'know?

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>2099420
>Oh, don't worry any. I know how to handle myself. But jobs are jobs, y'know?
Sounds like Jacob might actually know some Family goons. Hopefully middle management and not too low.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2099420
>Oh, don't worry any. I know how to handle myself. But jobs are jobs, y'know?

5 minutes to close.

>>2099428
>>2099446
>>2099458


Uh, interesting.

Quite. Writing!

>>2099420
>>Honestly, those are the most interesting sorts! Why, do you know any?
Looks like it's to late for my vote to count but I'm here so whatever.

>>2099420
>>2099428
>>2099446
>>2099458
>>2099506
Oh, don't worry any." You wave them off casually, affecting an air of nonchalance - which really isn't all that hard to do. "I know how to handle myself. But jobs are jobs, y'know? I just got to do what I'm paid for, and everything's good." Best part about this, is that you don't even have to lie about it.

The reactions are surprisingly muted. Louis simply nods in understanding, while Jacob grins in agreement. Sandra, however, seems oddly pensive, her mouth covered by one dainty hand. - as though she's trying to consider something. She glances at you, running her eyes across the entirety of your body, before she turns away, looking back at her cards. Finally, comes time for the showdown; your three tens take the day against a two pair of fives and eights, and a single pair of nines. Sandra had elected to fold, and so you took the pot.

But the interesting part about it is after the hand- you expected more in the ways of the raucous cheering as before, but aside from a few congratulations and whatnot, it seems as though the reaction is bit more muted now that you're here. However, you do get a curious look from Sandra yet again, and this time, she speaks up. "So you'd say you're talented in a number of areas, correct? Not too fussed about the particulars?"

You shake your head. "Nope! You got a job, I'm your girl- especially when it comes to magic!"

"Hmmm..." She seems to take a long moment to consider your words. "Is your magic capable of handling security purposes?"

"Maaaybe," you hazard. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no, Sandra." Jacob interrupts. "She's not that kind of magic; you can tell just by looking at 'er!"

"I don't mean it like you think I mean it, Jacob." Sandra clarifies before turning back to you. "I have a friend, you see, and they've been in the midst of a few... call it renovations, for a building of theirs. They've been looking into a lot of protection spells as of late, and personally? I haven't really been wowed by their choice of guard spells. I was thinking perhaps getting a second opinion on the matter, and if you are at all good at it, then perhaps I can bring you in as a non-biased opinion?"

"Wait, Sandra, is this-" before Louis can continue, however, Sandra cuts him off with a quick hand motion.

"It'll be quick- barely a morning's work, I promise. Nothing weird, just in, look over the place, and out. I'll even pay you for the effort - call it consultation fees!"

Well, now. That's interesting.

>Sure. Where is this at?
>Wait, who's it for, exactly?
>Sorry, but I'm a bit busy.
>Other

>>2099812
>>Sure. Where is this at?
Either this is connected to the families, and maybe we can use this as an in; or it's unrealed and we can make a little cash.


Glad to have you back again, by the way.

>>2099812
All this from us promising party tricks and saying that we've got a work ethic? I dunno, this smells weird to me. Who hires a kid to look at construction security?

>Sure. Where is this at?

>>2099812
>Sure. Where is this at?
>Other: I have to warn you, my style is pretty unorthodox.
We didn't study up this world's magic system, so if the protections spells are sigils, then we probably won't be of much use.

>>2099812
>>Sure. Where is this at?

5 minutes till lock.

>>2099833
To be fair, they're under the impression that you're just a very young-looking adult. Mostly.

>>2099830
Thanks, glad to be back.

We're locked, and writing!

>>2099812
>>2099830
>>2099840
>>2099849
Well, that seems remarkably convenient. Which raises a lot of alarm bells in your head. Still, you can't really say that the idea of just letting a possibility of a lead go is very welcome. "Sure, I'm game! Where's it at?"

"It's just a ways north, closer to the residential areas. I'll make sure to get you the address." Louis just sighs, and Jacob shakes his head, but says nothing in particular.

The game further passes without any mention of the sudden offer, and it eventually comes to a point where you're not quite winning, but you at the moment do you have a little bit more than what you started with - at least $400 more. At the moment, Louis seems to have the biggest stack of chips, surprisingly. While Jacob and Sandra occasionally seem to be a bit too eager to bet big, he was a bit more shrewd about when he went in and when he'd keep things small. Jacob had both your offer and Sandra's, while Sandra herself had Louis's. The last hand had been a rather large one, but you'd been fortunate enough to take it, if only barely in a case of dueling four of a kind- your Jacks beat out Louis's nines. While he still had more of the total pot, you weren't disappointed with your own haul.

"So, then..." of course, this had led to Louis being a bit smug, but frankly you kind of understood it. "Think this should be the last hand for the time being? Don't want everyone to miss out on the bar crawl later!"

"I think so, perhaps," Sandra agrees. Jacob also agrees, and you can't think of a reason not to as you all pack it up. "Alright, then. Miss, ah...oh, dear, I don't believe we actually got your name!"

"Marie Langley," you say, giving the name of the ID that you had shown to the bouncer.

"Langley, then!" she corrects herself. "Here's that address I mentioned, so if you could come by...tomorrow, perhaps?"

"Sounds like a plan," you agree.

"Excellent! I and my friends will see you there, and we hope you'll give a good accounting of yourself, madam." She gives you a wink, before she strolls out; you follow her leaving for a while, noticing her motioning to...huh. That's the lady you met earlier. Same red dress. You're quick to look away as they begin talking.

Seems like you'll have to be particularly careful. News gets around rather quickly, here.

>Will continue tomorrow! For sure, this time. Thanks for playing today.

>>2100583
Hmm, this should be interesting; she's definitely got money at least, and that means she'll have mob connections.
I assume we're going to talk to Jacob before we leave the table to arrange paying off our bet? I kinda like the 'betting experiences' thing, it by itself could make for a great recurring plot hook. Out of curiosity, how were the experiences actually bet? As in, mechanically.

Thanks for running.

>>2101115
I think the red dressed lady might be Spider's girl. Or some other mobster's girl.

Rip

>>2104253
Nice timing. No, I'm here, just starting late. Gonna make a new thread.

>Meanwhile, Elsewhere at the Intersection...

>"Yo, newbie! How're you holding up?"

>"Okay, I guess. Jus' got from bard practice."

>"Oh yeaaah, you DO have that. It's going well?"

>"Sorta. She liked my initiative, said she wanted me ta try and find 'the song that's always in myself. I dunno what that means."

>"Eh, you'll get it. Gotta admit, it's nice to have others in the crew around to talk to. Refreshin', y'know?"

>Yeah, I guess. Honestly, still great I can just...y'know, go places, yeah?

>Haha, yeah! The fun part about it is this place is always growin', so there's always somethin' new to see! Right up your alley!"

>"Yeah? I mean, I 'member she said somethin' like that, but..."

>"But nothin'! Heck, if you're lucky, you can see it happen, apparently! Supposed to be a real crazy thing."

>"Really?"

>"Yeah. Needs a metric SHIT ton of motes to really make something like a plot of land, though. That's why Outgoers we're so awesome and important around here- we bring in the most on average, by FAR. So, yeah! Think of it like that- you're all about explorin', aintcha? You're literally helping MAKE new places to go."

>"...Wow. That...that's actually pretty cool."

>"Ain't it?!"

>"Hah...ey, uh, Lorelei? Where'd boss get off to?"

>"Eh, she's on some kinda extermination job. Also, not technically our boss."

>"Kinda is to me...and I didn't think we did stuff like that."

>"Wha? Well, yeah, like, all the time, girl."

>"Really? Huh...well, I guess that must be a lot of bugs, then if they call us, right? Like massive hordes?"

>"...Huh?"

>"Yeah, like, y'know, massive plagues of beetles or locusts or something. Maybe I could sing 'em away or something if I get a job like that..."

>"...Ohhh, you mean...no, honey, I thought you had this talk, nooooo..."

>"Huh? Wait, what else do you m-"

>...

>...

>"...d'ya need a sit down, hun?"

>"...Maybe, yeah. Just...how could ya even DO that?"

>"Oh, hun. Miranda's had to have told you by now- we're not good, we just get paid."

>"I...y'know what? It's not even that, I just don't know HOW that could even happen. Wouldn't people fight? It don't make sense!"

>"Well, ya gotta get clever! Okay, lemme get you some orange juice, then I can tells you a story, kay?"

>>2104372
Poor puppers

>>2104611
Thread #41's here, incase anyome else is lost like me.