[Sandboxing/Voice testing/Thread continuations]

[timeshares]

INSERT ALL PLAY HERE

Comments

[timeshares]

Pretty unlikely to need a repeat, all considered. Unless I don't get to put stats in wisdom next life. [Flips the mythomagic card.]

[abandon_hope]

[ That's not helping his embarrassment. He rubs at the back of his neck. ]

Pretty sure sure you don't get a choice.

[timeshares]

That's a shame.

[A moment of consideration then a grin.]


Anyways. How do you play this?

[abandon_hope]

... You don't want to know. It's complicated.

[timeshares]

Well. That sounds like a challenge.

[abandon_hope]

It is a challenging game. Not just for kids.

[timeshares]

[He knows what Nico means, but can't help it.]

You're calling me a kid now?

... Ah. I get it.

You collect it for the pictures. No shame in that.

[abandon_hope]

[ That's even more insulting. Fine, he starts laying out cards and colors and stats. ]

You brought this on yourself.

[timeshares]

[It's hard not to laugh. He has NO illusions he's about to get ruthlessly destroyed for the first few games, if not first few sessions.

Still, he remains focused on the tutorial, picking up the lines of strategy both implied and outright laid out.

After a bit...]

So, what you're saying is that, metaphorically, there's actually a way to punch Dionysus in the face.

I'm in.

[abandon_hope]

[ He'll be gentle long enough to get Luke hooked, and then comes the ruthlessness. Though maybe by then Luke will know enough to be rutheless right back... ]

... It Is cathartic. When you put it like that.

[timeshares]

That's me. Finding the bright sides.

[He scratches at his chin.]

I'm done for today. [Not that day or night have any meaning or even representation down here. But he can only work through so much before needing to wander, anyway.] And you should be recovering.

Sounds like a good time to try it out.

[timeshares]

Though go wipe your face off first. You look like a horror movie, man.

[abandon_hope]

Yes sir.

[ Is that a little fondness in his voice, though? Just a little. He picks himself up and goes to a small cistern in the corner of the room. ]

I figure we can vague handwave ACTUAL game play because yes.

[timeshares]

[It's a small smile but there as he goes through the descriptions on the cards nearest him. There was obviously some Olympian force in their publishing, because it wasn't too hard to read. It's just that the descriptions, especially for some of the more obviously powerful ones, are a bit obtuse.

He's still puzzling over the area card The Straight of Messina. And he'd been there.]

So when's the last time you played this?

yes please

[abandon_hope]

[ Nico, meanwhile, is quietly but genuinely excited by all this. Remembering why he liked this game in the first place and seeing it with new eyes too, more complex strategies coming to mind. ]

... Years ago. I was still in that boarding school.

[timeshares]

[On the other hand, Luke's first moves are really tentative. A few, outright reckless, just figuring out the cards.]

So, I might have a shot here.

[Not even a little.]

[abandon_hope]

[ Ha ha. Nico can't help but grin a little at that. ]

Maybe. If I go easy on you.

[timeshares]

What? Mercy? Here? You're terrible on your own reputation.

[abandon_hope]

That's why I'm swearing you to secrecy.

[timeshares]

That's right. We did have that conversation.

[With a tuneless hum, puts Poseidon into play. For as much as it is teasing, it actually isn't a BAD move either.]

[abandon_hope]

[ Oh. You jerk. Nico considers the card ... and sends in Hades on his end. Strange, he doesn't play with the figure for this one. ]

You're going there, huh.

[timeshares]

[Huh...

... ... ... Of course, NEVER MIND THAT. That one move overwhelmed half of his cards in play.

Puts Persephone across from Hades.]

I didn't have Apollo.

[abandon_hope]

Reconsidering going easy on you, Castellan.

[ Demeter. ]

[timeshares]

[He ... ....

There's no good counter for Demeter. WHY IS THERE NO GOOD COUNTER FOR DEMETER?

.... Cedes those cards and plays Hypnos to buy some time.]

No fair bullying a poor little spirit.

[He shakes his head, trying not to grin outright.]

[abandon_hope]

[ 'cause it's Demeter. Nico, meanwhile, starts setting up a game-winning combo in the background. ]

That's part of my job. Didn't you realize?