caughtinanetwork | [video] open

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[Mr. D had spent the last week or so confined in his place of residence until the shenanigans around the city calmed down. If anything had happened to him during that time, he wasn't talking about it.

[Now, he is sitting in the park with a deck of playing cards in his hand, flipping them between is fingers expertly to shuffle them as he talks. He's actually bored enough at the moment to request company of others. It's shocking, really.]

If anyone thinks they are up to a fearsome challenge, I have just the game for you. Meet me in the park, and show me what you're made out of. You will be judged harshly on your performance, because I doubt anyone will be able to beat me.

[He fans the cards out to hide his mouth as he speaks his parting lines.]

Don't worry if you aren't familiar with the game. I will train you. Every civilized man should at least learn the basic rules of pinochle.

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[[ooc: you can either respond in-network or move it to action if you so desire!]]

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...What the fuck is pinochle?

A true warrior's card game. I don't imagine that many will be up for the challenge.

What kind of warrior fights with cards?

_{[...Oh no, that word. Challenge.]}

...What, you sayin' we're cowards?

It's about tactics and skill. Planning and cleverness. And luck. It's what separates competent fighters from great ones.

[Yes, that's why he picked that word in particular]

Who's "we"? And perhaps I am. No one has stepped up to face me yet.

Hi, Mr. D!

[Oh look, it's this guy.]

I've never played before, so you'll have to go easy on me, all right?

[It's this guy with the unfortunate name]

I can't promise I'll go easy, but I can teach you the rules.

All right! I'll be there soon!

[Sufferer sets out, heading to the park. He likes the sounds of learning a new game!]

[Shiro has never heard of pinochle, but old men bonding via card games is a thing he is willing to do.]

Well, if you're willing to teach, I'd be willing to learn.

[Card games are not a young man's sport. Or for those with weak hearts or fragile dispositions]

I wouldn't have offered a game if I wasn't willing to teach. It's a rare opportunity to learn from one such as myself, but I can't play by myself.

Come join me. I'll teach you.

Alright, I'll be there in ten minutes.

[He can't refuse an offer like that, after all. And true to his words, he shows up at the park about ten minutes later.]

[By the time Shiro arrives, Mr. D is sitting at a cheap card table by himself. He has a bowl sitting on a far corner of the table, and he's leaned far back in his chair to flick the playing cards and try to make them land inside the bowl. So far, it looks like he hasn't been having much luck. He's grumbling under his breath, but looks up as someone approaches.]

Are you to here to be my opponent?

Pinochle? I wasn't certain anyone knew the classic card games here.

[It would be a welcome change to forget his troubles for awhile, especially that curse, and just have a friendly game of cards. Or even a competitive game of cards. That would be even more distracting.]

Pre or post 1945 rules?

[Mr. D perks up visibly]

Ah! Finally there's someone who actually knows the game!

I'm afraid it must be modern rules, since I cannot find anyone else knowledgeable in the game at all. The game must be played to accommodate the weakest of the players, unfortunately. Pity. I hope you can keep up.

Oh, will we be playing with weak players?

[He has the sneaking suspicion the man is referring to him but he'll feign ignorance to feed that ego. It's more fun when you can surprise someone. He's by no means an expert player, but he's skilled enough.]

Would it be alright if I brought some cigars as well?

[Cards and cigars always go together in his head. And brandy but alcohol does little for him in small quantities.]

Everyone is weak while they're learning. And I doubt that in a short time they will surpass someone with decades (or more) of actual experience.

[Yes, he is referring to you but also to everyone else in this world since no one even knows the rules. Mr. D considers the video response with a raised eyebrow, wondering if this person will actually make him break a sweat... although he doubts it.]

By all means! Cigars sound like an excellent addition to the game.

Fair enough, but it should be fun regardless.

[Honestly that's all he wants. A bit of fun to unwind and get his mind off his troubles for awhile. He's not really looking to make anyone sweat, just have a friendly game of cards. Maybe he'll bring brandy too after all.]

The park you said? I'll be there shortly.

[Why respond over the SFC when the only thing that would do is hinder the game's start? Kurloz doesn't bother. When he sees the post, he just wanders in the direction of the park, taking his time in getting there. He has no idea what game Mr. D is talking about, but not knowing isn't an excuse for not taking the time, when there's an offer to be let in on the not-so-secret of how to play.

When he gets to the place in the park Mr. D is sitting, he waves and makes the sign Mr. D had given when he first introduced himself, the one for wine. There's a pretty good chance that Kurloz will keep on referring to him that way.]

[By the time Kurloz arrives, Mr. D is sitting at a cheap card table and playing a complicated type if solitaire. (By the look on his face, the game may be beating him.) He glaces up but goes right back to his cards, trying to find the winning move before he's forced to interact with anyone, even if that someone is a troll that he sort of likes. With a wave of his hand a chair appears for Kurloz, and Mr. D motions that he sit.

After a few seconds, he plays a card that makes him grin lopsidedly, then he wipes the cards to shuffle them. Only then does he look up to give the troll his attention.]

Are you here to be my opponent, Kay?

[Other than making an irritating scraping sound as the chair legs drag across the floor when he pulls it back, Kurloz doesn't do anything to disturb Mr. D from his individual game.

When the god does finally look up, he nods, then shrugs. He's another one of those who doesn't know the rules, but he's willing to learn.]

[Mr. D is fine with another teaching game. That's why he advertized it, after all. He hoped to make some competent players out of someone so he wouldn't be so bored here all the time. He would teach anyone the basics simply so he could continue his winning streak against people who actually knew the rules]

It's a game for 4 opponents, but since there's only the two of us for now, I'll have to play the other two hands. It seems the odds are in my favour to win, but I'll still show you how it's done.

[As he expertly shuffles the cards in his hands, he begins to explain the rules]

[From what he can see, it looks to be a card game. Well Angelo isn't one to turn down such an offer.]

I won't turn down a game of cards. Though I'm afraid we don't have that one in my world, so you may have to teach me.

[another challenger. Mr. D accepts]

And your world must be less civilized because of it. Come join me, and I'll educate you in the fine art of pinochle.

Edited 2013-08-06 16:26 (UTC)

Well less civilized is putting it lightly. Most of the only civilized people are the nobility, however they're quite stuck on themselves.

That seems to be what nobility is like in my world as well if we're discussing it in terms of stereotypes.

And which are you? Stuck on yourself or uncivilized?

Edited (typos) 2013-08-11 01:51 (UTC)

[A grin.]

I'm in a category of my own. I'm civilized, but not stuck on myself.

Everyone likes to think that about themselves. I wonder if that's actually true.

For some it is, but for others it's to put themselves in a better state of mind.

[ A card game with Saber was bad news, but with her taste for challenges and competition, it was hard for her to ignore this message. ]

Would you give me a brief summary of this pinochle?

[A challenge? Tempting.]

Pinochle? Don't know that one. How do you play?

Edited (I read the post I swear) 2013-07-27 02:34 (UTC)

Come find me in the park. If I decide you'll be a worthy opponent, I'll teach you. It's a game for 4 players, so the sooner you can get here the better.

[Leo hadn't seen the post on the network. He was out for a walk through the park, trying to distract himself from thinking about the curse that happened last week. It wasn't really working and he was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice Mr D sitting there until he bumps into him, knocking the cards out of his hands.]

I'm sorry. Wasn't looking where I was going.

[He immediately apologizes and bends down to stat picking up the cards, not even bothering to see who they belonged to.]

Why am I not surprised that it's you?

[Mr. D scowls down at Leo, crossing his arms and not even bothering to help pick up the mess. The only card left in his hand is the ace of clubs. It felt appropriate somehow.]

For a hero, you're a clumsy, unobservant one, aren't you?

[He sets the cards on the table after he finishes picking them up.]

Not unobservant. Just distracted, sir.

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video; I don't actually know how to play but he would /pops open wiki

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