Story Reader / Event Story / Magpie's Fortune / Story
Noan: Arca Magpie's Fortune
You have an appointment to meet Noan this afternoon in Constellia.
You show up early at the scheduled spot, but he's nowhere to be found. You figure you'll kill some time at the bar next door—and end up spotting him there.
He's surrounded by a bunch of Cargo Crew members who are all swearing under their breath. The table is covered with playing cards and dice, and there's a pile of "loot" stacked around him.
Come on, let's go again! I've never seen anyone stay this ******* lucky playing against me. Didn't think some Construct from Babylonia would be pulling off card tricks!
I can't right now. I can play again tomorrow, but I've got an appointment coming up.
So you strut around like you're hot stuff and then try to bail? The **** you have an appointment.
The group looks ready to explode with anger, but they can't do a thing against the Construct, so they just slam the table and hurl insults.
Aren't you guys wanna f******...
Hey, boss...
He grabs his teammate's arm and gestures toward Noan, who keeps his head lowered over the card table and has his hand on his Rev Blade.
I'll let you off this time!
...Why'd you get here so early?
No, it's just a little chaotic here.
You look at the scattered playing cards on the table and remember how Noan always seems incredibly lucky at games like this...
Sure. Should we go with that simple "guess higher or lower" game we tried before? We'll take turns guessing, and whoever messes up first loses.
With a smile, Noan picks up the deck. Like last time, he only keeps the heart suit. After a quick shuffle, he places the pile in the middle, draws the top card, and flips it over—revealing the smallest heart: the Ace.
Noan nods, then draws a new card—the Seven of Hearts.
Hmm... I'll guess high too.
Following the sequence, the next card is the Three of Hearts.
I lost.
Noan smiles calmly and sets the card on the table. If he weren't sitting right in the middle of all his "spoils," this scene would look pretty convincing.
I don't know.
If you're talking about what you saw when you walked in... they were cheating at the table, and I just decided to play along with them.
But with you, it's just a normal game. No need to prep anything in advance.
If that's really how it is, he wouldn't be losing so fast. Then again, knowing him, even if you press further, he'll probably change the subject.
He places a hefty stack of chips on the table and flashes the remaining deck at Noan. After a moment's silence, he sighs, and then smiles like he's just hatched a plan.
For real? You're not gonna regret this?
Alright then... it's the Seven of Hearts.
You glance at the card hidden in your hand, and sure enough, it's the Seven of Hearts.
For the next draw, he doesn't go in order but picks one straight from the middle. He tilts his head for a moment, then calls out the right answer again.
Markings are definitely an option, but this deck doesn't have any. I used a false shuffle.
This trick makes it look like I'm shuffling, but it doesn't actually change the order of the cards. As long as I keep track of the original sequence, I can always tell what the next one will be.
My teacher showed me this ages ago. This kind of game helps you fit right in and get everyone talking.
I really want to chat with you more. How about we make our date last a little longer? We'll see the movie we planned, then grab dinner afterward.
Hmm... well then...
Noan steps forward and gently covers your eyes with his hand.
Commandant, please close your eyes.
