[Flashback] How would a Bob cheat (Solo)

[Bob Barton]

27th day of Summer 502 AV

Yes Bob had his magic to cheat, but he could not always rely on that especially when he only learned it recently. He was so bad at it to the point he would actually get caught if he played with another person who could use magic, or if a person was observant enough. Bob could if he wanted to just work on the magic so he can control it better but who was he kidding, Bob work? He would just learn one of the other methods in the book like the one he was looking at now. It looked really simple if he thought about it.

It was for dice, one of Bob's favorite things to play with. It always comes out the way you least expected it unlike cards where it would depend on your opponent as well unless, you did something to the dice. Bob had a few old dices right in front of him now. Things he was never going to use again and according to the book, he had to...did he read this right? "Hammer a nail right into the die?" That was going to ruin his dice! Who was the moron who added this into the book? A "Gamith Barton?" Well, lets just hope that this man is not an idiot in a family of geniuses.

The best roll Bob would want if of course the six, it was the most! It helped a lot too that it was right opposite the one. That gave Bob the target he needed for the nail. He fitted the nail right into the middle of the hole of one and steadied his hand. "BAM! BAM! BAM!" the nail went in deeper and deeper until....it broke into half. "Thanks Gamith, you just destroyed a good die" and now it goes into the trash just like every other useless and ruined thing out there. Gamith should belong right there too.

Bob was thinking of just ripping out the page and throwing it out when he looked at it again. The diagram showed that the nail was supposed to go in the middle. "I did that!" but Bob's nail was just a lot more longer. Now he had to waste somemore time to look for a shorter nail. "Stupid Gamith, next time tell the important thing like this more early!" and went looking for his uncle again. Uncle Marny had a lot of neat things and one of them were tiny nails, happy birthday Bob! Now he can go and try this again with a smaller nail. Not wanting to break another die, Bob made a little test first. The die and nail went side by side as he tried to see how tall they were. It looked good enough, the nail was a lot more shorter than the die. In fact, Bob took another nail just to see "two..." and another "three...Three nails?" That was pretty long for one die. Lucky Bob only needed one.

He did it to the one again and it went "BAM! BAM! BAM!" until the nail went in. "YES!" it worked but now there was "a strange metal think sticking out of the die?" Wasn't something like this meant to be discreet? But here it was, a foreign object where anyone who wasn't blind can see. Oh well, it was time to test out his brand new-old die. Bob threw it a few times on the table. Each time the roll resulted in a six, which was nice but...everytime he picked it up after that he could feel the nail head on the other face and when he looked at it saw a reminder that this was going to get him caught. Why did he do this again? Oh right...so that he won't get caught while using magic to cheat.

[Bob Barton]

At least he now knows that it works. Bob can forget about it being detected for now. There was actually another way that looked much more easier but Bob was beginning to get bored of the dice. He'll try it later, right after he tried the card cheating method. Oh yes there were two quite similar ones so Bob would have to test out both to see which one suited him better. The one which relied on him or the one which relied on another tool he had to make. Making tools sounded like a lot of hard work. He would have to try with using his own skills first.

Bob changed his shirt, yes he did. He needed a long sleeved shirt to...keep the cards in. Looking at the mirror it was definitely "not my style" but sacrificed had to be made for the sake of victory. Then he sat at the table to start shuffling the cards. This was going to be a fashion disaster. Bob stopped to fold his sleeve inwards and had to do it as discreetly as possible. Good then that he would be able to cheat and to still look normal and not a walking weirdo who dresses funny. They would be laughing so badly that he won't even have to cheat anymore.

He continued shuffling again and following the book he was "supposed to get the card into the bridge of the sleeve..." What the! He needed to do that while shuffling? That sounded just too hard unless he slowed down. Maybe he read the book wrong. "No?" Not only was he supposed to get the card into his sleeve while he was shuffling, he was supposed to shuffle in a way that other people won't be able to notice his cards and the book says the simplest way to make sure of that is to "shuffle as fast as possible"

Who was Bob to question the book even if this thing was written by a Monag Barton? Why did they all have funny names? It should be something simple like Bob. Then no one would have any difficulties remembering your name even if you are in some important record. So following what Monag said, Bob shuffled faster and faster until it was time to put the card into his sleeve. He pulled a random card out a little from the deck and increased its exposed area each time the cards were moved until it reached the top, a lot harder that it looked. "Now!" Bob rammed the entire deck into his sleeve trying to fit the card into his sleeve. Oh yes it went in but it bent and bent until it pushed the entire deck out and sent all the cards flying scattered.

"You know what Monag? I am just going to do this my own way" and what would Bob's own way be? The simple way of course. What was the simple way? The one which won't make flying scattering cards all over the place like what Bob had clean up now. Since it was just a test he could make things easier for him right? Bob arranged the cards face up in front of him taking note of where the cards he wanted were. Then when the deck was done properly he looked for those cards, taking them out and piling them into a neat little stack at the side. A stack full of picture cards of high value.

Now Bob had two stacks in front of him. The normal deck less the stack of high cards which he wanted at its side. "This would work like..." putting both cards together face down, Bob took the big card on the top with one hand and put it into his hand. "Thats one...and two..." he said continuing as the cards increased in his hand. With two cards already in his hand he put the third one into his sleeve when he brought the card close. "Still two but I there should be three now and four next..." and at that he pulled his fingernail through the deck until he reached the top feeling for two cards above it. Holding it with his thumb he pulled the two cards together making them look like he was only drawing one card. "Just nice, four here and one in the sleeve" taking the last and final card.

Still, the way he did it was soooooo slow Bob won't be able to rely on it without a lot of practice. So he was going to need to try the next method. What he needed was a "holdout device? Never heard of it" and the way to make one was a whole lot harder than loading up dice. Looking at the diagram gave Bob a little headache. He was supposed to make that? No, no, he was a gambler and not a maker of strange devices and then he spotted the note at the bottom. "It is possible to rig other devices for the same effect. Like a "spring blade? Isn't that what assassins use?" Don't ask Bob how he knew this, he just hears a lot of things.

[Bob Barton]

Getting hold of something like that was going to be hard. Not only was it something you can't get in a store, it was also something that no one would admit to having. Would you like to be known as an assassin in a city? No you won't. One murder and then they will come knocking at you door. Hmmm has Bob heard about anyone like that? Probably not. How about...Uncle Marny? Nah, after asking for an oddly sized nail Uncle Marny would be suspicious of what he is doing since he had to ask about an assassin's weapon too unless he asked it right?

Bob took the chance, he was a gambler was he not? "Hey uncle, heard of any assassinations in Zeltiva lately? Probably using a hidden knife or something?" Asking something like this would probably get him told off and Uncle Marny questioning his nephew unless there was a valid reason for asking and that reason was "uhhhh...some of the guys have been talking about it" yeah lets go with that. "You know? This guy went into this house and killed this guy the other night" very vague Bob knew, but he will let his uncle fill in the blanks if he wanted to answer anything. Bob was getting rather good in making up stories but sometimes its better to "co-ordinate" with other people. "Its what everyone is talking about uncle though it might be old news too. You know how we all are in this boring old city always needing something to talk about." and that thing can be old and new as long as it works.

"So yes uncle, assassin? House? Murder? Hidden weapons? Mysteriously and expertly done? Know anything about it?" but since Uncle Marny was busy handling a patient he hurriedly dismissed Bob to get back to work without saying anything. So much for that plan. But once he was done the patient which was with him came up to Bob. "So you want to know about that incident eh boy?" So there was an incident?!? That was lucky and "of course I want to know about it. Hurry up and tell me!" he asked excitedly but forgetting what else like "what do you want to know about it boy?" until the patient reminded him.

"Everything!" Lets start with what Bob needed which was "what weapon did he use? The special assassin type weapons like a spring blade?" very specific for Bob which was what they said that the assassin used and then "did they catch the assassin?" If not then how was Bob going to ask where to get the springblade from? The assassin did escape that skilled bastard but "he won't get far since it only just happened a few days ago and everyone is still hunting him down" It just happened? Thats good news. Maybe Bob could try and find him before the trail runs cold. "So where did the assassination take place? Who got killed?" not so much of an assassination. Just a lowly merchant bringing in his wares at the dock.

There were more things that Bob could have asked about but then those were the only questions he could have thought off before running over to the docks. Interesting, very interesting. Even if he did not get the springblade at least he might be able to find out something interesting at the place. Who would have thought that something that he made up actually happened just like that? Was this what people referred to as destiny? Meh no such thing. Its only something stupid that people believed in like the gods.

[Bob Barton]

Then he reached the docks. Now it was time to just ask around about where specifically in the docks the assassination took place. Pretty easy, all Bob needed to do was go up to the first person he saw and ask "hey, heard about that assassination? Pretty bad thing to happen here right? Speaking of which do you know where it was?" After that he was pointed to the right direction. A warehouse where the merchant oversaw his trade. Not his lucky day since it was still cordoned off but that did not mean that Bob still could not have a look around.

Bob could not enter so he just looked around. The assassin could not have went and left through the front door now could he? Bob was no assassin but even he knew that the idea itself was stupid. No one will ever catch him doing that in the future if he ever needed to do something like that, or will they? He is Bob so no one would ever know what he is thinking but an assassin that already did his job? That would probably be something that people can guess if they really put their mind to it.

That was what he did as he walked around the building taking care not to get caught. There were a few other people but then if he avoided those that would be easy. Before he started he noticed one thing they had around the warehouse and gave a little giggle of amusement as something worked into his brain. A lot of the items around the place were covered with a tarp. Looking around to make sure no one was near, Bob pulled one of the tarps over the boxes and put it on him to disguise himself as one of the wares but found out what was wrong when he started walking and slammed into another box. He could not see and he will stumble over everything else.

Needing something sharp for eyeholes, Bob caught a glimpse of a scissors right on top of a box but the problem was that it was near one of those people he was trying to avoid. How close could he get without behind caught? Pretty close with the tarp? "But I might bump into something again..." he muttered to himself and then he would get caught since it was a pretty distinct sound the first time he did it. It was still worth a shot and Bob tried to memorize the route he would use to get to the scissors with the tarp over him. "Between those two crates, around that one and then right beside that one..." That could work.

Bob shuffled his feet so that he could advance slowly while brushing his hands gently to the side to feel for where he was going. Very, very quietly until he reached the scissors. When he reached the scissors Bob said a little "Yes!" but remembered that he still could not see under the tarp. It was on top of a box, at least he knew that so how hard could it be? Bob fumbled through the tarp to get at the scissors and it did make some noise until he heard the man nearby ask "Rick? Did you hear something?" Ok Bob time not to move and maybe he will go away but noooooo, the man went on to say "Hey Rick did you ever see this thing before? What do you think is under it?" What was under it? "I am under it you moron!" Bob thought to himself and was this idiot going to open the tarp and expose him just because of his curiosity? Bob stiffened thinking that not even daring to breathe in case it will expose him faster until someone, probably this Rick spoke out "you know all these are evidence so don't you dare touch it!"

He could hear a moan of disappointment and for a few moments after footsteps leading away. Was the man gone now? That was lucky. Bob was finally able to loosen up. If he was really gone it would make things easier. Slowly, Bob got the tarp off him and saw that he was all alone. He got to work quickly cutting some eyeholes into it and putting the tarp over him. "Petch!" Wrong spots, he still could not see anything. "Did you say something Rick?" and Bob should not swear out loud too. Cutting from the inside now Bob made some eyeholes and started walking away around the area.

[Bob Barton]

A tarp on him was just like those ghost costumes some of those other kids would wear to parties. All fine and good for Bob. An assassin was like a ghost and this would be the closest that Bob could be to that. Lurking around the outskirts of the building while trying to blend in with the other things under traps, Bob was practically invisible. Almost. As long as he did his best to not make a sound, no one would notice him. Impossible. Even keeping himself among all the other things, this was still a dock and had a...wooden floor. While Bob tried to get past without anyone noticing him, the muffled sounds of his footsteps echoed between the crates forcing him to stop in his tracks each time he heard that. In the end he went back to sliding his feet seeing that even if it was a lot more slower, it was a lot more safer if he did not want to get detected.

At least it gave Bob a lot more time to look around as he walked. He had to get creative. All those things he heard about assassins, they normally came in from where you least expected it. So "not the door..." for the obvious reason Bob thought of earlier. Unless the assassin knew that people would be expecting it to be not expected and then the expectation is..."so confusing..." and then Bob saw it. If you cannot go through the door, then why don't you go through the window? Its high and hard to get to so no one would expect you to go from there which would make it perfect.

Perfect for a tall assassin. Bob could not even reach it let alone climb through it. He would need something to help him like the trashcan to the side. Arranging it right below the window, Bob stood up on it and made a grab at the window but just as he was about to lift himself up, the tarp got in his way and tripped him making him topple over the trashcan with a "Crash!" tipping over all its contents below him. Ewwwwwwwwww, or "what?" this were strange things for a warehouse. Rummaging through, Bob finally found what he wanted. A spring blade!

But why would something like that be here? The only logical explaination was that Bob was right and this was the route the assassin used. On his way out he must have disposed of his weapon why throwing it into the trash. Well, his loss was Bob's gain and Bob took up the springblade to test it out. "Hehehe..." that was fun. Everytime he pulled the cord it went "SWISH!" to pop the blade up which after he had to push it in again. Bob played with it for a while longer trying to figure out what to do until he heard someone shouting "what are you doing back here?"

It looks like Bob has just overstayed his welcome. Since he no longer had to hide he discarded the tarp. Throwing it at the direction of this interrupter to distract him and give enough time for his escape. Without looking back Bob ran home with his prize. Running through the warehouse with his springblade hidden in his arms past the docks with everyone hoping that no one would be able to identify the weapon he was holding and running past Uncle Marny into his room before the man could say anything about Bob's little mad rush.

[Bob Barton]

In his room, Bob looked at the diagram in the book then "SWISH!" at the springblade on the table. It looked so similar, but then it looked so different. Instead of starting the making first, Bob decided to get a feel of the weapon. After all, this was an opportunity of a lifetime. He never knew when he was going to get his hands on an assassin's weapon like this again. Bob fastened it on his hand and just kept pulling on the cord with his pinky. "SWISH, SWISH, SWISH, SWISH!" just to see how the blade will just pop out of his sleeve. If done right, the cards would be the..."OUCH!" The petching thing cut him.

"Nothing is going on uncle!" Bob yelled as soon as he heard his uncle asking what was going on. A painful experience but just so thrilling. This was a weapon capable of hurting himself and anyone who tried to go against him. Actually, a pretty good weapon for him to use. It was like Bob the midget going up to his enemies like the pillow he got propped up on his bed, punch his fist forward while pulling on the cord and letting the blade go "SNIKT!" on impact. Awesome! The pillow got ripped into half and the stuffing is flying all over. Oh wait, no! Uncle Marny is going to kill Bob just like he did with the pillow. "Did I just accidentally assassinate myself?"

Then be better get working on the weapon before his uncle gets his hands on it and uses it on himself. On a first glance Bob could just see that the only thing different from the springblade and the device he is supposed to make is the blade itself. The blade would have to be switched out with what will soon be the clip to steal and hold the cards in his hand. This was going to have to be approached delicately so that Bob won't risk damaging the device...too badly that is.

Very, very delicate as Bob could be. Taking out a hammer and a long piece of metal, Bob started hammering the metal into the line which showed where the two sides of the device met with a "BANG! BANG! BANG!" until finally it came apart. "Just some work I brought home uncle!" which was true so he won't be lying this time at least. Bob saw all the springs and wires all over the place giving him a slight headache. He will look into this another time when he would need to custom make his own. But for today it was just a little test.

All the test involved was switching the blade out. Carefully, Bob took out the blade in his hands the best he could without interfering or removing the other mechanical contents of the device. "Cold steel, a lot more sharper than cards..." he said reminding himself as he handled the blade. Now all there was to it was to add the clip. Uncle Marny had plenty of those for medical purposes but for Bob this was a pretty good cause as well. The cause of lining up his pockets. Bob snuck to where his uncle kept his medical supplies rummaging through the cupboard until the door suddenly opened. "I can hear you even with that noisy old patient of mine Bob, what were you up to?" Despite him trying his best to move around the things quietly in his search, Uncle Marny still caught him.

This is all..."for work Uncle Marny, very delicate work!" on a very rare item and it will "definitely help me with my future" one of the lies Bob always used to get away with anything with Uncle Marny. After his uncle bought the lie yet again, Bob ran up to his room and quickly installed the clip on where the sword used to be with a long stick connecting between the device and clip.

[Bob Barton]

"At last, my masterpiece is completed!" raising his new accomplishment proudly into the air. Time to test out how it worked. Bob put it under his sleeve and put the cord around his pinky. Shuffle, shuffle, shuffle. At least this time he did not have to actually try and put the card into his sleeve himself. The holdout device would do the job when he pulled on the cord and "SNIKT" clip on one of the cards. Nice! It worked very well but one problem...how was he going to get the card back into the sleeve.

Which brought to more problems than he hoped to fixed. Simplest was to put the biggest card into his sleeve before the game and, tadaa~ The card will magically be on his hand when he needed it to be with so much effort as moving a finger. A simple solution until he could of course find out a better way to use it. That would of course be a lot of work on his part. Work that he would rather avoid. But for now this would have to do. Maybe one day not only he can make this into a cheating device, he could also use it for self protection since it was made from a weapon itself. Never know when he would need something to stab at someone if they find out that he has been cheating.

A little bit more practice before "I turn in for the night." Bob clipped the card on and played a mock game of cards with himself. What would be the best card for this game? An ace of course. That was the reason why it is called the ace, because according to the term it was "the ace in my sleeve!" Bob said with a chuckle feeling very satisfied at his own pun. Bob drew his first card and as usual it was a value of ten. "This shyke is just too common" he told himself before pulling out the second card.

Regardless what he got, the second card was put into his sleeve. Not that sleeve, the other sleeve without the ace. Just like what he would have to do in a real game, Bob tried to distract his make believe opponent. "Look! Its...its...Free cookies!" he shouted out pointing the card right in front of him. A better distraction for a real game but he wanted to believe that this make believe opponent would buy it so that was what happened.

While he did that he bent the card a little down the middle so that it would go into his sleeve better. "Now!" while his opponent was distracted, he reached the second card into his sleeve and pushed it in. No one would ever suspect or know it was there unless they really saw it. Yeah right! But it will be a hard lesson he would have to learn on his own. Now missing one card, it was time for it to appear. With a little tug, it came out. "SNIKT!" His ace in his sleeve. Such fun. A working pun and a method of victory all in one.

[Oracle]

Name: Bob Barton

XP Award:

• Gadgeteering +2
• Gambling +1
• Interrogation +1
• Stealth +1
• Camouflage + 1

Lore:

• No One Gets it Right the First Time
• Holdout Device (Basic concept)
• The Sneaking Cargo Ghost Disguise
• Using a "Weapon" to Cheat
• Using a Converted Spring blade

Notes: Your converted Spring blade can now be used in future threads to further fill your pockets with Gold Mizas.


If you have any concerns with this please PM me and let me know.

A.S. Oracle