Xiang's Supports

• Trevor
• Anna
• Taiga

Trevor

C Support
Ah, Miss Xiang! May I have a moment of your time?
Yes?
You seem quite adept at using dark magic-
Elder magic.
Er, pardon?
The proper term is "elder magic".
Now this is exactly why I am in need of your assistance! You see, I wish to delve deeper into understanding the inner workings of various types of magic. Under normal circumstances, I would ask Felicity to help in this endeavor. However, she seems more interested in being an overall nuisance rather than a fellow arcane scholar.
So then...?
Miss Xiang, could you please teach me everything you know about da- I mean, elder magic? In return, I could teach you anything you may desire about anima magic.
Nature magic.
Wha- Oh! Fascinating. It seems I have much to learn!

Anna

C Support
Well, hey there, Xiang! Whatcha up to there?
Ah, hello, Anna. I am performing a daily divination ritual. I do this each morning to get an outlook on how the rest of the day fares.
Ohhh, cool stuff! So, how does this work? Anything special going on with these cards?
Each card in this deck has a different meaning. The one I just drew, "The Drake", represents the concept of cycles and transitions. It could either mean more of the same is in store for me today, or there will be a change in routine. I will just have to stay aware of such things.
That's really fascinating. Say, have you ever thought of doing this for other people?
What do you mean?
People out there might like a forecast on how their day goes, y'know? And you could be their go-to person to give them that foresight.
I don't know... This is something I typically only do for myself.
You'd be doing people a service, Xiang! I think everyone would be happier if they knew how to tackle the day. Plus, if we charge for it, that just means more funds for the army to work with too.
Since you put it that way, maybe I'll consider it.
Great! Oh, this is exciting. I'm gonna make flyers and everything! I'll let you know when I'm done with the prep work on my end.
(Anna leaves the scene.)
Ah, Anna, I said "maybe"! ... Usually, the predictions don't happen this fast.

B Support
Hey, Xiang! So? How's the fortune-telling business treating you?
I'm exhausted. I've had no time to myself for a week straight. Just how many people did you advertise this to?
I hung a flyer or two... Or three... Maybe closer to a dozen in the castle town's marketplace. It's a high-traffic area, y'know? More eyes means more business.
Too much business, in my opinion. This cannot be the only thing I do in my free time, Anna. I have a life outside of this.
Hm... You do have a point. Oh, here's an idea! How about I help you manage things? I can figure out timeslots, handle the finances, all the clerical stuff! That way, all you have to worry about is the readings.
Well, that will help a lot-
Okay! Time to get some new flyers made.
(Anna leaves the scene.)
Maybe I should do a quick self-reading. That's always relaxing. ... "The Turtle," but it's upside-down. Emotional instability... *sigh* I could have figured that one out on my own.

A Support
Xiang, what's going on? I thought you were completely booked today. Where is everyone?
I canceled all my appointments for the day.
You what?! But all those clients-
Can find someone else to read their fortunes. I did some research and found others who do similar readings to mine.
But why? You were really popular, Xiang!
That never mattered to me. I was only in it to help others. I do not want to shoulder that burden on my own if I can help it.
Well, I guess it is ultimately your decision. But man, we were making so much gold off of this...
As I've said before, these readings were something I did solely for myself. I find them therapeutic. It's something I do to self-reflect each day.
Hm... I get it now. Sorry for taking that away from you, Xiang. I wasn't thinking.
Now that you understand, would you like me to do a reading for you?
Huh? Are you sure?
Though I do readings for myself, I do not mind performing the occasional reading for a friend. Especially if it seems like they need time to reflect on things.
That's really kind of you, Xiang. Thanks.
Now, is there anything currently on your mind? Anything that's troubling you?
Well, other than this business venture falling through, there is something... How's my future with Jake looking? I don't want to go into the details, but I just wanna know how things turn out.
I see. For this, I'll draw three cards rather than the typical one-card readings for my daily fortune-telling. A topic like this needs more insight.
Alright.
Allow me to shuffle the deck. Now, pick three cards.
Let's see, I'll pick this one, this one, and... that one.
Now, I'll flip each card over one by one. The first card represents how your relationship is currently faring. You chose "The Phoenix." It signifies passion and energy. I don't think there's any arguing about what this is implying.
Hah, nope!
The next card represents a possible future for this relationship. For this, you chose "The Wyrm." This one symbolizes stability and growth. There won't be major problems on the road ahead, from what I can tell. And the "growth" part can range from the physical to the emotional.
"Growth," huh...? Hm...
And finally, the final card will bridge the gap between the current state and the future. The card you chose was "The Serpent." This represents taking the initiative.
I see... Yeah, I think I know what I need to do. Thanks, Xiang. Mind if we do this again sometime? I'll be sure not to ask you too often.
I would be glad to, Anna.

Taiga

C Support
Yo! Xiang! Mind helping me with something? It's something only you can do.
I suppose. For what do you need my assistance?
There's no time to explain, just follow me!
(Taiga leaves the scene.)
Ah, wait!
(Xiang chases after Taiga. Scene transitions to a gambling hall.)
Hey guys! I'm back!
Oh, Taiga. Here to lose all your gold again?
Not this time! I got a lucky charm on me. Right, Xiang?
Are you referring to me?
Not like it's gonna make a difference. Here, let's deal you in.
(Taiga is dealt her cards.)
Aw, dammit. This hand's total garbage. Xiang, what should I do?
Pardon?
You can see what the next cards are in the deck, right? So, what should I keep?
This is the reason for bringing me here?
Hey, what are you two whispering about?! Get on with it, Taiga.
Alright, alright! Don't rush me, old man!
(Time passes.)
Well, Taiga, looks like you're completely broke. Again.
Oh, shut it. Come on, Xiang. Let's get out of here.
Alright.
(Scene transitions to outside the gambling hall.)
Argh, that was a disaster! You didn't help me at all!
How am I supposed to help you when I had no idea what was going on?
Wait, you don't know how to play poker?
No?
What?! Aw, Merin, so THAT was the problem! Guess I probably should have asked first.
That would have been a wise decision, yes.
Alright, alright. I'm gonna teach you poker. And next time, we'll show those geezers what we're made of!
Okay?

B Support
Alright, let's review. Name off each hand, highest to lowest!
Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, Pair, High Card.
Now the suits, highest to lowest.
Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs.
And the highest ranked cards are?
Aces.
Aw yeah, we're definitely ready now! To the gambling hall!
(Scene transitions to the gambling hall.)
Guess who's back?
So, Taiga's back with her "lucky charm," huh?
She's super lucky now! We're gonna win big today!
We'll see about that.
So, what do you think?
Discarding two of your cards has a high chance of winning this round.
Okay, but which ones should I lose?
I don't know.
What do ya mean you don't know?!
Ha! Your lucky charm having trouble there, Taiga?
Shut your trap! Just give me a sec here, alright?!
(Time passes.)
So this is what you call "winning big," Taiga?
You all can screw off. Let's go, Xiang.
(Scene transitions to outside the gambling hall.)
What the hell was that?! That was even worse than last time! I thought you could see the future.
I can see the future, but not its exact outcomes. I can only see where the paths lead.
You could have told me that earlier.
You never asked.
... Okay. I know we can actually win next time. We just gotta figure out what your powers are trying telling us. So, once we figure out a system, we'll win for sure!
Alright.

A Support
Okay, so, what about this hand?
Discard three cards.
If it's three cards, then maybe it's a Full House? I've already got a pair of threes here. Let's see...
(Taiga discards and draws her cards.)
Hey, a Four of a Kind! Even better! Okay, Xiang, I think we got it down this time. We'll really show 'em what we've got now!
(Scene transitions to the gambling hall.)
Yo!
Ready to empty your coin pouch?
Not this time, old man! Third time's the charm.
I'm all for some easy gold. Let's deal you in, Taiga.
So?
Discard two cards.
If it's two cards, then it's probably a Straight. We've got a five, six, and seven here already. A bit weak, but it's our best option here.
Gonna discard these two.
Alright. Here are your new cards.
Straight with a High Card of nine. Not bad
Discarding three.
Okay. Time to show your hands.
Straight.
Argh... Two Pair.
Pair of queens.
Hell yeah! Suck on that!
Oh, pipe down. You won one hand. So what?
I'm tellin' ya, my lucky charm's the best. Right, Xiang?
Mmhm.
Alright, alright. Place your antes, you two.
(Time passes.)
And that brings me up to 10,000 gold.
I can't believe this!
You have to be cheating!
Nope, not in the slightest. No cards up our sleeves, no mirrors, no nothing. Just me and my lucky charm.
It's the truth.
Grr...
Anyway, good game, boys. Me and Xiang are gonna head home. 'Til next time!
(Scene transitions to outside the gambling hall.)
We did it, Xiang! All our hard work finally paid off. So, how do you wanna celebrate?
Why are you asking me?
Don't be so modest! If it weren't for your powers, we wouldn't be rolling in gold right now.
That is not completely true. You were the one who chose what cards to keep per round. Your knowledge of poker helped too.
Y'know, you have a point. Still, I've been asking a lot outta you this entire time. I think you should take the helm on this one.
In that case, could we play poker together? No stakes, just for fun.
Ha! You really liked all that, huh? But that's unfair, don't you think? You're the one who can see the future here.
As I have said before, I cannot see the exact outcomes. You have more practical experience with the game, so you can logically figure out what could be a better hand. I would say we are evenly matched.
Hm... Never thought about it that way. Alright, that settles it! You're on, Xiang!