((OOC: Presta, you did beat Billy's roll - number of successes trumps anything else, so your 3 beats his 2.  As far as Esther's roll against Mike - "social skills" can only be used to influence PCs with the other player's permission.  If both sides are willing to let the roll of the dice decide the outcome then that's fine, but you can't use dice rolls to force a PCs into doing something they don't want to.  Well, unless you physically force them, anyway, and that's a different roll.  ;)<br/><br/>Bella - it doesn't matter in this case but just for clarity your roll failed to beat Billy, not tied, since you both have the same number of successes but his highest single die - 6 - beats your 5.  A 7, 3 (for example) would have beaten him, and a 6, 3 would have been an actual tie (even though one of your dice is lower - only the highest die matters as a tiebreaker).))<br/><br/>That almost-friendly smile became a sneer as Mike stepped forward.  "Man, I really riled you up didn't I, Golden Boy?  What's the matter, no one ever beaten your ass before?  Let's get one thing straight - you'll have your chance to take a swing at me, but tonight isn't the night.  Tomorrow, this is your turf again.  Tonight?  It belongs to the night.  And the night belongs to me."  Seemingly unaware (or uncaring) of how cliche that sounded, Billy jabbed a finger at Mike for emphasis.<br/><br/>The smile returned as Esther offered to take Mike's place.  "Yes, that's a good idea, Esther.  Let's show Mike how its done so he doesn't make any more mistakes, shall we?"  He waved at her to step forward as he continued talking.  "It's very simple.  All you have to do is this:"<br/><br/>As he explained, he pantomimed each action in an exaggerated fashion, as if he were talking to small children.  "First, you walk up to the straw man.  Pick up the gas can here and sprinkle on some holy water.  As you do, raise your right hand - hell, or your left, I'm not racist - and say 'I swear I will never tell'."  As he raised his hand to illustrate, he flexed his arm and the twisting of his muscles seemed to make the tattoos crawl across his skin.<br/><br/>He spun back around to face them, his purple cat's eyes focused on Esther and his voice and expression full of energy.  "Now the hard part is over with.  You're almost done.  See the mirror that the straw man is wearing?  No, not me, the other straw man."  Here he almost doubled over with booming laughter before regaining his composure and intensity.  "Stare deep into it.  Meet your own gaze.  And then make a wish upon a star.  Make any wish you like!  Say it however you like!  Speak it aloud, or say it softly.  You could even whisper in its ear like a little girl if you wanted," he finished tauntingly.<br/><br/>Here he raised a finger, shaking it mock-warningly.  "But wish carefully.  This is the only freebie you get, after all.  And as a piece of advice?  Don't try to be clever.  Wish for something for you.  Try to cheat and you'll get what you asked for... but not what you want."<br/><br/>Suddenly he hopped back a couple steps, laughing as he seemingly almost lost his balance and tipped into the bonfire.  "Don't worry, Esther, I'm way over here.  I won't interfere.  Be a brave girl and lead the way for once."