The Bet (part 3)

"What the Hell?! What the Hell is this situation?! I finally meet my Earth family, that was so good and pure hearted to take in me and my sister when we had nowhere to go, after all these years. And out of all the places that I could possibly run into them; it had to be in the last place that I would ever imagine. It just had to be in the place, that I would rather pluck my feathers off one by one, very slowly and painfully I might add, than take one step in. Ever. Except for work related business." Joan thought all of this inside her head while Cuphead and Mugman was trying to figure out what she was doing. She was just sitting there, staring, and not saying anything. "Uhhh...you okay there miss? I need to, um, take your order now if that's ok with you?" As Cuphead said that, he took out his notepad and pencil ready to take her order. If she can somehow get out of this awkward position that she's put herself in.

"Think Joan! You need to say something! You can't just keep sitting here and continue to say nothing! It's already creeping them out! Especially to Cuphead. C'mon! Think! He's asking for your order! Pick up and look at the menu and order something! Or at least ask for the specials that he thinks is good! Speak up!" Joan nervously thought this to herself and finally opened her mouth to speak and was at least able to get a few words in until~... "Actually I would like to ask for your opinio-," As she was about to finish her question, a sudden uproar of noise consisting of loud cheering and booing disrupted her from speaking any further. Especially when she heard Adrian's name come up from the crowd of voices. "Hey, isn't that your friend who I just took his order just a moment ago?" Cuphead pointed towards the dealers table where a swarm of people were gathered. She suddenly got up from her seat and made a dash towards the crowd, fearing the worst. The brothers were a little startled and tried to call her back but by the time that they tried to say something to her, she was already there and couldn't hear them calling for her.

She tried to ask politely for the people to step aside to let her through, but all that got her was a harsh shove from an impolite demon with a two piece suit, shiny shoes, and medium sized horns. She stumbled over her feet because of the push and almost landed on the floor. But someone caught her. She looked up and saw that it was humanoid person that was made entirely of poker chips. He was dressed from head to toe in cowboy themed clothes, including the boots! His voice and mannerisms were also like that of a cowboy as well. For a moment she almost thought that he WAS an authentic cowboy from the wild wild west. "Are you alright ma'am? You almost took a nasty fall there. Don't you know that you can't dive in head first into mob like that? Are you new to this casino? Or are you just crazy?" Joan noticed that he was also carrying a pistol on his waistbelt. She took that opportunity to grab it and fire a few rounds in the air. 'BAM!' 'BAM!' 'BAM!' she fired in the air until the crowd dispersed. And when they, (the crowd of people) did, she handed back the pistol to its owner, who she didn't know at the time, was one of the employees of the casino, Chips Bettigan. And let's just say, he was both flabbergasted and impressed. He also felt a little fear when she said, "Come with me for a little bit, hmm? I might need you. For 'special' reasons." Chips took a hard 'GULP!' and did what she said. Even though she didn't have the pistol in her hands anymore, something inside his gut and inner conscience was warning him to do what she said or he'd be on the wrong side of his own pistol. He clearly could tell that she was upset, but that wasn't compared to how she was going to react when she was about to find out what Adrian had done.

The dealing table was covered with scattered playing cards. And the money, betting chips, and valuable items were centered in the middle of the table. And one of those items that were placed in the center of the betting table, was Joan's precious heart shaped gold locket that she got from Elder Kettle on her and her sister's birthday. It was only a few weeks before it was time for the girls to leave, and that locket was the one of the only things that had pictures of both her mortal family and her immortal family. It had fancy engravings on both the front and the back. The front had her first name engraved in calligraphic writing and on the back was an engraved picture of a Poinsettia, which is her favorite flower. And even though it was old, it was well kept. No wear and scratches on it whatsoever. She took care of it like it was her own heart that was hanging around her neck. Though she mostly kept it in a bag or pocket to not attract unnecessary attention, since it was a very impressive looking piece of jewelry. And now seeing it on one of the Devil's Casino betting tables for everyone to see,...well it was like Hell itself was staring at her inner heart like it was some prize to be won over! And by gambling means no less! The dealer, was a skeleton racing horse named Phear Lap said, "Better luck next time, buddy. This just ain't your game." Joan looked over and saw that a very distressed looking Adrian. He was holding his head and groaning very deeply. It wasn't till she walked over to him and calmly(?) said his name. "Adrian? What did you do?" He suddenly looked up towards her and tried to explain that he was just playing cards with only a few poker chips and then somehow, it escalated to the point where there was no return. He asked her to please forgive him and to lend him some money so that he can get it all back. But she simply turned around and walked towards Chips and asked, "Sir, I know I took your gun without your permission, and I am deeply sorry for that. But I am asking for your permission now. Please give me the gun so that I can shoot this idiot's arms and hands so that he won't ever do something this stupid again?" Chips didn't really know how to react to this request. The fact that she said something so serious and malicious with a calm but happy(?) expression on her face, just made him even more nervous. He looked over to Phear with a look that said, "Help me! Do something! Or else this can get out of hand!"

He took the hint, and said, "O-kay, hold your horses there miss. How about we settle this with a different game? If you win, you get everything you see here on the table. But if I win, this here loot will belong to the casino. Do we have an agreement?" Joan gave him a glare so deadly that Phear honestly thought that he was going to drop dead where he stood. But she breathed a heavy sigh and replied, "Alright, I'll play your game. But if you ever so much as to back out of our agreement even the slightest bit, and if there is even a hint of cheating during this game. ...You sir, and this whole bloody casino, shall burn in flames so hot that not even the Devil himself can withstand how agonizing and torturous it will be! Do you understand sir?" He nervously nodded in agreement. "What game are we playing?" He nervously pointed towards the table that had numerous letters and numbers printed on top. And right in the middle of the table was a pair of dice. "So we're playing that, huh? How cliche." Joan thought this, but didn't say it out loud. She didn't want to put herself in a situation worse than this.

As they started the game, Joan was unaware of the dangers lurking around the corner. Literally. There was an imp with a club, or in more precise description, a clover shaped, tail peeking around the corner from across the room. He stared at her closely and grew suspicious. He decided to report it to the 'Boss' and let him know that she could possibly be an enemy in their territory. Once he did this, his 'Boss' replied, "Hmmm...how interesting. Never had this happen before. Let's make this situation even more interesting. Make sure you tell the bouncers this. And to make sure my theory is right, when the spell on those pair of dice take effect, and she screws up, make sure you take that locket and bring it to me. After that, the bouncers will step in and chase them out. But make sure that our 'guests' take the money. I have a good hunch that they'll be back." And with a meniacle smirk on his face he let out an evil laugh and sent the imp to do his bidding. The wheels were in motion, everything went according to plan. And when the dice's spell took effect, it was going to land on a Snake Eyes. But before it could, Joan yelled out in frustration, and unintentionally used her cracked British voice, "Bloody Hell!" Then she took the side of her fist and hit the table so hard that there was a slight dent in it. And without her knowing it, releasing her angelic powers in a wave that cancelled out all of the possible cheating spells that the Devil had casted on the games, including the dice. The dice landed on a different number and she won. But just like how the Devil had planned, everything went haywire. The imp jumped on the table and snatched the locket. And before Joan could catch the imp, the bouncers were already making their way towards them. They managed to get out with the money and other valuables, but not with her locket. She was very close to crying again, but she held in her tears and said to herself, "I'll get it next time! I'll just use the other powers that I have to sneak in there and take it back! Even if I have to anihilate that imp that took it, to get it!" While she was methodically planning her break in, Adrian tried his best to apologise. But so far his words weren't taking effect. "Well at least we have enough money to have a good time with your mom and find a pleasant stay at the hotel where they're holding the convention!" This was true, and that fact alone was the only forgiving grace that Adrian was going to get out of her. She can hold a grudge for a while and sometimes that, in itself, was going to be a problem. At least for him. But he knew that she would forgive him, eventually. And that she was already planning on something to get her locket back. For as long as he's known her, she was never the one to give up a fight. Especially if it involved with evil and dark creatures, like the Devil. Adrian sighed and grabbed Joan by the hand and told her that everything is going to be okay and that they'll get the locket back for sure. Joan WAS angry at him for getting her in this situation, but she couldn't help but be comforted by that big brother-like personality of his. She smiled and said, "Yeah we'll get it back, but first let's find our destination, then plan on how we get the locket back. Ok?" He nodded in agreement and off they went with holding each other's hands and holding the sacks of cash in the other hand and with confidence in their hearts, they set off to find the convention.

To be continued...