Me, Bob, Qwais and Husk are playing poker on a poker table that Alastor materialized for us next to the bar. We convinced Vaggie that it's only for entertainment purposes, but that didn't stop us from using pocket change to bet. How does Bob play with his arms restrained? Let me tell you, he makes it work with just his duck bill.
"Fold." Qwais says.
"Raise." Bob nudges two nickels.
*Blue* "Call." Me and Husk plop our change on the table.
I currently have a pair of two, Jack, Ace and a Queen. On the table is a three, eight, King, five and Ace. Two pairs, baby. I can feel the win in my hands! But I keep my cool with a poker face.
"You have a good hand, so I fold." Husk says putting his cards to the pile.
"Me too." Bob also returns his hand.
*Red* "What do you mean? I was keeping a straight face the whole time."
"Your face may be unreadable, but your scales tells us what we need to know. I've been keeping my eye on your color and it has been constantly going on to our favor." Bob explains. Dammit! I thought I had it in the bag!
"I can't help it! Outside of Theater Mode, I have no control over them." Man. Fuck this bullshit!
"You boys having fun?" Lily approaches the table. "Danny boy, do you mind accompanying me upstairs? I need to discuss an important matter with you."
*Blue* "All right. Not like I'm going to win anything here." I get up and follow her to Kain's room. The place is bigger than my room. Could be for him to have a place for his fashion supplies.
"Hello Lilian and Daniel!" Kain greets us with his tail wagging happily. Lily immediately strips naked, showing off her curves. Kain activates his ability which he calls "Larger Than Life" and quickly goes to work for her measurements.
"So what did you want to talk about?" I sit on the bed.
"Today is the grand opening of the Feline Fever and I want to make it an impactful event!" She caresses her voluptuous figure. Now she's just showing off. "After the battle with Richard, the demons clamor for more bloodshed. And who am I to deny the request of my guests?"
"Uhuh. That's great and all, but where do I fit in this?"
"Isn't it obvious? You're going to participate in the fights I've set up."
*Red* "What!? Sorry to disappoint you, but I only fight out of self-defense. Plus, I don't want everyone to know my whole kit for them to learn how to counter me." This woman thinks I'm going to expose myself for fun.
"Danny Danny Danny boy. It's cute to think you have a choice in this matter. I already asked Alastor for permission and he granted it. You're already listed in the ranks." Something snaps inside me.
*Black* "I am not a fucking dog you guys get to fucking toy around with!" ASTL is summoned and wraps around Lily. She is barely breathing. "I am sick and tired of everyone deciding what I do! I am the master of my own destiny! NO ONE ELSE BUT ME!" She tries to breathe, but the tentacles get tighter around her neck.
"Daniel! Please take a chill pill, bro!" Kain sprints towards me. ASTL smacks him against the wall.
"Kain!" Hngh! My fucking head hurts! *Red* "ASTL stop!" As commanded, it releases Lily and retreats back to my shadow. I check up on Kain. "You okay?"
"Y-Yea. I'm good." I help him get up. He goes to Lily, who is coughing uncontrollably.
What was that? I know I can get mad if someone questions my acting, but I don't know what came over me. Maybe it's all the stress. But ASTL was summoned on its own. Lily already knows its trigger, so why did it appear?
"How dare you…" Lily starts speaking. "How dare you harm me!? You should be thankful I'm even giving you an opportunity to step in to my establishment! You were already banned, but Alastor convinced me about letting you participate in the event!"
*Gray* "Your mistake for trusting him." I walk to the door. "You know, Lily. I thought that experience has changed you into becoming a better person and Shirley ascending has proved you wrong. But you've been trying to get your shitty club repaired and hiring the same people who left your ass behind. You haven't even attempted to try and that makes me sick. I guess you're a lost cause after all."
"You son of a bitch!" She tries to lunge at me, Kain holds her back. I leave the room. Don't want to deal with anyone right now. I pass Angel Dust, who is sucking on a popsicle like a dick. So the usual.
"You're looking pretty washed out?" He smirks.
"I just don't get it, Angel. Why doesn't anyone want to ascend to Heaven? A feat thought to be impossible, until we saw it with our own eyes!"
"Eh. I guess they prefer it here."
*Red* "But why!? If you're not an Overlord, you'll be fucked over out there and you have to suck their dicks in order to survive! Don't you want to ascend and be free from Valentino?" He looks away from me and stays silent. "I have been robbed forever of my freedom because of my fucking father! I just want others to have the opportunity I'll never have. I know you're a good person. You helped escape from the stri-"
"Cut that shit! I only did it, cause I owed you for the help with that crazy bird. Don't read too much into it."
*Gray* "...I see. Sorry to bother you then." I turn around and start walking to my room. I thought I saw a worried expression from the corner of my eyes, but that must be my imagination.
Here I am. In the solitude of my room…What am I doing? It has been months and there's barely any progress! Everybody that's not Charlie and Vaggie have been nothing but assholes! *Black* Now I'm stuck here suffering for sins that are not even mine! Overlords are after me, Alastor is a motherfucker and FUCK EVERYTHING!
"You poor child." ASTL quickly strikes Shirley. But because she's a figment of my imagination, it hits the wall.
"At least try to pretend to be hurt."
"Look at you, being corrupted by your frustration and sin. That was not the freedom I was suggesting."
"The fuck you know about me!?"
"Umm. I'm you. I would know what I'm talking about. If it's not a sin, it's Alastor. If it's not Alastor, then it's an Overlord. And then the chain keeps getting longer with no end in sight."
"Fuck off, brain. I'll find a way to get to Heaven." I open the window.
"What about the people you are helping to ascend?"
"What about them? If they want help, they got Charlie for that. No one will miss me." I crawl down from the building. I need to know how to ascend to Heaven. I will not suffer because of someone else anymore!
