Poker facede (Orian's perspective)

"All in."

"All in."

"I fold."

"Coward. I add 10 100 dollar chips"

So he calls him a coward but only puts in 10 chips? Pathetic.

"Ok please show us your hands."

"Royal flush! Eat that Roy!!!"

" Pair of Ace's."

"Garbage utter trash."

"Same here."

This game is boring. I cannot understand them. What do they even see in poker? Come to think of it Dealer enjoys poker as well. It's not his favorite thing, but it's at least in his top ten. Maybe I'll ask him to teach me how to play, maybe than I'll understand it.

Speak of the devil!

Dealer wallks into the main casino area from the smoking balcony, he looks to be lighting up a new cigarette. That's strange, unlike most casinos Hellsbane Doesn't allow smoking unless you're on a certain balcony.

The poker players at the table next to me are arguing with each other about cards in the sleeves and whatnot. No way not with Sriracha as their dealer, she has some sort of seventh sense when it comes to these things. Seventh because she's an elf. They have a sixth sense for magic, in her former clans case flame magic. She was kicked out of her clan for dealing with humans, as all elf's who do so without direct permission from the queen or clan leader are. She like most flame elf's has pale skin, acidic orange eyes and Orange hair, she also has a brand two fairy wings with a broken looking line down the middle. A sign of banishment amongst her clan, and all elven territory.

And right now she looks pissed.

I ignore their arguing over wether or not Sofie cheated and head twords my husband. He looks upset, I'm on my 20 minute break but I think I'll need a bit more than the 10 minutes I have left to ask him what's on his mind. He's smoking indoors as I mentioned before that's not a good sign. The only time he dose so is when he's upset about something or, to tired to give a fuck. I reach him and hop up to grab the cigarette out of the space next to his mask and toss it in the nearest waste bin. Then I look him in the eyes,

"What's wrong sugar?"

He sounds withdrawn.

"I told Destiny, told her about Star and the Nightmare."

" Oh Del let's not talk about that here."

I shout over to Manny the guy taking over for my break.

"HEY MAN I NEED A SECOND CAN YOU HOLD DOWN THE FORT?"

The Minotaur just gives me a thumbs up from the hostess stand. That guy's so American it's almost stupid, since you know he's from Greece.

I take Dealers hand and we walk twords the red employees only sign marking the door that leads to the what would you call it?

housing? Resident area?

Well whatever it's called it's the doorway home.

we reach the door he reluctantly enters the passcode 11230 I don't know the significance of the number, but it must have some sort of significance to be the password to the home of a bunch of outcasts and fugitives. Well Everlast is a fugitive anyways, only in America, Japan and throughout the kitsune world. Most others aren't wanted criminals, well most... We walk over to the sitting area. I sit on the black leather sofa and motion for him to sit as well. He sits, and begins to speak.

"I'm ok, Orian really. All I need to do is to get back to work and I'll be fine."

" Nope we're talking about it, and if you think there's nothing to talk about then we'll just sit here till there is."

" But-"

" No buts. And if you try to escape I'll just copy myself and block the door."

He mumbles something about teleporting.

" I can do that to Love, there is no way out of this conversation."

" Orian there's really nothing to talk about. I'm fine, really just a bit tired."

I put his hands in mine I know he try's to hide things from me, but he never lies.

"are you sure?"

"Positive. "

I look him in the eyes. He isn't lying but I'm still worried.

"You know Orian, if you were anyone else I would have just walked off. I am grateful that you're worried about me, but I don't want you to have to worry. "

He moves his hand to my cheek gets up and walks away.

Damit.

I'm sick of this. This dream is hurting him he apparently hasn't been able to sleep properly since the slaughter in the mountains.

that happened well before we were together, the only reason I know is because some of the other workers had seen him getting out of bed for a late night smoke.

It's all my fault if only I hadn't been Stoneteller's connected if only I had realized what Vengeance was before it set in, if only...

there are to many ifs.

IF I hadn't been Stoneteller's connected hell if I never met the guy, Solar, Luna and I would still be wandering the forest easy pickings for any passing beast.

Actually realizing what Vengeance was would have been pretty gods dam helpful! But I digress, there are to far many if's.

Welp might as well get back to work. or maybe I'll check in with Vermillion and Star, Someone has to stop Vermillion from running that kid into the ground.

So I start for the Lions den.