follow me into the desert, as desperate as you are
-
You weren't meant to end up here. You aren't even sure how- lead feet stuck in the same place, a mind full of cotton- it's like you come to, sitting in this chair. The lights and sounds fill your senses first before anything else comes online- you are keenly aware of the smell of floor cleaner and leather, the sound of racketeers and gamblers, and the dazzle of blinking lights.
You know you weren't supposed to be here, but you were. No use in fighting it, right? The roulette table spins in front of you, a repetition of red and black and red and black and red that draws your focus away from the other crowds. You've just been seated and you've bought in. You're not a gambler, you never were, but here you are. Something must be a truth here; and it's not yours.
The dealer smiles at you. You take too long to recognize her, like your mind is in some horrible haze. Her features appear to you one by one- scaly white skin, a lack of iris, and a jacket that undulates an equally distracting pattern.
Serpentine leans in, looking sweetly as ever- she doesn't seem to focus on anyone but you. There's no one else at the table but you.
"Hello darling," she hums, a sweet voice nearly swept up in the current of the Casino. "You're a little lost, aren't you?"
Would you even admit to such a thing? You've already bought into the table.
-
Enzan clicks his tongue between his teeth in irritation. He can't help but feel exposed like this, under those slitted eyes. More distressing than the confusion of being here, is the paranoia that she knows how he feels.
"Never been more at home," he lies, with a vicious grin.
Though he's not a gambler, he's used the chips enough to know how to look competent with them. He knows how to ruffle them, how to place his bets, and how to hold a steely facade.
"Are we waiting for other players? Or can I get my hand?" Enzan asks impatiently. The quicker he plays, the quicker he can move on from this.
-
"Just us, darling." Her voice isn't very loud, and it shouldn't be heard over the sound of the casino, but it's all you can focus on. "Not many get the privilege of playing at my table."
She has a light lisp; her fangs affect her voice, and they glint in the light as her tongue flickers out to wet her lips. Serpentine idly plays with the roulette ball in her hand, rolling it over her fingers, humming softly. "Do you want a refreshment? You can relax, Enzan."
She says your name with a sort of purr, which seems uncharacteristic for her snake-like features. She doesn't hiss, but she does allure, and she looks at you like you are the whole universe. Like you have hung the stars and moon for her. Like she would do anything for you.
Her hand clicks; beside her a useless servant arrives- navi or human, it doesn't really matter- with a plate in their hand. When lowered, it reveals a small shot glass full of...something. But you know what it is, don't you? Like your focus bled into Serpentine, it now bleeds into her glass, as she takes it up in her hand- she doesn't even need it, what a waste.
"None for you?" She asks- she knows, of course. She knows what she's doing to you. You get the sense she likes it, and demands more of your pride to be played as bet on the table; lacking that, maybe it's your dignity she wants.
-
Enzan hadn't noticed how thirsty he truly was. But now, he couldn't seem to swallow right. His vision narrowed just to that small glass, just to the woman's perfect nails against it.
"None," Enzan repeats, because it's the only way he'll be able to make the right choice. He tries to blink, focus on the wheel before them. This place should have made him feel tense, but her words seemed to rake over his mind, keeping his breathing steady and slow.
"Certainly bold to be trying to sell to me before I've won anything," he tried to smile, summon that cocky demeanor he was always working with. "Just-- put me down on green. I've been waiting long enough."
Enzan rubs his eyes. Why did he say no? He did want it. He was thirsty, and tired. Just one sip would bring the strength back into his lethargic limbs, he was sure.
-
"Waiting long enough is right," she hums, "it's always been a waiting game."
You know she knows too much; somehow she is linked to the life tree of this world and it breathes and hums your gospel. She is disciple and prophet and messiah all in one; an agent, they'd started to call them. You know she is dangerous and even more-so now that she's produced something she certainly shouldn't have. But you don't really care. Because you are waiting.
She places your chips just so and the ball and wheel spin. They spin, and spin, and spin, the colors distracting and enticing. You both watch for a while. Then she watches you.
"Waiting for something you never even had," she says, as if finishing an unspoken sentence. "I'm not even sure why you crave this stuff." She raises the shot glass and swirls the liquid in it- you are certain of its contents now more than ever, as the faint purple-black glints in the light. It's the only thing that rips your attention away from the wheel.
"Not like it's yours. It was your little lover boy's. You didn't even get a taste."
-
Enzan winces. The tug he feels towards the glass is violent.
"I had enough," Enzan mutters. He's pulled back to looking at the wheel. Up and down, mesmerizing wheel and enticing drink. He can remember the feeling this darkness, overtaking his vision and all his feelings. It number the pain, that was for sure.
The ball spun around the outer ring, teasing its slow down. Enzan had put his money on a long-shot, not the smart bet. The ball rolled over the first green slot, and rambled on. Enzan couldn't bring himself to care. What was money, compared to what she held?
"It's none of your business," Enzan reminded himself, more than her.
