Official RP Thread: The Evolutionist's Stone (7)

[Celadon's Penultimate]

==Los Angeles==

"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Eugene pulled shoes on, "I mean...if he's up to what you say he's up to, then--"

"It's a good idea." Kitty said, "Trust me. Whether he expects us or not, he definitely won't be expecting us like this. Or...hell, maybe he will. Regardless. It's our only option, aside from turning tail and going home."

Eugene supposed so, petting Vicious on the head.

"Wellitsoundslike--" Quentin cleared his throat, "Uh, thanks, Tock. Like I was saying...it sounds good to me. A bit risky, but good. We could use the intel, anyhow."

That settled it. Their only hope to sabotage the Controller, and be spared the wrath of the people, was his gala event tonight.

Fortunate for them, attending this event wasn't much of a stretch. Sure, it was dressy casual attire, but the team card would take good care of that (a few tries for Eugene, and even he could almost pass for handsome). The rest was a piece of cake.

They had seen luxury in Overlord Trelaine's manor; the intricate designs on the balustrade, descending into cream-smooth marble floors, the sculptures adorning every corner, the portraits and landscapes adorning every wall, were really only mildly impressive. The golden chandeliers, dripping light and gold and decadence, and the sounds of the smooth jazz band playing out back, were nice, not overwhelming.

Kitty cast a coyly defiant glance about, as the others went to mingle. Her black dress slit up to her thigh, crossing the ballroom barefoot, with Vicious at her heels, on a black leather leash...if nothing else, it would all certainly make for a hell of a conversation starter. She would relish deeply the curious and judging stares until one such conversation had been started.

"Oh, excuse me, I'm so--confused." the man turned around after backing into her, only to be greeted by the unusual sight of Vicious sniffing eagerly at him; thankfully, Kitty pulled back on the leash, so the feral couldn't reach his nether regions, "Can...can I help you?"

"Well, I sure hope so." She smirked, cocking her head to the side, "Any chance I could get in to have a chat with the Controller? It's sort of important."

"Well, as much as I think he'd enjoy having a look at you, Miss..." the man found his way back from his lustful thoughts, "That is, as much as I know he'd appreciate you attending his event, I'm pretty sure you're not on the VIP guest list. I think I'd remember talking with you...Aren't your feet cold?"

"No." Kitty scoffed, "But more importantly, the issues I need to discuss with the Overlord of Los Angeles aren't to be dismissed. I really need to speak with him..." She leaned in, placed a hand on his shoulder, looking intently into his hazel eyes, and finally whispered gently into his ear, "And I'll do...whatever I have to, to get his attention."

They met glances again, and the man was grinning rather stupidly; he turned to his buddy, calling his attention away from his date.

"Uh, hey, Mike, you wanna help me out here?" The man muttered into his friend's ear, under his breath, "Get this nice girl some fresh air, take her for a very long walk. No questions; just take the damn leash and walk. I have to help her friend, uh...settle some business."

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

==Las Vegas==
As he was hauled to the top of the strips tallest building, Jimmy Larson didn't know what to expect. At least with the old overlord you know where you stood. If you were good enough, he would offer you a job. But this one, this one had some sort of philosophy all things told.

It had been announced over three months ago. House was stepping down and giving the key to the city to some nobody, and yet everyone seemed okay with it. Well, everyone on the Overlords staff seemed okay with it. The people were just confused. Some were convinced that it had to be some new plot by the controller to get his hand on Vegas. Everyone was expecting huge changes.

There had been changes. Food started being shipped in from out of state. There seemed to be twice as much water to go around. The streets were clean, or at least back up to pre-event levels of filth. The city, it seemed, was being resurrected from the grave that House had dug for it. As the doors of the elevator opened wide, he saw the famous Top of the World  restaurant, fully restored. House had closed it off to the public, turning it into his personal bedroom. The men grasping his arms dragged him to the back, into the kitchen, and up a flight of stairs. It was at this point that he heard it.

"Fly Me to the Moon....and let me play among the stars...."

He looked up to the guy holding him. The guy seemed to sense his question. "The boss is serenading his love."

The pulled him into a modest bedroom above the restaurant. Well, modest compared to House's old one. Most of this stuff would still pay for his apartment for a year.

Speak of the devil, there was house himself standing next to the balcony. The guys dragging him nodded, and the former overlord pulled the door open to let them through. There he stood, Alton King, leaning over the railing and singing his heart out. At the city. The goons kindly waited for the man to finish before clearing their throats. He turned, dark hair blowing in the wind. It was true, he really did wear an eye-patch. Jimmy wondered if he was some sort of pirate. It strange, the places your mind goes on the executioners block. But the overlord only smiled, and waved his hand forward. The goons released him, and he hesitantly joined King on the railing. They stood in silence, taking in the lights and sounds. Finally, King spoke.

"Look at her, Larson." Jimmy wasn't going to ask how the man knew his name. "Majestic, isn't she?"

"Uhhhh" he had no idea how to respond.

"You know what the most beautiful thing about Vegas is, son? The premise. This is a city built in the middle of a barren wasteland, and turned into the gaming capital of the world. It was as if it rolled the dice against nature itself for the right to be here, and won. Look down at it, son. At them. The beautiful ones."

Jimmy stared down over the (high, HIGH) railing to see the people scurrying along the strip.

"Every one of those people is here to play. Every one of them is willing to bet their life. It always been that way, Larson, even before the event. People come to this city to put their ambitions and livelihoods on the line. You understand, Larson. The city doesn't need people who are unwilling to stake their life."

There was a gleam in Kings eyes now. He wasn't looking at the city anymore. Jimmy Larson had his full attention. "You've been manipulating luck, Jimmy Larson. I find that personally detestable." He felt his collar heating up, and held out his hands.

"Wait, hold on a minute. Okay, how about we go into business together. You'd never lose. All the money you could ask for. Milk those idiots for every cent their worth. With your power, we could do anything. We could take every other overlords land and power."

He only realized he was sweating when he felt it boiling off his forehead.

"Okay, fine. Take my power. Here, well make a bet, right? Then I'll throw the game. You'll win. Just-"

He blazed up in a blinding white inferno. The goons and House shielded their eyes but Kings never left to burning man, even as the railing he was braced against melted and he fell from the staggering height of the stratosphere tower.

"Should I sent a cleanup crew, sir?" the former overlord asked.

"No need, assistant House. He'll be ash before he hits the ground." said the current overlord. He looked over at the burnt railing. "I overdid it a bit, I think."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

==Los Angeles==

Thankfully, the Controller's halls did not echo, for if they did, Kitty and her new friend would certainly have been given away.

"Oh, man, you're so f***in' beautiful..." The man kissed Kitty's neck, breathless. He pressed up close to her, grabbed her by the hips, and lifted her up on the table situated against the wall.

Kitty chuckled, "Oh, ya know...I try."

The man chuckled, nuzzling his nose on her neck, "Hehehe...I bet you're a wild cat in the sack..."

Kitty smirked, and uttered a low sound...perhaps purring, perhaps growling, and leaned in to the man's ear. Her fingernails sharpened into claws, and she dragged them slowly, lightly across his left cheek. Her voice sultry and inviting, she spoke.

"Ah-ah-ah..." she chuckled, putting a finger on his incoming lips, "Take me to meet the Controller first. Then, we'll see if Mr. Horndog gets to play with Miss Kitty..."

[Celadon's Penultimate]

The man shot Kitty an accusatory glance. Kitty only crossed her arms, and averted her gaze from him in response. The man sighed, and relented. If this might get his hands in the cookie jar, then it was certainly worth a shot. So, he took Kitty by the hand, and led her to where the Controller was entertaining wealthier, more affluent guests.

"Wait here." He stepped inside.

The man returned shortly with permission for her to enter. Brief introductions, and an invitation for her to sit down. The Controller offered her cookies and tea; Kitty politely refused. She was here on business, and besides, was watching her girlish figure. That got a chuckle from the Overlord.

"So...would you like to speak privately?" he asked, "You look like your business might be a bit urgent."

Kitty crossed a leg over the other, "No, I think we're among friends here. Am I mistaken?"

The Controller looked around, and his company exchanged glances among themselves, "No, I think we're in good company. So, if you don't mind my being so forward...might I ask what your business is here?"

Kitty took a deep breath, sighed, clacked her clawed fingers on the arms of the handsome wicker chair she sat in, "Sabotage."

The Controller's other guests were taken aback; a couple even reached to their pockets, just in case, but The Controller put up a hand. Whether she knew it or not, she was in no position to successfully execute an attack. There was no call for anything beside calm curiosity.

The Overlord inquired, taking a refill of tea from the servant that had just entered the room, "Sabotage? Of whom?"

"I don't care for Telepathy, Overlord." Kitty looked down at her claws, an edge becoming more apparent in her voice, "If you want to know my intentions, I assure you, all you had to do is ask. And I'd be more than willing to tell you that my plan is in no way intended for the likes of you or your ranks. You see...Las Vegas is a very checkpoint for lots of very important operations, as I'm sure you're well aware. Lots of resources being hoarded by bad people with less-than-pure intentions."

"Yes, I'm aware." The Controller said, still a bit taken aback that Kitty could perceive his Telepathy feeling about in her head, "What's that got to do with me?"

"Well, certainly, you don't think we're going to be overrunning that Overlord's forces by ourselves. That sort of empire requires a bit more...expertise."

"And you think I should be the one to lend you that expertise?" The Controller seemed a bit entertained.

"You're our only hope." Kitty continued, "You have massive forces, plenty of PR experience, and the knowledge of how to use all of it. Your powers alone could probably wipe out a great deal of that Overlord's forces..."

The Controller narrowed his eyes at her at bit, "...I dunno. What do you think?"

The Controller's guests called for more tea, and Kitty responded, "Well, I think you can. Definitely. The real question is, will you?"

She let the question marinate for a second, and then stood, perfectly fine with the fact that he had not yet dismissed her. She caught the servant as he left the Controller's guests, and gathered up a handful of cookies from the tray. She bade him bring back a doggie bag for her cookies, and a larger cup for her tea. And with a final departing word to The Controller, his guests, and his security guard, whose name she now knew was Lawrence, she waved a friendly hand, and was gone. Hopefully, Vicious had been good in her absence.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

==Vegas==

"So, whats our gains tonight?" The Overlord said, walking through the shining doors of the Sahara, trailed by his entourage. It consisted of Himself, at least 4 accountants, and the ever present Mr. House. The crowed parted for them, whispering to one another. Alton King, the new boss. Defeated House in a duel in front of the entire city. Said to be the former Overlords elusive spymaster, never before seen in public.

"Well sir, we're doing well tonight. We're almost completely in the black."

"Almost?"

"There's someone in The Venetian who seems to have hit a streak of luck."

"Send Arnold down, see if he cheating."

The little man bowed and ran off to the nearest payphone as they stepped out onto the floor. The clicking of dice, the spinning of the wheels, the cheers and cries of defeat. He cast his gaze around the room, at those that his shining city drew in. Vegas was, after all, still famous. Those that had the means to travel, and money to spend, came here to be wined and dined and bet their lives against one another. If he was lucky, they left with emptier pockets and he was able to improve the city just a little more.

"Sir," another started, "The men at the gate says that someone is requesting entry to the city. Someone from California, sir."

"Does he have money to spend?"

"Yes."

"Then they get the same warning as everyone else."

This man to vanished as the group moved on. Alton didn't mind all this. After all, in a way he was doing the same job he always had. It's just that now, people saw him doing it.

The third came up. "Sir, 16 people fell into dept with us today. One was quite heavily in the bank. 13 of them decided to work off their dept at Hoover."

"And the other three?"

"Two decided to join the reserve. The last decided to test his luck in the arena."

"I'm rooting for him. Where are the Cards, by the way? I haven't seen them all night."

House answered. "Jack has gone 'dancing with moonlight.' Ace and Queen vanished into the desert as the sun was setting. Queen said they were going on a vision quest."

Kings eyebrows quirked. "One of Queens vision quests?"

"Yes, that is exactly what I said."

"Well, at least we know what it is if we hear an explosion of two out there."

"Overlord!" shouted a little man, running up. Ludvig Shard, manager of the Sahara. "I trust I was correct, yes?"

Alton gave his a slight smile. "You're instincts were spot on this time, Mr .Shard. He was indeed a cheater. You have a good nose for it."

"Thank you, thank you my lord. And, uh, the money?"

"Already taken care of. You'll receive a bonus this month for the cheater. That should just about clear you up for last months blunder, shouldn't it? Now, if you'll please escort me to a table..."

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

Alton Dismissed his entourage and sat down at the lovely green poker table. Beside him, house plopped down in his own chair. The big man cast a sidelong glance at the overlord. "Do you think they'll show this year?"

King let out a slight chuckle. "They know what day it is, Assistant House. They'll all show up."

Indeed, the overlord was not wrong. A young man appeared beside House with a loud *Clop* echoed through the Sahara. By now, people were looking up from their games to take notice. After all, it isn't ever day you see 3 member of the Hand in the same place. The boy, late teens to early adult by the look of him, pulled out a chair and hoped into it, planting his feet on the tale. He smiled. "Hey Unc. Hey, Mr. House. Can't believe I wasn't first to get here."

Alton looked down at the floor where he had appeared, and grimaced at the small smoldering crater in the floor. "I really wish you wouldn't flash step indoors, Jack."

"Take it out of my pay." Jack replied, dismissing his great uncles complaint the way only family can.

"Get you're feet off the table." Came the rumbling baritone of House.

Jacks feet came off the table so quickly it was hard to see them move. Alton laughed out load at the sheepish expression on his nephews face. His ability to make Jack mind his manners was fully a forth of the reason King had decided to keep House around.

"So, uh," Jack started, "Ace and Queen going to join us tonight, or do you think they skipped out?"

"Who's to say. It's entirely up to them whether they want to participate this year. After all, this is the first time they've been able to opt out of it, ay House?"

Mr. House sat there is resolute silence.

The three ordered drinks while they waited. Finally, through the doors came trudging two people. One was a tall, broad shouldered man with finely kept mustache. The other, a petite woman with long blond hair and some sort of burn scar across her eye. Her eye, it appeared, was perfectly fine despite the complete devastation that surrounded it. In contrast to the men at the table, who all had suits on, they were more casual. The Man had on a tank top. The woman had a leather bike jacket covered in patches. As the two advanced across the room people actively began talking. If the Hand were all in the same casino, it could only mean one thing; tonight was the fate game. All gambling stopped, and a crowed formed around the table as the Ace and Queen pulled up chairs for themselves.

Jack waved to greet them." Fred, Lauren, hey guys."

"How was the vision quest" asked Alton, totally casual but grinning like a madman. He honestly couldn't wait to hear what they had been up to in the desert.

The woman, Lauren, answered smugly. "Very well, thank you very much. I think we made so real progress. We went to a completely different level, didn't we Freddie?"

The man, Fred, who's silence would give House's a run for it's money, gave a resolute thumbs up. It was a strange trait, but Alton liked it. Fred only ever talked when something important had to be said.

"In fact," Continued Lauren, "I think either of us could give House a real fight now. Kind of scary to think about, huh? Does it give you fright knowing how quickly one can lose his edge? I now you've though of this before, Mr. Heavyweight."

House gave a curt shrug, which only caused Lauren to scowl. "You know," she said icily, "you haven't been nearly as much fun since someone won your ambition." She cast a not so sublet glare in Kings direction.

King sighed, and stood. "Please Lauren. For the first time since that incident all six members of the Killer Hand have gathered in one place. I'd have hoped that would give everyone time to cool off, even you. If you're so concerned about Assistant House's ambition, perhaps you would like to win it back."

"Screw that Alton, you know what I wa-" Lauren had to stop and think for a bit about what the overlord had just said. "Wait, six? I thought there were only five members of the Killer Hand?"

"Here." Said a mousy little voice from the end of the table. The other members of the hand turned to see the mousy little balding man sitting at the table. Sudden recognition propelled Lauren and Jack Right out of their chairs, while Fred could only stair, bugged eyed like a fish. Lauren and Jack called out.

"Mr. Ten"
"How could we have forgotten Mr. Ten?"

The newcomer, Mister Ten, looked downcast at this. "I can't tell if you guys are serious or making fun of me."

"I'd never make fun of you, Mr. Ten" said Jack, genuinely.
"I'd never make fun of you to your face, Mr. Ten." Said Lauren , just as genuinely.

"Oh, your just saying that." He replied, glumly.

"It's good to remember you, Henry." Added Mr. House.

"Aw, shucks Mr. House..." He peeped, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

Jack and Lauren say down as Alton stood back up. It was time to begin. He raised his glass. "Welcome, members of the Killer Hand. Las Vegas's first, last, and best line of defense." The Killer Hand all raised their glasses, except Ten whom the waiter had forgotten about. Alton twirled around, playing to the crowed "And welcome to you, esteemed visitors to this city. On this lucky night, you have been blessed to witness an important tradition enjoyed by the rulers of this fair territory; The Fate Game!" A cheer went up from those assembled. King held up his hand for silence, and silence followed. "To those of you who have never heard of this game, the rules are simple. Each member of the Hand has a wish. My powers allow me to grant them anything that is mine. In the past, I played as the overlords proxy, just as all the dealers in this city play as mine. Now it appears I am the Overlord, which places me in quite the precarious position." He turned back to the assembled Hand. "Your wishes, for posterity."

Jack was first. "You know that Tactile Telekinesis you picked up a few years back? If I win, I want that. It'll cover my only weakness.

Fred was the next to speak. "If I win you will surrender this city to the Controllers care, so as to minimize the loss of life when he finally takes us over." This elicited boo's and hisses from the crowed, which Freddie boor with dignity and grace.

Lauren was the next to speak, rising from her chair triumphantly. "I want the exact opposite. If I win, King, you have to give me the use of House so we can sink California into the ocean and be done with that Controller bastard once and for all!" This sent a murmur through the crowed, but Aldon only nodded to her.

Ten, Henry, cleared his throat. "If, uh, if I win, I would um, well....I would very much like back my memorability, thank you very much Mr. King."

Then the crowed hushed  as House rose to speak. The muttering anticipation of what it was the old overlord would ask for, the anticipation gripping the crowed in a choke hold and not letting go. House was silent for a long time, deep in thought. He betrayed no emotion with his mouth, and the gamblers strained their minds trying to this of what lay beyond those dark sunglasses he refused to take off. After a long while, and eternity, the big man made his wish know.

"I would really like....... a new toaster."

It was as if all the air went out of the crowed as they tumbled to the floor in shock, like some human dominoes setup. Freddie burst out laughing, Lauren looked incredulous, and Jack was simply nodding along as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Even the overlord looked a bit taken aback, before sweeping up his arms. "I accept all of these conditions.  And what, my friends, will you be putting up as your wager?"

He already knew the answer. So did they. So did the crowed. Nevertheless, the Hand all answered at once, and made it official.

"ONE YEAR OF SERVICE AND LOYALTY TO THE OVERLORD AND CITY OF LAS VEGAS!"

They felt the shackles of Kings powers fall over them, binding them to their word. The gamblers rushed to place bets on the outcome of the game as King sat down and began to deal out the cards. Lauren was the first to speak.

"Just so you guys know, if House wins, I'm killing King on general principle."

Evey member of the Hand shared a chuckle at that.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

++One Hour later++

"Unbelievable! Cheater! You have to be cheating!" Came the shout from the table.

"Come on Lauren, you know he's not."  Jack said, sipping his martini from the sidelines. He had been the first to lose. He looked over at Alton, at the pile of chips stacked in front oh him. "There ain't a dishonest bone in that man's body."

"Bull!" Shouted the woman. "He can't be that honest, his bluff game is too good!" She was livid.

"It's true though." House spoke, never taking his eyes off his cards. "You know the reason he challenged me in the first place?"

This was interesting.  No one had quite understood the reason that the Leader of the Killer Hand had usurped the overlord. The air grew tense as everyone, even the crowed, leaned in with interest.

"It wasn't the lawlessness, or the money. I wasn't the power or how I chose to use it. What really pissed him off was when he found out I was rigging the games."

The outcry that went up was enormous once the people of the casino processed this. Many of them had been here before, back when House had still been in charge. Outrage, anger, cries for blood and refunds all echoed throughout the halls. It pissed Lauren off. She wheeled on them, her hand sparking as something materialized in it.

"HEY!" She said, lifting the grenade high above her head. "Any of you want a refund, you can take it up with this!"

"Ace!" called King. She looked back at him. "I don't think I need to tell you my policy on you running wild in this city. You're scaring the customers. Besides, these places are expensive."

She looked like she longed to disobey, to chuck the thing and blow everything to kingdom come. There was a certain madness in the woman's eyes that the rest of the hand had come to accept as just another facet of Lauren. Nevertheless, she had pledged loyalty to the Overlord. Not the Overlord she had wanted to serve, a man she had come to respect over the course of one wild weekend. That man's sneaky little assistant.

She lowered her bitter arm. "You sure do make everything boring, Alton. House would have laughed."

"I would have." he agreed. "It would have been funny to see them run."

The onlookers had clammed up at the threat. Someone in the crowed went "Um?"

"I think," said the Overlord, grinning "That saving your lives just now is refund enough, don't you?" There was a murmured agreement, mostly by those who still noticed the explosive in Lauren's hand.

"Tsch, typical. Rich assholes." She sighed. "I'm getting out of here. If that's okay with you, Overlord." She didn't wait for a response, but started toward the door. Jack put his drink down and turned to King.

"I think I should go with; you know how she gets when she's alone." Alton grimaced. He knew all to well of what could happen if Ace was left unsupervised. He nodded his consent.  Jack nodded and called out "Hey, hold up. Want some company, Ace?" before disappearing with a *clop*.

House couldn't help but grin wide. "Well, now that the under 30's are gone we can finally get serious."

"Oh, to be young again." Said Ten, wistfully.

"Henry, when did you get here!?"

Ten sighed.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

++30 minutes later++

Fred regretfully lay his cards down on the table. Another year, bound to his word. Oh well, at least the city was fun. He stood and pushed his chair in as the crowed breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Freddie looked intently at king, with eyes that could bore through a mans soul and come out clean on the other side. Ling gently smiled back. Freddie didn't talk. It paid to watch what you say, what you reveal; this he had learned long ago, ad living in this city had only validated his philosophy. But king Knew that Queen was, in his own way, asking him to consider it despite his loss. That, in the long run, it would be for the better. And Alton shook his head very slightly.

No.

Fred left without a word, forlorn. He would go out into the desert. It was a special place to him.

++47 minutes later++
Mr. House stood, brooding. Despite his ambition being taken, the man still had his pride. Losing wasn't something he liked doing. If he was still overlord, if this had been before...

But it wasn't, and Alton King, the traitor, backstabbing, piece of trash he had once thought of as his greatest friend in the world, was extending his hand. House took it.

If he had still been overlord, this would be the part where he sent a quake through the stupid son of a bitch who had beaten him. Shattered them. Shook them to death. Make no mistake, he still wanted Alton King dead. Some things just aren't forgiven. But he couldn't. And even i he could, he would still never be overlord again. It was strange, to have no want of anything higher. He thought he had had that as overlord, but he had no idea. The gaping hole within him had to be filled with something. At least no one could say he had an ulterior motive. It wouldn't be for revenge. He would kill King simply because he hated the man.

King, the smug prick, started talking. "I do hope you enjoyed your first real fate game, Assistant House."

"You're a bastard, Alton King, picking at a wound like this." He said, giving King a firm squeeze. King had been at the table a lot, had seen House quake a few men to death exactly like this.

"It's one of the small pleasures of my day, Assistant House." He replied so amicable, as if someone had commented on his garden.

House grunted and through his suit jacket back on, strolling of the floor grunting a small good night to Henry. There would be a bar open somewhere. Everything was open to him.

King turned to Ten. Ten was winning. King loved it. Mr. Ten was so tricky.

++3 hours, 47 minutes later++

Henry let out a soft little sigh and pushed the last of his chips over to King. The game was over. King didn't make a big deal out of it, didn't grandstand. After all, everyone was long gone by now. Disinterest seemed to affect them. Some of them left wondering why the overlord was playing solitaire or something.

"Well Henry, better luck next year. Just show up when you need anything. And make sure to check in every day so I can give you assignments."

King turned, forgot, and began walking away when something grabbed his by the shirtsleeve. He turned around, and was surprised to Fine Mr. Ten there. Of course, the game. He had just finished playing it. Henry must have something he wanted to talk about.

"Please Alton." came the low hoarse whisper, and King could tell the man was weeping.

"Oh no, Henry. Not aga-"

"Please!" he pleaded, looking King in the eyes. "Please Alton, just give it back. If you give it back, I swear-"

"That's not in the rules, Henry. Let go of my shirt." King said, his voice firm and quiet. Henry let go, not under his own will but that of the man he had bet his service to. King turned again to walk away, and felt something tug against his pants leg. He turned, thinking it was a small dog or something, only to see the pathetic form of Mr. Ten clinging to his trousers. Of course, the game. He had just finished playing it. Henry must want to contest the result.

"Please Alton," he wailed, weeping on the floor. "I want to be remembered. I want someone to know me, to see me. Please, I never asked for thi-"

The strike came down hard on the side of Henry's cheek, throwing him off of King's leg and onto the ground proper. He turned his eyes up to to Overlord, cheek already starting to swell. The change in King was startling. His normal face, that gently content manner of his, had been shattered by the look of abject rage. He pointed an accusatory finger down at the old man. "Never, Henry, never say you didn't ask for this! You did, with every choice you've ever made you did! No one held a gun to your head! No one had your children hostage! You could have stopped at any time, and you didn't! Where you are now, is a reflection of your choices! You dealt yourself this hand, SO PLAY IT!" The last shout rebound off the walls of the emptying Sahara, echoing back and forth among the tables.

The words that came next was a quite as Kings were loud. "I fold."

Alton took in a deep breath and regained his composure. "I forbid it. Nothing is assured in life, Henry. The whims of lady luck favor one man then the other. As long as you have chips on the table, there are two paths you can walk: one of hope, and one of despair. I'm curious about which path she'll lead you down."

Henry set his head against the ground and let out a sob. King just looked on, sadly.  "I never want you to beg like this again Henry. That's an order. Live. Live until the Lady leads you down the path of hope."

Alton King turned and walked away, aware only that he was suddenly feeling very melancholy. Perhaps he would catch a show, cheer himself up.

Behind him, the forgotten member of the Killer Hand just lay there, weeping openly.