| Lies of P | OST - Quixotic

“I should probably be heading out soon, altho~ugh it has been a pleasure as always.”

That dapper dressed dealer snapped their hand mirror cum lighter closed while the other hand took the cigarette out of their mouth. Sticking out their tongue to put it out. Throwing the butt aside with that permanent grin still out stretched on her face like usual.

Their now free hand came to pat the blind woman on her shoulder as the monster in a prison of flesh pushed herself up with those metal claws barely not drawing blood. Both having just been sat on the side of the road atop some simple crates. Eyes did wander over but few actually dared to linger on them.

Just about everyone, thus, hurried along as fast as they could… Most at least did.

Eyes curled up as she quickly had her feline pupils dart around the space in front of them; those figures refusing to get close enough to actually hear their conversation. Although, lucky for them, the crazy cat was quite willing to partake in their bet. Chosing to ignore them for now in favour of her companion.

“Sa~dly I have the itch to play some games so I’ll cut the sta~kes there.”

“Then I shall excitedly await our next meeting.”

Moving their mirror into the inside of their tuxedo jacket.

They didn’t linger nor look back as they made their way down the streets of the city - the metal claws on their fingers clattering against one another as her fingers danced. It was a noise that the backstreets had long learned about. An eerie myth like that of the yokai of old; a gambler who takes even your soul.

A figure that should be cute with an unsettling atmosphere that reminds everyone that the greatest gamble is one with their life on the line. The jovial chaotic voice reminiscent of the constantly shifting tides of victory on the table. Those crimson threads?

That everyone is just being strung along by the house.

Everyone who met her knew something was wrong while those that heard about her believed it to be a tale akin to those told to children.

Yet here she was; on her merry way to visit yet another den of debauchery where she would no doubt play an obscene series of games. Rumours of her first appearance graced the streets. However, by now, few games of such a pot had been recorded so memory of it slowly faded to being naught but exaggeration.

Those connected with the people lost that day (specifically the gang) weren’t exactly going to let people openly investigate them. At least that was assumed by the gambler who now stood in front of another gambling hall. Rarely did she visit the same shelter of stakes and today was no different.

Already she could hear the whispers born from the few who still remembered and those who never bothered hearing it in the first place.

“Is she the one…?”

“One who what?”

“Well there was apparently a disappearance in the Ito den.”

“So what? Disputes over the results of a game happen all the time.”

Similar conversations, sometimes with slightly different outcomes, occurred all around her. Although the cat in question hardly paid any attention as she took a deep breath. Soaking in the atmosphere while others clearly tried to stay away from her when they could.

When she did eventually decide to enter - even if with strained expressions - the guards at the front let her through without any questions. They too didn’t want to take the chance that the stories were true even if they agreed the mysticism was likely just the result of a coverup. Why risk their necks finding out?

As such she strutted inside without impediment.

Her gaze positively danced across the various games that were currently on going.

“Hm~ u~sually I cannot help but fall into the elegant tapestry of Hanafu~da, introduced about 50 years before the current year, but maybe it is time to go with something more traditional? Nothing is as simple as guessing if two die together are even or odd! What a wondrously simple design.”

Clapping her hands with those metallic claws she wore wondrously not connecting with one another despite this act. Showcasing a level of control that few in the room recognised. Instead they were more curious about what that unknown gambler was planning to do next.

True to her words she headed over to play a few rounds of Chō-Han Bakuchi, Chō-Han if preferred, with a merry smile on her upturned lips. Her pearly whites softly gleamed under the sunlight that entered to lighten the dirty deeds committed in that place. Soon finding herself stood at an ongoing game.

“Oh my, oh me~, any big victors among the~e?”

At least she was having fun.

Instead of answering her… Each of them focused on the cup that hid the pair of the dice - even the “dealer” didn’t remove his gaze as he told everyone to take their guess - although a cold sweat formed across the back of their necks. Nervousness she either didn’t notice or did but couldn’t care.

Silently watching with her clawed hand resting on the shoulders of two of those kneeling gamblers as they continued staring at the low table.

Soon enough the round ended as the cup rose like the curtain lowering on an intense play. Some were forced to hold their heads in their eyes as they had to ponder if continuing on was viable and clothes celebrated with no thoughts of stopping any time soon. That smile grew as the cat stepped back.

Not due to disinterest but in order to kneel down herself; her gaze meeting with that of the dealer which caused the muscular tattooed man to shiver. The entity ignored his squirming in favour of calling over one of them, many pretty girls roaming around to service guests. Never one to say no to a drink.

“Mayhaps I can have some spirits to raise our spirits?”

That girl quickly turned to look toward the figure who was calling her - clearly being surprised at the appearance of the incredibly short woman. Only being five feet without that bowler hat. It wasn’t only the girl who ended up being surprised.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Fortunately they had far more self control than the little girl who struggled to hide the worry she held upon realising who she was looking at.

So she thought but was soon brought out of that by the mysterious figure.

“Oh ‘n’ who~ may yo~u be, little lady?”

Making a simple gesture to call her toward their table; even if far more menacing with those long cat claws that looked like they could easily rend flesh from bone. Still, she could hardly ignore that command. It was her job to service the guests of the gambling den.

“I-I’m Hisana.“

“Indeedy but what is a cute little ra~bbit like you doing in a place like this?”

Asking flirtatiously as she rested her elbow on the table while holding her chin in her hand - her other hand having those claws tap against the table in a surprisingly beautiful melody. Turning her gaze away from the girl to look toward the dealer who took his queue. Not realising she had no right to order him around.

Hisana meanwhile felt no joy or concern at the question as she felt like there was… Something else behind that casual & common pickup line. Like the curiosity from the question had less to do with her outward appearance and more to do with her literal appearance at a “place like this”.

“Money miss…?”

Seemingly quite unsure as that cat just nodded her head along.

“O~dd.”

The table who had unconsciously grown silent in favour of listening to the conversation were confused over whether that was her bet or comment to the answer. A fact that brought great amusement to the monstrous being as she let out a constantly shifting cackle. One quickly got the rest to place their bet.

As for the girl herself?

She quickly got to pouring a drink for the cat-like figure who moved, tapping hand to delicately balance the bowl of sake atop her claws.

Not holding it in her fingertips but literally nipping it between the weapons she was always seen with.

It was an impressive feat that showed the great level of control she had over her strength. Showing off just in time for that cup to be lifted. Most just assumed the woman would win which was why they were immediately surprised when the dealer nervously called out the result.

“E-even.”

Everyone found themselves nervously gripping onto something, as if trying to find purchase to prevent themselves from being swept up in the coming storm, yet that cat just chuckled. Taking a sip from her drink as she placed what she owed in front of their gaze. Clearly taking no insult.

“Yo~u win some ‘n’ you lo~se others, I suppose!”

Moving that vessel aside so that her little hostess could fill it up once more.

This helped the table calm down as the game continued with a few people leaving then others coming in to replace them. Eventually she did come out as the overall winner. Yet few lost a grievous amount as she even had no issue with lending others a bit more to continue the game.

The atmosphere as a whole lightened as she laughed & joked with the various people she met across the day of activity.

Although there was one group that wasn’t as happy to see how wealthy she was getting.

Not that she minded.

Eventually every good game must come to an end so she stepped up from the table to the disappointment of an old man who had been explaining his experience with a carpenter. She turned her head to peek towards the figure of Hisana. Clearly studying her for a moment only to begin walking away.

“Afraid my other half will begin to get suspicious if I’m not there to nag them; you also may want to call it a day since your little sister is looking for you.”

Saying as she reached into her jacket pocket to pull out her hand mirror with her soon going through the motions of lighting a cigarette that she popped in her mouth. No one was really surprised by the strange contraption as she was a strange figure. Her words, though, quickly brought shock to Hisana.

For a moment she stayed still only to charge after the cat who had already walked out the door.

“W-wait!”

Not wasting any more time as she rushed out as quickly as her legs would let her - turning around to try to spot the figure only to see her walking into a dark alley. Taking not even a moment of consideration over the dangers. Charging around the corridor as she finally asked her own question.

“Who are you-”

Her eyes widened as she didn’t see the strange gambler - one who didn’t look like she even belonged to their era - but two figures that were very dear to her.

“Hisana-nee?”

A confused Rukia stood there with a by now familar cat by her side.

“We were looking for you Hisana-nee but how did you know!?”

That bubbly personality quickly exploded out as she threw her hands up with sparkling eyes.

For a moment she didn’t answer, eyes falling towards the cat to see that shadow flicker in a way that made her blink, however she soon just shook it away from her memory.

“Just… Lucky I guess?”

She said with a faint smile.

“Boo~!”

Of course it wasn’t an answer her sister appreciated but that only made her chuckle as they began to head home with her quickly learning all about the girls day.