Light crept through the frosted false windows, casting a warm glow over the luxurious suite as Aini gradually awakened from her slumber. Though initially hesitant about her new living arrangements, she could not deny the comfort of the memory foam mattress, as Andrew, the casino owner, had called it.
It molded perfectly to her body and the mattress provided a level of comfort she had never experienced before. The mere thought of the cots back at the thieves' guild made her shudder in comparison. She felt a strong desire to remain underneath pristine white covers forever, but she knew she had a job to do.
She peeled back the bed covers and glanced at her surroundings. She was still finding it difficult to shake off her disbelief at the entire situation. Here she was, waking up in an hotel suite and about to begin her first day as a casino dealer.
She rose to her feet and stretching and ventured into the bathroom to freshen up for the day ahead. She marvel at the modern, spotless facilities, recalled her many escapades as a member of the thieves' guild, sneaking into wealthy estates. Yet this single suite surpassed them all. In stark contrast to the crude hole-in-the-ground arrangement she was accustomed to, this bathroom boasted something called a toilet. It also had a sink and a spacious shower. Such a luxury was generally reserved for the wealthiest cultivator families. The fact that each suite was identically furnished seemed almost unbelievable. Aini had passed countless doors before reaching her designated employee housing.
As she washed her face and brushed her teeth, Aini paused to admire the shiny brass faucet. The temptation to pry it off and fence off the components crossed her mind, but she restrained herself, recalling Andrew's considerable power.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Startled, she hastily dried her face with a soft white towel and opened the door to find Tasha standing in the hallway, the very person whose plan had ensnared them in this peculiar predicament. Tasha was already attired in the dealer's uniform assigned to her. The immaculate white shirt and sumptuous red vest sparkled beneath the soft, yellow ceiling lights.
"Good morning," Tasha greeted, guilt evident in her eyes. "I thought I'd check on you before we head down for our first day of work. How are you holding up?"
"Hi sis! I'm adjusting easily," Aini replied, hopping on the bed as she said this. "This is all so different from what I'm used to. But I guess we don't have much of a choice, do we? Besides, we're not being mistreated."
She recalled how their souls were in Andrew's hand and how he didn't have to treat them this kindly. If he wanted to make them sleep in rags in a stable, they would be powerless to refuse his order.
"Of course, Andrew is a kind person," Tasha's expression softened as she recall the times she spent together with Andrew. A flicker of guilt could be seen in her eyes. "You don't blame me, do you?"
Aini sighed and nodded, forcing a small, cheerful smile. "Of course not, sis. You've saved me too many times."
As she spoke, Aini's thoughts drifted to the numerous occasions she and Tasha had narrowly escaped from various estates during her training as a newcomer to the thieves' guild. They had faced close calls together. In comparison, working as a dealer in a casino seemed like a piece of cake.
"Can I come in?" Tasha asked.
"Of course," Aini replied, welcoming her in. Tasha seated herself on a comfortable couch crafted from the hide of a magical beast Aini could not recognize.
Aini opened the luxurious wardrobe in her suite and spotted an identical red uniform to the one Tasha was wearing. Removing it from the rack, she marveled at the quality of the fabric, noting the intricate embroidery and gold trim adorning the vest. It was an opulent outfit indeed, a far cry from the clothes she was accustomed to wearing as a member of the thieves' guild.
Without hesitation, she began undressing in front of Tasha to change into the dealer uniform. She was used to changing in front of her during their escapades together at the thieves' guild. As members of the criminal underground, it didn't bother them. In their line of work, modesty wasn't a luxury they could afford. Aini, being a halfling, still appeared young and somewhat childlike.
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As she changed, Aini couldn't help but ask Tasha, "Did you really have no idea that your junior apprentice was actually a 12th-circle mage?"
Tasha sighed. "Like I told you yesterday night, I really had no idea."
Aini pouted, thinking that perhaps Tasha wasn't very close to Andrew, so she couldn't have seen this coming. As she slipped into the uniform, she was surprised to find that the uniform fit her perfectly. She glanced at Tasha and noticed that her uniform fit her snugly as well, accentuating her tall, statuesque figure and embracing her curves.
She looked down at herself, realizing that the uniform was snug against her petite frame, maximizing her adorableness. She felt creeped out, realizing that Andrew, their new boss, must have known their sizes. She was unaware that these clothes were provided by his system.
"What a pervert," she thought.
"Well, we better head down for our first day of work. Are you ready?" Tasha asked, unaware of her friend's strange thoughts.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Aini said.
Together, they left the suite and headed into the elevator.
**
Andrew sneezed while wiping the bar counter.
"Is there somebody spreading rumors about him?" he thought as he sniffled.
Fendrel held up an empty glass, calling out, "Another one, boss!" As one of Andrew's new employees, he enthusiastically downed glass after glass of screwdrivers before him. Having just learned that cocktails were free for employees and patrons alike, he promptly decided to take full advantage of the offer.
Andrew examined Fendrel, noting the tall, muscular man with a mane of wild, dark hair wearing an embroidered dealer's uniform that only served to heighten his air of roguish rebellion. He looked more like a thug who had stolen a large haul and was spending his newfound wealth on drinks at the bar than an employee of a casino. she hoped that Aini, another one of Tasha's friends from the thieves' guild, would look more professional.
Fendrel swigged another mouthful of the orange cocktail, marveling at the strength of the drink. It was potent enough to affect even a 10th Rank warrior cultivator like himself, which could only mean it was made from powerful ingredients. This was his revenge, he thought. He would drink this casino dry, unaware that the tap dispensed an infinite amount of the cocktail.
Suddenly, Andrew heard the noise of the elevator arriving on the first floor. Out stepped Aini, the 4-foot halfling with red hair tied in a bun, and Tasha, the almost six-foot-tall dark elf with short silvery-white hair. Both were dressed in similar uniforms, and they looked a lot more professional than the drunkard in front of him.
"Morning," Andrew greeted them.
"Morning, Boss!" Aini greeted her new boss.
"Morning, Andrew," Tasha said, a familiar greeting that reminded him of the days of working under Master Gonde.
Aini and Tasha noticed the drink in Fendrel's hand and approached him, curious about what he was drinking.
"What've you got there, Fenny?" Aini asked, eyeing the glass in Fendrel's hand.
"It's a free cocktail from the casino," Fendrel explained with a grin.
Fendrel motioned for Andrew to pour a glass for the two as if he were the boss and Andrew the employee.
Andrew complied. He quickly filled two glasses and handed it to his two other new employees. He still not used to bossing people around and having learned yesterday that Fendrel was the leader of the local thieves' guild. He was slightly surprised that his senior apprentice Tasha had such connections.
After trying the drink, Aini, a heavy drinker, went into a spiel with a level of vocabulary that one wouldn't expect from her. "Oh my goodness, the tanginess and the smoothness" she began.. "It is not harsh at all, but it's deceptively gentle. The alcohol is barely detectable, cleverly masked by the bright, zesty flavor profile. And the warmth spreading through me, it's like a gentle embrace, both comforting and invigorating."
From the counter, Andrew watched as Aini, who resembled a child, downed a glass of the Screwdriver while lavishing praise upon it. He wanted to point out the mismatch in appearances but held back, not wanting to offend his new employee. He was wanted to be a good boss, after all.
He still winced at the memory of his first encounter with a halfling in this world. He had been working for Gonde at the time and had mistaken a customer, a halfling warrior, for a child. He asked if his parents were around. The halfling had not appreciated the misunderstanding and demonstrated his martial prowess by delivering a swift kick that left Andrew on crutches for weeks. The warrior was customer seeking weapon enchantments, and he was mistaken for a child.
That day, Andrew learned a valuable lesson about underestimating others based on their appearance.
Andrew smiled as he watched his three new employees enjoying their drinks. He knew they were bound to him by the system but hoped they would find joy in their new roles, especially Tasha, his former senior apprentice. He didn't want to be like a slave driver.