Chapter Text
Angel reread the note a few times on his way over to the Black Cat Casino. He was nervous for this meeting. It didn’t seem like a normal call from a client. True this would be a new client, but still. He knew what to expect when his usual client base called on him. He would be in pain, rarely get to climax, and then be expected to leave before anyone knew they paid for a whore. Angel was a famous porn star. No matter where he was, people knew what would happen. And even on the rare chance someone didn’t recognize his face, when he left looking and smelling of sex, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.
Angel looked over the note again to give it a final read.
Angel, I would like you to be my lucky charm.
Come to the Black Cat Casino tomorrow night. Go to the VIP lounge and ask for Mr. Whiskers to get in. Once inside, tell the bartender you want a ‘free chain’. They will know what to do. I look forward to seeing you in person.
Mr. Whiskers
Val had never heard of someone named ‘Mr. Whiskers’ and neither did the other V’s. Vox tried to find out who had delivered the letter by re-watching cameras, but the letter seemed to have just been slipped in with a handful of other fan mail. It couldn’t be traced to a single person. There was no way Angel could prepare for this. There was actually a little excitement at the idea of being seen as a lucky charm, but what would it cost him? The cost of fame and the money for his addictions was his soul. At least he couldn't lose more than he already did.
Angel got out of the car once they pulled up in front of the casino. The Black Cat was one of the biggest casinos in the pentagram, and it showed its wealth. It was several stories high, though most of the higher levels were said to be employee apartments. There was a large cat sitting on the name of the building, but it didn’t look tacky at all. All of the casinos were run by the gambling demon, an overlord that didn’t interact with many people. He didn’t even go to overlord meetings. The V’s tried to reach out to him a few times, offering to join them, but he rejected them immediately. Val wasn’t the happiest to think of Angel going alone, not wanting his prized slut hurt, but the rules of the casino were strict. No weapons allowed passed the doors. Apparently the owner didn’t like it when people broke his things.
Angel walked inside the grand casino, looking at all the souls moving around. The first floor was mostly a giant lounge with a few machines. A large stage off to the side near a large bar. There were couches and tables in front of the stage, all helping with the relaxed atmosphere. It all seemed standard to Angel from what he expected. The dealers were mostly sinners owned by the overlord, and the security was hell hounds. Angel had been told by Cherri that the gambling demon was actually a good boss to work for. Each contracted soul had an escape clause, a way for them to break their connection. Whether that be they pay what debts they had, or their contracts were only good for a certain amount of years. Most stayed though because the treatment was better than other overlords. Angel wished it was the gambling demon that got his soul all those years ago, instead of Valentino. But he couldn’t change that now.
The spider walked around a bit, mostly to just learn his surroundings and prepare himself for this Mr. Whiskers. Eventually he knew he couldn’t put it off anymore and straightened the tight red dress he wore, making sure his chest fluff was nicely on display above the sweetheart neckline, before heading back to the elevator under the VIP sign, guarded by two hellhounds. One of the hellhounds looked like a wolf, the other like a Doberman. Both were as tall as Angel and were quite intimidating. Angel didn’t know if they had to follow the rules set by their owner or not, but he didn’t see any weapons on them. Of course, hellhounds didn’t really need to use weapons to get a job done.
“Sorry,” one of the hellhounds at the doorway said, blocking Angel’s path. “Only specially invited guests are allowed.”
“I was invited.” Angel smirked with a wink, folding his upper set of arms as the lower set rested on his hips. “Got a letter from Mr. Whiskers. I was to meet him here.” He wondered if he should pull out the invite just to prove he wasn’t lying, but both hellhounds sent stiff, in the not fun way at the name.
“We apologize, Mr. Dust. You may go in.” Angel was a little confused at the behavior, but he said nothing to the hounds. He didn’t even question them knowing his name. They were probably fans of his work. Or Mr. Whiskers probably told them who he had invited to the VIP lounge. Whoever this Mr. Whiskers was, he must be quite powerful. But why were they meeting in an overlord’s territory? Was his good luck meant to bring down the gambling demon? He doubted many were stupid enough to try such an act. Hopefully, Mr. Whiskers wouldn’t turn his anger on Angel when he lost.
The Doberman swiped a key card, and the doors to the elevator opened. There were no buttons on the inside, so Angel could only stand and wait as he was taken up to one of the top floors. The VIP lounge was obviously not as crowded as the rest of the casino. It had a similar layout to the first floor with a few more tables, but everything looked higher quality. It all made Angel wonder how rich the gambling overlord was to afford it all. He must be richer than the V’s if the wealth around him right now was anything to go by. Angel tried to find Mr. Whiskers as he walked over to the bar, but it seemed rather empty except for a few demons. None of them gave Angel the feeling they were Mr. Whiskers, even though they stared at him like his usual clientele.
Angel sighed as he sat down at the bar and looked over the area. What was going on? Maybe he should have had Val accompany him? Or maybe Velvet, so he at least didn’t look so out of place in a place like this. Cherri would have stood out even more if he asked her to come, and she probably wouldn’t have been able to get into the VIP area with him.
“Can I get you something to drink?” A fox-like sinner asked. The girl was cute, Angel would admit, but he wasn’t into women like that. Her fur was purple in color, and her yellow eyes stared at Angel waiting for an answer. Her outfit was a simple white shirt and red bow tie, a name tag saying ‘Nadia’ was pinned on the right side of her chest.
“Was told ya had a special drink waiting for me.” He said, keeping his mask in place. It was the only way he could feel safe when this didn’t feel right. “A free chain?” Angel was surprised the woman reacted just the same as the hellhounds down stairs, her eyes going wide.
“A free….” she started to repeat before she got a hold of herself. “Of course. Wait right here, and I will let the boss know you’re here.”
Now it was Angel’s turn to stiffen as the woman moved to the other end of the bar. Boss? Mr. Whiskers was the gambling overlord himself, shit! Now he was definitely going to be regretting this. If this new overlord didn’t beat the shit out of him during sex, Val surely would for getting this close to another overlord. He watched her pick up a phone, one she apparently didn’t have to dial before she started speaking. Her eyes kept flashing back to Angel as if he would run if she wasn’t watching him. He wondered if he should, gaze flashing toward the elevator he just came out of. When the woman hung up the phone, she moved to make a drink and brought it to Angel. It was a pink sparkling drink in a martini glass mixed with what looked like silver glitter, a cherry sitting at the bottom of the cup. Along with the glass, a gold plated id card was slid toward him as well.
“When you’re ready, the boss will see you in his office. This card will open the door with the heart on it at the back of the lounge.” The sinner explained. “The boss said you can take as much time as you want to finish your drink or you can bring it back with you. You are the only meeting he has for tonight, so you won’t be interrupted.”
Knowing now that Mr. Whiskers was the gambling demon, the secretiveness of the letter and the reactions at the words he spoke made much more sense. But it still left the question as to why? Why not come out and pay for a night with him like everyone else did? Sure the overlord didn’t want to be a part of the V’s, but that didn’t mean he had to hide who he was, right? And why did the gambling demon, one known to never lose a bet, need a good luck charm?
Angel picked up the card and the drink before standing. It was stupid to put off this meeting when the overlord was waiting. He didn’t want to inspire any anger. He sipped the drink, hoping the alcohol would dull his senses a little only to receive the opposite effect. The drink was sweet, much sweeter than any drink he had before. But it was perfect. It was like candy had been soaked in alcohol. He would have to get the recipe for this when he left. He took another sip before heading for the back of the lounge.
Well, Mr. Whiskers. I hope you’re as good as everyone says you are.