One Hundred And Thirteen

One Hundred And Thirteen

“How do I keep losing?” Aliyah was shouting. “I’m even trick-shuffling on my turns... are you out-cheating me?”

“Hardly. I am simply blessed be the moon, my Fortune is great-great.” Shaeula answered. “You have little left to lose, so how about we try this. Oh and master...” she shouted out to me as I made to open the door. “No running away-away, else it will be the worse for this girl here.”

Letting go of the doorknob with a regretful sigh I mourned my chances of getting out of this unscathed. Eri was pouting sourly, but in a great act of willpower didn’t say anything.

“Maldita suerte! I am deeply sorry about this. Aliyah is very good at her job normally, but she.. she cannot hold her liquor. Captain Treyvon often scolds her, but she is not big on listening. I pray you forgive her for this...”

“Hey, it’s hardly her fault alone. Shaeula is definitely egging her on. She’s always ready to leap on anything that seems fun. But I’m happy, and aren’t you too Eri?” as Eri looked at her puzzled my sis continued. “After all, isn’t every day fun and full of joy now? Compared to just a week ago? It feels like we’ve had a lifetime’s worth in just this short week, right?”

Eri looked down at her engagement ring, and she smiled. “Yes, compared to how I felt when I had given up... I’m so happy I could just die. Even so... it made me realise I’m a greedy woman. I’m so frustrated that all these other women are hanging around you Akio. I don’t like it!”

“Well, I’m sorry about Shaeula, but...” I glanced over at Luciana, not willing to give much away. “As she is helping me out on a few projects, she has to be in my care...”

“I get that.” Eri agreed, though she still pouted cutely. “But what about Rika-san and Yae-san? You are way too nice to a couple of girls you don’t even know, just because they are young and a tiny bit cute.”

“There’s nothing to that.” I promised. “I am just happy that you are making more friends, and I want to thank them for looking out for you and my sis.”

“Hmph, if that’s all it is, I don’t need them. Wipe them from your mind. I’ll do the same.”

Aiko burst out laughing and even Luciana joined in the merriment. “Oh my, you have my condolences, Akio. Your fiancée, she is a ... I think heavy woman? Is that how it is said?”

“I am not... I just...” Eri floundered, Aiko pounding her on the back heartly.NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

“Oh you are, you are.” She grinned. “But my bro loves you anyway, so relax!”

“WHY CAN’T I WIN?” Aliyah was cursing. “I had a full house and you still beat me. I thought I’d get to see you take off that dress...”

“I fear only those worthy can see-see my beautiful naked body.” I could hear the smirk in Shaeula’s voice from here, she was definitely enjoying messing with the drunk Aliyah. I just hope she doesn’t go too far. “I am as merciful as I am beautiful though, so I shall give you one final chance to overturn my blessing-blessing. If you win I shall discard my clothing to match yours, but if I win...” her voice quietened, and we couldn’t hear what she said, but Aliyah agreed, sure she would win sooner or later.

“I thought she was quite a good gambler when I saw her at the tournament.” I said to Luciana. “Maybe I was wrong and it was all luck?”

“As I said, it is the drink... as well as her weakness for pretty girls. Please do not let it dismay you. We would like to be amistosa... amicable, moving forwards. Her brother hopes that we can be on good terms, should our paths cross again.”

“I like this one. She’s very polite.” My sis said.

“I’ve got you now.... Read the cards and weep!” Aliyah shouted, only for Shaeula to immediately deliver her defeat.

“It is you who should be weeping indeed-indeed.” Shaeula taunted her. “Though they should be tears of joy, for I am giving you an opportunity to repent your insults to my-my master.”

“I... do I really have to... come on, have a heart! A beauty like you shouldn’t be so petty. God I need more booze, give me that...”

“Given words should not be broken, it corrupts the soul.” Shaeula was unrelenting. “Now honour your wager!”

“Do what you need to. Shaeula went too far in her playing, and since I’m... well, kinda like her boss I guess, then that means I should take responsibility for her.”

“No takebacks then, all right?” Aliyah began winding up a punch, swinging her arm (and other things too, I couldn’t help but notice).

“No, wait, you maldita tonto! I know you are upset, but the mission...” Luciana tried to stop her, but It was too late.

“Take this, the cost of a free show from me! Stupid pretty boy, I hope you like a broken face!” her fist struck out, cannoning into me with great force. Quite the punch, she sure is something, still, it hurts way less than when I was impaled by those tentacles in that antiques shop...

“Wow, you actually took it, I was sure you wouldn’t...” Aliyah said smugly, before pausing, seeing me still standing. “No way... even Trey can’t take one of my punches head on...”

Sorry, but I’m a bit beyond losing a fistfight now. I turned my head to the side, feeling a bit of an ache in my cheek and nose where she had hit me, and I spat a few droplets of blood, before rubbing at my face to soothe it. “Yeah, that was a good punch. You are quite the fighter.” I said. “So, could you please forgive Shaeula? I think if she didn’t like you she wouldn’t tease you so.”

“Well, this female is entertaining indeed-indeed.” Shaeula grinned, having forgotten her scolding from Eri already. “And while there are many of the Seelie who find those of the same gender enchanting, and I do not disparage it-it, those who do not find Akio alluring are foolish, and should be helped to see the error of their ways.”

“Shaeula!” Eri growled. “It only matters that we know how wonderful Akio is. I don’t want more rivals, I have enough. Sure, I hate it that she was looking down on him, but there’s no cause to go this far just to prove a point... huh?”

Aliyah had burst out laughing, howling until tears were streaming down her face once more, this time from laughter.

Wow, drunks sure are changeable.

“All right, all right...” Aliyah said when she could finally breathe again. “Fuck, I get it. I lose. I’m the idiot for letting that little cutie Shaeula cheat me, and you did let me hit you, which you took like a boss... fine. We’ll call this a draw and pretend it never happened, right?”

“Oh yes, please, gracias a Dios por eso.” Luciana rejoiced. “Let us end this madness here.”

“You should probably get dressed now.” Eri said, going to scoop up Aliyah’s discarded clothes. “Akio can still see you...”

“Eh, fuck it. Done is done.” she shrugged, bouncing spectacularly. “You should count yourself lucky, I take pride in my body. Make the most of it, as you’ll never see it again.” She turned then, following Eri to the back room, her ass swaying as she walked, showing me everything. I swallowed, feeling warm, but with supreme will my body stayed calm. Thank god that’s over... what a shitshow. But... man, she sure was stacked...

********

Once Aliyah was decent and drinking water now (as Luciana was insistent no more trouble happened) I went out to fetch back Buck. He laughed uproariously when he heard a version of the tale, nearly earning himself a punch from Aliyah. We made more small talk, and in the end I caved in and gave Aliyah and Luciana my phone number. It was risky in a way, but they already had such a good lead on my identity that having theirs in exchange might be worth it. I don’t really say anything I shouldn’t on the phone in any case, I’ll just have to remember to be extra careful.

Now that her attitude towards me had thawed, Eri and Aiko weren’t so standoffish with her, so the girls had some fun chatting for a while, until Aliyah and Luciano had to leave. I had caved in a dropped a few... loaded words... to them, in exchange for finding out they had taken the casino owner to a location a few hundred kilometres away. Which meant... yeah, he shouldn’t be able to reach his Territory, even if he enters the Boundary. Which I don’t know if he even can. They’ve let slip enough to me to guess they are definitely some sort of military unit, so I expect they will be keeping the guy up to interrogate him... so this is an opportunity...

After that I had a couple of drinks with Buck, before asking for a small favour. “I’d like to borrow the back room for an hour or so. Can I ask that no-one bothers us for a bit?”

“Sure thing, but keep it clean, okay?” Buck joked and I nodded. “Will do. Thanks for the favour again, and the ... interesting... night.”

“Yeah, never a dull moment with you is there Akio? Anyway, I’ll go see the band for a bit, let me know when you are done and I’ll see you and your ladies out.”

All right then. Time for the final task of this trip...