The Way of The Tide

concern...

*Devil*
I came out to the lobby, Wheezy had told me people were angry because our entertainment for the night simply left. I got out there a bit late because well I had a lot of paperwork, but I saw King. He nodded to Wheezy, and...

"You had plenty money in 1922
You let other women make a fool of you"

King sang sweetly, making all the women near the front of the stage swoon as he slowly walked forward. You could see the confidence in his eyes as he continued to sing softly. 

"Why don't you do right?

Like some other men do

Get out of here and get me some money, too"

I took a seat. I never really got to hear any of the singers since I was always busy, but King just grabbed my attention as he sang softly but oddly enchanting. 

"You're sittin' down wonderin' what it's all about

You ain't got no money that will put you out"

King kept everyone's attention with his soft, enchanting voice. I smiled a bit as I listened to his sing. I'd listened to plent of musicians over my lifetime... but this had to be a form of sorcery. The way he glided over the stage and smiled to the audience. At one point it just felt like it was the two of us.

"Why don't you do right?
Like some other men do
Get out of here and get me some money, too"

He commanded your attention with ease, and it felt impossible to look away... what was this new feeling? No one's ever caught my attention like this before. I smiled some more, and knew I felt something special when I was with Dice. Was it normal? I wasn't sure, but I wasn't making any close calls. We'd only really known one another for a couple days, but I will admit he did feel familiar.

"Excuse me sir?" I made a low growl as I looked to Wheezy who jumped a bit.

"What the hell do you want?" I absentmindedly looked 

I fell for your jiving and I took you in
Now all you've got to offer me is a drink of gin

"Sir, um... the kitchen is on fire... again." I groaned and went back to the kitchen to handle the entirety of it. Simply using my magic to relax the flames and eventually put them out. I turned back to the main lobby and sat to listen to Dice for the lasting moments.

"Why don't you do right?

Like some other men do
Get out of here and get me some money, too
Why don't you do right?
Like some other men do
Like some other men do"

Dice sat on a piano comfortably, the entire casino roared into cheering and hollering for an encore. I smiled myself... until I noticed flowers thrown from the back onto the stage and Dice caught them. He looked to the back and winked. That would have been my seat... I went to where I was originally sat but no one was there surprisingly. I looked back to the stage to see King talking to someone wearing a hat who gave them more flowers. I'd never seen anyone dressed like that in the casino. I nodded over to Wheezy, causing the curtains to close on Dice and the stranger. The stranger simply ran off in smoke. 

"What the hell?..." I was definitely concerned for King's safety. He peaked out from the curtain but Wheezy pulled him behind. I rolled my eyes. I went backstage to see King in a bit of pain. Almost forgot about his pain. "King, I understand you wanted to help, but you are still injured!" He rolled his eyes.

"Oh, please! You were watching the show and didn't stop me." He rolled his eyes as he walked off. I growled lowly as he walked away, I followed behind him.

"I couldn't stop you since everyone was already into it! You need to think about your own safety!" Dice groaned as I expressed my concern.

"It's not a big deal! Not like you have to care! It's my life anyway!" I rolled my eyes as we got outside Wheezy's room.

"King, I'm not trying to be overbearing, but you're injured! That... makes me concerned you can get hurt and you need to rest." I was honest, since he clearly didn't want to listen to me.

*King*

He... was really a kind guy. Everyone said the Devil was a jerk who cared for no one... but he's only ever been kind to the staff and I. Yeah he can get grumpy... but no one's ever shown me this much concern or care. It was all new to me... I sighed and turned to him. 

"I apologize sir... I just really want to help and I hate being injured." He and I were just honest with each other, which was a first for me. He laughed a bit.

"I understand, but my staff's safety is important to me. I'm not going to have any of them hurt because they want to be stubborn." I laughed a bit with him, and smiled for once.

"I understand sir." He nodded to me and walked away. It was nice having someone who cared about me. Only Mugman had ever... I sighed as that thought came into my head. I hated thinking about my family... it was the worst. I did like thinking about the nights I snuck into bars and scammed people outta a good amount of money. That's the only way I could buy clothes for the longest time. I thought for a bit... what if I could erase my memories from home? I sat up. What if I had a contract that entailed that? I shook my head. "No no this is my soul I'm talking about!?" I groaned when Wheezy came into the room.

"Dice! You did well out there!" I smiled and nodded to him.

"Thank you Wheezy... but I got a question?" He looked to me confused and nodded. I sighed. I wasn't sure how to phrase it all. 

"I have a lot of painful memories from my home..." Wheezy nodded. I had told him pretty much ever little thing. I breathed before I spoke. "...if I started a contract with the Devil, I'd become manager... but could I also erase memories from my past that I don't want to think about?" Wheezy looked shocked and seemed to try to think about how he spoke.

"I... the Boss helped Pachinko out with that, and it actually changed him. Without all those memories holding him back he was able to become more himself. You would change a bit Dice..." I thought about that... it sounded like I'd be happier and more unapologetically myself. 

"It sounds nice... to be myself and not remember all the pain, but..." I sighed. "What would happen if I sold my soul? What way would my life change?..." Wheezy patted my shoulder and I smiled. "I'll keep it in mind. Thank you Wheezy."