The Bondsman (a King Dice x Reader story)

Chapter Fifteen: Lies of the Mouth

Song: We'll Meet Again by The Ink Spots

       You had nearly strangled Cuphead when he got to the "sixtieth bucket of milk on the wall."

       It had been easy travel for the most part, with the boys only getting mildly distracted every once-in-a-while. You had needed to urge the two along as you neared the center of the city, the both of them getting distracted over the sights and sounds. You didn't try to rush them too much, of course. You kept their curiosities in mind, pointing out landmarks as you went along, discretely pressing them on until you reached the next debtor.

       After what must have been two hours tussling with Dr. Kahl and his iron creation, you were finally approaching the end of DIce's list, with only three names left on the docket until you were home-free to give Scratch the what-for of a lifetime.

-Sally Stageplay

-Werner Werman

-The Phantom Express

       You were familiar with Sally. In fact, you were rather surprised to find her name on the list in the first place. You'd attended school together, often exchanging nickels and dimes for any candies or knick knacks the other may have possessed as kids. She had always been a rather sweet girl. You'd have never expected this from her; she didn't seem the type...

       "You alright there, Ms. Straightway?" Mugman asked, turning back to face you as he stuck an arm out to bring his brother to a sudden stop.

       You hadn't realized that you were the one now slowing to a crawl.

       "Uh...fine, kid. Thanks," you hummed, picking up the pace again and nudging them along. "We'd better keep moving. Folks'll be getting out of work soon, and we don't want to get swept up in all the chaos."

       It had been a non-stop battle all day, the sun beginning to drop lower and lower in the sky as buildings began to cast their shadows down onto the streets. You estimated it was around 6:30 now, having spent a majority of your time getting your tails kicked over on the Pier.

       You'd need to hurry if you had any chance of reaching the other end of the Isle by sundown. Though the cups' deal ran until midnight, Inkwell was a whole different world when the sun fell. The city was no exception to this rule, the Devil's Casino resting on the other side of one of the sketchier parts of town. The last thing you needed was to get caught up with a past debtor or lackey with two trigger-happy children of chaos in tow. The amount of ways a situation like that could go south was frightening to even think about.

       "So who's this Sally gal, anyway?" Cuphead asked, kicking away a rock as he spoke. "She don't sound like too much trouble. D'you think she'll give us her contract?"

       You watched as the rock skipped down the sidewalk and tumbled into a nearby gutter, shrugging as you dug your hands into your pockets. A slight breeze swept over the three of you, papers and trash fluttering by like leaves against the foul city air.

       "I'm honestly not sure," you admitted. "I knew her growing up, but a lot has happened since then, what with the depression and prohibition and all that; People change."

       The boys nodded along, both of them falling into step on either side of you. You smiled softly as Cup reached up to give your hand a comforting pat.

       "I'm sure it'll be fine," he smiled. "If you want, we can handle this one..."

       You were about to assure him that it was no big deal when a familiar feeling tugged at the back of your skull, alarm and longing crashing together and dripping down your spine like wax. You were on edge instantly, then ease. The two battled with each other...you felt whole.