Fannish Friday
Sep. 5th, 2025 08:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessNothing exciting happened today (other than apple butter lattes, me trying to get admin pissed at me and panic attacks) so have something you've been asking for. My candy recs
So the Hershey Haul....I haven't eaten it all yet because there's only so much candy a diabetic should eat (none) but here are my thoughts
Chocolate Lava Peanut Butter cups - so it's supposed to have ooey gooey chocolate lava. Bag #1 (since PB cups are my favorites) Dad got one and I got one that oozed into the packaging. The rest were just normal cups with super soft centers making it hard to get it out of its paper panties. Bag two had a thin layer of what might be chocolate lava, barely noticeable.
Verdict - get normal ones. they're cheaper than this rip off
Hazelnut kisses - I'm still not a fan of nuts in chocolate even if I like the nuts
Brownie Bites Kisses - tasted like brownies. Pretty good
Pumpkin Spice Latte treasure nugget - tastes like its name. wee bit artificial but not bad
Caramel Machiatto latte treasure nugget - um...no caramel, no coffee, just tastes like milk chocolate which is nice enough but this is one of the Hershey store only special chocolates so I wanted more flavor, more specialness
Cafe Espresso treasure nugget - strong coffee taste, yummy (another special)
special bars, salty caramel and strawberry creme. I should have looked closer. They're both white chocolate. I'm not a fan of white chocolate. That said. Salty caramel tasted more like coconut (looked like toasted coconut) good but not quite caramel. Strawberry creme tastes like strawberry quick.
Caramel special nuggets, large (expensive as fuck compared to the rest), bigger about two inch cubes, very good caramel, gooey.
I still have more to try.
Actually wrote something
Title: Pushing Up the Ante
Fandom: Hazbin Hotel
Summary: All Husker wanted was a friendly game of Texas hold ‘em to entertain his fellow overlords. One of them doesn’t get the message and in his attempts to take out Husker, the ante gets bigger until they’re all in.
Rating: teen
Author Note - This was inspired by lurkingsky on Bluesky who was running a DTYIS for this fantastic picture of Husk right here. I’m no artist but this picture told me a story so I wrote it (and seriously, go check out that great picture of Husk!)
This is set some time before Husk lost it all so probably a handful of years before Charlie’s plans for the hotel. And there will be a few alterations to how Texas hold ‘em is played (you’ll see what I mean)
Also written for spikesgirl58’s six word challenge and the six words were Wake, Statement, Generate, Franchise, Strap, & Candidate and for the allbingo prompt of no quarter
Also written the lyrical titles bingo 2025 . This one is for the prompt a fast song Ace of Spades by Motorhead
This was supposed to be a friendly game of poker, something he’d tossed out there without thinking it through at the last overlord meeting. Anyone want to get dealt into a friendly hand show up at The Jackpot at ten. He expected a few of his allies to show, maybe a some of the others who couldn’t resist. There were more than a few he hoped didn’t show up, like Vox and Valentino. He was not gambling with an overlord who could hack into all the security cameras and spy on the players. Valentino was just a disruptive dick he could do without and if he didn’t bring his boytoy Angel Dust with him, he’d likely to come with other arm candy that would just be in the way of a good game.
Zestial wouldn’t show. Most would be just as happy about that, ditto Alastor. No one liked to party with either of them, mostly out of fear. Husker wouldn’t say that he was afraid but he was cautious. Out of the bigger overlords only Rosie had shown up, though she preferred to play whist. She did like a game or thirty. A few lower level overlords took him up on the offer of game, one of the spider overlords – the tiny one – the twins that ran a booze empire from whom he bought to stock his casinos, a bat-like woman who had ran a franchise of one of the fashion empires and the one making an ass of himself right now, a low level drug dealer who didn’t seemed to understand the idea of friendly game.
Deeds was ruining things with his over the top competitiveness and he wasn’t nearly as good as he thought he was. Husker flicked his gaze to Arackniss who puffed on his cigarette, his face impassive. Of all the people at the table, he was the hardest to read, shocking really since he had eight eyes to give away his emotions. Dude had a great poker face, unlike the booze twins who Husk could clean out any time he felt like it. Hell had been a wakeup call to change some of his poker hacks however. Not everyone had human faces to read any more. You don’t have a human face, for fuck’s sake.
He’d been quick to pull in other things he knew about body language. The trick he’d learned best not only as a gambler but as a street magician back in the living years went by the fancy name of sympathetic autonomic response. In other words, the pupils dilated when someone was excited about something and went to pinpoints when they did not and there was shit all anyone could do to stop it. Most people didn’t know about it, which was why he got away with wearing dark shades to hide his own pupils when he was in a high stakes game. He hadn’t even brought them with him to this supposed friendly hand.
“Are we going to keep using these penny ante stakes?” Deeds grumbled. “I want to take you to the cleaners. I know you aren’t all that good, Husker.”
Bold statement. Husker didn’t let his irritation about it show. “I did say it was a friendly game, more of something to do while we talk.”
And they had talked about all manner of things as Husker looked for ways to generate more foot traffic and revenue for his casinos. Getting a deal on the twins’ best booze and arranging a fashion show for Crystal on one of his stages should do just that. He already used the web overlord’s security men. Arackniss liked to come to the casino, getting breathing time away from Henroin whom Husker would love to make eat some of his exploding dice. Arackniss was a frequent visitor to The Jackpot, always moderating his gambling with an iron fist.
Because he used to break legs of the careless gamblers who took out loans with the family. You probably saw the bastard in Vegas when you were alive.
“Screw friendly games. What are we? A bunch of old women chatting over tea,” Deeds scoffed.
“I would never categorize myself as old but I do love tea.” Rosie’s cheery tone did not match her expression. Husker knew an ‘I’m going to kill you’ look when he saw it even if Deeds did not.
And she’d pop this idiot in a stew pot and throw a dinner party, he thought grimly.
“All right, give me a half hour to put out the announcement for a high stake poker game, see who else in the casino wants to buy in. Crystal, you in?” Husker asked.
“Thanks but no. My profit margins are whisper thin right now. I can’t afford a big loss.” She ruffled her batwings.
“We’re in, depending on how much you’re talking and if we can take our winnings-” one twin said.
“Or losses and walk,” his brother finished for him.
“We’ll talk about the buy in and yes, you can always walk before the game is done,” Husker replied.
“I’ve got better things to do than to take on you in your own house,” Arackniss scoffed, a cloud of smoke billowing from his mouth.
“Should have known the itsy bitsy spider was too scared to take a risk,” Deeds sneered and Arackniss had a pistol in hand instantly pointing it at Deeds’ face.
The man’s droopy basset hound face morphed into horror, his wrinkles smoothing out as his eyes widened. Had he really imagined he could talk shit to an overlord known for brawling and weaponry without getting a reaction? Arackniss grinned but ultimately holstered the weapon.
“You’re lucky I don’t want to make a mess in another overlord’s house.”
“And I appreciate it.” Husker toasted him with a cut crystal tumbler.
“How about you buy a lady a drink?” Rosie asked Arackniss.
His ugly little eyes narrowed. “And Franklin won’t mind? I don’t want on the menu.”
She laughed. “Franklin doesn’t like to drink but I miss cocktails. If a drink’s just a drink, he won’t fuss.”
“I could use a cocktail,” Arackniss replied.
So could Husker. He’d have to have drinks sent into the room but he’d have to watch what he drank though he could take an idiot like Deeds while being zozzled. Husker pulled his silver cigarette case out and scowled. He was down to his last smoke. Seeing his expression, Arackniss dug out a fresh pack of cigarettes from an inside pocket – he had three more packs in there – and he handed it to Husk.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Arackniss fussed with the strap of his suspender then smoothed his jacket down before offering Rosie his arm. He barely came up to her waist but he walked her out like a regal king.
Husker hoped Arackniss stayed on Rosie’s good side. He’d hate to see him become a snack. He’d be forced to deal with Henroin again. With a sigh, he set out to round up a big game.
# # #
Husker inhaled around his cigarette end. Jesus, who smokes unfiltered cigarettes, Arackniss? Also is it possible to get extra strength tobacco because this shit is nasty. He was definitely sending Arackniss a carton of smoother smokes than this garbage. He’d probably get offended.
He scanned the remaining players. The twins had bowed out but not before losing three months of free booze to his casinos. He smiled thinking about that as he reached for the decanter of something not unlike cognac. He needed to slow down a little so he only splashed in a bit more into his tumbler. Deeds was going nowhere as were four others he hadn’t even wasted an ounce of energy on learning their names.
Husker eyed Deeds, thinking he might be a good candidate for harvesting a soul to add to the collection. Every good overlord needed to make bank on that and it had been awhile for him. Deeds would be a giant pain the ass really – he was being one during each and every hand he was dealt – but Husker needed some janitorial staff after the incident last month. That seemed suitable as a fall for a man who thought himself better than the staff waiting on them. It annoyed Husker. His mother had worked hard cleaning his parents’ small casino to keep him in food and clothes. There was nothing wrong with being a housekeeper. Deeds wouldn’t agree. Yes, that would be perfect for him.
Straightening his lapels, Husker relaxed into his role as the overlord of gambling. Overhead, the speakers were playing String of Pearls taking him back to his days of playing jazz to keep himself afloat as he tried to make it as a magician. If he closed his eyes, he could be back in Vegas or Paris or Florence, London, Berlin, any of the places he’d traveled to hoping to dazzle people with his magic. His shoulders swayed to the beat.
“Are you really not going to up the ante to something worth playing for?” Deed’s sneer broke Husker out of the pleasant memories.
Husker scowled around his cigarette. He plucked it from his mouth and breathed a plume toward Deeds. “You really want to push the ante?” He flicked his gaze to the pile of chips in front of Deeds. He’d let the bastard win a few to build his confidence. Deeds was the type of narcissist who knew he was better than everyone else, never occurring to him he wasn’t.
“That’s what we’re here for.”
“Fine, then let’s go all in,” Husker replied. “Like real overlords. Souls on the line.”
Everyone’s eyes popped wide open. Two of the no-names bowed out instantly, sweeping up their remaining chips and fleeing in the direction of the cashier so they could cash out. Another two no-names stayed in, one who looked like a living tree and the other bore a resemblance to a Pigeon. Husker didn’t know them but recognized greed even in faces as inhuman as theirs. Deeds smirked.
“Now you’re talking.”
“We’re all clear on this. It’s one ante, souls. Winner takes all. Someone is walking off with three new soul contracts at the end of this. You fold you lose. There’s still time to back out,” Husker said.
“Sounds like you’re the one who wants out, kitty cat.” Deeds drummed on the table.
Husker sneered. “You wish.” He picked up the cards. He’d planned it well once seeing Deeds insistence on upping the ante. It was his turn to deal the hand. “And since I’m the button…”
“Deal ‘em,” Deeds growled.
There was no need to call for the small blind bet. There was only going to be one bet. The big blind was already set, souls on the line. Husker dealt. The flop was promising with the ace of diamonds showing. The two no names started shaking when he tossed out the turn card. They had shit and they knew it, couldn’t hide it. Funny that, getting all nervous about losing their souls. Deeds wasn’t much better at hiding his emotions. He had a decent hand. Husker barely looked at his hole cards. He already knew how strong his hand was.
“Here we go, the river.”
With a little sleight of hand on his part and the Ace of Spades joined its sister on the table. One of the no names, Mr. Tree, started crying. The other bucked up a bit. Deeds was grinning.
Husker took a sip of his booze and nodded to the crying no name. “You’re up.”
He mucked his hand and buried his face in the crook of his arm, not such a tough guy anymore. The other one turned over his hole cards.
“Pair of aces, king high,” he said hopefully.
“Doesn’t even come close.” Deeds chuckled and put down two tens to go with the one from the flop. “Along with those two aces, I have a full house. Sorry about that, Husker. Like I said, you ain’t all that.”
Dragging hard on his cigarette, Husker flipped his hole cards on the table, the two remaining aces. “Nice full house, Deeds but it doesn’t beat four of a kind.”
Deeds’ jaw dropped as he grayed out. “Wha…no! You cheated!”
Husker refilled his cognac, twirling the decanter first. He inhaled the sweet and spicy aroma, not allowing himself the shit eating grin that wanted to slice across his face. He had, in fact, cheated with that last ace but he’d be double dead before he admitted it. “No, I’m just that fucking good!”
He shot his booze, enjoying the burn, and then he produced three pre-made soul contracts - his standard contract - and tossed them on the table. “Sign ‘em. In two days, report to my personal assistant, Sunny, for your new afterlife. Her office is on the seventh floor. Security will send you up. Don’t make me have to hunt you down. You will regret it.”
“Is…there a chance to renegotiate the contract?” the crying no name asked.
“Down the road, sure, but you’ll have to make it worth my time. Why don’t you concentrate on impressing me first.”
He waited for them to sign before taking the contracts and leaving them there to regret their choices. Husker wandered outside, sweat pooled under his swanky suit. Letting Deeds push his buttons like that hadn’t been smart. If he hadn’t cheated, he’d have lost his own soul. He just couldn’t resist the adrenaline rush of a high stake game.
Arackniss and Rosie were standing in the valet parking. People trusted his valets because he owned them all and would shred them if they stole from his patrons. Arackniss side eyed him.
“How many souls did you end up with?” Arackniss blew out a streamer of smoke that curled up toward the streetlight.
Husker handed him the rest of his pack. “Three idiots including Deeds. He just kept pushing up the ante. What’s an overlord to do?”
Arackniss snorted and Rosie smiled.
“And you smoke shit cigarettes, Arackniss. Tastes like spider hair.” Husker smirked.
“If you actually know what that tastes like, you probably fucked one of my cousins.” Arackniss tucked the used pack back in his pocket. “Or the testa di cazzo I reluctantly call my fratellino.”
Husker snorted.
Rosie cocked her head. “I don’t know Italian though I find it pretty as a language. However, I suspect you just said some unkind things.”
“He called his brother a dickhead, but from what I hear he prefers to give dicks head.” Husker leaned on the light pole. “But no, I’ve not had the pleasure. I’ve seen a few movies. Valentino can’t write a script to save his sick soul but your brother…yeah won’t finish that thought.” Husker shrugged as Arackniss scowled.
“Thanks. I already know my baby brother fucks for a living. Less I know about it the better.” Arackniss lit a new cigarette from his old. “He’s dumb as a sack of hair to sign up with Valentino but his desire to get away from Henroin blinded him to the fact he was signing up with Henroin two point oh and this one he has to sleep with.” Arackniss shook his head. “I should have kicked his ass harder.”
“Not getting involved with Valentino was good brotherly advice. Ah, here’s my car,” Rosie said as her driver pulled up to the curb. Husker opened the door for her and she waved as she left.
Arackniss turned and looked up at The Jackpot and then at the Wild Cherries across the way. “I like your neck of the woods. Reminds me of the Strip. I was in Vegas a while in the late forties.”
“Getting a few casinos up and running for the mob?” Husker guessed.
He nodded. “Yeah. And I had to get out of Brooklyn. Between the shit rolling around in my head from the war and seeing my little brother dead, watching Mama and Anthony’s twin, Molly, mourn….” Arackniss flicked his cigarette into the street and folded his arms over his chest, taking a few deep breaths.
“Vegas would definitely be a change of pace, a place to reset for you.” Husker pulled a flask out of his jacket, took a swig and passed it to Arackniss. “It was my home, born there. I traveled the world, performing in jazz bands but Vegas was always home to me. I wanted a piece of it here.” He kept the thought of ‘and as a small time stage magician’ to himself. No one needed to know he was that good with sleight of hand.
Arackniss took a big swallow of the booze before handing back the flask. “Yeah stayed out there a few years until the wife said no more of this hot desert. I agreed. Who knew we preferred freezing our asses off in New York. Anyhow, I like your space. If you want to set up another friendly poker game, call me. I enjoy it. I just know better than to play anything more than penny ante with you. I like my soul where it is.”
“Assolutamente, sei il benvenuto in qualsiasi momento.” Husker grinned as Arackniss lit up hearing his first language. “I worked a few years in Rome and Reggio Calabria.”
“Ha, I’m Calabrese. Grazie mille.” He pulled out another cigarette to replace the half smoked one he’d tossed. “Now that Rosie’s safely away I should give my ticket to the valet though it’s not like I need to guard her. Any idiot messing with Rosie is likely to get his face eaten off.”
“True. Have a good night, Arackniss.”
“Thanks. Hope Deeds won’t be too big of a pain in the ass for you now that you own him.”
“Me too.”
As Arackniss strolled over to the valet, Husker walked back inside, thinking about what he and Sunny could come up with to slot in his three new souls. He probably didn’t need three new janitors. The cacophony of slot machines, people talking and shouting at the roulette, poker and blackjack tables, the music bubbling in from one of the stages, all washed over him. Husker smiled. This was his pride and joy. He worked hard to create this. More importantly, he had crafted himself the perfect home. What more could he want?
Italian Translation
testa di cazzo - dickhead
fratellino – little brother
Assolutamente, sei il benvenuto in qualsiasi momento – Absolutely you’re welcome any time
Grazie mille – many thanks
Fannish 50 fan recs
Manoeuvres Under Fire. The Jacobite Trilogy | The Flight of the Heron Series
Heading to Bed Stargate Atlantis
Training Torchwood
Disobedience. Stargate SG-1
strange friends in familiar places
魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù陈情令 | The Untamed (TV)Marvel Cinematic Universe
Strangers Instead of Friends Stargate Atlantis/Stargate SG-1
Searching Torchwood
Breakfast Plans FAKE
Dr. and Mrs. The Owl House
Is it Soup Yet? Stargate Atlantis/Stargate SG-1
Upcycling Stargate Atlantis
Cherish Bloom The Murderbot Diaries
Storytime Stargate Atlantis
Kid Hazbin Hotel
Ianto Jones Regrets Torchwood/Doctor Who
The Full Experience FAKE
A Tale for All Hallow's Eve Grimm/Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Silent Nights Barry
Most People The Murderbot Diaries
Not Soft Hazbin Hotel
Learning the Lay of the Land Teen Wolf
Pumpkin Carving Buffy the Vampire Slayer
So the Hershey Haul....I haven't eaten it all yet because there's only so much candy a diabetic should eat (none) but here are my thoughts
Chocolate Lava Peanut Butter cups - so it's supposed to have ooey gooey chocolate lava. Bag #1 (since PB cups are my favorites) Dad got one and I got one that oozed into the packaging. The rest were just normal cups with super soft centers making it hard to get it out of its paper panties. Bag two had a thin layer of what might be chocolate lava, barely noticeable.
Verdict - get normal ones. they're cheaper than this rip off
Hazelnut kisses - I'm still not a fan of nuts in chocolate even if I like the nuts
Brownie Bites Kisses - tasted like brownies. Pretty good
Pumpkin Spice Latte treasure nugget - tastes like its name. wee bit artificial but not bad
Caramel Machiatto latte treasure nugget - um...no caramel, no coffee, just tastes like milk chocolate which is nice enough but this is one of the Hershey store only special chocolates so I wanted more flavor, more specialness
Cafe Espresso treasure nugget - strong coffee taste, yummy (another special)
special bars, salty caramel and strawberry creme. I should have looked closer. They're both white chocolate. I'm not a fan of white chocolate. That said. Salty caramel tasted more like coconut (looked like toasted coconut) good but not quite caramel. Strawberry creme tastes like strawberry quick.
Caramel special nuggets, large (expensive as fuck compared to the rest), bigger about two inch cubes, very good caramel, gooey.
I still have more to try.
Actually wrote something
Title: Pushing Up the Ante
Fandom: Hazbin Hotel
Summary: All Husker wanted was a friendly game of Texas hold ‘em to entertain his fellow overlords. One of them doesn’t get the message and in his attempts to take out Husker, the ante gets bigger until they’re all in.
Rating: teen
Author Note - This was inspired by
lurkingsky on Bluesky who was running a DTYIS for this fantastic picture of Husk right here. I’m no artist but this picture told me a story so I wrote it (and seriously, go check out that great picture of Husk!)This is set some time before Husk lost it all so probably a handful of years before Charlie’s plans for the hotel. And there will be a few alterations to how Texas hold ‘em is played (you’ll see what I mean)
Also written for spikesgirl58’s six word challenge and the six words were Wake, Statement, Generate, Franchise, Strap, & Candidate and for the allbingo prompt of no quarter
Also written the lyrical titles bingo 2025 . This one is for the prompt a fast song Ace of Spades by Motorhead
This was supposed to be a friendly game of poker, something he’d tossed out there without thinking it through at the last overlord meeting. Anyone want to get dealt into a friendly hand show up at The Jackpot at ten. He expected a few of his allies to show, maybe a some of the others who couldn’t resist. There were more than a few he hoped didn’t show up, like Vox and Valentino. He was not gambling with an overlord who could hack into all the security cameras and spy on the players. Valentino was just a disruptive dick he could do without and if he didn’t bring his boytoy Angel Dust with him, he’d likely to come with other arm candy that would just be in the way of a good game.
Zestial wouldn’t show. Most would be just as happy about that, ditto Alastor. No one liked to party with either of them, mostly out of fear. Husker wouldn’t say that he was afraid but he was cautious. Out of the bigger overlords only Rosie had shown up, though she preferred to play whist. She did like a game or thirty. A few lower level overlords took him up on the offer of game, one of the spider overlords – the tiny one – the twins that ran a booze empire from whom he bought to stock his casinos, a bat-like woman who had ran a franchise of one of the fashion empires and the one making an ass of himself right now, a low level drug dealer who didn’t seemed to understand the idea of friendly game.
Deeds was ruining things with his over the top competitiveness and he wasn’t nearly as good as he thought he was. Husker flicked his gaze to Arackniss who puffed on his cigarette, his face impassive. Of all the people at the table, he was the hardest to read, shocking really since he had eight eyes to give away his emotions. Dude had a great poker face, unlike the booze twins who Husk could clean out any time he felt like it. Hell had been a wakeup call to change some of his poker hacks however. Not everyone had human faces to read any more. You don’t have a human face, for fuck’s sake.
He’d been quick to pull in other things he knew about body language. The trick he’d learned best not only as a gambler but as a street magician back in the living years went by the fancy name of sympathetic autonomic response. In other words, the pupils dilated when someone was excited about something and went to pinpoints when they did not and there was shit all anyone could do to stop it. Most people didn’t know about it, which was why he got away with wearing dark shades to hide his own pupils when he was in a high stakes game. He hadn’t even brought them with him to this supposed friendly hand.
“Are we going to keep using these penny ante stakes?” Deeds grumbled. “I want to take you to the cleaners. I know you aren’t all that good, Husker.”
Bold statement. Husker didn’t let his irritation about it show. “I did say it was a friendly game, more of something to do while we talk.”
And they had talked about all manner of things as Husker looked for ways to generate more foot traffic and revenue for his casinos. Getting a deal on the twins’ best booze and arranging a fashion show for Crystal on one of his stages should do just that. He already used the web overlord’s security men. Arackniss liked to come to the casino, getting breathing time away from Henroin whom Husker would love to make eat some of his exploding dice. Arackniss was a frequent visitor to The Jackpot, always moderating his gambling with an iron fist.
Because he used to break legs of the careless gamblers who took out loans with the family. You probably saw the bastard in Vegas when you were alive.
“Screw friendly games. What are we? A bunch of old women chatting over tea,” Deeds scoffed.
“I would never categorize myself as old but I do love tea.” Rosie’s cheery tone did not match her expression. Husker knew an ‘I’m going to kill you’ look when he saw it even if Deeds did not.
And she’d pop this idiot in a stew pot and throw a dinner party, he thought grimly.
“All right, give me a half hour to put out the announcement for a high stake poker game, see who else in the casino wants to buy in. Crystal, you in?” Husker asked.
“Thanks but no. My profit margins are whisper thin right now. I can’t afford a big loss.” She ruffled her batwings.
“We’re in, depending on how much you’re talking and if we can take our winnings-” one twin said.
“Or losses and walk,” his brother finished for him.
“We’ll talk about the buy in and yes, you can always walk before the game is done,” Husker replied.
“I’ve got better things to do than to take on you in your own house,” Arackniss scoffed, a cloud of smoke billowing from his mouth.
“Should have known the itsy bitsy spider was too scared to take a risk,” Deeds sneered and Arackniss had a pistol in hand instantly pointing it at Deeds’ face.
The man’s droopy basset hound face morphed into horror, his wrinkles smoothing out as his eyes widened. Had he really imagined he could talk shit to an overlord known for brawling and weaponry without getting a reaction? Arackniss grinned but ultimately holstered the weapon.
“You’re lucky I don’t want to make a mess in another overlord’s house.”
“And I appreciate it.” Husker toasted him with a cut crystal tumbler.
“How about you buy a lady a drink?” Rosie asked Arackniss.
His ugly little eyes narrowed. “And Franklin won’t mind? I don’t want on the menu.”
She laughed. “Franklin doesn’t like to drink but I miss cocktails. If a drink’s just a drink, he won’t fuss.”
“I could use a cocktail,” Arackniss replied.
So could Husker. He’d have to have drinks sent into the room but he’d have to watch what he drank though he could take an idiot like Deeds while being zozzled. Husker pulled his silver cigarette case out and scowled. He was down to his last smoke. Seeing his expression, Arackniss dug out a fresh pack of cigarettes from an inside pocket – he had three more packs in there – and he handed it to Husk.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Arackniss fussed with the strap of his suspender then smoothed his jacket down before offering Rosie his arm. He barely came up to her waist but he walked her out like a regal king.
Husker hoped Arackniss stayed on Rosie’s good side. He’d hate to see him become a snack. He’d be forced to deal with Henroin again. With a sigh, he set out to round up a big game.
# # #
Husker inhaled around his cigarette end. Jesus, who smokes unfiltered cigarettes, Arackniss? Also is it possible to get extra strength tobacco because this shit is nasty. He was definitely sending Arackniss a carton of smoother smokes than this garbage. He’d probably get offended.
He scanned the remaining players. The twins had bowed out but not before losing three months of free booze to his casinos. He smiled thinking about that as he reached for the decanter of something not unlike cognac. He needed to slow down a little so he only splashed in a bit more into his tumbler. Deeds was going nowhere as were four others he hadn’t even wasted an ounce of energy on learning their names.
Husker eyed Deeds, thinking he might be a good candidate for harvesting a soul to add to the collection. Every good overlord needed to make bank on that and it had been awhile for him. Deeds would be a giant pain the ass really – he was being one during each and every hand he was dealt – but Husker needed some janitorial staff after the incident last month. That seemed suitable as a fall for a man who thought himself better than the staff waiting on them. It annoyed Husker. His mother had worked hard cleaning his parents’ small casino to keep him in food and clothes. There was nothing wrong with being a housekeeper. Deeds wouldn’t agree. Yes, that would be perfect for him.
Straightening his lapels, Husker relaxed into his role as the overlord of gambling. Overhead, the speakers were playing String of Pearls taking him back to his days of playing jazz to keep himself afloat as he tried to make it as a magician. If he closed his eyes, he could be back in Vegas or Paris or Florence, London, Berlin, any of the places he’d traveled to hoping to dazzle people with his magic. His shoulders swayed to the beat.
“Are you really not going to up the ante to something worth playing for?” Deed’s sneer broke Husker out of the pleasant memories.
Husker scowled around his cigarette. He plucked it from his mouth and breathed a plume toward Deeds. “You really want to push the ante?” He flicked his gaze to the pile of chips in front of Deeds. He’d let the bastard win a few to build his confidence. Deeds was the type of narcissist who knew he was better than everyone else, never occurring to him he wasn’t.
“That’s what we’re here for.”
“Fine, then let’s go all in,” Husker replied. “Like real overlords. Souls on the line.”
Everyone’s eyes popped wide open. Two of the no-names bowed out instantly, sweeping up their remaining chips and fleeing in the direction of the cashier so they could cash out. Another two no-names stayed in, one who looked like a living tree and the other bore a resemblance to a Pigeon. Husker didn’t know them but recognized greed even in faces as inhuman as theirs. Deeds smirked.
“Now you’re talking.”
“We’re all clear on this. It’s one ante, souls. Winner takes all. Someone is walking off with three new soul contracts at the end of this. You fold you lose. There’s still time to back out,” Husker said.
“Sounds like you’re the one who wants out, kitty cat.” Deeds drummed on the table.
Husker sneered. “You wish.” He picked up the cards. He’d planned it well once seeing Deeds insistence on upping the ante. It was his turn to deal the hand. “And since I’m the button…”
“Deal ‘em,” Deeds growled.
There was no need to call for the small blind bet. There was only going to be one bet. The big blind was already set, souls on the line. Husker dealt. The flop was promising with the ace of diamonds showing. The two no names started shaking when he tossed out the turn card. They had shit and they knew it, couldn’t hide it. Funny that, getting all nervous about losing their souls. Deeds wasn’t much better at hiding his emotions. He had a decent hand. Husker barely looked at his hole cards. He already knew how strong his hand was.
“Here we go, the river.”
With a little sleight of hand on his part and the Ace of Spades joined its sister on the table. One of the no names, Mr. Tree, started crying. The other bucked up a bit. Deeds was grinning.
Husker took a sip of his booze and nodded to the crying no name. “You’re up.”
He mucked his hand and buried his face in the crook of his arm, not such a tough guy anymore. The other one turned over his hole cards.
“Pair of aces, king high,” he said hopefully.
“Doesn’t even come close.” Deeds chuckled and put down two tens to go with the one from the flop. “Along with those two aces, I have a full house. Sorry about that, Husker. Like I said, you ain’t all that.”
Dragging hard on his cigarette, Husker flipped his hole cards on the table, the two remaining aces. “Nice full house, Deeds but it doesn’t beat four of a kind.”
Deeds’ jaw dropped as he grayed out. “Wha…no! You cheated!”
Husker refilled his cognac, twirling the decanter first. He inhaled the sweet and spicy aroma, not allowing himself the shit eating grin that wanted to slice across his face. He had, in fact, cheated with that last ace but he’d be double dead before he admitted it. “No, I’m just that fucking good!”
He shot his booze, enjoying the burn, and then he produced three pre-made soul contracts - his standard contract - and tossed them on the table. “Sign ‘em. In two days, report to my personal assistant, Sunny, for your new afterlife. Her office is on the seventh floor. Security will send you up. Don’t make me have to hunt you down. You will regret it.”
“Is…there a chance to renegotiate the contract?” the crying no name asked.
“Down the road, sure, but you’ll have to make it worth my time. Why don’t you concentrate on impressing me first.”
He waited for them to sign before taking the contracts and leaving them there to regret their choices. Husker wandered outside, sweat pooled under his swanky suit. Letting Deeds push his buttons like that hadn’t been smart. If he hadn’t cheated, he’d have lost his own soul. He just couldn’t resist the adrenaline rush of a high stake game.
Arackniss and Rosie were standing in the valet parking. People trusted his valets because he owned them all and would shred them if they stole from his patrons. Arackniss side eyed him.
“How many souls did you end up with?” Arackniss blew out a streamer of smoke that curled up toward the streetlight.
Husker handed him the rest of his pack. “Three idiots including Deeds. He just kept pushing up the ante. What’s an overlord to do?”
Arackniss snorted and Rosie smiled.
“And you smoke shit cigarettes, Arackniss. Tastes like spider hair.” Husker smirked.
“If you actually know what that tastes like, you probably fucked one of my cousins.” Arackniss tucked the used pack back in his pocket. “Or the testa di cazzo I reluctantly call my fratellino.”
Husker snorted.
Rosie cocked her head. “I don’t know Italian though I find it pretty as a language. However, I suspect you just said some unkind things.”
“He called his brother a dickhead, but from what I hear he prefers to give dicks head.” Husker leaned on the light pole. “But no, I’ve not had the pleasure. I’ve seen a few movies. Valentino can’t write a script to save his sick soul but your brother…yeah won’t finish that thought.” Husker shrugged as Arackniss scowled.
“Thanks. I already know my baby brother fucks for a living. Less I know about it the better.” Arackniss lit a new cigarette from his old. “He’s dumb as a sack of hair to sign up with Valentino but his desire to get away from Henroin blinded him to the fact he was signing up with Henroin two point oh and this one he has to sleep with.” Arackniss shook his head. “I should have kicked his ass harder.”
“Not getting involved with Valentino was good brotherly advice. Ah, here’s my car,” Rosie said as her driver pulled up to the curb. Husker opened the door for her and she waved as she left.
Arackniss turned and looked up at The Jackpot and then at the Wild Cherries across the way. “I like your neck of the woods. Reminds me of the Strip. I was in Vegas a while in the late forties.”
“Getting a few casinos up and running for the mob?” Husker guessed.
He nodded. “Yeah. And I had to get out of Brooklyn. Between the shit rolling around in my head from the war and seeing my little brother dead, watching Mama and Anthony’s twin, Molly, mourn….” Arackniss flicked his cigarette into the street and folded his arms over his chest, taking a few deep breaths.
“Vegas would definitely be a change of pace, a place to reset for you.” Husker pulled a flask out of his jacket, took a swig and passed it to Arackniss. “It was my home, born there. I traveled the world, performing in jazz bands but Vegas was always home to me. I wanted a piece of it here.” He kept the thought of ‘and as a small time stage magician’ to himself. No one needed to know he was that good with sleight of hand.
Arackniss took a big swallow of the booze before handing back the flask. “Yeah stayed out there a few years until the wife said no more of this hot desert. I agreed. Who knew we preferred freezing our asses off in New York. Anyhow, I like your space. If you want to set up another friendly poker game, call me. I enjoy it. I just know better than to play anything more than penny ante with you. I like my soul where it is.”
“Assolutamente, sei il benvenuto in qualsiasi momento.” Husker grinned as Arackniss lit up hearing his first language. “I worked a few years in Rome and Reggio Calabria.”
“Ha, I’m Calabrese. Grazie mille.” He pulled out another cigarette to replace the half smoked one he’d tossed. “Now that Rosie’s safely away I should give my ticket to the valet though it’s not like I need to guard her. Any idiot messing with Rosie is likely to get his face eaten off.”
“True. Have a good night, Arackniss.”
“Thanks. Hope Deeds won’t be too big of a pain in the ass for you now that you own him.”
“Me too.”
As Arackniss strolled over to the valet, Husker walked back inside, thinking about what he and Sunny could come up with to slot in his three new souls. He probably didn’t need three new janitors. The cacophony of slot machines, people talking and shouting at the roulette, poker and blackjack tables, the music bubbling in from one of the stages, all washed over him. Husker smiled. This was his pride and joy. He worked hard to create this. More importantly, he had crafted himself the perfect home. What more could he want?
Italian Translation
testa di cazzo - dickhead
fratellino – little brother
Assolutamente, sei il benvenuto in qualsiasi momento – Absolutely you’re welcome any time
Grazie mille – many thanks
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Date: 2025-09-06 02:17 pm (UTC)