Four Cards: Part One (complete)

The Pips is a city in Miror which has sort of excluded itself from the rest of the kingdom. It’s not really a city, but it prefers to be called that over anything else. Rather than be run by the law of royalty, it has developed its own sets of rules. The enforcers of these rules are the Suits, four families who have taken control of the city and its populace through various means - The Zuanshi, the Le Coeur, the Vangas, and the Verein. Each holds a territory within the Pips, and they hold a tentative treaty with each other.

The heart of The Pips is a massive casino, the Lone Joker, right in the center of the city. It was built by all four families on neutral ground, which allows the families to keep an eye on one another. The Zuanshi family, the richest of the four, controls the gambling portion of the casino. The Le Coeur, who got their start as clergy, control the wedding chapel and hotel. The Vangas, who were once all in law enforcement or soldiers, control the security. And the Verein, who keep their origins a mystery, supply most of the staff and maintain the restaurants. 

Within each family, there is a hierarchy including a king, a queen, a jack, and an ace. The kings are the ruling heads of the families, usually the father. The queen is usually their wife, husband, or right-hand-man, someone with intimate knowledge of the family and their business, who can rule should the king be unable to. The Jack is a powerful enforcer, someone not afraid to get their hands dirty, or fight for the king and queen. The Jacks are usually the most frightening. The Ace - or a prince or princess - is the heir of the king and queen. They are rigorously trained under the first three, and are often both extremely precious and viciously deadly. 

I decided to read more into The Pips when I was offered a job at the casino. I’ve worked as a performer most of my life, doing vaudeville routines with my family when I was young, and some stand-up comedy later on. I’ve done acrobatics, singing, dancing, and magic tricks, all while sticking to my comedy roots. I was contacted by the Verein family, who offered me a great deal to headline the casino for an indefinite number of months. My parents, who are also my managers, tried to talk me out of it, but the more they protested, the more money the Verein family offered. Eventually, it became an amount none of us could turn down. 

“Are you sure this is something you want to do, Euphrasie? The Pips aren't a safe place to be. It’s outside the laws of Miror.” My mother is fretting. We know the money is good, but we’re questioning whether it’s worth it. 

“If it gets too bad, I’ll send you both home. I can tough this out.” I strum my lute aimlessly. “But you two can leave anytime.”

“We aren’t going to leave you alone there,” my dad insists. “It isn’t safe for a young girl like you.”

“The Vereins promised to look after me. Things like that are gold in The Pips.” I set my lute aside. It isn’t helping me relax like usual. I take a deep breath, then peer out the window of the carriage as we approach the city. The buildings are tall and spire-like, and I can see a massive tower at each corner of the city, where the families live. The city converges on the casino, towering over the relatively new building as if watching it like a disobedient child. 

The entrance to the city is guarded by four sentries, one from each ruling family. The Zuanshi sentries wear red diamond badges on their black Tang suits with platinum detailing. The Le Coeurs are dressed in red cassocks with white detailing and ruby hearts for buttons. The Vangas wear white military uniforms with black velvet details and spade-shaped badges of onyx. The Verein wear black leather coats with tall hoods, with shining black clubs detailed into the leather. Each go over our papers one by one before they let us inside. Our carriage is taken by a Verein sentry, who guides us directly to the casino and takes us through a secret entrance. The top floor is where we will meet the one who hired me.

The elevator we are in is quiet and frightening, made completely of glass with each wall etched with the symbols of the ruling families. I can see all how far down the rest of the world is. I take hold of my parents’ hands until we get to the top floor and can finally escape that glass coffin.

We enter into a room with a large, round table decorated with an inordinate amount of white roses. In each of the four corners there is a statue of a different creature - a gargoyle, with a wide-open mouth spewing water into the pool around its feet; a black dragon marbled with gold; a gryphon with wings extended, standing before the rear door; and a black dog with glowing red eyes. There are people moving about the room, one serving drinks at the table, another stoking the grand fireplace. Someone snaps their fingers, and everyone standing leaves, including the sentry who brought us.

“Come, sit.” As the newcomer speaks, the roses sink into the table until they vanish, and a glass panel closes over them. A man rises from behind the table, tall with the head of a sleek black dog. He wears a leather suit with the same club-shaped detailing as the sentry’s. “I am Adolar Verein, the one who contacted you before. Please, take a seat.” He sits back down in his chair as my parents and I take our own. 

As a Cheshire Cat, the sight of this Black Dog sets my nerves on edge. Black Dogs were known as enemies of the Cheshire for ages, until one day they all disappeared. I have never seen one in person, so I took them as fairy tales. Now they are all too real.

“I have to admit - I’m quite a fan, Euphrasie,” he says with a smile. “I saw your act when I was traveling through Pirlipat a while ago. Do you know how many times I’ve told the cottage cheese joke to my family? They’re absolutely sick of me.” His voice is frighteningly deep, but his tone and bright-eyed expression are almost puppy-like. It’s a little disconcerting.

“Oh, thank you.” I relax a little in my seat. “I was wondering how someone from the Pips had heard about me.”

His smile is bright, and his wide eyes sparkle. All this time I had been sure his eyes were red, but up this close, I know realize they are a very rich, chocolatey brown/ “I am really excited to have you here at the casino. I think you’re just what our stage needs. For far too long we’ve had the same singers with the same acts. You’re really going to help us liven things up.”

“Do people even come to casinos for performers?” My father asks. “It seems mighty strange to me. I figured all anyone would be here for would be the, well, gambling.”

“Considering the nature of our casino, Mr. Baumbadare, it’s important that each part of the business gets special care. Everything has to be special to draw in the people. We’ve even had Princess Genevieve perform her opera on our stage, which was the first time the royal family has been allowed inside the Pips in, well, forever.” He laughs, and it sounds genuinely jovial. 

“What is expected of our daughter?” my mother asks. “Will it be more than her performances in the casino?”

“Well, there is a stipulation that she do private shows for the families upon request.” Adolar leans back in his seat. “We don’t usually go into the public parts of the casino, you see.”

My mother nods. “Will she be safe at these private shows?” 

“She will have guards from the other families attending her, just to make sure.” Adolar leans forwards on the table. “That way, her security is assured and kept neutral between all families. Which is how we operate anything and everything within the casino, aside from this top floor, of course.”

My father glances around the room before he turns back to Adolar. “The amount of money you offered...”

“Is it not enough?” he asks gamely. “I can assure you, each family has agreed to pay an equal share of her expenses. So don’t worry about your payment; name a price and it can be yours.”

“That sounds fishy,” my mother puts in. “As much as she wants? Usually the higher a payment goes, the more work has to be done to earn it. If we asked for more, what would be expected of her?”

I feel comforted with my parents around, but really I don’t sense anything too foreboding about Adolar. In a way, he’s kind of cute. 

“The more you ask, the longer we would require her to stay. That is all. What we have offered is the typical four-month commitment. If you desire more, another month will be added.” Adolar tilts his head to the side and his ears flop. “So, what do you say?”

“Four is fine,” I answer as I swipe my paw across the table. “More than enough. Should I ever want to extend my employment, I’ll let you know and we can discuss it.”

“Of course.” He stands from the table, and his height shocks me again. He does not seem to have the personality of a tall man. “Let me show you to your quarters, then. We have everything set up and prepared for you.”

He leads us back into the elevator, and we go down a couple of floors. The doors open onto a room where the walls are made from frosted glass, and vines hang down from the ceiling. There are more statues of the four creatures placed around the room - the dragon, the gryphon, the gargoyle, and the black dog. 

Adolar smiles proudly around the room. “Not too bad for Le Coeur decor. Make yourselves at home. Should you need anything, you can contact the front desk. All the staff here are from the Verein family, so do not hesitate to ask for me by name.”

He opens a cabinet behind a bar and pours himself a drink. I approach the bar, sitting down on one of the barstools before Adolar. “Who are you, exactly?”  Our eyes lock, and his unassuming puppy expression freezes. “Do you work for the family in some capacity?”

He smirks, revealing the gold-capped fang to the right of his mouth. “Where are my manners?” He passes me the drink and pours another glass. “The finest Verein wine. I oversee the vineyards myself. Of course I work for the family - after all, Mama and Papa expect me to earn my due.” He takes a sip of the nearly-black wine and sighs in contentment. “Obsidian grapes are really worth all the hard work.”

I look at my glass, then back at him. “Are you an Ace?”

Adolar chuckles, bowing his head as he swirls the dark liquid in his cup. “Ace of Verein, at your service.” He holds up his hand so I can see the white club mark burnt into the fur at the base of his thumb.

“Aren’t Aces dangerous?” I murmur.

Adolar dips his head again with a smile. “When all four of us are in the same room, of course. But we’re all our own unique brand. You’ll come to learn that, I’m sure.” He finishes his drink and sets it aside. “Get some rest. We’ll start planning your shows tomorrow.” He exits the room through the elevator, and my parents and I are left to explore the huge apartment.

The next day, my parents and I go to work in the performance hall in the casino. Seeing it for the first time, we can get an idea of what kind of acts we can do, and set up casting calls to hire backup dancers and other performers. We take a break in the garden dining hall, enjoying some of the amazing food the casino has to offer. As we eat, a procession comes through the hall, led by a gryphon woman in a white uniform with a black cape around her shoulders. She glances down at me as she passes by, her eyes raking over me before she brings the procession to a stop. 

“You must be the little dancer that Adolar hired.” Her voice is surprisingly high for her strong stature, and very sweet. “Getting everything ready, I hope. The last few headliners we’ve had through here have done nothing but put me to sleep. I hear you’re a real ‘both-eyes-open’ performance.”

I nod my head shyly. “I try to be, ma’am.”

She smirks and extends her taloned hand. “Lucrezia Vangas.” At the base of her talon, I see a tattooed mark of a spade. Have I met another Ace already? A sly smile curls the edges of her mouth. “Adolar has been bragging that he has found something truly special this time around. I’ll wait before I cast my judgement on that. Chesire usually don’t disappoint, though, and I must say we are all looking forward to seeing what you have.”

This remark sets me slightly on edge. Who is this ‘all’ she mentioned? All of the casino, or all of the Aces? I put on a smile to try and cover up my nerves, but under the table I’m gripping my knees. “I’ve been working hard to make sure I put on something special, since this is such a unique job for me. I’m used to small theatre venues and private shows. This casino is a whole other level for me. I have so much stage here, I’m afraid I won’t use it all.”

Lucrezia nods her head and chuckles. “Cheshire tend to think best on their feet. I’m sure you’ll use every board to your advantage.” She bows her head. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’d love to chat more with such an effervescent lady as yourself, but duty calls.” She clacks her talons together to make an eerie shattering noise, and her people follow close behind her as she marches away.

My mother moves in close beside me. “This has me on edge. I thought Adolar said the families don’t come into the public parts of the casino.”

“The Vanga provide security,” I whisper back to her. “She’s probably here doing routine inspections of the security staff.” I watch Lucrezia as she walks away, standing taller than the people following close behind her. Her gray feathers grow thicker at the back of her head, falling down over the collar of her cape.

“I wonder if they grow them all big here in the Pips,” my father tries to joke. “First that Adolar, now this one.”

Over the next few weeks, we get the stage and all our performers ready. We practice for hours, and sometimes I can barely stay awake for dinner at the end of the day. It will be worth it in the long run, and I suspect this could be one of my best performance routines to date. I just wish it wasn’t happening in The Pips.

I come out onto the balcony of the apartment, which overlooks the gardens below in the casino. The cool wind keeps me from falling asleep. I sigh deeply, breathing in the night air, when I see something out of the corner of my eye. I turn to see a woman hanging off the wall,smoking a cigar. She has speckled gray skin with flecks of brown, red, copper, and blue. Her arms are extremely long, but her great feet cling to the side of the wall. She blows out pungent cigar smoke like water from a spigot. Her features are all sharp - jutting cheekbones, a knifelike jaw, a long, aquiline nose with a hooked end. She has wide black eyes and ears that rise into points.

“I’m almost done,” she huffs in a soft, gravelly voice. She’s wearing a flowing red dress, trimmed with white fur and belted in the center of her narrow waist. She tilts her head back and blows more smoke from her lips. “They won’t let me smoke inside. I didn’t think anyone would be out here.”

“No worries.” I lean on the banister closest to her. “I tend to not really care about these things, but when someone is hanging off the wall several stories off the ground, I like to know who they are.”

She chuckles, pointing up at the top floor with her thick cigar. “Had a meeting. You can take a guess with who if you like. You seem smart.”

I see the big heart-shaped gemstones dangling from her ears. “I can take a guess.”

She swings onto the balcony, and I take a step back. Her limbs are long, but she’s small and petite, and she barely reaches my shoulder when standing straight. Her tail looks twice as long as she is tall. Everything she wears seems meticulously placed, yet effortlessly stylish. Her long nails are coated in sparkling red polish to match the red gemstones in her ears.

She looks into the apartment, turning her head to blow more cigar smoke. “How are you liking it? I do hope the place is to your liking. I put my heart and soul into the decor.”

The Le Coeur family are in charge of the hotel portion of the casino, so if it wasn't obvious before who she was, it’s certainly easy to guess now. 

“The quarters are beautiful, that’s for sure. I’m just not used to having so much space at all times.” I look down at her as her ears twitch back and forth, and her tail dusts across the ground. “And the decor is much more extravagant than I’m used to.”

She lets out a seductive sort of laugh. “The Le Coeur hold nothing back. We always make sure if it isn’t at least the best, it’s the most beautiful.” She glances up at me, placing her cigar at the edge of a potted plant on the table of the balcony. “Adolar certainly knows how to pick them. If they aren’t talented singers, then they are at least something to look at. And you, my dear, might as well be a painting in a museum.”

Is she insulting me or complimenting me? “Thank you.” I’m unsure how to act around her. I don’t even know who she is, exactly. If I was making a bet though, I would place all my money on her being the Le Coeur Ace.

“Solenn!” someone screams from above. “Solenn! Get your ass back in here! That cigar is over, and I’m tired!”

She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Back to the crypt. It was nice to meet you, Cheshire.” She latches onto the wall again and climbs up to the top floor as I stand there, a little in shock. 

The next afternoon, I have a meeting with Adolar to go over a few final details for the act. I need to have some extra spending approved, and discuss the posters that will advertise the show. I’m not a fan of that glass elevator, so I take the stairs to the top floor. Just before the meeting hall, there is a solarium. Entering it is like stepping into the diamond on a ring, with all the glass surrounding me. The sunlight streams through, making the entire room warm and cozy. There is a large assortment of plants throughout - trees, bushes, flowers of all kinds. 

I am admiring a flowering tree, when I step closer and notice something strange about the roots - they have a scaly texture. I look closer and realize they aren’t roots at all, they grow from someone sleeping under the tree. I follow a golden tail that curls around the base of the tree to the curve of a back. I see the head, resting just behind the tree. The sleeping owner of the head has long crimson whiskers and thick brows that grow into a fluffy mane, like the offspring of a lizard and a lion. Are they a dragon?

“There you are.” Adolar steps from the meeting room. He has the same bright, charming smile on his face. “I’ve been waiting with lunch, although I was expecting you from the elevator.”

The sleeper stirs, and a scowl appears on their face. I rise so I’m not bending over them. “The elevator scares me. Did you know someone is sleeping here?”

Adolar nods. “Oh, that’s just Ren. He likes to sleep up here.”

Ren gets up, glaring angrily towards Adolar. “Likes to!” He stands up and moves away from the foliage. “I try to sleep up here, but no one in this place lets me.” Ren’s figure is long and thin, with a sweeping tail that flows out behind him. But he has a short stature - all his length comes from his tail. 

“Want to join us for lunch, then?” Adolar asks brightly. “We’ll be going over the artwork for the posters.”

Ren rubs his eyes. He looks like he hasn’t slept at all, judging by the bags under his eyes. “I just want to sleep. Can’t do it at home, they expect me to do things. Can’t do it here, you’re too loud.” He sniffs at the air then. “What’s the food?”

Ren ends up joining us for our meeting, although he just partakes in the meal, sitting a little away from us as he eats a hefty portion. Then he falls asleep with his head on the table, snoring gently while his tail curls around the legs of his chair.

“Cute, isn’t he?” Adolar remarks as we go over the poster.

I look away from the samples towards the sleeping dragon. “I suppose so. Is he an Ace as well?”

“Despite his protests, he is. Ren is a natural at it, too, though he’d much rather spend his days sunning and eating dumplings.” Adolar sighs as he looks at him. “I’d let him, too. He looks so cute when he does it.”

I furrow my brow for a moment. “Are you two...?” I ask innocently. 

“I wish!” Adolar starts to laugh. “Aces are forbidden to intermingle like that. Can’t have families combining and what not. Then again, I’m a hopeless romantic. I think all the other Aces are lovely in one way or another.”

“I think I’ve met them all now. Lucrezia, Solenn, Ren, and you. Is that right?” I count them off on my fingers as Adolar takes out the last poster.

“That’s all of us,” he chuckles.

Across the table, Ren is snoring peacefully with his brows raised up off his head, moving of their own accord. They wiggle and dance like flowers on a breeze.

“I’m not used to the way things work here in the Pips. Your hierarchy and the families, it’s all quite strange.” I focus on a poster with clouds of dark blue and purple surrounding silhouettes of black glitter.

“You’re used to kings and queens, but it’s really the same thing. Just four royals in one city. We’re all in a stalemate.”

“What? Like you’re all at war?” I ask.

“Of course!” Adolar’s smile and laugh do not fit the topic at hand. “Why else create this neutral casino? We all want power here in the Pips, to become the one who sits on top.”

“Then why build this casino at all? Why even bother with a neutral zone?”

“Safety, of course. We can’t all just be kept in our little spaces and expect to be safe meeting with the other families in their territory. Here, we can discuss business and negotiations without worry. Should one of us break the rules, they’re at fault and will be punished.” Adolar places the posters back into a pile. “Why not make some money off it?”

“You seem like a laid-back person, Adolar. Is a never-ending war something you want?”

A high-pitched laugh bursts from the other side of the table. Ren is rising from his catnap, a deep scowl on his face. “Adolar is the worst of us all. Behind that innocent smile is one of the most vicious minds in the Pips.”

The fur on the back of my neck bristles.

“He knows how to play the game better than anyone. God forbid he becomes King of the Verein.” Ren rubs his eyes, and his jaws unhinge wide as he yawns.

Adolar throws his head back, laughing. “That’s so kind of you, Ren! Thank you.”

Ren scoffs as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Girl needs to know what she’s dealing with. The Verein don’t work in the shadows for nothing. They’re vicious and cutthroat. They worked their way up from the slums to become one of the most powerful forces in the Pips. Keep your eye out, girl. They aren’t to be trusted.”

Adolar’s smile changes to a sinister grin as anger seeps through his puppy facade. “We represent the people more than you and your money-grubbing family. If I had money as a weapon and shield, I would be lazy too.”

Ren runs his tongue over his teeth. “I’m exhausted, not lazy.” He leans over the table. “Are you going to tell her about the game?”

Adolar’s smile vanishes completely, and now he looks vicious. “Ren, not now.”

My eyes dart back and forth between them. “Game? What game?”

Ren smirks as he relaxes back into his chair.  “The Lone Joker game. It’s a rite of passage for all Aces before they become King or Queen. A Joker is selected, and the Aces then compete over them.”

“Oh, fuck,” I whisper. “Am I the Joker?”

“She is smart,” Ren laughs. 

Adolar sneers before he glances at me. “The Joker is safe, and no harm will come to them. You’re in a lucky position, Euphrasie. Being a Joker is an honor.”

I bite my tongue as I try to gather my thoughts. I’m mad, raging pissed! I’ve been lured here not for a job, but for a silly game between warring families.

“I’m sorry, but I feel trapped. I don’t feel lucky at all.” I shove away the stacks of posters. “You lied to me. You brought me here under false pretenses, so I refuse to be your Joker or play your silly little game. I will work here as long as promised, but I will not agree to this.”

“Hold on - hear me out before you decline.” All I heard before was Adolar’s charming puppy-like voice, but now it is serious and all business. “Being a Joker is a very profitable position. You see, us Aces will be competing for you.”

I scowl. “I don’t care!”

Ren is cackling on his side of the table. “You picked a spunky one, Adolar. I think I might be interested!”

Adolar scowls at him, then turns his attention back on me. “The Joker is a powerful asset. You see, this casino is owned by all of us, but it is not held by any of us. The families must court a Joker who will own it fairly. We must all try to earn your favor.”

“You’re off to a fine start!” I scoff. I get up to storm off, but at last the meaning of his words dawns on me, and I sit back down. “Wait - are you saying you want me to become the owner of the casino?”

Ren stops cackling sputters until he can speak. “The current Joker wants to retire, so a new Joker is needed immediately. In order for a new one to take control, each Ace must win favor with the selected new Joker.” He points at me. “That is you. The current Joker chose you to come here, not Adolar, although each of us did our research before you came here. I had no interest in playing the game, but now, seeing as you might be a Wild Joker, I’m in.”

I slam my hands down on the table. “What if I don’t like any of you? What if I only like one?”

“The idea is that feelings should be equal on all sides. If you don’t like us, fine. If you only like one or two, a new Joker will be chosen. It’s a game that has to end in stalemate. Romantically, platonically - we all must end up on the same footing to keep the casino neutral.”

“Part of the game is to work together. Once we show we can do that, we’ll take over as King or Queen in the hierarchy.” Ren nods at me. “So, Euphrasie, what do you say?”

Maybe it’s because I’m pissed, maybe it’s because I’ve grown up all my life struggling for what I’ve had. Or maybe I’m not as smart as I thought I was. The answer is clear to me, though, and I’m not afraid to say it.

“I’ll be your Joker. But I won’t make it easy for any of you.”

Adolar leans back in his chair and smiles. “I’ll alert Solenn and Lucrezia to the start of the game. Good luck, Ren - and good luck to you as well, Euphrasie. I look forward to working with you from now on.”