Four Cards: Part One (rough draft)

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 in that regard, but it prefers to be called that rather than anything else. Rather than be run by the law of royalty, it has developed its own sets of rules that the people have come to abide by. The enforcers of these rules are the Suits; four families who have taken control over 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 that is under their control, while they hold a tentative treaty with each other.

The heart of The Pips is a massive casino, called the Lone Joker, that rests right in the center of the city. Built by all four families on neutral ground, which allowed the families to keep a respective eye on one another. They did all their business there just to keep things fair.  Each part of the casino represents their territory. 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 within the casino. The Vangas, who were once all in law enforcement or soldiers, control all security for the casino. Then the Verein, who kept their origins a mystery, supply most of the staff, as well as maintain the restaurants in the casino. 

Within each family, there is a hierarchy including a king, a queen, a jack, and an ace. It’s easy enough to figure out that the kings are the main ruling heads of the families, usually the father, or descendent of the first. The queen is usually their wife or right hand man, someone with intimate knowledge of the family and their business, and who can rule should the king be unable. 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. Then there is the Ace, or a prince or princess depending; these are the heirs of the king and queen. The next in line, they are highly trained under the first three and are seen to be both extremely precious and viciously deadly. 

I had 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, as well as some stand up comedy later on. I did everything in my current act including acrobatics, singing, dancing, and magic tricks, all while keeping 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 were also my managers, tried to talk me out of it, but the more it was protested, the more money the Verein family offered. Eventually, it became an amount of money none of us could turn down. 

“Are you sure this is something you want to do, Euphrasie? The Pips isn’t a safe place to be. It’s outside the laws of Miror.” My mother is fretting. We know the money is good, but in the long run, we’re questioning if it is 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 urges. “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 as 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, there is a massive tower at each corner of the city where the families live. The city concaves to the center where the casino is, towering over the relatively new building as if watching it like a disobedient child. 

The entrance to the city is guarded by four sentry, one from each ruling family. They wear uniforms showing off who they belong to. The Zuanshi wear badges of red diamonds on their Tang suits which are all black with platinum detailing. The Le Coeurs are all 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 that have shining black clubs detailed into the leather. Each go over our papers one by one before they approve and let us inside. From there, our carriage is taken by a Verein sentry who take us directly to the casino and guides us through a secret entrance which takes us to the top floor where we will be meeting with the one who had hired me.

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

We come into a room where there is 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, one is a gargoyle, with a mouth wide open and spewing water into the pool around its feet. The second is a dragon with gold marbled through the black. There is a griffin with wings extended out before the back door. Finally, there was a black dog with red eyes that glowed brightly. There are people moving about the room, one is serving drinks to the table, another is stoking the grand fireplace. Then, someone snaps their fingers, and anyone standing left, including the sentry who had brought us.

“Come, sit.” As they speak, the roses sink down into the table until they vanish and glass closes over top of them. A man rises from behind the table, he is tall and with the head of a sleek black dog. He wears a leather suit with the same club shape detailing as the sentry does. 

“I am Adolar Verein, the one who contacted you before. Please, take a seat.” he sits back down in his chair as my family and I take our own. 

As a Cheshire Cat, the sight of this Black Dog sets my nerves on edge. Black Dogs were known to be enemies of the Cheshire for ages until one day when they all disappeared. I had never seen one in person, so in my mind, 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 and it has stuck with me. 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 is almost puppy-like, it’s a little disconcerting.

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

His smile is bright and his wide, brown eyes almost sparkle. “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 each section gets special care. Everything has to be special, unique, and 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 if she goes to these other families?” 

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

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

“Is it not enough?” He asks chipperly. “I can assure you, each family member has agreed to pay an equal share of her expenses. So do not worry about your payment, name it and it can be yours.”

“That sounds like a catch,” my mother adds in. “As much as she wants? Well, the higher a price usually goes, that means there is more work to be done to earn it. If we asked for more, what would be expected of her then?”

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

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

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

“Of course.” He then stands from the table and his tall height shocks me again. The way he acts does not seem like 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 into a room where the walls are made from frosted glass with vines hanging down from the ceiling. Once again, there are statues of the four creatures placed around the room. The dragon, the griffin, the gargoyle, and the black dog. 

Adolar smiles proudly around the room. “Not too bad for Le Coeur decor. Make yourselves at home, and should you need anything, you can contact the front desk. All 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 from within. 

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 on his right. “Where are my manners?” He passes me the drink. “The finest Verein wine, I oversee the vineyards myself.” He pours another glass. “Of course I work for the family, after all, mama and papa expect me to earn my due.” He takes a sip of the almost black wine. “Obsidian grapes are really worth all the hard work,” he sighs.

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 his hand so I can see the white club mark burnt into his fur at the base of his thumb.

“Aren’t Aces dangerous?” I whisper.

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

The next day is any regular one for me, as my parents and I work with the performance hall in the casino. Seeing it for the first time, we’re able to get an idea of what acts and special sets we can do. We also 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’re eating, a procession comes through the hall, led by a griffin woman wearing a white military looking uniform with a black cape around her shoulders. She glances down at me as she passes by, her eyes cutting over me before she stops her people. 

“You must be the little dancer that Adolar hired.” Her voice is surprisingly high for her strong stature. She actually sounds 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 ‘two 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 there is a tattooed mark of a spade there. Have I just 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 to see 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 my teeth slightly on edge. Who is this ‘all’ she mentioned? All of the casino, or all of 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 ever board to your advantage.” She then 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.” Rather than snap, 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 had security,” I whisper back to her. “She’s probably here doing routine inspections of the security staff.” I watch after 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 his nerves away. “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 it is so hard I can barely stay awake over evening dinner. It will be worth it in the long run, as I suspect this could be one of my best shows to date. I just wish it isn’t The Pips where it is happening. 

I come out onto the balcony of the apartment which overlooks the gardens below in the casino. I stare down as the cool wind keeps me from falling asleep. I sigh deeply, breathing in the cool night air when I see something from the periphery. I turn, seeing a woman hanging off the wall and smoking a cigar. She has speckled gray skin with flecks of brown, red, copper, and blue. Her arms are extremely long, but it is her great feet that cling to the side of the wall. She smokes, blowing out that pungent cigar smoke like a spigot with water. Her features are all sharp, jutted out cheekbones, knife life jaw, a nose that is straight from her forehead then curves into a hook. She has wide, black eyes and ears that rise up from the side of her head into points.

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

“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 towards the top floor with her thick cigar. “Had a meeting. You can take a guess 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 look long, but she’s small and petite, standing completely she barely reaches my shoulder, but her tail looks twice her height. She’s very fashionable, everything she wears seems meticulously placed while being effortless as the same time. Her long nails are coated ins parkling red polish to make the red gemstones in her ears.

She looks into the apartment, turning her head only 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 were in charge of the hotel portion of the casino, so if it had not been obvious before who she was, it was 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 am 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 in 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 from above screams out. “Solenn! Get your ass back in here! That cigar is over and I’m tired!”

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

The next afternoon, I have a meeting with Adolar on the top floor to go over a few final details for the act. I need to have some extra spending approved while also discussing the posters that will advertise the show.

I am 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. It is like stepping into the diamond of a ring, with all the glass surrounding me. The sunlight comes through, making the entire room warm and cozy. There is a large assortment of plants all over the room as well; trees, bushes, flowers, you name it, the solarium has it. 

I am admiring a flowering tree when, as I step closer, I notice something strange about the roots. They come up strangely and have a scaly texture to them. The closer I look, the more I realize they aren’t roots at all, it is someone sleeping under the tree. I follow a golden tail that curls around the base of the tree to a back that is face up. I then see the head, which is resting just behind the tree. They have long crimson whiskers and brows that bleed into a fluffy mane. They look like a lion and a lizard had a baby. Are they a dragon?

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

Whoever is sleeping stirs and a scowl appears on their face.

I rise so I’m not bent over them. “The elevator scares me.” I glance back down. “Did you know someone is sleeping here?”

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

Ren rises 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. He’s short, though, 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 from 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 bit away from us as he eats a hefty portion. He then 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 between posters.

I look away from the poster examples towards the sleeping dragon across the way. “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 try to ask innocuously. 

“I wish!” Adolar starts to laugh. “But 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 each 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 and his brows have 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 particular poster that uses dark blues and purples to create clouds that surround silhouettes of black glitter. 

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

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

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

“Then why create this casino at all? Why even bother with something neutral?”

“Safety, of course. We can’t all just be kept in our little spaces and expect to be ok going to talk to the other sides in their territory. Here, we can discuss business and negotiations without worry. Should one of us break the rules here, they’re at fault and will be punished.” Adolar places the posters back into a pile. “Why not also make some money off of 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 cat nap, a deep scowl beset 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 the day he becomes King of the Verein.” Ren rubs his eyes while 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 against 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, from nothing, 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 then. It becomes slightly creepy as anger seeps in 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 then leans over the table. “Are you going to tell her about the game?”

Adolar’s smile vanishes completely, and he looks like a vicious dog. “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 right of passage for all Aces, a step 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 to me. “The Joker is safe, no harm is to come to them. You’re in a lucky position, Euphrasie. Being a Joker in an honor.”

I bite down on 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 some 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 it out before you decline.” All I had heard before was Adolar’s charming puppy like voice, but now it is serious and all business. “A Joker is a very profitable position, for you see, us Aces will be competing for you.”

I scowl. “I don’t care!”

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

Adolar scowls towards 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. In order to do this, the families must court a Joker who will own it fairly. In order to do this, we must all earn your favor.”

“You’re off to a fine start!” I scoff. I start to get up to storm off, but it dawns on me what he’s saying and I sit back down. “Wait, are you saying you want me to become the owner of the casino?”

Ren stops cackling for a moment and 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 that 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 are 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 either take over as King or Queen in the hierarchy.” Ren then nods his head towards 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, 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.”