Chapter Text
CH 1: CAGNEY
Cagney Carnation was not happy. Then again he was never happy most of these days for several reasons. Either the amount of rain was not to his liking, or the weather is dull, cold and cloudy, or it had something to do with the flower sitting next to him, Nathan Nightshade. Right now it was the third and there was nothing else he could do but sit in the passenger seat of a 1932 Adler Primus while staring out the window watching the buildings go by as Nathan continued on prattling about the bar they had just left.
“Entertainment stank,” The purple flower went on, “but hey the gin was nice and cold just the way I like it.” He glanced over at the yellow carnation and frowned. “What’s the matter with ya’?”
“You acted like a total asshole back there.” The yellow flower muttered.
Nathan said nothing but Cagney noticed his grip on the steering wheel tighten and when he did speak again his voice was dangerously soft.
“Yeah? Explain how…”
Cagney wrapped his vine-like arms around him and glanced out the car window, thinking about how he was going to say what he wanted to say while simultaneously trying to keep Nathan calm. “What I meant was…you nearly broke that guy’s arm…he was just—”
“He was trying to get you away to have a little fun with you.” Nathan interrupted. “Good thing I caught him in the act before he can do anything with you.”
“That’s ridiculous and you know it,” Cagney snorted. “I wasn’t gonna—”
“What? Calling me a liar?”
“No!” Cagney protested. “I was just sayin’—”
“I’m doin’ this for your own good babe.” Nathan cut him off again. “You ought to be grateful I’m looking after ya’.”
Cagney didn’t even dare to say anything else. He knew how aggressive Nathan could be during an argument so he focused his attention back on watching the buildings go past them as they drove on and wondered once again on how he got himself into this situation.
His mind wandered back to the day where he left his original home of Fleischer Fields. It hadn’t been that bad to be honest, but there were still some unpleasant memories that he had wanted to get away from. Once he had been old enough to leave, he figured starting fresh in a new place would be the perfect way to get away from the past. Unfortunately things didn’t go according to plan.
He found that the seaside city was too cold for his liking, there wasn’t enough sunshine and it rained constantly. Not that he hated rain. He enjoyed it back home in Fleischer Fields. However the rain in this city was colder than the rains back home, not to mention it fell hard and fast. After spending a few weeks in the city, Cagney was sure he would just be miserable…if it hadn’t been for Nathan.
He had met Nathan in one of the cities pansy parlors and they began talking. He seemed like a very nice and sweet guy and eventually the two began dating. However as time went on the relationship began to crumble. Nathan became more protective of him which turned to the point of possessive. He got angry over the smallest things and in some instances became physical with Cagney which included painful tugs on his petals and gripping his vine-like arms so hard that it ached for hours.
Still it was a lot better than being pummeled like a punching bag…wasn’t it? And there were days where Nathan was really good to him. He allowed him to live in his apartment after all and if wasn’t for his hospitality where would he be? Probably living homeless in the alleyways, wet and cold from the rain.
A sensation of gentle rubbing on one of his petals caused him to jolt out of his memories. Nathan was gently rubbing Cagney’s top petal and he smiled at him.
“Hey listen, I’m sorry for what I did back there.”
Cagney thought about this for a moment before answering. ”Forgiven…but not forgotten.”
“Aw, you’re the best, babe.”
He leaned over to plant a kiss on Cagney’s cheek but the yellow flower immediately lunged forward and grabbed the steering wheel. “Road!” He screamed. “Nathan, the road!”
They swerved past an oncoming car which honked furiously and angry shouts were heard from inside. Nathan immediately stopped the car and grabbed Cagney’s wrist, tightening his grip.
“Ow!” Cagney winced. “Nathan—”
“What the hell was that for?! You trying to kill us or something?!”
“What?” Cagney stared at him in disbelief. “Me? You were the one not paying atten—aaugh!”
The grip on his wrist tightened and Nathan leaned his face dangerously close to Cagney’s. The yellow flower could smell gin and smoke on his boyfriend’s breath as he growled “You’re gonna blame me for that stunt? I ain’t the one who drove the car like a maniac!”
“Nathan, stop it!” Cagney hissed. “You’re hurting me!”
“Well you could have killed us!”
Cagney desperately tried to pull away from Nathan but his boyfriend’s grip was too strong. Suddenly the car door swung open and the next thing Cagney knew he was being shoved out and landed face down onto the road.
“Find your own way home!” Nathan snarled. “I ain’t taking any chances with your mood.”
Cagney slowly got up as Nathan slammed the door shut and drove off. Realizing what has happened Cagney scrambled up and desperately tried to follow after the car.
“Nathan! Wait! I don’t—”
Too late. The car turned the corner and disappeared. Cagney’s vines drooped in despair.
“I don’t know the way back…”
“Well ain’t that a sight.”
Cagney froze at the sound of raspy baritone voice and slowly turned around. Standing behind him was a tall humanoid being with a dice for a head. What caught Cagney’s attention was the outfit he was wearing: A bright purple suit with white gloves and purple shoes that shone despite the muck and rain on the streets.
“Never thought I’d see a Fleischer Field flower around this part of town,” The Dice continued. “What’s the matter, sprout? Lover’s tiff?”
Cagney immediately stiffened at the way the Dice spoke so casual about him and his personal problems. “Who are you? And how did you know about that?”
The Dice gave a wide smile and held out his hand towards Cagney. “The name’s King Dice. Manager of the Devil Casino and the Devil’s right hand man.”
Cagney glared down at the hand in distrust. “What do ya’ want with me?”
“Oh I just noticed you looked down in the dumps and thought I could throw you a bone.”
“Yeah?” Cagney was still suspicious. “How?”
With a flick of his wrist, a card appeared between the thumb and index finger of King Dice. He handed it to Cagney who took it and read what was written on it.
TRY YOUR LUCK AT DEVIL’S CASINO!
All-nighter of luck and hooch!
You will have a hell of a time!
Cagney read this a couple of more times before turning his attention back at King Dice. “A casino? Why would I need to go to a casino?”
“Not just any casino,” King held up a finger to correct him, “a place where you won’t need to worry about your problems. A place for folks like you who are down on their luck and full of desperation.”
“I ain’t desperate!” Cagney growled.
King Dice merely smirked. “Sure you ain’t. You know where the railroad tracks are?”
Cagney nodded.
“Good. Casino’s on the other side if you’re interested. I’ll be seeing ya’.”
And with that King Dice spun around once and disappeared into the ground. Cagney read the card in his leaves again. This was a really bad idea. He should be trying to find their apartment before the rains start to fall. But he was in an area of the city where he had never been in before. Maybe he can ask someone for directions, but who would he ask? A low rumble of thunder caused Cagney to stiffen. Well the railroad tracks were closer…maybe he can ask someone for directions at the casino.
He made up his mind.
Turning around he began to walk. He walked past several buildings, walked past the junkyard and past the old theater. Crossing over the bridge that led from the city to the outskirts, Cagney spotted the railway just ahead of him and across from that was a large entrance in a mountain with lamps. Well there was no turning back now.
Gulping, Cagney took a step onto the railway. The ground began to shake and a high pitched whistle echoed in the air. There was a rumbling sound and the whistle became louder. Two bright lights shone out of nowhere and were heading straight towards the yellow carnation. Panicking, Cagney dove to the other side of the tracks just in time. A large train with a blue face and bared teeth drove past him and gave him a murderous look.
“Stay outta the rails, ya’ bum!”
Cagney scrambled away from the rails and sat up in time to watch the train of cars drive past him. They were filled with ghosts, skeletons and souls of the dead. Some were laughing uproariously while others were wailing in despair and the noise of it all chilled Cagney to the core. Finally the caboose of the train drove by and through the window Cagney saw something that nearly made him jump out of his roots. Two hands with yellow eyes were peeking out from the caboose window and were staring straight at him.
Cagney began to tremble violently. Stories of phantom railways coming to take your soul away plagued his mind. Was this happening to him right now? Fortunately just as soon as the train appeared it disappeared down the railway. The wails and laughter had died down and only the wind was heard blowing softly in the air. Cagney stood up and brushed off the dirt staining his stem, trying to calm himself. He was safe. Now all he had to do was go into the casino, get some directions, and then go home.
He just hoped Nathan would be in a better mood once he got back.