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"Alright everyone, group meeting before the night picks up!" Sam called the family together in a circle between the tables and bar.
Magda quietly continued working behind the bar, preparing everyone's pre-shift Mint Julip shots with Charlie, both listening intently. Jack peered through the double doors from the kitchen. Patrick and Alicia paused their card game to join the circle, while others trickled in from various corners of the covenstead, establishment.
They all held hands, bowing their heads in reverence while Rowena called to their patron deity. "Mighty Hecate, we thank you for the bounties with which you've blessed us and offer our endless gratitude for not only our dear girls you've sent our way, but all the other people among this family."
"As you aided Demeter in searching for Persephone, we ask you to send us those lost and unable to live as their truest selves in these troubling times. May we be a light for them in a dark world. Bless our spell craft tonight, that we may satisfy the desires our patrons crave. Bless those still lost, bring them comfort in their dark time," Sam confidently finished their prayer.
"Is there anything we need to discuss? Any problem patrons?" Sam posed to their family.
Alicia slowly raised her hand. "Mr. Winchester? I think Mr. Donatello is cursed or possessed. He keeps shouting nonsense in the middle of us..you know..but not in a good way, least not til the end. Goes on about fried chicken and a tablet."
Rowena sighed, "The auldjin's gettin' a wee bit long in tooth ae suppose."
Max raised his hand, "I'll take him if he comes in tonight."
"Thank you, Max. That's kind of you," Sam appreciatively conveyed.
"Nonsense..who better to administer to his cravings than another aged soul, such as myself," Crowley volunteered, adjusting his stunningly sequined black velvet gown, "I'll take the gent, his mind's not well, but he means no harm."
Sam smiled at Crowley with sincere gratitude. Max had been his beau for four months now. He couldn't lie, he'd like to keep him all to himself. Yet Max insisted he enjoyed his work. He also regularly went out of his way to demonstrate how special Sam was to him, which greatly eased his mind. Max was a good soul, Sam made it his priority to respect his lover's wishes, and his work.
He and Rowena fiercely respected those in their employment, from Magda and Charlie the barmaids, to Patrick, a Irish Witch who was absolutely aces at poker. He kept the house churning a profit while somehow appeasing the patrons.
Renegades had quickly become the main attraction since opening a few years back. Now, it had quite the reputation. Patrons came for fun and often left breaking even or taking home a small fortune.
Their employees were of legal age, and if ever offered something more appealing in life, they had his and her blessing to embrace it.
"Lilith's here..she's got a mouth on her.." Anna bemoaned.
"She certainly does and I'll be glad to put it to good use," Ruby smirked, glancing at Anna like she was missing out.
She glided over to Lilith and kissed her hand. "Aren't you lovely this evening. May I tempt you with a role in the hay?"
Lilith happily took Ruby's hand. "You may."
"Why Captain Lafitte, it's always a pleasure when yae come through town," Rowena warmly greeted a gentleman with a fisherman's cap and coat, toting a package under one arm.
Benny was Captain of a very successful fishing fleet who prospered tremendously. Sam and Rowena both appreciated his compassionate, down-to-earth demeanor.
Removing his cap, Benny passed Sam the package, and graciously replied, "The pleasure's all mine. I've missed this place and was hoping," he spoke in hushed words as he crept closer to Sam, "to confirm a booking I made with Dean last time I was in town."
"Oh Captain my Captain," Dean bowed at the bottom of the staircase, "You've booked myself and Cas this evening. Per your request, your bubble bath for three awaits," Dean overzealously gestured to the second floor.
"Enjoy your time with us Monsieur Lafitte," Sam expressed while returning to the tables, which were filling up quickly.
"I surely will," he replied with a positively radiant smile, letting a gleeful Dean tug him upstairs.
Sam used this opportunity to swiftly set the package in his room and returned to find Garth stationed at the piano, happily serenading the room with popular pieces. Although awkward, the string bean of a man was endlessly cheerful and kind. Sam walked to the bar, tipping Magda heavily for a whiskey sour which he then set on the edge of the piano for Garth.
Sam could feel the room's change as Lucifer entered, pulling up a chair at one the card tables. He was glad for Crowley keeping a watchful eye on the floor for dishonest players and trouble makers. Despite his imported wardrobe collection of the finest french silk gowns, Crowley commanded a degree of respect few dared cross.
Charlie elegantly crossed the room in a sharp, three piece suit with her hair neatly tucked into a bun against her neck. She delivered drinks with the compassionate charm, as only she could.
"I'll never regret bringing her under our proverbial wing, that one." Rowena's voice dripped with wholesome love and adoration.
"Nor I. Charlie's a fine soul. She certainly makes yours shine all the brighter, Rowena. Her lack of natural talent in the craft is eclipsed by her endless enthusiasm, thirst for knowledge, and charitable heart," Sam concurred, admiring his precious friend's ability to leave smiles in her wake.
"Aye, she's ever so dear tae me," Rowena contently sighed, linking her arm around Sam's, "Och, Azazel's come. This could potentially be a harrowing evening…"
"Wouldn't be the first time. And we've got spells on our side," Sam reminded, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek before heading to mingle among the tables. As he did so, he scanned the room with hopeful eyes for Max and found him engaged with a lovely young woman who seemed to fancy him. Max spared him a longing glance, then disappeared with the woman.
"Ah! My good fellow, how are you on this fine evening?" Crowley greeted whilst cozying up to Donatello who'd wandered in, mumbling to himself as usual.
Sam saw Donatello pause and squint at Crowley, trying to recall where he recognized him from. Then like a switch being thrown, his round face was aglow with happiness.
"I'm well thank you. My don't you look lovely?"
Crowley feigned a most sincere blush at the man's compliments. "You flatter me, might I have the good fortune of your company tonight?"
Donatello looked like someone just handed him a birthday cake, with candles aflame and all. The dismay on his face that such a stunning creature as Crowley would seek out his company had clearly made his night.
"I'd like that very much. Very much indeed," he gratefully accepted, offering his arm to Crowley who swiftly winked at Sam.
There's one less worry tonight, thanks to Crowley.
Rowena noticed a newcomer at the bar impatiently waiting to be served, despite the growing line and her girls deftly bustling about. She approached the man, eager to raise his spirits and/or reassure him her family was most certainly up to the task of providing whatever services he desired. A flash of some shiny trinket on his vest caught her eye.
Bullocks. The law. Time to tip the family off.
She snapped her fingers and a piano page from the book Garth was playing turned right in front of him, as if she'd been standing there turning it herself. Abruptly, Garth sat up ramrod straight, playing an entirely new tune, but one already known to those who called the Renegades Saloon home or haven.
"Who's that I see walkin' in these woods?
Why, it's little Red Ridin' Hood"
Rowena watched as Crowley started the song,stepping away from the blackjack counter around which he'd been loitering.
"Listen to me, little Red Ridin' Hood
I don't think little girls should
Go walkin' in these spooky old woods alone"
She saw Kate and Madison join in. They'd been waiting on refills at the bar, then seductively sashayed to the piano, each taking a seat on the bench beside Garth.
"What big eyes you have...
The kind of eyes that drive wolves mad
So, just to see that you don't get chased
I think I ought to walk with you for a-ways"
From a side office, Jesse Turner emerged with an arithmetic book and pencil, weaving through the tables with a grin, his eyes set on Garth.
"What full lips you have
They're sure to lure someone bad
So, until you get to grandma's place
I think you ought to walk with me and be safe"
From the rear sitting room emerged Claire, who'd been running bingo for the faithful old coots from town. They came rain or shine because it was the only bit of excitement to be had anymore. She cuddled up to Kate and Madison as she sang.
"Hey there, little Red Riding Hood
You sure are lookin' good
You're everything a big bad wolf could want
Owoooooooooooooo!!!!"
The howl everyone let out at the end was volumous enough to wake the devil and alert all who could truthfully hang a "Hay Rollin' in Progress" sign on their door downstairs to the presence of the Law.
Rowena found Meg inviting patrons onto the back patio for cigars.. or so it successfully seemed. There was also a rear entrance to the 'downstairs' area where all the riské entertainment occurred, and by all appearances, that was precisely where she was leading the throngs of voracious guests.
Deflection spells went up, glamoring and invisibility spells were cast. Rowena glanced at Sam who was already eyeballin' her with a hand on his holster, signaling his preparedness for whatever fortune had in store for them that evening.
Extending her hand to the Sheriff, she professed, "Sheriff, to what do we owe this honorCharlie, would you be a dear and bring this excellent suitor of justice a drink of his choosing? Sheriff, to what do we owe this honor?"
The man was of short stature, yet Rowena sensed an air of misplaced power emanating from him. He shook her hand and regarded her.
"Bourbon, please. Ma'am. I'm from Downs. The Deputies office asked me to check in on this town, it doesn't seem to hold an officer of the law for very long."
Rowena noticed a familiar look in his eyes, one which misguidedly spoke of him having sized her up, confident he knew her type. Other law men had too, and that's why they'd moved on. She sensed Sam behind her.
"Rowena McLeod. The gentleman behind me is my business partner, Samuel Winchester. Perhaps the other officers recognized that this establishment and town is brimming with good people. People who'd rather live peacefully in accordance with most laws, than break them."
"Maybe. But it's human nature, succumbing to temptation. Giving in to corruption. Gambling and alcohol tend to go hand in hand with promiscuity. You employ whores in this establishment?"
Sam was quick to respond, "That's illegal in this county."
"The women you pay to offer pleasant conversation and companionship reside here on the premises, do they not?" The Sheriff asked, clearly assuming they surmised he was an idiot.
Rowena noticed Sam placing his hands on his hips in irritation.
"They pay rent for their rooms here, which entitles them to their space and privacy," Sam fired back.
Rather than let this penis envy pipsqueak force Sam into breaking his composure, Rowena intervened with a convincing proposal that would surely put the Sheriff's suspicions to rest.
"Perhaps if I showed you their quarters, yae might see for yourself?"
The Sheriff took a few seconds to respond. A quiet tension filled the air until Rowena offered her arm, prompting him to join her on a tour. When he took it, Sam only partially relaxed. She glanced around, relieved that Jesse had stowed himself back in the office to finish the arithmetic they'd been practicing.
They used the main route to the living quarters. Beside the entrance to the kitchen was a flight of stairs leading downstairs. The Sheriff heavily scrutinized the building's construction and architecture, as if hoping to discover a poorly concealed secret room or corridor. But when going room to room, all he saw was exactly what Rowena wanted him to see. And all he heard were the common sounds of normal shifting about one's room.
By all outward appearances, they were tidy, albeit mostly vacant rooms save for a person or two engrossed in a book. Behind the carefully placed enchanted curtains, was the most delicious hedonism of which a human could ever dream.
The real challenge for Rowena was to not offer tips and advice. It'd be awfully damning for the Sheriff to get an earful of her typical encouragement.
"Well done Jo, why Victor..such a glow yae've got!" Or "Almost there Alfie, give her hair a wee tug, splendid!"
And it especially wouldn't do for him to hear her shouting, "Bloody Hell Miss Talbot, I dinnae think yae had it in ya!"
She removed the tiny hex bag from the Sheriff's pocket, distracting him with a faux wardrobe malfunction, claiming the heel of her shoe had almost snapped.
Sam's mind was on the people downstairs he considered family. He kept his cool, certain the glamouring spells he and others had cast would hold, just as they always had. He distracted himself by schmoozing with their guests, but couldn't help looking around for Max.
There was a certain satisfaction he took in the ability to manipulate the environment/situation for patrons, if the need arose. Such as when long time guest and supreme annoyance Lucifer, became unnecessarily riled due to unfavorable outcomes from his round of Liar's Dice.
"Don't sass me boy," the sloppy drunk barked at Kevin," the young man he'd cajoled into playing with him.
Sam walked over, resting a hand on the back of Lucifer's neck while politely inquiring about the status of the game.
"He's a cheater. That or there's somethin' dirty with those dice!" Lucifer spat, near to slurring his words.
Sam took a deep breath, then used his mind to dilute the man's drink. He didn't need any more spirits for the night. Before Lucifer started playing, he'd spotted Kevin enchanting the dice, distributing among them an uneven weight, magically undetectable if asked to be placed on the scales. Normally Sam wouldn't allow such deception, but Lucifer was the town jackass and more than deserved it.
"Kevin's gifted in the field of mathematics, Sir. This game is all about observation and calculation. Are you feeling well? You seem awfully twitchy. Perhaps you'd like Magda to make you some tea?" Sam calmly suggested.
"I want a refund, this little shit's a cheater and he's thieving me out of my money!" Lucifer's voice raised an octave as his fist came down on the table so hard it jolted and tipped the other players dice.
Before the other players could justifiably raise Hell over his obnoxious etiquette, Sam yanked the man up by his neck, quickly dropping a powder concoction down the collar of his shirt, while Crowley appeared, ready to assist.
"I ain't getting touched by no dandy, probably hits like a woman anyhow!"
Sam had Lucifer's hands restrained behind his back and sharply yanked downward, then abruptly pulled both up, crossing each arm over a shoulder blade. Lucifer had been trying to kick Crowley, but the sudden, severe pain had him on his tippy toes, pushing his chest out in effort to use his height to relief the pain. Sam nodded at Crowley who implemented his right hook, dropping Lucifer like a bag of potatoes.
Crowley rubbed his fist then issued, "You see, there's your mistake, I actually consider that a compliment. Congratulations, you've officially been knocked on your arse by a woman."
Lucifer's head dizzingly flopped in his direction as he slurred out, "But yo..yor a man. Not a real one..but.."
Straightening himself, Crowley replied, "Seems you're on the floor bleeding like a bitch and I'm not, so neither are you. Kisses," he blew at him and waved.
Sam dragged him out of the Saloon, watching the wicked itching powder he'd poured down his shirt take effect. He swung him around the corner, dumping him in the empty horses trough where he lay dazed, confused, and screaming from a vision of fire ants crawling all over him, thanks to a touch of mind control, courtesy of Sam.
When he returned, he found Rowena smiling at him and inquiring, "Och where have yae gone?"
"Took out the trash. Just a second," he excused himself to check on Azazel who was glowing with sinister intent with an uncomfortable looking Jesse on his lap.
The demon was just lifting a glass of his usual bourbon to his lips when Sam snapped his fingers and to Azazel's dismay, his glass was suddenly bone dry.
Sam got a hold of Jesse, then whispered in his ear, "Get a piece of chocolate nougat from Jack in the kitchen and tell him I need a bag of gold coins."
While Jesse ran off, Azazel sat there at the table looking stunned and stupid. Moments later, Jesse returned with the coins.
Sam made sure Azazel interpreted whatever Jesse said as, "Congratulations Sir! You've won our Black Jack tournament of two thousands dollars!"
The man appeared brimming with delight and bragged to others on his way out the door about his night's fortune. Yet, thanks to Sam he'd awaken in the morning with golden foil wrapped chocolate.
"Sam…" Garth called him over.
"Garth, how's your evening so far?" Sam kindly inquired, while once again hopefully scanning the room for Max.
"What do magicians and whores have in common?"
Sam smiled in eager elation, loving Garth a little more. "I'll bite..What?"
"Disappearing acts!"
Sam heartedly chuckled. "Where do you get these jokes?"
"Why question my muse when I can just enjoy her?" Garth said matter of factly when shrugging, then posed another query, "Whats the difference between a rooster and a whore?"
Sam knew there was a cock joke on the way.
"The rooster says… cock a doodle doo The prostitute says… any cock will do!"
Sam roared with laughter, he adored Garths jokes which he knew were always meant in the spirit of pure humor.
Wiping his eyes and chuckling, Sam patted his back and spied Rowena schmoozing with the Sheriff at the bar. He didn't need to see what was happening, but instantly knew every glass of absinthe Magda served him, was enchanted to probably have triple the already potent effect and so far, Mr. Law Man was looking ready touch the sky and kiss the mother fucking rainbow.
"I'm gonna find those whores you've got here," Sam heard him weakly threaten.
As he lumbered over to them, Rowena was already aiming the beligerent, whoozy Sheriff towards a special lad with a gift for fun game and neat tricks.
"Samuel, I think the Sheriff would thoroughly enjoy Patrick's brand of intellectual strategy, wouldn't you agree?"
Assuring him with a maniacal grin, he professed, "Sir, it's your lucky night. You'll walk away a whole new man, I guarantee it."
He and Rowena both watched the Sheriff stumble towards the table to which they'd directed him. Patrick rolled a toothpick in his mouth and winked at Sam..which meant, "Much obliged, I'll give him the royal treatment."
As the night wore on, more magic and mayhem occurred. It seemed at every turn when he had an opportunity to get away and steal a kiss from Max, fate thwarted him. Desperate times were calling for desperate measures…
He headed upstairs to his room, with the intention of opening that package from earlier, and heard a rowdy, "Yeeehaw! Hell yes!" from his brother's room.
It sounded like he was getting the ride of his life from Benny, or Cas..maybe both, who knew? Sometimes it was hard not to laugh at Dean because he was so goddamn funny.
After he'd checked the house once again, verifying that people were winning money and/or getting laid by the temptation of their dreams, it was three am and he headed to his room like a man on a mission. Opening the package, he found its contents even more to his liking than he'd imagined.
Fifteen minutes later he found himself downstairs, knocking on Max's door, perfectly aware his lover was expecting a three am appointment.
"Are you decent?" He asked, sorry it had taken all night to get to this surprise, which he hoped Max liked.
"Why does that matter? I never want to be decent around you!" Sam smiled when hearing Max laughing.
Max had a point. "Have to make it quick, I have an appointment at three."
With that, Sam silently entered the room and struck a seductive pose in all his imported white silk glory, custom made for the vertically challenged. "I'm your three am."
The brilliant, thousand watt smile spreading across Max's face took Sam's breath away.
"That's..you're.." Max crossed the short distance of his bedroom and pulled Sam in for an impassioned kiss.
"You're beautiful," he murmured against Sam's lips," that gown is beautiful."
Max's words were akin to a shot of adrenaline in his veins. Sam let Max shower him with affection and lay him on the bed, taking his time to worship him in all his silk and sequined glory. Before things got too hot and heavy, Max closed the door for privacy and then proceeded to make love to Sam more tenderly than ever before.
At six am, Sam was changed and back downstairs, tired as hell but knew he'd be getting some shut-eye soon. When the Sheriff saw him, Sam reckoned he'd had enough of Patrick, based on his appearance alone.
Apparently so did Donatello, whose eyes grew the size of saucers before exclaiming, "Y-you..are you God? My word! You look just like all the paintings of him!"
The Sheriff smiled like a cat with a Canary in his mouth. "I've been told there's a resemblance yes."
Although something about the Sheriff made Sam want to recoil, like he was a rat scurrying across his feet, he asked, "We never got your name.."
With a disgusting gloat, the man replied, "Shurley. Call me Sheriff Shurley."
Rowena came up for air from behind the bar and tore herself from a rather disheveled, yet stupidly happy Charlie.
"That's an unfortunate moniker," she tried concealing a giggle.
Evidently Shurley was a little hard of hearing and when standing up from the table, it was evident in gait he was no longer the spry man who'd entered Renegades hours earlier.
He patted himself, confused as to why he suddenly felt so different. Then he got a gander of himself in the long mirror behind Rowena and Charlie.
Shock. Horror. Sam knew those expressions so well.
With a trembling in his voice, the Sheriff pawed at his face. "W-what..have you done? What's happened? They said there was magic here, witchcraft...but I...if it's the last thing I do I'll find my revenge. I'll shut this place down or burn even the ash remaining after I torch it!"
Sam walked up, placing a hand on his back and said, "You've had too much to drink tonight. As you've seen, there's nothing illegal happening here so there's no cause for trouble."
"But! My face!"
"What about it? It's the same butter mug you walked in with," Sam's calm was such that the Sheriff almost believed it.
"There's something wrong with this place! Black magic or I don't know what!"
Sam began pointing him to the double doors. "That's impossible. There's no such thing. I suggest you go home and sleep this off, you were hitting the absinthe pretty hard. Just get some rest."
Surely was so stunned and shitfaced he mumbled to himself as he fell over, the crawled under the double doors, out onto the dirt street.
Sam breathed deeply, bone tired but thankful for another profitable, successful night. He glanced up to find Cas and Meg descending the stairs, holding hands, happy as ever.
"Good morning, Sam. Are the bags ready for Baby?" Cas wondered.
Garth came out of the office carrying two heavy satchels brimming with money. "They sure are. Last night we had money coming out of our ears. The people in the Topeka house are going to really love this. Shame about the Marshall's office shutting them down."
"Hopefully it's enough to keep them afloat until they find work elsewhere," Meg volunteered, pulling up her riding pants, "I'll be outside tacking up Baby for the ride, Clarence be angel and grab us some coffee?"
Utterly smitten, Cas nodded and turned for the kitchen.
After Sam helped Charlie and Jo clean up and others had appeared for the morning shift, he witnessed a thoroughly exhausted and completely fucked out Benny on his way downstairs.
Sam knew he was sweet on his brother. Honestly, he didn't know why Benny hadn't yet hauled him out to sea for one of those pirate marriage ceremonies he'd heard about. But perhaps Benny respected Dean, just as he respected Max.
"Hate to get my lovin' on the run, but I'll be back in a few months brutha…"
"He misses you," Sam confessed, which was no lie.
"And I, him. He's worth the wait though. Until next time." Benny gave him a warm smile and scurried out to catch the river ferry to his fleet.
Turning to find Rowena with two drinks, toying with a card at a table, he sat down and made a toast.
"To fortuitous partnerships, in business and life.."
With a salacious smirk, Rowena's eyes glowed a lovely shade of deep lavender. "Blessed be, Samuel."
"Blessed be, Rowena."