Chapter Text
Husk laid out a royal flush on the table before him. He watched as the sinner's face fell upon seeing his hand. In stark contrast, Husk had a sharp grin, the satisfaction of another victory washing over him. Another soul won, to be added to his collection of sinners that had been stupid enough to challenge the Casino Overlord. The poor mouse-like demon had even been so idiotic to gamble his soul when playing against the one demon notorious for never losing in any competitive game meant for gambling.
Husk understood the demon well, though. He suffered from a gambling addiction himself, and understood the irrational and impulsive need to keep going until you end up with a net positive. Unfortunately, this demon had been unlucky enough to go against the man who represents gambling itself down here in Hell.
"Well, that is very unfortunate, Mr. Shally. I always hate this part of my job." Husk began, his cat-like grin growing ever sharper and wider. "Though, I must say that I can't wait to introduce you to the rest of the staff here at my lovely Casino."
The mouse sinner began to shake, tears welling up in his eyes.
"No! Please, sir! Another round! Just one more round, please!" Shally begged, trembling and desperate.
Husk frowned. He was enjoying himself earlier, he truly did love to win. However, as much as he had convinced the rest of Hell otherwise, he really did not enjoy seeing others suffer. As an Overlord, of course, he could never let anyone find out about this. His reputation would be ruined and nobody would ever take him seriously as a demon, nor an Overlord, ever again.
He did what he could, though, and was known for being the best Overlord to be contracted to. He treated the souls he owned much better than his fellow Overlords by a landslide. Perhaps this little demon just hadn't heard before. He may know nothing about Husk at all, considering he had decided to challenge him to a game and had gambled his very soul. Or, maybe this demon was just abhorred by the idea of being owned by anyone, which is a good quality to have even on Earth, but even more so when surrounded by the damned.
"You have nothing more you can offer me. I've already won your soul, there's nothing more valuable than that." Husk easily replied in an attempt to maintain his cold exterior. It was necessary for his status as an Overlord.
What he couldn't hide, though, was the slight concerned crease of his brows. He knew intimately what this demon was experiencing. Though he hadn't really experienced it in death, or even towards the end of his time in the living world, he had gone through very similar experiences when he was younger, though, admittedly, he had never gambled his soul.
The mouse demon groaned stressfully, pulling at his fur.
Though Husk definitely had a soft spot for suffering sinners, he still was an Overlord. You simply don't land such a position by being nice to your fellow damned souls. He could get away with being kinder to those in his debt, but he could simply not let those in his debt get off scott-free.
"So sorry, but you will be my employee for some time. Not to worry, you'll have a roof over your head and food in your stomach here." Husk attempted to soothe. "I'll let you have today and tomorrow off if you wish, no strings attached. It'll give you a chance to settle down in your new home."
The mouse demon didn't respond, simply chewing on his claws with his rodent-like front teeth. He was hunched in on himself and continued to shake.
Husk's concern only increased, though he hid it externally. He wasn't as heartless as the other Overlords, not by a long shot. But all that meant was that his Poker face had to be tenfold what the other's was. He couldn't afford to let them know how he truly felt about these pitiful sinners. Luckily, he had plenty of practice in concealing his emotions from when he was alive, which had helped him become an outstanding gambler. His skills in this department had only increased in his death.
He gently guided the smaller demon by his shoulders, careful not to accidentally scratch him with his claws. The symbolism of a cat catching a mouse in its trap was not lost on him. While he couldn't help but be a bit concerned for this sinner, he was no saint. He couldn't help but smile to himself a bit about just how amusing and cliche the situation was. Being an Overlord and a sadist do go a bit hand-in-hand, and, while he was by far the most humane of his associates, he still possessed some of these qualities.
Husk opened the door to the break room, leading his new contracted soul straight through the large, lavish room. It was furnished with the softest and finest products, and was stylishly decorated. It had several potted plants, and a kitchen supplied with most everything one could want, appliance-wise and food-wise. At the back of the break room was a door that, when opened, led to an equally smart staircase leading upstairs.
Husk led the mouse up the stairs to the living quarters, where each of his contracts had their own room. Clearly the small demon had been too caught up in his own mind, as he continued to tremble, staring wide-eyed at the floor as they travelled.
Well, no matter. Soon the demon would realize how lucky he was to be contracted by Husk of all Overlords.
Husk stopped them in front of a door, reading "197" on its plaque. He pulled a key out of the pocket of his suit, and stuck it into the doorknob, twisting until a soft click was heard. He pushed the door open, gently pulling the mouse demon into his new room.
"Well, this small space is all yours!" Husk exclaimed cheerily, waving to the room before carefully placing the key into the unfortunate (or perhaps, fortunate) sinner's hand. The furniture in the individual rooms was nothing to write home about, but it was without a doubt comfortable and sturdy. Each of his contract's rooms even had a television. Though, there were communal bathrooms.
The mouse demon nervously looked around, clearly still unhappy with his predicament.
Husk felt a twinge of frustration. This demon had been insolent and stupid enough to gamble his soul with the Casino Overlord. What the hell did he expect to happen? Did he really think he would win? Surely he knew indefinite servitude was the only outcome to his rash decision. The least he could do was be thankful to the winged cat for his endless patience while this insufferable rodent wallowed in self-pity, and for his immense generosity in giving him this fantastic living situation. It was more than likely infinitely better than whatever shit hole this mouse had crawled out of.
Husk took a deep breath.
He needed to calm down. It would do no good to get pissed off at this new soul of his.
He put on a wide grin, feeling satisfied with himself for helping this demon out of his previous horrible life. Though he had never met this demon before now, he was sure this was better than whatever his situation had been like before.
"You can thank me for all of this later." Husk assured the sinner. "The bathroom is at the end of the hall on the left. As I previously stated, you have tonight and tomorrow off to settle in. I'll have another one of my employees deliver your uniform tomorrow. Feel free to ask them any questions you may have. If you need any changes to your room, please tell them, and they well pass it on to me."
Husk smiled down at the demon as he stepped further into his room. "Any questions?"
The small demon shook his head, clearly still trying to process the whole situation.
"Good. Dinner will be served downstairs in the break room starting at 6:00. It will be available until 10:00, so feel free to pop down any time within then if you're so inclined." Husk informed the demon.
"Thank you." The small sinner shakily replied, avoiding eye contact with Husk. He could've sworn he saw a wet drop fall from his down turned face.
Husk grinned gleefully. Finally, some damned manners from this ingrate. "Why, you're ever so welcome, Mr. Shally! I do hope you enjoy your stay here at the Casino."
With that, Husk promptly exited the room, shutting the door behind him with a bit more force than was necessary.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
How hard was it for these demons to be grateful to him from the start? Many demons were contracted by Overlords. Really, it wasn't exactly a shock that they should become contracted souls. A classic case of egotistical sinners believing that misfortune could never befall them. Hilarious, considering they were in Hell. Misfortune had already befallen them simply by them being damned to this world.
Truly, though. They should be thankful it was him that owned them. There was no better employer in all of Hell.
Not like it mattered, though. They always learned in the end, especially after witnessing the mistreatment other sinners endured under the other Overlords.
Sighing once more, he pulled himself together and began his descent back down the stairs, a wide, charming smile adorning his face.
After all, he had a Casino to run, and so many more souls to collect.