Just a reminder to my writing style to those noticed words in italics. It usually means I'm flashbacking in time.

So happy reading~

Chapter 2

The Casino Charm

There was sunlight shining through, Mugman couldn't help but feel safe and warm as he did not want to be waking up, he recalled his dying brother. "Cuphead?" He woke up expecting to be back in his room to have his brother at his side. The reality kicks in as his version of Cuphead disappeared. "Where...where am I?" He wondered his eyes around the room. It was grand, it was bright. It was a place that he never thought would have stayed or had the money for it.

He felt his head, nothing was in his mug. Feeling thirsty and with an overwhelming curiosity. He got off the large bed with a fluffy blanket. Colors of red and gold, he felt he was treated like a king as if that wasn't a coincidence. Someone came through the door without a knock, Mugman shifted his attention over. King Dice had appeared and with a small pile of garments in hand.

"Finally awake, I see." He told him. The memories were coming back to him tauntingly. Mugman suddenly felt nervous. "You know, it wasn't supposed to be you but alas, a brother is a brother." Mugman has noticed.

"Where is he? Where is Cuphead?" The question was obviously pointed out.

King Dice sighed as he rolled his eyes of annoyance. "Your brother is back home. A deal is a deal, you sold your soul by means you services belong to us and Cuphead will not interfere. As you wished for his safety so he's safe."

Mugman was at standstill, thinking over the deal and wondering if this was really the only thing, he could do. "I don't know if I want to believe you." He told the King honestly.

"Don't think too much into it, Mugs. Cuphead is no longer poisoned. You have saved his life just so you know." King Dice explained as he placed the garments onto a vanity desk that withheld a large mirror. "And to pay that debt, you'll have to work in the casino."

The young adult mug gulped as he expected far worst like tortures of hell but to be placed in a working environment surely that sounds better than playing with fire. He went over and check the clothing, a navy vest, dress pants, and a white dress shirt. He looked at King Dice who stood by. "I don't usually see your minions wearing these.."

"Doesn't matter, the devil and I wish for your best appearance. You are at that age now to learn the lessons of professionalism." King Dice mentioned. "Now sit in front of the vanity. I will polish your head."

With such a demand, Mugman couldn't help but fear there was another trick. "I can do it myself." He told him.

King Dice wasn't having that as he leads over. "I can do it better."

Mugman gulp but did what he was told. Obedience, King Dice thought annoyance at least with Cuphead would pick up a fight but Mugman, he was tame without his brother; Mugman would never have stepped into the Devil's Casino. Taking the seat of the vanity. King Dice took out a brush and start scraping the dirty marks upon Mugman's head. Starting on the back, Mugman stares at the mirror to gather his thoughts. "What kind of job would I be doing..?"

"Whatever we order you to do." King Dice said simply as he finished up brushing with some polishing cream. "Now that's a shine." King Dice praised himself for his great work and came down to Mugman's level. "From now on, Mugman. I expect perfection from you before leaving this room." He warned him as Mugman wondered why was that. Compared to the other servants or minions in the casino they weren't exactly the clean type and to compare them to King Dice there was a reason why he was chosen as the 'king'. "Put the clothes on now, kiddo. It's time to do some preparation before opening the doors."

Mugman hesitated, he thought this was all a trick for King Dice being nice to him as he reached over the white button down shirt. With his iconic black sweater he and Cuphead usually wear, Mugman had trouble as he thought over what he really should do. King Dice practically rolled his entire head as he went ahead in front and quickly yank Mugman's sweater upwards to reveal his bare torso. Mugman gasped as he pulls himself away from King Dice. To Dice's surprise, he spotted a long crack across Mugman's stomach to his chest. "I'm able to change myself, thank you!" Mugman cried as he went to gather the rest of the clothing and put some distance between himself from King Dice. Turning his back to him, King Dice curiosity watched as Mugman slip out from his sweater to be replaced by the shirt followed by the navy dress pants and the uniform vest. He finishes as he turned around to King Dice waiting for his approval.

"Perfection." He commented as he went to the door and opened it. "Shall we go?" As Mugman politely followed. It was sickening. 'Why would the Devil order me to watch over this damn kid?' King Dice wondered as he was never placed into a babysitting job.

King Dice watches his boss smoked a large cigar and practically blowing smoke to King Dice's direction. "So you tried to poison the boys, I see. Do you really think that was wise?"

Dice tried to defend himself. "For years sire, I see you upset in your chair and unwilling to do anything. It makes me upset to see you upset, sire. I just thought a little revenge is what you need to encourage your pride."

"Like so, I am happy that you did but because of your unauthorized decision. I command you to watch over Mugman to the T."

King Dice was confused. "Watch over him? Why sire? He just another minion to..."

"Do not question me! Dice!" The Devil flared up as his pupil disappeared for a moment in the yellow glow of his eyes.

King Dice grunted in discomfort as he leans back on the bar counter. His bartender who had a flaming head confused as King Dice was not himself; finding him slouching was rare to find. Offered with a glass of whiskey, King Dice happily took it. In one gulp, he placed the glass down and took his focus on Mugman who had a short period of time of training to be a waiter. He caught on right away; a definite quick learner. The problem was, he was fresh meat. To work in a casino it takes time to adjust and to get to know your customers so eventually, you can tell the difference between casuals and the disturbed. For almost a month, every morning was routine. King Dice would come to Mugman with clean clothes, brush his mug 'head' since he never wakes up earlier enough to do it himself. Afterward; they do a quick sweep and preparation for the casino to open in the evening. Mugman was quick to be piled with duties that he had never done but some things were easier to do the tasks for as he recalls taking care of Elder Kettle. King Dice noticed the higher volume of customers were coming in and will always know to spot the Devil when he is overlooking everything just to see how Mugman was adapting the situations. It wasn't long when Mugman waits for the table; customers would start requesting him just to see him.

"He's like one of our casino charms," Said a lady which made King Dice hurl in jealousy as he focuses on his drinking instead on Mugman who was followed by two customers to one of the private rooms.

He was cleaning up the table that was left a mess from the previous customers. Mugman went ahead to do his job but the time he turned around with his tray. The dishes and the tray end up on the floor in a crash and Mugman was quickly cornered by the two sketchy characters.

They belonged to Captain Brineybeard' crew; their faces shaped a hook and the other a peg. "You're one of those brothers that our captain faced." Said the hook who was shorter than the peg.

The peg nodded. "Yeah, I thought he looked familiar." He replied to his comrade. Both grime a smile which made Mugman realize he was in deep trouble. "Now why a pretty little china cup like you doing in a casino like this?"

Mugman decided to use 'evasion' without saying anything. "Hey, hey, hey, we are talking to you." Hook said as he hooked Mugman by his arm.

"Let go of me." Mugman decided to speak up.

The hook was reddened but Peg was belligerent as he went ahead and pick up Mugman by his hips and placed his back onto a nearby billiard. Knocking the balls off to the side and having Mugman settled on the table. Mugman tried to get up but the peg wouldn't let him. He pulled Mugman's arms high above his head just so it settled in by one hand grasp. Mugman began grunting as Hook went to unbutton his vest and shirt and to take peek on Mugman's chest.

"Oh, look Peggy. He got a crack." The hook said as he trailed his single hand across the scar that Mugman had on his chest.

"Please...stop." Mugman hustled as he didn't like to be touched.

"Oh, but we just began, little cup." The peg pleads as Mugman started to struggle more as Hook decided to aim for his pants.

"No! Get off of me!" Mugman started to cry.

Overseeing this all was a shadow that came to amidst the scene. Standing behind the two attackers, Mugman only caught a glimpse as he slightly cried to feel his chest scar crack further. The dark figure reacted as it didn't like that. Knocking the two wasn't enough as he ravaged over them. The two were screaming and this bought terror as Mugman had covered his eyes to prevent having malevolent to taint him.

"You don't listen do you?" Said the figure as Mugman realized it was all over. The sounds of cracks and screaming had come to a stop as Mugman opened his eyes to see his savior.

It was the Devil who spoke and because it was him; Mugman did not dare to speak back and this made the Devil angry. The mighty demon scoops Mugman by one arm and carried him out of the private room. King Dice saw and so did everyone else. The workers and the customers but the devil did not care as he took Mugman away from the casino to his lair.

After a while being carried by the devil, Mugman started to see a different light against the dark fur, he was snuggled against. The Devil could have punished him but he didn't. The Devil did not take notice of how Mugman felt until he grips his lump of fur and whispered 'thanks'. Reaching the bedroom that Mugman was given. The devil put down Mugman to the bed. Sitting upwards and at the edge of the bed. Mugman watched tensely as the Devil came down to his level.

"Next time, fight back as your soul belongs to me." The Devil stated as he got up.

"Hang on a second!" Mugman cried as he too got up. "I want to say something."

The Devil looked back intrigued. "What is it?" He asked as Mugman happily replied.

"Thank you for stopping them. I appreciate what you did for me even if that means..."

"I'm not a killer if that what you expected." The Devil groaned.

Mugman lighten up. "I'm glad but why? Why did you choose to save me?" As the question seems to be running to nowhere.

"Because you are my slave." As that answer didn't seem legit as the devil went to the door. "Also you should take your bath before setting in. I don't like the idea of smelling those men that handled you." The Devil stated as Mugman gathered the obvious hints.