Gamblin' Man🎲

SHONA nodded slowly at Oliver’s words, knowing that if it was set up for her she wouldn’t have an excuse to linger around his office anymore. “I’ll stick with easy. Its quicker than waiting for transfers or whatever..” she replied, wondering if she was being as desperate as she felt. Shona hadn’t been able to sleep properly, every time she shut her eyes she was haunted by Oliver’s raspy voice whispering against her ear, and the smell of his cologne as he pulled back. She was in some deep shit right now. Shona tried to shake the memory from her mind as she turned her attention back to the present Oliver. “Awh c’mon, you wouldn’t leave a paradise like Prentiss would you?”

Her heart thudded against her chest as he laughed, Shona was captivated by how beautiful he looked when he was caught of guard like that. She wished she could live in that moment forever, where he wasn’t a powerful casino boss and simply just a boy she was crushing on like some kind of stupid high schooler. She peered up, forcing herself to make eye contact… afterall she didn’t want to leave. “That makes two of us.” she commented reaching for a cigarette and placing it between her lips. “Got a light?”

‘“Besides don’t want Mr. Mayor goody two shoes to keep sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong” He commented, a bit annoyed at his run in with Mason the other day. It was obvious he was keeping tabs even if it wasn’t him doing it physically. Which Oliver wasn’t trying to be paranoid about it, but he didn’t want to have to uproot his whole life again. Her comment caused a chuckle to leave his lips. “Gee, I could never. Haven’t you heard? Prentiss is heaven on earth.” Funnily enough he didn’t mind Prentiss that much, he liked the weather, the customers, Shona. He bit the inside of cheek at that thought. It felt like he had to control those thoughts of her at bay.

Oliver felt a bit foolish for letting these feelings overcome him. Wasn’t selling his soul for a woman who didn’t love him enough of a lesson? Apparently not, because every time he looked at Shona those same dull aches in his chest appeared. “Always.” Oliver mused with a smile, reaching into his left jacket pocket and pulling out his lucky snake eye lighter. Leaning in close enough that he could light her cigarette. It took a moment for the flicker of the flame to ignite the cigarette. Oliver observing her intensely through the flame. When it was securely lit, Oliver leaned back to his regular upright position. “I haven’t seen you around much.. you been busy?”

❧

It felt strange having the feeling like she could believe him, that she could trust him. He was different than the demons Hades brought about. She found herself always draw to him, from the day they met she couldn’t stop glancing at him from the corner of her eye. Something about him stuck with her. Now, he was the closest thing she could call to a friend, a confidant. “Sometimes I worry he is bored of me, I am just a prisoner in there like everyone else,” she exhaled, trying to straight herself back up into a calmness. Things were building lately. They always did when she kept it to herself. She would usually go to her garden at times like this. They would weep with her. Persephone took her shot before closing the gap between them and joining him on the desk. “I don’t want to be wronged again. I won’t.” She tightened her jaw then before exhaling and turning back to him. “Nothing a few drinks can’t help.” It always did. 

Oliver always felt there was an undeniable closeness between him and Persephone. Feeling as if they were made from the same cloth, it came easy when listening to her. Her wants, her needs, were one of his own. Just two lost souls trying the navigate hell on earth. “Bored of you?” He asked a bit stunned, as he inquired with an raised eyebrow. “If he ever gets bored of you he’s a fucking dumbass, and you can tell him I said that.” He replied confidently whilst pouring another shot in his glass. While Oliver didn’t know the extremities of their relationship it was something  he always wanted. Someone to come home too. “Wronged again? Don’t tell me I’m missing something here.” His voice filled with concern as he reached out and placed his hand over hers lightly. “That’s always been my motto, but I'm sure you already knew that.”

❧

She understood the stench of hearing the name of someone you hated like that. It was the same feeling she got when someone brought up Apollo and her skin would try to crawl off her skeleton. They were off to the races now as she downed the drink, its dryness burning her throat as it went. “Sorry to bring up the past but she’s nosing around where she doesn’t belong. I see even more now why you detest her,” she said sourly. The little she knew of their history was enough to dislike her but the second she stepped foot into the Underworld Persephone felt it. The woman paused only to take a drink, feeling soothed as it entered her body. It wasn’t often she drank more than wine but when she did it was always necessary. “That’s just it. I haven’t the slightest idea. Hades won’t tell me and keeps saying that she’s someone good to have in his corner. I understand war but I don’t trust her, figured you’d know that better than anyone.” 

Oliver could usually hold his liquor well, however he had started drinking long before Persephone had showed up. “It’s not your fault she’s showed up where she’s not wanted.” Letting out a rather dramatic sigh. He felt she only showed up now to toy with him mentally, but the fact that she was hanging around other gods was...terrifying to say the least. He could never read her. Oliver could think he was one step ahead but it would turn out Eris was already miles in front of him “Like you said, probably war. That’s her favorite past time.” He commented with a roll of his eyes. Pouring them both another round he sat atop his desk offering her a small warm smile. “Don’t worry flower, soon she’ll get bored of Hades and his overzealous behavior. Can’t plan a war if someone is too preoccupied with counting lost souls all day long.”

SHONA kept her head down as she ventured further into Oliver’s office, trying so desperately to avoid his eyes incase her own gave her away. She’d never felt this stupid or vulnerable before. Of course she’d fallen for powerful men in the past who promised her riches and happiness– but this was a sickening feeling of helplessness that she couldn’t pull herself out of. And he was just like every other hot shot… except he saw her, really and truly saw something in her that no one else did. Which was probably why she was loosing her mind and falling to her knees for him, should he want that…

“Cash in hand.. totally not sketchy or anything like that.” she mused lazily, keeping her emotions masked under a thick layer of nonchalant sarcasm.  Her eyes momentarily diverted to his face before she turned her attention to the envelope that would pay her bills and fill the cupboards– so her gremlin brothers could eat everything. “I can’t make those kind of promises but I can try to keep matches out of their hands.” she replied. Her eyes scanned the office walls and she tried to find something not stupid to say. “Aren’t you not supposed to smoke inside buildings?”

“I mean we can always set up your own account to transfer the money to instead. It’s up to you. I know it’s not ideal but it’s what's easiest.” He managed a slight smile, as he stood up just to sit atop his desk towards her. Oliver had spent most of his life observing. He’d be the last person to say something in a room full of people. He was able to pick up on subtle gestures whether that was due to the longevity of his immortal life or that he just liked people watching. Either way he noticed it was harder to keep Shona’s gaze lately--which was unlike her. Though what could he say? He was her boss, and maybe that’s all he was to her.

“That’s good enough for me. I don’t want to start somewhere new again.” He muttered, realizing he might’ve said more that he should’ve. Her comment urged a genuine laugh from his throat. Keeping his gaze glued to her frame as he spoke. “I guess I just like breaking the rules.” He paused pulling another cigarette from his pack and offering it to her. “Want one?”

❧

This wasn’t the first time she’d needed to clear her head and found herself in this casino. It was just far enough away and close enough to sin for her to feel at home. “Ah, you caught me,” she joked in return as her smile grew. As if she didn’t already know where to go when she was upset. Persephone took his hand, pulling her arm around his as she followed with him through the people. It was a walk she knew on her own but it was always nice getting an escort. Once inside she joined him for a drink, looking at his selection before speaking. “I guess it depends on the night we’re having,” she said while learning down onto the side of the desk. “Is it a red night or a gin and tonic kind of night?” Persephone gave a small huff from behind him as he guessed who it may be. “Somehow, even more disliked by you. It’s Eris,” she said coldly. 

He knew of Eris presence in Prentiss, she made her entrance quite well known to Oliver. Though he had never expected that name to fall on Persephone’s lips. As if he wasn’t already stressed enough. “By that name alone, gin and tonic it is.” He tried to not let the mention of his ex sour his mood. It wasn’t Persephone’s fault but god that woman seemed to follow him like the plague. It seemed it wasn’t enough that he had sold his soul for her, he had to have a daily reminder. Pouring a shot for Perse he slowly slid the glass towards her. “Cheers.” He said as he lifted his glass and quickly downed the liquor. Clearing his throat he moved to pour himself another, this was going to be a long night. “What is she doing snooping around the underworld?”

❧

Persephone had few places she felt safe to run to and against all odds one of those was Oliver’s place. He wasn’t everyones kind of company but for a girl who was used to the dead it was a good fit. It was only all the better that she also enjoyed his company. They played a game too, similar to the one her and Hades did but this one was a dead end. It was all for fun but they both knew it. “That obvious I have something to say?” She quirked an eyebrow up and a small smile finding her lips. “It’s about someone you’re all too familiar with. Perhaps you’re right. Somewhere more private and with drinks is a better idea.”

Oliver was known as the boogie man to most, and friend to little. He was very particular who he let enter his space and Persephone was one of those few exceptions. “A little, can’t hide anything behind those big sad doe eyes of yours.” He smiled slightly, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Then you came to the right guy.” Offering his hand for her take, he led her through the crowd towards his office door. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out an array of keys and pushed the door open once the key locked into place. Immediately heading towards his desk to pour them both a drink. “Pick your poison, I have mostly everything back here.” He offered as he took out two glasses and poured himself a shot of whiskey. “Someone I’m familiar with eh? Something tells me you don’t mean Hades, right? I hope you don’t mean the stoker siblings, I know they can be little shits but they mean well.”

-

“You can say all you want, but I’m a goddess, remember? I can feel it.” Eris was only telling a partial truth, but she lied more than she ever decided to be honest so that had to count for something. His little chin tilt made her laugh again, and if she knew how fun it was going to be to mess with him, she would have came back into his life eons ago. “Because it’s fun,” she stated matter-of-fact. Why explain why wars were created? People always wanted answers to it. But the reality was, humans were incapable of not starting them just as much as gods were. Money, greed, power; everyone was a victim to it. It was just a matter of when. “I could be plenty satisfied right now if you bite into my apple.” She smirked at him. “I think you and I both know that bad omens may follow me, but you can’t get enough of it.” She whispered the last bit to him, feeding the words into his ears so that they really sunk in. “I couldn’t think of a poorer soul than yours, my love. It’s why we always tend to find each other when you need it the most.”

He felt like a fool, more than he already had. Eris was good at pushing his buttons. It was always so hard to stay strong around her, she had been his first love. Someone he gave everything for, even his own soul. Why couldn’t he just stray away for once? “I remember.” He muttered softly, how could he forget? Memories of her plagued his thoughts often, using alcohol to cope and bury the thoughts of her that he used to carry so fondly. He glanced at her apple that she carried between her delicate palms, her one true companion in life. “I don’t think you want me to do that.” He commented with a small smirk. “What I desire most is something you can’t give me. Remember?” Had the circumstances been different maybe he’d toy with the idea of aiding in her conquest of destruction again. But that would’ve been lifetimes ago, now he thought of Shona. There was potential there, but he was still careful to guard his heart. Frightened things would end up like they had did with Eris.

For a moment his defense fell. Dropping his shoulders slightly, as he reached out and cradled the side of her face with his palm. Brushing her hair behind her ear. Something so simple felt so intimate with Eris, it was times like this he had wished things turned out differently. He couldn’t deny her beauty though it was intoxicating, feeling hypnotized from her stare. His voice was soft now as he continued to be gentle with his touch. “You know...had you come sooner...I would’ve considered it.” He trailed off, his words full of sorrow of something that had never came into fruition. living an immortal life was lonely and he had chose this life to be with her initially. “But I don’t want you anymore. So play god with someone else.”

❧

She couldn’t help but find herself smiling at his inquiry. He wasn’t wrong but she didn’t have it in her to care all the time. Hades didn’t like lots of things. Persephone couldn’t help it sometimes, she got lonely as anyone else would. Oliver knew how to keep her company. “Ah, don’t act like you don’t want a paying customer,” she said lifting up another chip. “I get bored, you know I do.” He had always seemed to be the place she escaped to when she needed a distraction. It just so happened his residence was the place so easy to make mistakes. “So, you gonna take my money and deal me in?” 

Seeing Persephone was a bit of fresh air, something he desperately needed after running into his ex. It would’ve been fine if his ex hadn’t been the goddess of chaos and the torture to his own demise. To the say the least he was extremely stressed. “You know me well enough.” He retorted with a small smirk. “Sounds like you should join the living more often. My place is always open to you.” He trailed off, moving to join her on the opposite side of the table. “I could, or we could take the party somewhere else. Besides looks like you wanna’ talk, I’ll be your shoulder, I don’t mind.”

-

Her eyes settling on Oliver only made things more intriguing. Eris hasn’t seen him in ages and she very clearly remembers the look on his face when he realized he was just an afterthought of her chaos. She had to admit, he had gotten a little cuter, and it was adorable that he was so mad by her mere presence. She only needed one hand to catch the apple and as it hit her palm it quickly dissolved. She wasn’t going to waste an apple on someone she could easily mess with just by looking at him. “Aw, it’s so nice to see you missed me,” she sneered, looking up at him. She always did like them tall. “I can be wherever I want, as you said,” she snickered, placing a hand on his cheek just because she wanted to see how fast he would recoil. “What can I say? I heard there were some other Gods wanting dibs on Prentiss and I can’t resist a good war.” Her eyes fluttered at him. She could feel how uneasy he was. It was…intoxicating. “Are you really saying that you aren’t happy to see me?”

Eris had made herself known for only mere seconds but Oliver could already feel the gravitational pull towards her. That was why he had to stay away because just like that he could be caught under her spell again. So he kept his distance, knowing it could be dangerous for him if she lingered any closer. “I wouldn’t exactly say miss.” He commented with a sour expression. Her touch sent an electric shock throughout his body, wanting desperately to pull away. Instead he didn’t look at her, moving his chin in another direction to avoid her frame. “Another war? Why bother?” He seethed, moving his gaze back to hers. If she wanted to play this game, he could too. Hovering over her as his eyes pierced through her own. “Nothing satiates you. Win or lose, you’ll never be satisfied.” He had learned that the hard way. He was young and foolishly in love with a goddess, he couldn't give her the world when she already had it. “Perhaps if the circumstances were different, but only bad omens follow you. I’ve already had my share of your chaos, find another poor soul to torture.”

SHONA began to laugh at Oliver and his honesty, she believed he had little time for journalists or whatever people thought of him. You don’t open a casino in a trash town because you want to be liked or accepted by society. He was a little different, like her and it was terrifying to see a bit of herself in him. “Welcome to the real world where you make money off of being an asshole to other people.– oh wait you’re already familiar” she mused with a shrug of her shoulders. Shona had built up an image in her head of Oliver being this powerful, unapproachable ghoul, and yet as he stood in front of her all she saw was a guy about her own age, with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Not as powerful or scary as she once thought. Shona laughed at that, she had a good aim but it wasn’t that good, she was about to answer him when he placed his hand on her chin. Her entire body went stiff as her eyes met his. She blinked slowly, trying to hide the hammering feeling of her heart against her ribcage, so maybe he was scary in a different way. “Oh..” she breathed. “Does that mean you’ll stab me instead?”

“I mean if they can do the same It’s only fair game. Besides it their fault that they themselves and their readers are braindead. Can’t fix stupid.” He shrugged his shoulders back with a small smirk. Really though, if all people had to talk about was the mysterious man and his casino than the town was pretty dull already. Had he done this in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or New York no one would’ve batted an eye. Prentiss though? Everyone seemed to live on their toes, looking high and low for the boogie man. Her reaction had caused his own--on the outside keeping it cool while his throat became dry. His movement still as he kept his hold on her. “Only if you want me too.” He commented with a teasing smile, finally taking his hand back. He wasn’t sure why he had been so forward with Shona, maybe because it was comfortable to be around her. He treaded carefully with his heart--knowing the last person he had gave it to trampled all over it. Was it safe to let someone else in?

SHONA was still feeling a little weary of Oliver, she understood it was not dumb luck that put him on her path, he had sought her and her brothers out for their abilities & history. She knew she should be glad of a job, a steady-ish paycheck and hours that seemed flexible enough to live with but she still couldn’t shake the feeling like something was lurking beneath the surface. Like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop, this gig felt too good to be true. “Wow the elusive and proper Mr.Bateman is ruffing it with the local hooligans, terrorizing locals! I can see the headlines now.” she grinned, trying to stop herself from staring at him, he was different outside of the Casino. Different when he smiled, when he wasn’t wearing his unreadable mask. She liked that side of him, the side she felt she could trust. She snatched up a handful of popcorn, speaking with her mouth full. “Your aim is really shit. I wouldn’t want you to shoot me– I’d bleed out for hours.”

Not that Oliver wanted friends but he always had trouble making them--even before the change. He was an outsider, too lanky, too serious. He never seemed to fit in any era or place. Shona and her siblings showed signs of brilliance in the form of thievery and chaos. Something he could get behind, understand. They weren’t perfect, but neither was he. With Shona--maybe he could finally belong. She managed to make him chuckle, his whole chest heaving as he did. “God, I can see that shit now. They’re all dipshits though, they’d report anything that could give em’ a story even if its shit.” Throwing the rest of the popcorn from his hand and onto the poor group of kids that sat in front of them. “Is it? Maybe you could teach me.” He laughed again, then moved his gaze to focus on her. His eyes swallowing her whole as he reached out and cradled her chin with his hand. “Lucky for you, you won’t ever have to worry about that.”

-

“I am. Surely you’re more than the things people say about you, no?” she questioned. Sally honestly didn’t know how to feel about that. She hardly enjoyed Oliver’s company, and here he was saying he needed something of her. It was a little rude, and she knew it couldn’t be good at all. “What you need to do, is ask me for assistance rather than tell me what you want.”

Oliver was caught off guard by her response. He knew of the rumors that surrounded him. Some true, others it was mostly outlandish bullshit. He just didn’t want to seem weak, especially in front of someone who was close to someone he loather entirely. “Depends on who you ask.” He retorted, moving to stand as he flicked his cigarette from his mouth and onto the ground. Oliver sighed, exhaling the rest of the smoke from his nostrils. She was going to make this difficult wasn’t she? With a roll of his eyes he continued. “Then please Sally, I request something from you. Was that any better?”