bottom's up- and the devil laughs

For a moment, she sat there, dumbfounded. Agnes removed the hand from her cheek, but immediately recoiled and twisted like a dying serpent. Her hand slapped back over her face, albeit, she was now upside down and baring her teeth.

“.. The who and the what now?” the carnation asked, aggravated. “Look- I’m just here about my jaw, okay? That’s all. I’unno what else you’re doin’.”

 His brows pinched, irritated, as her sharp tongue lashed back at him. “Your jaw is connected to the rest of you, isn’t it? Tch.” He scoffed and gave her jaw a pinch, even with the teeth still bared. She was hardly fear-inducing if you knew her. 

 “If I’m correct, your jaw hurts because the venom is having trouble producing more of itself.” The bokor pulled away to pour some of the contents of the vials he had on hand into the cauldron. With the right ingredients, it would heat itself. “The spell will not be broken lest I will it to, but parts of it may weaken in strength. For example: your venom. Especially if its been used often.” He paused, and gave her a quirky look. 

 “HEY! Hey! You home, bokor boy?” A lilting snake’s hiss traced over the air, as the carnation skulked about the area. 

She had a hand firmly planted against her cheek, and a scowl marring her so-called sweet face. Agnes eventually settled down, her other hand against her metaphorical hip; If anyone knew anything about her teeth, by now, it was the voodoo man of Inkwell Isle.

 Pulling away from the counter, he gave himself a moment to ponder what he could use for a predicament such as hers. Agnes was always a special case… one of a few. What was it with him and flowers?

 The cabinet drew open with ease, his hand absently fingering through the mismatch group of bottles, all filled with something or another and labelled haphazardly. He knew she would come back again, so he’d prepared just a bit in advance. 

 A pink vial was held in his hand, along with a few carnation stems. His arm cradled a mass of vials close to his person, and, with a high-pitched whistle, there were a few nonnies at his sides, carrying the things he could not. Among them, a medium-sized cauldron, a mass of even more vials, and a bag that jingled and clacked as they moved along. 

 The door creaked open as he approached, though not he nor nonnie had pushed it. A sigh escaped him as he set all his things down, though he knew this was hardly necessary… but perhaps it was.

Kingsley watched as the feline gracefully got down and took a seat. What a lovely young lady she was, with such distinct features. He’d always been rather fond of cats, with that air of elegance and mischievousness around them.

“ … Ya’ know, that actually does sound betta’ than what I said. “ He admitted with a chuckle, giving a bow himself.

“ It is a pleasure ‘ta meet’cha, Miss Ana. I’m Mistah’ King Dice–though you may call me ‘Kingsley’ if you’d like. I’m th’manager o’this lovely establishment~. “

The young lady couldn’t help but laugh, a melodious sound amid the ambiance of gamble and drink. Such a charming face! Ana felt no danger here with this fellow, in fact, she felt rather safe! Despite the casino’s reputation of danger and, perhaps, demons.

“A pleasure indeed,” she mirrored, a hand against her fuzzy chin. “Well then, mister Kingsley, I hope you do not mind my lurking about. I most certainly promise not to get in your way. I only seek- Ah, one moment.”

Pawing against her person, Ana procured a navy blue satchel, opening it up to expose all the lost and faded dice she’d scrounged up.

“ Golly, so that’s what happens ‘ta all our dice when they go missin’ from our tables. “ Kingsley laughed. “ Yer’ welcome ‘ta take whateva’ dice ya’ want, really. We got plenty of ‘em. “

He held out his hand, and in a pink flash procured a pair of die in the same color. While the manager did know various magic-related tricks and spells he could do with these die, this set of die happened to be normal.

It wasn’t the offer that intrigued her, it was the magic the man possessed. Her ears flicked, and there was a twinkle to her eyes. Be it his demeanor or, the magic alone, Ana was already bewitched. Had that been said out loud, she would have laughed on the spot.

“Well! I would very much appreciate the assistance, kind sir!” she started. But, she was smiling- No, grinning, and as she tucked the satchel against her side, the feline took a step back. “.. If you can keep up with me, of course.”