#ritrha

Cinma Ritrha

"This isn't possible," said Jack, a dark Miqo'te with cold eyes. Tickets rested in his manicured hands that represented millions of gil worth of Chocobo racing bets.

"Utterly impossible!"

He peered up at the screens in the lobby. Every screen displayed someone other than whom he bet.

This hadn't happened before. Not now, or ever. He was the Gold Saucer's most notorious gambler, riding a streak of unheard-of fortune to the very top of Ul'dah's richest individuals.

"What's going on, daddy?"

A tiny cat with black hair and gold eyes looked up at her father in wonder. A father, whom every day prior to this one had been nothing more than a perfect hero to her. She'd never seen this look in his eyes. It was more than a loss at the casino, this was abject fear.

Jack's linkpearl started to chime. And chime, and chime. His shaking hand reached to acknowledge it. On the other end was a squeaky, slimy voice, in a tone that was none-too-happy.

"Jack, please help me to understand," said the voice. "Did you not say that Omega X, Wily Bird, and Speed Up were guaranteed to win? Like, I'm pretty sure that's what you said. I'm pretty FUGGIN SURE THAT I GAVE YOU 17 MILLION GIL ON BEHALF OF A LARGE CONGLOMERATE OF TRUSTED ASSOCIATES TO THE WINNINGEST GAMBLER IN THE HISTORY OF THE GOLD SAUCER BECASUE HE GUARANTEED THEY WOULD WIN."

"I'M PRETTY - FUGGIN - SURE THAT YOU SAID THIS CAN'T LOSE."

Jack's jaw quivered. It couldn't lose. He made sure it couldn't lose. Everything was perfect. He'd never lost a Chocobo racing bet in his life. But there was one difference this time. One small difference. He made sure it couldn't lose. He cheated. He had henchmen drug the opponents of his choices.

"Daddy?"

Ye of little faith, a voice in his mind he'd grown quite accustomed to. It was very pleasant, seductive, and ladylike. Our relationship has been a fruitful one, but fixing the game is against the rules. I'm afraid our agreement is null and void. The only thing left to do... is die.