Sol exhaled, swirling the drink in his glass. "I think I'll just sit here and enjoy my peace."
Maris smirked. "Or, you could make it more interesting."
Sol gave her a wary look. "I don't like the way you said that."
Maris tilted her head. "I'll make you a deal."
Sol arched a brow. "Of course you will."
She ignored his skepticism. "You win my wager, and I let you stay hidden. I'll even have my staff keep your friends occupied so they never get through that door."
Sol took a slow sip of his drink. "And if I lose?"
Maris smirked, her violet eyes glimmering. "Then you walk down there, sit next to them, and buy all their drinks for the night."
Sol exhaled through his nose. "That's highway robbery."
Maris shrugged. "It's business."
Sol eyed her. "What's the wager?"
She grinned. "Simple. A game of cards." She slid a sleek black deck from her sleeve, flicking the cards effortlessly between her fingers. "Win, and you stay hidden. Lose, and you sponsor the degenerates for the evening."
Sol drummed his fingers against the table, thinking.
This was technically a lose-lose situation. But if there was one thing he was good at, it was reading people.
Maris was dangerous in the way all confident people were—she knew she had the upper hand. But was she actually good at cards, or was she just playing the part?
Sol leaned back. "Alright, Maris. Let's see if you're as good as you think you are."
Maris grinned, setting the deck down. "Oh, ghost, I'm better."
Sol stared at his empty hand.
Maris casually flipped over her winning cards.
She didn't gloat, didn't celebrate. She just took a slow sip of her drink before saying, "Huh. That was easier than I expected."
Sol blinked, processing. "I—hold on—wait, what?"
Maris smirked. "You lost, darling. Horribly, I might add."
Sol narrowed his eyes at the cards as if staring at them hard enough would somehow change the outcome. He went over every move he had made, every bluff he thought was solid, every call he was sure was right.
Nope. He had lost. Badly.
Maris chuckled. "I don't think I've seen someone this overconfident lose this spectacularly in a while. Very entertaining."
Sol rubbed his temples. "You hustled me."
Maris arched a brow. "Oh, no. That was pure skill."
Sol groaned. "I am going to be so broke after this."
Maris patted his shoulder like a parent sending a child off to their doom. "Oh, come now, ghost. You had your fun."
Sol took the longest sip of his drink before standing up. "I don't know why I keep doing this to myself."
Maris smirked. "Because you love making terrible decisions."
He sighed. "...And now I have to deal with Jack."
Sol adjusted his jacket, ran a hand through his hair, and took a deep breath. He could do this. He could walk down there and play this off completely casually.
As he strolled out of the VIP section, he made sure to keep his face unreadable, as if nothing had happened, as if this was all perfectly normal.
Jack, mid-conversation with Lloyd, glanced up and did a double take.
"Hey, look who finally decided to show up," Jack said, folding his arms. "Where the hell have you been?"
Sol shrugged, all effortless ease. "Got lost. Was looking for you guys."
Lloyd narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly suspicious. "You got lost?"
Veyna arched a brow. "You, of all people, got lost?"
Jack snorted. "Oh yeah, sure. And I suppose you were just wandering around aimlessly?"
Sol nodded smoothly. "Yup."
Lea sipped her drink, giving him an unimpressed look. "In the VIP section?"
"Yup."
Jack, still skeptical, squinted at him. "And you just happened to walk out now? Right when we were about to give up?"
Sol nodded again. "Crazy timing, huh?"
Lloyd sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't believe a word of this."
But before they could press him further, a voice rang out from above.
"Oh, come now, ghost," Maris called from the VIP balcony, her tone dripping with amusement. "At least tell them the truth—that you lost so spectacularly that you had no choice but to walk down here in shame. And don't forget—he's sponsoring all of you tonight."
Sol froze.
Jack's entire demeanor shifted in an instant. His squint vanished, replaced with wide, eager eyes. His mouth opened slightly, as if his brain was short-circuiting with the realization.
Then, the grin happened.
"Oh. Oh." Jack clapped his hands together, his entire body vibrating with excitement. "You lost?"
Lloyd blinked. "You were gambling?"
Lea perked up immediately. "Oh, this just got interesting."
Veyna smirked. "That's why you came down willingly."
Sol sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Maris."
Maris, still effortlessly elegant, simply raised her glass in a victorious toast from above. "Just keeping you honest."
Jack gasped theatrically. "And here I thought you were just being responsible! You had no choice!" He leaned against Lloyd for support, wheezing with laughter. "This is historic."
Lea shook her head. "This is the best outcome."
Veyna actually looked pleased. "Finally. Humility."
Lloyd, still processing, exhaled. "So… does this mean you're paying for our drinks?"
Sol pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes. Yes, it does."
Jack threw both arms in the air. "Best. Night. Ever."
Maris, still watching, winked. "Pleasure doing business with you, ghost."
Sol mentally vowed revenge.
Jack slammed a hand onto the bar. "Alright, my fellow degenerates! Drinks are on Sol, and I intend to take full advantage of this momentous occasion!"
Sol groaned as the bartender immediately started taking orders, Jack practically bouncing with joy.
Maris chuckled to herself before disappearing back into the lounge, satisfied.
Sol took the longest sip of his drink before muttering, "I hate all of you."
Jack grinned. "Buddy, you love us. Now, let's drink!"
Sol sat back, staring into the abyss that was his rapidly draining credit balance. The bartender barely spared him a glance before pouring another extravagant round, clearly delighted at their new favorite customer.
Jack raised his drink. "To Sol! Our dear, beloved friend, who graciously—though unintentionally—offered to sponsor this unforgettable evening."
Lloyd smirked. "May his wallet rest in peace."
Lea tapped her glass against Jack's. "Gone, but never forgotten."
Veyna, sipping her drink with the calm satisfaction of someone who hadn't spent a single credit, simply added, "We should do this more often."
Sol exhaled through his nose, leaning his elbow against the bar. "I hate every single one of you."
Jack clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Buddy, you love us."
Sol took a long sip of his drink. It was going to be a long night.
Just as Sol was accepting his fate, a familiar presence slid into the seat beside him.
Maris.
She was sipping a deep violet drink, watching the scene unfold with amusement. "How's the suffering?"
Sol gave her a dull stare. "My credit balance is bleeding out. If you listen closely, you can hear it screaming."
Maris laughed softly. "Well, you did lose spectacularly. It's only fair."
Sol gritted his teeth. "I am never gambling with you again."
She smirked. "That's what they all say."
Jack suddenly turned, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Hold on a second. Why are you here?"
Maris raised a brow. "I own this lounge."
Jack pointed aggressively. "Okay, but you're sitting here, with us. In his suffering zone."
Maris smirked. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Jack squinted. "No reason. Just… feels like you're enjoying this too much."
Maris took a sip of her drink. "Oh, I absolutely am."
After several rounds, Jack, now borderline conspiratorial, turned toward Sol with a grin that immediately set off every internal alarm in his brain.
Sol sighed. "No."
Jack gasped, offended. "I didn't even say anything yet!"
Sol exhaled. "Because whatever you're about to say is going to be profoundly stupid."
Lloyd, who had been around Jack long enough to recognize the signs of incoming nonsense, leaned forward. "Just to be sure, how many drinks have you had?"
Jack waved a hand. "Not enough for bad ideas, but just enough for great ones."
Veyna took a slow sip of her drink. "This will be horrible."
Jack grinned. "Sol, my dear, unfortunate, tragically unlucky friend—"
Sol glared. "Get to the point."
Jack leaned in. "Double or nothing."
Lea snorted. "Oh, this is going to be fantastic."
Sol massaged his temples. "I just said I'm never gambling again."
Jack grinned wider. "You're thinking about it."
"I am not."
Lloyd, sipping his drink, said, "Sol, let me be honest with you. If you don't shut this down right now, Jack will spend the next two hours convincing you."
Veyna nodded. "It's already too late."
Jack dramatically slammed his fist on the table. "Come on! Think about it—one clean win, and you erase your debt!"
Maris, entirely entertained, casually interjected, "He could also end up owing more."
Jack spun toward her. "You stay out of this, you card-shuffling demon."
Maris smirked. "I'm merely an observer. A very amused observer."
Sol took another long sip of his drink. "Jack, I am not taking another bet."
Jack frowned. "What if I told you it wasn't gambling?"
Sol's stare was pure skepticism.
Jack paused. "Okay, technically it is, but it's a different kind of gambling."
Lloyd sighed. "This is spiraling."
As the group continued their antics, the presence of someone new caused a subtle shift in the air. It wasn't the kind of arrival that made a scene, nor did it draw immediate attention. Instead, there was a quiet certainty to it—a presence that commanded respect without demanding it.
A woman, dressed in a traditional yet elegantly simple black-and-white maid's uniform, approached their table. She was older, her graying hair neatly tied back, her expression composed and refined. She carried herself with the poise of someone who had spent a lifetime in service to someone important.
Sol instantly knew she wasn't just here to clean tables.
She stopped a polite distance away and bowed her head slightly before addressing him. "Mister Sol," she said, her voice smooth and practiced. "I apologize for the intrusion, but I bring a message."
Jack, mid-sip, lowered his glass, eyes flicking between Sol and the woman. "Oh, this is either really good or really bad."
Sol sighed, straightening slightly. "And who exactly is sending me messages?"
"The master I serve," she said with a soft smile. "An old acquaintance of yours."
Sol tensed ever so slightly. "Old acquaintance?"
She nodded, her hands delicately holding a small, ornate black box in front of her. "Master Elias, along with his esteemed partners, would like the opportunity to meet with you. He has asked me to extend an invitation."
Sol frowned, confusion flickering across his face. "Elias? I don't know anyone by that name."
The maid gave him a patient smile. "You call him 'old man.'"
Sol didn't immediately respond. Instead, his eyes drifted toward the box in her hands. "And that?"
"A gift." The maid's expression remained kind, patient. "A token of apology. He understands that you may be hesitant, and so he has asked that I reassure you—he asks only for a conversation. Nothing more."
Sol reached out, taking the box carefully. It was smooth and cool to the touch, the material sturdy, its weight carrying significance. He didn't open it just yet.
"And what if I refuse?" he asked, tone neutral.
She bowed her head again. "Then I shall take my leave, and you will not be bothered further. However…" She lifted her gaze, calm yet unwavering. "If you do meet with him, I have been instructed to fulfill any request you make, within my power."
Jack blinked, setting his drink down. "Wait, hold up—any request?"
The maid inclined her head. "Within reason."
Jack turned to Sol, eyes wide. "Buddy, I don't know what's happening, but this sounds awesome and terrifying at the same time."
Lea, more curious than concerned, tapped a finger against her glass. "This old man must be pretty desperate to send a personal messenger like this."
Sol suddenly straightened, a slow grin forming on his lips. "Tell you what," he said smoothly. "I'll go with you right now—if you pay the tab."
Silence.
Jack actually choked on his drink. Lloyd blinked. Lea stared at him as if he had just spoken an entirely different language. Even Maris, who had spent the night thoroughly entertained by his suffering, seemed momentarily taken aback.
The maid, however, remained completely unphased. "Done," she said simply, before turning to the bartender and settling the entire bill without hesitation.
The reaction was instant.
"What?!" Jack nearly fell out of his seat. "That—that's not fair! How does he always—"
Lloyd let out a long, suffering sigh. "You have got to be kidding me."
Lea pinched the bridge of her nose. "Unbelievable."
Veyna, though usually composed, actually muttered, "This isn't fair."
Even Maris blinked, swirling her drink with mild disbelief. "Huh. I did not see that coming."
Sol stood up, stretching lazily. "Well, it's been a pleasure, everyone, but it looks like my night just turned around." He grinned at the sheer outrage on Jack's face. "Try not to miss me too much."
Jack pointed aggressively. "I refuse to accept this! You were supposed to suffer!"
Sol smirked. "Guess I lucked out."
Lloyd groaned, rubbing his temples. "He actually turned it around at the last second."
Lea exhaled, staring at her empty glass. "Disgusting."
Maris chuckled, regaining her composure. "Impressive. Infuriating, but impressive."
The maid gestured toward the exit with practiced grace. "Shall we?"
Sol, still grinning, shot Jack a final look before following her out. "See you, Jack. Try not to cry too much."
Jack collapsed onto the bar, groaning dramatically. "This is the worst betrayal I've ever experienced."
Lloyd patted his shoulder. "You'll survive."
Jack just groaned again.