The bartender's inspecting gaze switches once more. A happy smile on her face as she puts away the large weapon. "Quite the ugly thing but the materials and craftsmanship do not lie. I can give you 2 weeks." She says leaning closer, her eyes now investigating the Shade demon before just like she had the weapon.
"Very well" The shade demon agrees. He had no use for the weapon anyway and not having to worry for 2 weeks to spend a night somewhere would lessen the chances of unnecessary conflict. Chances were that the succubus had scammed the shade demon. 'It's to be expected at the very least.' he thinks realizing that in a realm of devils and demons not having any idea of how trading work would make one an ideal target. There might even be the slightest chance that Cornelius will show up, now that he has a temporary stakeout. A vain hope but nonetheless, Cornelius's insight and teachings have been what has pulled him through these past years. Even if it was told with an unnecessary amount of bravado or long-winded speeches.
"Your room is the second one on the right." The bartender announces before she goes to another patron. The wobbling legs and inarticulate speech a consequence of his drinking.
The reincarnate turns around from the bartender and hears a loud yell. "You cheated! There's no other way! No one has this much luck!" The reincarnate looks in the direction of the panicking voice, resembling that of a screaming chicken. The source of the screaming apparently the small on fire skeleton as it had knocked over the chair and is now actively walking backwards. Further away from the devil.
"Luck can be so harsh sometimes. Especially when a lot hinges on it." The red-skinned devil says as he conjures fire on top of his little finger. With his other hand he grabs something that resembles a water pipe. Swiftly heating the "water pipe" up, he takes a hit. Adding even more smoke to the already smoke filled chamber.
"You know the deal. Will you pay?" The devil asks in a lower tone, the "water pipe" put away. Instead, he reshuffles the playing cards, not losing sight of the fire skeleton.
"Never!!" the little fire skeleton yells. Using part of that fire that engulfs him and throwing it at the devil. The devil yawns as he swats away the pathetic attack. It's evident that these two were never equals. Simply a man with its own living, breathing toy. Unfortunately for the toy, you'ill eventually grow bored of it. The devil takes one of the cards looks it over and then looks again to the now running away fire skeleton. He throws the card, the paper thing somehow embedding itself in the back of the on fire skeleton's skull. The fire skeleton unable to move anything but his fingers it seems as it desperately tries to crawl away.
"A debt cannot be ignored. You either paid what you're owed or well…. let's just show you." The fire skeleton still desperately trying to move away falls completely limb. A small stream of violet comes out of its bones and flows into the card. "Mmh, I had hoped that a combination of a fire spirit and undead would make up for the lack both have. Unfortunately, you've disappointed once again." The boredom clear in the devil's eyes before he takes the card of the now dead skeleton, it's surrounding flames extinguished. He twirls the card once before swallowing it. The reincarnate looks at what the others in this tavern might think of it. The ones still conscious enough actively seem to keep their gaze away from the devil. To be more only he himself seemed to have given the entire thing any attention.
The devil and the reincarnates eyes meet. A sinister smile appears on the devil as it seems he has identified his next victim.
"Would you be interested in a game, mister?" The horned red skinned devil asks in an unexpected polite tone. At least if the man was as aggressive and forward as the orc at the entrance there would be no need to constantly be on edge.
"I don't think I have anything to gain from playing against you." He decides to reply, realizing that this being will be more difficult to deal with. To risk his life at the first tavern he entered seemed a foolish endeavor.
"Well that's a lie mister, you see I might not look like it, but I do have a lot of information. I know folks like you. A traveler, right? Don't deny it. It's far too obvious." The devil says refusing to let go of his new toy it seems.
"What do I have to give if I lose?" The reincarnate says as his gaze shifts back and forth between the devil before him and the now properly dead skeleton. Outright refusing this now more forced invitation might make him an even bigger target than before.
"Anything that's worth the price. Don't worry, don't push your luck, and you won't end up like him or do push it. You never know what might happen do you?" The red skinned devil for the first time in the conversation shows a twitch of pure insanity. That same insanity an addict that cannot quit carries.
'A successful addict in this case but an addict nonetheless.' The reincarnate thinks as he tries to figure out how to react. Should he take the chance? Risk his life for this devil's claims or should he refuse? Showing cowardice and making him a target for others? Both were equally unappealing.