Sean blushed turning slightly to mumble out. "No, thank you. We don't have a means to take care of them." The Mock Turtle crouched down behind Sean, pushing the brim of his dark cowboy hat up to discreetly inform him. "Don't let that slow ya down. If you have the money, we have the babies. Teach them enough tricks and you can have them working for ya in no time! Just imagine all the money you could make off these babies in a short time! You'll be able to kick back on a beach just like this one, while the little brats do it all. They'll get a learning experience, and you'll get the cash that you can use to buy more hard working babies!" Sean swallowed, mumbling out. "I don't think babies work that way..." The Mock turtle punched his shoulder, chipperly stating. "Of course, they do! They love it and you'll love it too! Think about it like this if you still aren't convinced... You two will have so much more time together if you had a couple babies to do everything for ya. Imagine they cook your dinner! They set out your clothes! They make your bed so you can spend all day pretending to make more babies! You'll have time for each other so you can make up for all that time you missed out on when you both were babies!"

Illinois grabbed one of the Mock Turtles' grey suspenders and yanked it out before letting it snap back against his chest. The Mock Turtle fell back across the sand, clutching his chest and wailing out. "Oh, damn! That burns..." Illinois opened his mouth to say something, but Mock Turtle sat back up quickly, crossing his legs to state out excitedly. "Now if only I had a baby that knew how to deal with burns. OH WAIT! We have those too! Medical babies come in handy for emergencies. Skilled in CPR that could save your life in a moments notice!" Illinois staggered stiffly to his feet, snapping out. "Ed Edgar, quit it. Or you'll be demonstrating how to use one!" Ed Edgar rolled up onto his feet, telling Illinois with more excitement. "AH! I see! You want a demonstration?! You aren't convinced. Well, let me snag one of the little rascals and you can see for yourself. I just need you to answer a few questions. Would you prefer a human, demon, or fuzzy baby? Cause we just got in a limited edition sasquatch baby that I think you'll-" Illinois punched Ed Edgar in the face, breaking his sunglasses and knocking him flat across the sand. Sean jumped from the blow, but even while he was down, Ed Edgar grounded out. "Sturdy baby. Got it."

Shaking his head, Illinois helped Sean up and away from him toward the large hedge wall. Sean pulled from him slightly to walk over to the large iron gate. Putting a hand on it, he shook it a little before managing to push it open with a screech. Cautiously slipping inside, Illinois closed the gate and told him seriously. "Stay close and hide that blade." Looking himself over, Sean groaned and began lifting his skirt. Taking in their surroundings, Illinois quickly kneeled and told Sean in an undertone. "Let me." Handing him the blade, Illinois removed a cloth from his bag to wrap around it, but as the fabric touched the blade it split with little to no effort. Sean let his skirt fall, taking a step back as he blurted out. "I suddenly don't want that thing on me..." Setting it down, Illinois mumbled out. "Shit... I didn't think about this part..." Sean bit his lip, noticing roses planted in what looked to be long wooden boxes along the brick path. Kicking a box over, he dumped out the contents and set it in front of Illinois. Shrugging, Illinois carefully set the blade inside and packed some soil in around it to keep it from sliding around inside, where it could bust out one side.

Closing it, Illinois latched it and got up with the long box nestled under his arm like he was simply holding a gift. Taking a deep breath, Illinois said discreetly. "Anyone asks. It is a box of lucky dirt." Moving closer, Sean put his hands on Illinois' chest, nervously asking him with fragile eyes. "Won't they recognize you?" Illinois nodded, placing a hand on Sean's cheek before whispering a bit reluctantly. "Ya... Which is why you are going to have to go in alone and when I find the others. I'll met up with you inside." Tensing, Sean uttered out in anxiously. "No. I don't want to go in alone. Please?" Illinois leaned in to kiss him gently. Upon pulling away, he told him in a slightly pained tone. "You won't be alone. I'm going to meet you inside." Illinois tried to coax him to start following the path, but Sean only took a step or two before whirling around to kiss him more passionately. Cupping his face after, Sean whispered over his lips a bit desperately. "Please don't take long." Illinois kissed his palm, giving him a warm smile before replying in a playful whisper. "You won't be out of my sight. Go." Sean didn't believe that but choose to believe it before forcing himself to jog away.

As Sean jogged down the path and through a hedge maze that was decorated abundantly with red roses, he slowed to see gardeners tending to the millions of fresh rose bushes. Walking under a set of rose arches, he eventually stumbled out into a clearing that had a large stone fountain in the center. All around were trimmed flower arrangements of hearts made of red roses. People dressed in their royal best were sitting at benches around the place and chatting amongst themselves. Women that were dressed like him, walked around handing out trays of food and drinks to arriving guests. While others escorted guests into the massive fifty-two story high Heart's Casino. The Heart's Casino was lit up and flashing with striking lights that were a little mesmerizing even in the daylight. It was a gorgeous white castle design with statues of solid ruby in the shapes of lions wearing crowns with their paws on hearts. It could only be described as a splendid mix of feminine and masculine beauty. Taking a deep breath, Sean reached up to fix the silk black tie in his long blonde hair. Walking slowly through the garden, he noticed that the nobles were all putting on masquerade masks of white rabbits with only one of the four symbols for the Houses of Cards.

Picking up a silver tray off a table, Sean slowly walked through the crowd of nobles. They were all filing in from a different entrance, where carriages were contently moving in front of in order to let their nobles out. Sean kept his eyes low as nobles removed the tart treats off his tray. Moving around the fountain, Sean looked to the heart shaped casino doors. Should he go inside or stay out here? He just didn't know. Wondering closer to the doors of the casino and trying to follow the few nobles that were heading inside, he skidded to a stop. The man that stepped into his path was all too familiar. Sean tried to avert his eyes, adjusting the tray to hide behind it as he offered the stuff to him. Only to have the man ease the tray away with a finger, before leaning in to whisper close to his ear. "I knew that I'd run into you again, little Oyster." The hand gripped his jaw, lifting his head to look him in the eyes. Sean swallowed as he stared into the eyes of Phantom. Phantom's lips curled into a devilish grin, his hand easing off his jaw to grip his hair. Stroking his long hair, Phantom purred out coolly. "Tell you what... Give me the ring and I'll give you a way out of here. Refuse and I'll be forced to put you on ice."

Lowering the tray a bit, Sean straightened himself up and commanded in a low tone. "I wanna talk to Dark. Anti and I already have a deal." Phantom narrowed his eyes on him, his voice darkening when he said dryly. "Oh? You expect me to believe that. Why would he help you?" Staying very still, Sean retorted in just a dry and unyielding tone of voice. "I paid him. You can go ask him. Or you can take me to Dark and we'll all have a little chat. Or does my counter offer not sound worth your time?" Phantom released his hair, grabbing the tray to hand off to another passing servant flawlessly. Side-stepping, Phantom gestured with a hand for him to start walking inside. Just as Sean took a step though, Phantom whispered into his ear sinisterly. "You must have a death wish. Or are you THAT desperate to strike a deal with us? I'm intrigued... Let's take a walk through hell, shall we?" Sean gulped but continued walking up the steps with Phantom looming just behind him. It was unsettling to see Phantom's antlered inhuman shadow snickering silently as it led Sean inside. The inside of the casino was stunning. Everything practically glittered with crystals and diamonds.

The reds and golds accenting the white walls so beautifully. The whole first floor was rows and rows of slot machines. While grand staircases led up to the next floor with more table games. Bars and cash booths lined the walls, while more servants walked around with food and drinks. There were elevators and hallways that he recalled leading to grand hotel bedrooms or elaborate business rooms. Making his way up to one of the top floors that was far more private and appeared to have high stakes gamblers, Sean's eyes darted to every red curtain nook they passed. Stopping before the closed curtain to a nice nook that was the only one being used in this area. Phantom's shadow reached out with spindly fingers to pull the curtain back very slowly. Inside was a round poker table, but Sean couldn't clearly see who was inside. He could only see a stout glass of alcohol and a single arm dressed in a white sleeve. The man's fingers tapped the table so calmly, before a dark voice growled out. "What will it be? Call. Or fold." Phantom took a step around Sean like he was going to address themselves but froze when the hand flipped up its index finger in warning.

Without hesitation, Phantom politely bowed his head and stepped back with respect. Sean leaned a bit to the side to peek around the curtain, realizing there was another man sitting in the nook. The man was shaking and jiggling his leg anxiously as he looked over his cards and the table. Resting in the center of the table was a nice pile of gold, but also a few signed pieces of paper that were written in blood. The man cleared his throat, timidly telling the hidden man. "I'll admit... I was a lot more confident going into this than I am now..." The other man's deep voice was merciless when he told him bluntly. "That's why it's called gambling. Now don't waste my time. I'm not a very patient man." The man shifted uncomfortably, asking the hidden man hopefully. "How about another round after this? I have other things to put up to sweeten this deal." The hidden man's fingers moved to trace the rim of his glass, answering in an ironclad tone. "You think you deserve that kind of generosity from me? How often do you think people take advantage of me like that?" The man shuddered, prompting the hidden man to add. "From the second you sat down, you lost. You have only one choice. So, let's not drag this out."

The man's hands shook as he set his cards down and stammered out. "I... I... I fold." The hidden man's voice sounded sarcastic when he uttered out dryly. "I know." Snapping his fingers, the man burst into flames and was gone. The hidden man then ran a hand over the table to make the pot disappear, before exhaling out. "Now what do you want, Phantom? I thought we agreed that I was to be left alone today." Phantom shoved Sean into the booth, then dropped into the seat to box Sean in as the curtain fell to give them privacy. Sean bit his lip as he finally got a look at the man. The man wore a white suit with a black shirt and under his long groomed dark bangs, was a black half-mask that made his heterochromia eyes stand out like blazing gems of fire and ice. Phantom picked up the hand left on the table, coolly informing the man. "Forgive me, Darkiplier. I felt this was a little more important than you trying to avoid the King of Hearts... and taking your anger out on smug gamblers." Peeking at the cards, Phantom chuckled and flipped over a full house as he purred to Dark accusingly. "He actually had a hand that beat yours. Damn, you must share your poker secrets with me."

Leaning back in the seat, Dark outstretched his arms along the back, his eyes locked on Sean when he calmly said aloud. "This the Oyster that I'm hearing so much about?" Phantom nodded, collecting the cards and shuffling them. Sean straightened up, deciding then to find his voice in order to tell him respectfully. "Anti sent me. He said that you could help me." Phantom glanced between them but said nothing. Dark's fingers rubbed together like he was itching to snap them and be done with him. Instead, Dark just stared at him without expression or emotion. Dark was impossible to read. He couldn't tell what he might be thinking, and he was intimidating to look at for too long. Dark's eyes drifted to Phantom, asking him curiously. "Have you seen Anti?" Phantom shook his head subtly, prompting Dark to jerk his head toward the curtain. Phantom saluted Dark playfully, sliding from the booth and out of the curtain. Dark's eyes then met back with his, telling him seriously. "Anti better be alive. For your sake." Sean rested his arms on the table, informing him honestly. "I didn't hurt him. I wouldn't. He's family." Dark's eyes narrowed on him with clear suspicion, before he asked sternly. "Why do you think I'll help you?"

Sean leaned for just a tad more, answering very softly. "Because Anti said you would. And I know how he feels about you." Dark tilted his head back a bit without giving away anything. So, Sean regaled to him to confirm his reasoning. "I'm in love Illinois. One of your family members. So, I know and understand Anti's attraction for you. And I have a feeling that I wouldn't be alive, had I not said his name. Right?" Dark's lips curled into a small smirk, before he leaned forward and more openly asked him. "You have my attention. Tell me what it is that I get by helping you." Sean took a low deep breath, before answering truthfully. "You want the King of Hearts dethroned. So do I. I'll help you do it... but in return. I want something from you." Dark raised an eyebrow, purring out curiously. "I'm listening." To Be Continued...