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The Halloween train system fascinated the stray pony. It was like a playground for his curious mind, and during his time off of work he often found himself getting in random cars, just to see where they went. Of course that meant his "boss" (who really was more like a companion and partner in business--Vegas never really bossed him around at all) had had to "get his a** home" a few times when the curious horseman had gone a bit too far. Of course neither of them mentioned that fact, and had discreetly arranged a system--(oh how the mighty horseman had fallen. Seriously, though, he didn't give a flying... jack, he believed they said? This world fascinated him!)
Fai would call, tell him where he was, and Vegas would patiently tell him what train to get on to get back. But, since Fai was making Casino Royale millions with his new, exotic brews, he had plenty of money to indulge himself in his little train riding hobby, much to the train operator's irritation. "I see, so this FEAR based technology works with the steam powered--"
"This is the last stop! Everyone OFF!" the conductor shouted as the train pulled to a shuddering halt. "That means you, mister," he added pointedly, staring at Fai.
"Ah, yes, of course," Fai said, grabbing his bag and swinging it over his shoulder before heading off of the train. The moment his foot stepped on ground the door behind him slammed shut--almost closing on Precious. How rude. It was forgotten, though, as he stepped onto dirt. There were plants all around, he realized. Delightful! Without a thought of whether another train would be coming along, the horseman started forward, examining the area closely.
"I see," he said, stepping on a pile of soft clothing. There were eggs, he thought, just lying abandoned in the socks on the ground--Minipet eggs. He looked around, expecting to see the minipets that had bred them. There were none to be seen. That was curious. Usually at least a handful of them would be around, considering the newness of the eggs and other beginning stages of pets.
There must be some sort of answer, he decided, completely ignoring the flash of lightning that lit up the sky as it started to rain. A lovely dreary rain, a mystery that he dared to hope would be bloody, and the promise of a train ride home--this truly was his lucky day! He headed into the jungle, silent step by silent step. He could hear a squeaking noise from ahead--the sounds of a distressed minipet. They stopped abruptly, leaving the air oddly silent.
He pulled to a stop, seeing what had happened. One tiny little foot was disappearing into the mouth of a gigantic fern. It was a rather pathetic sight--or it would have been, had he been a lover of minipets. Instead, Fai felt a tiny jolt of excitement, and Precious jerked wildly, straining towards the massive plant with eagerness.
"It is lovely, is it not?" Fai asked his hair, reaching up to pet it. "Patience, Precious, this will only take a moment." He reached into his bag, pulling out a small shovel. "We have to be careful with our new friend."
***
"Oye! Gramps!" Roch bellowed as he stepped off the final stair that led into the casino. "What in the JACK is that thing up on the roof?"
"What thing?" Vegas asked, looking up from his newspaper. "Oh, you mean Fai's garden."
"I know what a garden is," Roch said darkly. "It's the thing he's got planted in the middle of it that I'm askin' about."
Vegas reluctantly folded his magazine and got up, following Roch up the stairs and onto the roof. There, in the middle of the creepiest garden around (they'd won trophies for that sucker!) was Fai, carrying a small treat to a massive fern.
"Here we go, darkling, your supper has arrived," Fai said happily, tossing the treat into the fern with a beautiful smile. The crunching sounds coming from the fern were extremely disturbing. "Now wasn't that delicious? Let me check your soil content, we'll see if it was too acidic, then," Fai said, completely ignoring the two behind him.
"It... eats minipets," Roch said.
"Well, at least we won't have to worry about the bird types shitting on the roof anymore," Vegas said after a long, long pause. "Fai--" he started out.
"Hmm?" Fai asked, stroking the fern lovingly as he turned to the reapers. "Is there a problem?"
"No. None at all. Keep up the good work," Vegas said--because even he was creeped out a bit by the horsemen. He was just better at hiding the fact.
"I always do," Fai said cheerfully, sticking his finger in the dirt under the fern and tasting it. "Just a bit acidic--but that should be fine after we feed you some scrags, Darkling. I think I have some over here, wait for me!"
The Scythe boils just headed down the stairs again. "Remind me not to bring Cisco to the roof any time in the near future," Roch said finally.
"Good idea."
WC: 856
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