Damnit, it seems everyone has ideas for throwing Marisa and Alice into a gang =/
Don't know what you're talking about partner. Alice is one of them transplanted city folk.
Ah right, the contest.
(Gimme a mountain tempo in A minor)
***
Sidown partner and I'll tell you the story. Don't feel like sitting? Alright, that's okay. I'll stay right here.
You see them there black marks on the table? The ones that look like they were hands burned into the wood itself? Well they are partner. If you stare real close you can see the lines in the hands and fingers. And those hand prints come from the devil herself.
What? Don't believe me? Well let me tell you how it all began...
T'was a gambler that went by the name Marisa Kirisame. Gal used to be in Mima's band in General Lee's army, back when that meant something. Well after the War between the States she found herself without a home, and with no money to boot, so she headed out west. Tried a bit of cattle herding, and a bit of cattle rustling, and a fair bit of banditry, but that didn't suit her mind.
So she took up life as a gambler, and she was a damn sight better gambler then she was a bandit. Not because she was bad at shooting mind you. Just that Lady Luck seemed to take a fancy to her. She always had the right cards at the right time, and not always 'cause of cheating neither.
'Course Lady Luck wasn't the only lady who'd she'd caught the eye of. Add to that a whole list of fancy marks she'd taken for all they were worth, and she ended up a girl with a whole lotta enemies.
But the biggest trouble she had was with with the '98 gang. See, she'd ran with them for a bit before going her separate ways, and they always thought that her bailing out on them was kinda backstabing the gang and the memory of old General Mima. When she started making more money gambling then they did robbing people? Well they got real fired up. She'd had to run from them more then once, and she'd had a couple of shootouts as well.
Then one day she heard that Marshal Reimu had put the whole lot of them six feet under, somewhere 'round Tombstone. Marisa figured that was as good a cause to start celebrating as any, so she rode on out to her favorite bar to celebrate proper. Just so happens to be this bar here. The Hanged Doll
Now you might ask why the Hanged Doll was her favorite? Well the answer for that was plain simple. Marisa might have caught the eye of many a lady, but her eye had only been caught by one. Alice Margatroid, with hair the color of gold, eyes as blue as the sky, and wit as barbed as a injun arrow. The only dame to catch Marisa cheating at cards, but that's another story.
So Marisa rides into town, hops off her horse, and sits herself down at the bar. ?Hey! A round for the house on my tab.?
Fair headed Alice just gave the gambler a look. ?You don't got a tab here Marisa. You owe me too much money for that.?
Marisa just laughed at that 'course. What kinda hot-shot gambler would she be if she paid her bar tab on time? So she just pulled out a deck of cards. ?What say you and me wager on the tab. Double or nothing??
Now I see you looking at me funny, wondering how the devil gets into this story. Well you see, there's actually two devils at work here. And the first one came walking through the doors right then.
You see Marshal Reimu had planted a number of the '98 gang in boot hill, but there was one ornery cuss she didn't put down. That ultimate sadist, Yuka Kanazuki. I see your eyes a widenin'. Yep, she was one of the '98 gang before she became the terror of the West.
Right then she'd just escaped that brutal ambush that'd killed the rest of the gang. And what should she see next but that gal Marisa, flirting with the barkeep without a care in the world. It made her a might bit angry it did. So she yelled out Marisa's name and reached for her six shooter.
Marisa shot out of her chair like a dart, reaching for her own Colt as she fell to the ground. Both of them blazed away with all their might, guns thunderin' fast as they could fan the hammer.
Well Marisa punched two bullets into Yuka, but as you know that wasn't enough to put down that monster. Yuka just jumped on her ride and headed out of town fast as she could. Started her little campaign against the Army. But that's another story.
As for the that devil's shots? Well she didn't manage to tag Marisa at all. But dear, sweet, Alice? She lay behind the bar, her pretty blue dress slowly turnin' red.
The other patrons finally woke outta their stupor and ran to get ol' doc Eirin. And the doc did her best to patch up young Alice. But with a bullet like that there tweren't much the sawbones could do, sides from easing the girls pain.
In the end doc Eirin had done all she could. She said her apologies and headed home. It was just Marisa and the bargirls left around. The girls tried to get Marisa to go to bed, but the gambler just ignored them. She sat at Alice's side and drank.
She sat there drinkin' until the church bell started tolling midnight. Now maybe it was the time of night, or maybe it was the whiskey, but something started rattling around in Marisa's head. And she shouted out, ?Damn it all! I don't care if it's God or the Devil, but I'll bargain with any man who can save this woman's life!?
At first it seemed like nothing happened. The bell just kept ringing, but after the last stroke of midnight the door swung open, and a tall man walked in.
He was dressed up like one of them ?Eastern Cowboys.? All fine suit and elegant hat. He had no gun, but he was sportin' a silver headed cane, and his boots were far too fine for anything but riding trains. But his eyes smoldered red, and his swagger was the match of any cowpoke.
?Bar's closed, partner,? Marisa said to the man.
The man just tipped his hat. ?Pardon me ma'am, but I belive I was invited here. By you in fact. I heard you got business with me, and I'm happy to listen to your offer.?
?You sayin you're the devil?? Marisa asked.
The devil smiled. ?You know I am, Marisa Kirisame.? And the whole town felt their soul a 'quaking at the devil's proclamation.
But Marisa ain't the type to scare easy, no sir. She looked the devil straight in the eye. ?Well ain't I lucky. I do got business with you.?
?I'm listening.?
?I wanna make a bet. My soul for her life. Poker. Five hundred chips sounds 'bout right.?
The devil laughed at her. ?Gambling? I think I just about got your soul wrapped up already Ms Kirisame. If you wanted to make a deal that'd be fine, but a wager? Why should I let you bet something that's almost mine to begin with??
?Ain't yours yet devil.? The gambler sneered. ?Seems to me you're trying to back down. Always knew you were a snake, but I didn't know you were yellow bellied too.?
A fire broke out in the devils eyes and he let out a eerie hiss. ?Alright gambler, you said your piece. I'll match your bet, but when you lose your last chip I'll be taking
both your souls?
Marisa nodded and sat down at this table. She showed the devil the deck then began to shuffle, her hands movin' almost to fast to see. ?I reckon I'm the house now, so we play with jokers here. Red joker's high.?
The devil snorted, and two plumes of smoke rose from his nostrils. Then sat down across from the gambler. ?Sound's fair to me. Let's start the dealing.?
Marisa dealt out the cards, then the game began.
Now you might think that with those two people at the table there'd be a whole lotta cheatin. But Marisa knew the devil'd see through her cheats, and the devil didn't wanna have to deal with some fancy pants lawyer like Webster poppin up again and stealing his prize. So it was a clean game all the way through.
Marisa's first hand was a pair of aces. She was sure it was a sign lady luck was with her, but when her hand hit the table the devil only smiled.
?Aces are mighty fine, but you only got 2. That won't beat my three Jacks.?
Marisa's heart sank as the devil pulled in his chips. ?You may have been blessed by Lady Luck Ms. Kirisame, but she's always smiled on me the most.?
It looked like Marisa and Alice were done fer sure, but Marisa just straightened her hat and dealt again.
As the night went on she pulled out all her tricks. Every bluff, fake tell and read she knew. But the devil knew he had the upper hand, so she just ended up losing and losing. Finally she ended up with only half her chips left, staring at a five, six, seven, nine and king.
Now you're never supposed to draw into an inside straight, but Marisa was losing bad. She needed some way to get Lady Luck's attention back, and this might be the way to do it. She tossed the King and drew. And as luck would have it the Joker found its way into her hand. One might say it twas because the Joker loves to put the more powerful in their place. Either way Marisa knew it was time to play hard.
?All in,? she said.
The devil smiled, figuring he'd finally won those souls. ?Call. Two pair.?
Marisa tipped her hat and laughed in the devils face. ?Straight.?
Now the devil grew mighty angry at the loss. But he was just back to start. He'd just have to keep winning in the long run is all.
Marisa there now, she knew she couldn't go the long haul. So when she picked up an ace and a pair she started betting like a wild woman. But the devil matched her, raise for raise. She'd bet all the chips she'd won back when they finally called and redealt.
Still it looked like Lady Luck was with her still. She picked up an ace and a Jack of hearts. Now she had two pair, with aces high. And Marisa pounced like a rattler. ?All in.?
The devil looked at the gambler with his fiery eyes. He thought long and hard about his move, but in the end he simply said, ?Call.?
Marisa's heart was ready to burst. She grabbed her whiskey, took a big swallow, (perhaps the last she'd ever get mind you) then put her cards on the table. ?Two pair, aces and eights.?
The devil whistled. ?Dead mans hand. How peculiar.? The devils cards hit the table. ?I got it too.?
Marisa couldn't believe her eyes. The hands were matched, except for one tiny detail. The devil had the Jack of Spades.
?High card decides. And I do believe spades beats hearts Ms Kirisame.? The devil said while reaching his greedy hands for the pile of chips.
Now Marisa's gut had pretty much dropped out from her and started running away, but as the devil's hands fell on those chips an idea flashed through her head like lightning. ?Nope.?
The devil looked up at Marisa as she started to grin as wide as the Pecos. ?What do you mean??
?Hearts are high here. House rules.?
The devil sat shocked for a moment. Then he let off a powerful screech, 'cause he knew he'd been beat. He slammed his firey hands into the table, leaving them marks that you see right there, then he grabbed Marisa by the neck. ?You win today little gambler, but hear this! I get to set the house rules for everywhere else. And that's the last game you'll win, so long as you walk the earth!?
Then the devil was gone.
Marisa almost thought she'd been dreamin' the whole thing when a voice came from where sweet Alice had been lying. ?What time is it? And why's my gambling table smoking??
There standing and looking mighty confused was Alice. But all that was left of the killing wound was the stains on her dress and a bit of a scar. The devil had been forced to keep his wager.
Marisa of course just answered the questions with a mighty kiss.
What happened after? Well, with the devil after her, Marisa done gave up gambling and settled down here. But still, ever since that day hearts have beat spades at the Hanged Doll.
***
There was a long silence. Finally Tewi said the woman, ?So that's why I won the hand. Now could you put your gun down??
Reisen thought for a moment. ?Nope.?
There was a polite cough then the sound of a pistol being cocked. ?Excuse me miss, but you really should put the gun down.? Reisen turned to find Alice pointing a derringer at her head. ?I understand you're riled by this liar, but we try to keep things civilized in this establishment.?
Reisen decided to slowly lower her pistol. ?No troubles ma'am. I just plan to take my money and leave.?
Alice nodded. ?Of course.? She turned and pointed the gun at Tewi as she began sneaking off. ?And you can put that money back before leaving yourself. And make it permanent like! I told you not to give that spiel to any more travelers.?
Tewi nodded frantically before tossing the money on the table and hurrying out. Reisen took her time collecting the cash, then nodded politely to Alice as she left.
When the two were gone Alice holstered the little gun. ?Sunny, Luna, get back to serving drinks. Just cause the customers are distracted doesn't mean you don't have to work!?
The bar began bustling again as the girls returned to their work and the customers returned to their drinking and gambling. A couple moments later a broad hatted figure stepped into the room then moseyed on up to Alice. ?Looks like I missed a good scrap, from the way that little varmint Tewi was running.?
Alice shrugged. ?Wasn't anything. Just a bit of a game.?
Marisa gave a look over her shoulder towards the exit. ?Bit of a game eh? It's been a while since I had a game like that.?
Alice frowned ?You aren't going anywhere 'partner.' Not while you still owe me money!?
?Hrm... Then how about a game.? Marisa pulled out a deck. ?Double or nothing. Jokers, hearts high.?
***
Marisa never won a game again. But then, she found she could live with losing.
