Numbervania: 1000 Tricks & Treats

[The Count]

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Page 21: Blackjacked Baby.

Wandering and wanting to find some means of other entertainment, Ed stumbled into what could be called the castle's gameroom. Although the gothic architecture was intact in this part of the domain, there was a certain casino coteur breathed into this hidden hangout. Piano propped up against the far wall—an upfright player, the cover kept closed furtively securing the myriad of blacks and whites, its tinkling treasures. Standing rooted to the spot somewhat opposite was a billiard's table, rack and marked billiard balls pocketed just as hushed as the piano's keepsake keys. Our guest of honor sat down at an open chair, the games table occupying the straightaway forward portion—big enough for at least eight players to feel free either tossing dice or laying down tiles or moving between squares. Fingering the sealed deck, he wondered if it contained the requisit count of cards. "If you wish to play a game, I can help you sir," he heard behind him. "Just allow me to have my deck back," she continued, "and I think you'll be pleased with the hand I decide to deal." The last almost whispered as she did not wish to further alarm. Looking at her head on, you would believe yourself talking to a playing card. Her black suit shaded only by the wrapping of white laid over her torso. The halo of blonde expertly ringing the softened beige Muppetlike face, she was more noticeably noted by the big "A" upon her upper right chest and the matching spade born on her belly. But her face might convince you that this living paper-piece, this Ace of Spades was somewhat Muppet in origin. Softly placing a marbled 21 above the sealed stash, she proceeded to hand out Mr. Castle card after card—guiding his hand in aid to his blind eyes, not minding the stamped storm cloud consulting his next move, nor her swishing pumpkin ribbon assenting which card he should forfeit.

 

[BeakerSqueedom]

What a unique creation.
I assume she was inspired by Alice In Wonderland?
You write with such detail that brings out deserved envy.
: ) In a good way of course.

Great as usual.

 

[The Count]

Thanks. Not necessarily. This is more inspired by a Batman character, though there were those cards in the Disney animated feature of my most favorite story of all. Need to decide on my double-snake's flavor and then the next will be up for reading.

 

[The Count]

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Page 22: Serpent Sibilance.

"That's a red 10" Ace commented. "Are there any—" "—Black Jacks? Let me check." Quickly scanning the surface of the scattered cards, the spade moved Edward's hand two columns to his right. "Place it here." As the game of solitaire slowly wore on, faint fluting fled from one of the gameroom corners. Secretively, a she-snake poked her head out from inside its bedded basket. Curls of black dripping down to where her shoulders should be, she blinked twice from behind the tinted glasses upon her snout. A hiss here, a note there, it receeded back into its resting place. "Um, do snakes worry you?" asked Ace, unsure of what his reaction would be. "Why do you ask?" At the same moment a second snake emerged from the napping nest. It too retreated after a fleeting glance upon the room's contents. "Well..." began the card dealer, stopped by the magical music now softly playing. Though not really mystical in nature—in spite of the magical nature all music seems to have—twin snake women were now rising, lips clamped to a silven saxophone. Shared between the twain, they moved the instrument from one mouth to the other with no trouble nor brake in the melody. Slithering slowly forward, Ace's worries fled as she took stock of the hippieish repertoire of the reptiles. Putting their horn aside for a moment, the duo introduced themselves as Sue & Zan. They were, simply put, an amphisbaena. "This means," Sue started. "A snake," Zan continued. "That has one head," Sue entoned. "At both ends," they both uttered in unison. Wrapping upwards onto the table's top, scaly limbs deposited their own marbled momento onto the servant's tray. Viewing the equally stamped stormy sphere, they began to sing in a soporific sort. "I have two lips, 1, 2." "That tickle when I hiss, 1, 2." "I have two lips." "That tickle when I hiss." Identical forked tongues of snaky milkened pink briskly bristled Ed's arms—just for a split-second or two. "I've got two 2's." "And we look like them too." At that, her heads curved outwards, imitating the form of a double set of 2's. The saxophone was at their side once more, that magical music eminating from its metallized mouthpiece in a most melodious manner.

 

[Java]

A very nice addition to the story. Love it Ed!

 

[BeakerSqueedom]

How smooth.

 

[The Count]

Thanks. You know... Still get the bouts of insecurity about this from time to time. But ifI keep strugglingly chugging along, it'll reach the point where all the pre-picked creatures/monsters that I definitely want to be here will be incorporated into the roster. Plus, it's the feedback I get from you reading this that helps buoy my desires. So hexpect the next two installments as soon as the characters are finalized!

 

[BeakerSqueedom]

Way to go, Edward!
You kick insecurity in the a-....butt.

I can't wait for yout next installment.

 

[BeakerSqueedom]

Huh, what?
Post somethingggg!
<3

Leaving me at a cliffhanger, eh?
;_;

 

[The Count]

*Sighs and hangs head. Squeekie? Oh, I feel like I've let you down. So why hasn't this been updated? Last time I spoke, my intent was to work on a couple of more characters, namely a Muppet girl named Bella as a vampire heiress and my cherished Harlet Octopus female animaloid character. But when looking over what I had previously lined up and seeing it in me mind's eye up to 30, the feelings came back.

So I'm leaving the fanfickery to other people for now. But I'm still creating, at least in private moments. The main thing that bugs is not having tangible form of my haunters as I've come to name them, except for the image in my imagination. Maybe if I could count on Claudia's, Beth's, Melissa (Java)'s help on making the back stories for each, that'd help in feeling better about my creations... And it'd also help bulk up the roster with all the townspeople in the nutty numbered world I'd hope to discover.

Apologies to all... Upon further notice, my fic is halted. But to the people named above, contact me via PM or email and we can maybe talk to get things started again. You know where to reach me.
*Counts on forum friends as the credits roll back to 0.