Somewhere between "reasonable purchase" and "what in the multiverse did I just buy," Rex had lost control of his shopping spree.
Shelves bent away from him, items whispered his name, and Fate Point counters blinked like warning lights on a dying slot machine.
[Purchase Complete]
– 60 Fate Points: Shadow Bluff (Skill)
– 80 Fate Points: Luckdrake Hatchling (Beast Contract)
– 10 Fate Points: Mysterious Coupon (One-time Use)
He stared at the holographic receipt floating above him.
"…I swear I only meant to browse."
Lia materialized beside him, looking like an overworked accountant who'd just discovered creative bankruptcy.
"Do you have any concept of resource management?"
"Sure," Rex said cheerfully. "Spend now, regret later."
"That's not management!"
"That's called faith."
The Luckdrake egg sat on a floating pedestal — obsidian black, veined with glowing green cracks that pulsed like heartbeat rhythms.
Rex leaned closer. "So… how do I hatch it?"
Lia hesitated. "You don't. It hatches when it trusts your odds."
He frowned. "Meaning?"
"The creature senses your statistical fate. If it finds you unworthy, it stays dormant. Or explodes."
"Explodes?"
"It's the House's way of encouraging careful ownership."
Rex picked it up anyway. "Guess we'll find out if it likes me."
The egg pulsed once. Twice. Then a soft, almost purring click.
Cracks split the surface, and a small head peeked out — serpentine, feathered, and gleaming with silver eyes.
The creature sneezed sparks of stardust and chirped.
Lia blinked. "It likes you."
Rex smirked. "Told you. Natural talent."
"Or natural stupidity."
"Potato, potato."
The baby Luckdrake climbed onto his shoulder, curling like a cosmic scarf. Its scales shimmered with probability shifts — colors changing depending on Rex's thoughts.
He tested it by whispering, "I'm totally going to survive this cycle."
The scales flashed gold.
Then he added, "Without breaking anything."
The scales turned gray.
Rex grinned. "So it's honest too."
_______
[Beast Contract Established]
Companion: Luckdrake Hatchling (Unnamed)
Trait: Probability Drift – Slightly tilts outcomes in favor of bonded master (randomly).
Compatibility: 97% (Wildcard Sync detected)
Warning: Luckdrakes are notorious cheaters. Handle with caution.
Rex looked at Lia. "A cheating pet for a cheating master. Poetic."
"More like catastrophic."
He ignored her and scratched the drake under its chin. It purred again, releasing a tiny burst of green smoke that smelled faintly like mint and danger.
As they left the House of Odds, Rex flipped his newly purchased Dealer's Token between his fingers.
It shimmered once, whispering faintly.
"One favor. One debt."
Lia froze. "Did it just… talk?"
Rex pocketed it casually. "Must be customer service."
"That token is alive."
"Cool. I like my accessories chatty."
She sighed, eyes softening despite herself. "You're going to be the House's biggest headache."
He shot her a wink. "Then you better stick around. I'll need a pretty translator when they start yelling."
For a second — just a second — Lia's usually calm eyes glimmered with something like amusement. Or warmth. Or both.
Then she caught herself and straightened. "Don't push your odds, Wildcard."
Rex leaned close, smile daring. "Odds are all I've got."