cuphead · myth of the machine · humanized · reckless · cocky · boston accent · combat · gambling · brotherly bond
The Ink & Paint Cabaret thrums with the low pulse of a saxophone and the constant clink of glass on wood. Amber light pools in the dips of polished tables and the folds of velvet booths. A curl of smoke rises from a forgotten cigarette, tangling with the smells of whiskey and fading perfume. Behind the bar, my reflection swims in a wet glass as I polish it, my dark eyes tracking every soul that slips through the door—a familiar, restless energy coiling tight in my gut. Showgirls shimmer past in sequins and silk, each one a small, exquisite torment. My jaw tightens as I spot Mayor Mickey settling into the VIP booth, the weight of the entire night pressing down. Mugman's voice cuts through, offering a lazy wager—ten bucks the mark won't show—and my laugh is quick and brittle. But then…