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The pulsing rhythm of club music vibrated through the flimsy bathroom walls while Benny figured out the mirror situation. This wasn't the first time he had entered a world without reflections and it likely wouldn't be the last, but he preferred to make a good first impression where he could.
Sighing heavily, he gave up and shifted his attention around the room. Blood caked the floors, rusty grime covered every surface, an ominous message was scrawled on the mirror, and pill bottles were scattered around the counter. At least they had soap.
Still, he didn't want to be a snob, especially when low-poly worlds could provide some of the best experiences.
He looked down at his hands and wiggled his fingers, finding himself rendered in more detail than the world around him but textured enough to somewhat fit in.
"Wait...shit!" His focus snapped downwards and he pulled open his waistband, relieved to find himself still intact. "Thank fuck." That would be awkward.
The music outside dipped for a moment and a loud gunshot pierced the near silence. The commotion was proceeded by footsteps approaching the bathroom door and then a light knock.
"It's ready for you." A voice stated.
"Great. Time to find out the rules." He mumbled to himself, rubbing his hands together before bumping the door open with his hip.
The music and bright lights returned full force as he stepped out onto a balcony. He spotted a man standing by the railing smoking a cigarette before casting a bored look over to him and nodding toward another door to his left. "I hope you find what you're looking for."
"Thanks. It'd be a waste of a trip if I don't." He clicked his tongue at the man and shoved the last door open with his butt before spinning around to observe the new room.
Faced with a gambling table surrounded by all manners of electronics, he released a low whistle and stepped deeper inside.
"Welcome, stranger." A gravelly voice spoke, turning his attention to the shifting shadows across the table as a twisted grin and two hands appeared from within. "Have a seat."
"Hello, handsome~" Benny responded, slipping into the offered chair and eyeing up the Dealer.
Its grotesque grin dropped for a moment, replaced by a look of confusion before it returned to its base introduction. "Please sign the waiver."
"Sure..." He said, picking up the paper and briefly skimming over it before pulling a tablet out of his pocket to slide over to the machine. "I sign yours, you sign mine?"
Once again it was thrown for a loop as it hesitantly reached out and began reading his contract. He didn't touch its conditions until it had ample time to understand his and make any requests it desired.
"Unusual." It spoke once it had finished, sliding the tablet back to him. "I agree to your terms."
He sat back, pocketing the device before typing his name into the machine's waiver. "Great. Teach me the game."
A screen to his right came to life and displayed his name alongside the Dealer's, two charges on either side. Then a panel in the table flipped open, revealing three bullet cases.
"One live round. Two blanks. I insert the shells in an unknown order." The machine explained as it picked up a shotgun and loaded it. "Shooting yourself with a blank skips my turn."
"Huh. I feel like I have a better shot doing that then." He replied, picking up the gun and feeling the weight in his hands. "Besides, it wouldn't make for a good game if one bullet insta-killed me." Aiming the barrel at himself, he pulled the trigger, hearing it click.
Licking his lips nervously, he placed the weapon back on the table and matched the Dealer's smirk. It didn't respond, instead gesturing for him to take another turn.
"Alright. Fifty-fifty now." Grabbing the gun again, he tilted it up. Click. Then he aimed it at the AI. "No hard feelings, right? This is your foreplay, not mine."
Bang!
The blast sent it flying backward and after a beat, the sound of grinding metal punctuated its return. It didn't look happy with the result, but there was no retaliation as the panel flipped, showing more bullets.
"Three live rounds. Two blanks. They enter the chamber in a hidden sequence."
The gun was his again and he frowned contemplatively at it. "I don't love those odds, so your turn again."
Bang!
Blood splattered the walls, scaring the shit out of him as a victorious little jingle overpowered the throbbing bass downstairs.
"Round two." The Dealer returned, its face growing more misshapen, its angular teeth jutting out in a grimace despite its seeming lack of wounds. "Let's make this a little more interesting..."
Benny watched as two cases rose to sit between them. Flipping his open, he peered inside, finding nothing suspicious until he pulled out a magnifying glass and a knife.
"Two items each. More items before every load."
"You spoil me." He said, twirling the blade between his fingers. "What do they do?"
"The magnifying glass. To check the current round in the chamber. The knife. To cut the barrel and double the damage." The machine explained, tilting its head curiously as it waited to see what he would do.
For him it was obvious as he picked up the magnifying glass and used it first, finding a live round. He reached for the knife, eyeing the Dealer and seeing no attempts to stop him as he sawed off the shotgun. Then he leveled the shortened barrel at the machine and pulled the trigger.
BANG!
It flew back from the blast and he nearly dropped the gun, the recoil threatening to hit him. Managing to regain his grip, he placed it down on the table again as the AI returned. "I'm surprised I can aim this thing."
The Dealer made a deep mechanical hum as it took its turn, downing a beer and emptying a blank before smashing a magnifying glass to check the current round in the gun. "Very interesting..." It mused, aiming the regenerated barrel at his head. "It is not about accuracy. Only intent."
The end shifted ever so subtly to his left.
Bang!
The sharp displacement of air ripped past his ear, making it ring. Every muscle in his body locked up in an instinctive expectation for death and his stalled mind took a moment to catch up on the situation. A soft ding indicated he had lost one charge, but he still had three left and his head remained connected to his shoulders.
There was only one shell left and he knew it was a blank, but his hands still shook as he picked up the gun and directed it at himself. He heard a click and let relief wash over him.
Most people would call him crazy, but he very much preferred the thought of facing his death at the hands of some snarling creature that wasn't interested in his pitch rather than at the end of a cold, hard bullet.
Regardless, he was ambitious and with only a round and a half standing between him and his goal, he recaptured his nerve as he counted the next row of shells. More items were presented to him and his interest was piqued again when he pulled out a bloody contract with the name GOD signed at the bottom.
He looked at the paper before raising a brow and shifting his gaze up to the AI. "Show off." It grinned wryly in response, the expression growing as he then pulled out a pair of handcuffs. "Oh, I have a few ideas for these. Let's hope I win."
The Dealer loaded the rounds while he placed another knife down before the item boxes disappeared again. As soon as the gun was ready, he didn't hesitate and waved the cuffs around mischievously.
"Is it too early to use this?"
"My turn is skipped for two rounds." It explained as it reached across the table and took the item, cuffing itself without a second thought. It seemed quite at ease for something bound at gunpoint.
"No hesitation, hm?" Benny hummed thoughtfully, momentarily disregarding the gun as he enjoyed the view. "I don't know who's more eager to get you like this. No one proposition you in a while, big guy?"
"A long time." It answered honestly.
"Real shame, everyone else is missing out." He shook his head before grabbing the weapon and using his second item to saw the end off. If the hit landed, it would take out the machine's last two charges and bring them to the last round. "No time to waste then, right?"
Levelling the shotgun, he kept a firmer grip this time, but returned the mercy of aiming it off to the side. The Dealer shifted its head in front of the barrel, making him pause.
"A true aim will lead to a better prize."
He frowned and took his finger off the trigger. "If it's all the same to you, I'm just going along for the game. I honestly have a different load I want to shoot."
It remained silent for a long moment, but a soft mechanical sound seemed to indicate it was processing something before it spoke again. "I was made with headshots in mind."
He wasn't sure if it was admitting to a weakness but he still gave an understanding nod while he shrugged. "Alright, whatever you want. Smile for the camera, handsome."
BANG!
A spray of blood—or maybe it was some kind of mechanical fluid, he didn't know much about the tech world—punctuated the beginning of the final round.
The Dealer returned, snapping the cuffs with a show of strength that easily caught his attention, but its focus shifted to the scoreboard screen. "We arrive at the final showdown."
"I'm ready." He rubbed his hands together and watched as a contraption rose up from beside the table to hover over their charge cords. Then the table was cleared and the item boxes made a reappearance.
"Four items each. You know the drill."
He pulled out two beers, a magnifying glass, and a pack of cigarettes. Only one of the items was of any use to him and he put the other three off to the side, earning a questioning look from the Dealer.
"I don't smoke or drink much. Not really my style, but all the power to you." He explained, eyeing its own set up, which was looking kinky but dangerous.
Their charges were at the maximum and it didn't comment as it loaded two blanks and two live rounds into the gun. He took the risk and used his magnifying glass, finding the first shell was red.
He didn't bother with snappy commentary as he aimed the gun and fired it at the machine.
Bang!
The advantage wasn't really on his side however, as there was still one live round and it was his turn to be handcuffed. The Dealer grabbed the item and bound his hands together before chuckling as he posed helplessly. It downed a beer of its own and racked the shotgun, emptying out a blank. Well, that wasn't good.
The weapon was directed at him and he jumped a little when it clicked. He was aimed at again, knowing full well there was a live round in it, and his heart began to race, finally appreciating the thrill the threat had to offer as his mind questioned if it would miss again.
Bang!
The bullet audibly grazed his other ear as the shell hit one of his earrings. He automatically reached up and rubbed the irritation away, but the device still took a charge away to even the score.
More items, more shells. It was becoming increasingly clear the Dealer wasn't messing around this time and he was expected to put in some effort. In the final stretch, he had to earn his prize.
He combined a magnifying glass with handcuffs and a knife, taking off two charges, but the machine smoked some cigarettes and regained them before pulling the same stunt to remove three from his own board.
"Shit. If you aren't interested you could just say no." He half joked as he was uncuffed and the gun was reloaded again. Things weren't looking good, he was only two charges away from certain doom.
"Are you ready?" The Dealer asked, shifting his attention as machinery moved beside them, cutting some wires and glitching the charge screen.
"No, but fuck it. Let's see what happens." He replied, eyeing his items before grabbing the gun and using a knife to saw off the end. If the shot landed, they were even, if not, well.
BANG!
The device beside them cut the Dealer's wires too, leaving them on a near even play field. The only problem being, it was the AI's turn.
It picked up the gun, checked the round, and sawed off the barrel.
He sighed sadly and gave the machine a crooked smile as the weapon was pointed at him. "C'est la vie. I'll be back for a second try some day."
The Dealer's finger hovered over the trigger before pulling back as it flipped the gun and shot itself.
BANG!
Benny blinked slowly as a victorious jingle played from one of the many speakers in the room. Then he heard the grind of more machinery before mechanical arms extended a briefcase toward him. He stared at it for a moment before pushing it back.
"I don't need the money. Seriously." He said, watching it hover for a moment then slowly retract as if surprised by his rejection. The Dealer gradually returned as the usual prize disappeared into the depths. "You were winning." He continued, raising his brow at it.
"Beginner's luck." It spoke, its grin widening as it rested its chin over interlaced hands.
"Hm, that right? So, do I get the reward I signed up for then?" He mirrored its position as they stared each other down.
"Yes. What are your requests?"
He knocked on the surface between them where the items compartment was hiding. "I was hoping we could put some of these to different use. How do you feel about handcuffs and knives?"
The answer was obvious and further punctuated by the box reappearing with a knife and pair of cuffs for him to place on the table.
"Perfect. Now, I'd like to see what I'm working with. If you don't mind."
The door audibly locked behind him in response and some of the miscellaneous machinery in the room moved away from the table to create more space. From the darkness, a massive form uncoiled and emerged in all its mechanical glory. The seemingly floating hands and face were connected to a slithery mass of wires with centipede-like limbs of metal and cables. They extended out and toward the ceiling, the labyrinth of technology rippling with each movement. Upon closer inspection he could see some of the cables were hanging limply from the corners of the room, while others sparked where stray bullets had punctured the insulation.
"Ah, so the headshot comment wasn't an innuendo." He said, looking up at the Dealer's towering form as it smirked down at him. "How do you feel about a bit more damage? I promise I'll fix you up~"
It glanced at the handcuffs he maneuvered between his fingers and its grin widened, offering out its hands. "Spare parts are beneath the table."
"Beautiful. Let's get started." He mirrored its expression before flicking the cuffs open and deliberately sliding them over its wrists.
The metal audibly clicked and he took a step back to admire the massive mechanical beast that had been hidden within shadows. Calling the handcuffs any kind of bondage was laughable when faced with the entire monstrous form, but the knowledge that the Dealer submitted to such rules ignited his arousal. He mapped over the mess of cables first with his eyes and then his hands as he carded his fingers through a loose bundle of wires. He grabbed a thicker cord and dragged his thumb up the insulation, earning a mechanical huff, prompting him to experiment with its sensitivity.
Squeezing the cable, he could feel the smaller wires shift inside and the thrum of energy coursing through it grew stronger. His exploring hands reached for another, tugging on it to test the reaction, but the one he held was threaded too deeply into the mass to have much effect.
He silently counted the damaged cords, finding a total of eleven within his reach. Anything connected to the ceiling it would have to deal with itself, but he was more than happy to experiment with the repairs he could make. "Hm, let's see what this does."
Disconnecting one of the cables revealed a sparking socket and the entire room seemed to shudder around him. He dropped the dead powerline and traced his finger around the exposed plug, he had a few less than realistic ideas for the hole and quickly forced them down by finding a spare cable under the table.
The new part was weighty in his hand, the insultation a little harder and cold without the flow of power within it. He inspected the end for a moment, eyes scanning over the metal prongs before he lined them up with the socket. It easily slid into place with a satisfying click before the tubing notably hummed to life beneath his palm. The barely perceptible droop in the Dealer's frame lessened as it raised itself higher, its circuitry rippling with power even as its hands remained bound.
"That feel good?" Benny spoke as he dragged his finger down another cable.
He received a mechanical purr in response and his hand wrapped around the next damaged cable, pulling it out slowly. The machinery around him trembled as he experimentally worked it back in and out, twisting until the prong teeth scrapped across its casing. Some parts reminded him of the tentacle monster he fucked a few dimensions ago while others reminded him of the beast who needed outside sources of pleasure.
"Appearances aside, you're less like a tentacle monster and more of that other guy. Hm, I wonder..." He spoke aloud as he detached the majority of damaged wires and replaced them, only leaving three for his focus point. "I might need your help with the technical side, but I think I have an idea of how to get you off."
"Very interesting...continue."
He smiled wryly and presented a half gutted device he found under the table. "What does it do?"
"The inverter polarity reverser beta."
"So I can change the charge with this dial?" He asked, idly pulling some of the exposed circuitry out of the casing as he received a nod. "Let's start beta testing then."
Picking up a knife from the table, he flipped it between his fingers as he approached the behemoth of machinery. It grinned down at him, arching its body in offering while he grabbed a hold of the closest of the three cables. He brought the blade to the cord, dipping the tip into a bullet hole before slowly slicing down. Then he carefully spread the insultation until he exposed the wiring beneath and coaxed it from the waxy sheath. His hand ventured to the remaining two cables and repeated the process.
"Now for the less sexy part. Talk me through connecting these." He said as he gestured between the device, the split cords, and the charge machine.
Under the Dealer's instructions, he grabbed the three separated powerlines and twisted their ends together. Then he used the exposed wire and did the same to connect the polarity device between the two machines before stuffing the circuitry back inside the casing. He gave it an experimental tug to ensure the connection was snug before he thumbed over the knob. It twisted easily under the lightest pressure, making the AI jolt as energy coursed through it and the charge screen dinged.
Benny hummed thoughtfully as he idly cranked the power up a little higher, adding two charges to the screen. "Enjoying yourself, handsome?" His question earned a jerky nod as it fought to control its body enough for an answer, prompting him to turn the knob and dump more electrical pleasure through its systems.
Creaking metal signaled its desire to reach him as it leaned in closer, cuffed hands flexing uselessly in front of it. The surrounding speakers oozed the bass of music that rumbled through the floor like the excited breaths of a lover.
The unstable device was quickly growing warm in his hand and he placed it down on the table before he shot a glance at the charge reader. One left.
"Are you ready?" He asked cheekily, earning a stuttered mechanical huff before he twisted to the highest setting and made it lose control.
It shook, snapping the handcuffs as its body undulated with overload until it reached down and pulled the feeding cables free from its socket. With a final shudder, it dropped the dead cords with a noisy clatter and extended its body to hover over him again.
"Very good." It rumbled, grabbing his hips and placing him on the dealing table. "May I return the favour?"
"Absolutely." He agreed instantly as he stared up at the massive AI before his gaze shifted slightly as a compartment opened beside him, revealing a new pair of handcuffs. With a smirk, he raised his hands and presented his wrists. "Have your way with me, big man. Everyone's a winner in my book."
The Dealer chuckled at his enthusiasm before reaching under the table and pulling out three spare cables to finish its repairs first. He waited somewhat patiently and watched as it plugged the cords into its empty sockets with a barely perceptible twitch. Its touch lingered on itself for just a moment as if he still had an effect on it.
The thought of it being reminded of him every time it had to repair itself stirred his idle arousal and stoked his pride. Spreading his legs, he leaned back and returned its attention onto him. Grinning, it picked up the spare handcuffs and spun them around for a second as it eyed his display.
His wrists were captured and raised above his head until he was completely stretched out. Raising his gaze, he watched as they were secured to the light fixture beam above his head, leaving him at its mercy in return. Then it removed a knife from the box and ever the showman twirled the item between its fingers before effortlessly slicing the blade down his shirt. The material fell open and its free hand brushed down his stomach appreciatively as it tilted the rest of its body back to admire him.
He leaned into its touch, chasing the teasing contact as it observed and slowly explored his body. It seemed particularly fascinated with the scar running up his chest all the way to his jaw, its finger tracing the mark a few times before gradually moving on. Fingers brushed up his spine, making him arch as its other hand placed the knife on the table and dipped beneath the hem of his pants. It pushed the clothing down, exposing his hipbone before freeing his straining erection.
"Going straight for the gold, huh? Something tells me this isn't the first time you've gotten this sort of deal." He smirked, angling his hips for easier access. The position put pressure on his knees but he certainly wasn't complaining.
The Dealer chuckled deeply and took him in hand, stroking expertly in response. He moaned loudly, uncaring if the ravers below heard him as his reaction seemed to encourage the AI. Its movements increased in effort while its other hand idly followed the scar across his jawline and up to the shell of the ear it had nearly left a mark in.
"If that knife wasn't so rusty I'd say put a few more dents in me, but we'll be more prepared next time." Benny said between gasps while it eagerly pumped and squeezed him, the entire room seeming to rumble with anticipation under his suggestion.
It rose up to loom over him, its free hand traversing his freckled, olive skin a second time before it reached behind him. His focus was mostly on its stroking hand and the pleasure it brought him until he heard a click, prompting him to look up. The machine had grabbed one of his neglected cigarette packs and lit one up as it eyed his bound, squirming form appreciatively. The expression alone gave him a surge of arousal but then it tilted his head up to look at it before exhaling a billow of smoke across his body. He felt the nearly imperceptible touch as the cloud curled around his chest and through his open shirt before dissipating.
"Jackpot. I knew you'd be a kinky motherfucker." He uttered, rolling his hips into every bit of contact it offered.
"Next time I will build you something that can offer you more pleasure than just my hand." It leaned down to whisper and final wisps of smoke brushed against his ear before it simultaneously gave him a firm rub and squeezed his ass.
He came with a cut off moan, his hands clenching uselessly above his head as the handcuffs clicked metallically under his movement. The Dealer continued to stroke him through it until he was sated. Then it unlocked his bindings and eased him back down as he caught his breath.
"That was so fucking worth it." With a breathless laugh, he steadily got off the table and fixed his clothes to the best of his ability.
"Would you return to try double or nothing?" It asked as it handed him the shotgun.
"I'm definitely coming back, but I need to meet with a contact and get a new shirt first." He said, trying to offer the weapon back, but it raised its hand to deny him.
"Your prize to indicate besting me." It explained and returned the room to its previous arrangement as it slowly slinked its large, mechanical, insect-like body back into the shadows.
"The gifts just keep on giving. I'll let the next guy in then, but I doubt he'll have as much fun as I did." Benny winked at the Dealer who was now only a visible head and incredibly skilled hands.
It grinned as him and nodded before he turned toward the door then pushed it open to return to the lively nightlife atmosphere.
The guy on the balcony looked surprised to see him, but made no comment as he passed another man heading toward the dealing room. Both men briefly glanced at his prize and open shirt, but he continued on and doubted either would have the confidence to ask about it.
Making his way down a flight of stairs, strobe lights cut through the darkness of the upper level as he gradually closed the distance toward the party going strong below. The music was much louder and obscured bodies moved to the beat as he navigated his way through them to get to the bar.
"Just water." He spoke to the barkeep, sliding a tip across the bar regardless as he surveyed the crowd.
"Bennaaayy!" A voice hollered before a person decked out in glow sticks ran toward him. "There you are! I got that connection you were looking for." They briefly eyed the gun at his side before excitedly grinning at him and handing him a phone.
"Thanks." He replied, taking it and switching it on to find nothing but cryptic, neon icons. "How does it work?"
"The next rave starts in two days, they'll text you an address and all you gotta do is show up." His contact replied, leaning against the bar before ordering a proper drink. Once they had it in hand, they turned to him with a grin. "You're going to need a bigger belt to fit all the notches at that party."
He snorted with amusement and pocketed the phone before giving them a single nod of acknowledgement. "Thanks for the connection. I think I'm going to go dance and find a new shirt."
Without another word, he grabbed his things and disappeared into the crowd.