Mythlands: THE HEIST

Another go round the Carousel and Little Bear's Downtime

ANOTHER GO ROUND THE CAROUSEL

3 Months Later.

The Hare was living large ... top of the world Ma!

His Management of the Lucky Cactus Casino was taking one of MCI's largest going concerns, to a whole new level. The Hare liked to think (and indeed, literally did so) that his management style was the x factor that made all the difference.

Every evening The Hare emerged from his luxury penthouse on floors 122 - 125, flanked by the reassuring bulk of his 'Head of Security' stroke personal bodyguard, Little Bear.

The former Baby Bear was all grown up now and had learnt from the best - Papa had been in the security game for decades and he had taught his boy all the tricks of the trade.

Little Bear chin toggled his comms set and adjusted his black bowtie. 'The package has left the strongbox. Proceeding to main annex and through to the offices.'

'Roger that,' was the reply from the Candlestick Maker, who was presently on duty in the lobby. 'Butcher and Baker are escorting the high rollers. ETA 10.'

'Copy that CM. That's enough time for the walk-through.' They got into the private elevator.

The Hare admired himself in the mirror; he'd gone for white dinner jacket, red bowtie and cummerbund this evening and had been hinting strongly at his inspiration.

'How do I look?'

'Like James Bond, boss,' Little Bear replied dutifully.

The doors pinged open and The Hare strode forth waving to those around him. Two of the Billy Goats gruff, attired in dark tuxes, immediately flanked the boss, walking several steps behind him and Little Bear. Up ahead, the third goat and the Candlestick Maker were waiting to open the doors so The Hare and entourage could sweep into the main casino floor.

One of the things the Hare loved about Myth Vegas was that unlike most of the domain of the Mythical Creatures, whose borders started just to the North, Vegas was full of humans as well as animals. The Hare liked mingling with the humans, especially the spirits of those who had passed from the mortal world to legend.

He passed a table. 'Frankie! Sammy! You got enough drinks? Deano, looking good.'

He walked on. 'Marilyn, baby! Looking hot sweetheart. No Jack tonight?'

Up to the roulette wheels. 'David! How you settling in buddy? Order anything you want ... on me, but don't get too sozzled. You promised me a set in the Rainbow rooms. Jean genie? Ok, catch ya on the flip side Mr Starman!'

They had reached the offices. The goats had peeled off to get ahead to open the doors - through and through to the private back room, which was already a cloud of smoke as Mr Toad sat there, merrily puffing away.

Little Bear looked around at the Highrollers; Toad and Babar the Elephant were smoking while the Cheshire Cat was pouring himself more champagne from the buffet table - a tipsy grin plastered all over his face. There was royalty in tonight - the Wizard King, the Nome King and Ozma of Oz, who loved a game of high stakes poker.

The Hare smiled at his guests and cricked his fingers. 'Gentlemen ... lady, shall we begin?'

LITTLE BEAR'S DOWNTIME

Little Bear retreated to the Rainbow Room; the billy goats had it covered and he had the evening to himself unless something came up.

Tommy Tucker was just finishing up a crooners number and it looked like Frank and Sammy were going to do an impromptu duet. Little Bear smiled and began to relax - time for a porridgetini.

Gretel came over. 'Hiya hon. The usual?'

Little Bear nodded gratefully and settled his furry bulk onto the bar stool. He relaxed into his down time and let the music wash over him. By his third porridgetini, he was feeling pleasantly mellow.

It was then, of course that the Candlestick Maker came in.

'LB, we may have a problem ... in the lobby.'

Little Bear sighed and eased his haunches out of the chair, smoothed down the dark fur of his arms, pulled the tux sleeves back down from where they'd ridden up and proceeded to follow CM into the lobby.

What he saw was an Asgardian God in full wing horned helmeted and ostentatiously armored splendour, striding around impatiently, flanked by a huge Troll, that made even Little Bear look small.

'He check his sword?'

'Yeah.'

'What's the problem?'

'When he came in, he was with two trolls. Demanding to see the boss ... I told him he and his trolls should wait, but apparently one of em wandered off, made a mess of the main buffet and ruffled some feathers ... literally. The Golden Goose is furious - says the big oaf tried to kidnap him and kept calling him an apple.'

At the sound of their voices, the Asgardian turned. 'Thou speak of Styrr, who be mine hireling. Harm him not or woes and agonies untold shall strike thy master tonight. Simply return the troll and the golden apple and we shall depart this place in peace.'

Little Bear blinked. 'I'm sorry? Uh ... what about the what now?'

The God walked over and placed a strong hand on Little Bear's shoulder - they stood eye to eye. 'Forgive me mine ursine friend, for thou art surely a simple woodland creature. Slowly shall Vali speak, that thou might have full understanding. I am Vali, son of glorious Loki and a grandson of Odin All-Father himself. Thy master, the Hare has in his possession a golden apple of immortality, crafted by the Goddess Idunn and legally the property of great Loki. He was to have held the apple for my father until it was collected. We are here to collect it. Kindly inform the Hare of our presence.'

Little Bear chin toggled his comms. 'Back room, I'm gonna need you to put the boss on ... yeah I know he's playing poker. I need him to answer a question for me, about an apple and if the answer isn't yes, I have a feeling we're going to have a problem!