The first thing that caught the party's eyes was the glowing sign atop the roof. 'The Cosmic Casino' displayed in massive glowing blue letters, almost floating in the air, shining light all over the street. Similar glowing designs covered the building's facade, images of cards, dice, and coins pulsing on and off, seeming to move as they faded in and out. A truly ostentatious display of magic for a sign, even in a major city like this. But, well, it was a casino. It made sense for it to want to attract attention. Namei looked over at her companions and grinned. "Looky there~!" Sighing, Maideen shook her horned head. "We need to rest, not gamble..." The rogue pouted at her. "Yoouuuu yourself said we needed some downtime~! And why can't we have a little bit of fun, and earn some extra money, while we're here~?" Maideen began to protest, but Paloma's sweet voice interrupted her. "You know, she's right! We do need a little bit of fun after such a miserable time we had down there! And I'll keep track of all our gold so she doesn't overspend again!" It was hard not to agree with the bard's voice, but Maideen still shook her head. "N-No, we need to rest! We're all exhausted! We need to find an inn!" She glanced up at Esiar, silently pleading for backup. The paladin shrugged, their armored body clanking.  Flustered, Maideen glanced around rapidly. "I, uh... O-Okay... We can check it out, I guess..." Namei grinned. "Perfect~ Now come on, my gold coins are starting to feel so lonely~"

The inside of the casino was just as flashy as the outside. Massive glowing displays cast a surreal, dreamlike light over the floor, and the sound of patrons gambling filled the room. Though, it was oddly quieter than Maideen had expected, especially considering how many people were there. There was a soft muffled quality to all the sound, just as dreamlike as the lighting. Perhaps they had an enchantment applied to quiet the usual clamor of populated buildings. Maideen wished more public places would be so considerate. As they looked around, an employee quickly walked over to greet them, a bright smile on her face. "Welcome to the Cosmic Casino! My name is Luck, and I'm here to help and answer any questions you have! Would you like me to help you find something to enjoy?" Maideen stepped back, slightly overwhelmed by the woman’s intense cheer. Paloma grinned happily. "Thank you Luck! We're definitely in need of something fun to do to relax!" "And earn some money too~" Namei added. Luck giggled sweetly. "Well  worry not, we have plenty of ways to do both! Is there something specific you'd be interested in?" Namei smirked. "Got anything with cards~?" Luck nodded. "Oh, yes, plenty! We have Poker, Blackjack..." She happily listed off several games, very few of which Maideen had ever heard of before, but Namei seemed enraptured by the variety. Luck finished listing off games and without missing a beat turned to the others. "And if you aren't interested in cards, we have plenty of other fun things to do! We have just as many forms of dice, roulette, mahjong... Any way you wish to have some fun and earn some money! Oh, do you have a question?" She looked right at Maideen, startling her. The druid awkwardly stammered, "Oh, uh... I... Um, do we... Have to gamble... to have fun here?" Luck laughed sweetly and shook her head. "Of course not! We have plenty of ways to pass time aside from gambling! If you would like, I can show you around!" Paloma seemed delighted. "Oh, yes, that would be wonderful!" Namei chuckled. "You guys do that, I'm gonna go earn us a hoard~" As she slinked away, Maideen looked at Luck. "Are... Are you sure? Do you have time? Y-You have a job here, so-" Luck smiled and fluttered her hand in the air. "Thank you for the concern, but don't worry! My job is to make sure our patrons have the best time of their lives! Now come join me! There's so much to do here!" She took Paloma's hand and began leading her deeper into the casino. Maideen worriedly glanced up at Esiar, but the paladin just shrugged and followed Luck. So Maideen did too, even if something about this felt so... suspicious...

"...and before we knew it, the entire cavern was shaking! Apparently she'd been awakened while we were all distracted fighting, and so suddenly we all had to make a quick truce just for any of us to get out alive and awake! It was a good thing Maideen had thought to leave a trail of flowers so we could retrace our exact steps, else we may not have made it out in time!" Luck looked away from Paloma's story over to Maideen. "Oh, that was very clever of you!" Maideen blushed uncomfortably. "...thanks..." Luckily, Luck turned her attention back to Paloma, and Maideen exhaled. She never really liked being in civilization anyway, but... Something about the casino made her feel uneasy. All around them, people were betting, winning, and losing money in all these games, but the soft lighting and muffled sound made everything feel unreal, as if it was just a shared hallucination. And the games themselves were so strange to her faun mind. Cards with all types of art and numbers and words, spinning wheels with so many colors and balls rolling around and around, and bizarre boxes with spinning numbers and flashy lights all over a moving image of a rabbit girl dancing as loud noises swirled around and around her head... She felt dizzy just being here. She looked away from the strange box, seeing Paloma still happily chatting with Luck. Paloma was always so good at talking to new people, unlike Maideen. Plants and animals were much easier to talk to than people for her, and Luck was no exception. But... It wasn't just nerves this time. Maideen felt a bit suspicious of Luck... She was too cheery, too helpful... And the way she talked to Paloma made Maideen feel uneasy. It reminded her of Namei trying to sweettalk merchants into giving them stuff for free... Like she was just buttering them up...

As the final stop of her tour, Luck brought them to a large auditorium, a few of the many seats already filled. As soon as they passed through the entrance, the sound from the rest of the casino became almost completely inaudible, and Maideen involuntarily shuddered from the sudden silence. Luck gestured to the stage, continuing her chat with Paloma which Maideen had mostly tuned out. "...and you really did come at a very lucky time!" She giggled. "The show is beginning in just half an hour! And I promise it's well worth the money!" Paloma smiled. "How much is it?" Luck pondered for a second. "Well, it's usually 50 gold per person... But you know, I think I might be able to get you a discount!" Paloma beamed excitedly. "Really? That would be so wonderful, Luck!" Luck nodded. "Yep! I'll go talk to my boss about it! I'm sure we can work something out for a famous band of adventurers like you!"  Paloma smirked cutely. "Aww, you flatter us! Well... I wish you Luck then, Luck~!" She gave Luck a quick kiss on the cheek, making the employee blush. "Thank you, Paloma! I'll make sure to get you a great deal!" She bounded happily away, the blush fading awfully quickly... Maideen looked over at Paloma, who grinned back, seeming quite proud of herself. "Did you hear that? We might be getting a discount on the show!" Maideen nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah... What show is it, anyway?" Paloma looked quite excited. "A stage hypnotist! Luck says she's quite good!" Maideen looked away awkwardly. "Oh... okay..." Paloma sighed kindly and gently grabbed Maideen's shoulders, turning her to face her. "Don't worry, it'll be fun! Besides, you said we needed to relax, and this sounds like a wonderful way to relax! Just give it a try, okay?" Paloma's sweet voice washed over Maideen like a spring breeze, and she smiled in spite of herself. "Okay, I'll give it a try..." Paloma grinned. "Great! Come on, let's go find Namei and tell her!" Paloma happily skipped off, and Esiar followed. Maideen did too, feeling a bit less nervous now. Paloma was right, it'd probably be fun. And she probably wouldn't be forced to go on stage anyway, so there was really nothing to be worried about...

Twenty minutes later, the full party returned to the auditorium, Namei still grumbling about being pulled away from her 'winning streak'. As soon as they entered, Luck excitedly bounded over to them. "Great news! I was able to get you some very nice seats, for free!" Paloma stared at her in wonder. "For free?! Really?" Luck nodded, grinning.  "Yep! It took a bit of convincing, some pointed discussions," she glanced away, an embarrassed blush on her face, "...and some of my own employee benefits being used up... But it was worth it for you!" Paloma shook her head. "You didn't have to do all that for us, Luck!" Luck smiled. "Oh, it was worth it, Paloma! It's the least you deserve after what you've gone through on your adventures!" She led the party up to the front of the auditorium, where several very comfortable looking V.I.P. seats sat just before the stage. Namei immediately sat down in the softest looking one, sighing in satisfaction as she relaxed into the rich velvet plush, while Esiar chose the largest chair, for once hardly needing to squeeze their hulking metallic body into the seat. Maideen sat down in a chair next to Paloma, feeling uncomfortable despite how wonderful the chair felt. She could feel people behind them staring at her, and she hunched up to hide herself from view. Her simple brown traveling clothes felt so out of place on such a luxurious chair, not to mention her sheepy horns. Paloma noticed and gently patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, there's nothing to feel embarrassed about. We've earned these seats with all we've done!" Maideen nodded, though she still really didn't feel like they'd earned these seats at all...

The lights dimmed, casting all but the stage in a dreamy shadow. A musical voice filled the room, seemingly coming from thin air. "Now introducing the Cosmic Casino's own Mesmerizing Mistress, the Bewitching Bunny, the Lapine Lady of Lovely Langour... Lucia~!" Illuminated by the lights, Lucia stepped onto the stage. She had long blonde hair that almost seemed to glow in the light. Her outfit was alluring but not bawdy, a blue and white suit with long leggings and a yellow bowtie adorning her neck. But most striking of all were the tall, soft, white rabbit ears shooting out from the top of her hair. She curtsied while surveying the audience with a mischievous smirk, her eyes bright and calculating. "What a wonderful turnout I have tonight~ I eagerly await playing with your malleable minds~" Her voice echoed throughout the auditorium, a soft, pleasant lilt that was difficult to ignore. "Who will be my first subject~? Hmm~... How about~..." She clicked her fingers, and Maideen suddenly found herself Illuminated by warm, shimmering lights. "...You~"

Dazzled by the spotlights, Maideen hardly knew what to say at first. "I, whah, uh, I, huh?" Lucia giggled, a rich, alluring sound that made Maideen shudder. "You're my lucky first subject~ Come on up~" Blushing, Maideen attempted to weakly stutter out a declination. "I-I, uh, no, s-sorry, I-" Paloma gently whispered to her. "Come on, it'll be fun! We're here to relax, remember? Go on, enjoy yourself!" Namei muttered, "You pulled me away from a winning streak, the least you can do is give me a show." Feeling the eyes of everyone on her, Maideen glanced at Esiar, but the paladin shrugged and gestured towards the stage. Lucia's voice cut into Maideen's thoughts. "There's nothing to be nervous about~ Come on up~" Maideen swallowed and stood up, hesitantly stepping onto the stage amidst a round of applause. Her stomach turned at the sight of so many eyes on her, but before she could do anything a soft finger was placed on her cheek, pushing her gaze to meet Lucia's. The hypnotist smiled warmly, her piercing blue eyes filling Maideen's vision. "Don't worry about the audience, sweetie~ Just focus on me~" And despite the odd situation, Maideen did find it calming...

Lucia clicked her fingers again, and in a burst of shimmering lights, a soft chair appeared. She gently sat Maideen down in the chair, asking her, "Now, what is your name~?" Maideen relaxed into the chair, finding it even softer than the V.I.P. chairs. "Uh, Maideen... My name's Maideen..." Lucia smiled. "Well, Maideen~... Just relax for me~" Her voice was very pleasant to listen to, and Maideen gave a small smile. "Okay... So... Is there something I need to do...?" Lucia giggled mischievously. "All you need to do~..." Something dropped down in front of Maideen's eyes. "...Is Watch the Watch~"

Maideen stared at the watch. It was a lovely golden timepiece, a soft rhythmic click emanating from the hands. She tried to see what she was looking for, but Lucia began softly swinging it, making it hard to focus. "Hey, what-" Lucia softly interrupted her. "No need to speak, just Watch~ Let your eyes follow the Watch as it swings Back and Forth, To and Fro~ It's pretty, isn't it~? Just nod your head~" Maideen nodded, her eyes still locked on the gentle movement. "Watch the Watch as it swings, let everything fade except my Words, my Words and the Watch~ Listen to the Tick Tock of my Watch~ Every swing a Tick, every backswing a Tock~ Just relax your body as the Watch swings, swinging so gently, never stopping, never hurrying, Back and Forth, Tick and Tock~ Every swing makes you sleepier, every tick makes you weaker, Tick-Tock, Back-Forth, Watch the Watch, Sink Deep~" Lucia's voice crashed over Maideen like a wave, an intense pulse of relaxing filling her body before she even realized it was happening. "Sinking so Deep, falling so Deep, every swing sends you Deeper, every Tick Deepens your Trance, every Tock makes you so Sleepy, you Watch my Watch and Hear my Words, Words telling you to Sink Deeper, Fall Deeper, Fall Asleep now~" There was a gentle *Click*, and Maideen's eyes fluttered shut as she was plunged into a Deep sea of sleep...

Maideen floated blissfully in her mindless trance as Lucia's lovely words filled her thoughts. She hardly knew what was happening, but it didn't matter. Her body and mind moved to the hypnotist's every silken command, becoming a chicken, a rabbit, a clown, a princess, and so much more, yet she relaxed in mindless bliss all throughout the show. She felt no fear from being on stage, for in her mind no audience existed. Nothing at all existed, save for Mistress Lucia's Words. Words that soon told her to Listen Closely once again, to feel herself rising up, up, up out of trance, to awaken with a **Snap**!

Maideen blinked rapidly, her head still so floaty and fuzzy. "Give a final round of applause to our wonderful hypnotees, everyone~!" The loud applause overwhelmed Maideen's sleepy mind, and she stumbled forward in confusion, almost falling off the stage. With an elegant bow, Lucia caught her, the hypnotist's touch making everything feel calm again for a second. She softly whispered, "Thank you for your assistance, Maideen~" and the druid blushed. Maideen was dimly aware of several other people on the stage now, all coming out of trance just as she was. Lucia gently guided her back to the V.I.P. seating, where the other adventurers were looking at her, amused. Paloma helped reseat Maideen as she happily gushed about how wonderful the show was. Maideem noticed Namei grinning at her. "She made you make such a fool of yourself up there, it was hilarious~!" Maideen nodded absentmindedly. She couldn't remember anything from the show... Except how nice it felt...

A few minutes later as they were beginning to leave, Esiar helping keep Maideen steady, Luck happily bounded up to them. "So, how did you like the show?" Paloma grinned. "It was amazing! Thank you so much for recommending it to us!" Luck beamed. "You're welcome! It's my job to help you have the best time of your life! Is there anything else you need help with?" Namei opened her mouth but was muffled as Esiar placed their gauntleted hand over it, and Paloma chuckled. "Well, we're all pretty tired right now, so we'll have to leave and find an inn for tonight. Do you know anywhere we can rest in this city?" Luck laughed. "Well, that's actually why I came over here! My boss is giving you a room for free!" Paloma was ecstatic. "Really?! That's wonderful!" She turned to the others. "We don't have to find an inn tonight, we can just stay here!" Namei grinned, shoving Esiar's hand away. "Perfect, I can get right back on my winning streak tomorrow~" Maideen... wasn't so happy though. Of course the casino would want them to stay, that way they could get more money from them. It wasn't kindness, it was just buttering them up... She opened her mouth to offer her opinion. "...That sounds wonderful, thank you Luck..." Something Ticked in her mind. ...What was she just thinking about? Nothing important, clearly... She was so tired right now, and a room here sounded perfect to get some rest... 

Their room was luxurious and relaxing, and even Esiar was lulled to sleep quickly, the plush carpet very comfortable on their metallic feet. The party hadn't had such a comfortable sleep in months, and it felt so nice to just relax for once... And yet, Maideen found herself waking up in the middle of the night, a strange feeling in her head. She silently left the room and walked through the hallways, enjoying the feeling of the soft carpet on her cloven feet. The muffled sound of patrons gambling long into the night hardly reached her as she walked through the darkened halls, not consciously sure where she was walking but not seeming to care. A door opened before her and she walked in, Luck silently closing the door behind her before becoming motionless again. Maideen seated herself in the soft chair and sat there calmly until she heard a gentle *click* that brought her back to attention. 

Maideen blinked, slowly coming to. "Wait... What's happening...? Where am I...?" Lucia stepped before her, smiling mischievously. "Exactly where you're supposed to be, sweetie~" Maideen's head swam as she tried to figure out what was happening. "I... No, what... What did you do?" Lucia giggled. "I hypnotized you~ And now, you're mine~" Maideen tried to protest. "What? No, I'm... not yours! I... I... i..." Her mouth grew slack as the Watch began swinging gently before her eyes once again. "There we go~ Doesn't it feel nice to Watch the Watch again~?" Maideen sleepily nodded, a bit of drool leaving her mouth. "Feels so nice to just relax, let yourself go, let Mistress Lucia take care of everything~ Feels so nice to just fall back down into that Deep Blue Sea~" She *click*ed her fingers, and Maideen felt herself falling into a deep, blissful trance once again...

Lucia giggled. The druid looked so adorable under a trance like this, hanging on to her every word. "Gooood Girl~ You are my obedient pet~ You want to obey my every command, because obeying me makes you fall deeper into your wonderful, blissful trance~ Isn't that right~?" Maideen nodded sleepily, murmuring a monotone "...yes..." Lucia giggled again, gently petting the druid's soft hair. "And you want to share this bliss with your teammates, don't you~?" Maideen nodded obediently. "Good girl~ Don't worry, you won't have to think a single thought~ Mistress Lucia will do all the thinking for you~ All you have to do for now is just keep them here~... And soon, they'll be mine too~! Isn't that wonderful~?" Maideen nodded blissfully. It was wonderful... "Now, return to your room for now~ We have a long, wonderful day ahead of us tomorrow~..." Luck silently opened the door for Maideen, smiling blissfully as Mistress Lucia stroked her neck, and Maideen returned to her room just as she had been told. And the simple act of obeying Mistress Lucia's command... It gave her so much bliss... She couldn't wait for the others to experience this as well... To be owned by Mistress Lucia~...