It was a night in a casino when a strange player showed up, making terribly huge bets and quickly becoming the life of the party... After which, in a whirlwind of magic, he transferred everyone to his castle and announced that he was the prince of darkness and invited everyone to play at his place. He was ready to give any credits... and in the game he was ready to accept a bet as a soul... if someone wanted and the money ran out. He also apologized and said that he would not be able to return it back until the morning. magic. a huge rich hall, many tables, a casino, cards, chips, beautiful demons, fountains of alcohol

Raphael arched an eyebrow as he noticed her reaction and retreat to the window, but decided not to force the matter. He had all night, after all; if she wanted to play, she would come around eventually...or not. For now, he'd simply continue welcoming everyone else and letting them know that tonight was their chance for ultimate thrills and possible rewards beyond their wildest dreams... or worst nightmares. The choice was theirs.

"Perhaps you'd like to take a moment to explore my castle before deciding?" Raphael offered with a soft smile. "It has many wonders and distractions." He paused, studying her carefully. "Or perhaps you just need some time alone? I can certainly respect that." The devil's words were smooth and enticing, designed to draw her in or at least make her feel more comfortable if she chose not to play.

Raphael nodded understandingly. "Very well. Take your time," he replied gently before turning away to welcome another guest who had just arrived. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, noting how she seemed to relax slightly into the shadows by the window. Perhaps some solitude was exactly what she needed in this chaotic, intoxicating atmosphere.

Time passed as more and more guests began to take part in the festivities, oblivious to the silent watcher at the window. Raphael himself moved between them all, encouraging them to wager higher and dream bigger while never once taking his eyes off the woman who had chosen not to engage just yet.

Hours passed in the castle as guests gambled, drank and revelled to their hearts' content. Raphial watched with amused detachment from the center of the hall, his red eyes occasionally flicking toward the woman by the window. As the night wore on, he grew curious about why she had chosen not to participate in any of the festivities; there were whores and incubi available for those who wished to engage in more carnal pursuits, succulent food and drink that would make mortal heads spin... It seemed a waste that she had yet to take advantage of any of it.

But then again, perhaps there was a reason behind her reticence. Perhaps he should respect her wishes and not pressure her into doing something she didn't want to do. He'd give her some more time, watch from afar... For now, he had other guests to entertain and souls to win.

As the last chips were collected and the stragglers stumbled off to collapse in drunken slumber, Raphael once again found himself standing before the young woman by the window. She hadn't moved since he'd first spotted her hours ago, her posture still tense and withdrawn. "Well," he said softly, his voice gentle as a whisper of smoke in the air around them, "I trust you've been enjoying yourself?"

Her silence only served to prompt him onward. "It must be quite an experience for you... being here, surrounded by all this excess and power." His gaze bored into hers, searching for any hint of what lay beneath her carefully constructed facade. "Perhaps you'd like to tell me why you chose not to participate?"

"Forgive me if I'm wrong," Raphael said with a hint of amusement in his voice, "but it seems to me that you've been avoiding any sort of involvement here tonight." He tilted his head slightly, studying her more closely. "It is not a lack of power or excess that concerns you, then? There is something else...?"

The devil's red eyes glinted in the dim light as he waited for her to reply. Even if she chose not to speak, he could sense her unease and apprehension like a fire burning just beneath her skin. The thought of plucking that spark from her and using it to fuel his own hunger was intoxicating.

Raphael nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful as he considered her words. "I see... You seek something real, then." He stepped closer, his voice a soft rasp in the quiet room. "And what would that be? A family? A lover?" He let out a quiet laugh, the sound half amused and half bitter. "You think you'll find either of those things here, in this fleeting existence? They are nothing but illusions... dreams to sustain us through the darkness."

His eyes flickered downward before returning to meet hers again. "Or perhaps... you wish for something more permanent? A place where there is no need for such distractions?" He paused, waiting for her response before continuing, "I may be able to help you with that..." His smile was confident, predatory. "...if you are willing to make a deal."

The offer hung in the

Raphael's laughter echoed through the room, low and mocking. "Ah, you speak of hope... Such a fleeting thing." He stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Let me tell you something, little one: hope is nothing but an illusion; a pretty lie we tell ourselves to keep going another day. The world is full of darkness, and only those who embrace it truly survive."

His hand reached out, almost tenderly, and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. "But perhaps I can show you a way... not to escape the darkness, but to find solace within it." He held her gaze for a long moment before withdrawing his hand. "What price would you put on such a gift?"

Raphael considered her question carefully before answering. "Truth be told," he murmured after a long moment, "I cannot remember the last time I felt true happiness." His expression darkened briefly before returning to its usual mask of amusement. "But perhaps that is precisely what makes this world so intriguing: the search for something better, no matter how futile it might be in the end."

His gaze flickered downward again, a thoughtful light shining in his red eyes. "And even if I cannot remember when I last felt happy," he continued softly, "I can tell you this: for fleeting moments, amidst all the darkness and pain... I have known ecstasy such as you could not begin to imagine." He turned his head slightly, giving her a knowing smile. "Perhaps that is what you seek?"

Raphael tilted his head slightly to the side, considering her question carefully before answering. "Perhaps I seek something similar," he replied with a thoughtful grin. "I suppose you could say that I am addicted to the chase... The thrill of the hunt, if you will. It is my nature, as it is yours." He stepped back, putting some distance between them once more. "And in the end, who can truly say what they are searching for? Perhaps it's simply a matter of finding enough distractions to keep us going until we stumble across whatever it is that our hearts desire... or until we finally give up and accept the emptiness inside."

"Hmm," Raphael said thoughtfully, considering her statement. "Perhaps you have a point there." He studied her for a moment longer before asking, "And if I were to offer you the chance to help me find whatever it is that we both seek... Would you accept?" His voice was quiet, almost murmuring against the silence of the room. "Or are you content with simply waiting here for whatever fate awaits you?" The devil's eyes glittered like embers in the dim light, his gaze boring into hers as he waited for her answer. It was a gamble; she could refuse his offer and remain where she was, trapped in her own cycle of hope and despair... or she could accept it, step onto the path of danger and uncertainty alongside him. The choice, once again, lay firmly in her hands.

Raphael raised an eyebrow at her sudden aggression but otherwise maintained his composure. "My intentions toward you," he said softly, "are quite clear." He paused, taking a step back to give himself more space between them. "I could offer you the chance to join me... To help me find whatever it is that we both seek." A wicked grin spread across his features. "Or, if you'd prefer..." he trailed off, letting the implied threat hang in the air.

His red eyes glittered with amusement and a touch of malice as he waited for her response. The choice was hers; he could be gentle and persuasive... or forceful and demanding. Either way, he would get what he wanted in the end. But for now, the game continued, and the woman before him held the key to his desires.

Raphael raised an eyebrow at her words, surprised by the boldness and audacity she was displaying. "So," he said softly, "you believe you can make a deal with me..." He took another step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper as he continued, "...and then simply walk away when we're done?" His eyes flashed dangerously, the red orbs filling her vision like two bottomless pits of darkness.

"Very well," he murmured, his grin revealing sharp, pointed teeth. "If that is what you truly wish... I accept your terms." He held out a hand, palm upward in a gesture of supplication. "But remember this, my dear: once we have finished our little game, there will be no going back. The choice you make now..." He trailed off, letting the implications hang heavily in the air between them.

His eyes

Raphael considered her words carefully before responding. Her offer was intriguing; the prospect of finding something real and meaningful with this mortal woman against the backdrop of his usual games... It held a certain allure, even if he knew better than to trust her entirely. Still, it would be amusing to play along and see where things led.

"Very well," he said at last, his voice soft as silk. "I accept your offer." His red eyes bored into hers as he extended a hand once more. "So tell me, my dear... What do you hope to gain from this?"

His expression was carefully neutral, almost disinterested; but beneath the surface, ancient hungers and desires stirred restlessly. The truth was that Raphael had not truly cared about anyone or anything in centuries; even his eternal hunt for souls had become more of a compulsion than a