Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

The Community Chest card read, 'Pay school tax of $150.'

A silent Shika held the Community Chest card with angry, trembling hands. He was almost broke. It said to pay taxes again.

*This is what, the thirteenth time?*

Hyeon's turn should've been after Shika, but he was out of the game.

Monopoly started almost three hours ago. At first, the newbies were into learning the complicated rules. Handling money and learning when to spend it was a pretty good introduction to civilization.

Eventually, the game became a nightmare when the hotel fees increased. Just one was enough to bankrupt a player out for good.

...And Nammi was winning. She proudly displayed her piles of cash and rows of property cards.

Haruma would roll the dice for her. Somehow, he knew what she wanted to buy, trade, and when to offer deals for others who couldn't afford her hotel prices. Hyeon was curious as to how they communicated, but he simply responded with, "She told me."

Next, Haruma rolled. The dice swirled into snake eyes.

*Pacific Avenue. Nammi owns four houses on that estate. He's finished.*

Haruma gave his remaining money to the cat. Without a word, the fox deity got up from where they were playing on the floor. He exited Hyeon's apartment.

There was noise from the hallway, followed by what sounded like a few wall punches. Smoke seeped around the frame of the entrance door.

"Why is he going berserk?!" someone distantly yelled.

A calm Haruma returned with nine tails. After sitting back down, his white tails splayed out from behind. Despite acting cool, Haruma's glowing purple eyes said otherwise.

*He transformed?!*

After Nammi collected $200 after passing the Go square, it was Shika's turn. As long as the dice didn't fall below six, he'd pass the hotel-infested danger zone. Tossing the dice, their hearts stopped. They landed on four and two. This resulted in Shika putting his piece on Boardwalk, the most expensive card on the board.

*He owes Nammi $2000. It's over.*

Everyone remained quiet at the result.

Suddenly, Shika flipped the board over through the air. Fake money scattered everywhere.

"If this is how humans run their society, I don't want any part of it!" he shrieked.

"I've said before that this is a game! A GAME!" Hyeon barked.

Shika wasn't listening. "Why do humans let others take their streets without a fight?!"

"That's not how it works! That's not how any of this works!"

His deer friend was on the brink of a meltdown. "TAXATION IS STEALING!"

Nammi purred on top of the crinkling paper cash. They argued for a while longer until parting ways for the night.

_______________

Hyeon only got a few hours of restless sleep. The sleep paralysis plagued him again.

*I should buy sleep-aids.*

He groggily put on his last pair of clothes. After thoroughly washing them last night, the bodily stench was gone. The weather was perfect to wear the Viking coat given to him by Fenrir. Its furred collar and longer length should protect him from the freezing temperatures. While buttoning it, he admired the coat's hand-stitched swirls once again.

Leaving his apartment with an empty suitcase and Nammi on his shoulder, Hyeon exited the castle. The chilly air immediately filled his lungs.

His two escorts were waiting for him on the steps. He paused for a brief second upon seeing their clothes. In the midst of sorely losing to Monopoly by a cat, Hyeon tried his best to explain human fashion. Butler suits were too formal and pajamas were too informal; dress in something comfortable and acceptable with confidence.

Under their luxury designer top coats, both wore interesting ensembles. Haruma sported 80's dad jeans, white tennis shoes meant for mowing grass, and a black sweater with green vertical stripes. Shika chose ankle-length blue jeans with large holes at the knees, well-used Adidas Superstar shoes, and a 90's Boyz II Men concert shirt.

"How do we look?" Shika asked.

"You look...great!" If they were at a retro party, they'd win first prize. "Don't forget to hide your antlers and ears, though."

"Of course. Do you have your money?"

Hyeon completely forgot. Unzipping the suitcase, he reached into the side pocket. His cheap leather wallet was right where he left it months ago. While sifting through the Canadian and New Zealand bills, the two spirits eyed his stash and credit cards with curiosity. "That's where humans keep their currency, correct?"

"Mhmm," Hyeon hummed while counting the dollars. There was a white business card from the Oban Visitor's Center shuffled randomly in between the cash. He pulled it out and read the handwriting.

'Zoe – Bar @ North Ocean Hotel every Saturday 9 PM'

*Zoe?*

Hyeon vaguely remembered this nosy girl giving him her card. She seemed very intrusive about his family life. "Today is Saturday in the human world, right?"

"Yep," Shika said with anticipation. He was ready to go.

"I think I know the exact hotel we should stay at."

Their faces turned a little green at the mention of 'hotel.'

As they started the trek towards the misty wall protecting the castle grounds, Hyeon felt a chill run up his spine. Glancing behind him, he saw some servants staring at him through a second-floor window. Imoogi was the only one he recognized. If looks could kill, the dragon spirit's resentful face would've crushed him.

At the same time, a powerful storm was brewing in the distance. Surrounded by snow piles, it was odd to hear thunder. The seasons didn't match.

Fenrir was mad.

*Why do I have a feeling there'll be trouble when I come back?*