Vega Bright was the gambling capital of New Avalon. Everywhere you looked magic and luck thrived. From the wizards selling charms from carts, to the flying carpets zipping by over head, to the glittering lights, to the unicorns preaching on every other corner. It was a wild place.

One of Vega Bright’s oldest casinos was the Merlin. An institution, a legacy of luck, glamour, luxury, and excellence. Everyone knew the Merlin Casino and Resort and everyone coming to Vega Bright wanted to at least see it. It was always busy, which made someone’s job tricky.

Fortuna Shimmer had worked in casino security for 7 years. A magica--a woman that produced magic--she had been hired as the casino’s magical girl; a must in the emotionally charged environment of a casino. She loved the city, her life, and the work. Though, it did have its challenges.

One example started with shouting. It usually did, but this was unique: Elvish. Elves weren’t usually fond of gambling and tended to have even tempers. This one seemed an exception to both.

“Can’t you deal properly?” He snarled at the dwarven dealer.

“I am following house rules, sir,” she replied sharply. “Please stop shouting.”

“Is everything alright here?” Fortuna asked, drawn by the outburst.

“Your dealer keeps giving me bad cards,” the elf snapped, barely glancing at Fortuna.

“Sounds like a string of bad luck,” she said gently. “I’m sure it’ll turn around soon. Until then, let's remember to keep our temper. We wouldn’t want an incident.” She tapped her choker.

The elf was paying attention now. He looked from the sparkling red crystal at her throat to the heart-shaped magical mark on her cheek. He seemed to remember himself and took a breath.

“No,” he said, calmly. “Of course not.”

Fortuna smiled warmly and moved away. She stopped by the slot machines and beckoned a red-head by roulette. Penny Hillmen had been Fortuna’s apprentice for over a year. A magica too, she was eager to learn everything Fortuna could teach her about their business.

“Keep an eye on the elf at table 17,” Fortuna instructed.

“You think he could turn?” Penny asked.

“I think short tempers and casino’s don’t mix,” Fortuna Replied.

Penny nodded. “I’ve never seen an elf turn. What am I looking for?”

“You’ll know,” Fortuna replied, spotting a waiter trying to wave her over. “Elves aren’t subtle when they turn.”

“Ok.” Penny headed over to the Blackjack tables.

Fortuna watched her for a few seconds, making sure she didn’t hover; not conducive to gambling. Penny kept a respectful distance, but didn’t turn her back on the elf for more than a second. She was learning well.

Fortuna turned her attention to the waiter. He was new and having his first encounter with one of the other troubles of the Merlin: Knights. They weren’t a problem, just lost. On the other side of the city was Camelot University of Chivalry for Knights. On Merlin St. As opposed to the Merlin Casino, on Camelot St. New students were always mixing up the directions and ending up in the casino by mistake. It was an easy fix, just confusing the first time.

Fortuna explained and helped the knights get the right directions. She was just returning the sheepish leader’s phone when she heard something bad. Elvish expletives; unmistakable. And then a beastly roar.

“Mrs. Shimmer!” Penny called over shouts of terror.

“Excuse me,” Fortuna said, leaving the startled knights and waiter.

She took off. Dodging the crowd she arrived at Penny’s side. Three blackjack tables were flipped and splintered. Dealers and patrons were hiding behind them.

The elf was mid-transformation. His anger had turned his magic against him. He was becoming a Blight Beast.

Silver skin turned red. Hands became hooves. Horns grew from his temples. A tail. Ears drooped. His chest ballooned. Instead of an elf, a raging bull charged the tables.

“Let’s go, Penny,” Fortuna said, touching her crystal choker.

“Right,” Penny replied, pressing her own green crystal.

Together they shouted: “Press Your Luck!”

In a flash they transformed. Fortuna was now the Merlin’s magical, bunny-girl protector: Lady Luck! And Penny, her sidekick: Lucky Charm!

“Contain him!” Lady ordered, rushing to the trapped people.

“New Hand!” Charm shouted. A wall of cards appeared. 5 cards. Pair of 3s.

The cards trapped the bull. He charged them. Lady got the civilians out. They fled. The bull cracked a cards. He charged. The card shattered. He charged Lady. She tumbled away.

“New Hand!” Lady shouted. A wall of cards appeared: full house. “Charm,” she called.

“Bad hand,” Charm apologized.

“Get him clear!” Lady ordered.

“Right,” Charm said, thinking fast. “New Roller!” She called, a pair of dice appearing in hand.

She shook and threw them at the bull. 6 and 4. They exploded. The bull flew back. Lady folded her cards.

“Hit! Hit!” Lady shouted. Two cards flew at the bull. They struck the wall, making a cage. “Double Down!”

A third card trapped him. He roared and kicked. The card cracked. A 2. Charm shouted something rude.

Lady tried to fix it: “Duces are wi-!”

Bam! The card shattered. The bull charged. Lady tackled Charm out of the way. They ducked behind a table.

“Well,” Lady sighed. “That was bad luck.”

“I thought we weren’t supposed to have that when we transformed,” Charm questioned as the bull crashed around.

“No, just not as often as others,” Lady corrected. “Now, let’s turn it around. Give me a distraction.”

“Yes, Ma’am!” Charm touched her crystal. “4-way split!”

Charm split into 4. They jumped. They ran and shouted. He charged. They dodged. Repeat.

Lady skirted the scuffle. She pulled a coin out. She flipped it. A slot machine appeared. She pulled the arm. The tumbler’s spun. Around and around. They stopped: Free spin!

“That’s not helpful right now,” Lady huffed.

The bull noticed her. It roared.

“No. NO. NO!” One of the Charms shouted.

“Look at us!” Another shouted, jumping. “Look at us!”

“Lady! Look out!” Yelled a third.

Lady pulled the lever. The bull charged. The tumblers spun. They stopped: Jackpot!

Coins exploded from the machine. They struck the bull. He was knocked off his feet; thrown back. He landed with a pile of coins.

“Charm!” Lady called.

“Right!” Charm replied, pulling her selves together. “Hit!” A big card appeared over the bull: A Queen!

“Bust!” Lady slammed the card down.

The bull was squished, the elf left in his place. He groaned and tried to get up. Charm offered her hand to help him off the card. It shrunk and flew into lady’s hand.

“I’m so sorry,” the elf groaned, holding his head in pain. He looked around the broken tables and winced. “I made a big mess.”

Charm nodded.

“We’ve had worse,” Lady assured him, beckoning a handsome, blue skinned hobgoblin. “But we do expect you to cover the damages.”

“Of course,” The elf sighed. “I know the drill.”

Charm pulled a face, but Lady let it slide.

“Mr. Shimmer here will help make arrangements,” she said, gesturing to the hobgoblin with a loving smile; her husband returned it.

Mr. Shimmer lead the elf away.

“He knows the drill?” Charmed asked, distressed.

“Repeat offender,” Lady said, looking at the card. “Vega Bright is rampant with them. I’ll check with the Blight Beast Board, make sure he isn’t on his tenth offense.”

“What happens at ten?” Charm asked.

“Exile from Vega Bright.”

“Ouch!”

“Personally,” Lady said. “I’d make 5 the limit, but the board doesn’t ask me.”

“Maybe someday they will.”

Lady smiled. “Maybe. Now, let’s get back to work.”

They touched their crystals: “Cash out.”

They were Fortuna and Penny once again. Fortuna handed her the card. It was the bull, horns lowered and reflected like a face card. Metallic gold and silver coins formed the border and red and green chips sat in the corners marking the value with a “B”.

“Pretty,” Penny said. “Is it just me or are they getting more elaborate?”

“You’re getting stronger,” Fortuna said. “Soon you’ll be ready to take over as Lady Luck.”

“That’s still a ways off,” Penny said, but she look pleased. “I’ll take this back to the office.” She held up the card.

“Hurry back,” Fortuna called. “We’ve still got a 4-hour shift to get through.”

“God,” Penny laughed. “Can’t these blight beasts at least wait until after lunch?”

“Not in my experience,” Fortuna chuckled.