Same Game

Blaze left the chip representing Diana Reynolds' soul in the middle of the table as she shuffled. Lois picked up one of her own chips, wondering what new transformation the devil had in mind for her. All the tattoos, all the piercings, the expanded bust—even the collar—could be hidden or explained away. Yet the reporter felt that this was all a prelude to something...much stranger, much worse.

Nor was she wrong.

The image on this chip was of a uterus and ovaries. Yet it was the words that curled around the edges of the chip that caught her attention. Lois read the legend out loud.

"Never less than twins." She looked at Blaze and raised an eyebrow.

"Some women are like that, you know. Something deep down in the genes, in their body chemistry. Multiple eggs released, that kind of thing. Of course, it's only an issue if they get pregnant."

The demon smiled. The reporter took a breathe...and slid the chip into the center of the table.

Blaze dealt.

Lois: Q♥ 4♠ 10♦ 6♦ 4♣

Pair of fours, queen high. Lois felt a chip under her palm, raised it to see what fresh **** Blaze had planned for her. Same image of a uterus. A single word: Fertility.

"Increases the odds of conception by—oh, about 15%. Longer ovulation period, more receptive environment for sperm, healthier eggs... You're still quite safe on your period." The demon said. Lois tossed it in the pot; Blaze matched it with Maria de la Cruz's soul-chip.

Lois asked for two cards, discarded the diamonds from her hand. The scarlet succubus took three cards—which meant at best a pair, probably more likely two high cards and a prayer. The reporter didn't like that...why didn't she check, if her hand was that weak.

Hell, why didn't I check? The reporter wondered, as she picked up her new cards and looked at her hand.

Lois: Q♥ J♥ 9♣ 4♠ 4♣

Still a weak hand. Two souls versus a pair of augmentations to Lois Lane's womb, all on a pair of fours. The reporter knew she should check...yes, better to play it safe. If Blaze didn't have at least a pair, she'd check too. If she did, that would be a sign for Lois to get out.

"Check," the reporter said.

"Bet," Blaze answered swiftly, and pushed a third soul chip into the pot—Jenny Dunlap.

Automatically, Lois felt her answering chip under her hand. She glanced at it. Another womb symbol. Different word.

Fertility+

"Let me guess," Lois said. "Cumulative?"

The demon gave the faintest of nods. "Taken together, it means that If you're ovulating and have unprotected sex, the odds of conception are about one in three."

"And if I do get pregnant, it'll be twins."

"At least."

Three souls on a pair of fours...Lois could fold and "only" have to deal with the slight boost to her fertility. Or she could play, and if she lost she'd have to be exceedingly careful in all sexual encounters from now on.

"Alright," Lois said. She pushed the chip forward. "I see you."

There was a grim seriousness to how they set their cards down. Lois looked over to see what her opponent was holding.