Emily returned with our second round of margaritas. The first one hadn't made me drunk, of course. But it gave me a sweet buzz. One that made me question why the hell I'd avoided Neil in the first place.

"Hey, guess whaa-aat?" said Emily in an excited sing-song. "Neil and his buddies invited us to play with them. I think it would be great fun. What do you say?"

My heart leaped into my throat. "Oh, gosh! I don't know. I've never role-played before."

"Who cares? We'll teach you."

"We don't have dice or a character or anything."

"They've got everything we need." Emily beamed, so excited I couldn't say no. "I've played with them for years, and they're super fun."

"Are you sure we're not crashing their party?"

"Absolutely positive." She tugged at my hand. "Come on, just give it a try."

"Alrighty then." I rose with a nervous chuckle. "Let's do this thing."

She draped her arm around my shoulders. "That's the spirit."

After sauntering over to the gaming table Emily proclaimed, "We're here, boys. Move over and get ready for some kick-ass fighting."

Neil and Teddy Bear scooted further down the bench to make room for us. The guys introduced themselves, but I quickly forgot their names due to being a bit tipsy.

Emily sat beside Teddy Bear, the dungeon master in charge of narrating the game, while I sat beside Neil.

"I'm glad you decided to join us," whispered Neil. "Sorry I was awkward earlier."

His deep murmur prompted a flurry of tingles along my skin. "Don't worry. So was I. Bonus points for being clumsy too."

"You're here now."

Neil gave me the same look as when we were in the restaurant observing the golden hour. When I caught his gaze, it dipped slightly before resting once again on my face.

For a moment I forgot to breathe.

"Earth to Vee!" Emily waved some character sheets. "Dwarven fighter or Halfling rogue?"

"Dwarven fighter," I said with enthusiasm. "Are you okay with that, Em?"

"Heck yeah, you are a dwarf."

The guys laughed good-naturedly before I turned to Neil and admitted, "Yeah, I am."

"And I am basically an elf," he said with a broad smile that touched his eyes.

"Does that mean we have to hate each other in-game?"

"Play what feels natural to you."

What feels natural...oh, that's dangerous.

The DM cleared his throat. "After a bit of convincing at the local tavern, dwarf fighter Kathra and halfling rogue Bree decide to join the party."

Everyone cheered and clinked their glasses together. 

In-game we made our way from the halfling village to an abandoned caldera, where we battled our way toward a massive cave. It led to the underground palace of the Lich King of Hellendar.

In there we got our asses handed to us by a flood of skeleton minions, wraith lords, and gelatinous cubes.

As the dwarven fighter, I was the tank who soaked up all the damage and slashed her way through enemies while Neil's elven character pinged arrows from a distance. Emily and the other rogue used their stealthy sneak attacks to take out many of the King's guards who had swarmed us while the wizard cast fireballs and other magic spells from afar.

Once we'd defeated the minions, silence fell.

"You hear the Lich King before you can see him," said the dungeon master. "The ground begins to shake with each footfall. Finally, he approaches you...a massive undead skeleton cloaked in shadow and obsidian armor. Around his neck there's a glowing violet crystal."

My eyes widened, and I exchanged a worried look with Neil.

"Kathra, you must be cautious." Neil pointed at my character sheet and surreptitiously highlighted my eight hit points. "Until we destroy that crystal, we can't kill him."

So, like Voldemort from Harry Potter. Got it.

"Dwarves are never afraid to stand in battle," I replied, gazing into his eyes. "We are loyal, determined, and true. My sword and shield will not fail you."

"Nor shall I leave your side."

My heart fluttered. "Since when do elves and dwarves fight together?"

"Since you have proven your bravery by fighting alongside my friends," he replied.

The DM spoke in a deep voice. "The Lich King approaches Kathra and says, 'You belong to me, little one. I shall drain you dry until nothing remains but an empty husk.'"

Nothing I haven't seen before. 

It didn't take much imagination to role-play that scenario. "'I've known darkness like you, Lich! And I shall stand your evil no more. We will cast you from this land.'"

"'You can try.'"

"'By the gods, tell him, Kathra!'" said Emily with a fist pump.

"'We'll smash your bones,'" I said, "'so the wolves can pick their fangs!'"

"Damn, she's good," murmured the rogue who sat beside Neil. "You should have invited her a long time ago."

Neil gazed down at me with an intensity akin to pride that made my stomach flip.

"'You dare challenge me, puny dwarf?'" demanded the DM in the Lich King's deep voice. "'Your blood shall stain my walls from the slashes of a thousand knives.'"

Neil straightened next to me, his muscles taut. "'You shall not lay one hand upon her.'" He paused. "'And you will leave the village alone.'"

"'Or what, elf?'" sneered the Lich King.

"'Or you will suffer by my holy blade and sacred arrows.'"

A bloody battle ensued, lasting about a half an hour in real time. Emily ripped the unholy crystal from his throat and pierced it with her sacred dagger. It screeched as the Lich's soul escaped. 

Then we vanquished the necromancer at last.

"Describe what happens," the DM prompted me in a friendly whisper.

"After Bree smashes his crystal, Kathra raises her blade." I mimicked the action. "Before the dwarf swings, she says, 'You shall haunt the village no more, Lich!' And she severs the skull from his bony neck with one deft stroke of her battle ax."

The guys cheered and guzzled more beer. Neil slipped out of character and wrapped his arm around my shoulders and drew me close in a friendly hug that felt so warm and safe.

"Are you sure you've never done this before?" he asked.

I nodded.

Neil gave me another short squeeze before letting me go. "You're a natural."

My heart swelled.

The DM returned to his regular voice. "After Katra deals the fatal blow, the dark energy from his corpse pierces her. She falls unconscious to the ground, bleeding badly. What do you do?"

Teddy Bear looked at the other players, all of whom turned to Neil. Emily gave him an almost imperceptible nod.

"I run over to Kathra with a potion of healing," said Neil. "I lift her head, support her back with my arm, and bring the flask to her pale lips."

"You only have one potion left," the DM reminded him. "You may not get another."

"I use it to stop the bleeding," said Neil in a firm tone that brooked no argument. 

Teddy Bear nodded. "Katra begins to stir. Her eyelids flutter open, and you say..."

He prompted Neil.

"'We did it, Kathra. We defeated him together.'"

The DM gave me a broad smile. "Though she takes a day to fully heal, Kathra returns to the party refreshed and ready for another adventure with her friend Bree."

When Teddy Bear folded up his DM divider, we all clapped. "Awesome job, as always."

"What did you think?" Neil asked me, his eyes twinkling.

"It was a lot of fun," I said, blushing. "I'd like to try it again if you don't mind?"

"How about next week?" he suggested.

"I'd love that."

"What do you think, guys? Up for another round next Friday?" Neil asked the others.

They all enthusiastically agreed, including Emily.

___

Word count: 1,259
Total word count: 9,908

Congratulations to everyone who won the first round of the ONC competition! You're all super amazing! ♥