Chapter Text
“Ok, so we're gonna skip the niceties, and jump right into the action,” Barry says, rubbing his hands together in excitement. “The six of you comprise a group paid by a mysterious benefactor to return a stolen item. You've never met this benefactor, you know nothing except that they send their dog to deliver messages.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Carrie laughs. “So literally we've all been approached by a literal dog with a scroll in its mouth and literally just agreed to do what the scroll said for some money?”
“Times are tough,” Barry says, with a satisfied chuckle. “Anyway, we begin in the middle. Everyone roll luck and add your modifier.” There's a clatter of dice, and a chorus of numbers called out. “Ok, Lup and Killian you guys are fine, but the rest of you take three points poison damage.” There's four pens scribbling as Barry continues. “The six of you were following the dog down a narrow path in the emerald forests of Jadenia. You're about two days out from civilisation, and the guys who took poison damage ran into some poisonous plants that won't have any long lasting effects but whoo boy, you're gonna be itchy for a while.”
“Now hold on,” Carey says, tapping her finger on her character sheet. “My dwarven ranger should have poison resistance and as a ranger she should have recognized your dumbass fantasy poison ivy.”
As Barry and Carey argue specifics, Taako leans in close to Magnus. “I didn't get a chance to properly introduce myself. Taako’s the name, and I can’t believe Barry the nerd king got my sister into this nerd game.”
“That rhymed!” Magnus laughs. “I’m Magnus. Lup invited me. She's pretty cool.”
“Of course she is, she's my twin she has to be.” Magnus laughs at this, then quiets as their attention is called to the game again.
*
“Taako how the hell did your minotaur rogue manage to sneak past three wide awake guards?”
“I put most of my stats in stealth, duh. Don’t need strength if no one can see you, homie.”
*
“By my blade, I swear to avenge you!”
“Damn, Magnus you’re a bard. How-”
“I SWEAR IT!”
*
“And the dog rolls...a...oh my god…” Barry cracks up in disbelief.
“I swear Barry if you kill this fuckin’ dog-” Lup begins, grabbing ahold of his sleeve.
Barry interrupts her by standing from the table, his hands clasped over his head, and shouting, “NAT 20!”
Everyone erupts into shocked cheers. The dog just beat the final boss, a chthulu-like beast of hell. “Ok ok, but how?” merle asks, incredulous.
“Yeah paint us a word picture,” Taako says.
“Ok, all right, y’all want some narration, ok.” Barry sits back down, shuffling some papers. “Ok, so this dog. This little beagle-looking mutt bounds out from behind you six. Merle from where your fighter is collapsed on the ground you can just barely see the demon turn at the movement. It laughs. But the dog doesn't slow. He keeps running, and gets to the cauldron that contains the sacrifices summoning this beast. He sniffs at the stalagmites and,” Barry pauses grinning maniacally. “He lifts his leg.
“Does it whiz the fire out?” Carey screeches.
“He whizzes the fire out. The spell is broken. The demon senses its powers draining and howls. It tries to lash out, cast one last spell but it’s too late. It dissipates, like so much smoke, and the six of you, the dog-hell the whole country is safe again."
They all crow victoriously. Carey and Killian share a huge hug, Lup pounds the table and Merle jumps up to do a happy jig. Taako slings an arm around Magnus's shoulder, squeezing the corded muscle there. Magnus can feel beneath the jubilation ringing through him a hum of arousal. Taako is bright and funny and moves with a fluid grace that Magnus finds hard not to watch.
It's not even midnight, he realizes as they all sit back and some check their phones. Taako snaps a few selfies with Lup and Carey, Merle shuffles off to the bathroom. Barry collects his papers with a satisfied smile and takes them to the bedroom. Killian thumps down into Merle's vacated seat and eyes Magnus up.
“Can I help you?” he asks, a bit uncertain.
Killian smirks. “You should come over to mine and Carey’s place. Barry and Lup have godawful early jobs so we usually hang at ours after DnD. You and Merle are cool, you should come hang for a bit. Taako too.”
“Mine ears are burning,” Taako sings, leaning back against Magnus’s side.
“Come hang with me and Carey. Magnus and Merle can come too. Our other roomie Noelle should be home too.” He hums indecisively. “We got some wine and whiskey if either of those interest you.”
“Mmmm, oh you know they do madame beefcake. I'm in,” Taako says, draping himself over magnus. “Only if the big guy's coming.”
Originally, Magnus intended to decline, but Taako’s body is warm where he presses into his arm. Killian grins at him in a way that promises fun and comradery, the likes of which he hasn't experienced lately. “I mean, unless Merle has-”
“Hey Merle, party at my place?” Killian calls out. There's a muffled assent from the bathroom. “Yeah, he seemed the type.”
Barry offers to keep any character sheets that anyone thinks they’ll lose before the next session. Lup gives Taako a hurried whisper in his ear. He lets out a howl of laughter before shoving her away. Magnus sees all this as Merle brings him his crutches.
Killian lives right across the road, so Magnus only has to hobble for a few minutes. The others match his speed, laughing and ribbing each other. The light is on and the door is open. Inside there are plush couches and armchairs filling the living room, large enough for an orc’s frame. Magnus collapses in a burgundy armchair, tugging his shoes off respectfully. The others charge straight for the kitchen, but Carey comes back out quickly, two glasses in hand.
She perches on the back of Magnus’s chair. “Didn't know which poison you liked so I grabbed one of both.” She holds the glasses out.
Magnus wavers towards the wine, but true nature wins out. He takes the whiskey amd Carey doesn't react, except to clink their glasses and sip the wine.