Chapter Text
“I, the Queen of Darkness, traversing the dangerous paths… eh...will find something really neat in this garage sale!”
Udagawa Ako, the talented drummer of Roselia, was picking through the odds and ends of what basically amounts to another person’s attempt to make a quick buck off of garbage. Well used pots and pans, stale clothes, and a few odd books are all that amounted to this scam. All junk. But Ako felt it. There was something calling to her, but it hadn’t appeared just yet.
“Hmm. Nothing really catches the eye, or reaches out to grab me, or shouts ‘Da DAN!’ But no matter. Ako will prevail!” Ako declared loudly, causing more than a few heads to turn.
“Umm, that’s nice, miss. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?” A quaint, middle-aged man squeaked. Clearly he was the one running this operation.
“Oh, ah, yes, do you have anything that would befit darkness itself? Maybe a crystal ball, or a book of spells! Or drumsticks?” Ako rattled on some other various and sundry things about evil and doom, but the poor man didn’t catch much of it.
“Well ah, no, I can’t say I have anything like that… well, there are these over here.” He reached down and pulled out a box containing many books. “Some are only in English, though, but I think it has something to do with whatever you’re on about.”
Slowly, the man pulled out the first book, and Ako lost her breath. Pictured on the book was a wrinkled man clad in green robes, opening--or perhaps closing--two ornate brass doors. Behind him were many foul creatures, and a heap of gold treasure.
Ako’s eyes widened, tongue held in disbelief. What it was, she did not have the faintest clue, as the cover was totally english, and in a weird font at that. The man, noting her positive reaction, pulled another book out. This cover depicted a man with an incredibly long beard and white robes, seeming to shoot fireworks from his hands as monstrous flying creatures clawed at him. Other such books were also pulled from the box. It was almost too much for Ako to handle.
...
“You did WHAT?” Tomoe shouted as Ako tried to explain why she didn’t have any groceries but instead returned home with a dusty old box of books. “This is worse than the time you used my card to buy 100 dollars worth of stuff in NFO!”
“I’LL PAY YOU BACK!” Ako shouted, bowing multiple times.
“And what about dinner for tonight? Will you pay for that too?” Tomoe said, but much softer this time. “It’s alright Ako. Let’s see what you got!”
“Aw, sis! You’re the best!” Ako hugged her, but then realized something. “Ehe, well, you see...”
Tomoe picked up one of the books. “These aren’t even in Japanese! Can you even read them? This is what you got instead of food?”
“But look at that cool old man doing magic! Doesn’t he just look so cool?” Ako tried to plead before Judge Tomoe, and had it not been for her adorable smile and sad looking eyes, Ako wouldn’t have been aquitted.
“Okay, okay, it does have a neat aesthetic.” Tomoe nodded approvingly. “But we need to at least figure out what these are and get them to someone who could actually use them. I’ll start by asking afterglow to see if they’ve seen anything like it.”
“Alright, I’ll ask Roselia!” Ako beamed.
The Roselia Groupchat:
Ako: Fellows of Darkness, I have acquired these ancient texts through various and sundry means over the course of millennia. Is there anyone out there who could assist me with the translation of such things? *pictures of books*
Sayo: What are you talking about. Shirokane-san, translate.
Yukina: What does this have to do with Roselia.
Rinko: She bought some old books at a yard sale today, but isn’t sure what they are because they’re in a different language!
Lisa: Oh, so Ako needs our help!
Yukina: So you’re using the Roselia group chat for your own problems. This is not what the chat was designed for.
Lisa: Yukina, you shared cat photos with us last week.
Sayo: They were rather cute though. I think it improved morale and increased stamina for a short period of time.
Lisa: Yes, so Ako should be allowed to ask for help if she needs it! Kay?
Yukina: I suppose. *cat picture*
Ako: But what about the books? Do you know what they are?
Yukina: No clue.
Lisa: I’m also drawing a blank!
Rinko: It doesn’t look like the right size and shape to be some sort of fantasy novel. It’s shape seems more like a children’s book.
Sayo: It is not a children’s book. That man is terrifying. We may need more information than just the cover.
“Hmphh!!” Ako pouted loudly. “Roselia isn’t being very helpful so far. What about your band, sis?”
“Well,” Tomoe began, stifling laughter. “Himari said it was gross, Ran questioned your sanity for purchasing them, and Tsugumi said that they frightened her. But Moca...Moca says she thinks it’s a game. An RPG, like Neo Fantasy Online! Played with paper and pencil, though. She says it’s called… Dungeons and Dragons?”
Ako’s eyes widened, blinding tomoe with light reflected from a nearby lamp. “Sis… Let’s play!!!”
“No.” Tomoe said without a moments’ hesitation. “We still don’t know much about it, and clearly this is all in english, with just some japanese notes here and there.”
“But maybe someone knows how to play already!” Ako’s beaming smile caused a heavy sigh to seep out of Tomoe.
“I’ll ask around again to see if anyone knows about this game.” Tomoe’s face hinted at a smile. “But I doubt anyone will.”
“Thanks, sis! I’ll go order some pizza for dinner now!” Ako declared, running off to her room to get some money.
“SOIYAAAA!” Tomoe shouted with glee.
~Some time later, the pizza arrives~
Tomoe watched in joyful glee as Ako opened up the pizza boxes. The succulent, savory smell of pork, bacon, sausage, and pineapple wafted into the air.
“Did you find anyone who knew about Dungeons and Dragons while I was away?” Ako said, looking hopeful. “No one in Roselia knew, but they said they’d ask around...”
“Mofa chaf saf fseh knofs *gulp* someone.” Tomoe downed an entire bottle of water. “She said to try asking Okusawa Misaki. Said she’s probably into that kind of thing.”
“THANKS SIS!” Ako rushed to her room to begin trying to contact Misaki. She’d never interacted with Misaki that much, but it didn’t take her long to get her number. She first contacted Kasumi, because everyone knows Kasumi. But Kasumi didn’t have Misaki’s number, so instead Kasumi provided Kitazawa Hagumi’s number.
Ako and Hagumi texts:
Ako: Hello Hagumi! This is Ako! I’m trying to get in touch with Misaki!
Hagumi: AKO! Come to Kitazawa Meats! NOW! I’m holding Misaki down, just in case she tries to escape!
Ako: ???
...
“Hey sis, I’m going out for a bit, I’ll be right back!” Ako shouted to Tomoe as she dashed out the door. Misaki, the knower of all things, would help Ako to play this game and justify her impulsive purchase!
~A few moments later, at Kitazawa Meats~
“Hello Hagumi! I’m here!” Ako said, opening the door.
“Thank god.” Misaki said, groaning. She was on the floor, Hagumi sitting on top of her. “Can you get off of me now?”
“I captured her for you, as requested!” Hagumi beamed, standing to attention and giving her a hearty salute. “She did not escape, though she tried...”
“I literally said I wouldn’t leave, Hagumi…” Misaki rolled her eyes.
“REALLY? So it’s a sleepover, then?” Hagumi dashed off, yelling something about sleeping bags and toothpaste.
“Now, what was it you wanted to ask me, Udagawa-san?” Misaki stretched, and then dusted herself off.
“Moca chan says you know how to play Dungeons and Dragons!” Ako grinned, holding up one of the books. “I must play this!”
“Ahhh… well… I have no idea what that is?” Misaki stammered. “But for some reason, I do think I know someone who has played it… potentially.”
Ako was filled with different emotions from this news. First sadness, then gladness, then confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Well you see, I was having tea with Kanon, when Shirasagi san appeared. I don’t typically associate with her all that much. She was complain--...ahem… contemplating why Maya was so interested in a role-playing game. I think it was called D&D.”
“Oh...” Ako said, a bit disappointed. “Well, that gives me another lead!” Ako smiled. “If I find out how to play, I’ll invite you!”
“Ahaha… well, thanks I guess.” Misaki smiled. Ako dashed out the door back towards home. It was time to call Maya. She figured out the number through the Kasumi Network.
“Hello, this is Yamato Maya speaking.”
“Hello Maya-san! This is Udagawa Ako! I have a few questions.”
“What’s up, Ako?”
“You see...” Ako continued telling the whole story on the way home. “And so that’s why I’m calling you!”
Maya was silent. She did not answer Ako for a few moments.
“Maya, are you alright?”
“It’s alright Maya. You can do this. Don’t freak out too much.” Maya said to herself, trying to contain her excitement. “Yes, Ako, I can certainly be of assistance to you. Gather a small group together, no more than five individuals, and meet me tomorrow at my place. I’ll text you more information. I must prepare...”
“REALLY!?” Ako shouted. “SEE YOU TOMORROW!”
Ako hardly slept that night. What was this Dungeons and Dragons game? Would it be fun? With a cover like that, it certainly should be. All of the invitations had been sent, and received. The five individuals that had accepted her invitation were meeting early on the morrow to begin their journey.
~The Next Day~
Ako arrived slightly early to the Yamato residence, so she waited just outside. She had already been to the store earlier to pick up dice for everyone, per Maya’s specification. There were so many colors to choose from! So many styles, sizes, and varieties. ‘Just the basic seven will do’, so that’s what she purchased.
“Hello... Ako...” The shy and ever mysterious Shirokane Rinko walked up to Ako and greeted her. “Is this… the place?”
“Rinrin!” Ako jumped, landed, and wrapped her arms around Rinko. “I’m so glad you could make it! Yeah, this is the place!”
“You said… it would be like NFO...” Rinko said, smiling. “So I wanted to try it out, too.”
“Shirokane san, I do hope that that’s the case.” Hikawa Sayo strolled towards the group. “I was promised an NFO experience, as well as an opportunity for bonding with members of Roselia.”
“Don’t worry, Sayo san!” Ako grinned. “We’ll work together and have lots of fun! I think.” Come to think of it, Ako still wasn’t sure what Dungeons and Dragons was, only that it was ‘Like NFO’. But how different would it be?
“See Misaki! I told you we were gonna be late!” Hagumi shouted, pulling along a rather indifferent Misaki. “Everyone is already here!”
“But it’s still five minutes until we were all actually supposed to show up.” Misaki argued half-heartedly. “She might still be preparing.”
Suddenly, a note slipped from under the door of the Yamato residence. It read:
‘Enter only if you are prepared, otherwise you may meet your demise! Seek adventure with an open mind, and don’t forget to be kind (I’m somewhat new to this myself huehehe)’
“Did Maya just threaten me?” Sayo frowned.
“My mind is open and ready for action!” Hagumi nodded, pushing open the door. However, Hagumi stopped suddenly after she entered. “Wait, why is it so dark? And the light switches aren’t working??” The entire house was dark, and there were no working light fixtures anywhere.
“Is this part of the game? This is silly.” Sayo nodded her head in disapproval.
“Open. Mind!” Misaki elbowed Sayo, and nodded toward Ako and Hagumi. “Think of the children.”
“Look… the arrow points down this hall… and that door… has another note.” Rinko pointed out, pushing the plot along.
“Oh look!” Hagumi looked inquisitively at the note. “Oh yeah, I can’t read.”
“Yes you can.” Misaki said, looking at Hagumi rather sternly. “We’ve been over this many times, Hagumi.”
“But I actually can’t read whatever that says!” Hagumi pointed using the light from her phone to illuminate the writing.
“Oh, you’re right! What’s going on??” Misaki snatched the paper taped to the wall, inspecting it further.
“I’m just gonna go on in!” Ako said, swinging the door wide open. A large table was arrayed with many sheets of paper strewn here and there. Candles were the only source of light, as all of the shades had been drawn closed, curtains unfurled, and again the light switches were not working. Drinks were also set on the table.
“Huehehe” Yamato Maya, dressed in robes with a hood, peered overtop of a folded piece of cardboard. “Please have a seat! I’ll show you how to play Dungeons and Dragons with this neat little adventure!”