Chapter Text
“From the dark, yawning mouth of the cave you hear a deep growl. Warm air rushes past you as a dim light appears briefly, illuminating something red. You can’t quite make it out at first, but suddenly the light comes back, this time much brighter. A dragon! Fire is billowing out of its nostrils and looks directly at you. Two more lights appear and you realize the dragon has three heads! Roll for initiative.” She inspected her rainbow dice, gently tossing the d20 once she found it. “Fourteen! Good luck Amity.” She watched as her lone player gingerly grabbed her black-and-purple die, both intently watching as it rolled across the plastic table. “Ooh, a three.” Amity looked crestfallen almost, but before she could get a word out, the brown-haired girl spoke up first, “Luz, this isn’t the dragon that spits kittens, is it?”
“Nine foot kittens with red eyes, thank you.”
“That isn’t how it works.”
“Says who?”
“The rules!”
“Well, since you and the rules are the dragon experts, what should a dragon breathe?”
Amity’s face flushed a deep red as she clenched her fists. “Fire! Acid! Depends on the dragon!” Her green eyes shot daggers at Luz. “That wouldn’t be very safe for the kittens. That’s why their fire is rerouted to their noses. No small cats harmed in the making!” Luz perhaps sounded a bit too enthusiastic about her dragon because she found herself ducking just in the nick of time to avoid a crumpled piece of paper aimed for her head. “Geez, you’ve got an arm on you.” She grumbled under her breath, leaning back in her chair.
“I’m sorry,” Amity seemed calmer, albeit sullen, “I think I’m just frustrated with my character. Can we start a new campaign?” Luz leaned forward, glancing down at her campaign notes. She promptly crumpled the paper, tossing it over her shoulder, “Goodbye campaign! I had no idea where I was going with you.” She beamed happily at Amity, who for the first time since Luz saw her today, smiled back.
“Okay! I think I have the basic details down for a new and improved story. How’s the character coming along?” The girls had been working quietly, both deeply entranced by their work. It had been just about an hour, but Luz felt comfortable around Amity, even in complete silence. Amity scribbled something down on her paper before squinting down at it. “Just about done, I think.” She placed the sheet down with care, almost as if she were afraid to tear it from the impact alone. Luz nodded in acknowledgement, “Do you mind if I invite Willow and Gus to play with us? I kinda wrote the story for more than one player this time.” Her hand instinctively moved to the back of her head, her fingers entangling in her short brown locks as she rubbed her scalp. The gesture was calming, almost maternal; it never failed to calm her nerves.
“Of course, why would I mind?” It was a few moments before Amity spoke, Luz only briefly noting that her friend wouldn’t meet her gaze. Nevertheless, Luz jumped up out of her seat to wrap her arms around Amity’s neck in a gentle hug. “Thank you! You’re the best!” She rushed to gather her things from the table so she could go break the good news. “Oh, Am?” She tucked her stuff under her arm, turning to address Amity, “You have to promise me not to be such a party pooper when we play with them, okay? I’ll try to stick to the book sometimes, but we should play to have fun, not worry about all those silly rules.” She gave the girl her best stern look, but a smile crept up on her lips. “I just think they’re important sometimes, but…” She let out a deep sigh, “I think I can let some things slide.” Luz bounced on her heels, a small excited squeal sneaking its way from her throat. “¡Gracias! See you next week!” She called over her shoulder as she rushed out the doors of the small shop.