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Argo was so lucky Fitzroy was head-over-heels for him. He wouldn’t even consider doing something this risky for anyone else. Or maybe it wasn’t that risky, and he was just dramatic. Either way, Dakota had told him not to let anyone in after closing, and thanks to Argo and his goddamn persuasive attractiveness, Fitzroy was doing just that.
Late nights on HWU campus were not peaceful in the least, as most college campuses are wont to be. Fitzroy didn’t mind it too much, having grown up on the road, but now that the possibility of getting caught was on the table, he wasn’t so at ease. Every so often students would pass by the windows of Springs Eternal and look quizzically inside, because usually Dakota was very punctual when it came to closing. But instead of the dark, tidiness of a sleeping coffee shop, they saw four nerds sitting around the big table in the corner, with only lamps to light their game. As well as an exceedingly nervous Fitzroy, who was pacing back and forth behind the counter, ticking more than average, and suspiciously checking the windows.
“Y’know you can go back to the dorm, right?” said Argo, one such night. The table in front of him was decorated with multicoloured dice, tiny figurines, and papers that made no sense to Fitzroy. He picked up a D20 and rolled it, swearing at the result. Zana, sitting across from everyone, laughed maniacally.
“No, I can’t! I’m already breaking the rules by letting you in here, there is no way I’m leaving you alone. If you set the shop on fire without me there, it’ll be on my head, and Dakota doesn’t mess around.” He buzzed his lips and snapped his fingers. “You’re crazy for being here in the first place, I don’t know why I’m letting you do this. God I’m gonna be in so much trouble-”
“You’re rambling,” said the low, rumbling voice of Amanita (or so they were called today). Fitzroy had overheard the conversation, and apparently the name had derived from Dr. Mushrooms. It had been an extremely entertaining listen, and took all he had to not laugh as Argo spoke on the phone.
“Sorry.”
“You could always join us!” Rainer’s voice rang through the air like the tinkling bells above the door. She sounded far too pleased with herself, and Fitzroy was wary of it. “If you’re gonna be here, you might as well have some fun.”
He considered that. God knew how long those dorks would be playing, and he wasn’t exactly enjoying his position at the moment. It would also give him something to focus on, but he wouldn’t be on lookout any more. They could still get caught, and he could still lose his job. It was Argo’s puppy dog eyes that made the decision truly difficult. Could he really say no to those beautiful, pleading emeralds? Apparently, he could not. Argo looked beautiful in the low light, it highlighted his every perfection, made him shine like a sunset over the ocean’s playful waves. Fitzroy’s mouth dried up entirely, and his hands went perfectly still.
“Fine! Fine, since you all obviously want me to play your nerd game with you, fine.”
Rainer rolled her eyes as he sat down. He looked over the table, at the gridded mat and scattered dice. Fitzroy had never played Dungeons and Dragons before, and it looked complicated. He was a bit intimidated, not that he’d ever admit it. Zana handed him a sheet of paper and a Player’s Handbook, then went right back to storytelling.
“Alrighty… Argo, what was that stealth check again?”
Argo heaved a long, exaggerated sigh at Zana’s glee, and said, “Five.”
“You’re a rogue! Dude, how?”
“I rolled a two, alright? Leave me alone!”
“You need new dice, bro.”
Fitzroy opened the handbook, and turned to the table of contents. Chapter 1: Step-by-Step Characters seemed to be his best bet at the moment. There were so many parts to this, it was intricate in a way he hadn’t expected. He looked around the table, scanning the other’s papers– Character Sheets– trying to figure out what was appropriate. Argo was playing a rogue, which seemed true to his nature. Rainer had two sheets; one matching the others around the table, and one a very long list. She was playing a wizard. Amanita also had two sheets, the margins of both speckled with doodles; leaves, flowers, trees, and other things of that sort. They were playing a druid. Okay, two casters and a rogue. Fitzroy may not know D&D, but he knew how to put together a well-working team. They needed brawn, a tank. He flipped to the page label Barbarian, and started writing.
“What, uh- what level should I make?”
“Three,” said Rainer, shoving herself into his personal space, “What are you gonna play as?”
Fitzroy passed her his half-filled out sheet, and her face lit up as she read. He had tried his best to make a balanced character, considering what everyone else was playing, but had admittedly gotten caught up on the subject of Backstory, Ideals, Bonds, Traits, and Flaws. Rainer flipped the page, and laughed at the many details he had written there.
“Hell yeah, dude, get into it!” she laughed, and handed the sheet to Zana. Amanita handed Fitzroy an extra dice set of theirs, ruby red and glittery.
“Until you get your own,” they said. Amanita wasn’t a man of many words, but Fitzroy admired their lack of care for material goods. If you ever need anything, go to Amanita. They were one of the most generous people he knew. He took the dice, and thanked them, watching the plastic shimmer.
“Okay, okay, okay!” said Zana, handing Fitzroy back his sheet. She smoothed the pages of her book, and clasped her hands neatly in front of her. Her evil smile made Fitzroy shiver with excitement. “I’ll set the scene again for Fitz:
“Our intrepid heroes are lost in the Cave of Wonders, surrounded by stone walls on every side. Their map has long since been lost, their only hope of finding the way out is the glowing moss creeping along the cave walls, leading you further into the mountain. Adelaide,” Rainer flashed a peace sign from across the table, “Is maintaining an orb of light above your heads as you continue onward. Can I have your marching order?”
“Jason is in the lead–”
“Jason?” Fitzroy asked, “Like the argonaut guy from Roman mythology?”
“Funny, right?” Argo said, winking at Fitzroy, “He’s being stealthy and scouting ahead.”
“Actually, he’s not being stealthy,” piped up Rainer, “Remember that five you rolled? You step in a fucking bucket, dude.”
“Yeah, there’s just a bucket chilling in this cave, living its best life until some genasi comes and steps in it,” said Zana, “You make a loud clatter as you fucking trip and fall on your face.”
“You’re a terrible scout,” Amanita grumbled.
“Make a perception check with disadvantage.”
They continue far into the night, playing for hours until everyone is tired, and out of breath from laughing. Turned out that Peren Nightbreeze(Fitzroy) was trapped in the cave, and Jason, Adelaide, and some Firbolg who wouldn’t give anyone a name had to come save him. He joined the party in trying to escape the Cave of Wonders, providing an incredible amount of comic relief along the way. Eventually it reached three AM, and Amanita had to turn in for the night, having a very early accounting class for which they were pretty much completely screwed.
Outside of Springs Eternal everyone went their separate ways, Argo and Fitzroy tirely stumbling back to their dormitory. It was cold, and the air puffed their breath in front of them as they walked. More than once Fitzroy bumped into Argo’s shoulder on purpose to sap some of his body heat. Argo didn’t seem to mind.
“I can’t believe you called you freaking rouge Jason.”
“It’s funny! I was making a joke!”
“Idiot.”
“Dumbass.”
“Dork.”
“Dork means whale penis,” said Argo, reaching for the door knob to their room. Fitzroy cackled, flopping onto the bottom bunk, happy to be in from the cold.
“Why do you know that?”
Argo just winked.