Chapter Text
I am…confused.
I stare at the envelope sitting at my desk. It appeared as I was doing paperwork, and the wax seal is giving me a sign that this might be the DM. Gingerly, I grab the piece of mail, opening it and reading what the note says.
Hi there! It’s me, your Dungeon Master!
Shocking, I know. Listen, I’m bored, and seeing as you’re just doing paperwork, why not shake things up a little?
You know the Deck of Many Things? Well, I was browsing and found this homebrew called Deck of Fates and Favors. All you need to do is pull, and bam! A card that’ll be in your favor!
Try and have fun, will you? This is a game after all!
That’s all, bye!
The note disappears from my hands, a deck of cards appearing on the desk.
What the fuck? Did this fucker seriously just give me a homebrewed deck of many things? Rubbing my forehead, I grab the deck, mind reeling from such an abrupt change. Damn DM, it’s kind of hard to think life is a game when you have to live it. I flip the deck around my palm, thinking deeply.
I remember what some of the cards are, vaguely. I know I can lose a level if I pick the wrong one, and I can permanently increase one of my ability scores. Other than that? Nothing.
“Let’s see, one individual will draw from this deck?” I mumble under my breath, the taste of magic on my tongue as I draw a card out. It tastes different, sweeter than the bitterness from casting Darkness . Card pulled, the deck disappears from my hand, presumably somewhere else in the world. I stop, the realization dawning on me. That bastard.
I look at the card, an innate understanding overcoming me as the specifics of this card is made known to me.
The Empress
This is problematic. Very much so, and I think the DM knows that.
Sighing, I pocket the card. Making someone my thrall isn’t appealing, and there isn’t anyone I would want to use it on. Returning to my paperwork, I mull over how to tell the others.
It’s been a few days since we had ‘the talk’. The others didn’t like how nonchalant I was about the fact I could die if I got hit too hard. Which, fair, but completely removing me from fighting is just absurd.
They also weren’t a big fan of the whole system in general. I told them they couldn’t do anything about it, but they insisted whenever I roll I tell them. Which hasn’t happened all that much, considering I’ve been doing nothing but paperwork.
Perception Check: (15)
Roll: 17
Modifier: 1
Total: 18
Success
A knock brings me out of my thoughts. Standing up, I go to the entrance and see who’s there. Another client maybe?
Opening the door I pop my head out, squinting at the person knocking. “Can I help you?” I ask, and the person who knocked grins.
The white haired Lupo nods, gesturing to the office. “Hello, would you happen to be one of Texas’s associates?” She laughs, an unpleasant feeling going down my spine. “If you wouldn’t be opposed to it, maybe we could get some food?”
Insight Check: (15)
Roll: 7
Modifier: 1
Total: 8
Fail
Pushing back the odd feeling, I fully exit the building, tilting my head at the strange woman. “Texas hasn’t mentioned any past friends, but sure, I’m down. I know a place that sells good pastries.” I gesture to her to follow me, not bothering for a reply. After a moment I hear footsteps, the Lupo walking beside me.
“So, you got a name, stranger?”
“Oh, pardon my manners. Lappland, pleasure to meet you.”
Insight Check: (15)
Roll: 3
Modifier: 1
Total: 4
Fail
“The name is Dempsey. Pleasure to meet you as well.”
Lappland hums, a smile on her face as she peers at me. “So, how is Texas doing? I haven’t spoken to her in a long time, and I’m quite curious.” I peer at her, raising an eyebrow.
“Pretty chill, all things considered. She doesn’t talk much, but she cares. What about you? What’s your relation to her?” I ask, and Lappland lets out a giggle. It sounds…kind of eerie.
Insight Check: (12)
Roll: 8
Modifier: 1
Total: 9
Fail
She peers at me with a weird smile, her voice ominous. “Just an echo of the past who lingers. Say, is that the shop you were talking about?” Just like that, her mood snaps, finger pointing at the pastry shop as she grins.
Nodding, we both enter the shop. The smell of sweets and breads fill my nose, and I let out a sigh. Oh, how I love sweets. It’s one of the few things I found joy in this world and the one before I came here.
Smiling, I turn to Lappland, who’s looking around the shop curiously. “So, what kind of pastries do you like? Mine are pineapple tarts.”
She hums, finger on her chin as she ponders. “My favorite? I’m not much into sweets, but there was this one called Fiocco de Nive that I liked.” I look at the Lupo, digesting what she said.
History Check: (18)
Roll: 14
Modifier: 7
Total: 21
Success
I hum in appreciation, nodding. Is she from a version of Italy? If so, then that’s very interesting. “Good choice. I prefer a donuts since you can put jelly in it, but I like having a more creamy treat every now and then.” I walk up to the display case, greeting the person behind the counter with a smile.
Insight Check: (5)
Roll: 3
Modifier: 1
Total: 4
…Fail
Lappland
Lappland doesn’t know what to make of the person she’s having dessert with.
Sure, she’s only talking to him to get closer to Texas, and she still is, but this person-there’s something not right with them. That’s coming from her too.
She watches him as he eats a pastry, smiling amicably. “Say, I was wondering. Where exactly are you from?” She asks them, and takes some satisfaction as he pauses for a moment. Swallowing his bite, he answers her.
“Another world.” Lappland blinks at the answer, and the man just shrugs. “Sounds outlandish, I know. It’s the truth however” Lappland hums, looking at this person, Dempsey more closely.
Her eyes narrow in suspicion. “You know, I could think of a better lie than that. Why lie?” Her suspicion rises as he sighs, ears twitching as she hears him mumble under his breath.
“Fucking nat 1….Look, it’s the truth. You can believe it or not, but your Danish is getting cold.” He takes another bite of his sweet, watching Lappland with a raised eyebrow. “Listen, I think you're a cool gal. I know that this is just a way to get closer to Texas, but if you’d like to go out again I can recommend some other place.” Standing up, Dempsey patting Lappland on the shoulder, a polite smile on his face. “I’ve got more paperwork I need to do, but if you want to do this again just stop by.”
Lappland, not knowing what to say, just nods, waving back. That weird feeling is back, and it grows stronger as she watches him walk down the side of the road.
She can’t help but feel as if something was stolen.
Dempsey
Sleight of Hand Check: (25)
Roll: 17
Modifier: 11
Total: 28
Success
I hum at the object I took off her, looking it over. It was easy, way too easy in fact. I understand how I can frisk someone and do magic tricks really easily, but I wasn’t even specific on what I wanted to steal.
The lighter in my hands is worn down, scratches here and there. It’s old looking, and I feel as though I took something important. Sighing, I shake my head, entering the office and returning to my work.
Right, let’s get this over with.