The next week, the gaming group found themselves meeting in Wong's apartment for the next game, with an addition. After the usual pre-game banter, Jenson launched into his role as Dungeon Master with his usual dry dramatics
"Though you were all successful in halting the fiendish incursion this time, you suffered many wounds during your battle. Knowing that you must recuperate before continuing your battle against the dark forces, you find yourselves in the temple of Helios, God of the Sun, meeting with the Human high priest and one of his Dwarven acolytes." Jensen turned to look at the newcomer. "You can describe your character now."
Audrey Durant seemed a little surprised at the prompt, but with after a moment proceeded to describe the Dwarven priestess that Ixchel had helped her create a few days ago. It had taken a bit of prodding on Ixchel's part, but she'd eventually managed to get Audrey to agree to at least give the game a try. It helped when she described tabletop gaming as a way to forget the stresses of life for a few hours, which she could tell Audrey had sorely needed.
Thankfully, the others had been cool with letting Audrey join the campaign. Well they mostly were - Obie did her best to tone down her more biting remarks, and was mostly successful. Meanwhile Wong was his usual jovial self, his warlock immediately helping Audrey's priestess feel welcome in the party. Jenson continued to be a fantastic Dungeon Master, coming up with a new NPC on the spot after Audrey asked timidly if her priestess knew anyone in a bar they were visiting. And, most importantly, none of them mocked or belittled Audrey when she forgot which dice she needed to roll or a certain rule.
Finally, after three hours of investigating, clue finding, and participating in a bar brawl, the party had managed to track down the lair of a cult of evil fiend-worshippers. "The doors slowly creak open, and you all hear an ominous chanting from deep within the structure. You will have a real fight on your hands... next week," Jenson narrated before loudly closing the rulebook he was holding, the signal that the game was at its end. The next few minutes consisted of everyone helping to put away miniatures, roll up battle mats, and dispose of any remaining snacks.
"That was pretty fun," Audrey said after everything had been put away. "I think... I'd like to play some more. If you'll have me." The answers to Audrey's request were almost immediate.
"We will," Jenson said.
"Of course!" Wong exclaimed.
"Yeth! We finally have a healer!" Obie shouted.
It was all Ixchel could do not to sob with relief. She'd been so worried that Audrey might not have fun or friends might get annoyed with her or a million other little things. She was glad this had all worked out.
But of course, that wasn't the end of the story. The next week, the group met at the apartment Obie shared with a friend of hers, and...