The Shortest Day Seemed the Longest

The Shortest Day Seemed the Longest

"Hey, Stevie!" says Bert as he enters The Jaunty Mug.

Thursday night rolls around again, and I look forward to this group of youngsters as they trickle into the cafe. It's been several weeks since I've seen them. Aislynn, the group's healer, was not present the last time they were here because of a hit-and-run driver.

"Hello, Bert," replies my avatar, Stevie. "How's life?"

"Getting better every day, my friend," Bert grins at him as he heads to their usual table in the back.

Over the next half hour, the rest of the group arrives, orders their usual drinks, and sets up the game table. The door opens one more time, and Aislynn steps through, pushing a walker. She maneuvers through tables and makes her way to the back.

"Hi, Stevie," she says as she passes by the counter.

Stevie comes around and gives her a gentle hug.

"I'm glad you're here," he whispers in her ear. The words are more than words, and the hug is more than a hug, of course. They are a blessing to aid the girl's healing.

It is the night of the Solstice, and the group is here to celebrate the world's rebirth in both 'verses. This is their fifth year of celebrating together.

Mac spots her first.

"Aislynn!"

The rest of the group turns, and soon, Aislynn is relieved of her pack while Mac escorts her to their corner, pushing tables and chairs out of her way. Stevie brings her a specialty drink, and the group catches up, not having seen each other in weeks.

"They released me this morning," says Aislynn with her characteristic lopsided grin. "I thought I'd surprise you, this being the Solstice and all."

The group settles in and begins their session. I extend time in the Mug; the evening having already slipped into night. They don't notice as the coffee shop morphs into a seedy tavern.





"Katra," says Grok, "did your gods grant us a boon?"

"Of course, Grok," the cleric looks up at the barbarian with a grin. "Don't they always?" It is an old joke between them. She turns to the rest of the group.

"What have you learned while I was meditating?"

"I hung out in the Weeping Whale listening for gossip," begins Samson, "the dockmaster says another shipment disappeared without a trace."

"That makes three in as many days," says Portia. Turning to Dreyah, she asks, "did you learn anything?"

"Indeed," says Dreyah, taking a sip of Elven wine. "The ingredients include both a potent poison and its antidote. Clever, really."

"How does that work, exactly," asks Grok, a puzzled look on his tusked face.

"According to Master Headley, the proportions of each ingredient and the infusion process play a role. I'm no alchemist, so I couldn't understand all of what he said."

"I learned a little in training," says Katra, "but not enough to replicate either a poison or its antidote without instruction."

"I wouldn't expect you to," says Dreyah. "Master Headley puzzled over it himself."

"So, which lead do we follow?" asks Portia.





The hours slip by, and the group barely notices. I let them spend as much time on the other side of the portal as they want and need to heal from the last few weeks of worry for their friend. When they are ready, the tavern once more morphs into a coffee shop.

"Wow!" says Chuck, looking at his watch. "We got a lot accomplished tonight."

Aislynn looks up at the clock.

"I could swear we were playing longer than four hours," she says.

"That's right," says Chuck, "it was the shortest day of the year, but seemed like the longest."

"Yeah," says Yvonne, donning her coat and shrugging her pack over her shoulders. "Sessions always feel longer when we play here. Ever notice that?"

"It's just 'cause we don't get interrupted as much," says Mac.

"No," says Sandra, "she's right. We get so much more done when we play here."

"Whatever," says Aislynn, hugging her companions. "I just know that I needed tonight more than any of you know. I feel so much better that when I got here."

They troop out, holding the door for Aislynn as she hobbles behind the walker. I notice she's standing straighter, and her limp is less pronounced. As Stevie says goodbye and locks the door, I thank him for providing the specialty healing drink to Aislynn.