Chapter Text
The Owl House was a board game cafe in an old red brick building just off Main Street. The kind of place few people would pay any attention to. Amity Blight had been one such person until several weeks ago.
It was while she was out meandering behind Boscha as she led their little friend group on another excursion for coffee when she first noticed the building. She must have passed by it hundreds of times ever since she arrived in Gravesfield as a college freshman with a promising sports scholarship. When she first paused outside the long aged windows and peered in at the rustic rows of shelves lined with board games, books, and little figurines, she kicked herself for not having found it sooner.
Of course Bosha had to be there to ruin the moment.
“Amity, what are you doing?” Boscha said as she marched over to stand next to the green-haired girl. She placed her hands on the windows and peered through before barking in laughter. “Wow. Who knew this town could sink any lower. A place for the losers to hang out.” She pushed herself back and dusted off her hands, not caring for the ugly mark she had left on the glass. “Come, come. I’ve got to get myself a mocha.”
“This place does coffee,” Amity tentatively said. She had seen the barista working away at a small cake counter near the middle of the store. Towards the back she was sure she could make out people sitting around tables, laughing and having fun with more games than she knew existed.
Boscha turned to give her an incredulous look. “You actually want to go in there?”
Amity shrugged. “We get Starbucks every day. This is something different. It might be fun.” She glanced at Skara who had looked up from her phone and was watching the two argue intently. The rest of their group, Cat and Amelia, who were both on the same lacrosse team as Amity and Boscha, remained glued to their screens, looking almost bored to the holdup.
Skara’s gaze darted between Amity and Boscha before she finally said, “Amity’s got a point, B. It might be fun.”
Boscha rolled her eyes and sighed. “Do the two of you seriously want to spend the afternoon in a place with a bunch of nerds playing—“ she rolled her wrist while thinking of the word “—Monopoly or something. I don’t know. Board games suck.”
“It’s just a place for coffee. It’s probably better than Starbucks anyway.”
Boscha laughed. “Yeah right. And can I use my reward points? Come on, Amity, If I wanted to have bland coffee surrounded by a bunch of old shelves and excited kids, I’d just go to visit my aunt.”
She turned and started walking away with Cat and Amelia in tow. Skara shot Amity a sympathetic look before following the group.
Amity turned back to the store and stared through the window one more time. She caught a glimpse of a girl her own age with coppery skin and deep brown curls that nipped at her purple jacket’s collar. She was talking to the barista, a girl also her own age, who was built like a brick wall with her hair in a tight bun and crowned by a spiked headband.
The two of them laughed and smiled like old friends as a tray of cake was handed over. The girl in purple thanked the barista and hurried off toward the back with the tray in her hands.
Amity watched as she disappeared out of sight before sighing and shaking her head. Before she left however she spotted in the window, guarded by a red dragon plushie, a display stand of dice of all shapes and sizes. Many different colours too, some glittered in the light, others twisted with a rainbow of colours like gemstones pulled out of the earth.
She even spotted a set of dice in the colours of the lesbian pride flag. Her eyes widened at that and a sudden urge to forget the others and go in to buy them overcame her.
“Amity!” She heard Boscha’s call from down the street. Amity sighed. She knew she wouldn’t hear the end of this tonight.
Before she left she looked at the set of books next to the dice. A stack of Dungeons and Dragons books. Each cover was adorned with art of heroes fighting monsters in fantastical worlds. Her eyes lingered on them for a moment longer. She had always wondered what it would be like to play Dungeons and Dragons. A wonder that was first inspired in her when she heard of the game through TV shows and references online.
She glanced back down the street and saw Boscha standing on the corner of Main Street. Her arms crossed and her foot tapping impatiently.
Amity sighed and followed. Glancing back one last time as she wondered what else she might find inside.
That night as she laid in her bed in the small student apartment she shared with Boscha and Skara, Amity couldn’t help but think back about that store.
More specifically the thought of Dungeons and Dragons.
She turned on to her side, reached to the bottom drawer of her bedside cabinet and pulled out an old and well read copy of the Good Witch Azura. Under the dim light of her bedside lamp she ran a hand over its cover. Looking at Azura as she stood proudly, ready to face the adventure that awaited her.
Amity sighed. She had read this book more times than she could remember. It was the one thing she used to escape from the stress of her life growing up. The one thing she had to look forward to after a long day at school, doing homework, fencing practice, piano lessons, additional tutoring, and whatever else her parents determined she would do that day.
She remembered the covers of the Dungeons and Dragons books and imagined Azura standing on one.
She knew only vaguely what Dungeons and Dragons was. A game where people sit around a table pretending to be fantasy characters and rolling dice to do things. She had never thought much of it before. It was just a thing nerds on TV did.
But how did it work? How could you have fun acting out silly things like that? And the art on the front of those books looked absolutely awesome. She looked back down at the Azura book and wondered if she could play Azura in the game. No, Hecate. Could she tell a story with her favourite character? Just like how she used to write silly little stories of Hecate and Azura and post them anonymously online.
She pulled out her phone and started searching. She wasn’t surprised to be overwhelmed by the number of articles and videos she found about what Dungeons and Dragons actually was. She saw a YouTube video and clicked on it. It started with an overview of the game, what it was, then how it was played. When the video ended she clicked on another, and then another, and before she knew it, it was 2am and she was watching a group of people playing a game of Dungeons and Dragons around a large table.
She forced herself to sleep before the video ended. But the thought kept stirring in her dreams.
Each night that week she would watch the videos before sleep. In class she started to doodle witches and monsters in the margins of her notebooks — Something she hadn’t done since she was a High School freshman.
She couldn’t get enough of the game and dreamed about finding people to play with, she imagined what characters she would play. Having fun with her friends in the evenings instead of following Boscha to yet another club.
The only problem was that Boscha wouldn’t even consider the idea. And Amity knew she wouldn’t hear the end of it if she even suggested it.
But the idea kept burning in her mind. Pulling at her thoughts every day and night. It just wouldn’t go away.
And she didn’t want it to either.
She knew what she had to do. And one cold Saturday morning in January she decided to take the plunge.
She slipped out of bed, showered, and dressed in comfortable warm leggings and lavender cardigan. She had long ago learned how to make herself presentable quickly. And thankfully she didn’t have to keep to her mother’s standards now that she was away from home.
She threw on a jacket, scarf, and woolly hat before finally slipping into her boots and slinging her backpack onto her back. She opened her bedroom door and poked her head out into the small kitchen and living room she shared with Skara and Boscha. Her pounding heart steadied a bit when she didn’t see any sign of her flatmates.
She closed her bedroom door behind her and swiftly locked it before padding across the room to the front door. Once outside and with the door closed behind her she let out a sigh of relief.
It was a short bus ride to central Gravesfield. The town was famous for its historic town centre, with many independent stores housed in the Victorian buildings that survived being bulldozed in favour of the strip malls that Amity had grown up with. The town itself had little more to offer other than the Ivy League Gravesfield University, which while on the smaller side brought in fresh young students every year to the town that time had seemingly forgotten.
The bus pulled into a stop half way up Main Street and Amity stepped off, wrapping her jacket tight around her as a cold chill blew up the road and scattered a few loose leaves that littered the sidewalk.
The place was already bustling with people going about their weekends. She never knew what they were up to. There were only so many times she could stand seeing the same stores and cafes over and over again. Amity crossed the street and waded her way through the throng until she turned off a side road and made her way down towards a bridge that crossed over the brook that snaked its way alongside the town centre.
It was right next to that bridge The Owl House sat. Amity walked up to its windows and peered inside once again. She had been stealing glances at the store through its windows every time she had passed over the last month. Little seemed to change inside. She saw a few familiar faces, but always an ever changing crowd of people inside enjoying each other’s company around the tables at the far back or quietly browsing the shelves stocked full of games.
The dragon still vigilantly guarded the dice in the window, and the books still remained on display. She thought for a moment that maybe they were not selling fast. That maybe no one around was interested in the game.
She looked up at the door. Her hands clenched around the straps of her backpack as she ran over the scenario in her head one last time. She would go in, she’d buy the dice and a book, and then she’d leave. That’s all. Her research told her that all she needed to start with was the “Player’s Handbook”. She could sneak it back home and spend the rest of the weekend studying it after lacrosse practice.
With a hesitant breath, she stepped forward and pushed her way through the door.
The small bell above the door dinged as she stepped out of the chill and onto the worn, creaking floorboards. The scent of coffee and books drew her in, reminding her of the library she used to volunteer at in High School. Unlike the library, she heard laughter and the clinking of ceramics echo from the back of the store.
She scanned the shelves, looking at the stacks of board games and game books. There were so many. Far many more than she thought existed and she didn’t recognise any of their names. To the side there was a counter with the till and a display stand of Pokemon pins and key rings. A person behind the counter looked up from their book and smiled at Amity. They were middle aged, with a short grey mane of hair and red-rimmed glasses over their wrinkled nose. Their skin was a pale brown and they wore a beige apron with a name tag that read, “Raine (They/Them)”.
“Welcome,” they said in a gravely yet warm voice. “May I help you?”
All of Amity’s carefully considered plans disappeared under Raine’s friendly gaze. She twisted the straps of her backpack in her hands and stood upright as she forced the words out of her. “Yes, I’m interested in Dungeons and Dragons—“ it was a relief for her to finally say those words out loud “—and I was wanting to buy a dice! I mean a book! I mean, both. Dice and book please.”
She felt her cheeks warm as Raine let out a small laugh. “Well, I can help you with that. I’m Raine. My wife and I are the owners of this fine establishment.”
Instinctively Amity reached her hand out to shake Raine’s. Putting on her best smile even as Raine looked at the extended appendage with a raised eyebrow before shaking it. “I’m Amity Blight. A pleasure. This really is a wonderful place you have here.”
Raine chuckled. “Thank you. I’ve not seen you around before, are you new to town?”
“I’ve been here for over a year, but I’ve only just found this place.”
“Well, I’m glad you have. I can give you a tour if you like?”
“Oh, you don’t have to. I was really just here for the book.”
Raine nodded and gestured to a shelf lined with books and dice, “That is where I was going to start. I’m guessing you’re new to the game?”
“Yeah,” Amity said as her eyes scanned the black and red spines of the many Dungeons and Dragons books that lined the shelves. “I’ve never played before.”
“Do you have anyone to play with?”
Amity frowned. She had been trying not to ask herself that question as she already knew what the answer was and always would be. She shook her head.
“We have a D&D group here. They’ve just finished a campaign and are about to start a new one. I’m sure they’d be happy to let you join in.”
Amity’s eyes widened as she looked back at the store owner. “Me? They’d want me?”
“Well, I can’t say for sure. But their Dungeon Master is out back if you’d like me to introduce you.”
Amity threw a glance towards the back of the store as she wondered what kind of person would run a game of Dungeons and Dragons in this place. She was at least thankful that she had confirmation that there were at least a few people here who played the game. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to be a bother…”
“Oh, it’s no bother. They love meeting potential new players. Your first D&D game is important, and I cannot recommend a better DM.”
Amity looked back at the shelves. Taking in the rows of books and the pots and boxes full of dice below. She saw the orange and pink lesbian pride dice, the pattern looking like a polished marble. Her mind thought for a moment of turning away. Returning to her room and focusing on her sports and studies. It was safe there. She knew that world. But then again if there was one thing she had learned while growing up it was that she had to be stubborn and determined if she wanted to get what she wanted.
And right now more than anything she wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons.
Amity nodded. “Okay. Let’s go see them.”
Raine led her to the back of the store. They passed the small cake counter where the barista stood cleaning with a dance in her step. Amity couldn’t help but notice her spiked headband and fish-hook earring. The barista looked up at Amity as if she knew she was being watched and gave her a small wink.
Amity turned away quickly, her cheeks flushing.
There was no stock to sell at the back of the store. The place looked like a traditional cafe, with tables nestled into cosy corners and large windows looking out over the river. The only difference being a shelf of games apparently free for anyone to pick up and play. A few small groups were around doing so. Some were families, others looked all her own age.
Eventually they came to a small side room and Raine poked their head through the door. “Masha? Do you have a moment?”
Amity glanced into the room. It was a small painting studio with a long bench lined with bright lights and scattered mugs of water and paint brushes. Above it was a wall full of paint pots. There were three kids in there, each painting a little figurine of a hero or monster. Overseeing them was someone Amity’s own age with slicked back dark hair, a black leather jacket, knee high boots and a dark sage skirt. Amity couldn’t help but notice their sharp nails were painted in the colours of the non-binary pride flag. From the way they looked up at Raine’s words Amity could only presume they were Masha.
They walked over, eyeing up Amity as she stood behind Raine before turning to the older person and flashing a toothy smile. “Yes, Raine?”
“Masha, this is Amity. She’s looking to get into Dungeon and Dragons.”
“Is she now?” Masha said. They tapped their chin as they looked Amity up and down humming to themselves. Amity couldn’t help but feel slightly awkward under their gaze. Her hands absentmindedly played with the hem of her jacket.
“Sure. Let’s talk,” they said before turning back to the room. “King, you’re in charge.”
“Yes!” One of the boys with scruffy black hair cheered.
Raine left them as the two sat down at one of the nearby tables. Masha lounged back on their chair as she gave Amity a gap-toothed grin. “So, have you ever played D&D before?”
“No. I only really took an interest in it a few weeks ago.”
“Hah! That’s awesome. You came at a perfect time too. I, this store’s resident they/them dungeon master extraordinaire, will be starting a new campaign next week and we have a slot open.” They gestured proudly to themselves, head back and eyes closed. Their lips then curved into an amused smile before leaning towards Amity. Their hands clasped on the table in front of them. “But first, I want to get to know you. What’s got you interested in D&D?”
Amity thought for a moment and tried to hold down the fluttering nerves that churned in her stomach. “It’s, well, it just seems fun. It’s something different and new to do. I’ve always loved fantasy and telling stories. And this just seems like a fun way to do it with people. New people.” She let out a breath with that last time as she felt a sudden sense of relief come over her. For most of her life her ‘friends’ had been curated by her parents. Their interests were slim. She had hoped that college would be a fresh start, but instead she found it just to be more of the same. The idea that she could perhaps meet people who possibly shared her deepest and most secret of interest thrilled her, and she got a little buzz as she realised that she had just admitted her interests to someone her own age for the first time.
Masha chirped up as she heard what Amity said. “Well, sounds like you came to the perfect place. Let’s talk game.”
They spent the next hour talking about the game. Amity asked an exam's worth of questions and Masha happily answered them. Soon the table was covered in Dungeons and Dragons books, along with a tea set for Amity and a mug of coffee for Masha, both delivered by Viney the barista.
“You will be the fifth player which makes it a perfect number,” Masha said as they leaned back in their chair resting their arm on the back of the seat next to them. “I wouldn’t go larger than six players. Four to five is the sweet spot.”
“Why’s that?” Amity asked. She had seen games with far more players than that online.
“It's all about giving each player an equal chance to be involved. If you have too many you run the risk of having some players left out as others take the lead. Also it helps balance encounters and puzzles. Anyway, I think you’ll get on well with the others.”
“That’s good. What are they like?”
“Well, funny enough we do have another big Ivy League sports star like yourself.” Masha gave a disinterested shrug. “But most of us are just your average joes, janes, and NB-anes, but we’re a close and friendly group with a lot of different interests. We do hang out a lot outside of D&D too, but I wouldn’t worry about that. We’ve had plenty just like yourself in the past. You’ll definitely be welcomed in.”
Amity was surprised to hear that there was another ‘sports star’ in the game. Although she would never have considered herself a star. The thought brought a smile to Amity’s lips. If any of the others were anything like Masha, she thought she could be happy there. But part of her couldn’t help but think about how they might be judging her. She had never hung out with people like Masha before — Nerds, outcasts, and those who didn’t fit in were the kind of people her friend group preyed on back in school… That she preyed on.
“So, want to make your character?”
Amity looked up, her eyes wide with excitement. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”
Masha leaned forward, their lips curling into an eager grin. “Well then, what kind of character do you want to play?”
“I want her to be an inventor of sorts. She builds and makes things to help out. Kind of like Batman I guess.” Amity only vaguely knew Batman, but just enough to guess that it was a good comparison. “She’s a half-elf inventor and archaeologist. Looking for lost secrets and using them to inspire new ones.”
“Wow, sounds like you already have a fantastic idea. And, I know just the way to make them in game.” There was a gleam in Masha’s eye as she pulled another book out from the pile, flipped through it to a page, and then slid it across the table to Amity.
Amity read, and then smiled as realisation of what she was reading sank into her. Masha then pushed a blank character sheet and a pen in front of her. “Ready to roll your first character?”
An hour passed by and Amity stepped out of the store with her backpack heavier, her wallet lighter, and waving happily to Masha and Raine as they stood by the store’s counter. She smiled and hurried off to catch the bus to lacrosse practice and as she went she couldn’t help but think of the upcoming game. Thankfully the group played on Sundays, Amity’s one free day a week. The first session was in a week’s time, and that day couldn’t come soon enough.
She went to practice with a spring in her step, still giddy with anticipation. When Boscha asked why Amity was so cheery the girl just shrugged and said, “I just am.”
Boscha gave her a frown but rolled her eyes and ushered her team out of the locker room.
That night, and after a long warm shower, Amity lay belly down on her bed reading the book she had bought. She couldn’t help but wonder how the game would go. Masha had told her very little of the game itself, just enough to understand where her character would be starting. A classic start they said. In a tavern with all other characters.
Characters played by other people.
Other people who she would have to act in front of and do nerdy stuff with.
She closed the book and rolled onto her side. She used to put on voices back when she read books to kids. She had to act as the person her mother wanted her to be many times. So why did the thought of playing Dungeons and Dragons with strangers make her stomach churn?
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady her thoughts. She wanted to play the game. She wanted to have fun. She wanted to enjoy it with others. Masha had said they were nice people and she had no reason not to believe them. And who knows, perhaps they could become friends?