Looking at the shabby storefront in one of the many run-down strip malls littering Marks Avenue, Paul began to have second thoughts. Truth be told, he didn't recall there ever being a board game shop in this particular plaza. But obviously, this store was not a new establishment. The sticky note with the address scrawled hastily across it crinkled as he dug it out of his pocket, and he inspected the note again.

Curious Curios, 241 Marks Ave. 7:45, bring your own supplies.

The red-headed girl at the coffee shop who had invited Paul had been clear he should dress for "an adventure into the vampire lord's crypt" or something equally cool and nerdy. Normally, he wouldn't put himself out there like this and just join some social outing where he knew absolutely no one. But it had been a really long time since he'd gotten out of the apartment, and the girl —Victoria, or Veronica maybe her name was — had been very cute. So here Paul stood, at 7:48 in the evening, holding a bag of chips and a lemonade. Dressed as his best attempt at a sword-wielding warrior. Which really was just a collection of items he'd picked up from a Party City on the way over. Taking a deep breath, he shoved the post-it note back into his pocket and headed inside Curious Curios.

A handful of dusty shelving racks littered the poorly lit shop, and not a single person was visible, even behind the counter. An old-school entry system tinkled a physical bell as Paul closed the glass door behind him, but no one appeared from the back rooms to answer it. I must have read the time wrong. Or they've started without me and I've missed it. He thought frantically as he scrambled to retrieve the crumpled paper from his pocket. Just as he was breathing a sigh of regret mixed with relief and resigning himself to watching something on Netflix alone in his apartment, the girl from the coffee shop popped around the corner.

"Oh you made it! I wasn't sure you'd come. We're back here, just getting ready to begin. Come on!" She motioned cheerily and led Paul down a short hallway to one of the back rooms. Her costume was immaculate, some sort of mage or enchantress outfit with bits of blue embroidery in a vine-like pattern. She opened the door for him and motioned him inside, the bustle of activity and conversation suddenly booming from the room.

As Paul sheepishly stepped into the room, he suddenly realized he had underdressed for the event. He had guessed his $13 outfit would be a bit out of place, but he began to think this was one of those professional LARPing groups. Everyone else looked like they'd been lifted straight out of a Hollywood set, with intricately detailed hats, shoulder pauldrons, coats, and more. The sets of armor and faux weapons glistened and clinked with total realism. If he didn't know better, he'd think these costumes were all the real deal.

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"Paul, this is the crew. Everyone, this is Paul!" Victoria or Veronica (Paul wished he was better with names) cheered as she shut the door behind them. The small room roared with a chorus of greetings as a dozen people tried to introduce themselves at once. Not only were the costumes pro-level, but the make-up, hair, and even commitment to the accents and mannerisms were all top-notch. Wizards and bards and warriors ranging from human to elven to some halflings and even a bird-like creature, these people were not just playing around, they really committed to this stuff.

Paul blushed bright red as he spoke up, "So sorry everyone, I didn't realize how legit this group would be, my costume is really pretty terrible."

"No worries Paul," encouraged a man with the most convincing forest elf makeup Paul had ever seen, "Verity, why didn't you get him some gear? Can't be having new recruits going to strike at the heart of darkness in a bit of cardboard and string."

Verity, the red-haired girl from the coffee shop, replied, "Sorry, I just got busy with my own prep for tonight I guess." She apologized profusely to Paul and the group quickly procured some extra armor and equipment for him. As Paul began to strap on the bits of costumes, he commented on how authentic it all felt, thanking everyone for including him in such a professional LARP.

"LARP?" Verity looked at him quizically as she began to swirl her hands in a rhythmic pattern, "Didn't you hear me at the coffee place? We're going monster-hunting tonight in the realm of the Shadow King Mardu."

Paul chuckled a bit until blue light started to pulse and glow in the center of the pattern she was making. As if on cue, everyone in the room picked up shields, swords, staves, and the like as the blue light grew and swirled around the room. The laughter in Paul's throat suddenly dried up as a man in the bird make-up thrust a sword into Paul's hands.

"You're going to need this," the bird-man crooned in an impossibly avian voice.

"TRANVIO!" Verity yelled, clapping her hands together over her head.

Blue light flashed brilliantly, blinding Paul momentarily. When his vision returned, they were all standing in the middle of a dark forest, the full moon beaming into the clearing where they stood. The blue light still rippled out faintly from them in all directions. In the distance, a haunting howl started up, quickly answered by others.

"Werewolves," Verity grumbled, "Paul, stay with me if you want to live. And for God's sake don't drop that sword, it's silver."