Thread: Twisted Tales: The Board Game

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twisted Tales The Board Game OOC Profiles ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The book had turned up in a little used bookstore in the middle of town. Brown leather bindings, trimmed in gold at the corners and center, and set with what the owners believed to be cheap costume jewelry. Two locks kept it secured, so it wasn't placed out on the floor, but kept in the back until someone could come by to take a look and see if they could open it up. It was difficult to sell something if you didn't quite know what it was after all, and there was no way they could know what looked like a book, smelt, and felt like a book, wasn't actually a book. It was a game. One that had taken many forms over the years, and its present incarnation was that of a board game hidden within a book. What's more, it wasn't content to just sit in the back of some shop collecting dust for who knows how long, and that was likely why it was discovered only a day or two later by Katie--one of the younger adults who worked in the store. She had been drawn into the back area by strange noises, whispers, and what she could have sworn sounded like two people going at it only to discover... nothing beyond a big book on the workbench. Given it was a used bookstore, the owners had a policy where they didn't have much issue with employees checking out books now and again, as long as they were returned undamaged. Katie took full advantage of that, quite often, and something about this newly discovered book called to her. Come the end of her shift, she noted it on the checkout board, slipped it into her bag, and went home. The locks popped open for her without much trouble, but she was rather disappointed to discover it wasn't a book at all, but some kind of game. Disappointed until she realised her bi-weekly game night was coming up, and she still hadn't quite decided on what board game from her collection to bring to the table. Perhaps this one would be as good as any other? Thus, she sent out the usual messages a few days later. A few texts, some social media posts, and even leaving an open invitation flyer on the message board of the local game shop. Inviting anyone who was interested to come try out a new game she found that she couldn't find any information about online. Granted, there was no way for Katie, nor anyone who responded, to know just what kind of night they were signing themselves up for. And all the roads we have to walk are winding And all the lights that lead us there are blinding Those who arrived early would be greeted not by Katie, but the music playing from her stereo , which was just a touch too loud and was audible on the path leading up to her front door. It also left the first few knocks going unanswered until they got a touch more insistent, causing a somewhat flushed, embarrassed young woman to be dashing over to answer the door and let everyone inside. Out of the cool, crisp spring air of a Friday evening. Skies were clear, no chance of rain either, so fortunately nobody had to worry about bringing too much more than a light jacket or some snacks of their own. Granted, even as the first few guests arrived, it was a touch too early to start just yet, affording those gathered time to mingle, chat, and get to know each other some first. The living room was done up a bit. A large coffee table sat flanked by three couches, with the game waiting on it, ready to be open and played. Along the back of one couch was a long table, covered in bowls and trays of finger food, while both the stereo and the flat screen television provided some passing entertainment. Friends would get the usual 'make yourself at home,' while newcomers were offered a quick tour of the place--including the location of the bathroom, the kitchen where all the drinks were crammed into the fridge including a fair bit of alcohol, and the fact that aside from the second bathroom upstairs, the top floor was off limits. After all, it was just the bedrooms, and a study, hardly anything exciting next to the little 'game party' downstairs. Which at times wasn't so terribly exciting in of itself. Tonight would hopefully be a bit different, especially for those who were returning from other nights, which may have went well, or poorly. All the notices and messages had asked everyone who wished to join to be there by 630, for a 7 PM sharp start with things set to run no longer than 10. As more people piled into the living room, Katie playing the role of party host, and everyone having to endure the lingering scent of the host's late dinner, it seemed things would end up starting sooner over later.