Settling on the classic,

John headed out of the house in boring jeans and a graphic tee. Was it lame? Maybe, but it was him. Considering the clothes he’d borrowed from Tala’s, this outfit wouldn’t really be out of place. He locked the door behind himself and looked out at the half done yard work, wilting a little.

’I really need to get this done today. I’d do it now, but Tala’s waiting and the bus ride is long enough as is.’ Making a mental note of all the work he still had to do, the gamer ran off to the bus stop, arriving just as another bus pulled up.

He climbed on and picked a spot near the back, settling in for the long ride, pulling out his phone to play around with the new systems installed by Emily. He explored the “Abyss Auction”, some kind of I-buy app but for the magic world, and found her store. It was simple, especially when compared to some of the others John had seen even on mundane sites.

’You know, maybe I can help her market her stuff better online in return for her help with stuff. Or just as a friend, honestly.’ He smiled to himself as he continued to browse, surprised to find the store he’d bought his ring at was also on there. Thumbing the silver band, the lycan felt a little nervous, but did feel reassured by the fact its Observe said it was just a normal ring. It still burned just a little, but felt more like a sunburn than something worse.

The bus slowed and John looked up, surprised to see his stop was actually the next one. He’d been so focused on his phone that he hadn’t been paying attention to the time. With a little chuckle, and tucking his phone away, the gamer looked out the window to excitedly watch his stop approach. His face was practically pressed to the glass as he spotted Tala standing by the stop looking a little nervous.

Before the bus had even stopped, John was on his feet, walking towards the doors with the only other couple of people getting off at this stop. He paid them no mind as he slipped through, loping over to catch Tala as she leapt into his arms with a squeal.

“You really came,” she gasped, their hug knocking the wind out of her.

“Mhmm,” the gamer chuckled, “you finally called.” He was impressed with himself that he was able to catch her and found her so light. ’Maybe those stats really do make a difference,’ he thought to himself as he slowly lowered her to her feet. Their embrace caused her body to slide against the entire length of his, making him bite back a moan, much to her amusement.

Tala looked around them, leaning to peek behind the new lycan. “Let’s go hiking so we can talk.” Again, she didn’t give him a chance to respond before grabbing his hand to drag him towards the treeline, not bothering to go for the trailhead.

Being pulled along, John looked back at the people that got off the bus with him. They looked to be a couple as well, and he gave them a cursory Observe out of habit.

’Huh. Now that’s new.’

Party Member too far away

“The fuck?” He dismissed the window, Tala pausing to look at him quizzically. They were barely in the trees so he didn’t feel comfortable speaking too loudly. “I, uh, think I’m still teamed up with my friend Emily. It tries to share information and stuff. I’ll have to explain it when we’re back at your place,” he half whispered.

Less urgent, they walked together hand in hand. “So, you were worried you were sick?”

“Yeah. My mom’s a nurse so she got worried I was really sick because my temperature was so high.” As he spoke, John looked down at their entwined hands with a smile; her skin didn’t feel as hot in comparison anymore.

“Huh.” Tala’s forehead scrunched up in a cute show of contemplation.

“She only checked because I had a headache,” he clarified. The further they got into the trees, the more comfortable he felt, like he was walking down his own street.

“Oh!” The girl laughed, the sound melting into their surroundings. A bird squawked, startled, and flew off. “I bet you feel like there’s another person in your head, right?”

The gamer blinked, shocked. “Yeah! Is that,” he paused, trying to find the right word, “normal?”

“Well, not really for humans, I bet, but for us, yeah.” Tala squeezed his hand. “The wolf spirit can kinda have its own personality. Never really heard of one conflicting too much, but you never really know, I guess. We’re not the biggest pack out there.”

John’s stomach lurched as they crossed the edge of the barrier she called home and he shuddered. “Ugh. I hope I get used to that…”

“Sorry…” Tala stretched the word apologetically, still tugging him forward. “I keep forgetting to warn you. I promise to really pay attention when we leave. Maybe it’ll help if you know it’s coming.” She shrugged, though John thought she didn’t sound hopeful and he sighed.

“Only one way to find out, I guess.” He ran his free hand through his hair. “So, what are we going to do today now that I’m officially one of you guys?”

Still a faster walker than the nerd, Tala took a step into his path to meet his eyes, tugging his arm a certain way so he had **** but to stop. “Officially one of us?”

“Uh, yeah,” he stammered, voice breaking. “You know, a were-” he caught her flinch and cut his sentence off, “lycan. Like you guys.” John cleared his throat to start again. “So, remember how I told you my powers are game based?”

“Kinda? You explained it, but I can’t exactly say it made sense.”

“Yeah, well, doesn’t exactly make sense to me either, but there it is.” The gamer sighed.

You’re welcome for powers in a format you’d actually understand.

’Not now.’

“So, groups like you and the Purifiers would be called ‘guilds’, and when your dad told me I had to join you guys, I got an official offer in my, uh, power system. I took some time to think it over the past couple days and I accepted it.”

Tala threw herself at him again, but this time John wasn’t able to catch himself and they fell to the ground together, both out of breath. “Just wait until my dad hears you’re staying! I told Bly you’d come back!”

John’s mind froze a moment on the idea of him staying here with her.