Yes, the priestess is penitent

“Is there a blacksmith nearby?” asks Sandra cooly after thinking for a moment.

"Of course," you answer and quickly check your notes for inspiration. "It isn't too difficult to find one. It's a sturdy brick building with a thick colum of smoke coming from a chimney and the steady ring of a hammer on steel coming from inside."

"I will politely knock on the door." Sandra raises a fist in the air and makes a delightful knocking sound with her tongue.

"A soot covered dwarf opens it up. 'What can a do for ya, lass?'"

You glimpse the slightest hint of a laugh before the conservative beauty suppresses it. Your scottish accent could do with some improvements.

"Greetings sir, I would like to purchase a single manacle with a short chain attached."

Despite your terrible accent, or maybe because of it, Sandra seems to enjoys the brief transaction and you frequently see the corners of her mouth curl up with excitement. The priestess manages to buy her curio for 8 gold, arguing that it should be half the price of a set of manacles. After she rolls successfully, the dwarf agrees. In the back of your mind, you can't help but wonder as to what she wants it for.

Fortunately, Sandra doesn't keep you in suspense too long. “Once the blacksmith goes back inside I will lock the manacle around my right wrist.”

That was a little unexpected. Squinting, you stare at her, hoping to figure out where she's going with this.

“I'm binding myself because,” she squeaks, defensively while leaning back, “I mean Rae feels that she still needs to atone for her crimes.”

“That's great,” you try to reassure her, realizing that you had accidently frowned while thinking. “It's really interesting to see all the stuff you do getting into your character's head.”

“It's fun. I like the world you create.” You love that smile, but having it coupled with a compliment gives you a surprisingly strong rush.

“So now that Rae has a new bracelet,” you pause, thinking of the golden bracelet that your frequently-formal female friend chose to wear today. She normally didn't wear that kind of jewellery. Had she picked it today to represent Rae's bondage? Bring props to a D&D game is pretty bad ass, and in this case, a little sexy. “Um, where would you like to go?”

“Saul suggested we try to meet up somewhere. Do you mind if I text him real quick?”

As if it heard the mention of texting, your own phone vibrates with a notification that you ignore. “I'm pretty sure that's meta-gaming,” you chide warmly.

“Sorry dungeon master,” the talented actress sighs, playing to the balcony. “Can I have a second to think?” she asks flipping through her notebook. Your phone buzzes again. And again. “This could take a minute if you wanted to check that," offered Sandra. “It sounds like someone is blowing up your phone.”

You steal a quick peak. You've gotten five texts from Alex, a classmate of yours. They read:

• Hey can you send me that table of friction coefficients
• I just got the deats on the I-rail and I want to cram it into my brain
• The table not the rail that would kill me
• Only a few lines from the table cuz the whole thing would probably Crystal Skull me
• Not a super fan of the movie or anything that's just what came to mind
• Can we rewind time to me just asking for the friction coefficients?

"It's one of my partners on a group project," you inform Sandra, "probably wanting to get an early start."

Sandra makes a silly face. "Look I can suspend my disbelief for orcs and dragons, but group members that show initiative is just too much."

You laugh and slip your phone in your pocket.

"I'm still planning here. You may want to give this mythical creature a call before they turn into a pumpkin or whatever."

You nod and step aside to give Alex a quick call.

A few minutes later, you return. "Sorry about the delay," you say walking behind Sandra as you talk, "Alex got a new work schedule, so we hand to change our..." You trail off as you turn to see Sandra with her nose in the Red Sonja comic book.

Immediately upon noticing your arrival she puts the graphic novel back with the others and turns to face you, looking like a puppy that had been caught stealing food. "Look I'm normally not a boomerang giver, but maybe when you've finished reading, I could borrow them?"

"Well, well, well," you chide, "first, meta gaming. Now this? Miss Morelli you have certainly embraced your criminal side."

"Maybe the master will lock me in his dungeon. Or will I be let off with a warning?" she jabs back while standing to meet your gaze.

"Don't make me roll for it." You sit down and rattle a pair of dice in your hand threateningly.

She laughs with you. Then, like a jaguar about to pounce, she tilts her head forward and stares into your eyes while a devilish grin curls her lips. Leaning forward caused her swaying breasts to look even larger, as they strained against her dignified shirt. She opens her mouth to speak, but pauses then closes it.

She sits down and nervously scratches her nose before relaxing into her usual straight-laced posture. You want to say something encouraging but can't think of anything that doesn't sound condescending. It doesn't help that a nearby group of students starts loudly chanting "Nathaniel Half Thorn!" Maybe you and Sandra should have picked a more private location to play out your nerd fantasies.

Irregardless, the two of you return to your game. As Sandra outlines her plan to cautiously look for the rest of the group, you start to wander if maybe Rae had missed her calling to become a master criminal. You feel a bit disappointed knowing at least half of her efforts will go unnoticed by the party. She visits a few of their usual hangouts. After casually checking for trouble, Rae discreetly carves the party's symbol and an encircled horseshoe in each location. The later is the trade mark for the East Ring Stables whose owner the party had saved from bandits. As Rae makes her way to the stables, you decide to end the session and wait to see what the rest of the group does.

"Thank you," she says as the game draws to a close. "I had a great time."

"Me too. Your always a pleasure to play with."

You think you catch a hint of red across her cheeks. "Well maybe Rae will go off on another solo adventure soon. That is if it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all," you insist, backing your laptop up. "In the meantime, see you Saturday."

"Or sooner," she replies with a vixen smirk.