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He grinned. “It’s been fun. We’ve all enjoyed playing spies.”
Granny patted my arm. “I’ll see you at home. I think you three need some alone time.”
“Uh.” I looked out the window so I didn’t have to see her expression. “It’s good to see you, and I want to spend more time with you, but maybe don’t show up until tomorrow. Um, like noon? We’re going to bond tonight.”
“Oh, of course!” She gave me a chilly hug. “Come on, Carlyle! Time for us to leave these lovebirds alone!” She vanished, and Rory’s grandfather followed.
I slumped back into my seat. “Wow, that was a lot.”
Rory exhaled loudly. “Yeah.”
Ellis, however, turned in his seat so he could look back at me. “Now would be a great time to talk about our relationship histories.”
CAL’S CAMPAIGN COMPENDIUM
NON-PLAYER CHARACTER (A.K.A. NPC)
Type: NPC
Class: Human
Overview:“NPC”, or “Non-Player Character” is used to refer to non-magical humans who are not aware of Wonders or the campaign.
Accidental Exposure: If NPCs are exposed to the campaign in any way, reach out to the nearest District Monitor or post in your local Discord server for assistance as soon as possible. Depending on the situation, the NPC(s) will be convinced they were mistaken in what they witnessed, or their story/photos/videos will be discredited.
Romantic or Other Close Relationships: Should you develop a close relationship with an NPC and decide you wish to tell them about the campaign and your role in it, please contact your District Monitor prior to doing so. Your DM may wish to meet the NPC and get a feel for how receptive they would be to the information. If the reveal goes badly, your DM can help to make sure the NPC does not tell anyone about what they now know.
CHAPTER 19
ELLIS
Rory and Shanedidn’t seem excited about my topic suggestion, but it needed to be discussed. “I guess I’ll go first.” I jabbed Rory in the upper arm with a finger. “But Manny’s already referenced some sort of bad breakup you had, so don’t think you’re getting out of telling us.”
He sighed. “Fine.”
“Okay, so I wasn’t out in high school.” I pointed at myself. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I had my dad convinced I was just a nerdy debate club kid and not agaynerdy debate club kid.”
Shane leaned forward. “He wasn’t accepting?”
I snorted. “Hell, no. He always told me to be more like my brother, who was a man’s man.” I rolled my eyes. “He was super disappointed I didn’t have Hunter abilities like him and Arch. Anyway, it was safer for me to not date in high school. When I went away to college, I pretty much slept with any guy with a pulse. I didn’t have an exclusive relationship until my senior year, and that only lasted until graduation. I’ve had three long-term boyfriends since then, but none of them feltlike forever, you know? I’ve only dated NPCs, but I’ve never even been tempted to tell any of them about the campaign. I told them all I did volunteer social work on the side.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Shane reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. “How did your dad react to you having boyfriends? And your mom? Is she still around?”
I shook my head. “No, she died of cancer when I was in elementary school.” Shane and Rory made noises of sympathy. “I told my dad I was gay after college. He, well, I won’t repeat what he said. But effectively, no son of his could be gay, so therefore I wasn’t his son anymore.”
Rory held up a hand. “Hang on. You said he was a Hunter, so he works with Wonders all the time. And I haven’t met very many, but they don’t seem like the types to be hung up on binary gender norms.”
“They’re not. And I’m pretty sure he never told anyone on the Hunter team what he thought. He retired a few years ago anyway.”
“What about Arch?” Rory pointed at the SUV ahead of us. “He seems accepting.”
I shrugged, the old pain flaring up again. “He never disowned me like Dad, but he didn’t support me against Dad either. We don’t talk much, as you could probably tell.” I spread my hands out. “That’s my sad history. Who wants to go next?”
Rory pressed his lips together. He might have been about to say something, but Shane spoke up instead.
“I’ll go. Not much to tell, really. Granny knew I liked boys since elementary school, when I became obsessed with all the guys onDawson’s Creek.”
Rory grinned, and I laughed. “I was more partial to Angel onBuffy.”
