Later in the evening, Nic was at the gaming store with a table cleaned off and his books set down for he and his friends to do some character creation together. Granted, it could still be a certain amount of time before the others started showing up, but Nic wanted things to be perfect. Being asked about what happened during home coming shook him a bit, but Nic still held onto hope as he got everything as nice as he could. For a while it was only him and the store owner at the time, but Nic was starting to wonder if if he was being played.
"It may not have been time, but, surely, there was someone that would come early." Nic said to himself, "Or maybe they plan to actually come on time? Or maybe some are late?" Nic looked past the main counter and to the door as the outside world was getting darker. he sighed to himself and leaned on the back wall of the building. "Wait a minute." Nic started to get up and walk toward the bathrooms, in a hall just around a corner, "Des tends to not be seen by others... right?" He started walking toward the back door, "Maybe she's wanting to come through here?" Stepping to the back exit and looking through the window., there was no one there either. Nic sighed, getting more anxious as he wasn't sure what to do.

A bell ran as someone entered the gaming store, then again, and again, and again. Nic's ears perked up and he smiled, walking back toward the main area, and peaking around the corner with hopes up for who it was. Sure enough, the badger he was friends with came, along with a weasel and a bull and a zebra. Nic's tail started to wag as he saw this, and took a deep breath.
"Man he really went all out on this." The bull said, "Just imagine the look on his face afterwards."
"We're not doing anything serious, are we?" the badger said, Nic could barely hear him as he eavesdropped.
"Nah, who would really care?" the weasel said, "We're just gonna screw with his stuff, not hurt him."
"But- but he just said..." The badger was stammering a bit, "But he just talked about how much,"
"That's why we're gonna tear this stuff up," the zebra said "As soon as he's out of the bathroom."
"But.. he..."
"What got into you?" The bull looked at him and chuckled, "Do you actually care about that loser?"
After that, the badger fell silent.

Nicolai just looked to this, hearing everything. He backed up and sighed crestfallen.
"Whatchya do'in?" Nic jumped and covered his mouth so he didn't scream, "Jumpy tonight, You must be excited." She said, "Sorry I'm late, I had to... make a detour getting here." She patted Nic on the shoulder, "So you ready to play? I'm excited to meet your sisters."
"Umm... About that." Nic looked to her, still not able to smile, "I thought I had some other friends joining but they just came along to pull another prank."
"Are you serious?" She peaked around the corner, "Nic, Would we still play if it as just me and your sisters?"
"I... I think so." Nic said, and then looked to her, "Why do you ask."
"Give me a minute." She started walking toward the group.
One by one, the guys saw her and froze in place. Nic couldn't really see her face, but he heard what they were saying.
"So, here to play a special game tonight?" She said with a soft chuckle, "I've been looking forward to this."
"Demona?" the bull actually backed away from her, "What are you doing here? Nic never mentioned you!"
"Of course he didn't." She said, "Why would he after all..." She leaned over the table and they all started to lean back, "I asked him to arrange this... And now we're all in a special little game... Knives at Night..."
They four said nothing more, they just ran for the store's entry and ran out into the night.

Nic just stood there, worried and confused as he saw all this. Then he walked over to the table, "You really seemed to scare them. How did you do that?"
"Oh scaring them isn't so bad, especially when you embrace what people say about you." She leaned on the table and stretched, "So let's play this game."
"Okay... Let me just get the laptop up and running." Nic said and stood at the DM's spot, "So... what are the rumors about you? Mine are pretty bad after-"
"I killed someone."
Nic froze and slowly looked to her, "You're a murderer?"
"It's what they say..." Her ears lowered slowly, her eyes not meeting his, "They all say I did it, and got away with it."
Nic's ears lowered, but he saw her reaction. There wasn't any hidden malice or lies, she actually seemed confused by it, didn't want. Nic looked at her for a bit, not sure what to do at first. He wanted to trust her though; then he took a breath, "I almost got this running, let's just... focus on the game. I won't press you anymore." he started to smile slowly.
She saw his smile, and began to as well, "Thanks, Nic, you're a good friend."
_____________________________________________________________________________

Part 27

Title: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/49655729/

Part 26: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54392221/

Part 28: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54621074/

Desdemona (C)  FuzzieRedPanda

Art, characters, and story (C)  watcher12