"Dude, you need a new controller." Jacob laughed, shaking his head at Jessal's pitifully duct taped controller that had several wires poking out of the left side. It was a wonder it actually still worked.

"Yeah, but that would require me to buy it myself and my job just doesn't support such frivolity." She quoted a line her parents were fond of. Aaron just rolled his eyes, swatting Jacob. "Be nice, this is the first time in over a month she's been able to chill with us."

"Yeah, what gives?" He looked at her. "Spill, who's the new healer? Is he cute?"

"Jacob!" Aaron tried to hide his laughing, but failed.

"What?"

"There is no new healer. Class and work has kept me busy is all. And I already roll with the best." She teased. She liked the banter. it was reliable. You knew who would say what.

Powering up the console, they waited for the game to download. "Where's Janice and Alex?"

"Alex said she was running late but she'd make it for pizza at the latest, and Janice said she had a bad feeling about tonight. She's probably locked behind a door with salt lines and shit everywhere."

"Hey, don't knock it, that stuff might actually work."

"Yeah, and pigs might actually fly."

The door swung open and Alex burst in, bags hanging off her arms.

"Eyyyy, I brought food! And pop. But mostly Doritos and Cheese Puffs." She looked at the screen. "Oh damn, still loading?"

"I thought you were running late." Jessal asked, setting her controller down.

"Boss let me out early since I managed to get the new guy to cover my shift. Poor dude."

"Awww, Alex has a boytoy!" Jacob grinned.

"Do not. I just promised him a return favor. Got it written down and everything."

"Oooh, it's serious!" He ducked the bag of Doritos Alex threw at him and smirked. "Suspicion confirmed. I repeat, suspicion confirmed. Alex has a new guy. Say your goodbyes now, we won't see her for a while."

"Wait, Jessal. You do realize your niece is here?" Alex sat down, dishing out the pop and 'food'.

"Shouldn't be. Birbs." She hopped up off her chair and left, looking in the kitchen.

"Hey brat, what're you doing here?"

"Mom had to work. She said Grandma said you'd watch me."

"Uh, tonight's game night. You gonna snitch if we're less than stellar poster children?"

"What's in it for me?"

"Pop and junk food. I got a bunch of ice cream in the freezer too."

"Or I could just spoil the ending for you. You're playing Inquisition, right?"

"Get in here, and no spoilers! How would you even know?"

"Tumblr. Gotta love it."

"Shut up."

"You black listed spoilers, didn't you?"

'"I said shut up." They settled into the seating arrangement just as the game finished downloading. The theme song blared, and Aaron dove for the TV remote, hurriedly turning the volume down.

"Well, then."

"Hey, you know it's supposed to storm, right?" Renee said, just as thunder rumbled outside, rain hitting the window.

"Oh look, I'm psychic."

"We'll be fine." Famous last words. Just as Jessal hit 'New Game', a bolt of lightning caused a power surge, matching the explosion onscreen.