A/N: I am realizing the challenges of writing about a game folks might have no experience with. I could have Kagome give an exposition of all the rules and parameters, but that would be hella boring. The big thing to know is when she refers to 'in character' she's asking her players to interact as if they are the avatars in the story. (So, if Shippou whines out loud, that's what his character does, and others respond accordingly.)

* When Kagome is speaking as the Dungeon Master and telling the adventure, it is noted in italics.

Chapter Two: Sword & Sorcery

"With noonday sun high overhead, three weary figures crest a hill, surveying a small township sprawled out before them—."

"What's a 'township'?" Shippou interrupted.

"It's like a big village."

"Then why not call it that?"

Kagome gave him a patient smile. "Just go with it Shippou-chan. Don't get so hung up on details, it's about the story."

At the kitsune's slow nod, she resumed. "Numerous buildings, new and gleaming, stand cheerily around the town square, and the adventurers begin making their way down the hill's wide, well-worn path."

"How can a building be cheery?"

Kagome's smile waffled. "I don't know Rin-chan – I'm just trying to paint a scene for you."

"What kind?"

"One where the town looks prosperous and happy."

Rin's brows knit. "Because the homes are… cheery?" She ventured.

A sigh. "Yes."

"Okay."

Sesshoumaru settled more comfortably into his seat, palming a bent knee with his lone hand. This training could prove highly entertaining. Vexing the miko would be ample payment for whisking Rin away and wheedling him into this asinine activity.

Kagome plowed on, now slightly tremulous. "As you travel down the road, you spot a boisterous tavern, full of lively banter and the strum of a bard's lute. Surely, this will be an excellent place to rest, recount your journey, and gather news for your next epic quest."

"Miko?"

A twitch appeared over Kagome's eye. "Hmmm?" She managed.

Sesshoumaru paused, relishing as the twitch began to throb. "Is this story world not driven by us? Didn't you just go to great length to impress this upon us?"

Startled, Kagome stared over as if horns had suddenly sprouted from his hair. "Yes. It is."

Sesshoumaru hesitated again, poised to strike. "Then why are you deciding we should start in this tavern?" He asked pointedly. "Shouldn't we select for ourselves which 'cheery', 'boisterous' building to visit?"

Kagome's mouth plummeted. There is NO WAY Sesshoumaru knows enough about roleplaying to already be derailing my plans. "Right," wind wrenched from her sails, she spread her palms wide. "Then we'll start the scene here. You three are walking down the road together. Out of character, describe yourselves and maybe a bit of your motivations. Then strike up a conversation, in character, and we'll go from there."

Shippou's hand shot into the air. "Can I go first?"

The enthusiasm was a welcome boost to her battered confidence, and Kagome gave an encouraging nod. "Of course."

The kitsune cleared his throat, puffing out his chest. "My name in this world is Inu-Brasha. I'm a sorcerer who likes to play tricks, and I'm a big, lumbering bully."

An exhale verging on a snicker came from the daiyoukai.

Shippou preened at the approval. "I like to rush into trouble like a dummy, but my magic always manages to save me."

Kagome sent Sesshoumaru a cross look, who had deliberately shifted attention to the surrounding forest, avoiding her eye. "Very… creative, Shippou-chan," she said diplomatically. "You sure you want to play that kind of character though? It may seem funny now, but you might not like having to be mean or stupid later."

The kit rocked in his seat. "Don't worry, Kagome. Inu-Brasha will be loads of fun."

She bit back another sigh. "Okay," turning to the girl next, she allowed herself a flare of hope. "How about you Rin-chan?"

Checkered kimono shook as the child nearly vibrated with excitement. "I'm a super strong cleric who's all grown up and really pretty," she burst out. "I carry an ugly yellow backpack because it's a special family relic. It holds all kinds of spell books and medicines, plus my holy symbol – the shikon-no-tama. I'm from the future and can travel back and forth through time."

"Well… that isn't really a sanctioned spell—."

Sesshoumaru was as impressed with his ward's knowledge of the woman perched on a rock before them as with her level of elation. Perhaps this training truly was valuable. "You said not to focus too much on details, miko," he cut in. "Do not dampen her make-believe."

Kagome snapped her mouth closed.

Rin scrunched up her face in thrilled pride. "My name is—."

"Let me guess," the woman mumbled miserably.

"Kagome."

"Of course."

The daiyoukai saw his opportunity to provoke further. He would not morph into any iteration other than himself, goading the miko into loosing her piddling temper. "This Sesshoumaru will go," he offered.

Kagome beckoned with a glum hand.

"I am a great and terrible inuyoukai warrior."

"Not really a D&D race," she grumbled, resigned. "And you're a paladin."

"One who is Lord of the Western Lands."

"And your name is Sesshoumaru?"

"Correct."

Kagome palmed her face. "What do you look like?"

Sesshoumaru blinked.

"Oh, come on," she dragged her fingers down, speaking through them. "You have to have something different about you. The whole point is to be someone you're not."

His gaze dropped to the bent grass at his feet, an irritational desire sending words past his lips. "I have both arms," he murmured, bangs shielding his face. "And I can wield Tessaiga."

Stunned, Kagome straightened on her rock. "That's actually…," she spoke to the silver wall obscuring his expression. "Fitting," the continued longing behind his admission surprised almost as much as its utterance aloud. "What's the sword's backstory?" She knew she shouldn't press; a glimpse of bared soul was not the time to coax out a fleshed-out narrative, but was curious how far he'd go to accommodate Rin's 'training'.

Golden eyes flicked up at her. "It was stolen by a paltry, human wench," Sesshoumaru said coldly. "But I melted her with poison and reclaimed it."

Got what I asked for there, she mused. "Very inspired," she said wryly. "Definitely fantasy."

"It could still become truth."

Kagome waved him away. "Uh-huh," rubbing her hands together, she leaned forward, propping elbows on knees. "Now you all know each other's names and classes. You're on a road, heading towards the town of Pernith," she surveyed the three faces before her. "Begin."

Prompt: Sword & Sorcery (Day 2)

Date: Originally posted 7/21/20 on Dokuga

Words: 1,000