#I've never gone this long without a Dishonored game before

[pallideinanis]

DotO came out seven years ago as of this weekend and I'm having a Crisis™ about this.

[sirdolraan]

Family

(Daily writing challenge August 2022, Day 7, Peace/Unforgiven. CW: gambling)

@daily-writing-challenge

It had gotten harder for these gatherings to occur as the years had gone on, and each player had taken on additional responsibilities, but the stars had aligned once again, this time above a sleepy roadside inn set up on the road north from the Thandol span into greater Arathi.

"I've got t' say, this is a lovely little inn yeh found, Vasily" Drogar declared, passing his judgment as he took his seat at the felted table.

"It is certainly having its charms! Mistress Greysteel just built it last year to be providing rest and safety to the traffic brought on by the peace treaty. There are many merchants taking the overland routes into the hills nowadays." Vasily replied, setting out the colored chips and unboxing the deck of playing cards.

"Booze is good too!" Hlin hollered as she shouldered her way into the room, hands filled with pint glasses, spilling beer head to and fro. "Ah put down a nice beer deposit so go ahead and drink away boys! It'll make mah job easier!"

"Um, I'll pass on that, but thank you?" Janosis took his seat, picking up the cards and beginning to shuffle, the cards flying between his fingers. "Where's Dolraan, I thought he was joining us?"

Drogar took one of the pints from Hlin and took a generous drink before answering. "He should be along before long, apparently 'e's taken it upon 'imself t' invite a new player."

"Oho, a new friend to play with? Wonderful!" Vasily exulted, grasping Janosis and Drogar on either side of him and pulling them in close in a hug.

"Wonderful indeed, good evening everyone." Dolraan's voice rang out, pushing the door open and entering, pulling down his travelers cloak and welcoming in his companion. "Allow me to introduce Ghorren, he's been working with us for a while and happened to mention a love of card games, and I know we've been looking for a sixth."

"Uh, hello, everyone." Ghorren said, raising a slightly uncomfortable hand as he ducked under the door frame. While the inn had a sign that proclaimed all were welcome, the construction hadn't quite lived up to that. "I be Ghorren, of the Goldpact."

Hlin brightened up. "Ah heard of y'all! Yer Simah's boss, ain't ya?"

Ghorren nodded as Vasily rose to greet him. "Hello my new friend Ghorren! I am Vasily, these are our friends Drogar, Hlin, Janosis, and you are knowing Dolraan of course! It is nice to have a friend whom I can easily be seeing eye to eye with, yes?" the draenei joked, nudging Ghorren's ribs with an elbow as he was guided to a seat.

"Uh, yes, thank you, er, Vasily. Sorry, this is something new for me, playing with, well, Alliance."

Hlin smirked. "Don't worry, once ah've gotten all yer gold y'all will have something in common to talk about."

Drogar set aside his goggles. "Not this time, Stoutarm, I'm wise t' yer tricks, and I'm not lettin' yeh get th' better of meh this time."

Janosis started to deal the cards. "As long as you don't forget to pay attention to Vasily; he HAS won the last three nights we played."

Vasily beamed. "I am just happy to be spending time with beloved friends, old and new!" Vasily patted Ghorren on the shoulder as he slid a pint glass in front of him with a smile, before attending to his cards.

Ghorren adjusted himself in his seat. "Let's see how this goes then. I won't dishonor the Goldpact by going down without a fight. My girls would never forgive me."

"Then let the games begin. Place your blinds everyone, let's play some cards." Dolraan declared, pushing his chips forward as another great game began.