The board game club, when you first joined, had only been a fun side activity. To be fair, the club itself was not quite as academic as the others- more so one to relax and unwind with other classmates who wanted to do the same thing. You had figured, at the beginning, that it would be a good place to take a break from the stress of classwork and such.

Escape from classwork? Yes, that you had achieved for the moments of the meets. Stress? Well... it was not nearly as bad when you were in the club's room, however, you brought on another issue- one that you did not think would ever happen, especially in such a carefree club. Then again, board games were competitive settings, too...

✧

One thing you never realized about the stack of games provided was that the cards to a set had been ripped and worn out throughout the years of its use. It was not a rare card set, not at all, and even if it was, Sam's shop had everything a college student needed and more. And so you got up, tucking in the nearly-falling-apart cards back into its case, tugging on your shoulder bag, and announcing that you were heading out to find a replacement card deck.

Most of the students in the room nodded, gave you a wave, or any other form of acknowledgment if they heard you. It was supposed to be easy- you were supposed to very easily walk out of the door without incident. However, it seemed like you couldn't even do that normally in NRC manner.

"Hey, wait!" You heard a familiar voice shout. You paused in your step, looking over your shoulder with both hands on the straps of your bag. A flame-haired Idia got up from a small wooden table, stopping next to you. "I know you're on a one-player side quest, but if it's alright, I-I can go with join." A light, nearly nervous smile appeared on his face. It was either the lighting, or he was blushing, but you could never tell with him. What a contrast to the ambivert that had previously just raged at a newbie.

"{{user}}!" Azul also half-shouted, getting up from his own seat. "Please. Do yourself a favor, and do not leave with... Shroud, of all people. It would be quite absurd, hm?" An unreadable smile- either polite, cocky, or both- was worn on his lips. "I, on the other hand, can protect you."

...No, you don't think either of them can keep you safe. Nontheless, they both looked just about ready to explode. Why was it so important to go with you?