So Bert needed to send it to another world. It seemed rather rude, as he didn’t want to explode someone else’s world, but to be fair Bert hadn’t created the problem, and was just defending his people.
Bert closed his eyes and willed the die to go to wherever White had gone. But, since Bert felt bad, he also willed the die to send himself, since he should suffer the same fate as the people in the other world he was going to explode.
Brilliant light flashed around Bert, and the most wonderful floaty feeling filled his whole body. It was concentrated down in his toes, but quickly rose until it rushed up through his head. He blinked a few times and looked around as he realized he’d landed some place entirely new.
Bert still clutched the d20 in his little hand, and still sensed the tremendous power within it. The vibrating had ceased, however, and he sensed that the danger had passed. Bringing the die here had solved the issue, for some reason.
Unfortunately it created a whole host of other issues. Bert stood on top of a mat with little lines, which sat on the middle of a broad table. Little miniatures and dice were scattered all around him. Like offerings.
Behind the dice sat the real problem. A bunch of confused humans blinked down at Bert. He didn’t see anyone he recognized, but somehow…a young chestnut-haired human woman sat in one of the chairs and she was the only one smiling at Bert. There was something familiar about her.
Bert was about to do the sensible thing and run, but the table shook, and he fell down hard. It took a moment for Bert to clamber back up, and when he saw what had jostled the table immediate relief filled him.
Both Lefty and Righty had their fangs bared, and were growling as Boberton butted against the table. The dog eyed the humans suspiciously, but all were wisely keeping their distance.
Bert realized that he was going to have to do something. Diplomacy, maybe. That was a big word. He raised a hand, and waved at the girl who’d smiled at him. “Hullo. My name Bert. This Boberton. He gets nervous around new people, but Boberton good dog.” Bert patted Lefty twice, then Righty twice to demonstrate.
The dog’s tail began to wag, and he stopped growling.
For some reason the humans did not relax.
Epilogue
Jess came back to herself in a rush. Her eyes fluttered, and gone were her elven perception and lithe body. She was just a dumpy teenager once more, as she was every time they finished a session. Only this time…this time there had been an emergency.
She blinked at the table and realized that Bert stood there clutching the d20 in his hand. In the flesh. Real as her. He’d somehow come out of the game world, which shouldn’t be possible as she understood things. Bert was a construct, and all constructs lived within the mat.
How he’d arrived was less important than the fact that he’d saved them, which itself became secondary to the fact that Boberton had somehow arrived too. The utterly massive demo dog was much, much more intimidating in the real world than he’d ever been in the game. Both Lefty and Righty brushed the ceiling tiles, and she had no idea how they were going to get the dog outside.
The tiny goblin’s eyes grew wider, and Jess could see the panic. Her friend needed her.
Jess rushed forward to gather Bert into a hug, and the goblin returned it, though he seemed puzzled. She let him go and delivered a big smile. “I’m Kit!”
“Oh!” Bert’s eyes went wide. “Kit human. Bert had no idea. Very confusing, but nice to meet you. Again. Who friends?”
They turned to look at the group, who were of course staring at them. Todd sat dejectedly behind the GM screen, and Robert sat ramrod straight in his chair. Wait, why had Robert gone so pale? He looked terrified.
Jess followed his gaze, and when she discovered the cause, she shared the terror. Todd’s dad stood in the corner of the room. Mr. Vulpine wore a dark business suit and the day’s exhaustion. It was too early for him to be off work, and there was only one reason he’d have left early.
“Answers, Todd. Now.” Mr. V stepped forward, arms folded, and demanding. “That d20 is illegal for you to possess until you graduate. And now, I imagine, you have some inkling as to why.”
“I’m so sorry, Dad.” Todd’s voice was a tiny thing as the long-haired teen rose to his feet. “I thought I was ready. Clearly I’m not.”
“Well, you’d better get ready.” The anger in Mr. V’s voice drew a wince from every seated player. “Let me explain what you’ve done. You see that goblin, and that demo dog? A demo dog, really, Todd? In the real world? Well those are no longer constructs. Now they are sentient beings. You’ve played god. Literally. Which is strictly regulated by the ministry, as you’re well aware.” Mr. V walked to the table, idly pet Boberton, then extended his hand to Bert. “Please give me the d20, son.”
“Okay.” Bert cheerfully handed the glowing d20 over, which swiftly disappeared into Mr. V’s pocket. He turned back to Todd. “Roll up the mat, and bring it home. Then find a place for your friends to stay.”
“Wait.” Jess rose to her feet, and wilted when Mr. V’s angry stare landed on her. She refused to back down, though. “Bert doesn’t deserve to suffer for our mistakes. Can you let us put him back in the mat, at least? He and Boberton belong there, not here.”
“That is factually incorrect.” Mr. V loosened his tie and sighed heavily. “Only a self-aware construct could harness the d20. Normally that could never, ever happen because the d20 isn’t permitted to enter the game, and because sentient beings are incredibly rare. But if the die does enter,
