Charlie spent the next week packing up the meager remains of their belongings. For the most part they had found appropriate people to bestow gifts upon, donated items to the needy, or thrown out the things no one would want. I won’t be able to bring anything with me, best that it goes to people who will appreciate it.

Laying in their bed, Charlie relaxed after doing a last bit of cleaning. Sophie would be happy that she wouldn’t have to do much before renting out the room again. Finally, Charlie wouldn’t have to worry about everything that had plagued them. Finances aside, this world was cruel in a way that could be easily remedied now.

Charlie had never felt comfortable in their own body. It went beyond a general displeasure with their physical appearance. Something had always felt wrong. The process of uploading, at least the test program they had experienced, had been liberating. Charlie had immediately known that for the bonus in their contract they would select the unlimited upload option. Now that Elysium was up and running, Charlie could finally become someone beyond the limitations of sex, gender, or even a body. The call had come in earlier this week and the initial uploads had all been scheduled, Charlie’s included.

Toying with their last remaining personal possession, Charlie let the spiky edges of the crystal poke into their palms. Sophie, and the group of folks she had introduced Charlie to, represented the majority of their regret. Charlie knew that Sophie didn’t like the decision, but understood. Perhaps we will meet again in Elysium? It was possible, albeit unlikely.

The bubbly roommate bustled around downstairs setting up the house for this evenings game, making plenty of racket. It would be nice to wrap up any remaining loose ends, say goodbyes, and put a nice shiny bow on this chunk of life. Muffled by the door, a shout for assistance echoed up the stairwell.

“Get down here and help setup! The snacks won’t put themselves into bowls.”

Trudging down the stairs and into the kitchen, Charlie tugged on the bottom of their sweater to adjust it properly. “They might, you just need to leave things out long enough. Pretty sure I saw something you left in the fridge too long grow legs and scamper out one time when I opened the door late at night.”

Sophie scowled and put her hands on her hips. “You are hardly one to talk. The number of times I have had to skulk into your room to hunt down dirty dishes with lord knows what on them are countless.”

Both of them stood like that for a moment, silence invading the space between them. Sophie started sniffling, then she bear hugged Charlie as the tears fell from her eyes. “I am going to miss you, you know?”

Catching Sophie and squeezing, Charlie tried to squeeze their love into the tiny woman without breaking her. “You will just have to come find me. I know you will be in the world once the player portal opens up. There may not be a player to player communication option, not really much in the way of player support at all, but you stand a better chance than most of tracking me down.”

Releasing the hug and leaning back, Charlie gave their roommate a quick smile. “If you do, I promise to give you some hefty prizes. Just think of it as an optional quest, with a disproportionate reward.”

Chiming through the cavernous abode the doorbell interrupted them. Sophie wiped her tears quickly and grinned, changing her appearance and emotions on a dime. “Damn right I am going to track you down. Better believe I will hold you to that promise. I am already starting to make a list.”

Then she turned and bounded from the kitchen to answer the door. Charlie could hear a deep voice when the door opened, John must be here. The lore master always arrived early to set up, and tonight was no different.

Striding into the living room and piling various role playing accouterments onto the broad table, John and his wife, Cindy, greeted Charlie with a broad smile. “I have a real doozy of an evening planned for your last time questing with us. I hope you’re ready!”

“Ready as I always am, which is to say I am still considering running upstairs and bolting the door.” Charlie winked and moved to the table to help setup the map. “You trying to tell me that there will be plenty of ‘you sure you want to do that?’ and less ‘hold on a sec… let me check’ than normal?”

“I’m not that stereotypical am I? Besides, like you are one to talk. You have one of the most complicated home brewed characters I have ever seen. You know how many special rules I have to keep track of? Now, it’s your night. Want to pull any pranks on the others?”

Cindy stared at the map distractedly arranging a few figurines, notably changing the atmosphere in the room as she added her piece. “Have you worked out who Asphodel, paladin of Athena, will be passing on their items to?”

John poked his wife playfully in the side. “Cin, bad form. Let Charlie reveal that. Don’t ruin the mystery before the story has even begun.”

Amused and jealous of the couple’s easy interaction, Charlie addressed the previous questions and brushed past Cindy’s faux pas. “You’re great John, I was just teasing. Pranks on friends aren’t really my thing. Why, did you have something in mind? Don’t tell me you wanted to tease the new girl. She’s obviously not used to socializing. She only opens up after we start role playing.”

Sophie arrived with a piping hot over baked pizza and placed it with the rest of the snacks. “No teasing Ashley. I had to work forever to get her to actually come to her first game. She had a player’s handbook, dice, and figurines all over her cubicle, but she had never played before. She is just starting to get comfortable, don’t ruin this for her… or else."

Distracting themselves with small talk, the group finished prepping for the evening while waiting on their tardy participant. Interrupting their idle chit-chat and hesitant knock sounded from the foyer. Sophie bounded up from her chair and whipped the door open.

“You made it! We were all getting a bit worried there. John already has the game setup, get your move on girl!!”

Running slender fingers through her hair, Ashley fixed her appearance hastily. A loose fitting hoodie, baggy jeans, and messenger bag completed the guests outfit. With spindly arms she encircled Sophie in a hug.

“Ahh, sure. Sorry.”

Sophie smirked. “Riiiight. Now, get that sexy butt moving. No embarrassing the hostess.” Sophie twisted so Ashley was inside the house and pushed her further in upon releasing.

Jolted forward, the new arrival used the momentum to continue on into the living room, where she greeted those gathered with a wave and sheepish smile.

“Great! Everyone is here. Cindy and I were about to send out a search party. The ‘za was getting cold.” John spread his thick arms out in a welcoming gesture and then pat back of the chair to his right. “Tonight we go back into a world of adventure, to explore the Dungeon of the Shrouded Veil, prepare yourselves.”

“Now I don’t have any other in game items to give away, but I do have one last present. Sophie, put that cake down and clean your hands.” Charlie took out the small gift bag housing a crystal gifted by someone lost, but not forgotten. Clenching the possession briefly, Charlie bundled up all of their pain, doubts, and resentment releasing them with a soft exhale.

“Sophie, ever since I bumped into you at one of the lame company mixers, I have never been able to escape. I mean that in the best way possible. You insisted that I move in to your spare room, introduced me to everyone here, and have been the best thing that happened to me… probably ever.” Charlie passed the gift bag over to Sophie and smiled.

“Thank you for encouraging me to open up and understanding my goal. I want you to have this to remember me by. Maybe, break it out at a gaming session sometime.”

John’s eye’s twinkled as he saw Sophie unwrap the lavender colored crystal. “I am sure I can work up a deep dark campaign that would work great in! Ohhhh! A crystal cavern guarded by a legion of undead.”

The new owner of the crystal swatted John playfully on the arm. “Don’t be ridiculous! This belongs in a elven queen’s palace or as the locus of power for a pocket dimension. Something elegant and refined, not as a crystal in some cavern. Thank you very much Charlie, it’s beautiful. I will always think of you when I look at it.”

Charlie felt a true pang of regret looking around at the acquaintances and friends around the table. “You are welcome. It means a lot to me that someone who will treasure it takes care of it.” Perhaps Sophie knew, perhaps she didn’t, but Charlie had poured hopes and dreams into that crystal. It represented something that Charlie had always believed impossible, but come tomorrow they would shed this skin and receive a fresh start.

“Now, no moping about everyone. Like I told Sophie earlier today, the player portal will open soon. I expect you all to come and find me. Besides, now Ashley won’t be late anymore now that she is taking over my old room. That’s a net gain for the group, think of how many hours you will all get back.” Charlie winked at the now blushing woman, free to tease a bit now that they would no longer be part of the group. Now that Sophie would have essentially unlimited time to work on Ashley, she stood no chance of staying introverted for much longer.

“Also, even though Jason couldn’t be here tonight, he practically begged to join in. Give him a warm welcome for me. We spent a lot of nights living on energy drinks and adrenaline together. He should fit right in.”

Stories of previous campaigns, outrageous dice rolls, and John’s extensive practical jokes consumed the dwindling hours of the night. Charlie was certain that John was already planning a devious greeting for Jason at the next session. It would be a coin flip if the prank would be in game or out.

Early morning hours approached and the tumbling of plastic ceased. Ashley left last out of the invited guests for once, after getting a brief tour of her new room. Once Sophie had gone to bed, Charlie used the silence to ponder the wonders this next step would bring. What is it like to talk with a god?