Nettie rolled her eyes as Bryn wove yet another ribbon into her sleeve, the shimmering strands catching the light like tiny streams of color. The clinking of safety pins and soft rustle of fabric filled the corner of the booth they’d claimed as their prep area. “Why do you need to make me look like a bridal bouquet every con?” Nettie asked, but her voice carried no malice, only a long-suffering amusement.

Bryn grinned, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief as she tucked a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “You look fabulous, Nettie. If you’re going to represent the merch team, you might as well dazzle. We’re setting standards here.”

“Uh-huh,” Nettie deadpanned, twisting her arm to examine the glittering contraption of ribbons and pins Bryn had inflicted on her. “And what are you representing? Chaos?”

“Always.” Bryn tugged the last ribbon into place and stepped back, tilting her head as she admired her handiwork. Her smile softened, the teasing glint giving way to a moment of sincerity. “There. Perfect.”

Nettie’s teasing expression shifted as warmth flickered in her eyes. “Thanks.” She adjusted the cuff of her sleeve, her lips twitching into a smirk. “You’re not so bad yourself, chaos queen.”

Bryn laughed, a sound as carefree as her attitude, and swatted Nettie lightly on the arm. “Come on, let’s go blow everyone’s socks off.”

The energy at the Goblins & Guillotines booth was already high by the time Owen arrived at the venue. The event hall thrummed with the unmistakable chaos of setup day—vendors shouting instructions, staff wheeling in crates of merchandise, and the low hum of sound systems being tested. Owen adjusted his glasses and surveyed the scene, his presence drawing a few nods and waves from his team.

Adjusting his glasses, Owen took a moment to survey the scene, his sharp eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. His presence drew nods and waves from the crew as they bustled around the booth.

“Boss E!” Nettie’s voice rang out, cutting through the din as she jogged over with a clipboard in hand. Her royal blue vest swayed with her movement, the freshly added ribbons swishing dramatically. “Everything’s on track. Merch is in place, the demo tables are almost ready, and Bryn’s already got the press crew eating out of her hand with her lore spiel.”

Owen chuckled, giving her an approving nod. “Good work. Let’s keep it that way.”

He turned toward the stage area, where Logan was perched precariously on a ladder, fiddling with a camera mount. “Logan! How’s the tech looking?”

“Boss,” Logan shouted back, his voice carrying a caffeine-fueled enthusiasm. He raised his hand in a thumbs-up, clutching a can of cold brew. “No glitches, no disasters. Ran the stream tests twice already. I’m on my third coffee, so basically invincible.”

“Perfect,” Owen replied with a grin. His gaze flicked upward, landing on the massive banners draped above the booth. The centerpiece was the new artwork for the Nyxara campaign: Morwena, draped in shadowy gothic elegance, her eyes promising both danger and intrigue. Pride swelled in Owen’s chest as he took it in.

As he weaved through the bustling booth, his mind wandered. He’d scanned the attendee list the night before, and one name had jumped out at him, sending a thrill of anticipation through his veins. LeapingLizard. Cayden.

His heart gave a faint flutter at the thought, but his musings were cut short by Jess’s voice.

“Boss E! Got a sec?” She waved from the demo tables, where a small crowd of eager attendees had already gathered, chatting animatedly. “We’ve got people asking about surprise reveals. They’re fishing for spoilers.”

Owen smirked. “Let them fish. No spoilers, but tell them to stick around for the afternoon panel.” He clapped her shoulder lightly before heading toward the livestream stage.

Cayden clutched his registration badge like a lifeline as he stepped into the event hall. The sheer size of the venue was overwhelming, a sea of booths, banners, and bustling attendees. His nerves prickled, but when his eyes landed on the Goblins & Guillotines booth, a flicker of warmth cut through the anxiety.

The banners, the merch, the crowd—it all felt like coming home.

He adjusted the strap of his messenger bag, the familiar weight of his notebook and dice offering a small comfort. This wasn’t his first con, but the memories of the last tournament still lingered, sharp and awkward. He was here for the game, not for the ghosts of his past.

But then he saw him. Owen.

Standing at the heart of the chaos, Owen exuded effortless confidence, his laughter carrying across the booth as he finished a conversation. Cayden froze, his pulse quickening. He hadn’t expected to see him so soon—or at all. His first instinct was to turn around and bolt, but his feet betrayed him, carrying him closer.

Owen spotted Cayden just as he wrapped up his chat with Logan. His eyes brightened, and a grin broke across his face. “LeapingLizard,” he said, stepping forward. “Good to see you.”

Cayden flushed, pushing his glasses higher on his nose. “Oh, hey. Thanks.”

“You made it,” Owen said warmly, his grin widening. “Looking forward to seeing what chaos you bring this time.”

Cayden let out a nervous laugh, the sound tinged with self-consciousness. “I’ll try not to cause too much trouble.”

“Trouble’s half the fun,” Owen quipped, clapping him lightly on the shoulder. “Go get settled. The demo tables are open, and we’ve got a spot saved for you at the evening tournament.”

Cayden nodded, his nerves easing slightly under Owen’s easy confidence. “Thanks, Boss E.”

As Cayden walked toward the demo area, Owen’s gaze lingered on him, a thoughtful smile tugging at his lips. “Connection loading,” he murmured to himself, his voice almost drowned out by the chatter of the crowd. Then, with a purposeful stride, he turned back to the business of the day, a renewed energy in his step.