Owen leaned back in his chair, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, as he scrolled through his inbox. His email was flooded with inquiries—content creators, tabletop enthusiasts, and even a few celebrities eager to collaborate on Goblins & Guillotines. Most of the proposals were flashy, promising big numbers and visibility, but they lacked the heart he wanted for the game.

“We need players who get it,” Owen muttered, clicking through another pitch filled with buzzwords but no real substance.

A knock on his office door drew his attention. Nettie stepped in, her wild red curls bouncing as she poked her head around the door. She was a riot of color and contrast: freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks, a faded band tee paired with ripped jeans, and a pair of battered sneakers. If she was carrying a clipboard, it was probably the most "corporate" thing about her.

“You busy or just avoiding work again?” Nettie grinned as she pushed the door open, clearly more interested in conversation than whatever Owen had on his agenda.

Owen gestured to the chair across from him. “What’s up?”

“So, I’ve been wading through a pile of ‘influencers’—you know, the ones who think throwing around hashtags will sell anything,” Nettie said, flopping into the chair like she owned the place. “Jess and Bryn want to make a splash with the Nyxara expansion, but I’m guessing you want someone who actually gets the game, right?” She balanced the clipboard on one knee, chewing on the end of her pen. “Jess thinks we need to hook up with the shiny, big-named influencers to push the Nyxara expansion, and Bryn’s already booking flights for them, probably,” Nettie said, rolling her eyes. “But I’m with you—let’s get people who actually care about the game, not just the paycheck.”

Owen nodded thoughtfully. “It makes sense. But we need people who actually love the game.”

Nettie tilted her head, her curls falling into her eyes as she tapped the clipboard. “So… anyone come to mind?”

Owen hesitated, an image of Cayden—LeapingLizard—flashing in his mind. The tournament had ended on a rocky note for him, but his passion and creativity were undeniable. Still, Owen couldn’t shake the memory of how fragile Cayden had seemed in the staff room.

“There’s one person,” Owen said slowly. “LeapingLizard. But…”

“Ah, so you’re worried about him,” Nettie said, raising an eyebrow. She leaned back, pushing her tangled curls out of her face.

Owen sighed. “Yeah. He’s been quiet since the tournament. I don’t want to push him if he’s not ready to be back in the spotlight.”

Nettie leaned forward, her elbows on her knees, and gave Owen a crooked smile. “You know, sometimes all people need is a nudge. Worst he can do is say no, right?”

Cayden sat on the edge of his bed, absentmindedly scrolling through his feed on his phone. Notifications blinked, but he ignored them. His channel had gone quiet since the tournament, the harassing comments about his tournament performance had dropped off, but his confidence still shaken.

“Ugh, just check it,” he muttered to himself, finally opening his inbox.

Amid the usual spam and half-hearted messages from followers was one that made him freeze.

From: Owen Elledge (Boss E)

Subject: Goblins and Guillotines Collaboration Opportunity

Cayden’s heart thudded painfully in his chest as he opened the email. The message was straightforward and kind, outlining an idea for a private session featuring notable players. Boss E wanted him to join. Him.

Leaning back into a pile of soft pillows, Cayden stared at the screen, his breath catching. Excitement warred with dread. Collaborating with Boss Eldritch could revive his channel and rekindle his passion for Goblins & Guillotines. But it would also mean stepping back into the spotlight, exposing himself to scrutiny and criticism.

His fingers hovered over the scrollbar as he reread the email for the fifth time. A collaboration? The idea sent his thoughts spiraling. It had been three years since he’d streamed, three years since his face reveal had gone viral for all the wrong reasons. The public scrutiny and the flood of hateful comments had driven him to shut everything down.

Since then, his online presence had been little more than a shadow. His avatar—a non-descript green lizard—was all that remained visible, a quiet observer in the tabletop gaming community he once helped build. He lurked in forums, scrolled through fan art, and watched streams from creators who celebrated Goblins & Guillotines, but he’d stayed firmly in the background. Safer that way.

Now, Owen—the face of the game itself—was asking him to step back into that world. Could he handle the pressure again? Did he even deserve to, after everything?

Unable to think clearly, he clicked over to Owen’s most recent stream. On-screen, Owen was explaining the upcoming Nyxara expansion, his green eyes alight with enthusiasm as he discussed the game’s new mechanics.

Cayden’s lips curved into a faint smile despite the lump in his throat. Owen’s excitement was infectious, making everything seem possible—maybe even for someone like him.

Still, his hand hovered over the reply button as his insecurities gnawed at him. What if he wasn’t ready? What if he let Owen down?

Taking a deep breath, Cayden looked back at the email. The invitation felt like more than just an opportunity—it felt like a lifeline.

“Okay,” he whispered to himself, his finger finally clicking to reply.

Back in the office, Owen was going over notes for the expansion when his phone pinged. He glanced at the notification and felt a smile tug at his lips.

LeapingLizard: I’m interested. Let’s talk more.

Owen grinned, the excitement building in his chest. Things were falling into place.