Alan grips half a dozen dice, knuckles white.

"What did you say about my mother?"

Chris eyes him over a handful of cards and responds with icy calm.

"Move into my hex and I'll repeat it."

They lock eyes. Tense seconds pass. Alan breaks the trance with a glance to the side. Chris follows his gaze.

Gathering dust next to the board, The Abridged Player vs. Player Combat Quick Guide Volume III (of VIII) awaits them impassively.

Alan glares at the tome for a brief moment before releasing a defeated sigh.

"I've only got another four or five hours to play tonight." Sheepishly he slides his mage away.

Almost imperceptibly, Chris relaxes. His hand is terrible, his hit points low, and the dice haven't been on his side tonight - but his bluff holds.

The APvPCQG:V1-8 has never been opened, and that won't change tonight.