S&S: The Baltic Maidens

[APlaying]

Between public appearances, photoshoots, interviews, fashion shows, and the sweat-soaked reality of the wrestling ring, finding a gap in her schedule was, for Snow, nothing short of a miracle. Although she managed to juggle her various commitments with great skill, things had become significantly more complicated following the resignation of her agent—a split that stemmed from the contract for her match against Renee Steinhauser. To make matters worse, she had to contend with constant public scrutiny surrounding the controversy, and the accumulated stress was immense. For once, Anna Sigrid simply needed to break from her routine and enjoy some quality time to relax.

Then, the miracle happened: a Friday, a day when, finally, she would be truly free.

Realizing this, Snow offered a smile of relief, but... what was she supposed to do? In truth, there weren’t many people she wanted to spend time with at the moment. Perhaps visit her parents, or maybe spend the day watching action movies with someone? It was something she hadn’t had time to consider before... Suddenly, a lightbulb went on, and a name popped into her head: Svetlana Zynski.

They already spent time together at work, but occasionally they would meet up outside of it, too—perhaps Svetlana would also be free on Friday? As it happened, that was the day the Polish wrestler hosted streams playing Dungeons & Dragons, a role-playing game about which Snow knew practically nothing. Whenever she tried to pay attention to Svetlana’s streams, she would end up lost in her own thoughts or simply bored. Who knows... maybe playing in person would be more fun than just watching it live alongside 300 other "nerds." After arranging the visit by phone the day before, Snow drove to Svetlana’s house and arrived at the door carrying a couple of bags of food prescribed by her trainers. One could never be prepared enough. "Hello?"

[Highfly]

Svetlana was at home waiting for Snow to arrive. She knew that her friend and tag partner wasn't much of a gamer so she had been trying to think of introductory game or setting for her to try some tabletop fun. She was wearing a white shirt with a purple 20-sided dice on it showing a roll of 20 along with a pair of jeans.

Svetlana had bee thinking and constantly second guessing herself. Ultimately she decided on a 5th edition small campaign set in Forgotten Realms over Ebberon since it was an easier high fantasy setting for someone unfamiliar to grasp. Maybe.

"Okay. We'll get her started then I will make some complimentary companion." Svetlana said to herself as she began to organize her thoughts and finally write down something of a game plan.

She heard Snow at the door and smiled, getting up and opening the door. "Hey! Come on in! I hope you are ready for some fun!" Svetlana said.

[APlaying]

The truth is, even though she had planned this to enjoy some quality time with someone who was arguably her best friend—despite them coming from completely different worlds—Snow felt genuinely nervous. It crossed her mind that perhaps it would have been better to get blackout drunk at Dixie’s swanky bar on her only day off, or to go wild at some raucous party. At that very moment, Svetlana threw the door wide open with great enthusiasm—making Snow gasp in surprise—and beckoned her inside. "Hey! Heh, well, no... but I’ll do my absolute best! I also brought some food." Snow was so nervous that she couldn't help but blurt out an honest response, and stepped inside.

("Come on: you’re capable of memorizing a combat choreography with dozens of steps; surely I can handle a couple of dice,") she told herself as she moved to set the food down on the dining table—Which Had Undergone A Total Transformation!

"What the..." At one end, a folding cardboard screen concealed Svetlana’s notes. In front of the guest’s chair lay a blank character sheet, a set of metallic purple dice, and a freshly sharpened pencil. ("Okay, this shit is serious.") Snow had expected to deal with a few dice and some scattered notes, the way Svetlana usually does during her streams, but this setup was practically another world! The actress was left open-mouthed—and, strangely, quite flattered by how thoroughly Svetlana had prepared everything for her arrival; it was clear that she was truly passionate about projects like this. This set was every bit as impressive as the blueprints and portfolios of a film director.

[Highfly]

Svetlana was excited, stepping aside and letting Snow in. "Food? Perfect, thank you!" She said. Svetlana had a seat ready with a player's handbook.

"I know it looks scary but it isn't. There are lots of classes that give your character abilities, all are fun." Svetlana said. "Think of a cool movie, TV show or game character you like and maybe we can use that tonguide us through the first steps?" Svetlana said. She was behind ready to go and hoped that she wasn't scaring Snow away.

"Whatever you think wpuld be fun I will help you create." She said with a big grin.