Necromancy for the Greater Good

people always find something.

  Lenore: Really, it just comes down to protecting our privacy.

  Belle: As much as we can, anyway.

  Anna: But yes, one of us is a big geek who played a big part in getting this song written and “Secretly a Drow.”

  Brad: Well, I'll take that answer while I'm ahead. So why did you decide to write a song about what seems to be some guy trying to win a girl over using gaming metaphors? And why did you pick music that sounds a lot like a '80s power ballad?

  Belle: Not all songs have to be so serious. And with such a silly premise, we couldn't resist the power ballad. It's really the only backdrop to belt out these kinds of lyrics.

  Brad: You know, I see your point.

  Anna: Really, the lyrics don't make less sense than a lot of the songs we're affectionately borrowing inspiration from.

  Brad: You mean ripping off?

  Lenore: No, it's inspiration. We're putting our own twist on another genre.

  Anna: It also gives us an excuse to have really wild stage costumes.

  Brad: Do you go big hair and neon?

  Lee: Absolutely, and mix in a few fantasy tropes while we're at it. It'll really be awesome when we start playing some seriously big venues.

  Brad: So you're already thinking about the next step in your careers?

  Belle: Absolutely. And it's coming at us like the speed of light.

  The Flashback:

  “I'm still not sure about going to one of these convention things to promote the band,” Isabella said as they relaxed in their hotel room one night.

  “Geeks and nerds are our people,” Leah said.

  “No, they're your people,” Nora countered.

  “Anyway AwesomeCon is the biggest board game, role-playing game, video game, anime, sci-fi, fantasy, comic book convention in the country. 'AwesomeCon! Because it's awesome!'”

  “If you say so. You've got the geek card,” Nora said dryly.

  “Look, we'll be in town for a gig anyway, so why not try to get a few tickets sold?”

  “Don't you normally need to register for a booth or something like that?” Isabella asked.

  “Informal advertising. Word of mouth. Trust me. These are my people. At least, they were until I went on the road with you guys.”

  “Well, we can wear our stage costumes...”

  “Oh, no, we can't do that.”

  “Why not? We're going to promote ourselves, right?” Nora asked.

  “Yes, but not like that. That's pretentious. We can't look like we're pretending to understand the Con crowd just to sell tickets,” Leah said.

  “But we are,” she retorted.

  “Well, I'm not, so as long as you're with me, you're just newbies. That's not a big deal. You have to start somewhere.”

  “Ok, then what costumes do you suggest?” Isabella said.

  “It's tough, you know? I'd like us to all have the same theme, but women are kind of underrepresented in most of those genres, and I'm not up on recent anime. Minorities are even less represented,” Leah said.

  “I am not dressing up like slave Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi,” Maryann said.

  “Oh, I wouldn't do that to you. It's so overdone.”

  “And tacky,” Nora said.

  “That too.”

  “And I'm not wearing a bikini in public like that!” Maryann said.

  “Fine, fine, so the costumes have to have modesty standards. That makes this even harder.”

  “How about something not sci-fi or fantasy or comic book but still fun? How about Josie and the Pussycats?” Maryann asked. “We've got a blonde, a redhead, a black girl...”

  “Woman,” Nora sighed.

  “And well, I guess Leah can wear a wig to get that black and white streak.”

  “Way to hang a lampshade, Maryann,” Leah replied.

  “I don't know what you mean.”

  “Of course you don't. Anyway, I am not dressing up like Alexandria. We've got time. I'll think of something,” she said, firing up her favorite search engine.

  By the time AwesomeCon rolled around, Leah had settled on a theme and procured costumes; some pieces she bought, some she altered, and some she sewed outright.

  “Ah, Milwaukee. The land of beer and cheese,” Leah said.

  “Classy,” Nora said.

  “Please try to be a good sport,” Isabella sighed. “Music is very important to this city.”

  “What? It's not like I'm coming to one of these things again. And what are the odds Leah will know anyone here?” Nora asked.

  “Well, AwesomeCon is the one of the biggest conventions in the country. People come to this thing like they would the World Series,” Leah said. “But the convention center is huge, so who knows. Now, does everyone remember who we're supposed to be?”

  “Is there going to be a quiz on it?” Nora asked snidely.

  “It's really better for you to know what you're wearing and why. You don't want to get a lecture from some nerd with way too much time on his hands about why your costume isn’t right.”

  “Why would I even listen to that?”

  “Nora, good sport,” Isabella said sharply.

  “Okay, so our theme is Birds of Prey from DC. We aren't the actual group, but this is the best I can do because of the lack of mainstream minority female characters. I'm Huntress in the most conservative costume of hers I could find; Maryann is Barbara Gordon as Batgirl...”

  “I thought she was in a wheelchair or something?” Maryann said.

  “I don't know. I can't keep track with as often as DC reboots their universe. So Isabella is Black Canary II...”

  “Why is she called Black Canary? Aren't canaries supposed to be yellow? Is the word 'black' supposed to make 'canary' more intimidating? And if she's trying to scare criminals, wearing fishnet hose and a black leotard probably isn't the way to go,” Isabella said dryly.

  “Of course it's a stupid and impractical costume,” Leah replied irritably. “But unfortunately, many comics seem to be drawn by and for 13-year old boys. That's why you're wearing fishnets and I had a hard time finding a costume with pants. Anyway. And Nora is of course Catwoman.”

  “I can't complain, actually. The '60s show was silly, but Eartha Kitt had style,” Nora said.

  “Oh, good, well, I'm glad that's one thing I won't have to hear about. So, here's what we can expect...”

  After paying a high fee for parking and waiting in line to hand over their tickets, they finally entered the crowded convention center. The building had an outer perimeter that was lined with food vendors and a few short hallways with small conference room. On the main floor, there were hundreds of booths and the aisles were jammed with people, most in costumes of some sort. Leah, who was not normally so extroverted, lead the band expertly through the mob, found some people to talk to, and managed to get the conversation centered on the band.

  “She is totally geeking out,” Maryann said as Leah was chatting with one Klingon, one 'Star Trek' red shirt, two Wolverines, one Batman, one Princess Leia in a slave-girl outfit, and one young woman dressed like 1970s Iron Fist.

  “And she was right about slave-Leia being overdone,” Nora said.

  “There's a character named Raven,” Isabella said. “Leah, why aren't we all Ravens?”

  “Way too obvious and I don't want to necessarily associate our band with a particular character just in case some lawyers start getting all trigger-happy to sue over copyright infringement,” she answered.

  “That actually makes a lot of sense,” Nora agreed.

  Suddenly the crowd opened up, and a short, stout man of indeterminate age walked up to Leah's group. He was probably closer to middle-aged, but his dark blonde hair was in a shaggy cut that obscured his eyes. He was wearing a long red, mage-style robe with gold trimming.

  “So, you want to promote this band?” he said to Leah.

  “Um, yes. And who are you?”

  “This
is the Gamemaster of the Knights of the Black Hand,” said man in the Batman costume, sounding awed. “That's only the most elite role-playing group in Milwaukee.”

  “That's a high honor,” Nora muttered sarcastically.

  “Thank you, Gary,” the GM said to Batman. “By the way, I have considered your application. You may try out.”

  “Wow, that's awesome! Just tell me when and where and I am so there!”

  “Today, actually. Very soon.” He turned his attention back to Leah. “There are a lot of people here who are just pretending to understand us. They're trying to sell something and they think we're too stupid to realize it. Who are you supposed to be?”

  “Huntress.”

  “Which Huntress?”

  “Oh, no, I am not getting into that argument. My name is actually Leah,” she answered.

  “Very good. Do they know who they are?” he asked.

  “I told them, but this isn't their thing. Not yet anyway. Got to start somewhere, right?”

  “I have a lot of influence in this community. I don't want con-artists taking advantage of my people. But I am also a fair man. So I'll give you a chance to prove if you're genuine. I am running a game in about a half-hour. It's a mid-level mini-campaign with several adventure hooks. I have room for five players. If you do well, then I'll take a flyer.”

  “Is this guy for real?” Nora asked, annoyed.

  “I don't know, but he seems dead serious,” Isabella replied. “And it looks like a lot of these people are taking him seriously too.”

  “And if I don't do well?” Leah asked.

  “Well, if you have to ask, perhaps you shouldn't even bother,” he said.

  “No, only a moron starts a game without knowing what happens if they lose.”

  He sort of shrugged. “If you lose, I don't take a flyer.”

  She looked