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Hillkingof

Backstory

Four score and 33 years ago on a rainy night, three cartographers met up on a windswept hilltop in northern England. They grinned at each other as they laid out their maps, soggy from the rain, and tried to work out the next step in their plan.

"Let's make a map for Global Offensive," the one with thin-rimmed glasses said.

"Global what?" The youngest asked.

"It's a video game. There are two teams, and—"

"Son, I don't think computers have been invented yet," the eldest chimed in from behind.

"All we have to do is digitize this paper version here. It has walkways, defensive walls, windows, glass that breaks and stuff—"

"Get to the point, son." The rain pattered loudly on the eldest's plastic safety hat.

"I don't know if you guys have maps like mine, yours are about roads, and where trees are located."

The eldest held up his map, struggling to make it out in the darkness. "Hmm, you're right."

"If we're making a Global Offensive map, we'll need to use my map. Unless you want to try drawing a new one in this rain."

"But your map is made of colourful blocky shapes, that simply won't do in a game with emphasis placed on realism," the youngest suggested.

"Can we see your map?" The eldest asked.

The youngest quickly passed his map over without saying a word. The eldest furrowed his brow and the fellow with the thin-rimmed glasses leaned in to have a look.

"Why, this map is just scribbles and doodles of cats! Is this what you were doing in the backseat while we drove here?"

"No," the youngest replied nervously.

"Well it's a pretty cool map if it can be called one." The eldest smiled warmly in contrast with the cool, rainy night around them.

"What are we doing up here anyway?" the youngest asked.

"I—I don't know. I guess it's important for the backstory somehow.

"What backstory?"

"Someone or something is making me say this. I think we should leave now."

After exchanging a few puzzled glances, they began to make their way down the mountain path from which they came; wondering what strange force brought them to chat on the hilltop that evening.