by Kieron Uchee
“Both, at an annual meeting we were discussing the coming mortality of our group and wondered if there was any option of any kind to help us go beyond the end of our days. One of the trusted interns mentioned his son playing these vrp games. Once he explained the dilation effect on subjective time we hired several experts in related fields to develop a strategy that would enable us to achieve our goals.” “Let me guess you have custom-made vrp pods that have a full suite of state of the art medical tech built in. I would also think that your vrp must have a few more features than what is available on the current market.”
Archon nodded at me, “Yes our VRP are somewhat advanced over the store bought models. That is one of the reasons I was with the Jackass, once I heard his story I had the analytics department run a sweep for you, and that is how I located you this morning.”
I stared at Archon; so this is what it felt like dropped into the deep end of a pool and not know how to swim. “Just how many of you folks are here and how do you have access to admin privileges in the game.”
“Lots of us are Ingame and in answer to the second question, I will let you ponder that.” Now having revealed enough information to affect the economies of several countries in the real word if they ever found out where some of the people running things are, it is my turn to ask the questions.” I nodded slowly at him, I was feeling more and more like a struggling swimmer on a shark tank. Crap, I had only wanted to purchase some better gear this morning.
“First,” Archon began, “allow me to say that I have been impressed by you since this morning. You have a set of skills and the ability to know when to use them and when not to use them. That takes training and hard work. Which leads me to the next question? Who are you and who do you work for?”
Licking my lips I composed myself and realized that honesty is a great lifestyle, doubly so when one’s life is on the line. “My name is Tor; I am actually a resident of the state of Nevada’s orphanage, number 231. I have lived there since my parents died in an accident when I was eight years of age. I am almost of age and within one year will no longer be under the tender care of the government’s orphanage system.”
“I learned Judo at the orphanage and as for any other skills you may have observed, they are simply self-taught abilities.” Nodding at Archon I sat back and lifting the tankard let the apple cider cool my dry throat. Looking at me with a slightly quizzical smile Archon lifted his hand and asked, “How did a young man in an orphanage end up in one of the most expensive vrp games ever released?” “Someone somewhere gave the orphanage the opportunity to send one player to the Sleepy Hollow summer camp. I was the fortunate one selected as the recipient “
“Unbelievable and yet that is how the real world works so often. One minute while I verify your story Tor.” One of the perquisites of being in a Guild is having instant guild chat. A sweet feature, especially once the Guilds and Houses, began to go to war with other kingdoms.
After several minutes, Archon looked at me and said, “It all seems to check out. I am glad about that, I would have hated to have to put you in the Guild dungeons, as it is a dreary place.” “The next question I have is something I am really interested in. You remember when Kaie was leaning against you. She was resting her hand on your shoulder and you began to blush and then asked her out.
Damn, I had not blushed, I had just felt err flushed. Trying to disguise my embarrassment at the memory, I cocked my eyebrow at Archon and nodded. “Good, you see Kaie has a number of amazing abilities developing Ingame and she used one of them on you.”
Seeing my eyes widen Archon smiled and nodded. “I think she bit off more than she thought she would, she sure left in a hurry.” “She was reading you at a deep level, not your thoughts but more your emotions, who you are and even what you are.” “I believe that she found out that you truly found her attractive and that you are a little shy. In addition, she has informed me that you are a half-Dragon.”
I almost choked on the cider I was drinking when Archon spoke. “Half Dragon, which is not a playable race, and yet here you are. In addition, Kaie mentioned you have several permanent buffs that any true player would give almost anything to start the game with.” “As I represent a group with a vested interest in this world we would like to know how you managed to achieve this.”
It was one thing to be able to tell Archon details about my real world life, it was all available and verifiable to anyone who wanted to check. How was I going to explain meeting a God and my Google glasses and my companion? Looking over at Archon I made my choice. “Sorry buddy there are some things that I am not willing to share with you just yet. I like you and appreciate both the lunch and the candor with which you have shared. My secrets have to remain my secrets; I just do not feel I can trust anyone with them. I will say that I had no idea about you folks and that the situation that led to this meeting was truly coincidental.”
“All right,” Archon spoke, “I will let you run with that for now. However if I hear anything …” “No worries, I hurriedly replied. I am just a lowly level one trying to get to the next level.” “Archon, if you see Kaie please tell her that my offer still stands, I will be done my shift in the kitchen of the Inn Hearth home where I am staying at. That will be around 10:30 if she would like to meet up?”
“You work at an Inn. I do not think I know of any player who works for an NPC. Shaking his head and smiling he nodded. I will let her know; do not be disappointed if she does not show up. She is several years older than you, you realize that?” Nodding I stood up and thanking him again for the lunch I made my way to the door. I wanted to get home and see why Twink was still sleeping.
Watching the kid leave Archon spoke to the figure that slowly materialized in the seat next to him. "So what do you think, Cameo? “I think you have found a mystery here, he is clearly a talented bright kid and is worth recruiting both here and in the Real world. I could sense nothing to worry about, but let’s keep our eyes on this one. He gives me a feeling that things are going to be happening and he will be right in the middle." Nodding his head Archon concurred. "Put a hidden watcher on him and let’s see what happens.”
Chapter fifteen: My daughter
“Poppa” Slowly with a big stretch Twink looked at me and smiled. “I am hungry Poppa, can we go eat?” Looking at the young girl sitting on the edge of the bed I felt the familiar ache in my chest. She was one of the many young people I had met with no one to help them but me. I no longer thought of her as an NPC or as my companion. She was now my responsibility, I knew my emotional response was over the top, but that is what years of living in the government-run orphanage had done to my psyche. At least, I knew I was overreacting emotionally.
Grabbing my old gear from the bag, I passed it to Twink and then told her to get dressed so that we could go eat. I waited in the hallway for her and thought about the day. First the geriatrics, who knew that a bunch of rich old people would be here, probably trying to take over if my instincts were on the mark. I had nothing against the elderly and thought that they deserved respect for having lived through some shitty times in the real world. The old people invading this game reality were not in the same class as those hard working folks, these were rich pampered folks who had always had their own way.
My mind then turned to Twink, how did she shapeshift into the body of a young girl. She was a young girl for the Gods sake. What am I going to do with a ten-year-old girl? Hearing the door open I looked at Twink who was smiling shyly at me, “how do I look Poppa?” “You look very pretty; tomorrow we will go get you some nice clothing items. Seeing her eyes light up, I knew that I would be doing some more shopping. With that thought in mind, I led the way down the stairs and into the evening crowd.
“Tor, who is this child?” Looking over to the kitchen entrance, I saw Reona staring at me, wanting an answer. I usually like it when attractive girls are looking at me but I was beginning to feel uncomfortable in this situation. Dads do not develop in a day and Rome was not built in a
day. I realized that my mind was wondering as I tried to think of how to respond. I did not like the fact that everyone in the eating area was now staring at me. Time to use it or shut it so, “Reona, this is my daughter.” Guess I decided to use it I thought.
I hope I am not coming across as some kind of deviant by showing up with a young girl. Looking at Reona I saw her stare at Twink and then a hint of a smile appeared. “Why did you not tell us that you had a daughter, and she is such a little thing?” “No wonder you are working here, trying to support your daughter. You sit down here and I will bring you supper, poor girl, you look hungry.”
I stared with my mouth slightly open as the extremely attractive barmaid turned into a mama before my eyes. “Thank you miss,” Twink smiled up at Reona and then sat on the bench. I slid down beside her and within a minute, two heaping helpings of stew appeared with fresh baked bread and fresh churned butter to top it all off. I received my tankard of ale and Twink has some kind of fruity cider watered down. I honestly can say after eating food that followed the government stated nutritional guidelines for the past few years that the food Ingame was incredible. It would disappear with tremendous speed once on my plate.
Yet before I was halfway done my meal Twink had finished hers and was greedily looking at mine. “All right, here finish it.” Watching her eat the food I realized that the energy needed to shape shift must be tremendous and that she was probably very hungry. Her caloric intake must be huge to maintain homeostasis. My plate was empty in minutes and I was becoming aware that a table of dwarfs was beginning to look at Twink and me.
Reona suddenly appeared and looking at Twink said: “well child have you had enough?” “No miss, May I have some more please.” Reona looked surprised and then glanced over at me. “Two more servings please we are very hungry today.” With a shrug at me and a smile at Twink Reona disappeared into the kitchen only to return with two more huge portions, placing them on the table she whispered at me “do not worry if she does not eat it all, it is all good.”
Nodding at her, I reflected on how the NPC could be both good looking and kind. “Thanks, Reona, you are good to us.” With a smile, she disappeared and we both began to eat. Once again, Twink finished well before me and then took my plate and finished all of my food.
At this point, I saw a dwarf stand up from his table and slowly walk over to Twink and I. Stopping he looked at us and then in a gruff voice began to speak. “Sir I just want to say to you, that it does my heart good to see parents properly providing victuals for the younglings. It is not something we see here in the human lands, indeed some of the learned dwarfs believe that the short life of you humans comes from not receiving enough of the proper victuals while you are young.
Not our place to judge mind you but as we all watched the young one eat, will sir it did our old hearts good to see a youngling fed properly like.” With that, the old fellow nodded at me and stomped back to his table. What was that about, I wondered?
Looking at Twink I said, “Time to head upstairs,” and standing up I led the way up to our room. Once inside I asked, “How do you change, from Dragon form to Human form sweetie?” Twink smiled at me and then said “oh Poppa” I will show you. Suddenly within my mind was a gentle touch, and with a cerebral snap and some slight dizziness, I suddenly had a new ability to use on my interface.
Shapeshifting, this is the ability to shift into Dragon form and then back to Human form. Warning, be prepared to replenish your energy, this ability will use thousands of kilocalories.
Suddenly, the interface had the shape-shifting icon was grayed out. I was not sure what to make of this ability, or why it was not active, it did look good on paper but if I have to stop for a five-course meal every time I shift, that just will not work.
“Twink are there any other things that you can teach me?” Twink looked at me for a minute and said, “Poppa, you are part human and it is stopping most of the Dragon magic from working for you. I think you can learn fire and shadows but that is all.” “That is alright Twink I will do the best I can if you can show me this fire and shadows I will be very happy,” I spoke softly as I thought that anything would help.
Suddenly once again, there was a gentle familiar touch in my mind and then another touch of dizziness swept over me. Once it passed, I saw two new icons on the interface one denoted Fire and the other Shadows. Highlighting the Fire I read, As a Dragon, you have control over the element of fire. With practice, you will be able to equal a fire elemental in power. Being a Dragon is being a power. Use this power wisely.
Fair enough, I will have to practice and learn to master the Fire. I then highlighted Shadows and read the description.
The ability to summon shadows and lose yourself within them, you will be unknown and unseen, all attacks will have 100 percent chance to be a critical hit as long as you are within the Shadows. Once the attack has commenced the enemy will have a 25 percent chance of targeting you bringing you out of the Shadows.
Holy cow, talk about being OP, I will have to work on both of these new abilities and tonight back at the park will be where I start.
Chapter sixteen: Women
A couple of years ago I watched an old movie, An American Werewolf in London. Not bad for something so old. One of the scenes that caught my eye was the shapeshifting. Looking at Twink, I wondered if I was about to see something similar to what I had seen in that old movie. I hoped not, "Twink I would like you to become a Dragon again and then wait for me outside. I am going to go down and help with the cleanup. When I leave please let me know if anyone follows me."
Perhaps I was being paranoid, thinking like this. As the saying goes you’re not paranoid when they are out to get you. That guild full of old folks was making me itch all along my back. They had decades of sneaky experience on me, and I am sure that they all know how to use that experience. The other thought that was on my mind was Kaie. I am just not sure what to do if she shows up, but I know for a fact I do not want her to know about Twink, at least not yet.
Twink stretched and I heard a muffled "yes Poppa" and then she was a dragon. Nothing to flashy or loud, a brief glow for a second and then a little dragon flew out the window. "Poppa, I am still hungry, going hunting will be back soon." Alone in the room I sat down for a minute to collect my thoughts, it had been one of those days.
Overall I was pleased with everything; I was doing exactly what the gaming process encouraged players to do. I was finding new skills and abilities as I immersed myself further into this game world. Granted I had been fortunate and was gifted with skills and abilities that most players would not achieve till end game, if even then. However, those skills needed to be developed.
Thinking of these things was not going to get the dishes done so with a small sigh I stood up and left my room. Dishes wait upon no man, I knew this well from my time helping in the orphanages kitchen. Once down the stairs, I proceeded directly into the kitchen. Grabbing my apron, I turned around and saw that Reona and the other two barmaids were standing there looking at me. Giving them a smile I said, "What can I do for you, ladies?"
"Well for a start you can explain why you did not tell us you had a daughter? And then if it pleases you perhaps you would explain why the child is here living with you at the Inn and not in a proper home. Also, where is the mother?" Staring at the girls, I realized I was going to have to be circumspect with my responses to their queries.
"I am here with my daughter because we needed a place to live," I replied. "I did not tell you that I had a daughter as I did not realize that you needed to know, and furthermore, I do not want to appear rude but it is not your business where the mother is or why we are here." Swallowing, I hoped I had not managed to anger the girls. Still, it was not their damned business and I felt a touch or irritation that they were intruding on my personal affairs.
At this point I heard the Innkeeper give a shout "Tor, there is a lady here to see you." As I left the kitchen I saw all three girls look at each other and then troop
out after me. By the unknown Gods, this is getting better and better. Looking towards the entrance, I see Kaie sitting at a table. I smiled at her as I felt a hint of nervousness.
"Hello Kaie" I spoke softly as I sat down opposite her. This was clearly out of my comfort zone but as I looked at her and breathed in her scent I realized that I had to be careful with this lady. Something about her made me feel weak in the knees, and strangely enough, I like how I felt when I was with her. "Hello Tor," licking her lips Kaie smiled at me. "I want you to know right now I am far older than you. Do you understand?" Reona ignoring several other tables with guests that wanted refills walked over to our table and asked: "So who is your friend Tor?"
Kaie looked at Reona and the temperature began to drop rapidly. "Yes, and who is this Tor?" Kaie asked as frost began to form on the table under her hand." Frost mage, I wondered as I struggled to deal with the situation.
Since when did Reona have the slightest interest in me? Nothing until she saw Twink. Is this some kind of misplaced mothering instinct? The way these two ladies were giving each other the eyes, what the hell was that. I would be the first to admit that they were both beautiful with figures that the average woman could only dream about. Was it that they could not stand competition?
I am still not sure how I became involved in between them, but all of a sudden I wanted out. I do not think I am a prude, the idea that two good looking women would fight over me seems like a fantasy. Unfortunately, I think I was just the excuse for these two to flaunt their feminine wiles at one another. Regardless I was done. As I was about to stand up Reona spoke, "So is this the mother of Twink, Tor?" Of all the things that she could have said, that was the worst. "Who is Twink, Tor?" Kaie responded.
