A knock on the door wakes me up to find that my couch mate is gone. There’s a note and a thermos of coffee on my coffee table though. I’m surprised I didn’t wake up when Lucy made coffee.

  I plod to the door and open it to find Maddie? What’s she doing here at seven thirty?

  “Good morning Selena. I have snacks and coffee, can I come in?” She has a small sack with the words ‘Bakery’ on the outside and a drink carrier with two cups in it.

  “Sure. Maddie, come on in.” I follow her to the kitchen counter and hug her as soon as she set stuff down. “I missed you.”

  Her arms wrap around me in a squeeze before letting go. “I could say the same, but since I monitor you often, it seems less impactful.”

  “Oh? Are you sharing space today?” I release my hold and step to the side and open the bag to see what tasty treats there are inside.

  “I am. Legal stuff to talk about. Your meeting yesterday did not go well—for either side. Would you like to start with how you messed up or how Arthur messed up.”

  Ugh, and here I was feeling righteous about my exit. “Can this be a couch conversation?”

  “Can you focus on said couch?” I nod, “Okay then.” She gestures for me to go first, then sits right next to me and pulls my legs into her lap.

  This is comfy. I take a bite of the cherry almond scone I grabbed and smile.

  “My mistakes first.”

  “Against the terms of your employment as an experience tester you took advantage of your position for material or financial gain.”

  “How so? I had to pay for the property and the building. I asked for my money back before I sent the residents an eviction notice.”

  “While I know that, you still collected money from the residents even though it was a token sum to protect them. Even the fifteen pounds of opportunistic benefit is enough for cause to terminate your employment. You also have a habit of being smug when you’re challenging people, which are poor choices when talking to your bosses. Especially when it can affect those around you, Ophelia and Melody for example."

  Ophelia for the advertising and her staff working on my fashion deals. Melody, well she didn’t say too much about how much she was impacted by my tiff with the Guild’s ambassador. I do have issues with people that I feel abuse authority, but then again, I kind of abused my position to get the apartment complex built. Which I now feel dirty about.

  “Sorry I’m making extra work for you. And I’ll have to apologize to Ophelia later.”

  “It’s your life to live, dear,” he pats my leg, “I’m just encouraging you to consider the second and third order effects of your actions. Addressing Arthur’s mistakes is a bit more involved.

  “While he does have the authority to kick you out of the building, it goes against several of your agreements, including your health and welfare compensation that we negotiated for previously. I asked them to delay enforcing any immediate attempts to enforce your eviction until thirty days have elapsed to avoid further complications.

  “In terminating your employment, he attempted to deny your access to the ‘beta’ program--your time spent away for long periods has frustrated many. Since it is your legal residence, they have no grounds to keep you out. They could decide to keep you there, however.

  “The good news is that Orion’s legal department reached out to me this morning to say that the board wants to smooth things over amicably, with only one deal breaker and one ‘firm recommendation’. They will not be willing to hire you back for any position within the company. They suggest you not continue your residence in the tower and amend our previous compensation agreements to reflect that. Otherwise, they are waiting to hear from us.”

  “What, like a list of demands or something?”

  She smirks at me, “You could view it like that, but I warn about reaching too far.”

  Sure, sure. Corporate is playing nice, so I should too. But what do I want? Do I need anything?

  “I intend to keep writing reports about my experience in Alaris, especially for dissonance issues. I’d like to keep my position on the Orion Black FoF team as long as Martyr thinks I’m a good fit. I’d like to keep working with Ophelia as long as she wants to work with me. I’d like if they didn’t blame Chance for doing as I asked, and I’d like to keep the apartment complex, knowing that there may be price adjustments once the real estate module is released to the public. Oh, I don’t know what would be equivalent to the mortgage on the condo, I might need help with that.”

  Maddie smiles at me and pats my leg, making me feel like a very good girl. “Those sound like very reasonable requests. For the mortgage, I can ask if they prefer a monetary stipend, or a trade of services and get back to you.”

  Is it bad that I’m not too upset for being fired? I mean, it felt like the testing gig I was assigned to was to get me out of the way, but now that I actually live half the time in Alaris, I wasn’t really testing any of the other experiences anyway.

  “Hey, Maddie, has there been any movement on my harassment allegations?”

  “Let me check.” Maddie stares through me fore a few moments before blinking back into the present. “Apparently no. He’s still with testing and there’s a note to transfer him to your old position in the A.E. Beta after our negotiation is settled. That requires some more investigation. It may have something to do with why Arthur was so short with you and so eager to see you out. I do love mysteries.”

  I chuckle, “Is that because there are few mysteries for you in a world that you run?”

  “Yes! My brother is quite the rule follower, and rarely lets me know more than any traveler would unless I am acting in an official capacity of some kind.” She sets my feet aside and stands up with a bounce and a smile. She leans down, kissing me briefly then spins on her way to the door, apparently too excited for normal walking.

  She never fails to make me smile, maddening Maddie. “Bye, lady. Keep me updated?”

  “Of course!” She yells as the door closes behind her.

  When she leaves, I start to think on the combined situation that I’m in. Terminated, unresolved sexual harassment case, and still on an Orion sponsored e-sports team. The last wouldn’t normally be a problem to bail on, but it’s literally the team I’ve been working so hard to be on. Well, I try hard for my Realm of Raidcraft PVP team, but there aren’t any tournaments soon, and the next season is waiting on the upcoming expansion so I have like five months before I must be in tournament shape.

  Hamster’s right though, I may be good, but my nonchalant behavior is not good for a team environment. Time to stop worrying about what Maddie is doing, time to worry about what I can do. I send a message to Jessie telling her I got fired from my testing job on Orion, and we’re basically in a holding pattern for my Orion portfolio in general. I tell Chance that she might get a testing job now that my position is vacated, but if that falls through, she definitely has a job with me if she wants it.

  That done, I survey the room that could potentially be a synch space and buy and setup a gaming and streaming suite and decide that if I’m going to be good at games, and social media, then why shouldn’t I use the social media livestream medium? I download the popular modular presentation suite, message Jessie if she knows a graphics designer for my overlay and continue to fashion my gaming room for a decent visual, complete with a trophy case of the Victories I win.

  It takes me about half an hour, but ear-buds and an epic mic later, I’m fit to game.

  “Alright Bis-ters, lets see what we can do hey?”

  I expect literally nothing from this first session as I have not socialized or advertised. I chat through two games of Gigavibe before I get a lobby invite and a ping on my raiding chat service BIS-cord.

  “Zhantsa, you game so early? Oh, and you’re streaming. This is new.”

  “Yeah, got fired from my Orion testing job. Now I’m allowed to stream again, so, figured I might try.”

  “I do not care about streaming, just that you are available mornings as well. Game?”

  “Yah, Hamster, let’s game.”

  ***

  Sabrina meets me at a tapas place a few blocks from Orion Tower and hugs the living shit out of me. I obviously return the sentiment.

  “Missed you lady. I’m sorry about the advertisement.”

  “Bah, it’s not your fault. I don’t have a competitive sport physique like Lucy does, and yoga fit is half the women on Instagram, so I understand if more of that isn’t needed. What bothers me the most is that the VP wanted to get Lucy involved and basically guarantee that there was no chance for me.”

  I grab her hand and squeeze it.

  “At least they paid for the cost of filming the promo.” Sabrina sighs dramatically, as though she wants me to pry. Her look back at me while still posed confirms that. I want to chuckle, but I also don’t want to ruin the moment.

  “That’s all you got? Seriously? Wait, they paid you for the footage, or did they give you a directing credit?”

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Her smile clicks to high beams and her AI whitened teeth are a bit much in full sun. “They gave me a directing credit!!” she squeals and wiggles in her chair.

  “That’s fantastic Sabs!” No wonder she’s not as mad and maudlin as I expected. In the era of AI directed cameras, it’s hard to get more than ‘camera controlled by AI’ in a short video these days.

  “It is! Athena Sports asked for the script and the shot plan, and I think they might want to make a competitive spot. I might be able to get a sports job and still hang out with all the hotties!”

  I scoff, “Like you’re not a 5’10” skinny blond girl?”

  “Oh hush. You can afford to share some body insecurity with the rest of us.”

  “Hey! I’m getting better, I’ll have you know. It didn’t hurt that I saw some oblique tummy dimples this morning.” Now my smile is huge.

  She takes a long pause to look at me, peaking over the table to look at my arms and the top of my midriff. “Hm, I liked Sellie with cushion. She was cute, like a mascot plushie. But if getting a flat stomach gives you some body positivity? I’m all for it.”

  I’m not sure how I feel about being a plushie. They get the snuggles, and like only cis guys would be embarrassed to hold one and that doesn’t concern me. Okay, I won’t grump at the comparison.

  “I’m learning, okay? The time in Alaris has helped a lot, I think.”

  “Oh? Is that a new ATC?” She asks, a bit wary of how I get when she asks about my interests.

  “It’s a fantasy-based world that has the heuristic trait selection like the ATC does. I’m a tall blue troll with cute little tusks there.”

  “A troll? A literal troll?” The horror on her face is thinking Scottish and Norwegian trolls, not Realm of Raidcraft-style trolls.

  “No no, no,” I laugh as I protest, “Imagine a blue Elf with sturdier features and tusks coming up from the lower jaw.”

  Her facial expression does not improve.

  //Query: Can I get an image transferred from Alaris for my use only of Zhantsa the Sky Troll Traveler?

  //Answer: Cross-domain image transfers are restricted. User is attempting to access image of self, conflicting protocols exist. Deconflicting . . .

  //Answer: Media regarding self will be authorized per request for self-use only.

  I get a data packet with images in it, in all of which I look bedraggled. Guess my Goddess is being sassy today. I shrug, knowing Sabrina has seen me in worse situations.

  “Aww, you’re adorable. I get what you mean by tusks now, I thought they were growing out of your chin or something. I have concerns though, if this is representative of your time you’re either dirty or half-naked.”

  I open my mouth to refute her statement, but it’s reasonably true. When I’m at home or after a swim, I usually don’t bother with a top. Huh, never thought about that before.

  “In my defense, their chest coverings are scratchy.”

  “Suuuure. But I’m still not even a little bit gay, Sellie. Showing me a cute naked troll girl isn’t going to change that.”

  I swat her hand as she chuckles. “I didn’t pick those, dummy. They were the ones I was sent. I would have shown you a picture of me in my fancy tunic and breeches. I also have a cute floral dress, but I don’t have occasion to wear them often.”

  “The AI is messing with you? Someone’s learning bad human habits.”

  “Or she knows me too well.”

  Sabs nods, “You do enjoy teasing, and I wouldn’t put it past you to flirt with a computer program, wait, you already flirt relentlessly with Maddie.”

  My glare is immediate. “Can we not? Yes, I was ridiculous about Maddie. No I’m not still hung up on her.”

  We gossip and chat until it’s time for me to head back to the gaming lab. I congratulate Sabrina again on her directorial debut and make her promise to tell me when they ask her to work on another project.

  She’s a huge reason why I’ve thrived in the ATC and every reason we get together I’m reminded of why she’s my best friend.

  ***

  “You seem more focused today. Same reason you were gaming this morning?” Hamster asks.

  “Yeah, man, and thanks. I got fired from my day job, and if things work out I think it will be a good thing for me all around. Anything good for me, is good for my gaming.” I smile and give him a cheesy double thumbs up.

  “If you think it is good, I will not offer condolences. You back on in the morning?” He asks.

  “That’s the plan. I have another lunch meeting, but I was thinking from seven to ten thirty I would auto-chess, then we can work on Giga after lunch?”

  He hums and taps his belly in thought, something I never noted as common before started talking regularly. “Perhaps I could coach some of your chess, and you could do the same for me on Sniper’s Folly?”

  Training swap? With a 1st class gaming pro? Hells yeah. “That sounds awesome Hamster. And after we finish that tournament for Gigavibe, we can focus on more on Folly if you like.”

  He nods. “You did well enough in the open qualifier to get an invite to the next tournament, yes?”

  “Well, yeah, but there’s no qualifier. I would have to play with the goons I qualified with and I don’t particularly want to play with them again.”

  “Ah, I had a look at the rules for that specific reason. The tournament rules only guarantee 12 at-large team slots. The other twenty allow for each player on the invited list to form their own teams.”

  Ah. That’s where he’s headed with this. Crafty bastard. “Hamster,” I groan, “I need snacks if we’re going to talk about this now.” He moves out of the way and allows me access to the team’s fridge.

  I pull my old condo trick on the refrigerator to see if it still works. I open the drink fridge to find fish and chips and a six pack of beer. Yep, still works. In an effort to make it less against team rules, I motion outside of the game room and Hamster nods. When I pop a tasty pilsner, I set the rest between us on the table, and to my surprise he grabs one. I raise an eyebrow but say nothing as I munch some fries.

  “So my first problem with this: A team. Together, we aren’t one—we need three more people. I don’t play enough to have the knowledge to build one, and no one is going to ask me besides you. Two, even if we make a team now, we might make knockouts in the tournament if we all play as well or better than me, as a team. We won’t win an international the first year. Three, I just joined the team I’ve been grinding other games to pay my way here, Ham, and I can’t let my FoF skill slack. I think that’s enough reasons.”

  “You didn’t focus on my lack of skill. Why not?” He asks, both his question and for my fries with his eyes. I push the basket between us and focus on his question.

  “I like you Hamster. Once I started to understand you, I like who you are as a professional and as a person. You are one of the most mechanically sound and intellectually gifted gamers I have ever seen, let alone played with. So if you can’t get into shape by tournament time, you won’t hold it against me for not taking you. Two, you don’t casual the genre so from what I’ve seen your learning rate is insane. Three, I know that if you bring this up, you have ideas for a team and I need that if you want to even try this.”

  He nods and points with some stolen fries. “All correct. I found some people that joined the open qualifier without a team and have some options to discuss. Will you shot call, or do you want someone else to lead? Also, I am trying to discover if I have some sort of defect when it comes to FPS games, or I misunderstand something.”

  “If it were anyone else . . .” I sigh, flick a fry at the wall in frustration, jam some fish in my mouth and sip on my beer. After I swallow the mouthful of mush, I turn to him. “Sure. After the new year we will practice. We need to set up a team in the next three weeks so we can register.”

  “Great! I have call to make, join me in the synch room?” He says, way to excited to not have planned this. Goddess, he fucking knew I’d cave, didn’t he?!

  “Don’t tell on me for unapproved beverages.” He laughs and notes as I leave the food, not daring to bring grease in to the sacred space. Beer can be holy. Benjamin Franklin even used it as proof of God, lay off me.

  “HAM! Not a good time dude! Did you even check the time?” A growl and some heavy breathing sounds through the speakers.

  “It is barely midnight. You are a degenerate now. Game casting has gamer hours. What is the problem.” He turns to me and shrugs.

  I have my suspicions of what’s happening, but I’m not crass enough to tell him she was inflagrante. Then again, lady answered the call. I mean who would answer . . . okay, if Hamster called, I probably would too.

  Some fumbling, a thump, and some swearing later an oddly familiar-looking woman with bed hair and a t-shirt appears on screen and is definitely on the phone in the bathroom.

  “Alright Ham, you better be in trouble, or have a paycheck for me. Or so help me I will visit and drag you out to paintball again. Who’s the Mexican Cutie?” I mean, I wouldn’t mind being the reason her hair looks like that . . . ugh, I’m too thirsty for my own good. Lucy, Lucy, Lucy.

  “That will not be necessary fraulein. This is Zhantsa, recent champion of Raidcraft Arena, third in the most recent Fates tournament, and . . .”

  “Kill leader of the Sniper’s Open. I recognize the handle now. You selling your invite sweetie?”

  “Are you seriously flirting when you just got interrupted mid coitus?” Honestly, respect. Ho to the ho.

  “She’d flirt with you too, no worries, chica. Didn’t you just sign with Martyr’s crew? I thought I read about that recently.”

  “Uh, yeah. Valkyries and Orion Gold got disbanded and more or less consolidated. I got a bump to Varsity.”

  She scoffs and leans into the phone. “Are you saying the ladies team is the JV team, baby gamer?”

  “No, gringa, any team with Ham and I on it is the Varsity team.” I accidentally spit at the screen and while Hamster looks horrified, the woman on the other side is cackling.

  “I like her man. Is this a team call?”

  “It was my intention Gen-Lock.”

  “Damnit, Ham, just call me Jen you dweeb.” She turns her head and leans forward. “Hey babe! Ham found us a sniper’s team, get dressed!”

  My head pulls back of its own accord and my eyes go wide. Gen-Lock. Overlook junior goddess, FoF analyst on a live call after banging her girl. What life is this?!

  “Oh, gods, I . . . I got into Fates because of you.”

  “Oh? That’s flattering. Fleek and I tried to recruit you for Sniper’s a few times this year, but . . .”

  “You’re fucking FleekFire?!!” bursts out of my mouth. Hamster looks horrified, while Gen-Lock drops the phone she’s laughing so hard.

  “Damnit Jenna!” I hear from the next room over before stomping and the image shifting from the floor to a rosy face with short pixie hair.

  She looks like Lucy but with a larger, slightly crooked nose. It’s endearing and well, I would be game IRL. Ho, ho, ho.

  “Oh, I heard you flirting, but I didn’t get it. So you’re making a team?”

  “I mean, yeah. I know Gen-lock has the FPS chops, but . . . do you?”

  “My ranking is two hundred above yours, but I also have three hundred more games played. It’s our main game, but we come as a pair and that’s been hard for us.”

  “Okay, that’s better than Hamster.”

  “Hey! Zhan,” the brunette grabs the phone, “Ham’s a gem, watch your tone.”

  “No. He knows, you both better know: he needs work. He’s asking and I want to help, but if we make a team, we have to be ready to cut him if we want to place, or be okay with a low knockout placement if he can’t learn to be an asshole.”

  Gen-Lock nods. “Okay, I see what you’re saying. Ham lacks the ‘you know what? Fuck you’ vibe that the two of us seem to have. I’ve been using your foot-helmet hack and gods is that inspired.”

  “Hah!” and then I giggle uncontrollably for a second or minute. “Sorry, still a little starstruck.” I squeal, and then run off screen to stomp and dance and get the nervous energy out. “Sorry again. Side note, we got a fifth?”

  “Yeah, shit, lemme send a text,” She looks at Hamster, “Because some of us have decency.”

  “Sorry not sorry, text from ATC suffer delay, calls from the synch space do not.” Hamster says, raising his hands in surrender.

  Gen-Lock turns back to her phone just as I hear a muffled voice. “Jenna, what the fuck? It’s four am? Asshole.”

  “Suck it up Callie cub, your gamer hero just called.”

  “You are not my hero Jenna. I love you, but it’s FOUR AM!!” I growl the likes I have not heard ripples through the line.

  “Chill bitch I was talking about Zhansta, Kill leader, and Arena queen?”

  “What? Am I on speaker? JENNA! Did you just call me, to conference call with Zhansta, most recently of the Valkyries?”

  “Hi Callie, Hamster and I are putting together a Snipers team, and Gen-lock thinks you’re our fifth.”

  “Oh! Oh, okay. That’s oh,” and a thump and clatter is all we hear.

  “Crap, she fainted.”

  I blink for a minute and then turn to Hamster. He shrugs. I look at the phone for as long as it takes to focus on us. “Not to be indelicate, but what’s her rank?”

  “Twenty seven. She was the carry on the second place team.”

  I laugh, possibly for a while. “Fuck what I said about not placing this year.”