The limo moved through the city as we all leaned back in our seats. I could see everyone looking competitive tonight, and I knew everyone here had plans for whoever lost. This realization made me remember that I hadn't thought of anything to punish any of the ladies for being the loser. Then again, I never put a time limit on the request when making it, so I didn't feel the need to think of them now.
I took a sip of my sweet Rum n' Coke, and I turned to Gabby, "So how's it feel coming out with your roommates to game." I asked.
Li giggled and replied instead, "I think it is weird that we are all coming out with our boss's and playing is weird. Hell, I am still adapting to life inside a luxury Condominium."
Gabby nodded, "Yeah, I have to agree with Li; it is still a little weird. But to be fair, it has been only a couple of weeks since I started. Both you and Victoria have been very accommodating." Gabby replied.
"Well, to be fair," Victoria joined in, "We are gone for almost eleven hours a day and only are around in the morning and evening."
That was a fair point that I couldn't argue with, "Fair enough," I replied with a grin taking another sip of the Rum and Coke. "I cannot fight with these facts, and so I don't intend to." I finished and took another sip.
"You know," Gabby said, looking at me, "You and Victoria have been in those Pods a lot. I am wondering what is so fun about Grand Adventure Online."
I raised an eyebrow at Gabby, and I saw Victoria with a much more interesting look as she leaned back, sipping on her glass. I could see a small smile forming, and I looked at Gabby seriously, "Well, it is very interesting in its own way. It is like another world where you can reinvent your life in a way. Your early decisions have a lot of weight without you even realizing it, just like in the real world. So think of it as living another unique life." I finished.
I noticed Victoria nodding, and Gabby was paying attention. I looked over to Li, and I could see her looking into the dark brown cola, thinking. It seemed both ladies were thinking, and Victoria was smiling as I continued, "The world is difficult, though, and things can happen to you." I told her honestly, "It is a world that I underestimated when I entered, and I was never a game player in the past." I sighed, leaning back, and I took a sweet sip with a slight fire moving down my throat as I did so. "I think the way it was made with the complete world makes it realistic even as there are swords and magic. With no one trying to regulate anything to my knowledge of what you do in the game, it is remarkably like real life. In fact, I am very impressed with the artificial intelligence of the game." I commented on the last sentence with perfect sincerity. "Why? Are you interested?" I asked.
Gabby nodded, as did Li; "Yes, I am, to be honest," Gabby replied. "Both you and Victoria are in there every day, and I know you are both successful people with more free time on your hands," Victoria shook her head while stifling a chuckle at that one, "But I found I have much more free time lately." Gabby finished with a shrug.
"Well, I don't mind you two picking up the game if you want to," I replied, honestly, as I found my cup empty and put it in a cup holder. Victoria leaned forward and took the cup and refilled it as I contemplated, "But," I continued, "I do pay you for a service at the end of the day, and I would like both of you to do it if you get the console." I finished.
Gabby and Li nodded, looking excited, "I have always wanted to play a crafting class," Li cut in with a grin, "Is there anything like that in the game." Li asked, and I shrugged.
"I don't know," I told her honestly, "But I bet there is," I told her with a grin.
I could see the smile on Victoria's face as Gabby spoke up, "I would love to craft too. That way, I would be in the cities and do it just for fun. If something comes up at home, I won't be like you too. Always needing to be in the pod." Gabby grinned with the small jab.
"It's too fun," Victoria jumped in, smirking at me. "We are more hardcore players. But the game is very adaptable. I am not sure about crafting, though. I am sure that the programmers wouldn't miss something like that in creating a game world that is supposed to be virtual reality, though." Victoria reasoned without giving herself away.
Both Li and Gabby nodded, and I took a fresh sip from the fresh Rum and Coke that Victoria poured for me. "I am sure we can help you out but do remember," I told Li and Gabby as they chatted, "I am paying you for work, so you do need to come out before we do." I reiterated.
Both nodded again, "That is fine. As you can tell, we both would like to be crafters, not fighters. I really hope that we can pull it off. Question though," I beckoned the question. "If we have something in-game that we know is coming, can we let you know for the day off too?" Gabby said.
I smiled, "That is no problem." I told her, "Why would one be okay and not the other?" I asked her back.
"Thank you," Gabby replied with a large smile.
Again both smiled and finished off their drinks. I took another sip as I watched them as all of them began to talk. I leaned back, taking another sip as I felt the car move under me. I leaned back in thought as I thought about the game letting the ladies talk while I thought about the next lesson that Mistress might have in store with me.
I smiled and continued to drink as I turned my thoughts to the fun to come tonight instead of the fun in the game.