Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Dakota: Maybe both? Creepdearing?
Jack:
Jack: How’ve you been? I saw you’ve been spending more time in the Cove, even the crappy version we’ve still got on the server.
Dakota: You’ve been watching my stream?
Jack: Of course.
He replies, like it’s obvious.
Jack: When you said space, I assumed you meant direct contact. I need my daily hit of Dakota or I’ll go nuts, especially spending sixteen hours straight in the programming dungeons.
I feel like an excited teenager realizing her crush has been paying attention after all. But I’m not a teenager, not even close. I’m thirty years old and I won’t allow myself to be swept away like debris.
Dakota: That’s really nice.
I reply one thing, when really, I want to say is that means so much to me. I was so nervous, you stopped caring the moment we had sex, like that was all you wanted me for or something.
I send a quick follow-up.
Dakota: How’s the Cove coming along?
Jack: Would you rather I tell you? Or show you?
Dakota: Do you even have to ask? Booting up my computer now.
As I go into my office, I’m aware we haven’t spoken about any of the issues. The PR drama, the awkwardness of crawling around like an ugly secret on the floor, the fact I care too much too fast, and I know I can’t stop.
Still, I don’t have to show him any of that. If we can’t escape into Empire’s Fall, a game known for escapism, where can we?
When I log into the game, I get an immediate invitation from TheRealCreator.
When I accept, I appear in Emerald Cove. A moment later, another screen pops up.
Voice chat with The Real Creator?
DakkyDuck: I can’t find my mic.
I type, then delete the message. If I’m not going to be honest, there’s no point even continuing.
DakkyDuck: Can we stick to text for now? I find it easier.
TheRealCreator: I know the feeling. And of course.
The window disappears, giving me an unbroken view of the cove. I laugh in delight when I see what they’ve added. A waterfall made of glistening green water, spilling into the green lagoon. A new pet-arena section, with seashells as seats surrounding it. An island in the middle of the water, winking like the light from The Great Gatsby, with a sea creature swimming ominously up and down in front of it.
TheRealCreator: There’s player housing too.
His avatar walks over to me. His goblin is decked out in new, glistening emerald gear.
DakkyDuck: That gear’s new!
TheRealCreator: Do you want a set? You won’t be able to wear it outside this level, though. It can’t be teleported until we officially introduce it to the game.
DakkyDuck: Yes, please!
TheRealCreator: Voila.
I laugh in delight as my elf’s current set of gear goes back into my inventory, replaced with a set of glistening green.
DakkyDuck: Now we’re matching.
A message appears on the screen.
TheRealCreator would like to hold your hand. Accept?
I accept, and our characters walk hand in hand to the edge of the water, past the pet arena, past the waterfall. I spot a dirt plot to the left, indicating that if a player approaches, you can claim the land and your house will appear, which you can build in your own private server.
DakkyDuck: Let’s see yours then.
We wander over to it together. When he clicks the button, the starting hut appears, which every player gets before they customize it.
DakkyDuck: Boring!
My elf laughs.
His goblin chuckles, then his hut disappears.
TheRealCreator: Show me what you got.
I click the button. It takes a moment for my custom house to load in, as usual. Then, suddenly, my tower sprouts into existence. It’s built entirely of silver, with colorful banners hanging from every side. The door is the maw of a dragon, opening with crackling flames as we approach.
His goblin lets go of my elf’s hand, then he runs inside. I follow, laughing as he jumps from surface to surface. The tower is built as a vertical maze of sorts, with items from all the different expansions decorating it, getting older the higher we go. On the top floor, a troll’s bone hangs from the wall, from the first-ever Empire’s Fall raid boss.
TheRealCreator: How long did this take?
DakkyDuck: You like it?
I shift around in my seat, shocked by how much I care.
TheRealCreator: This is serious talent. This is LEVEL DESIGN, beautiful. I love it.
DakkyDuck: I’m not sure of the exact time. I started when you first introduced housing. What was that—eight years ago? Time flies! I’ve been adding to it and changing things ever since.
TheRealCreator: It’s incredible. I could use this eye in our level design.
DakkyDuck: Don’t, Jack. Don’t make me offers or give me special treatment or anything like that.
TheRealCreator: If anybody sent me this house, I’d think the same thing. It’s not special because of us. It’s special because you’re special.
I feel a flush rising, like it does anytime he says anything sweet like this.