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DakkyDuck: Isn’t that true for everybody?

TheRealCreator: Maybe it is. But I didn’t feel any kind of connection with anybody else.

A pause. I lean back, looking at us on the bed together. Outside, the wind is howling. I feel cozy and closer to the fantasy goblin than I’ve been with any real man. Probably makes me crazy,buuuuuuuuuut… I’ll think about all the implications later. Maybe.

TheRealCreator: I want to see you for real. But I have to be careful. Everywhere I go, there are people who want a piece of me. Taking photos constantly. Being seen together in public means your life being unfairly turned upside down.

DakkyDuck: Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room.

TheRealCreator: You’re right. It’d make my life more difficult too. I’m forty-two this year. You must be twenty-three, twenty-four? I’ve never had much reason to think about age gaps in relationships before, and it doesn’t mean a thing to me, but people will judge. It’s just the way the world is. And with all the bad PR from my Emerald Cove blunder…

I smile. Is he flattering me, or does he really mean that?

DakkyDuck: I’m thirty, but thank you.

TheRealCreator: THIRTY?

I laugh, then quickly type in the command to make my avatar laugh too.

DakkyDuck: Have you lost interest now?

TheRealCreator: Shut your beautiful mouth. This makes things better. Ten years is better than fifteen.

I laugh again at his comment.

DakkyDuck: True, and thanks for the compliment.

TheRealCreator: If I can find a way for us to see each other, will you cringe at some secrecy? I don’t want to disrespect you.

I consider this, unsure. He’stellingme it’s because of PR, but what if it’s because he has other girlfriends? He could be saying this exact thing to half a dozen other streamers of Empire’s Fall.

DakkyDuck: I don’t know. Maybe we should have a few more e-dates?

TheRealCreator: Fine by me. But eventually, we’ll get sick of pixels. We’ll need the real thing.

DakkyDuck: I thought you felt realer in the game?

TheRealCreator: I do, usually. But something tells me you’re going to be the exception to that rule.

DakkyDuck: Hey, Jack. That’s so nice. I’m sorry, but I actually have to run.

TheRealCreator: Join me tomorrow to give your opinion on some other pieces?

DakkyDuck: Definitely. I’d love to! Catch you then!

TheRealCreator: See you, gorgeous.

I’m about to log off when a message comes through.

TheRealCreator: WAIT!

DakkyDuck: Whoa, what’s up?

Heart beginning to pound a little harder.

I imagine a twisted follow-up message,I’m not actually Jack, I’ve been lying to you…

TheRealCreator: I didn’t give you the full story before. My father didn’t just stop working away. He came home because my mother had died. She died… by her own hand. When her business failed. Dad came home, and he learned about me failing on purpose as we were grieving. He dragged me to my mother’s grave and made me promise her I’d never dim my own light just because I was shy or self-conscious. I promised, and since then, I’ve done my best to honor her memory.