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The Life of Another - Chapter 37

© Jake Atkinson

P.O.V. - Roger

"So the default main character is a deviant Canine?" I asked as I opened the dorm door for Nick.

"Yeah," he commented as we started down the hall towards the rec. room. "His fur pattern is kind of like yours but the colors are different. Where your fur is gray, his is black. And the normally white parts are tan."

"I'm surprised they'd make the main character a deviant."

"Rumor has it that the president of the company is on our team, so to speak." Nick noted.

We rounded the corner and found the room surprisingly uncrowded. "Hey, this isn't so bad." I muttered in Nick's ear. "You had me expecting half the school."

Nick's ears drooped. "Where is everyone?"

Conversations amongst the modest group lulled until Kriana filled the void. "Oh forget them, they're just being stupid." She gestured towards the couch. "Come on guys, we saved you a spot."

While it bothered me that Nick was upset, I was relieved to see that I'd only be surrounded by a few people. "Thanks Kriana. Hey, I never would have pegged you for a gamer girl. Glad you're here to represent."

"We can't have pajama parties every night. Besides, I thought it would be a fun change of pace. And Theresa and Casey should be along any minute."

"Oh uh, cool." I replied, trying to to sound enthusiastic. "Hey Colton," I said with a wag of my tail, taking a spot on the sofa next to him.

"Hey Roger, it feels like forever since we last saw each other." His smile was genuine but his curled tail hinted at hidden anxiety.

Kriana handed me a cold can of V-8 vegetable juice, a gleam in her eye. "I heard you like this so I added it to the grocery list. Sorry that the pack you found in the cupboard yesterday was expired."

Stuffed with spaghetti and meatballs as I was, it was hard to feign excitement, but I perked my ears nonetheless. "Thanks Kriana, you must have been talking with Casey."

She nodded and sat cross-legged on the floor, her tail curling around her. "Yeah well, it's part of my job as dorm rep. to keep the kitchen stocked. And did you really drink a can from that old batch? It was way expired!"

I shrugged. "Ah, they mark them expired long before they're actually spoiled. It's all about driving up sales."

Nick elbowed my side playfully from his spot next me on the couch. "You and your conspiracies!"

"What?" I countered. "It's true! Anyway, where's David and Jim? Seems weird to start without them."

Colton replied, "I just texted David to let him know it's not that crowded and he said he'd be right down. But uh, Jim might be busy."

I didn't have to look at Nick to know that he was disappointed. But before I could say anything to potentially ease his mind, David arrived just behind Casey and Theresa.

"Hey guys!" said Casey with a cheery ring to her voice. "We brought chips and dip."

David set down a couple bottles of soda and a tower of stacked cups, the table now brimming with snacks and beverages. "And here's something to drink."

A chorus of thanks echoed around the room and suddenly it was starting to feel more crowded after all. Everyone shuffled about, first to grab their favorite items from the table, then to make room for the newcomers.

Somewhere in the all commotion my spot between Colton and Nick started to feel cramped, so I distracted myself by opening the can of vegetable juice. Lapping at it half-heartedly, my thoughts started to wander until Nick tipped his muzzle towards my ear. "You got some on your chin, you might want to wipe it off before it stains your fur."

"Thanks," I replied self-consciously as I wiped it off with the proffered napkin. "I'd hate to spend the whole night with everyone staring at me."

"You're fine." Nick added encouragingly. "Everyone's here just to have fun. It's not like this is an intervention."

"I know." I said, not entirely convinced.

Nick raised his voice. "Ok, let's fire it up!"

"I'll get the lights!" Casey jumped up and hit the light switch as the boot screen filled the display, its colors splashing across everyone's faces in the now darkened atmosphere.

Within seconds, the opening sequence began to play. "Wow, that was a seriously short load time." I mentioned admiringly, trying to get into the festive mood.

David responded with a note of pride in his voice. "It's running dual SSDs in raid 0!"

Colton glanced David's direction. "Nice, and look at the frame rate! The graphics are maxed and it's still buttery smooth. Better hide your machine after tonight or the military is bound commandeer it."

Casey and Kriana exchanged smirking glances. "Oh enough with the geek-speak, let's get on with it!" exclaimed Kriana. "I wanna see Nate!"

Somehow the wireless keyboard landed in my lap. "Huh? Don't give me the controls. I have no idea how to play this game."

I tried to pass the keyboard to Colton but he wasn't having it. "Huh uh, you're the guest of honor here! You've played first person shooters before, right?" He asked rhetorically. "You move with the standard WASD keys and look with the mouse. It might be a little awkward with the built in touchpad, but we brought down a wireless mouse if you want to switch."

"I'm fine either way and... What the, I have a cub in this game?! I am not changing any diapers, simulated or otherwise!"

Nick bumped his shoulder to mine. "Oh stop it! This is just how that game starts out. You're married and that's your newborn cub. Isn't he adorable?!"

"He is a cute little guy, but I was expecting more action. This feels like The Sims. What am I supposed to..."

My question was interrupted as Amanda and Jim entered the room, creating a stir.

"Hey uh, sorry I'm late." said Jim in muted tones, his eyes averted.

"We're just getting started." I replied. "Grab a snack and find a seat."

Jim hovered uncomfortably in the doorway until Amanda all but but shoved from behind, at which point he shot her a guarded look and found a spot to sit. His glowing orange fur made him the center of attention in the darkened room despite his remote position in a corner recliner. "Uh so... what do you think of your new computer Roger?"

"Jiiiim!" scolded Kriana, throwing her hands in the air. "Well I guess it's still a surprise. So uh, surprise Roger! We all chipped in and got you a computer."

"Since you guys had already started, I just assumed..." Jim's ears folded. "Sorry, I can't seem to do anything right these days."

"What? No, it's fine." I stammered. "It's really an amazing machine, look at that Lian Li case! You guys built this yourselves didn't you?"

"Drop the act Roger!" Amanda drawled sarcastically. "I'm sure you've known about it for days."

"The thought never crossed my mind." I responded, an ear cocked in Amanda's direction. "Anyway, this is way too much guys! I mean, did you steal it from the Tardis or what?"

"Just about!" said David. "It was next to impossible to cram in the liquid cooling system. At first I was having trouble because the graphics card..."

"Ugh!" groaned Amanda, crossing her arms. "How can you guys sit around so casually knowing that freak could be burrowing into your brain?!"

Not this again! I thought to myself as I dropped my face into hands.

"Stop trying to ruin the fun Amanda." Kriana responded sharply, turning to face the doorway where the Cat-Fox leaned against the frame.

"Excuse me for worrying about the safety of my friends!" Amanda snapped, her tail thrashing behind her. "You know you're playing with fire. Every one of you could end up in a coma or something!"

I took a deep breath. "I can't burrow into people's brains Amanda, that was just a stupid trick. Watch, I'll do it again right now and then show you how I did it." Before she could object, I put my fingers to my temples and feigned deep concentration, all while talking like an old-time magician. "Aaaamaaaaandaaa, you have a secret lust for cheetos and... and... Jim!"

The Sand Cat gasped, then scowled. I jumped in. "Now before you fly off into a tirade, anyone could have made those predictions. First, just about everyone loves cheetos, so that's an easy one. And secondly, I can listen to rumors like anyone else. Word has it that you were practically sitting on Jim's lap last night, right here in this very room."

My trick did little to lighten her mood. "What does that prove?! And I wasn't sitting in his lap!"

I shrugged and repositioned the keyboard on my knees. "Hey, I didn't start the rumor. Look, maybe you are genuinely concerned for your friends. But they can decide for themselves what rumors to believe, and so can you."

"You can't just write off that whole music incident as a rumor!" retorted Amanda, her ears flat back. "People almost died! And doesn't this game have music in it? One intense moment and you could wipe out the whole school. Don't you care about anyone but yourself?!"

"The music didn't cause it!" Realizing I was starting to get worked up, I took a tight breath. "Look, I had the stupid idea to meditate while I was playing the cello. I was only trying to relax and... sort of projected my intentions."

"There, see! You finally admit it!" She declared triumphantly.

"Big deal! So now I know not to meditate like that, and I won't. Problem solved."

"Problem solved?!" screeched Amanda, her voice cracking. "How do you know that's how it happened? What if you're wrong? You shouldn't be here and you know it!"

My claws drummed along the edge of the keyboard, my patience wearing thin. Great, now my aura is starting to smolder. She's probably making me angry on purpose, hoping I'll fry the computer or something!

Suddenly, I had an idea that could turn the whole situation around. "Look at what's happening right now. You came in with your guns blazing, obviously looking to stir things up. And you succeeded, I'm angry and my aura shows it. But look around! Is the screen dimming? Anyone feeling faint, or like maybe they just got shot up with cocaine?"

Everyone exchanged nervous glances, the room ringing with silence.

Finally, I answered my own question. "No, and that's because we have it sorted out. The whole senior staff has signed off on the fact that it's safe for me to be here."

"Oh yeah?!" Amanda whined. "Then why did they move you to the_barn_?!"

I hate not being in control of my emotions! Raging unchecked like this, it feels like my anger is on the verge of controlling me! Still, I'd better not try any techniques to rein it in, I don't want some unexpected reaction blowing my whole story!

"I'm there because I asked to go there!" I countered. "Which further proves my point, that I know when I'm safe, and when I'm not. I told them I was worried that I might go off if I had nightmare, so they set me up with a special apartment that can contain all that stuff."

"Isn't that where you were playing the cello?" she said, confident sarcasm returning to her voice. "That sure worked out well!"

"That's because I left the window open!" I replied, my anger turning into exasperation. "We tested it again later and everything checked out fine." Turning to face the screen, I unpaused the game and began exploring Nate's house. "Look, I don't have anything against you. I'm just here to have fun. So why not find a seat and join in?"

Amanda's dancing tail slowed and she looked towards Kriana.

The Otter waved her over. "Come on Amanda, there's a whole story to this game. Roger's actually got a wife and cub!"

"Not for long." muttered Jim.

Several people shot him a look while Amanda settled onto the floor next to Kriana.

"This is Fallout 4 ya know." He offered defensively. "I don't think I'm giving much away when I say that a lifetime of wedded bliss is not in Nate's future."

"Who's Nate?" asked Theresa.

"The main character, the one Roger is playing." replied Jim.

I helped myself to some chips while Colton took the controls. "Here," he said. "I'll get the game rolling."

With Colton as our tour guide, the evening finally got underway. Not that Amanda seemed happy about it, what with the dark glances she occasionally shot my direction, but I managed to unwind nonetheless. Leaning against Nick's shoulder, I started to feel at ease again and tipped my muzzle to whisper in his ear. "I'll keep eye out for Jim. If he gets up to leave the room, I'll follow and try to strike up a conversation."

Nick nodded and gave my forearm a squeeze.

Unfortunately Jim stayed planted in his recliner, blissfully unaware that his lack of movement was thwarting my carefully laid plan. Eventually the event collapsed under the weight of everyone's long days and people started drifting away until it was down to just me and my old roommates, David, Jim and Nick.

Nick caught my eye and proceeded to nudge David. "Hey, my phone keeps randomly rebooting. Would you be able to take a quick look at it before it gets too late? I use it as an alarm clock and I'm afraid I won't wake up on time if it keeps up."

"Sure," responded David. "All my equipment is upstairs though."

He looked over at me. "You need any help moving the computer before we go?"

"I can help with that." commented Jim in reserved tones. "You guys go ahead."

And with that, Jim and I finally had the room to ourselves.