New Eden: Live to Play, Play to Live

***Inside the game, at the moment of the world announcement***

Azamus was sitting at a desk in his brand-new guild building. He had levied money from all his benefactors and sponsors, promising to make his guild the best in exchange for them paying for its establishment.

When the notification rang across the world, his smile immediately vanished, replaced by a gnashing of teeth and his fists clenching. He started cursing at his bad luck.

"That fucking bitch and her newb friend are at it again! Stealing achievements that are rightfully mine! I swear to the gods above, I will crush them!"

As he shouted out this curse, alone in his office, a chill crept up his spine. His anger kept him from feeling it too much, and it only lingered as an afterthought.

He called in his servant, who was now also playing the game, if only to serve his young master.

"Start spreading the news that we are established. And make sure you filter the applications right. I don't want any bottom feeder in my guild."

"Yes, sir. I shall get to it right away."

"One last thing. Make sure you get mostly high-tier players, but get some medium-tier, too. We're gonna need cannon fodder in due time."

"Yes, master."

The servant bowed low before backing out of the room. He knew his master enough to know what requirements he wanted from his guild members.

But inside, he was actually sad for all the poor saps that would take the bait of high pay and fame. Damien had always been a snake, and he would wiggle out of any deal he made that wasn't in his favour.

Unfortunately, he couldn't go against his master's wishes. So off he went, to complete his assigned task.

***Back outside of the game***

Alexander opened his eyes to the familiar interior of his pod. He pushed it open, and exited it, heading to his bathroom to wash up quickly, before heading to bed.

He had a busy day outside the game tomorrow, since he hadn't been to the gym in a while.

"Shit. Clark is going to chew me up this time…"

Just thinking about his buff trainer, and the reception he would have, after not coming to the gym for almost a week, sent shivers down his spine.

The man wasn't mean, or evil, by any measure, but he was a strict person who liked order and respect. So breaking his established schedule, to play a game, was not something he took laughing.

After cleaning up, Alex went to bed for a good night's rest, the first one in a while. His sleep was painted with pleasant dreams of new horizons, interspersed with the occasional lingering thought of Phoenix.

He woke up the next morning with his hardest conundrum ever.

"God dammit. It's like I'm a teenager again…"

*Sigh*

Alex took a cold shower to straighten his mind out, before heading out for his jog in the gym's direction. Once there, Clark received him with a stern look.

"I'm sorry I missed so many days! I promise I have a good reason."

"I don't wanna hear it."

"But—"

"How is your arm?"

"It's healed up nicely, I guess?"

Alexander showed that by doing a few stretches and swift jabs and hooks.

"Good. You'll need it."

"Uh… For what?"

"Since you stood me up for a week, today we are in the ring. You'll be learning how to guard."

'Fuck…' Alex thought.

He knew what that meant. Clark would use him as a human punching bag for the next three hours.

After a painful lesson on punctuality and respect, Alex went back home, sore and bruised.

'He could have gone easy on me,' he mumbled as he walked back home.

As he walked back home, his phone vibrated inside his pocket. When he picked it out, he had a new text message.

It was from Violette.

'I talked to my mom. She says she wants to meet you.'

Alex smiled and answered.

'I'm fine with it. Just tell me when.'

As he waited for the answer, he arrived home. On the way up to his penthouse, the icon for a reply appeared and disappeared a few times.

He wondered what she was having trouble writing. Then the icon disappeared again, before his phone rang.

It was Violette's number. The weird thing was that the girl never called him outside the game.

She always texted.

So her calling suddenly raised all kinds of flags for him. But he wasn't going to ignore the call, so he manned up and answered.

"Hey, Violette. How rare of you to call me. What's up?"

"Hello, young man. Is this Alexander Leduc speaking?"

Alex didn't recognize the voice, and he immediately understood what was happening.

"Yes, that is me. And whom do I have the honour of speaking to?"

"This is Violette's mother. You can call me Mrs. Beauregard. My daughter told me you agreed to meet me. That's good. Make time today."

"Oh! Uh, Ma'am. I don't know where you live and I don't own a car. It might be—"

"That won't be a problem. I already have your coordinates, and I sent a car to pick you up. I will see you soon."

*Click*

'Damn, that was an intense woman.'

Alexander quickly hopped into the shower. He didn't want to present himself to Violette's mother, smelling like the bottom of a sports bag.

After quickly washing up, he almost ran to his wardrobe to pick out an outfit.

'I don't want to look like I'm meeting an in-law, but I don't want to look too casual either…' he mumbled, pulling out clothes rapidly.

After pilling half his wardrobe on his bed, he finally picked a pair of chic pants and a casual shirt. This would have to do.

His intercom rang as he finished putting his clothes on. As he answered, the receptionist smiled at the little camera.

"Mister Leduc, you have a chauffeur here saying he is here to pick you up. Were you waiting for him?"

"Ahh, yes! I'll be down in a minute."

Alex quickly closed the link and finished prepping.

'Well. Here goes nothing!' he thought, sighing heavily in his elevator.