The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 6: Thinking Space. (Part 2)

"Dad can we talk for a bit?" I approached my father who had set up his laptop on his small desk in the corner of his room. It was evening now. My stint at the lab had taken most the day as I explained my additions to the Professor's algorithm. Now however I was home.

Dad looked up at me, his eyes tired from staring at a screen all day, "Sure Ardent. Just give me one moment." He quickly flicked through a few things on his laptop, some belonging to Zen and several new documents as well. "What's up?"

"Do you need to do so much work?" I asked sincerely, knowing where it would lead him. No recognition for his skills and an eventual death. He deserved so much more.

He smiled at me gently, "I guess we haven't been on a holiday in quite some time. I'll try to finish this quickly."

"No that's not what I meant," I firmed myself. My body and mind were constantly being pulled by my emotions of the current time. I was more than that now. "You're meant to be on Holiday. They cleared the time! How can your boss just call you back in and how could you just say yes?"

"Ardent, they needed help."

"They always need your help! And yet you haven't been promoted or even got a decent pay raise in years! I'm afraid that their exploiting you."

"Ardent," he frowned. "My colleagues are good people. I haven't had much luck when it came to promotions but I can't push that on them. We promised Zen to help her, but I do have my duties to my job. We also need the money."

I grit my teeth wanting to let my true feelings on the matter out. I held it in, "Dad, they can't treat you like this. What if I could help more?" I showed him my income from selling the items online.

He widened his eyes, "A-Ardent how did you get so much money? $2000. Did you win another competition?"

"No, this is from playing Areithia Online. I managed to find some rare equipment and sell it online."

"For that much?" his conception of online gaming clearly expanded. "My word."

"Not just that. Today I managed to get a deal for a research project at Uni. So long as I help out they'll be sending me money as well." I took a deep breath, "Quit your job... let's focus on Zen and her success, please."

My father rarely angered and though he was shocked at my words, it was my sincerity that resonated within him. He sighed but smiled, "Ardent, that's your money. I want you to use it on yourself, for yourself. It would be wonderful to only live on Zen's success but she is just beginning. Even on the best circumstances it wouldn't be till the end of the year where that kind of money would come in. I need to keep working."

I could tell there was no changing his mind. Not through what I could say now, not without forcing him too.

"Dad, then please. Just take a look at what you're doing and what the people you're working with are really doing. If it comes down to it, Aria and I will support any decision you make. So long as it's what you truly want. Don't work for their sake."

"I... I know," he again smiled. "Still to make so much from selling a virtual item. I should look into it from a marketing perspective."

"I'll get you some tea, please don't ware yourself out."

"I won't," though he said that, I couldn't believe him.

*

A week passed quickly and just like that we entered the New Year. Despite being the holiday period, it seemed like my family were working harder than ever. Dad was inundated with work and Zen's own management. Aria was assisting Zen wherever she could and putting time in at the gym. My schedule had filled to the point of bursting. I needed to exercise in the morning, head to the lab where I spent most my time and needed to prepare for the tournament in game. My progress in game slowed significantly and due to my limited time, I spent it clearing as many quests as possible to increase my reputation in Teremire.