The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 56: Fake? (Part 2)

**

Aria Friend:

"Oh no," I jittered in my seat behind the stage. We were scheduled to go up anytime now and the seats of the audience were already filled to the brim. First was a meet and greet between the different panel members and then exhibition matches, followed by a Q&A.

"What's wrong?" Erin looked at me concerned. She was seated beside me, waiting as I was. "You're shivering."

"Haha," I laughed awkwardly. "No, I'm just nervous. I've never had to speak in front of so many people before..., well at least not like this."

"It's not too bad when you get used to it," she smiled. "I mean you have to watch what you say, especially as we're in a foreign country. Also keep in mind sometimes the auto translator gets it wrong. Just breath. Your brother did pretty well last time, I'm sure you'll be fine."

"My brother has always been good at it," I said wistfully. "If the sea could speak, he'd calm it with words. Okay, he's not that good but you get the point."

Erin chuckled, "I think you might be thinking a bit too highly of him still."

"Maybe," I smiled, thinking back on the past, "but I've seen him do a lot."

"Anyway, you'll be fine. If you get nervous, just squeeze my hand. I'll be right next to you."

"Thanks Erin," I leaned my head on her shoulder.

Just as I began to relax, a member of the management team appeared, "Ladies its time to head up. Your names will be called. Just take a seat at the table and go from there."

"Y-yeah," I stood up and breathed out slowly. We had already practiced before and I had already spoken with the other panel members. Aside from me and Erin, it was a Korean streamer who went by the alias Tiara, Doctor Retch who had been on the same panel as my brother is the USA and a European streamer who went by VV. Other guests would come and go but weren't slated for the full two hours.

"Erin, please head through," the team member gestured for Erin to head on to the stage.

She winked at me, "I'll see you soon."

"Right!" I pumped myself up. It would be fine. I had become used to joining Erin's streams and interacting with the chat. So far, though I had made a few mistakes, the vast majority of the viewers supported me. I slapped my cheeks.

"Ms Friend, please head through." I was called.

"Let's go!" I cheered to myself and moved through the partition. The bright lights of the stage hit me, casting the audience in shadow. I heard them cheer as I appeared and the noise slammed my nerves. I waved to the crowd as the MC introduced me.

"And finally we have A.Friend 2, our as we call her, Ms Friend. Sister of the great A.Friend. She's made quite the name for herself these past few months as the girl who stole Erin Storm's heart!"

Again, the crowd cheered and clapped as I took the seat beside Erin, smiling to the others at the panel. Immediately as I sat down, I reached for Erin's hand and squeezed. This was crazy. There were too many people and stranger still, they were cheering for me. I could feel my heart slamming in my chest. The last time I had been in front of so many people was after the Fall. I could see the memory in my mind. The eyes of the people then were different. They looked at me with hope but also fear. It was respect that was built behind a wall. Now however, what I felt was energy and excitement.

The microphones were set up already and with introductions being done by the MC, Doctor Retch spoke first. His voice as mellow as I remembered.