VBL

Back in the VBL HQ, Nora is finally leaving the room that she just competed in. The other attendants are long gone. In fact, Nora waited before everyone cleared out. She didn’t want to deal with the aftermath and being asked questions like ‘were you nervous the whole time?’ ‘Did you really think you had a chance?’ She walks down the hallway that leads back to the lobby.

Nora inner thoughts: What the hell just happened?! I just fought the champion of VBL! Sure, I just found out what VBL was a few hours ago, but that man did not hold back! I need to know more about this game. No way am I letting that be my only performance in this game! I have so many questions. Can VBL only be played in those pods? Everything felt so real.

“Feeling a bit overwhelmed?” Takeshi asks.

Nora almost jumps out of her skin, switching entirely 180 degrees in midair. Now facing Takeshi.

“When did you get behind me?!” Nora asks.

“Just now.” Takeshi responds.

“Geez, don’t scare people like that.”

“I wasn’t trying to scare you. You were just lost in your own thoughts, honey.”

Nora lowers her guard. Realizing that she was lost in her thoughts.

“You’re right...” Nora admits.

“Okay then. What are your questions?” Takeshi asks.

Nora’s head perks up.

“Really?” Nora confirms.

“Of course. Everyone has questions about VBL when they first start.” Takeshi says.

“But I’m going to turn into your rival. Wouldn’t you be helping the competition?”

“I mean that’s if you become competition. Sweetie. Not everyone is as good as they claim to be.” Takeshi declares.

“I am.” Nora counters.

“I’m the defending VBL champion, its gonna sound super cocky but I’m looking for higher competition.”

“You’re right that does sound super cocky. Are you telling me to not even try?” Nora asks.

“The opposite.”

A beat.

“I’ll never turn away from higher competition. I saw what you did back there. For someone who just discovered this game, movement like that can only be done by pure instinct. This isn’t your first fighting game, is it?” Takeshi asks.

“No, it isn’t.” Nora confirms.

“You ever play in tournaments?”

“Tekken, and Street Fighter over the years. I won a few of them, but VBL isn’t like any other fighting game I’ve played before.”

“That’s because of those pods. I was never a science whizz, but from what I understand about the pod is that it scans the brain and analyzes the frontal cortex. A friend of mine in college told me that. Allowing this game to bypass any VR or even AR games. VBL is unmatched immersion.”

“Incredible, with a game like this the combos could potentially be endless. I also took a peep at your build before the match started. I had no idea what I was looking at but there was a certain balance to it.”

“Good eye, rookie. I picked that load out to have total adaptability to any situation.” Takeshi explains.

“I’m assuming you accomplish that through speed.” Nora asks.

“Nice try. That’s for you to find out.”

“Can’t blame a girl for trying.”

“Sure, I can. Now what’s your next question?”

“How long?” Nora asks.

“How long before what?” Takeshi asks.

“Before you think I can beat you?” Nora says while smiling.

“Ha ha, I was right. You are entertaining. I just wiped the floor with you in your first VBL match rookie. But if you wanted a serious answer… 1 year before we’re fighting on equal ground. Although I can’t see you beating me. You got to show me more than good instincts before I start becoming a believer.”

“I’ll do it in a few months.” Nora says.

Takeshi is astonished while Nora stares into his eyes. He then shows a smirk on his composed face, while walking further down the hallway.

“Looking forward to it… Nora,” Takeshi says while exiting.

Nora inner thoughts: My heart is pumping. Who would’ve thought. I’d find something interesting in this city?!

**

It’s nighttime when Nora finally gets home. She opens the front door, careful to close it quietly behind her but –

“Don’t bother sneaking in.” Jasmine sternly says.

Nora’s whole demeanor changes as she shuts the door normally. Then she walks down the hallway until she sees both parents sitting in the kitchen, at the dining room table. Her mother with a serious face contrasted with her father wearing a sympathetic face. Both parents are in their respective pajamas.

“Where were you?” Jasmine asks.

“I’m sorry, I was playing a new fighting game with a frie-

A sudden reminder of Faith running out on Nora skips through her mind, causing her to choose her words more wisely.

“I mean, with a classmate.” Nora corrects herself.

“Why didn’t you let us know you were going to be late coming home?”

“Honestly… I was having so much fun, that it didn’t cross my mind.” Nora admits. Hearing herself say it aloud makes her consider how much fun she had. Despite losing.

Jasmine’s face changes from stern and serious, to tired and exhausted.

“Okay, that’s good enough for me. Good, because I was already too tired from work to scold you. There’s dinner in the fridge, you just have to heat it up. Don’t stay up too late honey, you got school in the morning.” Jasmine says while walking out of the kitchen. While walking past Nora, she kisses her on the head.

Isiah (Nora’s farther) gets up from his seat and follows Jasmine, stopping to kiss Nora on the head as well.

“I’m glad you’re okay sweetie. I don’t mind you hanging out with classmates after school, especially at your age. Just let us know next time. Okay?” Isiah says.

“I will, I’m sorry.”

Isiah is almost out of the kitchen before –

“Hey dad.”

“Yeah, sweetie?”

“What do you call someone that abandons you?”

“That’s an abstract question, where is this coming from?”

“I just – I don’t know. Forget I said anything.”

Isiah ponders the question and looks at Nora while she avoids his gaze.

“People do things in their own interest, whether they know it or not. So, if they did something against you, it’s up to you to figure out why that person wronged you, or to cut them out of your life entirely.”

“That’s pretty deep dad.”

“An abstract answer for an abstract question kiddo. Although to answer your question more directly. I’d simply call that person “human.” Don’t stay up to late kiddo.”

“I won’t.” Nora confirms.

Nora sits down at the dinner table alone, with her own thoughts. Before long she silently fists pumps in place. Remembering the match from earlier, makes her excited all over again.

**

Inside the King’s Gym (somewhere in downtown Strand city) Javier has his training Gi on, watching a video on his phone while two people spar right in front of him. A tall, black-haired man is skirmishing with a tall, built women. She has dyed pink hair, a few earrings on her right ear accompanied with a large grin on her face. She lunges downward toward the man’s legs, but the man raises his left leg, attempting to kick her in the face. But it was faint, as she back steps, barely dodging the kick and grabbing the man’s ankle (while mid kick) and twists her body. Forcing the man into a death roll and ending it with an Achilles lock (Brazilian ankle lock). The man only lasts 5 seconds before he taps. Sparring over.

The woman jumps to her feet and hangs her hand out toward the man. Showing good sportsmanship. The man grabs her hand and hoists himself up to his own feet.

“You had a good reflex to keep me from getting to your legs, but you left yourself wide open and to a counterattack. Do you understand?” the woman asks.

“Yeah, I see what you mean. I thought I had you, sensei.” The man jokes.

The woman slaps the man on the back, signaling him to clear the mat. She then turns her attention to Javier, who is still looking at his phone.

“I hope you were paying attention at the match and not just your phone, Javier.” The women say.

“Of course, I was. Unlike you, I can multitask. Old women.” Javier teases.

“Who are you calling old?! I’m only 28, la burra!”, the woman yells while performing a drop kick right into Javier. The drop kick sends him flying a few feet away, as he regains his balance and stands up.

“What the hell, you hag! Don’t think you’re getting away with that!” Javier yells.

“Come on then! Don’t forget you’re still 0 -22, Nene!”

This woman is Sasha King (28). The older sister to Javier and the current manager/ co- owner of the Strand city branch of the King’s gym (Their family-owned gym). On the other side of the gym, two men are shadow boxing, when the sound of Sasha and Javier yelling at each other grab their attention. One of them speaks up.

“The siblings are at it again.”