Adventures of the Chestnut Clan
Chapter 9: Gamers of the Past
The bustling street lined with shops was about as noisy as it gets for a certain blonde haired cyborg whose artificially enhanced hearing inevitably amplified the many sounds by several-folds. Under normal circumstances, there was no way she would've willingly set foot on the place. At least if it weren't for the bags of merchandise held in her hands and the two pure humans walking alongside her, chattering happily amongst themselves.
"Well Eighteen sweetie, are you satisfied with your shopping today?" One of them, a man roughly a head shorter than her asked, his round eyes, always so emotional shined like rich creamy cocoa.
Knowing his non-materialistic personality and how he preferred quiet places even more so than her, Eighteen couldn't help but flashed him a radiant smile that made those colorful brown orbs all the more beautiful.
"Yes I am Kril, but are you sure this spending is within our budget?" Her words carried with them an obvious hint of concern.
"Of course babe. I just got a raise and some hefty bonus so don't worry. In fact, I might just earn a promotion soon so don't worry." Krillin said confidently, perhaps uncharacteristically close to being bragging.
"Really? Then you probably don't mind us going back to do some more shopping?" Eighteen's voice was more teasing than serious, but it was still enough to make her husband's rosy expression pale at the suggestion.
Very cute Kril, but I'd rather not see you brag...that's more for my little bro and not you...
It almost made her giggle as she wanted nothing other than to counsel him, to assure him she was satisfied with her purchases. Luckily for the wife, another voice did the job for her, one whose innocence made both adult's heart swell.
"Thank you for buying us new clothes papa! I think mama's just joking right mama?" The second pure human, a blonde girl of identical hair color to the woman's said cheerfully.
Marron's right, how come I didn't see through my Sweeteen's disguise?
Krillin's eyes widened in realization before narrowing them at his wife, who was obviously trying to put on an aloof exterior now that he thought about it. The former warrior monk planted a kiss on his daughter's forehead then approached his spouse with a grin. "Very funny sweetie, I almost fell for that." He raised an eyebrow and peered up at her emotionless face that had begun to crack
"Fell for what? I wasn't joking you know?" The cyborg woman retorted but her voice had already begun to waver.
"Very convincing Eighteen, as if I couldn't see through you." Krillin asked, his hands already wrapped around hers and began stroking those elongated fingers he so adored. It did the tricks too, as her frosty gazes thawed into beautiful warm ocean blue.
His wife wasn't quite ready to give up yet; however, and in a last ditch effort, pouted her lips trying to look displeased, "I wasn't aware it was you who saw through me Krilin, pretty sure it was Marron who did that while you were too busy worrying about your wallets."
Her words made the husband chuckle aloud, "Right babe, it's our lovely daughter. Happy now?"
"Hmph, stop calling me sweetie or babe you midget man!" She huffed but there was no concealing the blush anymore. Their faces leaned, eyes locked on one another and mouths extending slightly forward.
Right when those lips were about to connect though, their romantic escapade was cut short by loud gasps and both turned around to find several passersby gawking at them. This railed up the blonde woman and she quickly pulled her still dazed partner and daughter away from the scene, but not before shooting those interrupters a cold gaze that sent shivers down their spines.
Serves them right for disrupting our little moment...but wow, can't believe I almost kissed Kril in public...
"So ehh, I guess you really are satisfied with your purchases huh Eighteen?" Krillin asked playfully once they were a safe distance from those crowds.
"Yes Kril, now let's head home shall we?" Eighteen sighed finally admitting defeat verbally, which to her surprise didn't felt as bad as she thought, especially seeing the loving smile on his face.
The trio made their way across the crowds hand-in-hand with Marron tugged in between her parents, swinging back and forth using their hands as support. Their hover car was soon in sight and all began picturing what to do with their goods once they got back when an artificial noise came from one of the stores nearby.
While Krillin and Marron merely gave it a curious look, Eighteen had abruptly stopped in her tracks and halted her family with her grip.
"What's the matter Eighteen?"
"Yeah mama, why'd you stop?"
She didn't answer their worried inquiries immediately, only turning her attention toward the store labelled "North City Arcade". The place seemed to be quite darker than other surrounding establishments and from it came strange sounds akin to lasers shooting and people grunting. Such nonsensical noises should've done nothing but irked her, but the cyborg felt her mind drifting away from her physical body to someplace afar.
The distant, pale blue eyes was a look Krillin knew all too well, one his spouse would sometimes make whenever her past life revisited her conscious and like all those previous times, he held onto her hand, hoping his warmth could provide some form of comfort. Little Marron meanwhile also looked on quietly. She didn't knew why, but something in her mother told her the best way of supporting was wrapping her small hands around her mother's body much like what her father had done.
"Krillin, Marron," Eighteen began at last after close to a minute of inactivity.
"Yes?" Their voices came at the exact time.
"Would you two mind prolonging our shopping trip a bit longer?" She asked hesitantly, knowing they were just about to head home for a well-deserved rest and partly hoping they'd object her proposal.
Maybe it's better to return home now, Kril and Marron both looked kind of tired...besides what could be inside an arcade anyways?
To her relief, they flashed her a near identical smile that must've been passed down from father to daughter.
"Of course not Eighteen, lead the way." There wasn't a hint of regret in her husband's voice.
"Yeah mama, show me the arcade!" Her offspring's voice was just as resolute.
The ear-piercing noises were even louder inside and before long, Eighteen was scolding herself for making the suggestion. She could tell that Krillin, although patient, wasn't finding the arcade with all its digital toys and gadgets fun neither and Marron, despite her curiosity, would wince at the sound and bad air.
Really, what was I thinking? Searching for memories at a place like this? Common Eighteen, you should know better than letting your family suffer like this...
"Well Eighteen? Do you find what you are looking for?" The former monk, whose taste in entertainment was more aligned with calm walks through nature or other physical activities, nevertheless asked her with a smile.
"Mama, do you want to play any of these?" Her daughter pointed at a machine with two mounted but obviously fake machine guns, trying to sound interested but was failing rather miserably with her tired voice.
Great, now your family's trying to sound excited for your sake...get a grip on yourself Eighteen, it's time to go...
"Thanks Marron, but mama's okay, now let's head home shall we?" The mother picked her daughter up in her arms and gave her a kiss. Another nod from her lifelong companion and they headed for the exit, ready to put their arduous journey behind them.
Still, I was sure there's one familiar sound that drew me here...wait what's this?
It caught her eyes even before she heard the artificial yells and grunts from the machine. A closer look at the arcade labelled "Street Dragons" depicted two fighters standing across the screen, throwing what looked like ki blasts at each other when at a distance while kicking and punching when up close. Also shown were large, capital letters of "INSERT COIN!" that seemed to wink at its intended audience, urging them to feed it just to experience whatever was on screen.
Wow what's this? A game trying to depict how people fight in real life? No wonder Eighteen had to stop and take a look, it's so unbelievably unrealistic!
Krillin was about to chuckle at the silly looking machine and its questionable depiction of martial arts until he saw the longing expression on his wife's face. Not needing to be told, he sat down in front of the machine and inserted a coin, starting the experience as the screen took him to what appeared to be character selection screen.
"Huh?" Eighteen gasped not believing her husband, a true martial artists would readily play through one of these games. On the other hand though, an all too familiar soundtrack was racing through her brain now and little by little, her mind pictured a younger Seventeen playing the game beside her, his small hands twirling the arcade stick and fingers pressing all those different buttons in rapid succession.
"Common sweetie, don't you think this game looks very interesting?" Krillin mustered up all his enthusiasm and asked.
"I-it's okay Kril, I think I'll just look at how you play thank you!" His target audience answered rather embarrassed and was greeted by a curious glance.
"Okay babe, but feel free to jump in whenever you'd like!" He said cheerfully before returning to screen and began scrolling through all available characters.
What are you waiting for babe? It's crystal clear you are attached to this game...oh well, maybe I'll be able to awaken your interest...
The former warrior monk turned police officer ended up picking a cleanly shaven fighter wearing what appeared to be traditional monk uniform with its yellowish robe, leg bind, and standard fighter's shoes. It was almost like seeing his younger, Orin temple era self turned into pixels, punching into empty air and ready for the next match.
"Mama, that character's just like papa isn't he?" Marron squealed in her mother's embrace, her arms waving at her father's selection.
"It does right Marron? Now let's just see if he fights as well as your father." Eighteen grinned at her daughter then lowered her head down to Krillin's ears and whispered in a barely audible tone only he could hear, "Don't you dare lose in front of our daughter okay Kril? Not when you picked a character looking just like you."
"Yes ma'am!" Krillin replied obediently like a soldier taking orders, cause although he knew Eighteen was only joking, the dad still didn't want to disappoint the fruit of their love who was chanting "Go Papa!" loudly for all to hear.
The selection screen had faded into black and once it regained its color, the monk fighter was standing sideways in a passable fighting pose. Across the screen was a large, obese man with wild hair and a black wrestler's briefs. The background looked like a tournament ring of sorts, with its stone tiles beneath either fighters' feet.
To Krillin, the scene looked oddly familiar to his first real challenge in World Martial Arts Tournament against Bacterian and his hands tightened against the arcade stick that he had never laid hands on in his life.
The next several seconds were some of the most intense in Krillin's life, as he piloted his character clumsily, trying to outpace his much slower digital foe with quick maneuvers. Perhaps mirroring his technical based fighting style, this monk character proved to possess an arsenal of moves too and through trial and error, he was able to execute several special moves, especially one where he threw a large fireball at his opponent and knocking him down for good. Large capital letters of "YOU WIN!" occupied the screen, followed by loud cheers from his daughter and handclaps from his wife.
"Yay papa! You are the best!" Marron chirped excitedly as her father turned around to give her a thumb up.
"Thanks little angel, it's all because of you papa's able to win!" Krillin planted a kiss on his daughter's cheeks who giggled merrily.
"You lied papa, I bet you can beat all of them if you want!" Marron replied with innocent vigor.
Krillin's only response was to chuckle slightly and pat her on the head because truth be told, his left wrists was hurting from performing all sorts of weird and unnatural motions with the arcade stick, not to mention his eyes hurt from staring at the screen for such extended period. The former monk then turned toward his wife, "Well sweetie, what do you think? Want to give it a try?"
The question got Eighteen all quiet as she looked at the character on screen then back at her husband. During the match, her mind had wandered elsewhere and sitting on the arcade chair was no longer Krillin, but herself and Seventeen as they fought each other match after match.
"Hey sis, looks like I beat you again!"
"Yeah bro, but that's only cause I let you."
"Liar! Sister dearest is a liar and a sore loser!"
"No I'm not you brat!"
She could almost hear the bickering as if it was happening right then and there. This vivid recalling of past events scared her and the blonde's body shook slightly, unsure if it's wise to allow herself getting pulled down memory lane when her family, one loving girl perched on her arms and the other, a handsome man beaming at her were right beside her.
Besides, little bro is a park ranger now and probably isn't into these silly games anymore...ah well, guess I'll have to ask him later...
She didn't have much time to ponder; however, as the next match had already begun and the next opponent, a spikey-haired character wielding a red pole was making his way at her husband's character.
"Okay Kril, now hold onto Marron for me will you?" The mother entrusted her child to her significant other and took over Krillin's seat but by then, the digital monk fighter was only at half health.
"You can win mama! Beat him!" Marron shouted desperately behind her and Eighteen's cat-like eyes narrowed to become that of a lioness who gave her young cub a confident thumb up before returning to the game.
Don't worry Marron, there's no way your mama will let anyone best your papa, even if he's just a Krillin-look-alike!
The next matches flew by as the cyborg bested her foes one after another. Such display of prowess in game shocked the blonde woman too, but she knew she'd only improve as secret techniques, complex setups, and even character match-ups came flooding back to her mind. In the blink of an eye, she had reached what appeared to be the boss stage where a green alien looking quite similar to a certain Namekian awaited her.
Perhaps it was knowing her husband met his very first death at the hands of King Piccolo, Eighteen was even more determined to win or, at least not to see the monk character's death screen. With renewed spirit that was galvanized by cheers from her daughter and husband, the cyborg woman eventually found herself with one tiny pixel of health against her final foe. There, she dodged a series of fireballs before executing a complex hand motion and rapid button tapings that saw the digital warrior monk threw a hidden super move, resulting in a pleasing "YOU WIN!" to reach her ears.
"Wow Eighteen, that was amazing!" Krillin couldn't help but wrap his arms around her shoulder from behind.
"Yeah mama, I never knew you are this good!" Marron, who was now sitting on the seat next to her, tugged at her mother's sleeves, her crystal blue beaming with pride and mouth arched up in a radiant smile just like the woman's.
"Of course, as if I'd disappoint you both." Eighteen slumped back against her seat clearly exhausted, her mind divided between the game and fleeting images of her past. In it, she had witnessed not only her brother, but several others. In it, they'd compete to see who's the best at the game. It was a lively scene bearing odd resemblance to her present situation with a daughter and husband latching onto her, giving her heartfelt shouts of congratulations.
Unbeknownst to the small family, Eighteen's performance had attracted a small crowd around her, all of whom clearly eager for a match.
"Sorry guys, but my wife is just about done here, you'll have to find another opponent I'm afraid." Krillin said, walking in front of his family, his arms out stretched in a protective fashion.
"But mister, we'd really like to have a match with her." One of their spectators complained.
"No means no unless she said otherwise." The former warrior monk crossed his arms in front of his chest, feeling a bit bad for the crowd but not ready to give ground.
Eighteen meanwhile sat on the seat unmoving, her finger running through Marron's silken hair while those crystal blue eyes admired the epilogue of the monk defeating the demon king and bringing peace to the world. It was quite a reward after all those hard fought battles but now that the cyborg woman was able to catch her breath, she felt the tingling desire for more.
"Eighteen, should we head back or do you want to play some more?" Came her husband's question, one not only her family, but the entire arcade seemed to be craving for an answer. At that moment, the crowds appeared just like those she's competed in her flashbacks.
Perhaps this is a sign I should keep going? Maybe I'll find something more out of this? But what about Krillin and Marron?
She glanced at her daughter sitting on her laps and her husband, searching for signs of tiredness in them. Instead, she found two reassuring smiles that let her knew non-verbally they were behind her back. So thorough were the reassurance her cheeks blushed from embarrassment.
"It's okay Krillin," Eighteen said at last then turned to face the lines of challengers, "I'll face you guys if you don't mind paying for the matches."
The entire room erupted into cheers, but none as loudly and enthusiastic as that of the haired former monk and his little girl sharing that same round, expressive eyes.
"Player 1 wins!"
The arcade machine said for the umpteenth time that day and with it, another challenger left their seat in defeat, but not before remarking on the blonde woman's impeccable skills. No sooner had they left did another one took their place and with another insert of coin, the cycle repeated again.
"Player 1 wins! Perfect!"
This next player's loss was even more thorough and the crowd muttered something along the lines of "Man, she just keeps on getting better!" or "Just how long can she play like this? There has got to be a limit to her stamina."
Even Marron, who had been cheering non-stop for her mother, peered up at her father all worried.
"Papa?"
"Yes princess?"
"Do you think mama's tired? Shouldn't she take a break?"
"Don't worry princess, your mama can go on forever once she's found her pacing." Krillin rubbed against his daughter's shoulders before accidentally letting out a yawn. Truth being told, he was getting pretty tired and wouldn't mind taking a nap but that determined look from his sweetie made it impossible to stop her. Based on how her eyes would shine a yellowish glow from time to time, the former warrior monk knew his cyborg wife wasn't just playing passively. No, she was actively analyzing her opponents and probably recording their every moves into her data.
No wonder none could beat Eighteen...she was probably very good a full human already but now with her cybernetic enhanced brain, her decision making is immaculate...
Yet another "Perfect!" rang throughout the space and all spectators groaned while the father and daughter cheered with coarse voices. One by one, those who hadn't challenged the seemingly invincible player left the scene until there were hardly anyone left to take on her. On screen, the digital monk warrior leapt up and down in his goofy celebration dance, a dreaded sight to all who had stayed long enough to get tired of.
When finally no one dared to take up seat beside the blonde woman, she peered back at the empty space, those piercing blue eyes scanning for prey reminded her husband of who this woman truly was, how she had once dealt a similar blow to his friends all those years ago with that same cold and analytical look. To him, it was a beautiful yet bone chilling scene that hadn't diminished its impact one bit even now that they were a married couple.
I don't blame you guys, Eighteen is a real frightening foe once she's set her mind to it...
The only person unaffected by this display of prowess seemed to be Marron, who despite her tiredness, was waving her hands at her mother.
Yup, like mother like daughter...
"Excuse me miss, would you mind if I play with you one round?" The voice belonged to a most unlikely source, and for a while, both Krillin and Eighteen blinked at the sight of an old lady with hunched back carrying walking stick before looking at one another as if asking nonverbally "Is this really happening?"
"Erm sure, have a seat." The cyborg woman said politely and gestured her to sit beside her. For reasons unknown, this woman appearing in her late sixties at least had a familiar aura about her, even if she couldn't quite recall them having already met before.
"Thank you young lady. I'm Poule by the way, nice to play with you." The gray-haired woman extended her hand toward the blonde who shook it in spite of finding such old-fashioned gesture odd.
"The name's Eighteen. It's a pleasure playing you too Ms. Poule." The cyborg replied somewhat rigidly but nonetheless still courteously.
"Oh?" Ms. Poule raised a gray eyebrow but didn't rebuke Eighteen otherwise.
With seemingly great difficulty that probably came with age, the new challenger placed her walking stick by the arcade machine before attempting to sit onto the chair, only to wince along with sounds of bone literally aching. Seeing this, Krillin placed his daughter on the ground and gave Ms. Poule a hand in the form of placing his hand over her shoulder then gently lowering her onto the seat.
"Thank you young man, you are too kind. May I know who you are?" Ms. Poule asked again, her inquisitive eyes observing Krillin closely.
"Sure ma'am, I'm Krillin and I'm this lovely lady's husband," Krillin pointed at his wife who couldn't help but blush a warm glow before picking up his little girl, "and this is our daughter, Marron, say hi to Ms. Poule Marron."
"Hello Ms. Poule, I'm Marron!" The jubilant girl waved happily at who appeared to be a kind elderly woman.
I wonder if all old woman are like Ms. Poule...papa told me I don't have any grandparents, but if I have one they're probably like Ms. Poule?
Hearing Krillin's introduction seemed to brighten Ms. Poule's mood, whose unsure expression turned into a gentle smile.
"Nice, I see. What a fine you man you are Krillin. And aren't you an adorable little girl Marron. You are just like your mother is so many ways."
While her family were chatting with the newcomer, Eighteen's discomfort mounted till she was shifting in her seat. The cyborg woman searched through both her human memory and database for any traces of this woman yet came up empty. When this Ms. Poule looked over at her once again, she nearly jumped from clear traces of tears in those gray eyes.
"A-are you okay miss?" The blonde woman known for her composure shuddered inwardly.
"Yes Ms...Eighteen...I couldn't be better as a fact. Now, let's start our match shall we?"
All Eighteen could do was nodding in a near obedient fashion despite unable to put a finger on the exact reason.
This next match turned out to be her monk warrior facing off against Ms. Poule's shoulder-lengthen blonde girl. It was as if the old lady had purposefully picked the fighter but that wasn't the only surprise. No, it was seeing the fragile old lady carefully maneuvering her avatar out of a series of attacks Eighteen threw at her before landing the first attack that match with a perfectly placed counter. The crowd that had gathered all around gasped in shock, as did Krillin and Marron whose round eyes became even more circular.
"Mama! Do your best!" Marron's yell was the first one to break through the tense silence, then the entire floor erupted into loud chatters with everyone cheering for their favorite player, and the two didn't disappoint.
The ensuing round went back and forth, as both landed the tightest of the attacks, gradually depleting each other's life bar till a final trade resulted in the very draw game that day. Eighteen found herself sweating and an indescribable pressure mounting her chest. Gone were her questions of the woman's identity as her entire mental power, every fiber in her being were being repurposed for the sake of besting this opponent. So great was her competitive spirit it scared even the cyborg herself.
What's happening to me, this isn't a life-or-death match, so why am I taking this so seriously? Did my brother dearest's competitiveness rubbed off on me?
But I'll win regardless, my Kril and Marron are watching me...
Without her knowing, those sharp as razor's edge eyes began blinking a shade of crimson red.
"Oh my!" Ms. Poule gasped, seemingly taking note of the artificial glow.
It was also at that exact moment when the old woman's blonde fighter paused for the briefest of a second, the tiniest of a frame and allowed Eighteen to land a crucial blow that caused the arcade machine to announce for the umpteenth time of "Player 1 wins!"
Feeling her mind going blank from the release in pressure, Eighteen collapsed against her seat and lost consciousness. In that short dream of hers, a roomful of kids roughly her age were congratulating her new victory, their arms tossing her up and down, making her squeal in delight. Not far away was her brother, apparently sulking with that pouty mouth and narrow eyes. Yet despite his apparent loss, young Seventeen was nevertheless clapping for her and, albeit reluctantly, flashed her a thumbs up when their sapphire colored eyes met. Yet some distance further away was a woman appearing suspiciously like Ms. Poule, except her hair was more brown than gray.
Brother...did you experienced this too? Or was this all just a dream?
Also Ms. Poule...who are you?
Eighteen was only reawakened by the familiar, soothing warmth of her husband and daughter wrapping their arms tightly against her body, their heartbeats bumping loudly and forcifully pulled her out of the comatose.
"Eighteen, sweetie are you alright? Speak to me babe!" Krillin called out to her desperately, those emotional chocolate rich eyes wavering.
"Yeah mama, are you okay? That was amazing!" Marron sat on her laps, her small hands grabbing hold of her shirt and shaking her mother with all the might her small body could generate.
"Y-yes? W-what happened?" The wife and mother returned their affection by wrapping them in a weak hug.
"You lost conscious after beating me...Eighteen. But I must say congratulations, that was a well-deserved victory." Came Ms. Poule's gentle voice again.
The blonde woman took a moment to gather herself before standing up shakily with the help of her family, her ocean blue orbs glued at the all wrinkled and gray-haired woman. "I think I know you from my past but unfortunately, I just can't quite recall from where," Eighteen muttered more to herself than anything, "mind letting me know where we've met?"
Ms. Poule let out a deep sigh, her gray eyes looked at the cyborg woman expectedly akin to what Eighteen could only describe as a parent trying to get their children to notice her, "Oh dear so you really don't know me?"
Once more, despite all her effort, the cyborg's only response was to shake her head in dismay.
"I guess it's okay...Eighteen. Let's just say I used to run an orphanage and you were under my care. Then you and your brother disappeared one day like many others and for years I thought you two were gone," Ms. Poule had to pause to gather herself, her voice cracking and body trembling, "but I'm glad to meet you here at last, and I must say you've gotten yourself a lovely family."
"Ms. Poule?" Eighteen asked, feeling herself getting dangerously emotional and had to fight hard not to break down here and there.
"Who you were, what you've done wasn't important dear, just know that I'm very happy for you." The old lady finished as she turned to leave, only to spin around abruptly, her gray eyes shining with renewed vigor, "by the way Eighteen, how's your brother? Is he with you?"
"Y-yes Ms. Poule, Seventeen's just fine. He's married too with a loving wife and daughter." Under normal circumstances, Eighteen wouldn't have bothered telling a stranger of her sibling's life and here, she discovered it was impossible to conceal anything.
"Good." Was all Ms. Poule's last remark before she disappeared into the crowds, faster than Eighteen could reach out at her.
The entire Chestnut family stood there dumbfounded, unsure what to react. Marron was holding dearly against her mother's hand, her chubby face pressed against that smooth skin of her troubled parent, trying to offer whatever relief she could provide. Krillin had also taken the liberty of wrapping his hand around her waist, his firm hand rubbing her back in a rare display of public affection. The people gathered around them had long since dispersed, giving the trio their much needed privacy amidst the dark interior of the arcade.
"Well Eighteen, do you want me to pull out Ms. Poule's information? I'm sure I can find something." Krillin offered, finally breaking the silence.
"It...it's okay Kril but thanks. What's passed is in the past and like what Ms. Poule said, I have you two." Eighteen admitted quietly and, under the mask of darkness, gave her family member each a loving kiss on their cheeks.
"So what do we do now mama?" Marron asked as they made their way out of the arcade and into the sunset sky outside.
That simple question caused the cyborg woman with her near infinite brainpower to pause in her tracks and for the countless time that day, neither her spouse nor daughter with all their considerate nature could guess what intricate thoughts were going through their mysterious wife and mother. What they could both pick up; however, was that familiar glint in those stunning, jewel-like eyes that indicated she had came to a decision.
"Well sweetie?"
"Yeah mama, what is it?"
"Well, I think we should get home," she paused, her answer surprisingly straightforward, safe for what happened next, "and we should invite Seventeen over for a gaming session. I'd like to see if he'll behave the exact same way as one in my dream."
A/N: Thanks to all for reading this chapter. I wrote this for Chestnutfest 2k22 week 2: Gamer. Do let me know how this one reads and as always, happy reading and writing folks. Can't wait to read more of what my fellow K18 lovers produced for this year's K18 month.