7 VirtuNet Disconnec (2/2)

Eric swallowed dryly, this was exactly the reason he'd been avoiding this conversation. Nervously, he tried to formulate a response, ”Well it's a very highly regarded program you know. And games are becoming more popular every year. Just look at how well Fate is doing and that hasn't even been released yet!”

”How many game designers get to work on a game like Fate, rather than pumping out awful mobile game after mobile game as quick money grabs? Do you really think you'll be able to get a job at a place like Hurricane if you go through this program?” His father countered.

Eric faltered, it was true that the odds of him getting a good job in the industry were low. But did his father have to crush his hopes like that? Stealing a glance at his mother he looked over at her for support, only to notice her doing her share of studying the upholstery as if it contained untold secrets and she was determined to uncover them, the odd thing was that she seemed to enjoy this act as the phantom of a smile could be seen on her face.

”What's so funny, Mummy?” Eric asked, attempting to divert the flow of the conversation.

”Don't change the subject, Eric!” His father said sternly, but his own mask was starting to crack, with a grin slowly spreading across his face.

”What? What's going on? Why are both of smiling like that?” Eric asked, suddenly unsure of the situation.

”Oh Eric! I'm so proud of you! XX University is a great school! Why didn't you tell us you'd applied?” His mother suddenly burst out, jumping up and running over to give him a hug. Eric was now totally lost. The conversation had gone from him being yelled at to him being congratulated and hugged, all within less than a minute.

His father grinned, ”You left yourself logged in on the VirtuNet console. We received the email that your application had been received over a month ago, naturally along with the details about the programs you applied for. At first I was a little disappointed, but after we looked into it we found out that this is actually a great program, it has a high graduate placement rate and the faculty is very highly rated internationally”.

Eric breathed out, relief written on his face. ”I was really unsure if you guys would approve of it”.

”Well the Economics minor definitely helps. You'll still have useful real world skills even if you can't get a job as a game designer after graduation. Do you have a plan for where to stay when you go off in the fall?” His mother asked, finally participating in the conversation.

”Yeah Griffin and I plan to share a room, he's entering the engineering faculty”, Eric replied.

”Oh Griffin's going too?”

”Yup, we applied at the same time, it says here that our room has been reserved”, Eric gestured at the letter as he responded to his father. His father nodded approvingly at this, he always liked to know that a plan existed and was being implemented properly.

His mother was practically bouncing with excitement as she suddenly jumped up and ran into the front room. Eric peered curiously after her as she returned with a large box in her hands.

”Your mother and I know that you're extremely excited about Fate, and given that we also know how you tend to procrastinate we decided that as a combined graduation present and early birthday gift we'd get you this”. His father said as his mother placed the box on the table.

Trying desperately to temper his growing excitement, Eric grabbed the package and ripped off the carefully folded wrapping paper to reveal a smooth box with the words, 'Hurricane: Fate Special Edition Game Connector (Fate the game is also included, this is a pre launch product and will be unavailable for play until July 16th, 20XX). Seeing this, Eric barely resisted letting loose a real scream of joy, opting instead to jump up and hug his mother as tightly as he could.

”Thank you! Thank you so much!” He repeated over and over, letting go of his mother and turning to his father who offered him his hand, before pulling him into a quick hug.

”The clerk told us that you need to set that up if you want to connect when the game goes live on Friday”, his mother cautioned him. ”Now remember, this is your birthday present, so you're not getting anything else in two days!”

Eric grinned in response, this was already the best gift he'd ever received. The fact that he no longer had to worry about his parents finding out about his college plans combined with this gift relieved him of all the stress he'd been feeling for the past few days.

His father smiled, ”Happy early birthday Eric, your mother and I are both proud of you. Now then, you've got two hours before dinner to set that up. Also, we're going to be setting some ground rules for its use over the summer. I know you'll be playing that all day and after a long discussion, your mother and I are fine with that.” His mother nodded at this with a conflicted look on her face.

”But”, his father continued, ”In exchange we expect you to have all of your chores and duties around the house done before you get on for the day. That means lawn mowed, house vacuumed, make sure your brothers get breakfast and other meals, your room and bathroom stay clean, and the cat is fed. We also expect you to show up for dinner. Got it?”

Eric nodded. This was exactly the deal he'd hoped to strike. His parents had always been supportive of his dreams. But they'd often expressed skepticism when he said that he wanted to make money using gaming. As long as he made sure to get the stuff around the house done before he got on for the day he would be fine.

”Deal”. He said quickly.