I’m feeling a bit better now, a few hours into the stream. My viewers—and I—are loving this new game. You try to survive in an apocalyptic world, with jump scares left and right, all while trying to romance the creatures that hunt you.
As I save the game and prepare to transition to the unboxing segment of the stream, I notice a question in the chat. Would I ever date a monster?
“Well, first, I don’t think the monsters inourworld are the same as the creatures in this game,” I preface, before smiling slightly at my webcam. “But yes—I think I would.”
This sends my chat into a frenzy, a million and one questions about my type and monsters flooding the chat.
I let out a laugh, closing the game and adjusting the visuals of the stream as I debate my answer. I’m pretty open about this stuff with my viewers—how I don’t date, except in video games.
Rising from my chair, I cross the room to a section out of view where I have stacked up all of my packages.
I select a few for today, carrying them over one by one to my desk. Hopefully, everything is normal inside these packages—no weirdo messages, please.
“There’s no particular monster I’dliketo date…I guess it just depends what they’re like on the inside, y’know?” I tell my viewers. “How they treat others is much more important than what’s on the outside.”
My mind flashes back to the events of earlier, and I squeeze my eyes shut to try to forget the massive penis bursting through unsuspecting denim. That genie definitely doesn’t treat others the way he should. His wish granting was proof of that.
Gods, I had worked so hard to get him out of my head. I shake the thoughts as best I can, sitting back down at my desk.
“Alright, are you guys ready for a few package openings?” I clasp my hands together in front of my chest, eyeing the packages. “As always, I just want to say thank you to everyone who sends me things, and that there’s no obligation to send me anything. Just hanging out with me is enough.”
My chat is flooded with a variety of heart emojis, bringing a warmth to me. It’s nice to feel so accepted, even if it’s by strangers on the internet.
They don’t feel like strangers, though. More like friends from afar.
As I open the packages, I make sure to hide the packaging slips to protect both myself and the senders. My eyes keep wandering to the blue package, but I’ll save it for last.
Today, I’ve gotten things like stickers, drawings, and my favorite so far—a pair of fuzzy, pink socks. Perfect for a cozy night in, which is my favorite kind of night.
“Alright, guys, last one before we sign off for the night.” I hold up a bigger box, giving it a gentle shake for the camera.
Inside, something shifts around, heavier than expected. It feels like just one object, and I can’t lie, my curiosity grows with each second.
After setting it on my desk, I open it up. My heart skips a beat as I lift the tissue paper off of the object, revealing the most unexpected item.
A genie’s lamp.
Slowly, I reach in, cool metal sending tingles across my palms as I wrap my hands around it. There’s a note tied around the spout part, so I adjust my hands to flip it to face me.
The note has delicate, perfect handwriting on it, reading:
Raya,
I’m a collector of all things magical and monster, and wanted to share a piece of my collection with you. This piece was just calling to me, that it belonged in your hands.
May all of your dreams and wishes come true,
Tiana
Okay, how can I justify that this isnota sign from the universe? What are the chances that my viewer sent me a literalgenie lamp? Withthatnote attached?
No, no way. She would’ve sent it to me before the genie even showed up in Harmony Glen. It’s pure coincidence. Sorry, universe, you’ll have to do better than that.
I turn my attention up, realizing I’ve been silently staring at it for much longer than any of the other gifts. My chat is going crazy, all begging me to show off the item closer to the camera.
“Thank you, Tiana,” I say, smiling as much as I can to the camera. “With that though guys, it’s time for us all the get some sleep. See you tomorrow night, when we’ll pick up where we left off in our game.”
Setting down the genie lamp, I wave to the camera. Blowing a few kisses and reading the chorus of goodbyes in the chat, I wait for the movement in the chat to slow down before I end the stream.
