“I’m not sure I like that there’s no choosing what you want.” Jon frowned at the screen where his angel was picking up a scythe. “Usually the player has more freedom in endowing their character. Here we are limited to what the game provides.”
“Could be interesting, though. We have to deal with what we got.” Barion let his angel put on the huge armor he was supposed to wear.
“Let’s see. I’m not convinced.”
The first level had them patrolling the walls protecting Eden, with some smaller fights against low-level demons. It was meant to give the players a chance to get used to their characters and the handling of the game, the reaction time of the console and the graphics. Jon praised it as a good idea while Barion thought it was a wasted level. Comments were divided, some agreeing with Jon, others with Barion.
They played for ninety minutes, going through three levels, none of which was overwhelming. Viewer numbers topped out at thirty-six thousand, which meant a nice bonus for Jon, so he was satisfied. He stopped the game.
“Thank you for tuning in today. If you’re interested in another live stream of Eden’s Doom, please let me know and we’ll set up another date. Have a wonderful day and happy gaming, your PLM and Big B!”
“Bye everybody and thank you for bearing with me.”
No problem at all.
You were great.
So funny.
We need another live stream!
The comments were exploding while Jon shut the microphones and the cameras off. When everything was private again, he grinned at Barion.
“You were great! This was so much fun! Thank you.”
The demon grinned so broadly that Jon got full view of his impressive fangs. “I have to thank you. I barely realized time was going by. And I’d love to do another stream with you.”
“We just have to set up a date. Let’s see what the comments say, then we can talk about when would be a good time.” Jon got up from his lounge chair and stretched. Barion followed suit, his back cracking like machine gun fire.
“Ah, I need a break. What do you do when you’re not gaming?”
Jon thought about it. “Reading. Or just sitting around, doing nothing.”
Barion shook his head. “That won’t do. I need to move. Have you ever been to the Carpathians?”
“No?”
“No, as in you don’t know where the Carpathians are, or no, as in you have no desire to go there?”
“No, as in I don’t know where you’re going with that question.” Jon stared at Barion.
“Ah, I see. Well, I’m inviting you to my cozy little home. I mean, it’s only fair. I’ve been at your place twice. You have to see mine as well.”
“Uhm, that’s fine. I’m not keeping tabs.” Jon wasn’t sure what to think. He was excited by the invitation—excited and scared to death. He didn’t go out. He didn’t visit other people’s homes. He stayed there, in his cellar, where it was safe and quiet and just him and his computers. Barion didn’t seem to care, because he grabbed Jon’s hand, apparently having forgotten about not touching him, and Jon found he didn’t mind. Perhaps it was because Barion ran so hot that there was no mistaking him for a human. A human with Barion’s skin temperature would have been well on their way to the final slumber and not jumping up and down like a giddy three-year-old on a sugar rush.
“Come on. You’ll love it.”
“Fine. Show me your home.”
Barion lifted the hand not holding on to Jon and extended one of his claws—his very long claws. Jon felt his eyes widen. Barion saw it and looked a bit sheepish. “Sorry. I need the full length to open time and space. I know they look frightening.”
“That’s not it.” Jon shook his head. “I’ve just never seen claws that long. I mean Emilia’s are quite impressive, her being an ancient vampire and all, but yours are just…wow.”
Barion seemed to grow in front of Jon’s eyes. “Wait till you see my wings!”
“You don’t mean in here?”
“No. Too cramped. I wouldn’t be able to fully extend them. I’ll show you when we’re at my place.”
