Hey Ape

HELEN'S POV

I expected to start my day with the usual meal and then log in to my now confirmed second life as Creator goddess. Unfortunately, life had other plans.

A red dot on my email had me tilting my head in confusion. I couldn't remember the last time I had received one of those. It was a shock to me I still knew what those were.

The mail came from the Elder Gods on behalf of the Will of the Multiverse to accent to a meeting in the creator online office for some interviews and business deals due to my position as the no-one player of the rapidly gaining traction game.

I was half a mind to reject the proposition and just continue my normal affairs. But wasn't my initial idea of playing the game to get over my issues. It was true that going too fast could be detrimental. But if I wanted to do this I had to try and at least start from somewhere.

It was a Friday and not seeing my father was a sign he must have gotten a contract since he was usually home unless needed.

Mum as usual was on her laptop when I walked into the sitting room. Slumping into the couch by her side I placed the laptop on the desk lining it up to her view.

"Check this out" I nudged her while waiting.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked giving me the eye from the side. Her 'don't lie' look.

"Yes, I did. I've been sleeping well since ever." I admitted. "Probably best when I'm having game dreams" I joked.

Mum stared turning to look at me fully before smiling widely.

"You hardly joke. You never did tell us how the 'boss' meeting went. I'm gonna assume it was a success. We didn't ask just in case to avoid any mishaps."

"There was none. It's all good. The game is awesome as usual and I think you should play when you have time. Also, I got into tier one which feels like it's gonna be harder than the previous levels."

"That's...lovely.. and I guess. you can do it"

"You don't know what I'm talking about do you?" I chuckled.

"I try to understand the game but with so many things hidden it's hard."

" About that. " she continued. "Dustin told me you dropped the mic on the secrets. " mum gushed

" Yes, I did. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. Couldn't stream without saying the correct words and it's not like NPCs know to keep the secret. I'm sure the company could have flagged the appropriate words but then the audience would not get the severity of the fight."

"I hear a fight and I'm not sure if I should be worried or not" Mum murmured,

"It's a game." I asserted.

"With realistic features and pain settings," she argued.

"Dustin?"

"He dared not lie. It concerns our princess".

" Would it alleviate your concern if I said I'm overpowered?" tried.

"Overpowered?"

"Well. It's a secret but my tier-up granted me one hell of a skill that is literally game-changing. I doubt there is a way to counter it. But literally, if a fight is too hard or I'm gonna die I can just snap and be done with the dude". I halted

" That is overpowered."

"Yes and annoying. Cause now I have to make sure I don't use the ability much or I'll just grow overconfident." I grumbled.

"A good and bad thing, It's good you're not reliant on it and also try to regulate its use. Maybe that will help like once in a blue moon thing. " I nodded to the suggestion since it was basically what I had thought of.

"Now what is this?"

"Oh. That. The Elder Gods. I'm guessing that the big guys in the company want me to come in to discuss the possibility of airing my fights and quests as a bigger show for my fans and to possibly attract players for the game."

Mum paused as she looked at me for a moment.

"You sound excited"

"Well. I've been home for a very long time. This feels like a good way to make money."

"But..."

"But, I don't wanna have a lapse especially now I'm able to be in the same room as dad. And also I think I might be able to finally not run from Dustin, so..."

"You don't want this to stir up anything that could ruin this progress. I understand I think that's a good route you're going."

"Maybe a doctor's appointment can help to clear up and help to prepare us for this step," Mum suggested. I remained silent while she watched me.

"Okay. I guess that's the best thing right now." Mum nodded at my assent before picking up her phone to make the call. I eyed the stairs to a certain boy's room with a sigh.

*****

The rap on the door was enough to make the young adult pause his typing. Carmella wasn't known for knocking, well not too well, and then his father just banged like he wanted to break the wood. Which left only one person in the house whom he doubted would ever come to his door.

For a solid moment, Dustin was sure that some burglar had gotten into his home. An alert air rushed into him as he flew to his baseball bat and drew it out of the door. His mind flew to his sister who was always stuck lately in that VR capsule. Not that he blamed her.

The game was that good plus there was the shite that was this reality.

"Who?"

He was already by the door ready to swing it open and bash some a**hole's face in when the familiar yet foreign voice sounded through the door.

"Hey, ape".

Dustin would never tell anyone that a tear slipped as he stood there trying to calculate the fact that he actually heard their princess outside his door.

The sound of the baseball bat hitting the floor with a thunk brought him out of whatever stupor he was drowning in.

" Uhm if you..." the door was pulled open quickly. The black-haired blue-eyed little barbie of his stood there with a tense expression. He could see the nervous stance on her body like she was expecting something to happen.

Whatever it was. It seemed she was relieved when it didn't happen.

"If it isn't the little pixie". he scoffed with mock cynicism.

" The ape remembers his queen." she sassed with a happy smile.

"Well to what do I owe this visit, dear queen?"

It was clear that Dustin was gauging her without actually asking the 'how are you' lines. Something Helen appreciated. Dustin had always been a perfect family member who spoke with actions rather than words. A mini father.

Right now he was doing his best to not make his little sister uncomfortable or awkward with questions.

"You dare block the entrance to your queen?" Dustin paused at the words. Sure he had accepted her visit but he honestly didn't expect her to be okay enough to enter a boy's room.

The shove to the side and the girl sitting on the desk chair made him sigh. He could still remember having to drag her dirty legs off his bed back before the thing.

"Curious." He muttered. She smiled weakly.

"Mum's setting up a meeting with the doc to see if I can go to another meeting with the Elder Gods." she started.

"That's a lot of meetings". He murmured. Then as he picked on the contents of her words he paused.

"Why am I not surprised? Oh, that's right. Cause you're Hildelith. So what does that have to do...?"

"I'm sorry. Just me being selfish and trying to test if I can be around..."

"Or you missed your brother and gave your brain a reason to be here. Done. Case solved. I'm so lovable". he smirked.

" Hehehe. Yes. Yes you are".

"So you gonna accept the proposal?" way to be Dester. Always making things comfortable when not.

"I have an idea. Why don't you and I go together. That way the Queen and her guard can put the peasants claiming to be Elders in their place". Helen lost it rolling off the seat and laughing harshly as her shoulders racked.

Carmella snuck a peek inside just as Dustin looked back both sharing a smile and a thumbs up before the elder woman vanished.

Dustin took a seat on the floor while watching the girl stabilize her laughter. Rubbing the creases off her pajama trousers she joined him on the ground.

" So what's the latest news on your side?" he asked.

"Hit Tier 1. and..."

"That's public knowledge. The will told me and so I'm betting all creator gods know too."

"That was expected. Guess he was right. "

"He?" Dester's face stiffened.

"Is there some guy I need to have a word with?" his eyes looked thunderous already. Helen chuckled as she shook her head.

"In reality. No. In the game. Well, you definitely could try. If you want a perma death that is". She laughed at this.

" The same guy you met in the world forge." Helen nodded childishly.

"Well at least he's an NPC." he barely missed the eye shift she did.

"What aren't you telling me?" he asked.

"Nothing."

"No there's something"

"Really, there is?"

"Helen. You did that thing people do when there's something not said or known."

"I did?"

Dester scoffed throwing his arms up. "Fine."

"So, will you accept your proposal?"Helen asked.

" Sure. if it looks good. Money can't be turned down". both siblings burst out laughing.