Mythran's Master Of All

After a bit of discussion, they decided to have lunch first and ordered pizza. While they waited for the delivery, they talked about what to do for the rest of the day. Ren said he wanted to log in, just to keep his presence in the game, since he'd missed three days already and he needed to keep up with his responsibilities.

“Would those responsibilities be your 5 personal maids?” Stella asked with a knowing smile.

Ren nodded. “I need to make more food to put in the icebox.” He said. “It's probably pretty low, with me being gone so long.”

“That's not what I meant.” Stella said.

“I know.” Ren said and grinned.

“You've been spending a lot more time outside of the game lately.” Denise said. “Is everything okay?”

Stella and Ren exchanged glances.

“Actually... there's... well, I don't know how to say this to make it less of a shock.” Stella said. “Ren just spent a year and a half in the game.”

“HE WHAT?!?” Denise yelled. “What are you talking about?”

Stella and Ren explained what had happened, and Denise sat there and stared at them.

“How... how is that possible?”

“I don't know.” Stella said. “Elise said the most anyone has ever endured without side effects was 8 times normal time.”

“Wait, what?” Ren asked. “When did she tell you this?”

“Just before she left.” Stella said. “That's why she was so worried about you. No one was ever supposed to go into those pocket realms.”

Ren was about to tell her that he'd been in one before, but kept his mouth shut. If he told them he was, then he'd have to explain why he was there; and that was something he didn't want anyone to know.

The telephone rang, and Ren looked at the nightstand. “We have a phone in here?”

“There's one in every room.” Stella said and picked it up. “Hello?” She waited a moment. “Thank you. We'll be right over to get it.” She hung up and looked at Denise and Ren. “Pizza is at the gate.”

“I'll go get it.” Denise said. “I'm the one with the car.”

“Take the golf cart.” Ren said. “It's in the garage.”

“What?”

“I assume that's what it's for.” Ren said. “I've seen a few of them driving around.”

“Isn't it just for golfing?”

Ren chuckled. “Do I look like I'll go golfing? Ever?”

Denise shook her head. “I'll try it, then.” She said and left the room.

Stella went down to the kitchen to get plates and silverware, and went back to the bedroom. About 10 minutes later, Denise came into the bedroom with the pizza box.

“That golf cart can really go!” Denise said and put the pizza on the rollaway table.

“Had fun, did you?” Stella asked and opened the box. “Hey, there's...”

“I gave the guard a slice.” Denise said. “You should have seen his face when I offered.” She smiled. “He tried to say no while he was drooling.”

Stella and Ren laughed.

“It's a good thing we got a large.” Ren said as Stella handed him a piece on a plate.

“Do you want a fork?” Stella asked him.

“Pizza is the ultimate finger food.” Ren said and picked the piece up. “You're supposed to use your hands.” He said and took a bite. A bit of sauce slid out past his mouth and landed on his chin. “Ow! Hot! Hot!” He said and dropped the piece of pizza onto the plate and tried to lick and wipe off the sauce at the same time. Denise had grabbed a napkin before Stella could and wiped off his chin. “Are you okay?”

“I'm fine.” Ren said and touched the spot. “That hurt.”

“Aw.” Denise said. “Want me to kiss it and make it better?” She asked, teasingly.

“It won't magically heal it, but it should make me feel better.” Ren chuckled and held his chin out for her. “Please.”

Denise leaned forward and puckered her lips to kiss the spot, and Ren turned his head and kissed her instead.

“Ha!” Stella said and laughed. “He got you again!”

Denise shook her head. “You can't keep doing that, Ren.”

“Why not?” Ren asked and smiled. “You let me do it.”

“I didn't... well, I did; but...”

Ren put a hand on her arm. “If I just asked you for a kiss, would you do it?”

“Not while I'm working.” Denise responded automatically, and her eyes widened. “Well, damn.”

Ren and Stella laughed.

*

Lisa Everet, or Lara, the Sage of Ages in the game, looked at her phone and wondered if she should call Ren. She'd spent all night in the game, and he never responded to her messages. She was dying to try out her new swimwear, and didn't know if she should just show up, call first, or wait until he saw her messages in the game.

“Text!” Lisa said, and typed up a message; then she deleted it. She typed up another, and read it over. “No, too desperate.” She said and deleted it and typed another. “Too needy.” She sighed and thought about what he would want her to say, then smiled and typed up a message and sent it.

*

The cell phone beeped, and Stella picked it up.

“It's for you.” Stella said and handed it to Ren, and he read the text message.