Ready to Play

Summary

Carly, a game developer whose husband is involved with another woman, learns from Camille, a former lawyer and current resident at a guest house, about the mysterious disappearance of Camille's sister Caroline into her own game, leading Camille to leave her job and find solace with Devon and Sky, who run the guest house.

Abstract

The narrative revolves around a conversation between Carly and Camille, where Carly is grappling with her husband Adam's infidelity with a character named Candy from her own game design. Camille, who has experienced a personal tragedy with her sister Caroline's disappearance into a game universe, shares her past as a lawyer and her current role in the guest house, where she provides services in exchange for her stay. Caroline's inability to handle the consequences of a glitch in her game led to her being trapped in the digital world, prompting Camille to collaborate with Devon to rescue her, to no avail. This event caused Camille to reevaluate her life, eventually finding comfort and purpose with Devon and Sky. The story hints at a potential romantic interest between Carly and Devon, with Camille noting Devon's positive reactions when discussing Carly. The narrative concludes with Carly expressing her readiness to engage in the games and dynamics of the guest house, indicating a turning point in her life.

Opinions

Camille views the situation with her sister Caroline as a significant personal loss and a failure to rescue her, leading to a change in her career and lifestyle.
Carly reflects on her marriage and the influence of her husband's preferences on her game design, suggesting a sense of resignation about her husband's infidelity.
Camille seems to have mixed feelings about Carly's potential involvement with Devon and Sky, showing a hint of jealousy or concern.
The narrative suggests that Camille has a pragmatic approach to her new life, accepting the circumstances and contributing to the guest house community.
Carly's decision to be open to a relationship with Devon indicates a shift towards personal fulfillment and possibly a response to her husband's actions.
The story implies that the guest house serves as a sanctuary for individuals affected by the consequences of their involvement with game development, offering a sense of community and support.

Ready to Play

‘They are not so bad,” Camille said as she walked over to Carly, her bare breasts still on display, but she was very blasé about it. “If it were not for Devon and Sky, I do not know where I would be.”

“What do you mean?” Carly asked and looked at the other woman with interest. “What do you mean, were you in a game you developed as well?”

“Not me, my sister. She could not handle the consequences. I read her contract, and I told her. I used to be a lawyer. But Caroline did not care about that. She felt that nothing like that was possible.”

“Like my husband,” Carly said, mentioning Adam. There was still the sound of him fucking Candy and the mewling sounds Candy made on the screen in the living room. Sounds Carly knew he liked. She designed her game thinking about Adam would like. But thinking about him was not going to help her right now.

“There was a glitch in Caroline’s game,” Camille continued, wringing her hands. “It was her own glitch, but a glitch nonetheless. She disappeared into the universe of her own game. I did the best that I could to try to figure out her programs with Devon. Nothing like that had ever happened before, everyone came back and had to follow their NDAs. But we could not get her. I was devastated, she was my sister, and I could not save her. I left my job. I checked out of life in general. Sky was an angel…she came to me…consoled me, and then I came to live here. They did not want me to pay for anything, but that was not how Caroline and I were raised. So I do all of the cooking and otherwise, service the guests.”

Camile walked away. The sway of her hips and hands absently caressing her breasts made Carly wonder what kind of service she referred to.

“We played a game of strip poker, and I lost, which is why this is a part of my uniform, so I never forget.” Camille squeezed her breasts in her hands as if she was offering them to Carly, who stared at her with wide eyes.

Carly needed to think about what she was going to do. She was going to be with Devon if that was what he wanted. Adam was with Candy — why should she deny herself what she wanted? She would not admit it aloud, but Devon might even have been part of the reason why she wanted to open her marriage.

“Devon has been talking about you, Carly. We still play cards, he will have a good hand, and that is the same smile on his face when he talks about you. It’s a pleasant poker face. Even Sky has been obsessed with you.”

Camille looked a little sullen when she said that and bit her lip. Carly was unsure what was going on, but the knowledge that Devon had been talking about her? She was on fire.

“I am always up for a game with Devon and Sky,” Camille smiled. “Do you need anything? I am here to take care of you. Or should I call them back in and tell them you are ready to play?”

Carly smiled her own subtle poker-faced smile.

“I am ready to play.”

This is one story in a series. You can read the first one here and the last one here.

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