The first pale streaks of dawn were painting the eastern sky a soft lavender as Bennett swiped his brown wristband at the Alluring Realms time clock. The small green light flickered, signaling the end of another long night. A deep weariness settled in his bones, a familiar ache compounded by the mental exhaustion of his clandestine hours spent as ProlixalParagon. The image of the wayshrine of Oelia dissolving into a swirl of colors still lingered at the edge of his mind, a vibrant counterpoint to the sterile reality of the facility.
As he turned to leave, a small group of individuals, their red beta tester wristbands clearly visible, were just arriving for their morning shift. Their faces were bright with anticipation, their conversations already buzzing with talk of “mana regeneration rates” and “new monster spawn points.” Bennett watched them for a moment, a familiar pang of longing tightening in his chest.
He imagined what it would be like to approach Ludere Online with such freedom, to dedicate hours to exploring its vast world, to delve into its intricate systems and lore without the constant fear of discovery. These testers were paid to do what he risked his job to experience in stolen moments. They likely had dedicated accounts, access to developer notes, and the freedom to experiment and provide feedback openly. He, on the other hand, had to navigate the game in secret, his progress limited by the demands of his janitorial duties and the ever-present threat of getting caught using an unauthorized pod.
The thought of being paid to immerse himself in Ludere Online, to contribute his insights and observations without fear, was a tantalizing fantasy. He knew he had a keen eye for detail, honed by his work and his meticulous research of the game forums. He’d even offered valuable suggestions to the developers during the impromptu coffee spill cleanup. Yet, the brown band on his wrist served as a constant reminder of his current reality.
With a sigh, Bennett pushed open the heavy glass doors and stepped out into the cool morning air. His old car, a reliable if unremarkable vehicle, waited for him in the mostly empty parking lot. The drive home was uneventful, the quiet streets a stark contrast to the bustling energy he had just left behind. His mind, still partly in the digital forests surrounding Oakhaven, slowly began to re-engage with the familiar routes and landmarks of his neighborhood.
He pulled into his driveway just as the front door of his apartment building opened. His family – Jenn, Jesse, Donovon, Destiny, Brecken, and little August – were heading out for their respective days. Jenn, her flight attendant uniform crisp, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Morning, love. Long night?”.
Jesse offered a tired but warm smile. Donovon and Destiny mumbled their goodbyes, already halfway down the walkway. Brecken, his bright eyes still sleepy, gave him a hug around the legs. “Bye, Dad.” Little August, clutching a well-loved stuffed animal, waved sleepily.
“Bye, everyone,” Bennett managed, a wave of affection washing over him despite his exhaustion. He watched them pile into Jenn’s car, the familiar chaos of their morning routine a bittersweet sight. They were the reason for his long nights and his secret forays into Ludere Online. The health benefits for Brecken, the stability for them all – these were paramount.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
As the car pulled away from the curb, Bennett stood for a moment longer in the driveway, the rising sun casting long shadows. The quiet of the morning settled around him. He was home, but a part of him was still ProlixalParagon, the white-furred Fennician standing at the edge of a new adventure. The contrast between his two worlds was stark, and as he finally headed inside, the weight of his secret and the yearning for something more settled heavily upon him.
The quiet of the apartment settled around Bennett as he locked the door behind his family. The silence, usually a welcome respite after his long night, felt a little hollow this morning. He moved through the familiar rooms, the lingering scent of breakfast a gentle reminder of their hurried departure.
Before succumbing to the pull of sleep, Bennett knew he needed to take care of his weekly routine. In the privacy of his bedroom, he retrieved a small medical kit from the drawer. Inside were the necessary supplies: a vial of testosterone, a syringe, alcohol wipes, and a sharps container. He prepared the injection with practiced ease, a ritual he had long since integrated into his life. As he cleaned the injection site on his thigh with an alcohol wipe, a small smile touched his lips. He often joked with Jenn and Jesse, referring to his weekly testosterone shot as his "pro-boy-otics," a way to inject a bit of humor into a necessary part of his transition. It was a small act of self-affirmation, a consistent step on his journey to aligning his physical self with his inner identity, a journey that sometimes felt as complex and immersive as Ludere Online itself.
With the injection completed and the supplies safely stowed, Bennett headed to the bathroom for a long, hot shower. The steaming water helped to ease the lingering tension in his muscles, washing away the physical residue of his janitorial duties and the subtle anxieties of his secret gaming. As the warmth seeped into his skin, his thoughts drifted back to Ludere Online. He replayed the feeling of the wayshrine transporting ProlixalParagon, the rush of orchestral music, and the anticipation of the unknown lands that now lay ahead.
Finally, clean and utterly exhausted, Bennett crawled into the welcoming embrace of his bed. The sheets felt cool against his skin. The contrast between the vibrant, limitless world of Ludere Online and the quiet stillness of his bedroom was stark. Yet, as his eyes drifted closed, it was the digital realm that began to take shape in his mind.
He dreamt of ProlixalParagon, his white fur containing swirls and patterns of rich black, no longer burdened by the weight of logs but moving with effortless agility through lush, alien landscapes. He wasn't just cleaning up after others; he was an explorer, a tinkerer with the potential to shape his own destiny. The feeling of being seen for who he was, a clever and resourceful Fennician, was palpable in his dream, a stark contrast to the often-unseen janitor in the real world. He encountered strange creatures and solved intricate puzzles, his Tinkerer skills allowing him to craft ingenious solutions. The frustration of being underestimated in his waking life melted away in the virtual world, replaced by a sense of competence and agency. In his dreams, the wayshrine of Oelia was just the beginning of a grand adventure, a journey where his true potential, unlike at Alluring Realms, could finally be realized.
