VI

Sweet Revenge

“So, how are we going to do this?” asked Misty. “Do you have any ideas?”

“Always,” the teenager grinned. “Far too many. But I’ve got something special, just for you.”

Misty didn’t hope for much. He was feeling absurd in this tiny room full of computer devices, microphones, tripods and figurines placed on white shelves. The robocat was sat on the window sill and pretended to lick her front paw. She was graceful and carefully designed. ByePacker introduced her as Dizzy.

“I know it’s your first video, so let’s do something easy. Have you heard of Space Orchard?” asked the teenager as he was waiting for Misty to deny.

“It’s the game that you’re playing” Misty tried to remember more, but he failed.

It was really difficult to be up-to-date, people change their likes and dislikes too quickly.

“Yes, this game has an interesting backstory,” ByePacker got really exited. “It was created as a cozy game but then some multiplayer and role-playing features were added. And it’s still popular!”

Misty looked at him without a word. Should he explain that he has no idea what role-playing is?

“You don’t have to know all it all” the teenager waved his hand dismissively. “The point is that this game consists of two genres that are contrary to each other. Cozy games are supposed to be relaxing and role-playing games demand fighting, collecting items and fulfilling quests. But this game joined it all together in a brilliant manner. You see, there are two fractions that have to cooperate. If you’re a farmer, you don’t have to worry about starlings, you just plant your trees, collect fruits and sell them. But if you’re a guardian, you have to protect farmers by shooting starlings. You can also help the farmers with their work. In this way, I’m able to play even with my mum and my aunt!” the teenager smiled broadly. “How awesome is that?”

“But then they know how much time you spent on playing, right?” Misty wasn’t sure if it was even possible. “Don’t you have to learn?”

“It’s summer,” ByePacker looked at him in disgust, as if the mere mention of learning ruined the mood. “So before we start, let’s talk with my mum about that game.”

The mother of the famous influencer, Mrs Duskin, was a busy woman in her forties. She kept her fingernails painted perfectly and her hair dyed stylized in a neat manner. Misty guessed that she was ready to become a businesswoman in no more than 5 minutes.

“Oh, hello,” she smiled broadly. “Do you want a holographic coffee? The machine is over there, by steam fryer, but you need to change the settings, Austin.”

ByePacker stopped by the device and sighed deeply.

“Cat food? Mum, really? I told you that I’ve already fed Dizzy.”

“Oh, really?” Mrs Duskin looked perplexed. “She was meowing so persistently, I just couldn’t refuse. Do you like cats, Mr Misty?”

“I do, but I’m not sure if they like me in return,” answered Misty. “They keep looking at me with contempt.”

“It’s normal” said ByePacker, writing the code on the screen. “Even robocats do that sometimes. I heard that it’s the main reason for the returns. Some poeple ask on GroundChat if they should feel concerned when their robocats are treating them as servants. I guess they never had a real one. There you are,” he handed Misty a small cup.

The robot smiled and took the hologram. It was always amusing to watch people performing these small ceremonial gestures. Holograms were invented to unite people with their creations and to make technology more friendly. It also affected human behavior. Human were more friendly towards a robot that can drink tea with the family than towards a simple model that demanded only charging and regular check-ups.

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“So you had a real cat?” asked Misty, trying to hold the conversation.

“Yes, a few years back,” answered Mrs Duskin. “Her name was Mizzy. But we had to travel a lot in the past, so it became more and more difficult for her and us. We asked our neighbor to take care of her, but Mizzy was a revengeful one. Even one week after our return, she took her sweet revenge.”

“I would say it was a smelly one,” snorted ByePacker.

“Oh yes,” Mrs Duskin shuddered. “So then we bought Dizzy. It’s easier for travelling. We just place her in standby mode. No more nasty surprises. And… well, it’s always so sad when animals go to the better place,” she blinked.

“I’m sorry,” Misty wasn’t sure of what to say.

Human life was so fragile and short. They suffer from illnesses, age and die. Animals live the same way, but at least cats learned how to make the most of it.

“Mum, I want you to say something about Space Orchard,” ByePacker took a biscuit from the shelf. “Misty and I are going to make a video about that.”

“I have a meeting in ten minutes and there is a dinner to be prepared. What do you need to know?” Mrs Duskin leaned over the oven, checking the temperature.

“How it is to be a farmer in Space Orchard?” ByePacker was too focused on his business to see his mother struggle. Misty was used to a teamwork so he was always noticing small signs of human weakness in time.

“I can help,” he offered politely. “I was designed as a household robot.”

“No need, I’ve got it all covered. Just enjoy your coffee. The game it’s very easy.” Mrs Duskin set the autocooker. “You plant the trees and wait for the seasons to change. It’s nicely made, you can zoom and watch bees, flowers and apple growing. And it’s possible to speed up the time. But it’s better to prepare for the harvest, set some dealers with the retailers. I don’t like this part, I always set the prices too high. I guess it’s a habit from my workplace.”

“Thank you for the coffee. I like that code,” Misty placed the empty cup by the hologramer. The cup dematerialized to a small plate.

“If only real dishes behave the same way,” Mrs Duskin sighed and put the plate to the drawer.

“I have a gift,” Misty took out the strawberry tea from his inventory.

“It’s a superb one,” ByePacker smiled brightly. “Come, Misty, let’s go, we’re just disturbing now.”

They returned to the room. Dizzy looked at them friendly and meowed.

“She’s in high spirits, she was fed twice,” ByePacker stroked her on the neck. “So, Misty? Have you decided if you want to be a farmer or a guardian?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Misty wasn’t sure if these possibilities were mentioned to him.

“I’ve got two ideas. First, you’ll be a farmer and I’ll teach you how to play. We will record it, and it’s going to be a tutorial that will show my perfect teaching skills. I’m thinking about creating an online course so it might come handy. You can also be a guardian, and then we’ll fight the starlings with my friends. I’ve told them about you so they’ll help you. What say you?”

“I am not qualified for computer games,” Misty took place before the screen.

“But you know how to use the interface, right? If you want to be a guardian, we can make it funny. For example, you can pretend to be a grumpy old-fashioned robot who was forced to play,” ByePacker laughed involuntary.

“I am grumpy so it’ll be easy,” assessed Misty.

“Ok, wait for a while, I have to set the equipment. Sit closer to the screen, I’ll adjust the height. You’re much taller than me.”

Misty was good at waiting so he waited patiently.

“We won’t go live, so don’t worry,” ByePacker put his headphones on. “Welcome!” he shouted to the camera without any further instructions. “Today we have a special guest, my friend Misty. Misty, can you wave our viewers and introduce yourself?”

“You’ve already introduced me,” Misty raised highly his eyebrows. “Let’s get in on, I don’t have a plenty of time!”

ByePacker smiled broadly and proceeded to introduce Misty to the game.

“These dark dots are starlings, we have to shoot at them. Your quest is to kill twenty, then you’ll get The Yellow Cape of the Guardian Apprentice.”

“I don’t need it!” Misty tried to look disgusted. “And what is that? Someone is sending me a message!”

“Oh, it’s CindyFlower, my old friend. Hello, Cindy!”

“She asks me what oil do I use,” Misty winced. “Her grandpa got some old oil left in his shed, and she doesn’t know what to do with it. I’ll show her, where do I shoot?”

“No, Misty, you cannot shoot her!”

The screen flashed.

“Cut! Oh, so that what happens when you shoot somebody else,” ByePacker leaned to the screen. “Don’t do it again, Misty, it’s very rude. We are banned for 15 minutes. We have time to figure something else out... Maybe we’ll make a video like 5 things to avoid in Space Orchard? Come on, let’s write some ideas. How about going bankrupt in the next game?”