Conor hoped the next few months of winter would pass uneventfully as people kept inside to avoid the bitter cold. Yuri came by one afternoon from NewAge all excited about the new system they were preparing to launch and even set up the prototype console at Conor's new house. When he saw the large blank wall, Yuri insisted on taking him shopping for a TV with his latest bonus check from NewAge.
"Conor, you are the one who enabled me and my mom to have these amazing jobs. Besides, I want someone to play my newest game with. It's going to be a huge hit, but obviously, I cannot share it with anyone outside NewAge. Thankfully, you are one of the owners! So, let me do this!"
Conor figured it would be fine, and he did want to TV for the house. What he did not expect was the five delivery men showing up the next day with a grinning Yuri.
"What is this?" he asked, opening the door wide.
"While you were in the other room... I may have taken some measurements. This is the new 4k 190cm TV with everything we need to run the new gaming system. And even better, Parker can join us for some epic split screen action. Though it might be better if we find a fourth player to keep it even."
Conor stared slack-jawed as the movers unpacked and mounted the new TV directly onto the wall.
"Oh, and there is still room for some of the great gas fireplaces I have seen recently. You should really look into those. This winter is already promising to be frigid."
"Yeah, I'll get right on that. Damn kid, you were not messing around with this." Conor stood staring at the new set up.
"You may need to move the couches back a bit, but you have all this space so it shouldn't be an issue! Thankfully you have these huge ceilings! So, you need a tv that works with the space, you know?" Yuri continued.
"Yeah, ha! Yuri it takes up the whole wall!"
"Not the whole wall. You could still fit some bookshelves on either side. Actually, some nice dark oak shelves on either side with a gas fire underneath... you my friend would be the envy of every bachelor around! Also, it would likely play well with the ladies. I had this awesome decorator from NewAge who did my new room, it's amazing. I will have to show you some time and introduce you to her!" Yuri winked. "Speaking of ladies, anyone special that I need to know about? Or are we free and clear to play till 3 in the morning?"
Conor choked on his words before sputtering, "I mean, well... yes we can play as long as I don't fall asleep. As for ladies, Anna is not going to be around for a while."
"Things rocky?"
"What? No! She is staying with a sick family member for now. Hopefully, she will be back in a month or so."
"Hmm, distance can be hard, man. I may be young, but I already know this much. Don't worry, plenty of fish in the sea!"
"Is that so? Young Yuri already playing his way around the ladies' heartstrings?"
"Well," Yuri replied, puffing out his chest, "The ladies do like a man who can provide for their every desire, and thanks to you, I can do that quite well."
"Just be careful they are not simply after your wallet. While you may be having fun, don't play with their hearts, there is nothing quite like a woman scorned." Conor admonished.
That evening, Conor invited Parker to join them for some steaks, and while Conor and Parker each had a few drinks, Yuri explained the premise of the new game and led them off on a series of campaign missions.
"The other designers and I thought it would be awesome to have a game where the main character is an elite Dragoon. The premise is that a secret order has captured a dragon priestess. Your goal is to rescue the priestess and return her safely to the temple. Part of the game is rebuilding the temple defenses after she is kidnapped so that you can guard her once saved. There will be several ways to buy new defenders and various shops to buy equipment from. But once you start out on your quest, there will be all sorts of enemies to battle. Even an enemy dragon at the end."
Parker laughed, "I don't remember any quests to save a lost princess in my days as a Dragoon, but we sure had to search for lost artifacts. That could be part of your mechanics. A way to level up is finding the various artifacts and searching for clues of where the princess is being held."
"Princess or priestess?" Yuri asked, realizing the difference.
"Why not both. There is rumor that there is a hidden branch of the royal line among the priestesses anyway. That is part of the Dragon Order that is not entirely a well-kept secret. No one has ever confirmed it and as far as I know, it was all just a myth of one of the prima's a thousand years ago, but they like to keep it alive to make the king keep them close. The other theory is that there is an order dedicated to protecting bastard born heirs to the royal line in case the king doesn't produce a legitimate heir."
"Hmm. That could be a fun storyline. Not sure a hidden prince would work but perhaps a priestess with royal blood or something. So, Parker, I understand you would be the one to ask. How are the fighting sequences and moves? Are they accurate?" Yuri asked excitedly.
Parker took some time to explain some of the flaws he had seen and suggested several more realistic attacks. Yuri took avid notes and was thrilled to hear some of Parker's adventures, promising that many new scenes and battle ideas were sure to come of their interaction.
If this is how winter would be, Conor figured he could handle it.