VBL

VBL

Chapter 1

Part 1

-In the competitive gaming world. Team battles roam dominate. Which means collaborative games have become one of the most popular games in the current world. … However there exists a genre of competitive gaming that has always been less about team ability and more about solo ability. One coated in over-the-top ego’s, heated rivalries, and optimizing game mechanics. Fighting games! Aka The Fighting Game Community (FGC) –

Flashback:

A young black girl timidly walks through the front door, her mom (Jasmine Maxim) softly leading her through. This is Nora Maxim (8 years old). Nora tightly grips her little overalls. She’s always been uncomfortable in new situations, and this would be her first ever sleepover.

“It’s okay sweetie. Mrs. Martha will watch over you and Lucy.,” Jasmine says. (Nora’s mom)

“Can’t you stay with me?” Nora asks.

“No sweetie, I have some errands to run. Don’t worry, you’ll have fun!” Jasmine reaffirms.

Nora looks down at her feet.

“Come on Nora!”

Nora looks at her friend, Lucy. A young white girl, with blonde hair pulled into 2 ponytails, runs over and pulls Nora further into the apartment. Mrs. Martha (Lucy’s mom) and Jasmine both share in a smile, seeing their little girls getting along.

“Yeah, yeah!” “Get him, come on one more combo!”

The sudden uproar grabs the attention of everyone present.

“Oh yeah, my son also has from friends over. Don’t mind them though. Us girls are gonna have our own fun time!,” Mrs. Martha reassures Nora and Lucy. Lucy smiling. Nora has a skeptical look on her face. Which is interrupted by Lucy pulling her arm again. Nora gives in and allows herself to be pulled down the hallway.

As both girls walk down the hallway, the noise from her brothers’ rooms grows. The apartment is pristine, and smells freshly cleaned. Framed family pictures flood the walls of the apartment. Nora notices that Lucy’s brothers’ room is slightly open. Nora allows herself to peek inside the room. Inside the room are 4 teenage boys eating junk food, drinking soda, and playing a fighting game (Capcom vs SNK2). The sheer excitement in the boy’s voice as they encourage, berate, and trash talk to each other is enough to enthrall Nora completely. She looks at the game they’re playing. Long combo’s, funky music, and the tense competitive atmosphere is enough to get her hooked.

“What game are they playing?” Nora asks Lucy.

“I don’t know. Some stupid game that my brother begged my mom for. He plays it for hours. I tried it and it was too hard for me.,” Lucy admits.

Nora stands frozen, looking through the slightly open door no longer aware of Lucy pulling her. Until Lucy speaks up.

“Come on Nora!”

1 day later.

The doorbell rings. Martha opens the front door, revealing Nora’s dad (A tall black man with a cozy and chill demeanor. His name is Isiah) is here to pick up Nora.

“I hope she was well behaved.,” Isiah tells Martha.

“Oh absolutely! She was a little angel. Although towards the end of the night she told me she wanted to try playing the game my son and his friends were playing,” Martha admits.

“Really?” Isiah confirms.

“Dad!”

Isiah turns to his usually quiet daughter running towards him with one of the biggest smiles on her face. He kneels as she runs into his arms. Happy to see his daughter in good spirits.

“Dad!” Nora yells.

“Nor Nor, what’s gotten into you?” Isiah asks with a clear smile on his face.

“Do you think you could buy me this game? You’ll have to buy it for your game system at home.,” Nora says.

“Uh… okay. What game is it?” Isiah asks.

FROM THAT POINT ON, I BECAME OBSESSED WITH FIGHTING GAMES.

END OF FLASHBACK.

Present Day.

Nora is now 15 years old, sitting in the back of a moving van, headphones blasting music while she watches a fighting game tournament (Combo Breaker). It doesn’t bother Nora to be surrounded by all the furniture as she’s analyzing the different matches. That is, until the truck stops.

The backdoor to the moving truck opens and Nora is blinded by the sudden sunlight. She shields her eyes while her mother Jasmine stands there waiting for her to come out.

“Come see the new house sweetie, it’s beautiful!” Jasmine says. While Isiah walks up next to her, ready to start the grueling process of “moving in.” He’s slightly less enthusiastic, especially after the several hours drive, he just had to do to get here. He lets out a big yawn.

“You okay NOR NOR? The driving wasn’t too bad for you?” Isiah asks.

“Not at all, I just watched this tournament the whole way.”

“Should’ve known. Well might as well get to know the new house. The neighborhood seems nice.,” Isiah states.

Nora finally climbs out of the truck, stretching alongside her farther.

“This is going to be our last time moving right?” Nora asks in tone so cold it causes her parents to look at each other.

“I don’t want to lie to you, but I was told by my supervisor this promotion would come with a solid, and stationary spot to settle down. Finally lay some roots somewhere.,” Isiah pleads.

Nora inner thoughts: They always say that when my dad is stationed at a new post. I can’t be too mad at them though. Since both mom and dad work for the military whenever they need us to move, we move. It’s not like I have a job or a place to live on my own anyway.

Some of the neighbors walk out of their houses only to see the moving truck, and the Maxim family. They immediately wave to them. Jasmine and Isiah wave back but notice Nora look away shyly. Isiah smiles.

“Tell you what kiddo. We’ll go talk to some of our new neighbors, while you scope out the new house. That will give all of us a break before we get cracking on moving in. Deal?” Isiah asks Nora.

“Deal.” Nora agrees.

Nora inner thoughts: I hate moving.

END of part 1.