2.06

His late-night dinner consisted of burgers, fries and salad (the salad was barely touched) his driver and he sat and watched the news while digging into their meal. Michaels thoughts kept drifting off to his time spent with Aphrodite. Eventually he managed to gain some focus and after a reminder from Colin (his driver) he called his business manager.

When Michael had finished high school he had average grades in everything but Art Design and History. Realizing that unlike his sister he was ill suited for the world of academia Michael decided to use his skills at design in his own business. Thus, he went into estate development. He would buy land and develop it. He would then with the advice of architects on retainer construct new properties. Occasionally, they would bank the land and save it for later. Starting his own business Michael soon realized that business management wasn’t in his skill set. So, he hired fresh uni grad Melanie to do that for him. His next realization was that if you had money it was surprisingly easy to make more. Between he and Melanie they usually chose profitable areas to develop. All and all a successful business. In which Michael could relieve his boredom. Melanie for some reason enjoyed her side of the business. Making contacts and keeping an eye on their tenants.

As his call rang straight through to voicemail Michael smacked his forehead at his stupidity. Ending the call Michael closed his eyes with a sigh. Glancing at Colin he was pleased to note that he looked equally sheepish. What kind of moron calls somebody at 2am. Feeling annoyed at himself he decided to call it a night. Colin sensing his mood gave his goodbyes and disappeared out the door.

Friday morning (almost afternoon) found Michael bright and eager in his apartment. He had started his morning off with a jog around Old English Bay. Returning he had picked up fancy sandwiches from his usual bakery. Then arriving in his apartment, he had sent an email to Melanie. He had informed her that his schedule would become busier due to him working on a new project for his father. He had told her to email him if she came across anything that she couldn’t handle. (He doubted there would be)

A quick glance at Gods Online forums found that while discussions and arguments had gone rampant no new information had been released. Disappointed and a little bit smug that Aphrodite had shown him something everyone else would kill to see. Michael logged off his computer and decided to find something else to do.

In the end, he spent the afternoon practicing his sword stances. After thoroughly stretching he finally decided to call and Annabeth and ask if she wished to have a friendly duel. She was willing. So around 5 o’clock he was opposite Anna. Armored and armed they faced off eager competitive grins on both their faces.

This time around she wielded a single falchion. When she was younger Anna tended to dual wield the weirdly shaped blades. Releasing a flurry of blows which Michael struggled to defend against. Unlike his near shoulder length longsword her blades were far shorter but no lesson painful when they struck.

As soon as the bout began Eric danced back trying to give himself room. As he thought Anna at once stepped forward to close the distance. When she dual wielded her blade Michael would constantly have to readjust his stances to ensure that she wouldn’t use one of her swords as leverage to send the other under his guard. Therefore, as if remembering their childhood matches Michael stepped backwards and set into a defensive guard. Fortunately, she only had one blade so after deflecting her blade to the side before she got within reach Michael found himself on the offensive. The greater reach of the longsword kept her safely at bay and eventually her blocks weakened enough for him to place a soft strike on her side.

Breathing heavily after what was probably only a short match Michael watched glumly as Annabeth, carefully rubbing her side, swept over to the sword rack and picked up her secondary sword. Once again ready for the next bout Anna smirked at his heaving chest and started the next match. Like before she sped at him to close the distance. This time however Michael found himself on constant retreat. He was forced deflect numerous blows falling backwards or leaping to the side to avoid near strikes. Michael breathed heavily, sweat dripping down her brow simply analyzed his opponent. Forced backwards he waited for the inevitable. Annabeth fell into a pattern. While the pattern was dangerous, incredibly difficult to defend against Michael simply had to wait for his chance. Then he struck. Caught between stances she lost her balance as his two-handed swing impacted heavily on her blades. Losing her rhythm Michael was quick to take advantage. Moving straight into a thrust which gently tapped her chest guard.

Displeased Annabeth went straight into a third match. Michael embarrassingly exhausted failed to defend against her new pattern. The match went:

Strike!

Strike!

Strike!

Ouch!

Gingerly rubbing his side Michael avoided the vindictive expression on his sister’s face. Not wanting to face her again now that she had her rhythm Michael suggested practicing their stances. As they moved from one martial arts stance to another she said, “I’m getting a capsule for my birthday. (In a month’s time) According to father it will coincide with the second batch of capsules.” Michael nodded pleased and amused at Annabeth’s disinterested expression. As her brother, he could tell that she wasn’t as disinterest as she pretended. Within her was the little girl that used to beat or occasionally let him win at video games. Re-interest had sparked within her no doubt to the detriment of future God’s Online players. He was certain she would spend the next month of her holidays practicing her sword skills in apreparation or interrogating him over the content. Michael was simply thankful that he was her brother.

After their time in the dojo they had another family dinner. Michael too excited in anticipation of God’s Online and found himself picking at his food. Even without any true information about the game he found himself making wild conjectures and rehashing what he had already seen. The amazing graphics, the realism, it was unbelievable and he would be playing it soon.

His father wasn’t home, no doubt working on the business side of God’s Online. It was a big day for Jupiter Enterprises. 11pm would reveal the game to its players and possible buyers. As the meal progressed Michaels excitement was palpable. In return his sister shot him looks of jealousy. Straight after the meal hugging his mother and promising to call his sister after he finished playing. He bounded off to drive home. Tonight, he had a game to play.