#Virtual World Building

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Here’s Why I Like Minecraft So Much

Minecraft is not just for kids; adults can play and enjoy it, too. Besides, it has therapeutic value. Recently a new neighbor visited us,and I invited him to my gaming room as he said he loved computer games. Since I was not sure what he likes and his gaing experience I offered to play a bit of Minecraft. He said it is for kids and whether I was something better to play with. I said of course I…

[jaystrun]

Arcane x CYBERPUNK AU

Zaun is Pacifica and Dogtown

Vander led the Lanes peacefully, only keeping up a low-stakes protection racket (his old gang "the Hounds" turned into a kind of lower-tier peacekeeping force) and for the most part things were peaceful. The kids, as they grew up, would do gigs for Vander and some of the Fixers: trying to make something of the nothing that was Zaun.

Streetkid Jinx x Streetkid Ekko

Jinx is Silco's top Solo and she's fucking scary, like Adam Smasher scary---but way less borg'd out

I had the idea she's almost completely chrome, just has RealSkin implants; meanwhile Ekko is mostly 'ganic but with some upgrades.

Think of chrome (cybernetic implants) as a shimmer allegory.

Ekko has a few but they're small: he has a Sandevistan and his eyes are Kiroshi optics. Later after my AU's version of the bridge scene he's given a Second Heart and Biomonitor implants.

Ekko over time forms the Firelights gang on his own to fight against Silco and his gang, the Chembarons.

Ekko is the leader and the Ripperdoc for the Firelights.

Ekko regularly seeks to improve DIY prosthetics and invent some of his own tech to minimize any reliance on Corpo tech.

He sets up small street-side clinics to offer whatever aid he can, though he can't stick around long as Silco's goons are always on the lookout for Firelight activity.

The Firelight Base in Cyberpunk AU

It's the are called "the Stacks" in-game, just outside "The Moth" diner/bar. In this AU, the layout and look of the place is the exact same, and the bar exists there also.

To me, the Firelights operate more like a Nomad clan than a street gang: they're a close-knit family looking out for each other above all.

Gang Leader Vi

Vi actually doesn't go to prison fully---the night of the cannery is given a bit of an overhaul in this AU. Vi takes the fall but escapes during the trial and becomes a pretty major fugitive. She forms the Animals, essentially.

(Credit to FoxPurple on NexusMods for the INCREDIBLE Vi tattoo I'm using here.)

Vi as a gang leader is fun because she doesn't know what she wants to get out of it. She just wants what's left of her family to get along.

Ekko and Vi both turn their gangs into bike-based gangs (think of the Firelight hoverboards as Yaiba Kusanagis and Archer Nazares)

Vander's gang---the Hounds---was also a biker gang, so his children honor him in a way by keeping the tradition alive.

(Vi names her gang "the Animals" in honor of him and Ekko adopts the animal masks of the Firelights for a similar reason)

Season 1 Episode 3 in this AU:

Powder and Ekko are teenagers (between 16 and 18) when this event happens.

Powder and Ekko have been doing small jobs for Vander and the Hounds and the local Zaun fixers. They're small-time, barely more than "deliver this here," or, "gather intel on this person." Then Ekko hears word of a high-ranking Chembaron, Silco, getting some new bit of tech. And the plan is to steal it.

It's their first big job and they're both fucking hyped about it. Ajuna, Ekko's younger brother figure, goes with them.

Powder and Ekko and Ajuna, doing a big job for Vander and the Hounds.

The job is to steal that advanced bit of tech from Silco's personal apartment. Powder insists her techie devices will work, and all the way into the penthouse they do. Her li'l drones, her hacking bots, her Optical Camo implants they had to install sub-dermally, it all performs flawlessly like Ekko knew it would. 

Ajuna is quippy and not taking anything seriously but that's to be expected, really. Exactly like Jackie in Konpeki Plaza. Powder, Ajuna and Ekko witness Silco ruthlessly killing the current Kingpin and assuming power. Vi's radio sig goes dark and it's assumed she's been captured.

In the escape, Powder's gadgets backfire and Ajuna is killed in the explosion as they jump out of the window. He dies in Ekko's arms, and it's Ekko carrying his body out while Powder does most of the fighting. 

In the escape they had planned, Powder's improved EMPs (meant to disable Chembaron drones and cars and the like) backfire and impact the car carrying Vander and Mylo and Claggor. They die and it's Powder's fault, too. It's all her fault.

They arrive at their safehouse to meet with the Fixer, and you can imagine Ekko and Powder arguing and shouting and saying shit they shouldn't say, but Ekko's fed the fuck up and at his limit. Powder slaps him and he goes beyond the limit. 

He screams at her "JINX!" and she runs off and Ekko takes a bullet from the Fixer who was in league with Silco from the start.

It's Voodoo Boy (VDB) scavengers that find Ekko's body, barely-alive (the Fixer's aim was shit and Ekko is mainly just concussed), and he becomes indebted to them. 

The Hounds were dismantled in the two months Ekko spends recovering. He's indoctrinated into the VDBs and goes through all their initiation rituals. A year-and-a-half passes: the Chembarons take full control and Powder is never seen again until she comes back as Jinx, about seven years later. 

As stated, Vi doesn't go to prison. The blame and fault for the heist was pinned on her by Silco but she managed to escape and goes on the run.

She tracks down Ekko and is PISSED that he chased Powder off, and that she's gone missing, and this is the reason she doesn't join the Firelights. She stews in her anger at Ekko and her overall helplessness in the entire situation, doing her own thing for a few years while the two barely keep contact.

Ekko, he's like a younger brother to her and she wants to be there for him, but he's reluctant to share the full details of the heist and the aftermath which also upsets her. After a couple years of mutual distance and cold relations, they have a tearful heart-to-heart and mend the bridge.

(and realize Silco needs to be taken down, and working together would be the best way to honor Vander and Benzo's memories)

[gloomundernight]

Free Company Wintergarden Library Room with a cozy green and teal vibe - 2025 makeover

╭୨୧ ‧ ⁺ . ⋆‿︵‿₊ཐིïཋྀ⁺‿︵‿୨୧⋆.⁺‧╮

     ₊ ☾ ⁺ ⟢⊱• 𝓐 𝓓 𝓡 𝓔 𝓢 𝓢 •⊰⟣ ⁺ ₊ ☁ ⊹

╭┈⟢ Server Behemoth - Primal

┊┈⟣ Empyrium • Ward 11 • Plot 38

┊┈⟣ Free Company Six of Dragons (Caverna do Dragão)

╰┈⟢ Room 7

╰୨୧ ⁺ . ⋆‿︵‿₊ ཐིïཋྀ ⁺‿︵‿୨୧⋆⁺‧╯

             . ‧ ₊ ◊ ⁺𓂃⚘ ⛲ ⚘𓂃⊹ ◇ ⁺ ‧ .

[invisiblestation]

[q-posts]

Tuesday

The other day I found a temple ruin in the jungle. I immediately thought, wow, what a fun find. It took me back (memories) to the days (years and years ago) when I wanted more than anything to visit Easter Island to explore the ruins and the huge statues that are all over the island. I wonder today how many people actually know of Easter Island, or its history. In putting up the ruins I found I…

[firstname-secondname]

.

[psychoticwillgraham]

here's what i have so far for chapter 2 of the AI Will au 'perfect machine' that i should've posted a year ago but didn't actually start working on it until last month. i've got a whole ten chapter outline that's been done for a year but i don't wanna post it yet bc i do intend to actually write and finish it

[ailifehacks]

AI World Generation: How Generative AI Is Building Real-Time Virtual Metaverses

Explore how AI world generation is revolutionizing metaverses through real-time creation of immersive, intelligent, and generative virtual worlds. 🧠 Introduction: The Rise of AI World Generation In today’s digital era, AI world generation is redefining how metaverses are built in real time using generative AI models.With the blend of AI-Created Virtual Worlds and intelligent automation, digital…

[kastelo-games]

Are you ready for some crunchy Lore? Dive deep into never-before-released details about Nosu, the original fantasy setting for our adventures!

[evwuniverse]

Is it Possible to Fully Decorate a Somewhat Awkward Shaped 1024 sqm With a 351 Prim Limit?

I get asked this a lot on my countless adventures, I always thought this would be hard to accomplish. Honestly, back in the day when everything was high prim, I would say no you couldn't decorate a 1024sqm parcel with 351 prims. However, we aren't in the past and it is currently 2025 where mesh makes it easier to have a lower prim count. Due to this yes, it is more than possible to decorate a 1024 sqm parcel with 351 prims and I can show you.

Finding a House That Fits Your Parcel:

For those of us who bought the second middle tier of the SL premium membership we know that we get 1024 sqm of land fees for free with our membership. This 1024 sqm can be used for either a Linden Home on the Linden Home Continent Belisseria or you can buy Mainland and live on the grid on your own piece of land. The one downfall of this I want to mention is you would need to keep you premium membership to keep the land, so save up $100 USD for the next year. For me, I bought land on the mainland with my 1024 sqm land allowance.

You're going to want to find a home that fits a 1024 sqm parcel, now if your parcel is somewhat oddly shaped like mine you will need to be a little strategic. Mine is literally right next to a protected roadway which is why it is oddly shaped so linden lab could add some pretty plants for the scenery. Please see my example below,

As you can see there are lots of ridges in the corner which kind of takes up some of the space, then of course I have a somewhat square area, the land isn't necessarily flat but this was still something I could work with. If you can find it for a good price, I always recommend a flat piece of land and a normal square or rectangle it just makes things easier. The primary reason I bought this specific parcel was the price and the location of it otherwise I would've kept searching for the same.

Here is a birds eye view of my parcel with the outline so you can see what I had to work with. Because of the ridges I really needed to find a house that could A. either work with this or B. a 512 sqm home and decorate around it. But honestly for me the 512 sqm homes are a bit too small and cramped for my liking so I needed to find a home that was 1024 sqm that would fit.

Luckily, I know of some home creators already that I really like and of course first, I checked my inventory to see what I already had that would look nice in the area I'm in. I like to decorate around "themes" in particular. I had a few homes from the creator Inverse that I loved back in the day but by today's mesh standards they looked a bit outdated and would've been hard for me to decorate. Yes they come with a furnished and unfurnished version but after owning more newer homes as of recently I can't get over the doors of an Inverse home versus the doors to a ROOST, ~Osu~, Bella Rose, or Trompe Loeil home.

I took to marketplace to see if there was a new home creator I would like with a home that would fit this shaped parcel. I found a few but none of them would fit the parcel I had even though the dimensions were in check. I went to all the inworld stores to check on each home too. I decided to go to Trompe Loeil because I know for a fact they have smaller homes and I love their meshes and home designs for smaller homes. Believe it or not when going to the store, I was struggling here as well. I couldn't believe a lot of the 1024 sqm seemed bigger or longer then they looked and I knew a lot of them wouldn't fit my parcel. But, that is when I came across the perfect home right when I was about to give up.

I ended up coming to the Wildwood Spa Cottage by - Trompe Loeil

This graphic is not mine and was created by the creator of Trompe Loeil and is only used for the example of this post. I do not own the rights to this photo or the build.

I went into it before buying it and adored the layout, it was big enough but also small enough for my little parcel to where I could decorate around it. I found this worth it and for 475 Lindens for a nice build like this, it was a steal in my opinion.

I bought the house and smacked it on the parcel knowing I would be building around it and in it.

==

Furniture:

It is important when you have a smaller prim limit to look for low prim furniture. I honestly, was not about to go out looking for new furniture. I probably have more furniture then a lot of others in my inventory as that is my favorite thing to buy on SL. I put a lot of effort into my avatar appearance, however, I prefer interior design and as long as my avatar is up to standards I don't care how it looks from there. However, my interior design projects on SL I take a lot of pride in.

My favorite furniture stores for low prim furniture are the following (these are just a few to get you started links will be attached) The links will be to the in world stores.

Trompe Loeil

BackBone

Hive - unable to find a store but you can find their furniture gachas from the past on marketplace

Chez Moi

Half Deer

Cheeky Pea

Floorplan & Broncate

Most of my furniture are from these places but I do look on marketplace often and find furniture from other creators for cheaper I may like for example, dollar furniture that = 1 Linden or Promos from various stores during sales, etc. Also for the most part the shops above the items aren't more than 10 prims each generally, here and there you will find a few pieces that are.

My style of decorating is shabby chic mixed with modern pieces below you can see some of how I decorated this space.

Exterior Design & Cheap Lazy Landscaping:

I'll be honest, as much as I love decorating, I'm horrible at landscaping and exterior design. However, I find ways to do this to where it still looks nice even though I have no clue what I'm doing, please see the example below.

Trees are great! I highly recommend HPMD that is where I obtained these gorgeous trees, I have them in every color for all throughout the year for all seasons. I have green, red, pink, and white so I can have these beauties all year round. But warning each tree is 8 prims. But this is what I feel makes this land. These little brick paths I got forever ago from BA, I don't have the links to these stores but highly recommend checking them out when you get the chance for any type of "landscaping" you plan to do if you rent or have mainland with a 1024sqm parcel.

Now lazy landscaping, the key is add a ton of trees so they don't look at anything else and make your home the focal point. I have no idea to use the grasses or anything like that, plus things like that take up a lot of prims to fully decorate landscaping of a land, those are prims I could use for finishing up the last room in my house that I haven't decided what I wanted it to be yet, or for rezzing boxes to unpack more items I buy and clutter me inventory with. And that is my short and lazy example on how to do exterior design (thank you for coming to me Ted Talk).

My Parcel and Why I like it:

This parcel is nestled on the mainland on another mainland island and not the original areas on the mainland, you have to be creative when searching for mainland at a good price and make it work for you. I was done with the Linden Homes and just wanted to buy a parcel that I could decorate and make my own, does that mean less prims in the long run? Yes. However, at the end of the day it's yours and you can do with it as you want. For the Linden Homes there are so many stipulations, the positive of them is the fact you get to use all your 351 prims and the house the land is on doesn't count as your prims used so you get to use all the prim allowance for decorating the Linden Home, also you're promised a flat parcel at that point. But that's not why people get mainland. People buy mainland to have a creative space and to explore and discover new places and creations people have made. Everyone has their own decorating styles and when you're on the mainland sometimes you come across art studios, cafes, sometimes eye sores that make you wonder why you're there. But nonetheless there is a lot as to why people choose mainland.

I love where this parcel is located because there is a bus that travels all around this part of the grid and it passes my SL parcel every 10-20 mins or so dependent on the route, there are also little droids you can get in that will take you around as well. I think this is such a great perk. My parcel is right off a protected roadway, meaning I can rez a vehicle on my land and then drive it all around the grid of connected sims. The theme in my area is definitely Asian/Japanese in theme and feel. I love this and honestly wasn't expecting it. I came to this grid due to a destination I found and while exploring I found this parcel was in the same area and fell in love with it. It was only $3,500 Linden which is about $16 USD now with the taxes for Lindens added on. It wasn't bad at all. Plus the 1024 sqm is included in my premium membership which is $100 per year which isn't bad if you're going to be on SL a lot.

My parcel is in a primarily residential area and a lot of the houses here are made really respectfully, everyone's house at least in my area are very nicely decorated or are nice looking estates and fit with the theme. That is another reason I obtained this parcel. I love everything it has to offer from the exploration to the nice area to the people who also live in the area, I learned its and older population and they are looking exactly for what I'm looking for a relaxed and nicely decorated area.

For those who don't know with the addition of this parcel, I now own two mainland parcels. I pay $31 extra to SL per month for a 8192 sqm parcel over on an island where I can explore by sailing as well as now this parcel which is included in my membership. This is a lot cheaper in the long run then renting for me. Plus I was very fortunate and lucky as my areas don't have any eye sores and have a lot of room for exploration either by sea or land. They may not be the original mainland which is honestly, what I had my eyes set on before but I have everything I was looking for and more with both parcels. Plus if I want to get away from people this allows me to do so. I was very very lucky to find this beautiful parcel for as cheap as it was.

Conclusion:

It is more than possible to decorate a oddly shaped 1024sqm parcel with 351 prims, you just need to be creative and make it yours. You may need to look for a smaller home or really look to see if it will fit on the parcel you chose but once you have the house everything else just naturally falls into place. Mainland, if you have the 1024 sqm with premium or want to spend the extra for SL land fees which isn't too much extra per month I think its about $7.00 per month for this amount of land per month you can find a really nice to place create and make into what you want for under $10 USD per month. I highly recommend for those who just want to have a residential area at a lower price point and pay Linden Lab directly which is something I prefer because I know where my money is going, then this is a good option for you. Stay tuned for other posts.

[geommatrix]

Check out my open virtual world simulation and let me know your thoughts

[jaystrun]

Meet the Firelights! (Cyberpunk AU) | pt. 1: Jorren and Eve

The core members of the Firelights of the Cyberpunk AU are mostly the same as my Firelights from What Was Left Behind.

For this post I'll focus on just two: Jorren and Eve! For those unaware, I have a deep-seated love for Eve and I've done so much over time to give her a characterization.

SO I took that and ran with it and she's now one of his best friends.

Jorren

Jorren is my own personal OC, pulled from my epic fantasy novel I've been working on for a few years. He's always so very fun for me to talk about: I love love LOVE him.

In Cyberpunk AU, Jorren grew up around the same place Ekko and Powder did. His parents were part of the Hounds (Vander's gang) and he was friendly with Ekko and the others.

when Ekko is with the Voodoo Boys, he meets Scar and they strike up a friendship. They both look to escape the VDBs and when they realize the gang trafficks people, they make their escape with a young man around Ekko's age they busted out of a trafficking ring: Jorren.

Ekko and Scar busted everyone out, gave them a place to stay while they did their best to help everyone. Some of them eventually became Firelights, or at the very least became friendly with the new "gang" (more like a Nomad clan stuck in Zaun). Jorren is among the first to make his intentions to stay with Ekko and Scar official, and becomes one of the first Firelights.

Jorren lost his eye to an infection he picked up in a shipping container as more people got shoved inside. His arm was lost saving Eve's life. The colorful plating comes from Eve's input: "You can't go around with such a boring bit of chrome, Jorey."

Among the Firelights, Jorren is something of a mediator. To really boil him down to a simple idea, he's a good listener. He likes to listen to people talk, likes to understand people. And beyond that, he's one of the bike mechanics, working alongside Ekko. He isn't a Ripperdoc like Ekko, though he does find cybernetics fascinating and likes learning how they work.

He's also a very willing canvas for Eve to practice her tattoo concepts and skills on; usually through henna in her concepting stage or with markers. Similarly, he likes engraving, and each Firelight gets intricate patterns on their "chrome" (cybernetics), usually hexametric patterns like honeycomb among other things.

His understanding dies a little bit when it comes to Pilties. Jorren HATES Pilties and everything they've forced Zaun to become.

"We killin' 'em for freedom 'cause they tortured us for boredom And even if some good ones die fuck it the Lord'll sort em." -Lyrics from "Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)" by Run the Jewels

Lyrics that I think fits Jorren very well. Though I feel it's important to state, his love of Zaun is stronger than his hatred of Piltover.

His weapon of choice is a modified pneumatic sledgehammer.

He pairs his hammer with a shield that folds out from his arm, made of the same reactive armor as a MILITECH Basilisk

He'll never admit to it because he doesn't want her to worry about it, but Jorren came up with the design after the explosion incident with Jinx. If anything like that EVER happens again, he can shield people from the blast much more effectively. It folds out in an instant, linked up to his nervous system like his eye and the rest of the arm.

Helps for Shay's explosives testing as well.

Eve

For some reason my heart usually goes to side characters who only exist to die for story reasons. And I wanted to make her death meaningful beyond that, and given how Ekko reacted they HAD to be friends, or friendly, or something. He clearly cared about her.

That's in WWLB, though, my "Timebomb deleted scenes" fic on AO3.

In Cyberpunk AU, she survives thanks to Jorren leaping into action. The gunshot meant for Eve in Cyberpunk AU is instead a whole-ass explosion. Jorren rushes to block the blast but Eve counters to shield HIM instead---she's ready to die for the Firelights' cause, but she's not ready to lose him, one of her best friends.

Eve's back takes a ton of the blast, her legs especially and it's burning metal from the roof that really almost spells her doom. But Jorren lifts it off for her to crawl out, and that's how he loses the arm.

Zeke and Shay arrive to get them out while Scar gets Ekko who is rooted in shock.

It's during the recovery process that Jorren and Eve get closer, he gets acclimated to his arm and helps her with the intensive physical therapy. Her stretches are fucking painful but they're nowhere near as bad when it's his hands holding her in the poses.

He's also first to suggest she "Eve-ify" her new chrome, and to vent her emotions through art.

In the Firelights dynamic, Eve is the main tattoo artist and one of the TRUE artists in the group. Everyone's ink comes from either her or Shay, and the Firelights logo is also Eve's design.

Eve's honestly a bit like Jinx, to me: chaotic, spur-of-the-moment artists that do their best with sudden bursts of creative mood and energy.

She grew up in the same apartment building as Shay in Zaun, just outside of the Lanes (Dogtown).

[venezart]

Epic Games’ Project Titan: A Giant Leap for Unreal Engine

In the world of cutting-edge game development, Epic Games has always been a trailblazer. With its industry-leading Unreal Engine, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in interactive experiences. The recent unveiling of Project Titan promises to be another monumental leap forward, solidifying Epic Games’ position at the forefront of technological innovation. What…

[onirikshop]

Modeling in progress of a building that will replace my shop, and will be the main TP point to access 4 sales themes: Sci-Fi, Medieval, Modern, and Exterior Structures. There is still a lot of work to do but the mesh and the reworked PBR textures give a good first rendering!

[thejaymo]

Emily Short lays out three key challenges for building the geography of interactive fiction worlds:

[1] to build a layout that is easy for the player to understand without extensive mapping, [2] to control access to parts of the geography in a way that sets the desired pace for the game, through puzzles and other design techniques; [3] and to disguise the edges of the map from the player so that [the player] doesn’t feel claustrophobic.

[heavenbarnes]

I wanna make it (so badly)

Art Donaldson x Fem Reader

Warnings/Contains: reader is AFAB with she/her pronouns, swearing, inappropriate employer/employee relationship, dry-humping, a lot of heavy petting, implied age gap, effective-infidelity (reader tested, tashi approved), oral sex (f!receiving), art is a bit of a pervert and mega-pathetic (endearing), references to religion (worship).

Word Count: 5.8k

i white knuckled the steering wheel on the way home from this film thinking about art donaldson- this is, essentially, an ode to that

Youth tennis lessons, $20/h, call for details

Finding work was hard, keeping work was harder.

Cleaning, baby-sitting, pet-sitting, pet-walking. There was virtually nothing you hadn't tried.

Odd jobs, odd hours, and the occasional odd employer.

You'd played tennis for the last couple years of college. Nothing remotely competitive but you and your friends had looked cute in the skirts and they'd give you whole hours out of class to play.

You were above average with a good arm and better patience.

Another odd job to add to your growing list.

You'd been particular about where you'd posted the ads, the neighbourhoods you'd chosen. Only the ones with manicured lawns and white picket fences.

Tacking the paper to boards in upmarket cafes, fancy supermarkets, ladies-only gyms.

The kind of people that want their kids playing tennis and could find their way to increase your pay- if you did well.

You always did very well.

So your little car looked a little out of place in this neighbourhood, fingers holding the scribbled post-it note with the address. Your scrawling handwriting detailing the "Donaldson's" were enquiring within.

Pulling up outside the house, you had a quiet inkling that you might've been out of your depth. Whoever owned this house deserved more than an above-average-ex-college-student that only learnt the sport to spend time with friends.

But they'd requested you, you'd have to let them come to that conclusion on your own.

Your knuckles only hit the door once before it was being swung open by someone that looked destined to be a security guard, like he'd come out the womb with his future decided.

What the fuck had you gotten yourself into?

He'd left you in the "formal lounge" to sit smack-bang in the centre of a couch that wouldn't even fit in the lobby of your apartment building- let alone the apartment itself.

As you admired a painting on the wall that you'd only ever seen in books, high heels on the stone floors made you jump in your seat.

The most beautiful woman you might ever see in your life appeared before you and said your name in a way that had you standing from your seat.

Your face faltered just enough that you hoped she didn't notice. There was something about her that told you she noticed everything.

Fuck me, that's Tashi Duncan.

If you know a thing about tennis (or even just watched the news) you know exactly who this woman is. You remember her more from your childhood but you remember her all the same.

The woman that once held the world by the balls.

She apologised for her husband's absence, that he was busy. It wasn't lost on you that the "husband" she casually referred to was Art Donaldson, US Open champion.

The Donaldson's.

Ah fuck.

Tashi went on the explain that they were wanting to begin lessons for their daughter Lily. You assumed this was the one you could hear running circles around the informal lounge.

"With all due respect, am I not the least qualified person in this home for that?"

You watched a perfectly formed cheekbone lift in what was nearly a smile. Strangely enough, something in the pit of your chest was dying to make her do that again.

There was something about her that demanded to be impressed.

You were no exception to the rule.

"My husband and I have seen some of your matches, we liked what we saw."

How? Your 'matches'- if you can even call them that, were nothing of note. You don't even think faculty bothered to watch them. You weren't quite sure why they'd even recorded them.

A silly part of you began to wonder how they'd even got a hold of them- until you remembered who they were.

The Hermes and Peitho of tennis.

"You did? I always thought of myself as more of a casual player."

"And that's what we liked, we know better than anyone how brutal tennis can become. We want someone to help Lily enjoy the game."

Oh, okay then.

You'd made a quasi-college-career out of purely enjoying the game. You were sure you could foster the same spirit for the six-year-old performing the entire 'Encanto' soundtrack in the other room.

Tashi laid down a tight schedule, Monday to Friday, 3pm to 6pm. You would teach Lily the wonders of the game on the court behind their home.

Their home you'd come to find out was a luxury rental when you'd complemented Tashi on another of the art pieces that'd apparently come with the place.

You'd also come to find out they typically live in hotel rooms, but they'd settled in this area for the time being as Art had a good thing going with a regular playing schedule and a sporting-goods deal.

You nodded along like you could begin to understand a life like that.

As she showed you back to your car (the one you suddenly felt humiliated for her to see you own), she called your name one last time from the doorway.

"You undersell yourself, we'll give you eighty an hour."

She left you choking on your tongue with one foot in the car and the other on an Italian cobblestone.

You were never going to walk or sit another dog again.

Lily was going to win her first Grand Slam by ten if that's what they'd pay you.

As your peeled your car from their turn-around area, you watched a Jeep Wrangler slow as it passed you. You couldn't see through the tint but you just knew it was him.

And you knew he was watching you.

-

The minute you'd told your roommate the situation you'd come into, she'd called bullshit.

A few texts from Tashi's now saved icon and a weird little photo you'd taken from inside the guest bathroom, it'd been enough to convince her.

"Fucking hell, are you God's favourite or something?"

You'd argue you were quite the opposite, she of all people should know. She'd seen some of the states you'd come home in after your other random jobs.

Felt good to be the winner.

Even just once.

In the air of some girlish fascination, she brought up a Youtube video of "Tashi Duncan Career Highlights" courtesy of "tennisguy779."

You'd protested it, rolling your eyes while feigning disinterest. No use, the minute you caught her out the corner of your eye- you were captivated.

It was entirely possible to imagine she hovered above the court, like there was a greater force placing her exactly where she needed to be, exactly when she needed.

It was even easier to believe she was just that good.

As you watched her play, listened to the sounds the game could draw from her- you wondered if this was how she and Art had felt.

Had they curled up in their informal lounge like you were right now? Had Tashi studied your every move meticulously like you assume? Had Art passed comment on your form? Did he think you were any good?

Tennisguy779's lineup changed quickly to "Art Donaldson Career Highlights" and you felt your chest constrict. An inexplicable feeling washed over you.

Like you'd been caught with God's forbidden fruit.

Your roommate had tried to question why you'd effectively flown off the couch, only to be met with a muttered 'goodnight' as you shut the bedroom door behind you.

Thin walls meant you drifted off to sleep that night with the rhythmic sounds of Art, grunting his way through an ATP Challenger.

It was no surprise you dreamt of him.

-

The Donaldson's tennis court was down a steep set of stairs, set back into an oasis of lush greenery.

Perfect for a 6-year-old's first lessons.

You didn't know if it was the grand balcony that overlooked the court or the fact a well-manicured Tashi stood atop it, but you felt positively observed.

Lily was in the midst of showing you how she could do a cartwheel (she couldn't) when the voice in the back of your head started echoing a promise of $80/h.

"Alright, lets channel some of that into your elbow."

Give a six-year-old a racquet half the size of her and she's going to blow effective chunks, but at least she has the spirit. Maybe it's her energy, maybe it has been a while since you've been on the court-

The kid's running you ragged.

Coupled with her height, you're spending more time bent over than you are up straight and it's all going to your head. All you can hope is Tashi isn't up there watching you stumble after the ball.

But you're sure there are eyes on your back.

Lily is a quick learner and you work out a tradeoff of one tennis skill for one spinning heel kick (mandatory that you watch).

Roll on 6pm and she's dog-tired, however, she's managed to hit the ball at least twice. Surely that's earned your keep. She lays star-fished on the turf and murmurs something about a piggyback.

You know you're about to earn your keep.

By the top of the staircase, you're more than happy to hand over a Lily-shaped-sack-of-potatoes to Tashi's mother. As you emerge from behind an ornate gargoyle, your suspicions proved correct.

Art Donaldson had been watching your every move.

Left alone on the balcony with him, you're acutely aware of the fact he's standing between you and your exit, and he's just had a full show of you bent over and flitting about his tennis court.

That and you still haven't said so much as 'hello' to the man.

You dwell on it for a moment and then there's that feeling back in the pit of your stomach, like any minute you'll be caught with fruit in hand- in throat.

The Original Sin.

Luckily, Art made the decision for you, crossing the space to shake your hand. If he noticed the way your hand trembled, he didn't seem to mind.

"It's nice to finally meet you."

You wished you had more to say to him, or maybe something more intelligent. Something better than a quiet "and you."

He was the better conversationalist, thankfully. Head motioning to the court, he looked down his nose at you when he spoke.

It should've felt condescending. It didn't.

"How did she go out there?"

"Yeah, really good- not a Disney character I can't name now."

He laughed.

Really laughed, like the joke was better than it was.

Like there was a preening little flutter inside you that said "do it again!"

You shrugged your shoulders like making him happy came naturally as you squinted up at him, as if he was the sun.

"You were watching? You must've seen her picking it up?"

Because he was the expert. Because he is the champion.

He hummed as he nodded, eyes skywards like there might've been something more important behind the clouds.

"Must've been distracted."

Within an instant- his eyes flickered to your own and you were sure he watched them change. He must've seen something he liked, the corner of his lip quirked up before he spoke again.

"Come on, I'll sort your payment and then we'll let you get home."

And for whatever reason, his hand fit perfectly in the small of your back as he lead you inside.

-

And how quickly did you become a strange piece of furniture in the Donaldson's home- in their life?

An ottoman for Tashi to rest her tired feet on.

An abstract piece on the wall for Art to admire when he passes it.

A projection of constellations across the ceiling to keep Lily bright behind the eyes.

At least you belonged- there was no doubt that this was where you belonged.

That wasn't to say your tennis skill had improved any, lesson after lesson you still couldn't wrap your head around why they'd even signed you on, let alone kept you.

"Ok, don't watch that one either- maybe just do what I say and not what I do."

You hadn't nailed a single one, at this point you couldn't blame Lily for skipping around pretending her racquet was a horse.

Wasn't like she'd be learning anything if she was paying attention.

"Ok, here we go just- ok right, when your parents ask how today went, please be kind."

"Your elbow is too low."

It was a miracle you didn't scream.

Art entered the court with a swagger that you could only assume struck fear when he was your opponent.

Right now it struck pure embarrassment and Lily wasn't helping.

"Daddy, she didn't hit a single one!"

"Alright, I don't think daddy needs to know that-"

"Daddy knows, daddy's been watching."

Daddy really needs to stop calling himself that.

Lily and her racquet took off for another tour of The Grand National as Art approached you with quiet determination.

It was like waiting for impact, his eyes never wavered off his daughter as he made towards you. At the last moment, he snapped his attention in your direction- with a smile that should've felt condescending.

It wasn't.

"If your elbow is too low you lose topspin and power."

If you deserved the $80/h you were earning, you might've known that.

As Art stepped up to you, the turn of the planets on their axis slowed down and it could've been entirely possible to believe it was only you two.

And Lily upon her trusty steed.

The gallops of her tennis shoes thinned out as Art placed one hand around your elbow, lifting it higher. His other hand held your waist as he pulled your back flush to his chest.

"Lily, go find grandma."

Then it really was just you two.

Your heart hammered against the shell of your ribcage, blood rushing around your ears as you felt Art's chin perch at your shoulder.

"If your elbow is high enough," His hand lifted it up and you let it stay there. "And your hip is turned."

He didn't have to say it with the gravel in his voice, but he did. He didn't have to hold your hips as he moved them, but he did. He didn't have to stay without so much of an inch between the two of you, but he did.

With one hand in the curve of your waist, he tossed the ball into the air with the other- then he whistled.

Like the obedient thing you didn't know you were, you raised the racquet and sent the ball flying through the air without even blinking.

As the streak of green hit the court and rolled away, you found yourself lying in wait, as if you were waiting for something- your next command?

"Good girl."

There it was.

Under the all consuming effect that Art Donaldson just seemed to have on people, you'd entirely forgotten you were in a position you could be 'caught' in. By his all consuming wife, of all people.

So, you should've moved.

Quite honestly you should've straightened up and cleared your throat and thanked him and told him it was time for you to go home.

You should've moved.

But Art wasn't moving. If anything he was staying purposefully still at your backside.

Obedient thing you seem to be.

"Show me that again?"

So,

You teach Lily the bare basics of tennis for three hours and receive $80 on the hour.

Then Art spends three hours of his spare time teaching you to perfect your swing- in a way that couldn't ever vaguely resemble professional.

A simple transactional arrangement.

Your tennis improves on a slow but sure basis and he gets the most off-court action he's seen since college.

Even if it is just heavy petting on astro-turf.

A hand under the hem of a tennis skirt. A pressing hip against your own. A deep breath as your hair brushes past him.

You figure Art will take what he can get.

And it's never enough to raise alarm. Sure, there's that fluttering in your chest that warns you might get 'caught' but you're never quite sure what one might 'catch' if they found you out.

It's undoubted who that 'one' is though.

The one who holds the cards- holds the throat, maybe.

Tashi, who's presence precedes her perhaps more than her reputation. Even when she isn't there, she's there.

So, when Art's hand lingers too long on the outside of your thigh and you think you can feel it verging into the territory that'll change everything- it's Tashi on your mind.

You're beginning to think your conscience sounds a lot like Tashi.

-

Who are you if not obedient to the Donaldson's?

Chasing Lily around a court.

Adhering to Tashi's every request.

Being Art's fantasy.

Being Art's.

Most of the time, anyway. Three hours a week.

Something to keep him bright behind the eyes, maybe. Something to keep him happy. Something to keep him-

Winning?

He tells you he plays better with you around. The way he says it makes you giggle, a girlish little noise that sort of just slips out. He serves the ball with his eyes on you and, sure enough, it lands smack where he wanted it too.

Everything where he wants it. When he wants it.

Shy and inconsequential touches and glances shared just between you.

Until, well- until they weren't.

"Would you like a coffee?"

Tashi's mother had taken Lily off to bed, leaving you and Art separated by an island. Kitchen island.

He braced both palms against it as he watched you watch the door, wondering if you should cut and run, wondering if someone else might come through it.

Talking yourself out of it. Whatever it might be.

"Yes please."

Even he looked surprised, brows raising an inch as he turned to the Nespresso machine. You took the moment to watch his back, the muscles moving under the cool-dry fabric of his shirt.

You spent all your time pretending not to notice him that actually allowing yourself the chance to study him made you lightheaded.

Had he always looked this captivating?

He broke your focus with a coffee cup, sliding it towards you as he rounded the bench. His eyes didn't even waver off you as he took a sip of his own.

It wasn't lost on you that he managed to tongue foam off the tip of his nose.

This was the longest you'd stuck around after a tennis lesson, longest you'd allowed yourself to be in his presence. You weren't quite sure how big this thing could get.

Your mouth was opening before your brain had decided it was a good idea.

"Mr. Donaldson-"

"Art."

"Uh, Art- I really appreciate the help you've been giving me- uh, you know- with tennis."

He placed his coffee mug down, nodding as he did it. "My pleasure."

Naturally.

That brain of yours was still firing off at a mile a minute. There was a very tiny voice right at the back that said it was up to you how this night would end- you had a choice to make.

Placing your coffee mug beside his, you scanned his face to find him already looking at you. Perhaps the choice was already set.

Maybe it was fate.

All he said was your name, it could've been the way he said it- but your whole body was losing the rigidity it'd formed when he first asked you to stay longer. When he'd made the choice.

Crossing the small gap between you two, Art was careful to keep one hand on the kitchen bench as the other hovered beside you. Not touching you,

Yet.

One step closer and the tip of Art's nose was touching yours. You think you might've been able to smell the coffee off his breath.

It thinned out- leaving you with his sweat. Musk. Art.

A sudden surge of morals overcame you, your voice broke out as a gasp.

"What about Mrs. Donaldson?"

"Actually, it's still Duncan."

You screamed.

Right in his face.

Tashi's voice made you jump out of your skin.

However, Art didn't move. As you turned your head to gauge the way his wife stalked across the kitchen, you felt his nose brush against your cheek.

Tashi retrieved a tall bottle of Pellegrino from the fridge, taking a poignant sip as her eyes flitted between the two of you.

What a fucking sight.

Her husband, eyes shut and face pressed pathetically to their daughter's tennis instructor- his hands itching to close around your waist.

You, young and bleary eyed looking utterly caught. Staring up at her like she might decide your fate.

It took all your strength to find your words.

"I’m not here to teach tennis, am I?”

“No, of course not. You’re frankly terrible at tennis.”

There's the Tashi you were expecting.

Her words should've stung, but they didn't. They couldn't, not when her husband was laying his hands against your back and rubbing soothing circles down the length of your spine.

Not when his lips were mouthing wet kisses along your cheek.

Not when she was right. Spade's a spade.

"Why am I here?"

She snorted, a real dissatisfactory sound- like she hoped you were smarter than that. She was halfway to her bedroom before she cut you loose.

"Careful, he makes that sound before he cums."

-

And he had, just like she'd said.

Art had cum in his shorts, pressed up against your thigh with his face still smushed against your own.

And you'd taken it, obedience in spades.

You'd stood there and let him hump your leg like a bad dog and you'd even pat his head and whispered kind words in his ear after the mess he'd made.

Then you slipped out the front door to your car and you'd pretended not to notice that there were two bedroom lights on upstairs.

You hadn't even divulged the freaky details to your roommate when you got home.

But the showerhead knew all about them.

Visions of Art on the clouds of steam- replayed in your head the sounds he'd made right in your ear.

How he'd whimpered your name when he splashed his boxers like a fucking teenager.

It was no surprise you dreamt of him.

You even showed up next day, valiantly. You didn't run for the hills or even straight to a tabloid about how weird the Donaldson's really were.

And maybe that's why you hadn't told your roommate either.

Because telling someone what Tashi allowed? What Art liked?

That'd mean you'd have to admit your dirty little secret.

You loved it.

When you showed up, something was different. No usual chatter in the house, no shoes by the front door. You checked out the front window to see what you'd missed when you arrived.

Tashi's car was gone.

"She's taken her mom and Lily to the ballet."

At least you didn't scream this time.

You were lucky your back was to him, lest he see the self-righteous little smile that broke when the words settled.

"Oh, ok."

"I'll see you on the court."

Oh, ok.

Lest he see the disappointment that took over.

Following him close behind, you didn't know why you were effectively surprised that he still wanted to continue with your lessons. You'd half expected- hoped, he'd bend you over the kitchen island.

Tennis was fun too, you guess.

Thinking about it, something that bold didn't seem the style of the man who'd nearly blacked out rubbing up on you. Beckoning you onto the tennis court with two fingers and a wry smile did, however.

You fell into your usual position, hip turned and elbow curved on your side of the court. You waited for him to appear behind you, chest melding into the curve of your back.

It never came.

Art took long strides towards the net, vaulting it in one smooth motion. He ended up parallel to you, waiting with a ball and racquet in either hand.

The smile had left his face, a rather blank expression taking over as he sized you up. And there was that fear- knowing what it felt like to be on the wrong side of him.

This was going to hurt.

From the moment he pressed the ball to the neck of his racquet, it was all over. Your feet were never in one place for more than a second, your arms burned above you, your head permanently on a swivel.

Art didn't look like he'd broken more than a sweat.

You knew he had, you could see it in the neck of his shirt. But he didn't look it.

He looked calm, he looked in control, he looked-

Like he was enjoying himself.

For every rally that you managed, you thought you saw an inkling of pride set in his features.

For every serve that you missed, you knew you saw unbridled lust.

Not a point scored in your favour, you hit the ball towards him one last time before you collapsed to the turf. Flat on your back, reminiscent of your first lesson here.

You watched the clouds shift over your head, listening to your pulse thick and fast in your ears. Just underneath it, you could hear footfalls approaching.

No hurry, but impending.

Soon, the sun above you was eclipsed by Art Donaldson. His golden hair shone with the halo of light behind it.

Now this was God's favourite.

"You can't be giving up this easily?"

Forcing a laugh, you threw your arm up and over your eyes. "Wanna bet?"

Turns out he did- turns out Art struggled to do anything but win.

Somehow, you found it within yourself to stand back up. This time it was only a practice, you weren't brave enough to face off against him another round.

This was more your speed.

The hand that wasn't holding your elbow was curving around your front, the pleats of your tennis skirt lifting over his fingers. You felt a warm hand slowly moving across the front of your underwear.

Two fingers migrated south, pressing against the seam of you- he must've felt the pure heat radiating beneath his fingertips.

Turning your head even an inch, you found the curve of his nose pressing into your cheek.

"I didn't give up."

He hummed, the vibration rolled across your shoulders.

"Mmm, you didn't."

The hand sans-racquet dropped between your thighs to press his palm into your cunt. It was Art who flexed your fingers and cupped it.

"Where's my prize?"

There was no trophy, no podium, no medal.

But there was Art between your legs, slinging a knee over each shoulder like he might've been the real winner.

You'd never been inside the 'changing shed' behind the court, of course it was nicer than your actual home.

Your head made contact with the hard wood behind you, bench digging into your ass as you felt a hot mouth moving against the seat of your underwear.

Running your fingers through his hair, your gripped the ends of it- tugging him closer until you felt the flat of his tongue through the thin fabric.

Needy fingers tugged the ruined garment down your thighs, tucking him into the pocket of his shorts. You knew all too well that you'd never see them again.

You were sure Art would be seeing a lot of them.

His tongue ran up the split, one long stroke before you felt the curve of his nose press to your clit. The ridge of it moved as his tongue retreated back to your entrance.

With everything he had.

Your eyes had been rolling back in your head as you arched your back, the moment you were able to find a semblance of control- your gaze fell before you.

Naturally, Art was already looking up at you. Two hands splayed across each side of your hips as he pulled back to wrap his lips around your clit.

You couldn't help the hazy little smile on your face as you watched his eyes.

Utterly devotional.

The more you tugged on his hair, the hungrier he seemed. Pulling from the root seemed to spur him on, seemed to tell him 'good job' and he was responsive.

His tongue flicked beneath your clit, pressing it to his upper lip as he brought two fingers to your entrance. He stroked a couple times, making your hips twitch against him, before he sunk in to the last knuckle.

Turns out Art had a style about him. One he brought to the tennis court and, seemingly, to the floor of his changing shed.

The style was calculated.

Every move he made was engineered to get something out of you- a reaction, a whimper, a twitch. He was doing what he did best.

Playing a game.

Art struggled to do anything but win.

"Fuck- Mr. Donaldson."

"Art."

Even muffled against your cunt, you were good at following his orders. Even more so when he was the decider of your imminent orgasm.

You threaded your fingers in the sides of his hair, pulling his face flush against you so you could ride his mouth. Taking every last thing from him you could.

It drew the most pathetic moan you'd ever heard, straight out of his chest and hit you straight at your core. The burning coil tight within your stomach was unraveling quickly.

You heard the murmurings of words, among the blood rushing in your ears. Easing up just enough, you let him pull back to speak.

"Tell me this feels good, please."

Your chest thumped, the sight of Art helpless between your legs was one thing. Hearing him beg?

You might black out.

"Art- you feel so fucking good," Dragging him right back where you needed him, the tip of his tongue drove against your clit. "You're gonna' make me cum."

He whined.

A heady drawn-out sound that quite literally sent you over the edge. Your hips lifted off the bench, the heel of your foot digging into his back and making his whine turn into a whimper.

Your orgasm broke you apart until it felt like white-hot flame licking up your sides. Of course, Art never relented, drinking in everything you could give him- literally.

The moment you felt the peak begin to subside, the urge was ramping right back up. Like he knew what he was doing, his eyes locked back onto yours as he sucked at your clit.

He was going for gold.

A quick second orgasm hit, seemingly out of nowhere. Your thighs clenched around Art's head, his hands coming to each of them.

You relaxed yourself a bit, feeling like it might be too much- until you felt him pressing your thighs even harder to either of his ears.

Oh, ok.

Art Donaldson knew what he liked.

You physically had to push him off you, watching him fall back on his outstretched palms as you let yourself breathe for what felt like the first time.

Wet eyes, wet chin, chest rising and falling like he'd run a marathon- Art sat sprawled out before you like he'd stumbled upon an alter (he had).

Breathless, you gestured towards him. Your hand dropped a little as your eyes fell between his legs, wordlessly offering a deal.

A deuce.

His cheeks flushed, more so than they already were. His eyes fell an infinitesimal amount before he spoke up.

"Uh- I already have."

Of course he had. He makes that sound before he cums.

Instead, you heard him shuffle back onto his knees as he all but crawled towards you. He draped his upper half into your lap, head resting against the soft cotton of your skirt.

Coming off the other side of a high, the reality of your situation began to settle for you. Why they'd really called you here- what purpose you really served.

All you could do was gently stroke a hand across Art's head, feeling him go limp against you. Boneless, but not spineless.

He must've known you were going to speak, he must've heard the intake of breath or just felt you shift. He cut you to the chase- beat you to the punchline.

Art nuzzled his face further into your lap as you felt him mumble against your thigh.

"I can't lose- you."