genessia | [Action]

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[It was time to move out of the Genessia Commonspace and find a job. After some looking around the various cities, Billy settled on moving into the Attleton Attics but first he confirmed with Aaron that he had work at his video game shop so he could afford it. This was in Nova City but the distance didn't bother somebody who had super speed. Not that he arrived at Datascape World Video Game Store & Arcade in his superhero guise. Billy appears as his regular self when he steps through the door. If he has to have a job, he thinks, this would be the best place to be - surrounded by games. Maybe he could even play in the arcade when there weren't any customers.]

[Billy can be found at work in the game shop and arcade and also in Attleton after work hours.]

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[After getting a call from Billy, he didn't waste any time to get to his shop in order to introduce his new employee. It's not only because he has no worries about working alone, but he has a gaming buddy if they have free time.

Of course, once he sees him entering the store, he didn't take long to approach and waved at him with a big grin.]

Hey, nice to see you out here. Thanks again for taking the job!

[He then offers his hand for a handshake.]

Hey.

[Billy greets him with a smile in return and shakes his hand.]

Thanks for letting me work here. I haven't done this stuff before...

[But how hard can it be...?]

Well, a store clerk is basically an assistant and help out with some organizing the stock on the shelves, set up advertisements, and sometimes man the cashier.

At least that's what the internet's definition of store clerk is anyway.

[He really needs to stop using the internet for anything job-related.]

For now, I do need with these boxes of new games that came in recently. Plus, I still need to turn on the arcade before the store opens in a few minutes.

OK, so show me where to start and I'll ... do that.

[He says helpfully, trying to make a good impression.]

Alright. I think the Switch Cube games should be a good start.

[He then carries a box right in front of Billy and grabs a few game covers from the box, which he then gives a few to him.]

Just make sure you put it in alphabetical order. Even if this is my store, I still hate having a disorganized game on the shelves.

Sure, got it.

[And he sets to work with putting the games on the shelves.]

Does it get very busy in here?

I often get average traffic every day. Though it can be a bit rowdy with other kids like me on the arcade not only on the weekends. Probably because of the challenge thing I put up ever since I opened the store.

[Don't mind the devil looking angel here giving these games a go! Flonne here is more focused on role playing hero games, magical girls ones preferably, or giant monsters that can wreck stuff for extra points. She even makes her own sound effects every time she hits the button. 'Pew Pew Pew!' Hey, it makes it more fun okay.]

Take that! And that! And that!!

[Why yes, those are real red devilish bat wings and tail with her pretty dress.]

Oh, do I need to keep them in line?

[It's getting a bit noisy so Billy stops stocking shelves and checks the arcade to see who's being so enthusiastic. Not that he disapproves. He grins, watching the girl in what he assumes is a good but not real cosplay. He doesn't yet interrupt her since that's not a good thing to do while playing a game. Distractions lose lives.]

[Video games are pretty new to Ace, and the arcade is a fantastic place to wander around and explore. It's surreal to him, the sounds and colors are over the top, and he's not even playing yet. Just wandering from game to game, looking over the machines like they're magical somehow.]

[Billy is on a break and so in the arcade, playing some sort of fighting game. Looks like he's winning and he's very focused on the gameplay, not yet noticing somebody else was around.]

[Ace wanders over after a minute, to get a look at what Billy is playing. It's still pretty new to him, so maybe if he watches someone else play he'll get an idea of how to work the machines.]

[Billy is rapidly pushing buttons and shifting a joystick back and forth. On screen a character is throwing bursts of lightning at a very muscular man, who eventually topples over with a grunt. Soon a red screen with letters proclaims: YOU LOSE.]

Ah, dammit.

[Billy mutters then turns his head, startling at seeing he has an observer.]

Oh, hi. Did you want something?

[Too bad, too bad. Ace was rooting for for the muscular character. He wanted him to win. Not that it really matters, but it's impossible for Ace to watch any kind of battle and not pick a favorite in it.

Ace grins, and shakes his head dismissively. He didn't mean to startle him, he just wanted to watch him play his game.] Nah, I'm good. I'm just looking. We don't have stuff like this back home.

No? Where are you from?

[He's curious. What place doesn't have arcade games? Sounds completely not fun.]

Let's just say my home world is a little more about the high seas than what Genessia has to offer. We don't have anything like this back home.

[There's a lot of fun to be had! Like childhood trauma, execution attempts, and sacrificing for your loved ones. Fun stuff for all.

And piracy. Can't go wrong with that.] You know your stuff, right? What game should I try first?

[It's taken Billy a moment to register why the man seemed familiar but then he remembers.]

You're... Ace, right?

[Not that Billy himself is recognizable to Ace right now, since when they spoke before he was an adult superhero. But he doesn't explain that as yet.]

Um. Well, fighting games are great or you could try a shoot 'em up. Defeat the alien forces or something.

Yep. I love a bit of rivalry in the arcade, but I don't tolerate any real roughhousing in the store.

Oh, OK, no problem.

[He resumes stocking the shelves, looking thoughtful.]

Yeah... That's me. Portgas D. Ace.

[Ace blinks in surprise, and then nods. He doesn't know how Billy knows who he is, but he's had a reputation in Genessia since his first incarnation arrived here years ago. And overall, it's not for good behavior and socially acceptable things. He just assumes that Billy knows him because of that, or that he's seen a network post and didn't comment on it.] Alien forces? [He's got no clue about that.] Point me in the right direction, will ya? I don't know what you're talking about.

[Billy glances around and then heads over to another game cabinet, indicating Ace should join him. On the screen is a Space Invaders-style game but with updated graphics.]

So you're the little spaceship down there and you have to stop the aliens from invading. You do this.

[He puts in a coin and the game noisily starts up with many beeping and zapping sounds. He shows which button to press to fire and how to use the stick to move side to side.]

Give it a try.

[Ace follows Billy over to the game, staring with interest. It sounds simple enough, honestly. But he's never played before, and it ends with him losing pretty quickly. But it's something that actually gets him excited, it's new and he's definitely going to try again in a minute.] That's pretty amazing. And it's just for fun, right? There's no other reason for it?

Yeah. Although the owner has a challenge competition every Thursday and the best can win prizes, like discounts and games from the store. So that's pretty cool.

So you get to have fun, and maybe win a prize? I'm in, once I get a little more practice on these things. [Ace pauses, and looks a little uncomfortable. He's fully aware that he used to have a reputation here, which is fine with him usually, but Billy is young and it worries Ace a little.

Ace has to know how Billy actually knows him now, or it's going to eat away at him.] So how'd you recognize me? I don't remember talkin' to you.

Yeah, you might need a lot more practice...

[Billy remarks to the first then he hesitates at the next. It's not that it's a big, big secret but he also hasn't revealed it purposefully to many people. There had been a semi-public show of his transformation on the network while he'd been talking to another person but he hoped not many had really noticed that. He remembers Ace's talk of pirates but the guy had also been encouraging so...]

We did talk before but... I looked a lot different. You said I should have a better smile. A powerful smile.

And you liked my outfit.

[He wonders if Ace will get it from that. After all it was one conversation some weeks ago. Maybe he'll think Billy is joking or that there had been more of that weird magic like the eggs. Either way, he's ready to confirm or show - depending on what Ace figures out on his own first.]

Just wait and see. I pick stuff up fast.

[If he actually has the time to keep coming down here, he'll be amazing in no time. But for now, he's got lessons, work, relationships and more to balance. It's a pretty busy time for Ace, and it's supposed to be his relaxing afterlife.

When Billy brings up that smile comment, and that he looked different, Ace's eyes widen. And then the comment about liking the outfit confirms it, this is the hero that he talked to on the network.] Damn! Really? That's one hell of a different look! [His world has far weirder things in it, it's not even phasing him now that he's gotten the information.]

Yeah, it's... a long story.

[He gives a sheepish smile.]

But you were very helpful. Maybe I can return the favour with these games.

[As he continues to organize the games with Billy, he wonders if he could strike up a conversation with him.]

So what kind of game genre do you like back home?

Different stuff. Fighting games are fun.

What about you?

Sounds like it. How's the side gig going? Keeping everyone safe out there?

[Ace actually perks up at that.] Yeah? How would you help me out?

[Bulla's not an avid gamer, but she enjoys them from time to time. In Nova City, video games are generally more advanced than those found in the other cities, so she's decided to check out this new shop.

Maybe it's a little lazy of her, but she approaches Billy for some help instead of searching on her own.]

Hi there! Can you point me in the direction of the dance games? They're my favourite.

[He shrugs.]

There's not much super-heroing around so I got this job.

I mean, we could play together. I can give you tips.

[He points toward machines that have access for two players instead of just playing against AI.]

Oh.

[He glances around. He saw some of those somewhere...]

Ah! Here you go.

[And he directs her toward an area with dance mats, games and any associated accessories.]

You like to dance, huh?

It's pretty quiet around here. But that doesn't mean we should give up and get lazy about stuff.

[Ace nods, and heads to the machine.] You're on. I don't want tips, though. I wanna figure it out as I go.

[It's another fighting game machine.]

Well, yeah, I'll be around if somebody needs help.

Anyway, so you choose your fighter and I choose mine and we... fight.

[He grins, picking up a controller.]

[Ace picks up the other controller, and smirks while he picks a character that suits him. If there's someone that uses flames, he's absolutely going to pick that character.] This is the last time you're gonna kick my ass. So you'd better enjoy it while it lasts.

Well, games like this don't really teach you to dance properly, but they're great for developing coordination and rhythm.

[The idea of someone hopping around like one does on the dance mat as actual dance moves does amuse her, though.]

I use it partially for training.

Training for what?

[He asks curiously, not trying to pry.]

Oh, it is on.

[He chuckles.]

You think you can beat me so easily?

Oh, martial arts. I'm one of the Deputy Guardians in Genessia, so it's good to keep up my reflexes. I do actual martial arts training, too, but this is a fun way to get some exercise.

[What she's neglecting to mention is that she likes to combine these games with the holodeck and then crank the gravity way up.]

You're with the Guardians? That's cool. I've heard about them.

So you're a good fighter?

Fighting games, third-person and first-person shooters...

You name it. Though I don't like simulation games, too boring.

Flonne's special move! PURE ANGEL FLASH NOVA!

[Good thing Billy because she's so pumped, she even shouted a special move she made up for herself. Of course it isn't enough, and she was down to her last bar, and there it was, that last hit inflicted on her toon.]

Oh nooooooo!!

[Welp. There goes her toon, dying until GAME OVER. Don't mind Flonne shaking the arcade game brutally.]

Give it back!

Not this round, but the next time you're going down.

[Ace is competitive and a fast learner, so he thinks he's got a chance.] This is so cool. We've got nothing like this back home. It looks amazing.

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