Jericho the Bard A VRMMORPG Story - 1 The constraints of reality

Jericho’s long bony fingers gripped the door handle. The starving musician’s overly slender frame shivered from the cold.

The house door opened.

“Brother! You are back!” A young cheerful voice called out.

Jericho smiled at the freckled girl as she embraced him.”I’m home, Moira. How was school today?”

The young black haired girl looked up. “It was okay…” She trailed off.

Jericho’s face pursed with seriousness. “What happened?”

Moira frowned. “Nobody believed me when I told them your music is magical. They teased me a lot. They said that instead of making up stories about your music that I should play virtual reality games like them. But I think your music is better than games.”

Jericho smiled sweetly at his kid sister. “As long as you believe it, I am happy. What they think will only affect how much money I can earn from sharing my gifts.”

Moira’s frown disappeared. “Before dinner can you play me another one of your songs?” She asked expectantly.

Jericho nodded. “Sure. Since today has been hard for both of us, let me play a piece I created before you were born.” He rushed over to the piano, seeming to lose his fatigue.

“Which one?” Moira’s brown eyes glistened with excitement.

The man stretched his fingers. “I call it The Serenade for the Soothing of the Soul. It actually requires 3 instruments for the full song but I will share with you the piano section. My few fans call it the Song of Healing.”

A haunting, yet calming melody voiced itself from the old grand piano. The minor tone sent relaxing chills through the sibling’s bodies.

After the melody ended the two ate a meager meal in silence.

Moira let out a sigh. “Brother, your music is so wonderful. Why don’t others love it like we do?”

Jericho gave a sad laugh. “The instruments I use are considered relics of the past. These days, music is created electronically. Because my music is alive, it gets suppressed by the plentiful songs others make. My music is considered outdated. That is sadly the reality of our world.”

The next morning, Jericho walked to work. The little antique shop’s dusty atmosphere brought a small smile to his face.

An ad rested on the counter for a new VRMMORPG “Freedom Online.”

The slender musician pulled out some tools to repair a damaged violin acquired not too long ago. Jericho was very familiar with instruments. His great grandfather had taught him how to make and repair most major ones.

The morning was quiet as usual for the rundown business.

After finishing the adjustments of the violin, Jericho tuned it. Very quickly a melody formed. The vibrations of the strings escaped the confines of the store.

An elegantly dressed woman stopped as she passed by. “What a beautiful song.” She whispered.

“Boy! Stop making a racket and get back to work!” A grumpy middle aged man shouted.

Jericho abruptly stopped playing the violin. “Yes boss.” He replied reluctantly placing the newly repaired violin on the shelf to be sold.

The woman outside frowned. “Why did it stop?” She walked into the store.

The bell hanging beside the old shop’s door rang.

The musician looked up. “Welcome to Grandpa Todd’s antique shop.” He replied in a very professional manner.

The model like woman looked around. “Where is the music playing device? It sounded so pure.”

Jericho laughed inside. “This is an antique shop. With the exception of the register, everything in this place is old. We don’t carry modern music playing devices.”

“Then what was that music I was hearing before?” She inquired pursing her heavily lipstick covered lips.

“Oh that?” Jericho asked pretending he realized what the woman was referring to.

He picked up the violin. “That song came from this beauty.” He replied ignoring the makeup covered woman’s charm.

“What is that strange object? That doesn’t look like it is connected to the network. How does it play songs?”

Jericho laughed. “This is an ancient relic known as a violin.” He mildly exaggerated for dramatic effect. “By using this special stick and rubbing against the strings in very specific ways you can create music. The song you were hearing earlier is something I played using this device.”

The woman looked wide eyed in shock. “Can you show me how it works?”

“Let me ask the boss.”

“Sure.”

Jericho turned his head to the stairs. “Hey Boss!” He shouted. “There is a client that wants to hear how the violin works.”

A muffled grunt was heard in reply.

He smiled before turning back to the lady. “The song I am going to play is a song I wrote calledMoonlit Lullaby.” He lifted the violin and started to play one of his many majestic songs.

She listened and watched the man in awe. She felt relaxed as he played. Her light tears slightly smeared her mascara.

He finished the song and placed the violin back on the shelf.

She stared at the lanky man in shock.

Jericho smiled. “Feel free to browse. I hope you can find something you like.” He returned to his business mode to break the stunned silence.

“How much?” She shook her head. “How much for the violin? I want to hear that song again!” She inquired.

“200 Credits.”

She was shocked. “Such a wonderful music making device and it is so cheap?”

Jericho shook his head. “The instrument is only able to play music in the hands of someone who knows how to play it. It cannot make music on its own.”

The woman looked mildly disappointed. “I see. I will buy it anyways. At a minimum I can remember the song when I look at it.”

Jericho helped her with the transaction and packaging.

The woman looked down at the flier on the counter. “Freedom Online has been out for a few days now. Do you play it?”

Jericho shook his head. “No, I couldn’t afford it and I can’t let my little sister go hungry.” He replied casually.

“Oh.”

The woman left with the violin.

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“I hope you take care of her.” He sighed; unaware he obtained a new fan.

The boss came down. “Jerry, I am sorry to tell you, I am going to have to close up shop. I can no longer afford this place. I will send you your last paycheck later. I hope you can find a new job soon.”

Jericho was startled. Losing a job was not a surprise he was hoping for. He went home dejected.

The woman tapped her watch. A translucent screen hovered above it. “Search for the song Moonlit Lullaby.” She spoke into the watch.

After browsing through a few songs she found a recording by an artist named Jericho Maestro. She hit the play button and listened to the song again. “Such beautiful music hidden away like an oyster’s pearl.” She poetically replied.

The next day, Moira danced to the jaunty tunes played by her brother. Today was her 12th birthday and due to their financial hardships; Jericho gave her the only thing he could. A night filled with whatever musical pieces she wanted. He even played the ones he didn’t like.

A knock at the door ended the festivities.

The freckled girl sulked. She stomped to the door before opening it.

Two men dressed like movers stood on the porch. “Excuse me, miss. Is Jericho Maestro home?”

Jericho walked up to the door. “What can I do you for, gentlemen?” Being called his artist name was uncommon but not unheard of.

“We came to deliver a couple of packages and a letter.”

The man frowned. “We aren’t expecting anything.” He replied.

“We understand. The sender may not have informed you they were sending you these items. The game cabins and the installation fees have already been paid for. Will you please allow us to finish our job and install them for you?”

“Sure.” Jericho opened the door wider. “Let’s let the men do their work Moira. What song would you like me to play next?”

The delivery men brought in two large gaming cabins and hooked them up as per their instructions. They passed the letter over to the man at the piano and left.

Jericho opened the letter.

Sir Maestro,

We have delivered to you two gaming cabins; one for you and one for your sister. Both pods contain the game Freedom Online. We have paid for the subscription and operating fees. We sincerely hope you both can enjoy the game free of charge.

It has come to our attention that you possess great skill with the ancient art of instrument playing. As you may have heard, Freedom online has a high degree of character freedom. There are no set ways to play. We believe that if you were to place your musical talents into the gaming world, your songs will become better known and you can enjoy a play style that is all your own.

All of us here at Free Corp have made an initial investment into your future. Thank you for selling copies of your music for us to listen to. We hope your music career succeeds.

We have already set up the game cabins to be in-game friends automatically with each other.

Our game has an anti-harassment program installed. As people’s minds are within the game world, like all VR games, desires and intention are easily picked up. You do not have to worry about your sister’s safety in our game.

…

Sincerely, Jeannette Long Vice CEO of Free Corp

P.S. I will take good care of that violin.

The letter explained the operation of the game pods, basic tips and tricks for the game, and more.

He checked his bank account. Hundreds of his albums had sold last night. His stress over losing his job lessened. At least they would have funds for a time.

Jericho laughed aloud. “Happy Birthday Moira! We both got free versions of that new game your friends were telling you about.”

Moira frowned. “But what about your music?”

Jericho released a light smile. “According to the gaming company, my music will be just as magical in that world as it is in this world.”

Moira smiled. “Then, you become the music master and I will protect you!”

The brother’s laughter continued. “I want you to have fun too. Play how you want to play.”

“Right!” The 12 year old beamed. “Then I will be the dancing princess!”