Chapter Text

It all started in a Quake practice lounge, where small tournaments are hosted every week.

Violet, one hand holding her blue Zowie S2 Divina mouse, her other holding an 'Ultraviolet' Ducky One 2 Mini keyboard, headed straight for the PC in the middle of the lounge. She sat down, moved the cheap gear the organizers offered out of the way and plugged in all of her peripherals. She booted the PC, and as soon as it let out a small beep, she mumbled: 'Another day for Victory Violet.'

She booted Quake Champions and played a few practice matches to warm up. She practiced for around 1-2 matches when a voice suddenly cracked up behind her: "Jesus, Vi. We just got here for 20 minutes and you're already queued? Couldn't you wait for your pals a bit?". It was Louis, one of her friends in Team Ericson's Bloodhounds (or EB for short).

"I fucking told you already Louis, if you're not gonna help me win this tourney, I'll do it myself." said Violet.

"Chill out, Vi. It's just a little tournament." Marlon, their captain spoke up as he walked through the door with Brody, one of their friends. Their hands were full of Razer peripherals, probably theirs and also Louis'. Brody chimed in: "Yeah, Vi. The tourney is like hours from now."

"Maybe it's not such a big deal to you guys, but that prize is my fucking rent money." scolded Violet, who dropped out of school at the age of 16 and moved out to pursue her gaming career.

Wasting no more time, Vi returned to her seat and resumed her training session. Her friends didn't know what to say, so they looked at each other for a second and headed to their own seats.

An hour later, another team showed up. They weren't exactly a team, more like a group of free agents (pro players without a team or an org). Violet turned away check out her competition and her eyes widened. In the group of four that arrived there was one of the most beautiful girls Vi had ever met. She had curly brown hair, beautiful amber eyes and a really cute face. Violet started to shift into gay panic mode, forgetting her ongoing match, and her face started to turn crimson red as she mesmerized the girl's beauty.

To make matters worse, the girl started approaching Violet and introduced herself: "Hi! Oh my God, you're the pro player NUGG3T! My name's Clementine, but I'm better known online as OR4NGE."

"My-my... My name... My name is Violet. Ni-Nice to meet you." Violet said, still panicking.

"Nice to meet you too, Violet! Your team and mine are competing together in this tourney, so I hope I get to go against you in the finals, you are such a good player!" Clementine exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "Se-See you around, then." Violet mumbled.

After Clem left, Louis just jumped right behind her and whispered behind her ear: "Oh ho ho, Lil Vi's got a little crush. Guess she ain't getting that rent money." Violet then came back to her senses and caught Louis in a chokehold. "I swear to god Louis, if you don't shut up -"

"It's so obvious, even rocks would know." Lou joked, having no regard to what Vi said. Marlon and Brody chimed in: "He is not wrong, you know. Considering the fact that you just had a gay panic a second ago."

Violet flushed hard but said nothing. The lounge went silent very quickly as everyone started to focus on their training.