There were three desks in the computer room, with computers on them no less. Although Corinne hadn't needed a particulaily good computer in the past, Cliff, being the technology junkie that it was, insisted on getting her a computer just as good as his and Binar's. Now Corinne was glad for that insistance, because that meant she had a good computer to install her new game on.
World of Warcraft.
She had taken her discussion with Binar about her relationship with Cliff to heart. Cliff had already checked the way he spent his time, and made adjustments to suit. It was she who needed to make an effort now. And when it came down to it, most of her free time (of which there was plenty) was spent on her own. If she were spending all that time with Cliff, he'd never get to play his games, and as much as Corinne wished he would cut back, she wouldn't dream of taking his gaming away from him altogether.
She bought herself a copy - there being a game key restricted account making process, and then had spent the nex couple of weeks doing some discreet research. She really wanted to surprise him. Discreet research was a little tricky when all their computers were in the same room, but she managed. Probably because Cliff was more interested in what he was doing, rather than what online shopping she might be doing. The irony amused her.
It seemed to be ages before the game installed. And then she had to endure the installation of the patches. Great. Just peachy. While she waited, she wandered over to the boys to see what they were doing.
At last the game finally finished its installation and patches. Corinne created an account for herself, and then asked Binar what realm they were playing in, and then selected that realm on her computer. Then she started creating a character for herself. A gnome mage. She liked mages. And the gnomes were cute. She frowned over trying to think of a name, and started hitting the random button. "Midgetty" came up. Corinne had a chuckle, and then selected that one.
Her character created, Corinne turned the sound back up again, and she began to play.
She was in the middle of doing her first quest when Cliff was at her chair.
"Hey!" he exclaimed. "You're playing WoW!"
"Umm, yes," Corinne replied.
"I didn't know you were interested in playing WoW."
"I'm not. But I am interested in spending more time with you."
Cliff's eyes lit up, and behind him Corinne saw Binar give her a nod.
"Awesome," he said. "What realm you in?"
"Azjol-Nerub, or however you pronounce it."
"That's the same one I'm in!"
"I know," Corinne said smugly. "I asked Binar."
Cliff looked at Binar.
"Aww, so you were in on this too, you ol' dog? Cool. Hey, I'll create a new char and meet you there. We can go questing together."
"That would be great."
"Wanna join us Binar?"
"I will pass."
"Aww come on..."
Binar shook his head, no, and went back to his own game.
"Hmph. Sucks to you. I'll create me a... dwarf warrior, methinks... see you in there."
Cliff went back to his own computer to create a new character for himself so he could level up with Corinne. Corinne smiled and turned back to her game.
As it turned out, they played together in their own little party for quite some hours - a lot longer than Corinne thought she would. Cliff helped her with his playing experience, and after awhile Corinne actually found herself liking World of Warcraft.
So Corinne found herself liking something that had never appeal to her before, and spend way, way more time with Cliff than she had been. Cliff finally got to share the hobby he loved with the girl that he loved. It was the beginning of a turning point in their relationship, and the best day that they had enjoyed together for a long time.