For but a moment I experience the slight disconnect that always follow when you leave VR. I remove the gear and begin my stretching routine. While in VR your actual body sit perfectly still for many hours so it is essential to shake that body for a few minutes afterwards. I’m alone in the apartment, Emma must be at school or with friends or something. I make myself a powder shake with meat flavour and take a seat in the kitchen. It’s to early for a glass of wine, I think. I can wait until Emma is back, I’d rather share a glass than drink by my lonesome.

Sasha Alexeev. I have access to player data so I pull up her profile on my ID. Her HHI is 45, yikes. Wonder what she screwed up to go that low. Only 18 years old? Impressive physique for someone that young. There is something off but I’m not sure what. A sadness about her injury? She seemed desperate to play but I’m not sure if there is a specific reason or maybe she is just eager to play.

Physical attributes:

Acceleration: 5 Speed: 10 Agility: 9

Balance: 12 Stamina: 11 Jumping reach: 12

Strength: 16

Technical attributes:

Corners: 2 Crossing: 9 Dribbling: 6

Finishing: 8 First touch: 12 Free kick taking: 2

Heading: 12 Long shots: 7 Long throws: 8

Marking: 11 Passing: 11 Penalty taking: 6

Tackling: 13 Technique: 12

I can see why she play centre back. Heading, marking and tackling is all good. Her physical is good for the exception of acceleration, she is going to struggle against quick striker unless she knows how to position herself. She is more technical than I would have thought. Maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to judge, just because she is a big and strong lass doesn’t mean she don’t know how to handle a ball. She is on her way to become a ball playing centre back with these attributes, I imagine Luciana salivate at the prospect. To have a centre back comfortable with the ball capable of passing is important for the kind of Football Uppsala FC want to play.

With a bit of work, I think I can make Sasha a good player, maybe a really good player. I get all excited thinking about it, as an assistant manager I will have the time to focus more on certain players. My role is primarily on the defensive players anyway so it’s reasonable to develop a centre back. Right I can probably access her injury history if Luciana have documented properly.

Sasha Alexeev: Uppsala FC: 2056/11/05 – 2057/03/07 (present)

Contract: Semi-professionell. Contract can be terminated by either party with one months’ notice.

Salary: 250 EUR a month.

Injury history:

Sprained knee (Right) 2056/11/16 – 2056/12/07

Thigh discomfort (Right) 2057/01/22 - 2057/02/02

Thigh discomfort (Right) 2057/02/17 - 2057/02/28

Back injury 2057/03/07 – present

That’s way worse than I feared. She has only been here for 4 months but she is injured more than she is healthy. There are ways to remedy continued injury like hers but it’s costly and takes time. I will simply have to do my best to support her and keep and eye on that right leg of hers. I wonder if acceleration is limited due to her leg?

One real risk about a player like Sasha is that they simply quit the game. Why play when you don’t progress nor have fun. I might not always be all that tactful but sending a friend request to a woman I’ve meet but once cross all kinds of lines, even I know that. Still, if I’m serious I need to do something, I need her trust.

“What’s the worst that can happen, she can just deny my request if she wants.” I mutter to myself. I pick up my ID and send a friend request to Sasha. A friend request through the ID is pretty serious. It is a mutual recognition and a declaration of friendship in the eyes of the system. Should either party act improperly all those associated can be adversely affected, the logic is basically if I am a bad person then all people I know is probably bad too. This create a segmentation of society, greens befriend greens, yellows with yellows and the like.

“Requesting confirmation, would you like to send a friend request to *Sasha Alexeev*. Her HHI index is currently 45. 8 point negative disparity to you.”

I press the accept button on the small glass device to confirm. Maybe this was a bad idea, things could be real awkward tomorrow. I contemplate the merits of my action in silence for a while until I reach a decision. There is nothing wrong about drinking wine alone.

I cross the apartment with quick steps. In our designated booze cabinet several bottles of red stand at attention. Well my little children, who among you have been a good girl? You there, in the back! I’m sure you’ve been neglected, forgotten even but no more. I shall favour thy with my undivided attention. A Portuguese wine of the cheap variety shall today be graced.

While uncorking it and fetching a proper glass the door opens.

“Hello little sis.” Emma strolls in and remove hear coat and shoes. She must have been to the store for she carries two paper bags.

“Hello, I was going to wait for you but, well I didn’t.” I smile while motioning towards the open bottle.

“Seems I came right on time.” Emma grins while getting a glass of her own.