When time was up and we had been logged out this morning, Ka’Moni, Ace, and I were grouped and not too far from the city gates. Consequently, when we all logged in again, we were clustered together, right where our gameplay had ended.
Ace gave the two of us a long look, though their expression was unreadable. The hooded robe certainly didn’t help matters. “I’m going to split off now. I’m sure you two want some alone time together.”
“Nonsense!” Ka’Moni was immediate in her response before I had even fully processed my younger sibling’s statement. “We’re certainly not going to abandon you!”
“Ace, if you want to play by yourself, that’s your choice,” I said, “but we’d rather have you with us if you want. The group is going to get all back together again today, and you are most definitely welcome and wanted as part of our group.”
Ace’s expression shifted slightly and I fluttered down to land on their shoulder. “Or, if you’re feeling too shy about meeting a bunch of new people all at once, well re-meeting them, since you already know them all offline, we can stay out here and get you your level up.”
“What about your friends?”
“They’ll understand. Friends are important, but so is family. You do seem kinda down, Ace. Did you have a rough day at school?”
Ace sighed gustily and shrugged and I grabbed hold lightly of the hem of their robe’s hood. “Whoops! Sorry, Rie! It’s just … it’s just difficult to believe that if my own friends don’t want me around, then why should older kids want me around, too?”
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“Because you’re a wonderful and amazing person, Ace,” I began.
But Ka’Moni spoke up as well, finishing my thought. “Hey, I’m an older kid, Ace, and I want you around. I haven’t known you all that long, yet, but after some of the stories I’ve heard today, I sort of feel like I’ve known you for years.”
“Stories?”
“Ah … kind of ‘first date’ questions.” Ka’Moni’s cheeks darkened a little in an orcish blush, and I’m sure mine got a little rosy as well. “We talked about things like childhood memories, holiday gifts, you know. You wouldn’t believe how many times you and Jenna came up in James’s stories. I’m kind of jealous; I don’t have a younger sibling. I feel like I’ve really missed out, growing up without someone like you around.” Ka’Moni flashed a bright smile, which -- again -- from an Orc was maybe a bit intimidating. “And we fought well together yesterday, didn’t we? So let’s make it official ….”
Ka’Moni extended a hand. “Ace Arrow, let’s be friends.”
There were like two heartbeats of silence, where even the ambient game sounds of wind and wildlife seemed to cease. Then Ace nodded decisively and shook Ka’Moni’s hand. “I’d … I’d like that. Thank you. Friends.” Then they turned their head a little and looked at me still standing on their shoulder. “And thank you, Rie.”
“Anytime, Ace.” I patted their cheek. “Ah, if you’re ready, I see a couple rats over there. Let’s see about leveling you up?”
But Ace shook their head. “No, let’s go meet the rest of your friends.”
“Are you sure?”
They nodded. “Yeah. Nobody you’re friends with could possibly be a bad person. Besides …,” and Ace’s speech got lighter, with a teasing tone, almost mischievous even. And as I left their shoulder to return to my airborne hovering, Ace continued, “I really want to see Jenna’s, ah, Jazmyn’s face when you two turn up together.”