A/N:

HI GUYS! I’m back from the dead. I’ve been extremely busy with, well, life recently. Also, I happened to be one of the unfortunate few who were unable to access the site. Anyways, trying some new things (once again). This is a kinda filler chapter I’ve been thinking of. It’s sort of a random idea I came up with that seemed funny, so I’m trying it out. I’ll be writing in Dale’s POV for this one, cos it’s funny to think of things from his (extremely unfortunate) perspective. I’m also thinking of trying out writing in Dale’s POV for some of the ‘normal’ chapters, but I think I’ll leave that till after I’ve developed the story a bit more.

(Edit: It’s actually pretty fun. I think I’ll be doing some more of this from now on. Also, unless otherwise stated, all fillers will be in Dale’s POV. Why? Cos’ I’m lazy as hell to write in third person. Also, it’s more fun this way. For me, anyway).

In other news, I will also start imposing a word limit on myself on normal chapters, seeing as my chapters are waaaaaay too short to actually be considered chapters. From now on, I’ll be trying out a 3000 word limit.

PS: Yes, I know a limit is supposed to be an upper-end kinda thing. I don’t care. I don’t know what to call it so limit it shall be.

PSS: This is a filler chapter, so it doesn’t fall under the category of ‘chapters-which-have-a-limit-imposed’.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2.5: Get Your Head In The Game

An entry in Dale's Virtual Cam. Day 01 of Royal Road.

I've been walking around this blasted plain for hours. It never ends. Bushes, small trees, grass, then (as if I haven't had enough) even more bushes. I'm starting to think that I've seen enough bushes for the rest of my life. What’s more, I'm still at level freakin’ one. Only thing I've gained from this endless walking are a few measly points in Stamina, some weird Sustenance and Endurance stats and some passive skill called Resistance. Not to mention, I'm starting to feel really hungry right now. Thirsty, too. It definitely shouldn't be possible to get hungry or thirsty in a game, yet here I am, stomach growling, dry throat and feeling hunger pangs. Oh, woe is me! Scratch that, FML!

I'm usually not a whiner, but all the excessive walking is really getting to me. I’ve been trudging along for literally hours. Now, as a beginner, I don’t really have much to carry, but my so-called companion decided to torture me. Whilst still small, the added weight is enough to make it that much harder. The culprit is currently sleeping, curled loosely around my arm while nipping the sleeve of my shirt to prevent itself from falling off. I don’t have the heart to rip it off either. Sigh.

Now that I think about it, I don’t know whether Wave is a boy or a girl. I could use a method called ‘popping’ to determine it (knowledge of which I acquired from my.. captivity in the zoo) , but I’m not really sure that Wave would appreciate showing its genitals to the world. I'm also not sure if I want to incur the wrath of something/someone that could possibly whoop my ass in a battle. Nobody ever mentioned that Animal Companions can’t turn on you. Well, since Wave is a kinda masculine name anyway, I’ll call it a him for now.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Anyway, back to what I'm seeing right now in the plains. Back in the day, I would've killed to be able to see a scene like this. Now, I'm ready to kill someone to stop seeing it. Specifically, that someone is me. Thinking back on my life, I’ve never actually travelled around. Gone to places for holidays, sure. Actually exploring the place with my own two feet? Not so much. Now I'm experiencing it one blister at a time! Now that’s what I call a travel experience. That’s right, I can feel blisters forming on my feet. Honest to goodness actual blisters. Can you believe it? These beginner shoes aren’t exactly made to walk on large, uneven stretches of … ground.

Ugh. The stupid snake on my arm is starting to snore. I didn’t even know snakes could snore. Adding noise pollution to the list of tortures I have to go through, eh. Although it’s insignificant compared to the rumbling my stomach’s making right now. Stupid game, why did they have to make it so realistic? I feel like crying from the hunger right now.

WAIT A DARN MINUTE! I’m pretty sure Vera mentioned something about an inventory at school. Seeing as this game’s super-realistic, there wouldn’t be something stupid like a translucent inventory screen popping up in mid-air, right? Ha ha ha. I’d expect having to physically dig into my bag or something. Speaking of which, I don’t exactly have a bag…

Sheesh, I spoke too early. Turns out that there really is a stupid translucent inventory window. Seriously, game?

Ooooooh, what’s this? Bread? I have ten pieces of it! Looks pretty shitty though…. Oh, and I have a weird water bottle thingy. Looks kinda like those things you see people drinking from in the army. What did they call it again? A canteen? Anyway, thank God! I finally have a way to quench my thirst! I’m just about ready to drop down dead.

.

..

...

....

It’s empty. Did I already say FML? Can I say it again?

FML!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well. I guess I’ll just eat the bread for now. Looks disgusting, but at least it’ll take away the hunger pangs…

I really can't walk any more either... I should log off after this...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End Note:

So here’s my (somewhat pathetic, I know) attempt at trying to do something funny. I hope you enjoyed it. If you didn’t, I don’t care.

Thank you. That is all.