“Christina, I'm heading out; you sure you don't wanna go?” the young woman called to her roommate as she put on her shoes.
“I'm sure. Have fun out there,” the voice of the other young lady replied.
“Hah, I tried.” the first shrugged to herself with a bemused sigh, and then left the lavish dorms to head for her car so she could head off to Fun Castle, where a group of their friends--well, her friends--were waiting. It was the destination they had chosen for their Friday night dinner this week. She always tried to invite the other girl, but Christina preferred to stay in her room, usually sans clothing, and play video games. Whatever. Do you, girl. Do you.
***
Christina Jennings, the daughter of the woman who ran the company that had produced the Dream Machine and its ground-breaking flagship game, Panarena Fantasy Online, slipped out of her room to take a shower. When this nightly ritual was complete, she dried off, ate a light snack, and then laid upon her bed.
Friends... I don't want those friends. They don't get it. It's not that I'm a gamer, per se; but it's nice to be anonymous. It's nice to be free. Panarena... talk about a belated birthday present, but I'll take it, she thought to herself as she used the remote to turn up the heat a bit in her room. At least she's learned to knock or call out instead of just opening the door, the dark-haired girl grinned with amusement. Her penchant for a lack of attire was a great shock for the other girl, who was more demure and modest as a general rule. She had gotten used to it a bit, but the poor thing had yet to be completely nerve-free when Christina was actually out of her room to do something. At least some of the time she would wear an over-large t-shirt, especially during the winter months, but tonight she had foregone it. They're just boobs. You have them too. Don't see what the big deal is, the young lady sighed quietly, sitting up in her bed to examine the aforementioned present, one of the very first Dream Machines produced. She had gone through the beta test, and found the world to her liking. All of the anger, the pent-up feelings of frustration and rage that she had kept bottled up for nearly two decades: all of it could be unleashed in that marvelous world her mother had helped to create.
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The game had gone live at the end of summer, and now there were literally over a million people playing it in total. Some were casual gamers, others more hardcore; some like the crafting experience, others appreciated things like making music or fashion; some treated it like a vacation, others felt it was their life... and others used it as their escape from what they considered a painful reality. I'm at least glad I stammered out a thank-you to that stuck-up, abusive, no-good...!! Tch, forget it, I'll just get angry again. But... really though. I'm glad I got this chance. I'm glad I got to meet... her, the young lady sighed happily, bringing to mind the features of the girl who had captured her interest. Lana Windstrider, the young leader of the Silvernight Queens, whose members were ranking high in the tournament odds--and especially Lana herself. I might as well let her off with the bet... but at the same time I want to see how far she'll go. I want to see her fight. I want to know the caliber of the leader I want to serve, she mused to herself, feeling excitement tingling all throughout her body. On one of the boards, she and Lana were tied for the odds.
Lana Windstrider, Silvernight Queens -- 4-1
Lysandra, no guild -- 4-1
“Lana... tonight, tonight! I'll get you and as many of your little crew as I can through that Grand Brawl... and then I'm gonna fight you with all I have!” Christina said with delight. She laid back again, putting the Dream Machine on, and activating it to head into that world of dreams and a truly alternate reality.
Once logged in, she had become Lysandra, the Sword-bearing Werewolf who had dominated her preliminary rounds with cunning, calm, and cold ferocity. She materialized in her usual outfit, black bandeau with baggy black pants, a pair of black boots, and a long black overcoat. If I could wear this in real life maybe poor Gina wouldn't find me naked all the time, she thought to herself, materializing her baldric and sword upon her back.
It's showtime, she then grinned, heading out to find Lana.