Wildeye and Jannie sat together upon a bench under a golden maple, watching the sunset in Ragnarheim, an area that had a Nordic theme and an autumnal landscape. Both of them had guild members on, but anything urgent was being handled by the officers in both guilds. The two of them had been relaxing together in the area for a couple of Panarena days now after their exciting adventure with Lana and the Silvernight Queens; and they had even brought a picnic, specially ordered from the “Roasted Mallet” in Harmonia City.

“Maybe we should log out soon; our caretakers are probably worried about us by now.” Jannie suggested.

“Well, true.” Wildeye agreed. “I suppose the health-regulator is no complete replacement for the user actually waking up to assure others they're all right.” he smiled.

“There's that.” Jannie agreed.

“Were you really in to Lana, or were you just teasing her earlier?”

“I was so into Lana; but she always had Ari with her, you know?”

“Oh, for sure,” Wildeye nodded.

“Hmm...? You too, huh?” Jannie wondered.

“I'm not sure I completely fell for her, but she is a very compelling person for some reason.” he returned.

“Definitely.” she nodded back.

“Hmm... it's probably what, about supper time for you over there,” Wildeye then remarked.

“Yep; and it's about midnight for you.” Jannie replied.

“Father'll be asleep. I think I will log out for the night, and surprise him early by ordering breakfast.” he said.

“Ooh, good on you!” Jannie smiled. “I'd like to meet him again sometime, by the way.” she said to him.

“He'd like to meet you as well.” Wildeye smiled back at her. “Next time, perhaps? I'll talk to him at breakfast if you like?”

“Please! I'd love that! We can go riding together in Kingsmark or something,” she suggested.

“You know, I think he'd like that!” the other nodded. “All right, it's a plan! I'll see you tomorrow!” he said to her.

“Not without this first.” Jannie said, kissing him.

“How silly of me to forget,” he smiled, kissing her a second time.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Sleep well.” she smiled at him.

“And you also.” he replied, and the two of them logged out for the night.

***

Janice Kelly woke up in her bed, slowly removing the Dream Machine and setting it on the charger nearby. She sighed, smiling as she gazed out at the sunset.

“Someday, I want to touch you for real...” she murmured longingly.

It wasn't out of the question. Her condition was not a contagious one. But it did tax her, and made travelling difficult for her. He himself was planning to try and visit her some day, but they wanted their families to know each other a bit more as well first.

A knock then came to the door.

“Jan? Are you awake, honey?” a woman's voice called.

“I'm here, Aunt Sally.” the young lady called as loudly as she dared, fearful of another attack. The door opened, and her aunt walked in with a tray of food, smiling.

“Good to see you in this world!”

“I'm glad to see you, too, Auntie.” Janice replied.

“How's your young man?” the older woman inquired as she set the tray on the nearby table and sat gently on the bed next to her niece.

“He's well. We just had the most wonderful time; do you think we could all get together some time, for real? He wants to visit, you know.”

“I think we'd all like that. Your uncle isn't against the idea, you know, but he does worry about you.”

“Luckily you two are the hospice owners!” the younger woman gently smiled back.

“Ohh, Jannie!” her aunt grinned, taking her niece's hand and patting it. “We'll have them over sooner than later, I promise. I'll have to get one of those machines and help arrange it; or we can arrange for a video call.”

“Hmm... yes, that might be best.” Janice agreed.

“We'll get it all sorted out soon enough. Now, are you well enough? I made your favorites, after all!”

“I think I can manage it,” Janice nodded as she slowly pulled herself into a sitting position, her aunt helping her. “You should get one anyway. You don't have to do any fighting or anything; lots of people do other things there, things they can't do in real life or wanted to try but never got the chance to in this world,” she said.

“I do certainly recognize its value as a therapeutic tool.” the older woman nodded. “Oh, maybe I'll just get one to peep in every now and then!” she smiled.

“I'd like that.” Janice smiled back. “Tabby would love you!”

“And I'm sure I'd love her, too.” Sally agreed. Janice's smile continued, her aunt smiling as well as she watched to make sure her niece had no trouble with supper.

She has definitely been happier since meeting that young man there, the older woman noted to herself. Perhaps I will give it a try, just to see what keeps her there so long some days; who knows, I might even get John to try it out! She thought with a smile, watching as Janice eagerly devouring the vegetable soup before her. This Panarena was a strange world, but it was also a wonderful one, giving her niece a much-needed enthusiasm for life.

I'm so glad this peculiar device was recommended to us... it keeps her away from us most of the day, but there's a spark of life and a will to fight back inside of her. We'll get through this, and she'll be right as rain someday soon, I know it! Sally mused, turning to gaze out at the sunset herself. If she could have known, it was not unlike the sunset that Janice and her young man had been watching in the game minutes earlier.