Friday, December 31th, 2027
Ricardo had woken up feeling happy and optimistic. Thursday had been a really good day in all fronts. He had gotten not only a great party, but also the perfect DD partner for Virtual Connection. And, in the real life, Minerva had finally started to enjoy herself a bit.
But just one glance at his cellphone made him deflate again.
Today is New Year's Eve.
Holidays had a way of making one overly conscious of their lack of social life; and Ricardo wasn't the most friendly person to be around, even in the good times. The program this year had always been to spend New Year's Eve at a party in an Argentinian hotel, with his family.
Well, that was out of the question now. He could maybe call Sandro–he would be receiving the New Year with Clara's family at the beach–it would be a hassle to get there, though. And his parents at least would want to have dinner together, with Minerva. Amelia might know about that–she seemed to be talking with mom a lot lately.
Anyway, there's nothing to do.
Ricardo shook himself from his depressing thoughts and went to fetch breakfast. Virtual Connection was waiting for him.
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As soon as Ilaria logged in, the red button started pulsating.
“Hello?” said Ilaria, expecting Amy's voice on the other end.
“Good morning,” said a male voice, that Ilaria identified as Kyle. “It might be too early for you, but I'll be going out all day...”
“Hello Kyle,” said Ilaria, smiling. “And don't worry, I'm already logged in, aren't I?.”
“Would you try another DD with me?” asked Kyle. Ilaria was sure he would be blushing furiously on the other side.
“I'll be glad!”
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The Dungeon Date started even easier than the day before, Ilaria and Kyle's teamwork rendering their foe's attacks useless for the most part. They went in auto mode until they finished the melee lizardmen.
“Ready?” asked Ilaria, already aiming towards one of the two doors she would be responsible for.
“As I could be,” answered Kyle, starting towards where the next closest foe would appear.
Sixth wave: Five blood-eyed lizardmen.
The first sling-carrying lizardman got a couple of Mana bolts to its head as a welcome gift, dropping dead before any stone could be thrown. Not that Ilaria could see it falling, she didn't waste any time before moving to the side–she wouldn't wait to be stricken by the dead lizard's partners–a lesson from their last date.
By the time Ilaria finished her second lizardman, Kyle had already rounded the other three; the mage not in danger anymore. They finished them with a combination of basic Spear thrusts and Force bolts.
Seventh wave: Four goblin fanatics.
Ilaria and Kyle waited back to back in the center of the room, with nervous anticipation. They had much more mana remaining than the last time they fought the goblins, which would help a lot.
As soon as the goblins materialized, Ilaria started pummeling the one directly in front of her with Mana bolts. Kyle just did combinations of a front step, Spear thrust, step back; trying to keep the other three goblins on him. Since he had one front covered by Ilaria, he could get in a comfortable rhythm that didn't cost him too many hit points.
After Ilaria finished her goblin, she turned around; picking on the most damaged goblins one by one.
Eighth wave: Three goblin shamans.
This time Ilaria could actually see the shamans. They were scrawny green humanoids with dirty brown robes and gnarled staves, who made unintelligible sounds as they conjured lightning. That last part was the important one.
Ilaria didn't have much mana left; she had to decide if she should shoot away, and maybe kill one, or use it for healing Kyle.
“Don't heal me,” said Kyle, stopping her internal debate. “12 o'clock.”
“Okay...”
Before hearing her answer, Kyle was already doing an arch towards the shaman directly in front of her. Ilaria understood immediately, shooting it with all the mana she had remaining. Kyle got to the shaman as Ilaria's mana depleted, doing an attack skill of his own and finishing it.
Ilaria saw him doing a 'thumbs up' before feeling the lightning coursing through her body.
It didn't feel bad.
Kyle logged out after the DD, leaving a lonely and aimless Ilaria; still at the lizardmen cave's safe point. Amy isn't logged yet.
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Not wanting to leave VC, but not feeling like looking for another party, she sighed and started another extermination quest.
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Everdark forest, as its name said, was permanently covered in darkness, the tall trees blocking most of the light from the sun. More importantly, it was the home of the dusk bats; her next extermination target.
Normally, entering the forest would have needed a full party, since a single player could get surrounded by foes in a low visibility setting. But there was a rock formation close to the edge, in which you could hide–covered from three directions–and snipe them one by one as they approached. It sounded utterly boring, but it was the best choice for a solo player of her level.
After about an hour of just repeatedly mashing a button, Ilaria welcomed any interruption. So when the red button appeared, she didn't waste any time and received the call.
“Hello!” exclaimed Amy's voice in her ear.
Ilaria got startled for a second, missing her shot.
“Where are you?” asked Amy
“I'm at the Everdark forest, killing bats.”
“Oh, that's dreadful.”
“You tell me.”
“Anyway, about tonight...
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Ricardo hadn't needed much convincing to leave VC, the bat grinding was as boring as it comes. So that's how he found himself in the car with Amelia and his mom, on their way to the mall.
“We need yellow flowers, sunflowers maybe?” asked Amelia, who was riding shotgun.
“Oh, I love sunflowers. It would be great if we found some.” answered mom.
Ricardo had been right after all; both of them had been planning something. His mom wouldn't let New Year's go by without a party if she could help it, and Amelia was up for it. They had been waiting to see if Minerva was amenable; and, after last night's, they decided to go for it.
“Ricardo, what do you suggest about the food?” asked mom.
“We could buy ham and cheese, and I could put a rolled chicken in the oven,” answered Ricardo. “A lettuce, tomato, avocado salad; maybe mashed potatoes.”
“That sounds great,” said Amelia.
The plan was for them to buy everything they needed in the morning, keeping it inside the car's trunk until lunchtime had passed. That way Minerva hopefully would never notice until later in the night. They feared that if they told her in advance, she would make up an excuse to not participate.
After arriving to the mall, Amelia and mom went off together, looking for materials for the decorations; while Ricardo took charge of everything food related, as he was used to. At the end, they had filled several bags of 'yellow stuff', which they packed in the car for later retrieval.
Amelia and mom returned home looking very pleased with themselves, and Ricardo couldn't deny having similar feelings. New Year's Eve might not get canceled after all.
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Lunch was served around 2:30 pm, a menu of fried fish and potato salad. Dad was already back from the office, having delivered his big project at last. Maybe he would need to revise it at a later date–not that it mattered much since the trip's cancellation–it was joyous news, regardless.
“Finally, I still can't believe it's done,” said dad, smiling.
“That's truly great, it had been delayed for months,” said mom.
“At times it seemed like it would never get finished,” said dad.
“More reason to celebrate it,” said mom, glancing towards Amelia, who smiled in response.
Lunchtime was surprisingly fun, even with Minerva still moping around. The tension of having to keep a secret made for a disturbingly enjoyable time.
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With Minerva back in her room, Amelia and mom started with the decorations. Ricardo volunteered as a helping hand, since it was way too early to start cooking. They did have to remain silent, though; lest they alert Minerva that something was going on downstairs.
At around 6pm, Amelia went back home to get herself ready. That was the signal for Ricardo to get things started in the kitchen. He didn't need much time for the chosen menu anyway–the mashed potatoes were what would take probably the most–but he wanted to be done early just in case anything happened.
At 7pm mom was back downstairs, already dressed up, checking that everything was in place. Ricardo was already done with the food, letting mom take care of setting the table while he changed into fresh clothes.
At 7:30, Ricardo heard the outside door opening, probably Amelia. She, with mom, would call Minerva for dinner in a short time. He quickly finished getting himself ready.
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Friday, December 31th, 2027
8:00 pm, UTC-5
Finally, the time had come. Ricardo heard Minerva leaving her room and he followed.
All the first floor had been decorated in yellow; streamers, garlands, balloons, anything they could find in a short time's notice. And, on the living room's table; there was a big sunflower arrangement–the centerpiece of the party. It was probably brought by Amelia, since Ricardo didn't remember having seen it before going upstairs.
Dad was dressed similar to him, dress pants and a short sleeved, colorful shirt. Mom had a skirt and blouse combo, while Amelia was wearing the yellow dress she received for Christmas. She was the most dressed up of the party by far, though she usually was.
In the case of Minerva, she was clad in her usual gym clothes, although she didn't seem to be too surprised–or upset, in any case–by the impromptu celebration. She did make the point of protesting aloud; but–if she really was angry–she would have left for her room.
After a moment of uncomfortable tension, everyone settled into it, eating, drinking and making conversation.
“What do you think?” Mom asked Ricardo, pointing towards Minerva. The later was still complaining to Amelia in the corner of the room, while munching on a piece of cheese.
“I guess she's happy,” answered Ricardo.
His sister was similar to him in that aspect; both loved to complain. Even if they were enjoying themselves, they would always find something to nitpick about.
And there's no mistake, Minerva is having fun.
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Midnight arrived sooner than they expected, or at least it felt like it. After they exchanged greetings, Ricardo followed the rest of his family to the rooftop, so they could watch the fireworks at the distance. They were lit from boats at the sea in front of Lima, but they were still visible from where they lived.
Ricardo was suddenly reminded of the VR meteor shower he saw with Diana in Virtual Connection. That one had looked several times more impressive than what a real fireworks show could ever be; it was an unfair comparison.
But even so, what made each moment special wasn't just the sensations you could perceive, but with whom you experienced it. It was ironic that what he most remembered of that night wasn't the meteor shower itself, but Diana's smiling face as she was forcefully disconnected.
Looking at Amelia's, Minerva's and his parents faces as they gazed at the distance–even more considering what happened in Christmas Eve–made the fireworks shine with a special light.