Monday had been as typical as it went in Virtual Connection for Ilaria. She practiced in the morning–alone since Amelia was out with Minerva–joining with the party in the afternoon. And no, she didn't say anything about that. She would make an excuse, but it would be lying to herself. She just didn't want to; at least not until all the stuff with Johnny was sorted.
The red button, so small in her viewpoint, was waiting for her as Ilaria materialized in Torinelo City. Her finger hovered around it, the game unmistakably identifying the sender: Johnny. That it came Tuesday morning, the day after deciding to not out herself to her friends, was a vindication for her.
I'll get what I need soon enough; no need to risk it now.
Her secret mission of getting Johnny to fall for her was dead, but that only meant that the plan that she pitched to Sandro and Amy was the one now. And Ilaria felt it–Johnny had been opening up to her–soon she would know the real reason why he broke up with Mina.
And then, what? Revenge?
It all felt pointless, now that his–her–true motivation was gone. If she knew more, would it help Minerva somehow? Would her sister even want that? No, it wasn't time to doubt; she had already gone too far to quit.
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The morning's message had been an invitation. It seemed like there was a monthly party for the Torinelo City Workshops guild, and the first one of the year would be that afternoon. By the time she was getting ready to reply, Johnny logged in, getting her to agree to go on a date before going together to the event. Sadly, that would mean she wouldn't get to play with Diana and Kyle for the day, but the chance was too good to pass.
Tuesday afternoon, instead of beating flying otters in a cave, Ilaria–clad in a new, level 30, violet and silver combat dress–waited in the plaza for her date's arrival. She had considered asking Amy for details about the guild event, but the elf had been MIA all day long, and she didn't feel like calling her outside the game.
“Wow, new dress,” said Johnny, approaching her. He was clad in casual clothes: jeans, shirt and jacket; though the metal accents gave the appearance of it being functional armor, by VC standards.
Ilaria was glad that her dress was being noticed. She had to solo trolls all morning to get enough experience for level 30. At this point she didn't really need to level anymore–the Valentine's tournament would set everyone to 35 no matter what–but she liked the recognition.
“Shall we do it?” Johnny didn't waste any time, taking out his spear and shield.
“Yeah.”
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The date had gone mostly the same as the last one. For the salamanders, Ilaria decided to go berserk on one of them, to try to kill it as fast as possible. The added stats of her new dress helped–one of the reasons she wanted to level–getting to kill it with enough time to flee. Still, it didn't make that much of a difference, though they got all the salamanders before dying.
The glances that Johnny gave her cycled from happiness, to restraint, to pain, to irritation, to happiness again. It had been disconcerting at first, but at some point the mage learned to ignore it and keep fighting.
After the Dungeon Date, they went to the café to have some drinks.
“I can't invite you to my house anymore,” said Johnny, smiling ruefully. “That night I almost paid for an extra month.”
“That would have been a total waste.” Ilaria stirred her strawberry milkshake.
“Maybe, but...
“When you quit the golden hearts will be useless,” interrupted Ilaria, laughing.
“Anyway, what I wanted today.” Johnny made a pause, drinking from his iced latte. His facade from the first meeting was nowhere to be seen.
“Yeah...” Ilaria raised her head, prompting him to continue.
“I guess you are my best option, my only option.” Johnny glanced at her, speaking to himself.
“You aren't making any sense,” said Ilaria, getting tired of his roundabout ways. Johnny drank again from his latte, closing his eyes for a second.
“Would you go to the event with me?” Johnny looked at her expectantly.
The way the question had been sprung made her take a pause. It surely wasn't what it seemed at face value. “Today's party? I thought we had already arranged it in the morning.”
“If you are okay with it, then I have nothing else to add,” said Johnny, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
At that point, Ilaria knew she was missing something important.
“Check the guild chat,” added Johnny, his smug smile reappearing for a second.
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Ilaria made the gesture with her hands and the guild chat window opened in the far left corner of her viewpoint. She had checked it for the last time the morning after she learned to access it. It had been flooded with trade and party requests; she wasn't interested and had forgotten of its existence until now.
Today it had a pinned announcement.
Torinelo City Workshops Tenth Monthly Party Invitation
Theme: The Destined Couples
With Valentines just around the corner, we'll run a party games contest among the happy couples of the guild. If you're single, you can still come and share time with us. And, who knows? You might pair up in the end.
Date and Time: January 18th, 2028; 7pm TCT
Place: Torinelo City Workshops Guildhouse
Prize: Secret (it will blow your mind)
Organizer: Wanora009
Reading that Ilaria got the feeling that she had agreed upon something bigger than she realized. Her dumbfounded eyes met Johnny's by accident, him smiling like he had gotten away with something.
“No, I didn't sign up for that,” answered Ilaria reflexively. If she had time to think it out, she might have gone with it. But the perspective of being caught in Johnny's pace again made her revolt against it.
“There's no need for PDA or anything of that sort; we have just started going out together after all,” said Johnny, smiling. He put his elbows over the table, crossing hands as he looked over her.
“You know, there's this and that. We have done DDs, but those aren't real dates,” said Ilaria, getting flustered. She took a gulp from her milkshake, using the glass to hide part of her face. “You know I don't even like you.”
“We have had house dates, and you even cooked for me,” said Johnny, laughing. “But fair enough; I can make it worth your while. I'll leave my rare items to you when I quit; some are quite valuable.”
“Why me?” asked Ilaria, leaving the glass on the table, risking a glance at him. He didn't seem to want to answer to that, picking up his glass and raising it to his lips, even though it only had ice remaining.
Pretending to be his date... It wouldn't be too hard, would it? Definitely easier than trying to seduce him in the first place.
“Okay, I'll do it,” said Ilaria, clenching her fists under the table. “Under one condition.”
“Say it.”
“I don't care about your rare items or whatever. I'll go with you as your date. But, after the party's over, you'll answer everything I ask you; no matter what.”
Johnny let out a laugh that extended for tens of seconds; he bobbed his head, golden highlights reflecting the light from the candelabra. Ilaria felt her cheeks getting warmer as she hid behind the milkshake glass again. Her mind was blank.
“Sorry, couldn't help it,” said Johnny, after the laughter had subsided. “Alright, I'll answer one question; whichever it might be, as long as it stays between us.”
“Not one; I'll need at least five.” Ilaria furrowed her brow as she went through several possible questions in her mind.
“That's way too much,” said Johnny, smiling. “I'll give you three if you also join the Valentine's tournament with me.” He had ended the sentence with one of those impossible winks that Ilaria had hated so much when they first met.
“Deal.”
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Minutes before 7pm, Ilaria–in a sleeveless crimson gown sponsored by her date–walked into the Torinelo City Workshops Guildhouse, holding hands with a tuxedo clad Johnny.
“Is this really necessary?” asked Ilaria, as they were crossing the outside portal. She could already see the lights in the open area at the back of the building.
“This much should be fine, my lady,” said Johnny, smiling as they went through the reception area and entered the covered arena, converted into the party venue. The low volume sound of an EDM track enveloped the area.
“Welcome!” Guildmaster Wanora received them with open arms, enveloping them into a hug, her eyes stopping at their interlocked hands. “You are participating in the couple's event, don't you?”
“I wouldn't miss out on the fun,” said Johnny, winking.
“Go on; don't linger at the entrance,” said Wanora, motioning them to advance. Ilaria couldn't help feeling the Guildmaster's eyes analyzing her; she was happy to be on her way.
The arena was covered by a white and blue awning, about fifty plastic chairs and their respective six-person rectangular tables all along the edges of the room. The room was about the same size as the terrace of The Grinning Flatfish, making the bigger tables feel cramped in comparison.
The couple walked towards the drinks table–only an assortment of cans available, no glasses–Ilaria taking an orange-flavored soda. As they were turning around to greet a group of Johnny's friends, the mage caught someone from the corner of her eye: a certain blond elf that she hadn't seen so far in the day. Ilaria's mouth opened in surprise before a red button interrupted her thoughts.
“Don't look at me,” said Amy's voice through the Private Call. Ilaria involuntarily glanced at Amy, immediately lowering her gaze.
“Pretend that we don't know each other,” continued Amy, “It's better if you don't even talk to me.”
“But Wanora...” Ilaria couldn't help pointing it out.
“Use text messages,” said Amy, sounding worried. “Wanora won't say anything.”
After saying that, Amy cut the call. Johnny was entertained with other people; Ilaria risked looking towards where she had seen the elf before. She crossed glances with Wanora instead, Ilaria quickly lowering her gaze. Apparently, they were seated together.
“Are you participating in the Valentine's tournament together?” The question from the male player in front of her interrupted Ilaria's attempt at sending a text message.
“Yeah, that's the plan.” Ilaria tried to smile to mask her irritation, giving up on texting Amy.
“We are going to practice in the new Training Hall tomorrow morning,” said the female across from her. “Wanna join us?” She looked mostly at Johnny, Ilaria not having talked too much. She didn't even remember their names.
“In the morning will be hard for me, maybe some other time,” answered Johnny, without even turning towards Ilaria.
The Training Hall was probably the big update that Dave had hinted. It was a new building in Torinelo City–a place to train player versus player combat–which would be live after tonight's scheduled maintenance. In any other circumstance it would have excited her; but, at the moment, her head was full of other worries.