“Ready?” –asked Amelia, taking Milana's hand.

The two girls were standing in front of the guildhall of the 'Torinelo City Workshops' guild. They just had a quick virtual breakfast and went there first thing in the morning. Amelia was dressed in her rogue battle armor, taking the event with a serious demeanor.

“I guess I am.” –answered Milana, steeling herself. Her black and red dress didn't leave any doubt about the gender of the body within.

Amelia hadn't been in the guildhall since Christmas Eve but she had already coordinated with the Guildmaster about today's meeting. Despite Johnny being technically an officer in the guild, it was highly improbable for them to bump into him at this time.

Here we go.

The 'Torinelo City Workshops' was a casual guild with around a hundred active members, mostly from Spanish-speaking countries. Contrary to its name, it wasn't a crafters' guild; very few people knew exactly why the Guildmaster named it as such.

The guildhall was a white one-story building in the outskirts of Torinelo City. It had a frontal reception area, a pair of private offices to the sides and a covered arena at the back, which was the default for a low level guild.

“Hello Amy!” –exclaimed the Guildmaster, grinning with open arms. –“I thought you had surely quit already; you have been stuck at level 35 for ages!”

“Sorry Wanora; I have had a lot of things on my mind.” –replied Amelia, hugging the Guildmaster.

“And this one should be the new inductee.” –said the Guildmaster, looking towards Milana for the first time since they entered the guildhall.

Wanora, the Guildmaster, was a tall, busty girl dressed in white and blue robes, with a striped hairband of those same colors over her long, dark-brown hair.

“Ahh, sorry.” –said Amelia, flustered. –“This is my friend Milana; she just became a Mage.”

“Hello; I'm Milana.” –said Milana, bowing. –“Nice to meet you.”

“Such a cute girl!” –exclaimed the Guildmaster, getting closer to Milana. –“Are you a hugger?”

“Ehh...”

“As you will soon notice, this guild isn't too hardcore; we are just having fun among friends.” –said Wanora, inviting Milana and Amelia to her office.

Wanora's office was decorated in the same white and blue motif prevalent in the whole guildhall. The back wall was covered in shelfs with several sports implements within.

“Here's the guildbook.” –said Wanora, moving her hand to materialize a thick old-looking tome which opened to a blank page. –“You just sign on it and we'll own you.”

“What?!” –exclaimed Milana, taken aback.

“Hahaha.” –laughed Wanora, while going around. –“Just joking; it never gets old.”

“Don't worry.” –said Amelia, reassuringly. –“It will just confirm your membership. It's true that the Guildmaster will be able to know when you're logged in and your level at all times but that's all.”

“Okay.” –said Milana, still distrustful, while sitting down on the chair in front of the book.

When Milana touched the book, a fountain pen materialized in her hand.

*ding*

You have come into contact with the 'Torinelo City Workshops' guildbook. Signing on it will confirm your membership to the guild.

*Note: You can't join more than one guild at the same time. If you leave a guild you'll need to wait a week before joining a new one.

Milana signed her name with big capital letters.

“Congratulations!” –exclaimed Wanora. –“Now you are an official member of 'Torinelo City Workshops'!”

“Thank you.” –said Milana, as she stood up, since the other girls hadn't sit down.

“A hug?” –asked Wanora, opening her arms.

“Okay.” –said Milana, hugging Wanora reluctantly.

“And now you should take some time to visit the guild forum.” –said Wanora, separating from Milana with a full grin. –“Are you single?”

“Yes?” –answered Milana, dumbfounded.

“Perfect; we have a kind of event going on.”

“I'm sorry about what happened with Mina.” –said Wanora, materializing a pomelo soda can.

“Want one?” –added Wanora as an afterthought.

“No thanks.” –answered Amelia, making a expression of disgust.

The two girls were sitting at opposite sides of the desk in Wanora's office, Milana already gone from the room.

“I'm glad you didn't quit for good; I thought you two would surely leave the guild.” –said Wanora, taking a sip from the can.

“I don't think Mina will be coming back.” –said Amelia, her usual smile gone as Milana left the room. –“If she ever comes back to the game, I'll probably leave the guild too.”

“I wouldn't fault you for that.” –said Wanora, taking a chug from the can before throwing it towards a basket set in a sidewall.

“Anyways, the point is: I understand you might be angry at Johnny; I admit he could have worked it out better.” –continued Wanora, apologectically. –“But he also has his issues...”

“And I can't tell you about that; frankly, as the Guildmaster, I shouldn't stick my nose in a couple's relationship problems.” –quickly added Wanora, stopping Amelia from voicing the obvious question.

“Alright.” –said Amelia, looking Wanora in the face.

“Then there shouldn't be any problem in fulfilling my request.”

So this is the one.

After leaving the meeting with the Guildmaster, Milana toured the deserted guildhall's reception area. The sidewalls were covered with long note boards. Most notes were about recruiting for training parties or boss hunting parties. But in each wall there was a big central poster, a sky blue one to the right and a pink one to the left; Milana went for the later.

Torinelo City Workshops' Speed Dating Club

Open all January!

Did you hear about the Virtual Connection Couple Tournament?

Of course you did; everyone should be beaming with excitement. Or not; maybe you don't have a partner yet. If that's the case, don't worry! We are here to help.

The Speed Dating Club accepts sign ups for every single (in-game) member of the guild who wishes to find a partner for Exp Dating, the Couple Tournament, or even for life.

How does it work: The speed dating rounds last around 6 minutes per person, in which you'll have the chance talk privately with prospective partners. After the time is up, you will mark if you are interested in dating that person. Next day you'll receive a private message with the names of your matches, so you can contact them and try exp dating, leissure dating or just going out for a coffee. It all depends on you!

And every week a lucky couple will get a free leissure date ticket from Guildmaster Wanora's stockpile!

When and where: Every Friday of January, from 8 to 9 pm TCT, at the private lounge of “The Grinning Flatfish” of Torinelo City.

Signups: For girls, here! (Boys should sign in the blue poster ;)

Organizers: Johnny33 and Wanora01.

“So, did you sign up?” –asked Amelia, fetching a pair of apples from her handbag.

“Yeah, as planned.” –answered Milana, catching the apple from Amelia.

“Did you sign up too?” –asked Milana, taking a bite from the apple.

“Nope.” –quickly answered Amelia. –“I'm not interested in dating new boys; besides, it's better if Johnny doesn't see me around.”

The girls were walking back towards Torinelo City after talking to Wanora. Milana had scanned through the guild forum in the in-game tablet but, apart from the Speed Dating Club thread, nothing caught her attention.

“By the way, have you ever done speed dating?” –asked Amelia, with a mischievous grin.

“I haven't.” –answered Milana, evading eye contact.

“Wanna practice?” –asked Amelia, using her most angelic expression.

“I guess it could help.”

“Hello; I don't think I've seen you before?” –asked Amelia, with a confident smile.

“I'm Johnny; very pleased to meet you.” –added Amelia, getting closer and grasping Milana's hand.

The two girls got a private table for two at “The Grinning Flatfish”, a white tablecloth restaurant in Torinelo City. The room had cream colored walls covered with oil paintings and a bronze candelabra on the table; the wall opposite to the door had a wide horizontal window which opened towards a lake surrounded by flowers and white swans.

“Nice to meet you too.” –said Milana, surprised at Amelia's characterization.

“My name is Milana; I just joined the guild.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Not as fancy as “The Grinning Flatfish”, huh?” –asked Amelia, taking a bite from her chicken sandwich.

“Nope; but it's satisfying in its own way.” –answered Ricardo, munching on his hamburger.

“Virtual reality food is like chewing gum, it tastes great but it always leaves you wanting.” –added Minerva in a sagely tone while looking at her salad with regret.

The three of them were eating lunch at the food court of the local mall; for third day in a row mother couldn't make it for the midday meal.

“Well, it would cost a hundredfold to eat at a place like “The Grinning Flatfish” in real life.” –said Amelia, smiling. –“So we should seize the chance!”

“Looking at things like that, it does make sense.” –said Ricardo, pensive, while eating a bunch of fries.

“Did you two go together?” –asked Minerva, coming with a sudden realization.

“Yes, of course.” –replied Amelia with an impish smile.

“I should join you next time.” –added Minerva, before Ricardo could finish chewing. –“VR food doesn't have any calories afterall.”

“Are you coming back to Virtual Connection?” –asked Amelia, enjoying the worried look on Ricardo's face.

“Maybe; I mean, it would be a waste to get into another game when I already have a max level char.” –replied Minerva, spearing a cherry tomato with her fork.

“Are you going for the wand again today?” –asked Amelia, taking a bite from her hot apple pie.

“Yeah, that's the plan.” –answered Ricardo, spooning his strawberry custard. –“They should log in around 5 pm.”

“That wand took us like two weeks of grinding for it to drop.” –said Minerva, wistful. –“Those boss drop weapons have less than 5% drop chance.”

“I see.” –said Ricardo, thoughful. –“I guess getting the spear from the lizard boss at the first chance was really lucky.”

“Incredibly lucky!” –exclaimed Amelia, grinning. –“We got my daggers on our third try, though.”

“And we were thoroughly thankful for that.” –said Minerva, smiling. –“That boss was super annoying.”

“Yeah; flying and blinking all around the room.” –said Amelia, gesturing with her hands.

“And then suddenly diving down to backstab you.” –added Minerva, spearing the cherry on top of her cake for emphasis.

“I know, right?”

“Did you try the Tier 1 date yesterday?” –asked Amelia, while looking at her minimap.

“Nope, I decided to wait for Kyle to level.” –answered Milana, flustered.

The girls were walking along Torinelo City commercial street. They had decided to shop around for a few new changes of clothes for Milana's dates.

“Really? I didn't think you would get so attached.” –said Amelia, raising her eyes to look at Milana with a half-smile.

“It's just that... Well, I have been looking forward to it.” –added Milana, blushing. –“And I'm sure it will be dissapointing if I just do it with a random guy that the AI matches me with.”

“You know you'll need to at least date Johnny.” –said Amelia, disapprovingly. –“And you really should try to date a few more guys from the speed dating event, as practice, and to not alert Johnny that anything is amiss.”

“I know, I know.” –said Milana, contrite. –“But that's tomorrow.”

“Let me enjoy my date today.”

Around 4:15 pm the pulsing red button appeared in Milana's display. She got startled and almost dropped the handbag she was looking at.

'Hello, are you busy?'

'I'm shopping, but I'll finish really soon.'

'If you want to do it now, I'll be around the fountain.'

'Yeah, I'll go there in a bit.'

“Is your date already here?” –asked Amelia, smiling playfully.

“I guess he is.” –answered Milana, flustered. –“They usually log in later.”

“He must have been looking forward to it as much as you.” –said Amelia, grinning. –“Don't make him wait too much. And take that purse, it'll be my gift.”

“The beginner's backpack clashes awfully with your dress.”

“I thought you couldn't log in until later.” –said Milana, after meeting Kyle at the fountain.

“I ran from school and logged just after getting home.” –said Kyle, bashfully.

“Hahaha; that explains it.” –said Milana, unable to stifle her laughter.

Milana couldn't fault him though. She had walked the fastest she could from the bag store. No running though; she didn't want Amelia to tease her any more than she did.

“Did you already try it yesterday?” –asked Kyle, still red-faced.

“Nope. I was tired. And I didn't want it to be a dissapointment.” –answered Milana, getting flushed.

“But I did research into it!” –added Milana, enthusiastically.

“I did too!” –exclaimed Kyle, beaming.

“Then it should be the first time for both of us.”

“Ready?”

First wave: Ten nightmaned direwolves

The first wave was against melee mobs, so Milana took cover behind Kyle as they had planned before. Nevertheless, she was ready to start with a fireball as soon as their enemy appeared. Unlike the Tier 0 date, the Tier 1 experience date scaled up or down the number of mobs in each wave according to the average level of the couple. Milana and Kyle being at level 20 meant the least possible mob number.

“I like dogs but those look like meanies.” –said Milana, taking a look at their materializing foes.

The direwolves were huge, even with them being in all fours Milana had to raise her head to look at them in the eyes.

“Yeah, I bet they beat up cute puppies and steal their food.” –added Kyle, getting into a guarding stance.

“Bad doggies shall burn in hell!” –exclaimed Milana, laughing as she shot the first fireball.

Second wave: Nine skinshredder hawks

Kyle was still engaging a couple of direwolves when the new wave started materializing. Milana had her mana pool at half and was drinking a mana potion since being at level 20 meant she couldn't be stingy.

“Sorry, I'll have to rely on you for those.” –said Kyle, still chipping little by little at the last direwolves' HPs.

“Don't worry.” –said Milana, grinning. –“Those fat birds will get roasted in no time.”

“Fireball!” –exclaimed Milana, as she shot the closest winged menace.

The meter tall brown hawk with oversized claws screeched in the air before erupting in flames. It started to fall down in circles, as the ones closest to it noticed Milana and prepared to dive, claws in front.

Milana shot another fireball before taking cover with Kyle, who was still at it with the only surviving direwolf. A hawk barely scraped at Milana's back before Kyle's spear forced it to take flight again.

Milana mana bolted the direwolf, finishing it, while Kyle kept circling to prevent the hawks from diving.

After Milana fried a third bird, the spear's deterrent wasn't enough and three hawks dived for them at the same time. Milana inmediately shot at the one towards her left, Kyle throwing his spear towards the rightmost one while taking cover with his shield against the last diving hawk. That one made a 180 degrees turn and joined the one that had evaded Kyle's throw.

“I don't think I'll be able to get them with the spear.” –said Kyle, while willing his weapon back to his hand.

“Making them flee is good enough.” –said Milana, readying another fireball as the other trio of hawks prepared to dive.

Third wave: Eight ethereal nightmares

The nightmares, horses with legs finishing in shadowy clouds of fog, started to materialize in front of the couple. Milana and Kyle were bracing for another hawks' dive attack and couldn't afford to even glace at their new enemies.

“Are you ok?” –asked Milana, drinking a health potion. Her dress was completely ripped at the back. If she could bleed, she would be covered in the crimson liquid.

“As fine as I could.” –answered Kyle, smiling as he drank a potion himself. –“I got one this time, two more to go.”

The hawks turned around for a final dive; the nightmares were rapidly approaching.

“Fireball!” –exclaimed Milana, frying a hawk. Kyle threw his spear at the other one, making it flee. And just in time, since the first couple of nightmares were already within breathing distance.

“Arghh, and I just healed myself.” –said Kyle, still shaken. He had shield-bashed the nightmare coming from the left, but his spear wouldn't make it back in time; he had to block the other one with his right forearm.

“Here, here.” –said Milana, touching his neck softly.

The two repelled nightmares moved aside to make room for the next pair of charging steeds. This time Kyle had his spear back, blocking both of them while suffering a manageable amount of damage.

“Sorry, I won't be able to counterattack.” –said Kyle, grunting from the effort.

“It's okay; we'll go as far as we can.” –said Milana, smiling as she burned the last hawk out of the air.

Fourth wave: Seven heartbroken otterflies

“So cute!” –exclaimed Milana, as the new foes materialized: dark colored otters with butterfly wings on their backs.

“I don't think we'll last much longer.” –said Kyle, deflecting another double charge of nightmares. –“Try to kill one or two of them before we are done.”

The eight nightmares were still alive and mostly undamaged. Milana had to use her healing touch nonstop to keep Kyle's hit points outside danger zone.

“Alright; see you on the other side.” –said Milana, withdrawing her outstretched arm.

The mage girl used her recently freed hand to drink a mana potion and stepped back, aiming at the closest otter. It squeaked and flew around Kyle, being awarded an encounter with a big ball of fire.

“Ky... Argh.” –grunted Milana, as she tried to shake away the otterfly clawing at her chest, finally killing it with a point blank mana bolt.

Kyle tried to look at her with his perimetral vision but failed; he couldn't do anything about it anyway. The nightmares were still contained for the time being, his HPs decreasing steadily.

Milana was half-kneeling, recovering her breath, when another otterfly dived for her face. She fireballed it down with a well aimed headshot. This time she didn't hesitate and finished it with a mana bolt; her burned and scratched chest felt like she was continuously zapped by static current.

The five remaining otteflies decided to dive down at the same time, three towards Milana and the rest against Kyle, who had less than a tenth of his HPs remaining.

“Fireball!” –Milana half-yelled, half-grunted as she took down the centermost otterfly. The other two clawed her at her shoulders, as she resisted the pain and finished the burning critter.

Kyle died stoically, not making a sound, and Milana just closed her eyes.

“Was it like you expected?” –asked Kyle, smiling in his fully recovered armor and body.

“Yeah.” –said Milana, grinning while catching her breath, her chest still throbbing with the emotion.

“Didn't it hurt getting clawed?” –asked Kyle, eying Milana. Of course, she had been completely cured and her armor mended when she respawned.

“It did, but not unbearably so.” –answered Milana, still breathing heavily. –“I think I'm starting to understand Angela.”

“Don't become a battle junkie like her, please.” –said Kyle, feighing reproach. –“That would be really unladylike.”

“See, complaining again.” –said Milana, playfully. –“Surely your next girl will be a fluffy, squealing little princess.”

“Maybe...” –said Kyle, thoughful. –“You did squeal, though.”

“I didn't.” –quickly denied Milana.

“You did.” –reaffirmed Kyle, smirking.

“You tried to cover it up, but I heard it.”

“Hello...” –said Angela, tentatively extending her hand towards Milana.

“Hello!” –exclaimed Milana, smiling while taking the outstreched hand firmly in her own. –“I'm not that delicate. Even Kyle's always complaining about my lack of girliness.”

Kyle had logged out after the exp date, logging in again after ten minutes with Angela in tow.

“Hahaha.” –laughed Angela. –“Don't mind his nagging; he positively adores you.”

“Angela...” –started Kyle, blushing furiously.

“Today he spent all lunch break complaining about this other mage girl he exp dated with.” –added Angela with an impish grin.

“Really?!”

“I was wondering, being a tank you are always getting hit, don't you?” –asked Milana, after finishing the last goblin of the patrol they found on the way.

“Yeah, that's how it usually works out.” –answered Kyle while dislodging his spear from a scrap of leather armor.

The path towards the One-eyed Summoner was like a walk in the park, the party members chatting and laughing as they dispatched the mobs in their way. Angela, still at level 19, was the squishiest of the group, but she didn't mind getting a little roughed up.

“Doesn't it hurt?” –asked Milana, worriedly. –“When the otterfly got me before, my chest felt like it was being zapped.”

“That must have sucked.” –said Kyle, raising his eyes to look at Milana. –“The simulated pain level in VC depends on the percentage of your hit points suffered. I get hit constantly, but the damage is really small compared with my HPs.”

“Therefore, he really isn't that selfless.” –added Angela, smiling. –“Anyway, the pain ceiling of this game is probably close to what you described; I can barely notice it anymore.”

“Unreal.” –whispered Milana, while looking at Angela's 'dance' with the One-eyed Summoner.

Kyle and Milana were sitting on the floor, watching Angela go at the boss. They had finished the normal mobs early but they wouldn't dare to interrupt their duel.

“She hasn't been hit yet.” –whispered back Kyle, watching with admiration.

Angela kept twisting and turning, whirling and slashing; she could feel exactly how long were her limbs and the precise time it would take to move them from one point to the next. That was what the top VRMMORPG players called 'complete body synchronization', and what she could never achieve with her old character.

The cat-girl kept at it for a few minutes that seemed to stretch into hours; her mind completely focused in anticipating each of the boss's movements. A final slash did it and the One-eyed Summoner dissapeared in a flash of light. Milana and Kyle started to clap; Angela's HP bar still at a hundred percent.

“Congratulations, that was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!” –exclaimed Milana, before noticing that Angela had started crying in her place.