The City of Mac Anu

[Angelina (Risa/BlackRose)]

(((Sorry it's short, I guess so many writing reports took all my thinking away.)))

It was the same as always, sunny, perfect blue sky, but then again, what more could you expect on a game server? Apperantly, this large online game had become all the rage, and yet, that was not even close to the reason why BlackRose, otherwise known as Risa, played. She didn't play it to fit in with the crowd, she didn't play it to show off her skills, she simply played it because it was what her mother wanted, falling in love with the game as she played more and more often.

Then showed three rings, and coming out from the chaos gate, a pink-haired girl. She came with a smile on her face and nothing more than a kind look in her eyes. The edge punisher examined the city, only to wonder why, everything is almost always the same as yesterday. She loved to hang out around here, everything was always so busy and everyone was either going somewhere or just staying there. She for one, was going nowhere. She enjoyed entering random keywords, most of the time running away due to the cause of the monsters there being too high leveled. She chuckled as she recalled her memories.

She was bumped into by some stranger who just yelled at her and told her to watch where she was standing. Unfortunately, that stranger made her lose her balance and she fell to the ground. She didn't mind. Being the one who always brings the best out of people, she convinced herself to believe that it was her fault. She got up, dusted herself off and started walking into the town.

There, she had practically memorized the location of everything. Where the shops were, where people usually hung out, and a lot more. She had always walked around here in her spare time, and today was no different. She smiled at now familiar people, using the smile as a simple gesture of hello. She practically lived here now. She used it as her escape from the real world, with her mother in a coma, and she just liked the way the city was complex, with all of its programming and such, but yet so simple when compared to a real town. She had also loved nights here, being so beautiful and everything she aspired reality to be like. Of course, this would not come true, not in a million years.

[Syaoran Li]

Three rings appeared revealing Syaoran. His hair being ruffled by the wind and his eyes looking around the area. His was resting in his pockets meanwhile his sword was hung on his back. The laces went to his shoulders as he was walking. The wind also pushed it though as he walked along the road and against the breeze. He was wondered if there would be any rumors about a giant monster because that was how he remembered that Cubia look like.

Slowly he walked down the back slowly looking at everyone to see if he can spot any of his classmates that he knows of here. Unfortunately he didn't find any so once again he was going to play alone apparently. It was something he hated to do because it he really like to play with others and show off his skills by saving others when they are needed to be saved. Sure he can be clam but yet he can also be competitive and fight to become strong. Strong enough to destroy that monster so that he can destroy that monster that gave him that mental problem that he now have.

His eyes then caught sight of a girl though. She wore a really strange type of armor as it wasn't of any kind that he knows of. Still he looks at it anyway starring for a moment. She actually looks kind of cute, still it also look chibi at the same time for some reason. Maybe that's why it was cute to him, also though chibi isn't an option for appearance so that meant that she must have hacked somehow.

Then he quickly shook his head because he wanted to get out of it. It was just a game character the real person might be some old lady that is already married. He can't fall in love because of the character's appearance. Still maybe he can talk to her. He has to make sure that he doesn't look like he was all over her though even though he already wanted to meet her offline.

" Hello. " he said walking up to the girl his voice shaking a little out of anxiety because just by looking at her he already have a small crush on her. How stupid was that?

[Angelina (Risa/BlackRose)]

BlackRose was engrossed in her thoughts when all of a sudden, she was startled by a greeting. She literally jumped in shock. She turned around to see who it was, as she thought that it was most likely someone she knew. She examined him for a little bit, not really caring if he thought it was strange that she kept on staring at him. Brown hair, cocoa eyes, she thought for a little while, putting a out of the ordinary, yet cute, face on. She looked like she was deep in thought, while putting her finger on her chin was just the extra touch.

The girl then shook her head, but put on a smile anyway. "Hi! Do I happen to know you from somewhere?" she said, only to call herself dumb, as she already acknowledged that she didn't know him, but then again, she was known to be very forgetful. Not wanting to be rude, she put out her hand, signifying a handshake kind of gesture.

She then looked back at what he said. He had just said hello, right? Nothing like, I'm going to kill you and such. She then looked at him, checking out his facial expression. He seemed to be a little nervous, and it had also shown in his voice when he spoke to her.

She walked in circles around him, making sure that he wasn't going to surprise her with any weapon of death or anything. She decided nothing out of the ordinary and just let it go, but of course only after looking at his face again, making sure there was no sly smirk or anything. She nodded, showing that he was clear, but of course, he wouldn't know what the nod would mean.

[Syaoran Li]

Syaoran couldn't help but look at her strangely as she stared at him. Maybe she wasn't an old lady just maybe a six year old playing the game. Must be playing with her parents or something because she didn't seem to be mature or she was role playing that way. Sure he looked down on it but many people don't because they think it would just add more of the enjoyment into the game. For him though he rather be himself and make friends along with finding out how or why that monster caused him to have that younger self of him.

"Hi! Do I happen to know you from somewhere?"

Right after she said that the Edge Punisher started circling him which was strange because he wasn't used to it at all. Was she checking if he was a hacker? Most likely not if she is as old as he thinks she is. Maybe she was just looking because of his appearance as he kind of was studying her too. Then he finally notice something that he should have a while ago. There was no way she can be six! The appearance was too revealing for that.

" Uhmm, no this is our first meeting. " he said with his voice being calm. His avatar had a small smiling on his face because of the command option. It was pretty cool and also made the game seem more like a dream world rather than a game itself. A dream world that can also be ones of a nightmare. This world was great though but once he kills Cubia will there be a reason for his existence in this world? He only join to kill it and only does something when there is a reason for it.

" I'm Syaraon. " he said introducing himself as he gave her a small bow that is well done in Asian tradition. It was a usual tradition for respect so he upheld it because of his belief in it. Introducing one's self before asking for their name was also a tradition. " What's yours? "

[Angelina (Risa/BlackRose)]

BlackRose noticed nothing unusual about him, just shrugging the thought of him being a PK'er off. She then decided what her goal was for the day, to become friends with this boy. She liked to make new friends, regardless of what they may be in real life, or what they are in the game. She just liked having someone to talk and play with, after all, as long as they didn't know about what was going on in the real world, they wouldn't talk about it. It helps to clear her mind.

She then realized that he spoke up, by then , she had stopped giving him any looks or circling him. He had said something about it being their first time meeting? She was happy because of this. This meant a fresh start, a new friend to make, and she was right about them not ever meeting before. She replied to his answer to her question rather bluntly, just saying, "Ahh... I see. I suspected that." She didn't want to tell him exactly what she was thinking at the time they first met, as they had just met after all.

The edge punisher looked at the boy, reconizing a silence until it was broken by him introducing himself and a bow. " I'm Syaraon. " She was wondering why he needed to be so formal. After all, they might not even know each other in real life, but still, not wanting to make fun of him or anything she bowed too, then standing up and saying, "Nice to meet you Syaraon- san! My name is BlackRose... or at least in 'The World it is. Sorry, but I don't know you very well so I don't want to tell you my real name yet. But maybe if we get to be really good friends someday?!"

She smiled at him sweetly, looking very innocent. She honestly did want to be friends with him, but then again, she wants to be friends with everybody. He had some weird perk to him, something that told her that they were going to be actual friends. All these people in 'The World', most of them know her, but are just her acquaintances. Almost no one is her actual friend. She didn't want to release her sob story on a total stranger, though, so she kept it all to herself.

[Syaoran Li]

"Nice to meet you Syaraon- san! My name is BlackRose... or at least in 'The World it is. Sorry, but I don't know you very well so I don't want to tell you my real name yet. But maybe if we get to be really good friends someday?!"

Syaraon looked at her and smiled gently. So her name was Blackrose huh? Strange name since she didn't have any kind of a rose on her character nor was she dressed mainly in black at all. Did she just pick the name because it was the first thing that came into her head? Hmmm it was hard to tell because just the appearance of the character can be more deceiving then an actor doing his role.

Looking at her for a while bit longer he nodded. It was a strange thing to say at the end. Usually people wouldn't say that when they introduced themselves at all. Usually they would just talk about random things that have to do with real life but in this game you don't usually do that at all. Maybe it was because online it was considered a private thing. He didn't really know since he wasn't sure at all on what it meant in this online game.

" So you've been here long. " he asked not sure on what else to say because it was a little too quiet for him. Usually people would talk and he would simply say something back. In other words he usually doesn't start a conversation at all.

[Angelina (Risa/BlackRose)]

(((In this post, I reference to real life, with the song "Be Your Girl". You should know that song, right?)))

BlackRose was staring at the sky, just spacing out for the time. She looked highly interested, while in truth, she was deep in thought. The strange thing was that whenever this happened, she never knew exactly what she was even thinking about. It was strange. She didn't know why she did it, she just did. Her thoughts were interrupted by Syaoran's voice.

" So you've been here long. "

"Huh?" She shook her head, finally snapping out of her daydream. She glanced at the boy again, trying to figure out what he just said. Oh yes, asking her a question... had she really been there that long? A couple of months, rarely ever fighting? Is that really considered long? She shrugged, not knowing the answer to her own question.

"Well... actually no. I'm not entirely new, but I am still kinda new, ya know? Just a couple of months. What about you?" she said, as she put a questionable face on, making it look like she was going to be very interested in his answer when in truth, she didn't even know what he was going to say. She started humming along to a song that had gotten stuck in her head, "Be Your Girl". She had found this song awhile ago and really loved it, though promising herself that she would never feel like that.

She then looked around, curious if there was anything to do today. She, of course, was not going to leave him, but wondered how long the conversation would drag on. She wasn't used to it, the silent kind of conversation. She had always been in long, talkative conversations. Those were the ones that really broke her out of her shell.

"So, tell me more about yourself. Oh, or better yet, we'll play a game! Can we? Can we? I'll tell you what the game is, it's called "Icebreaker". It's for people who just met and want to get to know each other. Ok. Basically, we alternate between each other asking questions. We can ask about anything, and then, the other person has to answer. If they don't, then they lose, unless the other person refuses to answer the last question, got it?"

She smiled at him brightly and eagerly, hoping he would say yes. She was a very open person, confiding herself with anyone, and so, she almost always wins. She was now highly experienced at the game, learning all the tricks to fake people out, but wanting to be nice, she decided to use none of these tricks, but obviously, only if he said yes in the first place.

[Syaoran Li]

"Well... actually no. I'm not entirely new, but I am still kinda new, ya know? Just a couple of months. What about you?"

" I'm a little new here just played for three months. " Syaoran said plainly thinking for a moment. Three months and yet no sign of that monster that had caused this whole mess but yet gave him a meaning for his existence in this 'Twilight dream '. Hmph irony, to win something you must also loose something and that was part of his mind as it is now being held by his younger self. The one that he has still yet met.

Slowly he heard a small humming noise, even though her character wasn't really doing anything he can heart he player humming to a song. He couldn't tell what it was though but it sounded cheerful and girlish. Then again she was a girl so it only figured itself for that part.

The Blade brandier was about to ask her for her member address so that maybe she can help him in this strange dungeon that he found. It was ones of a hacker but he didn't know exactly what hacker it was but what was strange was that there were no monsters and riddles. He figured out some of them but others he has yet to answer.

"So, tell me more about yourself. Oh, or better yet, we'll play a game! Can we? Can we? I'll tell you what the game is, it's called "Icebreaker". It's for people who just met and want to get to know each other. Ok. Basically, we alternate between each other asking questions. We can ask about anything, and then, the other person has to answer. If they don't, then they lose, unless the other person refuses to answer the last question, got it?"

Syaoran looked at her for a moment and then nodded indicating that he will play the game. He waited for her to ask though since after all ' lady first '. It was simply more gentleman like and besides who knows maybe by understanding her he might know who she is in real life.

With a smile on his face he walked over to the fence where there was a river behind it. Leaning onto the fence he put his arms into his sleeves.

[Angelina (Risa/BlackRose)]

" I'm a little new here just played for three months. "

BlackRose tried to recall when she started playing exactly... three months was it? She couldn't remember. She was always known as forgetful and this was no exception. She could never remember anything, down to the last second, or even hour in that case. She had a problem with memorizing things, never being good with that kind of thing, in reality or in "The World". Even so, she managed to remember all the important things in life, but apparently, her brain didn't filter the time she first starting playing as 'important'. She glanced at the boy for a bit, she couldn't really tell that he was new by the appearance, but then again, you couldn't tell that she was level one from her appearance either, so it wasn't so surprising.

She shuffled through her memories, hoping that the date of her starting was still in her brain. She remembered the months part, but nothing else? How dumb was that? She didn't really like forgetting things, she just did. It was actually very strange. She remembered very little when it came to anything outside of school, friends, how to eat, and breathing. A strange specimen she was....

BlackRose's stare moved to someone who was a noob, or at least they really seemed like it from the way that they just walked. She was about to go help them, give them some pointers on 'The World', but then she realized a nod from Syaoran-san. Most likely a nod to her question about the game. She smiled at him pleasurably, happy that he said yes. She would start off with a simple question, why did he start playing?

She started jumping up and down, saying, "Yay! Yay! You want to play.... Umm, ok. Give me a second to think of a good question, ok?" She stared at the ground for a second, pretending to think of a question, just so it didn't seem like she was all prepared and an expert at this game. She then moved her stare to the fake blue sky, still pretending to think.

All of a sudden, Syaoran started to move so the girl followed. She then made a ding noise, like how you would see on television whenever someone came up with something and the light bulb appeared. Of course this was all an act, and she was hoping that he couldn't see through her ruse. She didn't lie to be mean, she lied to prevent him thinking that she was mean or cheating.

"Ok! Your first question: Why did you start playing "The World"? You don't have to tell me the whole story, just the basics."

[Syaoran Li]

"Ok! Your first question: Why did you start playing "The World"? You don't have to tell me the whole story, just the basics."

Syaoran in the real world flinched at that question but the character didn't move at all. Good thing that this wasn't real life or else he would be found out and that was one of the last thing he wanted to happen to him. No one is suppose to know that he had a small mental problem because of ' Cubia '. What is he suppose to say though? It has to be something convincing but yet normal. Also he had to think of his own questions so that he can ask her about it easily. Quickly and luckily one of them popped into his head so he simply smirked at it.

" To escape reality. I mean I don't fit in that world I fit in this dream instead. " he said calmly as possible. Acting one of his greater skills in life because he has been practicing it many times hiding the fact that he was an experiment for the newest and lost epitaph. Stupid epitaphs, if only they never exist though so that the incident would never happen to him.

With a small smile on his face he turned away from her for a bit to look at his reflection. It looks so real especially when he based his character on his own appearance. Hmph escaping from the real world, yeah that somewhat fits him because in here he can never act like some strange kid acting way too young for his age. No, he wasn't like that at all now that is.

" Okay your turn. What's you favorite food. " he said also making it it simple. He wanted to know more about her and not her character. Sure it was in a hurry but still he wanted to find out so that he can one day see her in real life and welcome her to his real home in his real body and existence. ' Existence ' such a strange word in both worlds because it can inly stay for so long.

" Oh by the way later on can you help me in a dungeon or field? I can't really tell what it is. " he said as he jumped onto the edge with his face turned away from her because of embarrassment. It was strange for him to not know the difference between a dungeon or field but it was because it had the aspect of both and also the mission for it was to defeat the boss but there isn't any.

" Who knows maybe we can train together. "

[Angelina (Risa/BlackRose)]

" To escape reality. I mean I don't fit in that world I fit in this dream instead. "

BlackRose was shocked at his reason, it seemed to be exactly like hers. Or really her secondary one, but still, it was amazing. Questions popped into her head like why he wanted to escape reality, but she didn't want to be that rude, so she decided not to ask that. If she were asked that question, she would have to really trust that person to actually tell them the truth. And it's not that she doesn't trust him, but more of that she doesn't want to pull out some big sad story on someone who had just met her. She would tell him, but in a way, she was also afraid. Afraid to cry. All this time, she had never talked about it so she never cried over it, but if she actually had to tell the story, she would burst into tears.

She wouldn't lie to him though, she just wouldn't tell him all of the story. She just spoke in a soft voice, saying, "Me too. I use this as my escape from reality." She made it so only he could hear, no one else, already trusting this boy with something she never told anyone. When she spoke, you could hear her voice crack from sadness, but thank god he couldn't see her in the real world, where she was on the verge of breaking down. She smiled at him, hoping that he wouldn't notice that something was wrong.

" Okay your turn. What's you favorite food. "

BlackRose looked up, glad for the sudden change of topic. It meant that she wouldn't have to talk about anything hurtful for the moment. Finally giving herself time to think about the question, she came up with her answer. She gave it one last thought and came to a conclusion. "Even though I'm Japanese, I like a lot of other Asian foods. I'm not so crazy about sushi though.... and oh yeah, I'm part vegetarian. I will not eat pig. Otherwise, I eat meat. Don't call me crazy, but I just can't eat a pig. I love them.... sorry if I creep you out or anything." She shot a apologetic smile at him, honestly hoping he didn't think she was crazy.

" Oh by the way later on can you help me in a dungeon or field? I can't really tell what it is. "

BlackRose was surprised at the boy asking for her help. She basically thought of herself of useless for almost anything and everything. She didn't put herself down or anything, but she was fully aware that she had no abilities that were special about her. She knew that there was no way that she was going to be able to help, but wanted to give it a shot anyway.

"Sure, I'll help you. I don't know if I'll be of much use though, sorry if I can't help." She looked at their relfections in the phony water, it looked too real, too good to be true. She knew that in the real world, there were wars and everything, but here, you could have it either way. She enjoyed the peace.

" Who knows maybe we can train together. "

BlackRose looked up from the reflections, chuckling lightly under her breath. He actually thought that she could fight? Or that she was of any use? She didn't want to be in a party with him and then end up getting EXP from doing nothing. She couldn't fight, all she could do is be protected. Still, she liked Syaoran, he was nice and was actually very good at "Icebreaker". She nodded in agreement, then stating "I'll be looking forward to it."

[Syaoran Li]

"Me too. I use this as my escape from reality."

On the log the recorded words were green meaning that she was whispering to him. No one can hear them except for the staffs who would read the logs. Slowly he walked up to her and since they were about the same height he was able to do it. Slowly he raised his hands and lay it on her head. It was the sentimental part of his personality of who he is. This game of 'Icebreaker' looks like it can be a painful game to some people like her. Maybe that was the reason why one usually don't ask about a person about reality because unlike this dream it is reality where you can be crushed. Crushed by your sins, your friends and just simply your own doubts.

" It's okay. " he said forming a gentle smile on his face. He didn't want to hug her because it wouldn't be right. Beside it wouldn't have been like a real hug. He wouldn't be hugging her, no he would be hugging the character instead. It wasn't real which is what makes a 'dream' a 'dream'. Still if only he knew her in real life he would hug her right now to try ton comfort her. Soon though she either modified her voice and has gotten over it she answered his question.

"Even though I'm Japanese, I like a lot of other Asian foods. I'm not so crazy about sushi though.... and oh yeah, I'm part vegetarian. I will not eat pig. Otherwise, I eat meat. Don't call me crazy, but I just can't eat a pig. I love them.... sorry if I creep you out or anything."

The blade braindier couldn't help but laugh at that. Can't eat pork huh? Was she really Asian? It was hard to tell since pig was one of the biggest thing in Asia and sometimes Japan but that was not so much as it was with fish. Good thing it wasn't real like or else he would have fall and it wouldn't be his character that gets wet but himself. Who knows maybe he had found out that in this dream there are benefits and flaws.

"Sure, I'll help you. I don't know if I'll be of much use though, sorry if I can't help."

" It's okay. It doesn't really matter if you don't help that much. It's better than nothing after all. " he said as his avatar clutched onto the handlebar hard as if he didn't want to fall. He didn't know why but it was like an instinct he simply didn't want to let go at all.

"I'll be looking forward to it."

" Good then lets start now. " he said as he gave her his member address. While waiting he said " Lets combine our dreams together. "

[Angelina (Risa/BlackRose)]

" It's okay. "

BlackRose looked up at him, smiling back. She had never met a boy so kind before. Men that she knew were usually the ones that joke around a lot, able to make her laugh, but none were sweet, gentle and caring. She felt a lot better thanks to him. She turned off the whisper feature and said "Thank You. You really are a nice guy. The girls must be all over you in school. By the way, that's your next question. You have any 'special friends'?"

Taking her chances, really quickly, she gave him a quick light hug. She knew it didn't really mean anything but it was her own way of saying thanks. Now all she had to do was pray that he didn't ask about her family or anything like that, and she was safe. She did the exact opposite of what she had meant to do, instead of keeping him out, she dragged him in. Great.

Then she noticed that he started laughing at her answer. She jokingly pouted, then as light as she could, punched him, making sure he didn't fall off or lose any hit points. "You know, that's not very nice. And how can you eat a cute little piggy? They never did anything to you.... except fill up your stomach. You are really mean, after I said you were really nice and stuff...."

She then started laughing too. She didn't really know why. She wasn't laughing at herself, she was just laughing. She liked anyone who could make her smile, but this was strange. It was for no apparent reason. Then she wanted to push him off, as revenge, and make him fall in the water, but her good will just had to get in the way. She decided not to.

" It's okay. It doesn't really matter if you don't help that much. It's better than nothing after all. "

She lightly smiled at him, saying thanks once again. Finally, someone who had appreciated her even though she had no skills. She had really come to like this boy, but then started to wonder about him in reality. Was he older or younger than her? He sounded a lot older from his replies. She didn't mind older or younger people as friends, as long as they were good friends.

" Good then lets start now. "

She nodded in agreement. She wanted to go to this dungeon/field thing. It sounded interesting. She liked interesting, it gave her something to do and wonder over, as if her mind wasn't already curious enough. She gave him her member address, cross-examining his. 007.009.013. All odd numbers, pretty easy to remember. Hers? It was 011.011.011. Eleven had been her favorite number since who knows when and so she loved her member address.

"Lets combine our dreams together. "

BlackRose started laughing at this, thinking it was a little cheesy for her taste. She knew he was trying to be nice and all, but wasn't that going too far? "Umm...I know that you are just trying to be kind, but wasn't that a little ya know... out there in the land of cheese? Ya catch my drift?" She smiled at him, showing that she was joking, not trying to be mean, just joking.

[Syaoran Li]

"You know, that's not very nice. And how can you eat a cute little piggy? They never did anything to you.... except fill up your stomach. You are really mean, after I said you were really nice and stuff...."

Syaoran was glad that it wasn't a question for the game because he didn't want to remember that experience. One time when he ate pork it gave him a huge stomach ache. Now he eats them as revenge. It was something that he held onto even though there isn't a good reason why. It simply became a habit that he couldn't stop at all so it was very strange.

Soon a box appeared saying ' you receive Blackrose's member address. .011.011.011. ' All elevens huh? Strange number choice but oh well it didn't matter since it didn't effect the game that much. Then he quickly on the part button to open up the part selection. Usually they'll be three boxes but for him there were twenty and that was just for now he can edit it whenever he wants so the limit of a party never matter for him at all.

Then slowly he started to walk away from her and towards the chaos gate where he had appeared from. Now what were those keywords again? Oh yeah ' Reversing Mirror Shadow '. It was strange keywords that didn't exist in the game but he was able to get his hands on them. It was a great thing to try because how else can you explore. Besides the game boundary didn't have enough missions so why not try some hacked ones right?Good thing that his character was well protected too so that no hackers can delete him but still admins can easily delete him like any other players.

Adding her into the party, her status bad appeared right next to his at the bottom. With a smile on his face he clicked on the chaos gate and typed in the keywords. It wasn't in the chaos gate so he had to hack into it so that it would let the two enter that area. It wasn't a protected area like the olden days that people talked about it. No it was more of a hidden one.

Soon though as he clicked enter three rings that left him there came up to pick him along with his party member to go to the area.

{End Topic}