" I am my worst enemy "
Laika takes my hand and guides me through the city. With her beside me, this new world feels less intimidating. I feel genuinely good, even though my mind is still full of questions. Is she a Former? But what does that really mean? Perhaps it's some kind of "class" in this strange video game.
I look at her, and her reassuring presence comforts me. She seems to know exactly what to do.
We walk along crowded sidewalks, passing countless shops with illuminated windows. The lights are immense, dazzling, and colorful, bringing a city that never sleeps to life. We traverse streets bustling with people of all kinds, immersed in their digital lives.
Finally, we turn into a quieter side street.
There are only two parked cars, and Laika points out a doorway on our left, under the sign of a scooter shop. The sign flashes with bright colors, but the alley is quiet, almost a refuge from the noise of the main city.
"Hurry up, Neko" exclaimed Laika with a radiant smile.
"Yes, Miah! Here's the door, entirely made of steel..."
Laika placed her hand on a glass panel next to the door and spoke her name. With a hiss, the door opened.
"Wow" I exclaimed, surprised by the technology unfolding before my eyes.
"And you haven't seen anything yet" Laika teased with a playful smirk.
We entered. The entrance was a foyer leading to several corridors.
We turned right into the first corridor, and after a few meters, we stood before a door of intense blue color, without a handle.
"This is our destination" announced Laika, pointing to the door.
"This is where you'll begin to learn more about this world."
I approached the door with curiosity. I saw no obvious way to open it.
"How do you open this door?" I asked, looking at Laika.
She smiled. "Watch closely."
Without touching the door, Laika placed her hand on the smooth surface. A faint blue light emanated from her fingertips, illuminating the door from within. Slowly, the door silently opened, revealing a space beyond my imagination.
"Welcome to your next adventure" Laika said, inviting me to enter.
"Make yourself at home. How about I make you a nice cup of milk?" she suggests.
I look at her with sparkling eyes. "Would you happen to have lasagna too?"
She bursts into laughter, a contagious laugh that fills the room.
"If you want, I can make it for you tomorrow, we'll go shopping. Right now I don't have anything..." Laika explains.
"Oh... okay" I say with a sigh of disappointment. "Miah."
"I can give you some cookies... and milk. Tomorrow we'll make plenty of food" she suggests, trying to comfort me.
"Oh yes, food!" I respond enthusiastically, accepting with a nod.
While Laika heads to the kitchen, I relax for a moment. I close my eyes and...
ZZZzzzZZZZ...
"Nekooooooo, come on! It's ready!"
I'm awakened by Laika's words. I wake up a few minutes later and follow her to the kitchen.
Laika heads towards another room and says, "I'm going to take a shower! Go ahead to the kitchen! Then it's your turn."
I open another door and see this beautiful little kitchen.
Finally, I can eat! Miah.
With pleasure, I start enjoying the cookies that Laika offered me. They are truly delicious, a delight to the palate. A tear of joy runs down my face.
"THESE ARE THE BEST COOKIES. Thank you, world T.T" I exclaim, grateful for this small moment of comfort.
Shortly after finishing eating, Laika arrives and invites me to take a shower. I gladly accept and head to the bathroom, where I find spare clothes already prepared for me.
I slowly undress, letting the warm water flow over my skin. As I wash myself, my mind wanders. I still don't know why I am here and what I must do. I continue to feel a strange emptiness, a void that haunts me.
I soap up and then rinse off the foam. I step out of the shower, feeling refreshed and more focused.
After changing, I hear Laika calling me from another room. I join her and find her standing in front of a monitor, focused.
I look around and admire the surrounding environment. These rooms are incredible, as if built specifically for a futuristic world.
"What an amazing place" I comment, marveling at everything.
Laika turns to me with a smile. "Do you like it?" she asks, indicating the monitor. "We're about to start exploring and discovering more about NET."
I approach the monitor to see what it's showing, feeling increasingly drawn into this new and fascinating world unfolding before me.
Laika invites me to sit down, clearly determined to explain many things. "Sit down, Neko. I need to talk to you about a lot of things... and the most fundamental is finding your mask."
"My... mask?" I ask perplexed.
"Yes, tomorrow we're going to the Mask Maker, M-Ajira" Laika responds with determination. "Without a mask, you won't be able to access many structures and events. It's essential for your SKIN."
Do I need a mask to navigate this world? I can't fully grasp it. Indeed, so far I haven't seen many human faces around...
"But you, you have a human face. Why?" I ask, confused.
"Because only Formers and certain classes of PGs can retain the face of the human race" Laika explains with a slight grimace. "Here you'll find many species, some of which are completely unique. The human race is the one that gave rise to this world, which is why it's considered 'chosen'. As for me, I've been like this forever" she concludes with a wry smile.
"So... how old are you?" I try to ask.
"One does not ask a lady her age" Laika replies with a playful glare. "Anyway, I can't tell you how long I've existed, or how long all this has existed. These are questions that only a GM could answer correctly... For now, focus on completing your SKIN. Then we can start the main quest!"
"Alright... but there are many things that aren't clear to me..." I admit, still confused.
"First of all... are you a program? What are you?" I ask, trying to understand better.
"Virtualization has brought to life multiple worlds, races from across the universe, and infinite species" Laika answers, with a certain solemnity. "NET is not just a video game, it's 'the all after all'. Do you understand?"
"Yes, of course" I say, trying to process it all. "So it's a universe accessible only under certain conditions..."
"Exactly, but don't dwell too much on that" Laika gently interrupts. "You're here now, enjoy the story."
Smiling, she hugs me and adds, "Tomorrow we'll go to M-Ajira. Now go to bed, I'll show you your room."
Laika takes my hand and leads me to the last room of the apartment, the most colorful and welcoming of them all.
" Oyasumiii Neko "
" Goodnight Laika "
The bed is very comfortable, and I fall asleep immediately.
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