THE MOMENT
"You wanted to see me, Commander?" Penelope stood at attention in front of the Commander's desk. The commander smiled; but, she shook her head.
"It's been a month since you joined us," the tall, olive-skinned woman said. "How much longer until you start using my name like everyone else?"
"Sorry," Penelope said. All the NPCs she'd met had been quite friendly so far. But, Penelope felt that using the Commander's name was inappropriate; and, it broke immersion for her. Although, she seemed to be somewhat insistent. Penelope considered that it might open more dialogue options down the line and opted to start. "You wanted to see me, Minerva?"
"That's better," Minerva smiled. "You were new to the AlterNet when you joined us; but, your smithing skills have become invaluable to the alliance. And, I'd like to think we've become friends."
"We have!" Penelope said. She was glad she chose to use Minerva's name after all. Obviously, it opened up a new conversation.
"I'm glad you agree," Minerva said. "And, I feel like over the next month that friendship will continue to grow. This is why I wanted to take a moment and personally invite you to my wedding next month; instead of doing it at the last minute."
"A wedding?!" Penelope was surprised. She had no idea that kind of event existed. It made her wonder what else she didn't know about the game. "I'd love to!" She enjoyed weddings in real life and was curious to see what the game version was like. But, she heard her session alarm ding in her ear; she had to start getting ready for work. "See you!" She summoned her slate to log out and waved at Minerva.
"Wait...," The tall woman started to say something as the world disappeared around Penelope. She opened her eyes and sat up in the earthen hole. Her connection to the Alternet was a grave-sized ditch dug into a plot of soil. According to the lore of the game, she was visiting other Earths.
[Everything okay? -Mnrva] The Whisper startled Penelope when she felt it on her wrist. She heard Minerva's voice clearly; but, that was only in the game. She was too confused to answer. How was an NPC contacting her? How did the Whispers even work out of the game? Penelope took a look around her room to make sure she was back home.
Everything looked like she expected; but, another Whisper from Minerva came through. This one was more urgent because Penelope took too long to reply.
[I'm coming over. - Mnrva]
"What?" Penelope was completely baffled. As soon as she uttered her confusion, a black portal opened in front of her. Minerva stepped out while looking around the room.
"Are you okay?" she asked when she finally focused on Penelope. "You left kind of suddenly, then you didn't answer."
"How...," Penelope crawled backward on her hands but hit the edge of the pit and froze. "...how are you here?? You're not real!"
"Pardon?" Minerva asked. She turned her back to Penelope for a moment and moved to the edge of the room to try and make her feel safer.
"You're from the AlterNet...," Penelope felt comfortable enough to continue asking questions. Minerva nodded.
"Yeah, so are you. That's where we met...," she said. Penelope shook her head.
"You're an NPC!"
"Oh," Minerva shook her head. "You don't have the character tags on, do you?"
"What?"
"I'm not an NPC," Minerva replied with a nod. "I'm another player, everyone at the base is," she said. "You can change it in the options."
"How... how did I not know??" Penelope was sure that Minerva was telling the truth. She had to be. The only other option was that an NPC was somehow standing in her house.
"We're really good at role-playing," Minerva smiled; then, she dropped a black card on the ground. It opened another portal.
"You left in a hurry, but it looks like you're safe. You just didn't know how rude you were being," she giggled. "By the way, I didn't get to tell you; the wedding is next month, on June 3rd."
Penelope felt comfortable enough to get on her feet. She dusted some of the soil from herself; but, she paused to tilt her head at Minerva.
"Next month? June 3rd was last week."
"June 3rd, SST. Sharp Standard Time," Minerva replied.
"Huh?" Penelope's mind was still trying to catch up.
"Server time," Minerva replied.
"Ohhhh, okay," Penelope nodded. That was something she could understand at least.
"By the way, it's a good idea to make sure you get all your options sorted out, especially the character tags," Minerva stepped one foot into the portal. "Some of the guests are easily offended."
"Oh, don't worry," Penelope nodded. "I'll check every single option; and, I won't make a scene."
"I'm not worried about that," Minerva smiled. She stepped over the portal completely and began to sink into it. "I just don't want anyone killing you."