by J E Mueller
“Can I help you, Your Majesty?” A guy asked me rather timidly.
“I’m looking for a friend,” I admitted.
“Oh, of course. What is their name and I’ll help you find them,” he replied with forced enthusiasm.
“No worries.” I tried to give a charming smile. “I’m sure I’ll find her. Don’t mind me.”
Accepting he had done enough, the guy dismissed himself and left me alone. He was probably ready to clean up and go home. It occurred to me this was a fairly stupid plan. I should have thought about it earlier.
“ReyWraith?” I heard a confused voice say from behind me.
I turned to see a rather short and petite girl with blonde hair pulled back into a tight bun.
“Mouse?” I asked unsure if I recognized her. The voice seemed close.
She smirked. “What’s up? I thought you’d be too busy.”
“I probably should be, but I am camera-ed out.” I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but for someone who liked to tank and DPS, this wasn’t it.
“Fair, over this way.” She waved for me to follow. Mouse quickly led me to a small back room that looked like a combination of an office and storage room. “Is something wrong? I’m actually surprised you came looking for me.”
“I’m still more surprised you didn’t say anything in reply to who I was with this event.”
Mouse shrugged. “Oath said forever ago he was friends with the Prince. I didn’t believe him but it all made sense when you finally said that. Guess he won that argument.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t know what’s better. Oath trying to convince people he knows me, or people not believing him.”
Mouse shook her head. “Both. Anyway, I’m not sure how to refer to you outside of the guild. I assume you would rather be a normal level grinding slave in the game, but the real world is a bit different.”
At least I didn’t have to explain that. “Overall probably as you would expect. I’m sure you would rather avoid the media latching onto you as my friend.”
“Ugh, yeah. True. Well, Your Highness, It was nice meeting you.” She gave a small smile. “Sadly, I have a bunch of things to do before my team can get out of here and I don’t want to leave it all for the others.”
“Of course. Just thought I’d actually try and say hi.” I nodded and started to head back out. “At least you’re not covered in wine.”
“Thank all that is good.” She sighed then laughed. “Of course, that would be a thing I say in chat and not want someone important to know.” Mouse was more amused than anything else.
“Just imagine other conversations. People will rant about anything if they don’t know who you are.” I waved and left her to get her things done.
It didn’t take more than a few seconds of being on the main floor for Mother to find me.
“Where did you disappear to?” She asked tiredly. “We’ve got a few more things to do and another paper needs a picture.”
I gave a shrug, but decided to be honest. “Turns out a guildmate was at this event and I went to say hi to her.”
Mother perked up at that final word. “Oh, someone you’re close to?”
Her interest was too easy to see and I couldn’t help but sigh. “Not really. She’s newer to the guild. A friend of James.”
“Oh, James. He hasn’t been around in a while. How is he doing these days?” Mother asked, not letting the conversation go.
“Well. Work’s been busy but he’s getting some time off for the horror dance.” I replied with as straight of a face as I could muster.
“The horror dance?” Mother asked with reluctant confusion.
“You know, the event you’re hosting in another four weeks.” I smiled widely and before she could say another word I motioned to the group coming toward us. “Ah, this must be for the paper.”
She turned just in time and met them with a well-practiced smile.
Once everything was done, finally, I was able to slip away. The best way to escape a nutty situation, in my opinion, was a good old magic trick. In this case, I used an enchanted pair of sunglasses that distorted my look. The look always varied slightly. It would either darken or lighten my hair, and alter my height. Which was more than enough to avoid media, cameras, and in most cases, people at parties you didn’t want to run into.
I headed outside and decided to see if there were any coffee shops close by. As my phone pulled up the results, I paused and took in my surroundings. This wasn’t really the downtown area, but it was close enough that people called it that since it had a similar look and feel. Little shops were scattered everywhere and bigger chain places were sprinkled throughout. While cars breezed by on the street, there was a much larger abundance of walkers and bicyclists. Near the end of the block, I noticed Mouse waiting near the bus stop. She was focused on her phone and had her headphones in.
Taking a guess, I logged into the group chat and sent her a DM.
ReyWraith: Still waiting?
SkepticalMouse: Yeah, the bus isn’t for another twenty it looks like. At least it’s nice out.
ReyWraith: I’m grabbing a coffee, want to join?
SkepticalMouse: Nah, I’m broke. Didn’t you say something about the media being a butt anyway?
ReyWraith: Enchanted sunglasses. I get to be your average Joe. At least for another twenty hours or so. These things only last so long. So coffee? My treat?
Mouse looked around, realizing she might be near me and not being able to tell. I gave her a wave and she headed over.
“Nice trick. Enchantments are so much fun. What are they made from?” Mouse seemed extra excited about this.
“Um, I think crystal and maybe essence of... something.” I shrugged, not remembering. I had no skills for enchanting and was just happy enough with the simple black frames.
“Something?” She laughed. “I’d say probably Glitterwort if the illusion changes, or Drakeroot if it stays consistent.”
“You do enchanting?” It took a lot of skill to master.
“When I can. There’s so much fun stuff to be had... and it’s how I afforded my gaming rig.” She smirked proudly. “But materials can suck to get and I need to keep up the family job for consistent pay, so here I am.”
“That does have me curious. If it’s the family job, isn’t there a work van? I’m surprised you’re stuck taking the bus.”
“Of course I am. The favorite child gets full use of the work van.” She rolled her eyes. “But that’s neither here nor there and sob stories don’t get anyone coffee.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “True. It says McBeans and Tea is the closest. Shall we? My treat for dragging you along.”
“Nah, not there. Dragons Roast is a bit further away, but is well worth the extra walk. I don’t need anything, but I am curious if you have any other enchanted things on you? I love seeing enchanted tech.”
“Nah, I don’t today. Lead on to this better coffee shop. Did you go to school for enchanting?” I asked as Mouse started to lead the way.
“Oh, yeah.” Mouse shrugged.
“Where at?” She seemed hesitant to answer.
Finally, Mouse sighed. “I attended Lakewood National. And yes, I was good. I graduated last year. The biggest problem I ran into is that most internships I could get into were unpaid. Living isn’t free, so here I am.”
I was impressed. That was one of the best enchanting schools – not just in the area, but on the continent. “That sucks. Mom and Dad wouldn’t let you stay at home instead?”
“For the low, low price of $500 a month. Includes utilities. Can’t do any better than that around here. Step mom is hard to work with, but my mom passed while I was finished college so...” She shrugged it off. “Anyway, enough about my boring life. What’s our favorite healer do in their free time?”
I smirked at the guild reference, more than okay with Mouse wanting to shrug off an uncomfortable subject. “The usual. Argue with the parents. Pretend to care about importa
nt sounding stuff. Actually research the real important stuff. Read a lot of boring papers, try and read some fun stuff... Ummm I don’t know. Stuff?”
Mouse laughed. “If I had a better response I’d make you try that answer again, but stuff really does sum up all the dull and drab going on currently. At least we’re finally progressing through the game. We should make it to the end of current material before the first expansion hits.”
We chatted about the game and our guild as we made our way to the coffee shop. The nice weather made the walk easy, and before I knew it, we had arrived. Mouse led the way in and when I stared blankly at the menu, she recommended a few drinks. After more than a few moments of staring at the menu, I finally ordered a basic mocha and Mouse accepted a hot chocolate. With drinks in hand, we took a seat in the lobby.
“You know, I still haven’t asked your real name.”
“Catara, or Cat for short is fine.”
I couldn’t help but be amused. “So from Cat to Mouse?”
She rolled her eyes. “Ha ha ha. Mouse is actually a childhood nickname. I was always so quiet my mom and dad would accidentally lose track of me. My stepmother hates the nickname so I kind of ended up using it for everything. Slightly more creative than ReyWraith at least.”
“Hey, that’s amazingly creative. Somehow not everyone knows what a wraith even is.”
“Those poor fools.” Cat shook her head. “So are you looking forward to the raid tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’m just ticked that soon I’ll be too busy for me to do much more in game.” I sighed.
“Because of that ludicrous ball?” Cat asked knowingly as she sipped her drink.
“You know it. Didn’t even want the stupid thing and I get to help make sure ‘it’s the perfect vision’ or some junk. Mother is more than thrilled about it all.”
“Eh, as lame as it is, at least she’s trying to make you happy. Not in the most productive way, but she cares.”
I nodded. Cat was right, but damn, why a ball? Mother needed to do things in a far better, and less controlling way. “Are you going to go?”
“Nah, I doubt I’ll have time to get a good outfit together and I’m behind on the projects I promised to get done. Getting enchanting materials is just so draining.”
“What are you missing?” I was genuinely curious. There were so many weird things needed to make magic work.
“I need several dragonsblood flowers. Getting them is a twenty minute drive, a long walk through the woods, and as you see my transportation situation is sketchy at best. Not to mention more crystals, but there are a dozen shops around town for that. I just need more time to get some.” She looked thoughtful as she sipped her drink for a moment. “I think after that I’m just missing some jade shavings and that’s it.”
I thought for a moment. “What about a trade?”
“A trade?” She didn’t seem to like the idea.
“In game I need a stupid amount of materials for armor. Help with that and I can give you a ride for your flowers.”
Cat perked up a bit. “That’s way too easy of a trade. I’ve been grinding those stupid side quests for ages now. I probably have most of the stuff you need.”
“Perfect. Less work for me, then.”
“But that’s hardly fair. Game stuff is time sure, but gas is money.”
“Which I have, but time not so much, so yeah, that seems fair to me.” I argued back effortlessly.
She eyed me for a moment before nodding. “I guess that is true.”
“It’ll be kind of fun to go questing in real life, so to speak,” I mused. Helping the guild in real life was rarely a thing, so this sounded fun.
Cat laughed at the idea. “Only in game is nicer since it involves a lot less dirt.”
“Oh well. It’ll be a fun break. When did you have time this week? I’ll need something else to do before the week is over. Mother is going to drive me mad.”
“Know that feeling too well.” Cat thought for a few moments. “I think Tuesday I’m free in the afternoon.”
I pulled out my phone and glanced at the family calendar and my calendar. “Nothing important going on then so that’ll work.”
“Nothing important?” She asked skeptically.
“It’s deciding on cake flavors. Which as cool as that is...” I shrugged. “I’m sure my mother can handle that alone, and ultimately she’d be making the decision anyway.”
“So she’ll just let you off the hook?”
“Normally, probably not, but if she hears I’m hanging out with someone new instead of the same three people I normally do, she’ll be all for it.” Yep, we all knew that was true. “She is just so insistent on me spending time with someone, anyone new who could potentially be ‘the one’ that she’ll let it slide.”
Cat covered her mouth as she tried not to spit the hot chocolate she was drinking. “Sounds like my family. I don’t get this relationship crazy mentality. If it happens, great, but forcing it and stressing over it is just so lame.”
“Exactly! So I’ll just use this to my advantage.” I took a long drink of my coffee.
Cat snickered in amusement. “Sure, why not.” She glanced at her phone. “Ah shoot, we better hurry back if I’m ever going to catch that bus.”
“Or I could just drive you back?” I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that sooner.
“Oh... yeah, I guess that does work.” She nodded. “Shall we casually head back, then? I need to get a few things done at home before we game tonight.”
“Sure, I probably do too.” With that, we left.
3
Quickly, much too soon at that, it was Tuesday. My weekend had less gaming than I had wanted, but at least I was correct about how getting out of cake plans would go. Mother tried to imply it was more than it was, and try as I could to argue it, she still one hundred percent believed there might be something there. I wasn’t quickly attracted to people, and mother always seemed to forget that.
On a much better note, it seemed most of the guild would be able to make it to the ball, and I wouldn’t be stuck completely alone in a sea of strangers. James (BloodOath) and Eogan (GrimKnight) were for sure going to be there. The weekend raiders Natasha (DarknessKiss) and Kedar (NeonGoblin) were still unsure, but had costumes ready from conventions earlier in the year.
As a convention regular, so did I. Mother did create a stipulation that my face couldn’t be covered by a mask, so I went with the assassin cosplay I already had. It still looked amazing, and if I wanted to, the hood could be up. She hadn’t outright banned that, at least.
Cat and I ended up meeting at a coffee shop near where she worked. When I entered, I saw that she wasn’t kidding – it was a tiny shop. The counter to order and make coffee at was half the store and only a handful of tables and chairs could fit in the remaining space. I quickly found her at a table with a notebook open and backpack lying next to her drink on the table.
“Mouse.” I greeted so she’d know exactly who I was.
“Wraith.” She smirked but didn’t look up from what she was reading.
“Just about ready, then?”
Cat nodded and finally looked up. “It looks like I’ll just need five good plants, but if we can find a few more I’ll be set for future projects. In theory. Some things require fresher ingredients.” She shrugged. “Going to grab a drink before we go?”
I shook my head. “I’m good if you are.”
Cat shoved her notebook into the backpack and stood up before throwing it over her shoulders. “Sure, let’s do this.”
Once we were in the car she started talking again. “I’m probably the worst citizen ever.” She laughed.
“Why is that?” I wasn’t sure what she could mean, but started heading toward the park she had told me about earlier.
“So, I could have just been lame and admitted I don’t remember anything about you from what we’ve learned about our government, but instead I thought it would be more fun to see what the internet had to say
.”
“I’m scared.” I laughed. The internet was such a mix of facts and trash it was hard to say what she found. Every now and then I did look up myself, though I learned from past experiences to stay away from any fanfic.
“Oh, you should be.” She chuckled. “Did you know there’s fanfic about you?”
“I don’t even want to know.” I sighed, trying to concentrate on the road rather than whatever horrors could be out there. Of course, she found that trash.
“You have no idea how right you are.” She laughed a little more before continuing. “It was a fun adventure though, not going to lie. I do have a question. The internet could not seem to agree on what magical abilities you have. Everyone knows they are there, but even the main sources say undisclosed.”
“It’s all undisclosed as a protective measure, but it’s not like it’s really hidden.” I shrugged, not sure why anyone bothered with that. “Actually, most of it you can’t really tell. I am a healer in real life and not just in game, and well, when is that going to come up in most normal day to day stuff?” I smirked, but kept my attention straight ahead. “I am pretty limited to that class of magic though. I can use wards to absorb magical attacks and I can create shields that protect against magic, but not against physical attacks. Aside from that, I can communicate with animals, so that’s why there’s usually a billion pictures of me online with animals.”
“It doesn’t help your family owns kennels.” Cat pointed out.
“True. I do love helping with the charity kennels we run, and the bull mastiffs we breed.” I couldn’t help but smile proudly. I really just loved animals.
“Sounds like it.” I couldn’t tell from her tone what she was thinking.
“Do you like animals?” I asked after a few moments of silence.
“I do. We used to have a boxer when I was younger, but my step-mom hates most animals so now that’s not a thing. Maybe when I can move out.” I could see her shrug from my peripheral.
“That sucks. Animals aren’t for everyone, but that’s sad to hear.” I wasn’t sure what to say for another moment. “What about you? What amazing magical talents do you have hidden up your sleeves.”
