I often wonder what it's like outside of The World. I wonder if I would enjoy meeting Elk in the world he knows, or whether he could survive and be happy if he traded places with his avatar. Sometimes, I even wonder what secrets I have yet to uncover here. It boggles the mind to see The World from the perspective of an actual inhabitant, not just as a player who lives here vicariously through their avatar. I breathe The World's air, I can smell such things as Aromatic Grass and strange, wonderful flowers, I taste healing potions, I feel it when monsters and Player Killers strike me...
There's not a single memory I can recall outside of The World, and I fear what it would be like if I had to explain it to Elk. Would he think less of me? Would he doubt the friendship we have? How can I explain to him that I'm not just an artifact of strange data coding, but a being with thoughts and feelings, like him? But what makes me so very sad is that he might never be able to meet me in person. For some reason, his avatar gives me such peace of mind; his appearance comforts me. The fact remains, however, that I want to meet him in person, give him a physical embrace, truly connect with him. Is that something I'll never experience?
I've gone and troubled myself with this monologue. I need to take a break.