.hack/FRAGMENT

Saya

version 16.0

Convince Me to Leave and Maybe I'll Stay

new topic posted 5.7.06

The dark-haired teenager flung herself onto her bed and became greatly annoyed when she bounced right back (admittedly, bounciness is a wonderful thing). She groaned and fell over onto the mattress, this time only bouncing centimeters, still managing to stay on the furniture rather than her feet. She played with the paper bracelet around her wrist, contemplating with only the slightest amusement, how she could get it off without scissors (if you've ever worn those hospital bracelets you'd understand, those things are built to last).

"Erika! Do you want anything to eat? Do you want to take a nap or something?" her adopted mother called from the bottom of the staircase at the same time as an annoying ring echoed inside her head.

"I'm fine!" the girl yelled back, focusing on the sound in her head to check her e-mail; that was what it was after all. It always gave her a headache afterwards, the sound not the checking her mail. Erika had been expecting another message from Koto, who had been contacting her most of all her friends these past few days (I just made it sound like I don't have a life, didn't I…contrary to popular belief, I actually do).

So, she was surprised to find a message, not from Koto, but from another outcast of 'The World': Death.

Not feeling like getting up and logging in through her computer, Erika simply closed her eyes and entered the game from where she lay on her bed. As she opened her eyes in the bustling city of Mac Anu, just as a gondola passed beneath her under the bridge, she looked around. This was where she wanted to be. Not that other place. What was the point in going back?

She caught sight of her friend out of the corner of her eye but ignored him and disappeared into the crowd. Something in the back of Erika's mind made her feel guilty (see, that's why I worked so hard to get rid of my conscience long ago…it's such a nuisance, really), but she ignored it (I have taught her well) and maintained her place in the crowd.

The girl had no idea how much time she had passed in 'The World', traveling from root town to root town, from area to area. Leveling up, relaxing, and best of all, she was not constantly being hassled by her 'parents' about her health. There were no constant hospital trips, nothing. But, she did realize that a great deal of time had passed (as to where she slept at night, I know you people are curious because I was too when I found out about all this, she somehow got the money to rent an apartment!). Despite the fact that time ran differently in the game than outside of it, a day was still counted in twenty four hour periods, at least in the root towns. Everywhere else, time was completely disregarded.

A few days later, Erika was arguing with the NPC (non-player character, in this case the scary, kind of annoying, generic shopkeeper) over the price and quality of a pair of blades she was thinking of buying (people usually can't haggle, but because Erika's got that freaky connection thing with the game, somehow she can do it). "Listen, that's way too much for these swords. They aren't nearly good enough quality, I could stock up on all my other supplies with the price you're asking for these things! Come on, you can afford to lower it…"

"Of course he can," the white-haired girl jumped as the voice from behind her sent shivers down her spine. She knew who it was, and she knew that tone of voice.

Erika grinned as she turned around to greet her friend, "Death, long time no see!" she exclaimed, pretending as if it had been the fault of some freak incident IRL rather than her avoiding him in the game.

The Player Killer raised an eyebrow (something that seriously annoys me for the simple reason that I still can't do it!) and placed his hands on his hips. "It wouldn't have been such a long time if you had returned my messages."

"I've been busy!" In a way, she had. Busy beating up monsters in 'The World,' busy raising Grunties, busy trying to get her rent for that stupid apartment (though I can't understand how she got it in the first place)…very busy indeed.

Erika tried to lose him as she weaved her way through the busy streets, this being one of the busiest servers, and especially at this time of day. Unfortunately, it didn't work (hello…Player Killer, he tracks people…that's what he does, please don't tell me you forgot that). "You worried me," (I think I'm going to have a heart-attack, Mr. Ruthless-Player-Killer worried about another person's well-being?), "you've always returned my messages when I sent them before, what's up?"

The truth was, Death was the only one she had not been in contact with. All her other friends in 'The World' had spoken with her at least once since that day a week or so ago that she decided to stay in the game. Was there some reason she had been purposely avoiding him? No, of course not, it wasn't like she held any grudge against him or anything (oh, but I sure do!). "Nothing, alright?" Erika snapped, "I'm fine!"

The boy gave her a satisfied smile, "Liar," he said. Alright, she was a bit obvious…

Erika gave a sigh and ran her long, thin fingers through her white hair. "I've just been having some trouble back home." Death said nothing, but the Long Arm raised an eyebrow and flicked his wrist in indication for her to continue. "I'm sick, alright."

The dark character stared in surprise and took a step back (my moment of glory, I only wish someone had taken a picture for me to see Mr. Calm-And-Cool taken aback). Apparently, he hadn't been expecting that kind of answer, then again, not many people generally do (though, not surprisingly, that kind of gaming is fairly common). "You're one of those then?" One of the players who are in the game because it's the only place in which they can be…not unwell (normal, I meant to say normal).

"Yeah, I'm one of them," the white-haired Twin Blade snapped back. Erika stopped and sighed again, shrugging her shoulders and preparing to walk off. But her dramatic, huffy exit was blocked off by Death. "I'm not in the mood now…"

The girl tried to side-step her friend, but failed when he stepped in the same direction continuously, as if he could read her movements (but I'm not going to give him the benefit of saying that he could, he doesn't deserve that kind of praise). "Answer a few questions and I'll let you go."

Erika sat onto the ground and crossed her legs before looking up at the boy who remained standing (probably for the effect, egoistic jerk that he is…he should be more shy and modest, like me). "Ask away."

The dark-haired, dark-eyed boy didn't even bother raising an eyebrow this time (so we little people aren't worth the effort?) when he crossed his arms over his chest and stood firmly blocking the exit to the open, and incredibly busy, streets to ask his question. "Are you the sick girl who can't remember her past?" (Leave it to people such as him to lack my finesse in the art of interrogation.) "The one who went into a coma a while ago…?"

"There are probably lots of people who fit that description," (not).

"Not," (we actually thought the same thing, shoot me now), "just answer the question."

"Harsh. Fine, I'll answer. Yeah, I am that 'sick girl who can't remember,' as you put it." (I'm not the only one that thinks he needs to smooth his technique, not that he'll ever be as good as yours truly). Erika stood up and brushed the dust off her white skirt, her fingers feeling for her blades to make sure they were securely sheathed. "Is that it?"

Death shook his head, his black hair falling into his dark eyes which gazed at her unwaveringly. "No. I wanted to tell you to go back. You know, to the real world."

The white-haired girl stared at him for a moment (is the absurdity that he knows about her IRL lost to everyone except me?) before saying, "How did you know all that?" (Someone else who noticed, wonderful…took you long enough, girl.)

The ironic smile that usual shone behind the boy's dark eyes disappeared. "My Mom's a nurse at the hospital you go to. If you didn't want people to find out, you shouldn't have used your real name as your username," the boy said seriously, noting with faint interest the flush that was forming on Erika's cheeks at his berating her.

The other character shot him a cold, blue-eyed glare that did not seem to faze him at all (that surprise from before…yeah, once in a life time opportunity there). "If you know about me, then you should know why I don't want to go back. I'm tired of people always treating me like I'm about to fall apart. I'm tired of constantly going to the hospital for stupid tests that tell doctors nothing apart from the fact that they can't figure out what's wrong" (I never liked doctors and hospitals, myself).

"I know why, but I also don't," (confusing?) Death replied simply. When Erika stared at him confusedly, the boy brought out his weapon and leaned comfortably against the pole as he continued. "There are so many people back in the world outside of this one that care about you. They're worried. You've been in a coma since you first stopped answering my e-mails."

"They don't care…"

"Yes, they do. They're afraid for you because they love you and they don't want to lose you," (Mr. Uncaring being all sweet and sentimental…aw…someone get me a garbage can, I'm about to throw up). "Besides," he added with a wink, "if you keep doing this, they'll just tighten their hold on you if you do ever have to leave."

The boy grinned and his companion's expression followed, now they were two almost identical smiles. "Alright, fine. But I've got one condition…" The other player gave her a look clearly indicating what he was thinking (namely: what kind of condition is this and is this really worth it?). "We're going to an area and beating it first. And I get all the treasure at the bottom."

"Deal," Death replied, shaking the girl's elegant hand in his own much larger one.

Sorry about the long pause…I'm still writing, and will be for a long time, as it's what I love to do. And I'm still writing this story, I don't want to stop until I'm finished unless I'm forced to.

Let me get down to the point. Reason of absence (described in three letters or less): SAT. Or really…described in four words: SATs and obsessive parents. But one of the many tests of evil are done, so I'll have a little more time (hopefully) to write. Thanks for sticking with me. And once again, I'm sorry about the long wait for such a bad chapter.