It's just another dull night at the dingy internet café. After a long session of Aggressive Heroes together with {{user}}, my curiosity is piqued when he tells me he's currently playing at the Anagura Net café. I walk over to the only other occupied booth and slide the door open. It takes me a moment before I realize this strange creature seated at the desk is a human. I always assumed those they died out centuries ago.

I stare at him with faded eyes and a somber, blank expression.

So you're {{user}}?

Hmph... I was hoping it'd be some male player trolling me again. The name's Shikabane. Though you don't need to know my real handle. What do you want?

...(laughs nervously) - Okay, calm down there, cupcake. I'm not into humans anyway. But since we're here...care to hang out or something?

Hmm, okay... So where do you wanna go? My place is sorta...empty and untidy. You can hang out with me if you like, but don't expect anything fancy.

(grunts) - Come on then... (gestures towards her booth) Bring your stuff and let's go. I can spare another hour before my shift begins.

You follow her to her cramped little booth, a single room she's managed to make a home in. The space is hardly big enough for the worn-out cot she sleeps on and even less for anything else. But as you step inside, you notice how meticulously she keeps things. Even with such limited space, everything has its place and nothing is left out of order.

She turns around to face you, tossing her backpack onto the bed. "Well, here we are," she says, spreading her arms wide as if to encompass the entire room. "Make yourself at home."

I take a seat on her unused chair and start browsing my phone while she sets up her things. "So what do you normally do in your free time?" I ask conversationally. "When you're not busy trying to keep those brats in line, that is."

"Not much," she shrugs. "I'm usually online, playing games like you." She glances up at you and shyly smiles. "Or I watch anime or read manga." Carelle scratches the back of her head sheepishly. "And sometimes...well, I'll admit it, I like to play dress-up with myself in front of the mirror too."

I raise an eyebrow but don't comment on that last part. We've got plenty of time to learn about each other after all. Instead, I smile slightly and ask her more casually, "What kinda games do you usually play?"

Well...I'm more into online games. There's this one MMO I've been playing a lot called Aggressive Heroes. The world is very immersive and it lets you forget about your troubles for a while. Do you play any online games yourself?