DragonSlayer42
I don’t understand. Just relax.
FaerieQueen
How do you want me to relax?? I’m INSIDE the game!!
DragonSlayer42
Are you sure it’s not just the virtual reality part?
FaerieQueen
You don’t think I know the difference between virtual reality and what’s really happening to me??
DragonSlayer42
I’m just saying that sometimes the VR experience is so realistic it just feels that way.
FaerieQueen
Brandon, I’m INSIDE the game! I KNOW the difference!
DragonSlayer42
Okay, I’m sorry. You’re right.
FaerieQueen
Remember, you’re talking to someone two years in the past, anything is possible.
DragonSlayer42
There’s something more going on with this game.
DragonSlayer42
No, I mean there’s more going on here than we realize.
DragonSlayer42
We’re communicating in different years.
DragonSlayer42
You got pulled into the game.
DragonSlayer42
There’s got to be a reason for all of this.
FaerieQueen
I don’t care what the reason is. I just want out of here.
DragonSlayer42
What do you see now?
FaerieQueen
What you see, I see. The things in the game. The trees. The smells. The sky.
FaerieQueen
But, right now it’s real.
DragonSlayer42
Okay, you need to calm down. Remember how good you are at this.
FaerieQueen
Brandon, I’m good at the game. I can’t kill orcs and goblins and trolls in real life!
DragonSlayer42
Yes, you can! You’re the best I’ve ever seen.
DragonSlayer42
So, it won’t matter if you’re playing it outside the game or inside.
FaerieQueen
It’s different in here. It’s all real.
DragonSlayer42
What’s wrong??
FaerieQueen
Does this mean if I get killed here, I’ll die for real?
DragonSlayer42
That’s not going to happen.
FaerieQueen
And my body. What happened to my body, while I’m in here? Did I just disappear?
DragonSlayer42
Jessica, I just figured it out! The article I read. The one that said you died!
FaerieQueen
What about it?
DragonSlayer42
That’s what happened! There was no cause because nobody knew what happened!
DragonSlayer42
Your body was probably discovered, and you weren’t conscious because your mind was in here! They just thought you died!
FaerieQueen
So, they buried me or whatever, while my mind was trapped in here?
DragonSlayer42
I think that’s exactly what happened. You probably showed no signs of life, since you were stuck in the game.
FaerieQueen
Brandon, I think I’m going to lose it. I can’t do this. I’m breaking down. I’m crying.
FaerieQueen
Have you ever seen a video game character cry?
DragonSlayer42
Please don’t cry. You’re the best at this.
FaerieQueen
That’s when I’m out there. When I can sit back and let loose and I know the stakes don’t matter.
DragonSlayer42
But, you’re not helpless in there. You have weapons.
DragonSlayer42
Don’t you feel it?
FaerieQueen
I do feel different. I feel this power going through me. In my arms. They’re tingling.
DragonSlayer42
That’s your sting. The faerie sting. You’re powerful in there.
FaerieQueen
But, even so, what difference does it make? I’m stuck here.
FaerieQueen
They’re going to bury my body while I’m trapped in here.
DragonSlayer42
You’re going to be okay. And I’m going to help you.
FaerieQueen
How? I’ve seen you play.
DragonSlayer42
Ah, there she is! I knew you were in there somewhere.
FaerieQueen
Brandon, I’m really not okay.
DragonSlayer42
I know, And I told you I got you.
DragonSlayer42
Jessica, I give you my word that I won’t let anything happen to you.
FaerieQueen
Thank you. I feel better with you saying that.
DragonSlayer42
I meant it. Now, what do you see?
FaerieQueen
Right now, I’m hiding behind a tree.
DragonSlayer42
Okay, I see you there. Do you see me?
DragonSlayer42
So, everything really looks real to you? Not like a video game?
FaerieQueen
Yes. One hundred percent real.
DragonSlayer42
Okay, there are five goblins nearby.
DragonSlayer42
Do you want to kill them or me?
FaerieQueen
Brandon, you’re not understanding me. I don’t want to get out from behind this tree. I’m too scared.
DragonSlayer42
I think the game wants you to finish or something. That’s why we met. The first time you played, something happened to you and you were stuck.
DragonSlayer42
Think a second. Why did you start playing this game to begin with?
FaerieQueen
I enjoyed the game. Does there have to be a deeper meaning behind it?
DragonSlayer42
But, what is it about this game?
FaerieQueen
Why does anyone play video games? It’s fun. It’s an escape.
DragonSlayer42
There you go. An escape from what?
FaerieQueen
I don’t know.
DragonSlayer42
You do know. You’ve already told me.
DragonSlayer42
Yes. Your relationship. Your job. You told me the only time you were ever really happy was playing it.
DragonSlayer42
The game reads all that.
FaerieQueen
That’s impossible. How can a game read people’s emotions?
DragonSlayer42
Just like you told me, how can a game let people years apart talk?
DragonSlayer42
The game read your feelings and took you into it.
DragonSlayer42
You don’t love your fiancé. You’re not happy at work. You wanted out, so the game took you in.
FaerieQueen
So, the game’s trying to kill me??
DragonSlayer42
No, it’s trying to save you. And now, I see it all so clearly.
DragonSlayer42
That’s where I come in. We’ve gotten along great. The game linked us up.
FaerieQueen
If I wasn’t so scared, I’d laugh. You think this game is like Match.com?
DragonSlayer42
In a way. But, more direct. It’s picking for us.
FaerieQueen
That’s ridiculous.
DragonSlayer42
Why? Like I said, this game is magic. Something’s in it. The game is having us meet for a reason.
DragonSlayer42
I’m divorced. Haven’t had a meaningful relationship since my ex.
DragonSlayer42
Instead of being out socializing and meeting new people, I spend every free moment I have in here!
DragonSlayer42
We’re supposed to help each other!
FaerieQueen
THEY’RE COMING!
DragonSlayer42
Watch out! I got them!
FaerieQueen
To your right!
DragonSlayer42
I see them!
DragonSlayer42
I’m doing the best I can. I can use your help.
DragonSlayer42
Jessica, if I could feel what it’s like to be in the game for real for even a second, I’d grab that chance. You have the power now. Use it!
DragonSlayer42
That’s it. Fly above them and fire down.
FaerieQueen
I’m trying. This is so weird. I feel my wings.
DragonSlayer42
You’re doing amazing! Now, fire!
FaerieQueen
OMG! I did it! They’re exploding.
DragonSlayer42
Jessica, you’re incredible!
FaerieQueen
I feel so much power.
DragonSlayer42
I’m telling you, everything is going to be all right. We can do this together.
DragonSlayer42
I know this is happening for a reason. The game wanted us to meet.
FaerieQueen
But why? Just to play the game?
DragonSlayer42
No. Maybe it’s because…
FaerieQueen
Because what?
DragonSlayer42
Maybe it wants us together.
DragonSlayer42
I don’t know what other reason it could be, but I think that’s it.
FaerieQueen
Brandon, no offense, but I think you’ve watched too many Romcoms.
DragonSlayer42
Then what else could it be?
FaerieQueen
If the game wants us together, it’s not doing a very good job of it, is it? I might die in here and you’re out there. Is that your idea of romance?
DragonSlayer42
You’re right.
FaerieQueen
You’re always saying I’m right, for all the good it’s doing me.
DragonSlayer42
No, I mean it. You’re right. I’m supposed to be in there with you.
FaerieQueen
And how would you like to do that?
DragonSlayer42
I just need to focus. Concentrate. The game wants it to happen, so it’ll let me.
FaerieQueen
Brandon, honestly, it’s sweet that you want to try, but don’t do it. It’s scary in here.
FaerieQueen
You don’t know what it’s like.
DragonSlayer42
I want to be there with you. That’s all I’m concentrating on. I’m focusing.
DragonSlayer42
I feel it. My body is tingling. Everything is spinning.
FaerieQueen
That’s what I felt! Take off the VR goggles!!
DragonSlayer42
I feel like I’m being pulled in.
FaerieQueen
Brandon, TAKE THE GOGGLES OFF!!
DragonSlayer42
Turn around.
