“Hmm, maybe I should get those JYE pods.” I ran my fingers through my hair as I watched my reflection on the mirror. I always ended up having a disheveled look every time I finished a session of a VR course. The VR helmet kept on messing up my hair. At least pods won’t mess up my hair. “Those pods are supposed to be compatible with most gadgets and implants on the market,” I muttered as I fixed my hair. “Does JYE want people to stay in pods forever? Maybe I’ll tell Herald to suggest to JYE to add a feeding tube or something plus something for waste disposal and people won’t need to get out ever. Maybe I’ll get a bonus for such an idea.”

Those JYE pods could get a tad expensive, depending on the mods but money wasn’t a problem. I did not really believe in luck, but being employed in Herald’s firm when it was just starting out was lucky. I basically rode it to success

I looked around my spacious apartment filled paintings I have done during my free time. I have an awesome view of the gorgeous city below. My car’s in my own reserved parking spot, although I usually rode the public transport to get to work.

Yep. Working for Herald’s firm was not bad at all, salary-wise.

Of course, I wasn’t going to stay there forever. I could have gone back to law school and tried again to finish it but, instead, I chose to enroll in an MBA course, among other courses.

I really didn’t know what to do after I would leave the firm. I mean…I just knew I didn’t want to go back to law school. And it was kind of pointless to go back just to prove to myself that I could finish it.

My WeeCee beeped. It was probably Amanda. She wanted to go shopping and forced me to go with her. Before opening her message, I checked my sessions for other courses I have lined up for the week. Even with my job at the firm, I still have time for three courses. Well, and time for socializing. Time management was something I was proud of. I couldn’t have stayed this long working for Herald if I couldn’t keep up with his orders.

A constant beeping from my wrist told me there was a call. I rolled my eyes as I answered it. “Amanda, I’m getting ready. I just finished a VR session.”

“You weren’t replying to my message,” Amanda said. “Put me on display.”

“It’s like a minute ago when you sent your message. Relax.” With a click, Amanda’s head hovered above my wrist. Her hair was whipping back. She probably was in her car with her windows open. I frowned. “Are you driving? Remember to sync your car’s AI to Trafficdome. And I still think you should keep your eyes on the road when driving.”

“I’m not that dumb to rely on auto-drive alone. Of course, I’m synced to Trafficdome. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. If you’re late, I’ll crash my car into your condominium.”

“I don’t need that long to prepare. I’m naturally beautiful and don’t need makeup,” I said, flicking my hair back. “Just kidding.”

“Try fishing for compliments from guys, not me.” Amanda stuck out her tongue and ended the call.

A rush of cold air greeted us as the we entered the mall. Amanda immediately checked her WeeCee for the shops with the latest sales. She could have checked it on our way here, but she really liked to do it once we got inside.

I grabbed her arm so that she wouldn’t bump into anyone. “Amanda, we know where we’re going anyway.”

“You know where you’re going. You only buy one brand.” Amanda threw her hands in the air. “What’s the point of going to the mall if you always know what you’re going to buy. Might as well stay at home and virtual shop. Make holo image of your body and play dress up.”

“No need to get agitated.”

“I’m not agitated. It’s just…just annoying that today’s generation has forsaken the joy in shopping in the mall.”

“You sound like an old person,” I said. “And that’s why I went with you anyway. So that you can show me the joy of shopping. I have more time nowadays anyway. I don’t even stay up late at work anymore.”

“Oh yeah, your boss was contracted out as general counsel of JYE right?”

“Yep,” I said. Amanda’s boyfriend worked for the general counsel of another company and she herself worked as a paralegal in the biggest law firm in the country so she understood why my workload lessened with the new assignment of my lord and my god, Herald Stone. “Maybe I should take another course. And buy a JYE pod. I think I’m getting some strain in my neck with the positioning of VR helmets.” I said as I massaged my neck.

“Eclairs!” Amanda placed her hands on my cheeks and squeezed my face. “Girl, stop that. Just relax. Okay? You're taking too many courses already. Are you compensating for your lack of love life?”

“Hey, that topic’s off limits,” I said as I took off her hands. “So where’s our destination, Oh Great Mall Navigator?”

“So it didn’t work out with that guy you were dating? Ellie worked so hard to set you up with him and—”

“I said ‘off limits’. I don’t want to think of having a relationship right now.”

“You’re no fun.” Amanda stuck out her tongue. "At least you could tell me how your date went. I heard you went to a fancy restaurant in Prospero Hills, violins and all." I poked her sides so that she would back off. “Look at us, acting like kids,” she said, giggling. “Let’s go to Amaranthus, looks like their new line for sun dresses have arrived.”

“I don’t think a sundress is right for me.” I still followed her anyway.

I tried out several clothes just to pacify Amanda. We left the shop and headed to more shops in our unholy crusade across the mall. It was nice to relax from time to time.

When we arrived at my favorite brand, The Coven, I immediately swiped my wrist in the scanner so that it would be updated with what they have in store. I did not know why they called their brand that name but their clothes were very comfortable while maintaining a semi-casual look. After trying on several clothes, I uploaded their designs to my WeeCee, sat on a corner and edited it to my tastes and sizes. They would deliver my customized purchases after a few days. I knew it costs more if I have it customized, but I rarely shopped anyway, so might as well. And I don't have to bring shopping bags back home.

Amanda reserved us a spot in our favorite restaurant using her WeeCee. Being dragged all over the mall by Amanda was exhausting and I was famished. We walked to the restaurant but the amount of people gradually thickened; quite unusual because malls rarely get crowded unless there was an event or a major sale.

“What’s with the people?” I said in annoyance. I was really really hungry. I remembered that I didn't have breakfast. There was a crowd of people gathering outside a store. A gaming store that has just opened? “Oh, Great Mall Navigator. You have failed us. Our path is blocked,” I said in mournful tones.

“Yeaaa,” Amanda droned as she fiddled with her WeeCee’s display. “A gaming hobby store opened up. I didn’t think crowds would gather, though. Ah, it’s carrying Nornyr merchandise. No wonder there’s a crowd. Let’s go up a floor then down to avoid them? Or wade through them? Your Navigator gives you a choice.”

“Nornyr’s the game of JYE, right?”

“Your boss works for them and you don’t know that?”

“Just asking. You know about the game?”

“I’m playing it with my boyfriend.” Amanda projected a small humanoid figure from her WeeCee. It was a cute redheaded person with pointy ears poking out from her wavy hair. “I’m an elf, my boyfriend too. It’s easier to play together if we started out from the same place. Eric wanted to become a reptilian beast something but, ew, no way. I told him I’m not going to play with him if he’s going as an ugly thing. So…elf!”

“I didn’t know you were the type that would play those games. That’s like killing monsters and stuff, right?”

“There’s lots of things to do inside. Build a house, make a farm, take care of pets, make clothes. I didn’t want to go kill monsters so Eric’s the one who hunts monsters to finance our house and feed our pets. I take care of the pets and make armors and jewelry to sell. I level up that way. It’s fun.”

“You’re just playing house.”

“Playing house in a virtual world,” Amanda said with emphasis. “It’s relaxing. Once you get inside, you’ll be amazed. It’s a whole new world. It’s very different from other VR games available on the market. Most people want to break free from their everyday life. That must be the reason why a lot of people play Nornyr although there are other games out there.”

“Are you trying to be philosophical?” I said. “Let’s have a look in the store. Or maybe not inside, because there’s too many people. But they also have displays outside.”

I linked my arms with Amanda and dove through the milling crowd of gamers. We reached the front of the store. The inside of the store was packed. I don’t want to go through that. We contented ourselves with holo-images of what I assumed to be characters from the game. Some people were taking pictures besides the holo-images.

“Wow, they can make cute figurines of your characters,” Amanda said, pointing to a table with a line of people in front. The staff was 3D printing cute cartoonish versions of the images of characters that customers uploaded from their WeeCees. “If I get one for Eric, he would be so happy.” Then she turned to me with a sad look on her face. “You won’t understand that, you don’t have a boyfriend.” She laughed out loud as I squeezed her waist in retaliation. She tickled me back.

The people looked at us so we awkwardly stood still and pretended to look at the inside of the store.

“Now they think we’re crazy teens or something,” I said.

“Teens?”

“We look young,” I said defensively.

“Um, excuse me, um, miss?” a meek voice. It was an employee from the store. He adjusted his glasses and swallowed. “Um…we’re sorry that you couldn’t get in because there’s uh…” He cleared his throat before continuing. “There’s so many people, and, uh, there’s a line.” He glanced back inside the store. I saw that there were two other employees who were watching him talk with us. When they saw me watching them, they turned back to talking to customers. The guy talking to us also glanced inside the store, as if taking cues from his co-workers. “If, uh, if you need anything. Maybe I could get it in the store for…for you?”

“No, no, we’re just looking. We don’t want to be a bother” I said. Let’s see. He’s obviously shy. Why? New employee or something. “It’s nice that you opened this store here. With Nornyr’s popularity and all.” I wanted to try out reading people. Herald had a knack for it although his empathy was probably nearly zero. I found it weird that he understood people but couldn’t relate to them. What could I do to make him less shy? "It's very popular yet I haven't even started playing it..." I looked up expectantly at him to say something.

“Yes, Nornyr’s very popular,” he replied excitedly. “Maybe, uh, I could help you with the game or something. We have guides and catalogues inside. JYE wanted to print materials even though people rarely read printed materials, probably an homage to early gaming mags. I heard they will also release hardbound books about in-game lore. I’m sure we will also have those in stock if those will arrive. Do you want me to reserve some for you?”

I shook my head. I got him to stop talking nervously. I'm getting better at this people-reading thing. “I was just looking. I'm not sure if I want to play." Then I smiled at him and said hesitantly, "Uh, actually, my friend dragged me here to have some figures printed. But there's a line and all..."

“I’ll be glad to help you with that,” he said, beaming. Amanda transmitted to his WeeCee the file she wanted to be printed. He then looked inside the store and gave a thumbs up to his friends which they returned.

After the guy left, Amanda said to me, "What were you doing? Using your face to your advantage, I see. You're getting devious but I appreciate the help."

"Huh, what do you mean? I got him to help us through talking."

Amanda looked at me as if I was crazy. "He helped you because you're pretty. Do you see him going to talk to other customers? That's normal for guys to help girls that are beautiful. Embrace your power."

Really? Damn it. I pursed my lips. "At least I got him to stop talking nervously."

"That was pretty nice of you actually. I think guys find you intimidating because of your eyes. Don't take this the wrong way. Your eyes are very beautiful. When we first met back in college, I thought you were a very rich girl that could afford getting cosmetic surgery for her pupils. Turns out they're natural. But your eyes look so magical that it's as if they could stare into my soul. Seriously. I'm so envious of your eyes."

That was probably why Herald keeps me calling Harbinger of Death. I sighed. "I hope that guy doesn't ask for my contact. I'm not discriminating or anything but he looks like he's still in college."

The store employee got back to us with Amanda's figurines. He also brought a catalogue of all the known characters that you could play in the game. He said, "I know you said that you were just not sure if you wanted to play but I'm giving this to you in case you played. It's free, anyway. You could visit the store if you want help-"

"Thank you so much, and my friend thanks you too. We have a reservation at a restaurant so we couldn't have stood in line," I said, taking the figurines and that catalogue from his hands. I wasn't lyng about the reservation thing.

"Could, um, could I ask you for-," he began to say.

But we were already walking away. "Thanks again for the help," I said with a wave.

"Nice exit there," Amanda said with a smirk. "It's hard being a pretty girl."

"Shut up," I said. Maybe I should leave people-reading to those who were actually good at it.

I flipped open the catalogue and started to browse through it.