Jake sat fidgeting in Amanda's dining room. Her home was rather plain for a woman's judging from Jake's experience.

(Which isn't much.)

Amanda lived in the same type of apartment as him. It included a bedroom, bathroom, large kitchen, and a small living room. The kitchen had a small section where you could place a table and some chairs to use as a tiny dining room. It served its purpose well, but the two were not living in luxury in the complex.

As he sat idly in the chair, Amanda was busy cooking a small meal. She looked adorable. She had her red hair tied up in a pony tail, and wore shorts and a t-shirt.

Jake was not sure what she was cooking, but it smelled great. Much better than the fast food leftovers and ramen he normally ate.

Just then, Amanda Yelled, " Done!"

"I made a small chicken stir-fry, and some fried rice to go with it." Said Amanda, happily.

Jake was drooling. He took back his previous thoughts. Amanda was indeed living in luxury. Well, actually, she could just cook well...

Amanda brought over the food, and it was divided evenly on the two glass plates.

Amanda noticed Jake fidgeting and said, " We're just eating food, haha. No need to be so nervous."

Jake nodded, and the two began to eat.

"Oh my god! This is delicious!" Exclaimed Jake, as he plowed through the meal.

"Haha...It's just normal stir-fry." Said Amanda, as she blushed a little.

"Well it's much better than what I usually eat!" Said Jake.

"And what might I ask, do you usually eat?" Questioned Amanda.

"Ehhh...Leftover fast food, instant ramen, and junk food. You know how it is." Said Jake, embarrassed.

"I most certainly do not! Living alone, we must take care of our bodies! You have to come over here and eat more often." Said Amanda, grinning.

Jake then nodded, and twiddled his thumbs embarrassed. Amanda simply laughed. She loved how social interaction threw him off so much, it was hilarious.

"At least Royal Road is getting Jake to come out of his shell more." Thought Amanda.

As the two finished their meal, they both did their share of cleaning up.

Amanda then proclaimed, "Ahh...After a good meal, you have to drink! I have plenty of beer! Drink with me, Jake."

"Ehhh...I don't know...I mean I can handle my alcohol, but I really shouldn't...Plus...I mean, I should get back to RR..." Said Jake, meekly.

"No can do! I won't accept no for an answer!" Said Amanda, as she cracked two Sapporos.

"Well...I mean...I guess I can..." Said Jake.

"That's the spirit! Said Amanda, smiling.

One down, two, three....Four, five, six.

The two laughed and talked of their early days in Royal Road. About Amanda being booted from the enchanter's guild, and meeting the evil wench Tessa. Jake proceeded to talk about Horrick, and how he thought sexual assault and torture was imminent. Not to mention how the shady old codger wouldn't teach him how to grow a forest underground.

He then went on to explain the hell that was training with Auruk, and how emotionless and creepy the little boy was.

The two laughed, and drank, and sang.

"Damn...Amanda can really hold her beer." Thought Jake, with a red face.

Seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve....

Swaying a bit, the two sang and ate snacks. Arm in arm they danced around drunkenly, just having a blast.

Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen....

BLACKOUT

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Jake woke up, questioning his location. He looked around, and realized he had passed out in Amanda's apartment. Feeling extremely embarrassed, he got up off the living room floor, and hurriedly went back to his apartment. (After putting all the cans in the recycling, of course.)

Jake was embarrassed that he just passed out on Amanda's floor, and hoped she wasn't mad at him.

He then realized it was Monday and yelled, "Oh shit! I am going to be late for class!"

As he left for his classes, he looked quite slovenly. He did not have time to shower, and had five o'clock shadow. Praise be to the gods he found clean clothes, and put deodorant on.

Jake arrived at his classes, and sat through them begrudgingly. He had a pounding headache and his stomach hurt.

"Man...I really have not drank that amount in a good, long time." He said, Exhausted.

When lunch time arrived, he chowed down and felt a lot better. But, something was off today. People were actually looking at him. Why?...

Jake was perplexed as he looked around and saw a few of his peers staring at him, and giggling. It was then two guys approached Jake, and asked if he wanted to party around with them for a bit in Royal Road.

The people were making fun of him. They didn't realize he had Royal Road now, and were trying to rub in the fact that he didn't have it. Little did they know, he did own a capsule now.

Jake Grinned and said, " Sure, let's meet up in game."

The two men's jaws dropped after they realized he now owned the game. They could not back out now, and they told him their location. Turns out they were only about an hour in game away from Jake, so tonight they would all meet up.

The two guys returned to their table, and looked at the floor for the rest of the lunch period. Jake grinned after having triumphed over them, and could not believe he was going to meet up with some of his peers in game.

Later that night, Jake logged in the game and headed to the designated location. He waited for six hours, but the kids never came.

"I should have known..." Said Azrael, very sad.

He then walked back to his previous location, and found Amanda waiting for him. Amanda was the only one he could count on. At least she joked with him, and hung out with him. He felt bad for making her wait there for him, and decided to add the two guys to his ever growing list of enemies.

"There you are, Azrael! I thought you took off without me! Hahaha, you were hilarious last night! You need to come over more often." Said Vera, happily.

"You-You're not mad at me?" Said Azrael.

"Haha, why would I be? We ate, drank, and had a great time! I don't care that you crashed on my floor, you doof. " Replied Vera.

Azrael smiled at her, and the two continued down the path.