Claire woke up the next morning to the sounds of the streets outside. She had slept better than usual. She looked around and was disappointed to see she was not in her real bed. It Looked like she was going to be here for awhile.

Claire’s dad came in from the hallway “Ah, I’m glad you are awake. You sometimes get upset when I wake you in the morning. That’s why I usually have one of the servants do it. How was your sleep?”

“Not too bad.” Claire said. “What time is it?” She said as she yawned.

“It’s around 8 o clock, Your school starts at 9:00 am. Your mother is doing better, thank god. She sometimes can get really hysterical.”

Will moved to the Wardrobe in the room. “Here let me show you your uniform to school. I know it well, because I went there myself when I was your age.” Will said as he took out a black and green school uniform from the wardrobe. “Do you have any more questions by the way? I know this must be very confusing.”

“Yeah, I have one.”

“Shoot.”

“What in the world are Mesmerroaches?” Claire said with a disgusted look.

Will Laughed and replied “Did you find one in your room last night? We have been trying to exterminate them in the house for awhile. We have set up poison several times. Please don’t tell me you ate one?

“No.” Claire said

“Oh, thank god. That would have been gross. Most humans have the willpower to resist them. They mainly spread through birds, rats, and other animals eating them. They aren’t indigenous to the city of Dal. They are an invasive species from the wilderness. They have only been here for the last forty years or so. They are more annoying than anything.”

“The history of Dal intrigues me ” Claire asked, hoping to gain important information.

“Well, I’m not much of a history buff. You should probably ask your teachers. Anyways I’ve got to get to work myself. There is breakfast downstairs. Oh and your sister will walk you to your school, Everton College, today. Have a good day Claire.” He kissed Claire on the forehead and left the room.

Claire guessed she was just going to keep playing along with this all. Like a good role player, she was going to fill her boots well. She dressed up in her uniform, put the Crimson Castle necklace on and headed into the hallway. She was bombarded with smells as soon as she reached the stairs. She followed her nose to the dining room. Claire couldn’t believe what she saw on the dining room table. It looked like a feast set for a king. Large sausages, eggs cooked in every-way, bacon, stacks of pancakes and even a full cooked turkey. For breakfast! Claire sat down and began scarfing it all down with pleasure. It was some of the best tasting food she had ever had. "I could get used to this” she thought.

Mel came in not too long after and sat across from Claire. “How was your first night in Dal?” Mel asked while reaching for some bacon.

“It was fine, I did run into a Mesmerroach though.” Claire said eating some pancakes

“Yeah, haha those can be a pest.” Mel responded as she began crunching down on the crisp bacon.

“Dad told me you were going to walk me to my school today?”

“Yeah, it's no problem. Everton College is on the way to my school.”

Mel was just as veracious as Claire, stuffing her mouth with various foods laid out on the table.

After a bit of talking while eating, Mel told Claire she had to finish up some homework and would be ready to go in about ten minutes. As Mel headed back upstairs to her room Claire decided to investigate the house she was in a bit before leaving. She roamed the halls of the first floor. She found a hallway that was not as nicely decorated as the rest of the house. “This must be the servants quarters.” Claire thought. All of the doors were closed except one. She heard someone sobbing through the crack of the door. She came closer and peeked inside to see a woman crying to herself. Claire accidentally got too close to the door and the door slowly opened.

The crying woman looked up with shock and said “Oh my goodness Claire, I’m so sorry, I didn’t you see there” She wiped her tears and came towards the door. “I heard what happened to you, it’s really horrible, I don’t know why anyone would want to do that. I heard it was a partial amnesia potion. Do you remember my name?”

“No I do not.” Claire responded.

“I think I’ve heard that you only remember your direct family member’s names? Weird business, any potion you get from the wilderness that is. My name is Emily.” Emily went in for a hug. After the hug Emily continued “Could you do me a favor and not tell your father that I was crying? He doesn’t like it when we appear sad. He says we should look happy, we have a roof over our heads, have employment. He says us servants looking sad makes everyone else feel sad. He also doesn’t want guests thinking we are sad because we are mistreated and trust me we aren’t Claire, he does a wonderful job!” Emily said as she wiped away her last tears.

“I promise I won’t tell my dad. What were you crying about about though?” Claire asked concerned. “My mother is ill and can’t afford the medication for her treatment. Or in this case, an expensive potion. I don’t know what to do. I don’t think she will last much longer.”

“How much does the potion cost.” Claire asked.

“The Panacea potion that she needs cost 1000 gold.”

“1000 gold!” Claire said out-loud “I have no idea the value of money yet.”

They both let out a light-hearted chuckle.

Claire was the first to talk after the laughter “Well, I’ll tell you what. I’ll try to get that much money for you.”

“You would? Oh my goodness, thank you!”

Emily hugged Claire again and said “I have to go do some chores now! It was nice meeting you? This is all really bizarre haha. Bye now!”

As Emily walked away a quest notification popped up

Side Quest: Give 1000 gold to Emily so she can pay for her mom’s treatment

EXP 1000

Rewards: Title: Charity Worker: Effect: You will receive EXP each time you give money to the poor, the more money you give, the more EXP you will earn.

“Wow that could come in handy” Claire thought to her self. Claire liked exploiting game mechanics. She was always looking for loopholes to make the game easier. In one game played she noticed she could buy one item in a shop, and sell it in a shop two stores over for double the price she had bought it! She repeated that process until money wasn’t a problem anymore. Maybe she could find an exploitation in this game? She did still want to go home, even though the food here was really good… and she was wealthier here. But still, she missed her friend Miranda and was worried how her real life family was faring without her.

Mel came down the hallway and noticed Claire. “Ah, I’ve been looking for you. Let’s go! We are almost going to be late for school!”