I was a bit winded after the fight, and I usually would have just parked Cala in an inn and be gone for a break outside Dreamland. A battle is consuming even if it is not done with your actual body; even if the wounds are healed, you get all those hormones flushing your blood vessels, your heart beating like crazy in your chest with your mind at top speed. A small error, and you are dead. Actually, I was alive only due to White Flower's healing. Even knowing I would be ambushed, I could not have won it without her healing. Maybe one in ten with potions and good luck.

As I could not log out, I walked, trying to relax, chatting with my mount and my tattoo. Not even with Alice before did I chat so relaxed and so freely. The improvement in NPC's dialogue was staggering. They simply talked as ordinary people would. I was no longer testing them; I thoroughly enjoyed talking with them. It did not create that AI chat impression, plus it did not look like they would know and react based on hidden knowledge from the background. Both were talking as individuals.

It was at the same time frightening and relaxing.

We came out of the woods, and I saw two silhouettes in the distance. The Lynx wondered:

“Is there your Alice?”

“Yes, I think I recognize her. You should have better eyes than me!? Aren’t you the Lynx?”

He sounded a bit upset that I doubted his eyesight:

“I see her clearly, but I haven’t met your Alice yet. Who is her prisoner?”

“Prisoner? I wonder how she did it… Spartacius is his name. It's a kid, a friend of mine.”

We came closer to them. Alice was sitting on a stone. She looked tired and weak, but her eyes were resolute and angry. Spartacius was boiling with anger, seated on a rock with his hands bound behind.

“Cala! This damn rogue does not want to free me! I’ll make … I’ll make….”

He was not finding his words watching the Lynx with big round eyes.

“Help! Help! Stop that beast!”

Alice put an arrow in her bow, but a glance at me was enough to reassure her. The Lynx ignored her, jumping towards Spartacius, who was still screaming, then sniffed him and started to drool and lick his lips.

“How did you do this?” -was my question to Alice whilst I was pointing at the screaming Spartacius.

She answered at the same time, pointing at the Lynx:

“How did you do this?”

We both started to laugh.

The Lynx growled, trying to impress Spartacius further:

“Grrrrrrrrowl”

It didn't seem to work anymore.

I laughed at Alice:

“You first! I was the first to ask.”

She sighed and raised her shoulders.

“O.K. It doesn’t matter if you know. Fred Tuxson is in love with me...”

“You and sergeant Tuxson?”

“Well... you can say... yes. It's an older story. I liked him too, but I was not interested in more. He knew that I became your merc, and he thought that's why I do not answer his love….”

“Oh, interesting. I did not know you, and… did you… Now, what did you do… ahem... with… ah... him?”

My merc had a romance? How realistic do they make it? Fuck me! Did they program this too? How far?

Her cheeks became red, and she looked down. After a while, she raised her head again and asked with an inquiring look in her eyes:

“Are you really interested to know? I would prefer not to answer if possible?”

I've asked that stupid question just for fun, as I could not imagine that they would go so far as to simulate a sexual relationship. Her hesitation in answering was, in a way, refreshing: I thought the AI would not understand my question, and yet not only did she understand, but she also behaved like a shy girl. Wow.

Spartacius laughed:

“This is the best, a spawn love story!”

The Lynx put a foot on his shoulder:

“Growl!”

“No, sorry, no, don't answer” - then I turned towards the Lynx - “You can talk; we are between friends.”

“Talk…?”

Spartacius watched me, surprised. The Lynx looked at me, then back to his current victim:

“Cala, you spoil my fun!? And what is wrong with a spawn’s love story, my friend?”

Spartacius’ sat back under the shock and the foot's pressure.

“Hey, stop pushing! Cala, take this talking fur-bag off me!”

The degree of fear the Lynx inspired seemed to have diminished rapidly.

Alice explained further, a bit cumbersomely:

“I did not say we were in love; I said he was in love. Well, he still is...”

“Ouch, poor guy.”

She looked back at me, and I saw a timid smile lighting her face. Damn it! They did it well; every little facial expression looks so realistic! This level of programming is insane. Perfect. Pure perfection. Damn it! I love this game.

Spartacius was getting impatient:

“Hey, would you set me free at last? Cala, what the hell!? This is all fun, but I want some action.”

“Set him free, Alice. He'll get his action.”

Alice looked a moment into my eyes. Then she understood: I need to enslave him. She set him free.

“It was about time.”

He said that, rubbing his wrists.

“I was starting to get worried I’ll stay the whole day in chains. This is not funny. Why did it take you so long, Cala?“

“Are you o.k.? Are you ready for a fight now?”

“Fight? Finally, some action! I see you got the Lynx, but there seems to be some life left in this bag of fur… so is this quest bust? Did you get a quest from him to get the mayor instead?”

“Ahm, not exactly. I want to fight you!”

The Lynx pushed forward:

“Me too, please; this bag of fur wants to fight for its reputation.”

“What? No, no, no. No chance, my friends. No, no. Cala, have you lost your mind?”

“Well, I do not have to fight you if you promise to come with me to the Silver Town. We need to pay a visit to Grackak and the gang.”

“Why? Grackak? I heard of him in a chat. They told me to avoid him.”

“Well, they were right. I have lost the fight with him, and as a consequence, I have to go there.”

“Why bet with that crazy cheated character? Next time when you see him run away. Simple as that. What is your quest? Do we need to go to him?”

“My quest is to bring you to Silver Town. He kind of obliged me to bet. Towns are no longer secure; one can be killed in a town.”

His face became sad.

“Oh, not good. Especially for us low levels. I wonder what that idiot wants. It is not fair; in a way, you sell me on getting yourself free.”

“I will bring you there. The quest is done once we are there, and we will be free. We'll get together away from there.”

“Well, then let’s go.”

“Not so fast, Spartacius; I will need to fight him. He will not let us go without a fight.”

“And you think with the help of this big cat to win on Grackak? He is a cheated char. We need to find a way to disappear fast.”

“This is why we have to prepare ourselves. I need to think of a plan.”

“Well, for me, it is becoming late. I will have to leave the game. I can set Spartacius to follow you if you want, but you should take care of him...”

“Yes, Yes. Why don’t you leave?”

“… It does not work? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. Watch the clouds.”

“ 'World out of order'. What the hell do they mean with this?”

Alice and the Lynx also looked at the sky, but they did not seem to be able to read the message.

“I wonder too.”

“Let’s go then to a big town to find the news. Forget your quest, and let’s go.”

“Let’s wait for a while. I have a rendezvous here, and I hope he will come. As there are some problems with portals, we would have to walk; better to wait here, as a ghost, he is faster.”

“A ghost?... OK, if we have to wait, let me make something to eat; I am hungry.”

“You know, if you are hungry in reality, this food does not feed you?”

“I know, but it helps, and it is funny, and my char is hungry too.”

“Ah, ok, why not. Do it. We have to wait anyhow.”

“Lynx, will you help me get some woods for fire?”

“Glad to, Spartacius.”