As Aergia materialized at the spawn point of Dew Lake, her senses were bombarded by the vividness of the virtual world around her. The air was filled with the scent of willow blossoms, the chirping of virtual birds, and the lively chatter of players and NPCs alike. The graphics were so lifelike that Aergia momentarily forgot the reality of her living room couch. She meandered through the town, taking in the sights of the bustling square, the shimmering fountain catching the sunlight, and the tempting aroma of freshly baked bread from the nearby bakery.
In the heart of the starter village of Dew Lake, a majestic willow tree stands as a serene centerpiece, strikingly contrasting the lively surroundings of the bustling square. With its gracefully drooping branches, this ancient willow creates a soft and vibrant canopy of lush green leaves. Each leaf shimmers in the sunlight, casting a dappled shade onto the cobblestone below, where the villagers and adventurers alike seek respite from their endeavors.
Aergia saw the beautiful willow tree in the town's center and noticed beneath the willow a well-worn wooden bench crafted from the oak of a neighboring forest. It offers a haven for weary travelers. It sat nestled among the roots as if grown from a tree, providing a perfect spot for quiet contemplation, joyous reunions, or, in Aergia's case, an ideal napping spot. Looking around and not seeing Her friends or siblings, she decided.
As Aergia approached, the soft rustling of the willow leaves seemed to beckon her closer. She sat on the bench, easing her back against the excellent hardwood, and sighed in relief. Though not exceptionally soft, the bench felt like a perfect resting spot. The willow's leaves diffused the sunlight, creating a play of light and shadow that flickered soothingly across her vision.to nap.
Aergia always found herself battling an unusual level of fatigue. It wasn't just sleepiness but a profound exhaustion that seemed to seep into her bones. Her family doctors had diagnosed her with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a complex condition characterized by extreme tiredness that isn't alleviated by rest and isn't due to underlying medical conditions. This explained her constant need for rest and her penchant for finding the most comfortable spots to recuperate.
The air around her was filled with the sweet, earthy scent of willow petals as she lay there. The fragrance was delicate, hinting of grassy freshness reminiscent of a spring meadow after a rain. The soothing smell of the willow petals seemed to weave around her, enveloping her in a cocoon of tranquility. Each breath she took was like inhaling calmness, the gentle aroma acting almost like a natural sedative.
Gradually, the ambient noises of the village faded into a distant hum, and the serene scent of willow carried Aergia into a peaceful slumber. There, under the protective boughs of the ancient tree, she found a temporary escape from the fatigue that so often plagued her, drifting into a sleep as deep and refreshing as the lake that gave the village its name.
The gentle rustling of the willow's leaves created a soothing symphony, accompanied by the cheerful chirping of birds and the distant laughter of children playing nearby.
While Aergia slept
In the virtual world of Dew Lake, Aergia's reputation as a Panda Kin known for her supreme laziness was about to take an unexpected turn. Because Aergia decided to park herself under the iconic willow tree in the town square, ostensibly to "meditate" on the finer points of summoning—though in truth, she was just taking a nap in the shade, a group of Morphers walked by, discussing the deeper meanings of their quests and the philosophical implications of virtual existence. Spotting Aergia, seemingly deep in thought (but half-asleep), one of the players, a scholarly type named Thales, nudged her companions.
"Observe the Panda Kin," Thales whispered reverently. "Notice her serene demeanor, her peaceful repose. She must be contemplating the Dao of Dew Lake, the essence of our existence here."
Aergia, half-listening with one ear open, murmured in her sleep, "No quests... just rest..." Thales and her friends mistook her mumbled sleep talk for a profound declaration, interpreting it as a call to reject the ceaseless pursuit of quests in favor of finding inner peace.
"This," Thales declared to the group, "is the true path to mastery. We can achieve greatness by conserving our energies and focusing on our inner journey."
In the future, word would quickly spread about the wise Panda Kin, who preached the virtue of stillness and reflection over relentless adventuring. A group of morphers would start a clan (cough, Fanclub, cough) around her, silently sitting and trying to emulate her "meditative" state. They would call this "The Panda Path of Enlightenment."
Thirty minutes later.
The soft sound of giggling pierced the quiet ambiance of the park, accompanied by the peculiar sensation of someone gently prodding Aergia's panda ear. This unexpected disturbance roused her from a serene nap beneath the shade of the grand willow tree. With a groan, she slowly sat up, her movements sluggish as she rubbed the sleep from her left eye. Stretching her limbs widely, a long yawn escaped her lips. "Whyyyyyyy," she whined plaintively, her voice tinged with the remnants of sleep.
As her vision cleared, she found her best friends standing before her, barely containing their mirth. Aergia's lips turned downwards in a pout, her expression comically sorrowful. 'Sad pouts go! Feel the overwhelming power of sad pandas everywhere,' she thought, hoping her adorable facade might elicit a reaction.
Maven, or Sionna as she was known in-game—a nod to the Fox Goddess of Celtic mythology—had chosen the form of a Mystic Fox kin. Her avatar boasted long, glossy black hair with vibrant orange tips, and her eyes, a striking mix of scarlet and orange, seemed to sparkle with mischief. Her attire was equally dramatic: a red kimono adorned with intricate spider lilies, emphasizing her chosen profession as an Illusionist. 'A fox girl with illusion powers, how very original,' Aergia mused with silent amusement, recalling how they had all laughed during a group discussion when Blakely sarcastically praised the originality of Maven's choice. Maven had even stuck her tongue out then, a playful gesture that still brought a smile to Aergia's face. 'Hmph. See if I pet your tail next time.'
Beside Maven stood Iris, who had chosen a chaos white snake kin, which made Blakely inwardly cringe despite her longstanding friendship with Iris. She knew of Iris's fascination with snakes from childhood, much like her family's affinity for bears, but the choice still unsettled her. 'Why did it have to be a snake kin?!' she wondered internally, her discomfort at odds with her affection. 'But I love Iris, so I guess I can handle her scaliness. Hmph, see how such a good friend I am, Iris.'
Iris's avatar was mesmerizing, with serpentine crimson-red eyes and pale skin that contrasted starkly with her long white hair. The scales that adorned her arms and neck enhanced her ethereal beauty, making her appear both deadly and delicate, like a winter flower poised to kill with its hidden poison. She wore a white kimono scattered with delicate Sakura blossoms—a perfect complement to her lethal elegance. Blakely, upon seeing her, had mentally applauded her choice. Yet now, looking down at her own attire, "I told you she wouldn't notice. She must have been too excited about becoming a Panda kin," Maven laughed, observing Aergia's perplexed expression. Aergia looked at her attire—a white and black kimono with pale green chrysanthemums—which seemed out of place to her, adding to the confusion. She frowned in confusion.
"How?" Aergia's single word of bewilderment was enough to send both of her friends into a fit of laughter. Holding onto her sides, Iris explained between giggles, "The game uses the information you input to determine your style preference. It pulls from your search engine and online shopping history...etc."
As the laughter subsided, Sionna and Iris took a moment to really look at their friend, standing up with an expression of betrayal, as if they had pushed her out of bed in her sleep. This image made them shiver as they remembered when Blakely's older brother made the mistake of waking her rudely—his arm bore the marks for weeks. "You look too cute as a panda! Wadjet, why did we think this was such a good idea?! Aergia might get kidnapped if she's left alone," Sionna exclaimed, her mind racing with unlikely but troubling scenarios involving their adorable, naive friend lured away by her love for marshmallows.
Aergia, confused by the sudden concern, tilted her head, further deepening her look of confusion (And cuteness!). "Why would I get kidnapped?"
"Because you are socially dense!" both friends exclaimed in unison.
Wide-eyed, the endearingly naive and sleep-loving panda digested this revelation. The only thing that crossed her mind then, however, was a rather peculiar question: "Why are your noses bleeding?!"