[attr="class","abooti"] "because we will not be killing it." syren explained, sending GIFT: TORN PAGE #3, which showed an image of the SPIRIT OF WATER.



"i don't really understand what it does, or why she guards it so fervently; but i believe there is one in every kingdom - each guarded by their own monarch." she began to explain. "and if you ask the locals, they aren't all too excited about their rulers." the little clam thing furrowed its nonexistent brows. "though i suppose that is the goal of the game."

"ruling." syren looked the pistol man, "besides, more importantly, i think the SPIRIT OF WATER will help stabilize this form."

[attr="class","abooti"] she sent a GIFT: TORN PAGE from one of the books she had read in the library. it detailed something about the SPIRIT OF WATER. "it's guarded by the queen of hearts." syren began to explain, sending another GIFT: TORN PAGE #2 from the royal archive, it featured a magical portrait of the queen and notes her MADNESS.



she looked the barcoded man up and down, and bubbled, "think you can handle her minions? we get past them and get me to the SPIRIT OF WATER, and you can keep the other treasure."

[attr="class","abooti"] “perhaps, but there is so much more to explore. complex crafting, farming, and camping systems are all included and none of those require blade nor bulwark.” syren retorted with a stream of bubbles.

she eyed the mysterious man and peeped, “in fact, there might be a quest you would be interested in. seeing as you’re the type to shoot first, ask questions later.”

[attr="class","abooti"] suddenly, her display went dark. again? a warning flashed as syren opened her shell up, apparently that same boy had come to attack her. olivia sighed, represent in game by bubbles spilling forth from syren's shell. syren looked to the spot next to her on the sandy beach - the shellfish was precariously balancing on a gnarled driftwood HEALER'S STAFF - and gurgled, "you might find this game easier if you don't attack everything you see."

a second bubble popped as syren mused, "is that what you all do? attack and kill? this city, for example, has a wonderful library. even this sunset is peaceful, in its own unique way; the sounds of a calm tide are so realistic, alluring." a stark contrast to the real world as a storm raged on.

[attr="class","abooti"] it was a rather stormy night, and with the winds unleashing torrential rainfalls upon sootopolis, olivia retreated to the digital world. she still didn't quite understand the nuances or culture, but it was new; unique, and something she could learn about. above all else, olivia prided herself on being a fast learner and capable of retaining said knowledge. she had been doing some light reading within the fontaine library. the designers of the game truly did put some thought into the lore of their world.

there was also an in game glossary that explained basic terms that olivia was presently studying as her avatar, syren, stared blankly over the great blue digital sea.

[attr="class","abooti"] she was shoved inside someone's pocket, and syren managed to peek through the top by squirming.

but her wigglin' and wagglin' proved too much for the pocket to handle, and she fell to the ground with a thud and a crack. her quest item, the precious egg, shattered. syren deadpanned and olivia sighed - she'd have to do this all over.

[attr="class","abooti"] someone had tossed her at the sword. syren had been minding her own business, ever so slowly grinding, when some rude insolent child picked her up and CHUNKED the clampearl like creature at a honedge.

she clamped down on it, trying not to hit the ground with too much force

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[attr="class","abooti"] this situation was, quite frankly, entirely too much for the abbiati matriarch; technology had always been kept at a distance from the snowpoint clan and olivia was slowly being forced to adapt to the modern world. this game, however, was undoubtedly new to her. the community, with their wealth of knowledge who saw her as a child or a mob. it was humiliating and induced a deeply disturbing feeling of nostalgia. as her time as a child, knowing nothing. being treated as nothing if you could not comprehend the sea or it’s tellings. incompetent if one could not read the stars, glide through the waves, or recite intricate ancient unknown runes for no other reason than a command; obedient, ignorant.

olivia took a deep breath, her new avatar closing its shell and water rimmed it’s edges in a razor shell before she opened up, and said, “i will heal and act as defense for whomever carries...” she glanced down at her shell body before continuing, “... me to the egg’s destination.” olivia released her breath. “i am here to support, i suppose.” syren mused , and olivia pondered. she was an adult, a former gym leader, a political entity, ceo, and a childbearer - not a mother, she would not dare entertain such a claim.

perhaps that is what she could do for these two boys. support them as she might of her own. “i could also attack, as you’ve seen.” her avatar added with her bubbly voice. she was already considering ways to force her way through this quest, and olivia is a very stubborn woman.

[attr="class","abooti"] they thought she was a child?! her? THEE olivia abbiaiti!!!!!! she was flabbergasted and quite annoyed, and ready to teach these youngins what was what... when her avatar started to flash with silver light. she hadn't pressed the attack button and this time there was a prompt for her. it was a multicolored and simply displayed ???? for the text.

olivia clicked it.



”what the #*€% is going on now?!” olivia and syren said in unison; in the real world her screen was flashing the word EVOLUTION and in game, random coding in neon green began to wrap itself around her avatar.

with a flash of light, the coding faded and olivia's display returned to normal but now she... was a clampearl?



she couldn't float anymore and promptly fell to the digital ground with a thud. "what... just happened."