Well, after being gone for so long and after my second brief disappearance, I finally decided I was done hiding in the shadows and wanted to get myself out there. I thoroughly enjoy this place and I wish I knew all of you. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone. That is what this fic is about, actually: finding new friends and doing my best to help out, as well as becoming a part of this wonderful family. Not that I'm desperate or envious or anything... The Sessamaru Glossary Spoiler KHV- Also known as "KHV City"; a cozy, chillaxed Forum. The Web- the equivalent of Earth; just a little ways away from planet RL. Avatar- People who live on the Web/Internet (people who frequent forums). (Avatar is synonymous to "User" or "Member"; but it is also used a singular noun to describe a nomadic person who wanders from Forum to Forum and belongs to no particular Family) Forums- Cities/Towns found on the Web. Family- A group of Users/Members/Avatars who settle in/on a particular Forum. NPC- A fictitious entity who resides on the Forum and is simply there for plot purposes... also, for breaking the Fourth Wall. Because it's fun. ID- Also known as a User ID (or Member ID), revealing personal information for Users/Avatars/Members. Chapter I Spoiler Sess returned to KHV after a few years. It had changed rapidly, and it was all new to the once regular member. Sess was a medium-height youth with long silver hair, pale skin, green eyes, a pair of wolf ears, a furry tail, and wore blue jeans, boots, a white t-shirt, and a long mid-back length brown coat made of leather. This wasn't his usual attire, but he wanted to fit in. He sighed, slightly annoyed. KHV was covered in mist and every time Sess stared at the thinly-veiled city of KHV, it would seem to avoid him of its own volition, always moving slightly to the left. Or right. He didn't know anymore. Hell, nothing made sense anymore. Sess shook his head and wandered to the city. "Wonderful... I'm looking like a newb again," he muttered sarcastically, trying to ignore his rejuvenated appearance. Like everyone else on the Web, the nexus of knowledge, wisdom, and other things (some that are like eldritch horrors from beyond time and space), he was an avatar, a self-aware entity that finally took shape on the Internet, a planet just a little ways off from Planet RL (which was notorious for being Hell). His appearance matched that of his personality; lonesome, snarky, intelligent, and "mildly" narcissistic. "I swear, it's like this every time I leave a Forum." He continued, growing nearer and nearer the city. "I look like a little man-cub and I have to live in another forum in order to look... well... god-like. Someone of importance. Someone who--- oh look, a bakery!" Sess exlaimed as he entered the city, smelling a freshly baked apple pie from a nearby building. He ran into the bakery and found its residence to be, quickly literally, shadows. Even all the delicacies lacked physical substance, and this made Sess slightly unnerved. "Oh joy," he grumbled. "Imaginary pie... my favorite." From the back appeared a less shadowy resident (though still slightly intangible, but with some color rather than a mild-black/grey tone) who smiled a barely visible smile. "Ah, hello there!" He said, his appearance stocky and his belly slightly put-out. "What can I do ya for?" Sess looked at him, bewildered. "Mind telling me what's going on?" "What do ya mean?" The owner asked, bemused. "Why is the city covered in mist? Why is everything here so... shady." The NPC cocked his head. "Not that I'm saying it's suspicious!" Sess added hurriedly. "But rather, you're all practically like living shadows. I can barely see you!" The owner remained silent for a little bit, tapping a somewhat-shadowy finger against his somewhat-shadowy chin. After a moment of silence, the man nodded his head and his grin grew wider. "Why, it's because you're new!" "New?!" Sess asked skeptically. "What do you mean, 'new'?! I was here four years ago! FOUR YEARS AGO!!! I even have my ID to prove it!" Quickly, the youth began digging into his pockets in search for the ID. He found it in his wallet and revealed it to the NPC. "See?" The man looked it over and "hrm'ed", analyzing the credentials. "Yes, I see... well, you see, this expired. After dropping off the face of KHV for more than a year, and with little experience outside of the Roleplaying Arena, the ID expired and, therefore, you're new." "Th-that's not fair!" Sess barked incredulously, glowering at the man. "How do I get a new one?" The man shrugged. "If anything, just explore. Find new Users to befriend, partake in more interesting topics, and find a niche for yourself, I suppose. Get out of your shell." "Don't you judge me, old timer!" The ill-tempered youth growled, preparing to pounce over the counter. Unfortunately, his stomach growled and he collapsed onto the floor. The entire place was full of laughter. Oh goody... this is a great first impression. Why, if only I had eaten before I got here. Curse you, hunger! You won this round, but tomorrow... I'm kicking your arse into the next dimension. And I don't mean the fourth dimension either. Oh no, you're going to get a front row seat to the six-to-the-sixth-power dimension! Sess thought, crawling his way out of the bakery.
