The World

"All humans in the 'real world' have families, too," Hector said. "Well... they are born with them. Not everybody stays with them. Are you at all familiar with that concept?"

<There's also a lot of fighting, as we have a lot of problems getting along.>

Thiera: Of course! This is the internet, I can show you pictures, and articles.

Aroma: I do have a family. Harald is my father, Morganna is my mother, and my sisters include Aura and Lycoris.

*Monudon looks slightly confused*

<What are they like? Are they in the World too?>

Aroma: Morganna is trying to destroy Harald and put Aura back to sleep. They are everywhere, but nowhere. Lycoris is gone. She was friendly.

<Oh, um, I'm really sorry about that.>

*Monudon tries to smile*

"Interesting," Hector said. "I have a question for you, Aroma. How did you come to be like this? In a human avatar? I assume by everywhere and nowhere you meant that your family is in the game itself. Why are you able to interact with us?"

*Aroma scratches her head.*

Aroma: Why wouldn't I be able to do all of that?

Hector rubbed his chin, "When did you come about? I mean, how long have you been in the World in this form? How far back can you remember?"

Aroma: I emerged shortly before I met Euryale.

Euryale: I believe that was just 2 or 3 weeks ago.

<Do you remember emerging? Like, what was it like?>

Noct takes a seat, and listens to the conversation. Mortab does as well, but doesn't type '/sit' into chat.

Aroma: The first thing I remember is talking to my father. Then I wandered around for a while until I came to a place where the walls were alive. I went upstairs to the deck of a ship in the clouds, and then opened the way to the church.

<What did your father say?>

"I think we saw that in her memory," Hector looked over at Monu, then back to Aroma. "'You can not be my Aura. You are a failure.' Something like that?"

<Oh, right! Then he sounds kind of mean. No offense.>

Aroma: Yes, that was him.

*Monudon looks kind of upset*

<How could anyone say that to their daughter?!>

*He would have hugged Aroma, had this not been a video game*

"Tell me, what is an Aura?" Hector asked. "What is your purpose?"

<Aura is her sister, I think. That would probably make her another AI.>

Aroma: I don't know what Father wants. Only Mother would know that. Or maybe Aura. All I know is that Aura is the most important person to me. To all of us.

*As hug is a command, Euryale throws an arm around Aroma. She grins sheepishly & her face blanches*

Aroma: So soft & warm....

Euryale: You can feel my body heat?

Aroma: I can smell you, too.

*Euryale looks upset.*

Aroma: No, it's good! Like strawberries.

Mortal hugs Sab, causing the latter to say, "I can't smell through my game..."

"Maybe I just wanted to give you a hug."

"Oh, well, you could have just--" Sab gives a small shrug, ending her train of thought.

Hector looked a little surprised, "You can feel? Curious. Anyway, shall we move on? We've been chatting for a little while."

Luna: I am interested. Is there anything else that you can tell us?

Aroma: I don't...think so...?

Luna: Then let's go back and fight.

Noct stood up.