Chapter 13 - Things that are pleasing to the eye catches attention.

As I walked and gazed around, my eyes fell upon a figure in the worn path. Because everything is bright, I can't see it clearly. I really don't know what to expect so I've drew my sword and proceeded with caution. As I got nearer, I saw that it's just a little girl.

When she heard my footsteps, she turned around and looked at me.

"I've been waiting for you." She said.

Gosh... She's so cute! She has long, shiny, black hair, silver eyes, and a kind face. She looks thin but she's very lively. She wears a simple white dress with long sleeves.

I'm very surprised and amazed. Gosh... She's so dreamy... Shucks! I should stop my daydreaming!

"Oh... I'm sorry. A - Am I late?"

"No. Not at all."

"A...Uhm... Why are you waiting for me?"

"We have an adventure, silly! Have you forgotten? You're 15 years old and you're forgetful already?"

She smiled... So cute...

"I'm sorry... Maybe I'm not fully awake."

"Oh, it's okay. Next time, take down notes."

"I will."

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, I am... I guess..."

"Excellent. What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"S - Sure!"

Somehow, somewhere, I think I heard some music play*.

"By the way, why is your sword unsheathed?"

"Oh... Ah... This? There're so many flies around so I slashed them with my sword..."

"Right..."

The awkward silence and my curiosity about our adventure got the best of me. I really tried but I don't remember anything and my memory's not really helping me at all. I can't stand it. I just need to know!

"I'm really sorry. I don't know why I'm so forgetful. I... don't know your name..."

She laughed... So cute...

"You're always doing your best to make me smile."

"..."

"You really don't know? You're not joking around?"

"I'm sorry..."

A few minutes passed by...

"That's... weird..."

Silence...

"It seems that you've been put in a curse of oblivion by the Grim Casket* while you're sleeping. It's not amnesia. You still have your memories inside your head but... They are repressed... Well, because you're my friend, I'll help you break that curse! And tell you my name for one condition!"

HUH?!! A Grim Casket?!! What on earth is that?!! And whoa! Just WHOA!!! Wait a minute! I've been cursed and I didn't even felt or know about it! But how can that be...? I can still remember my mother and father! What else happened while I was sleeping?!

"Uhmm... What is it...?"

"We'll properly introduce ourselves to each other like we've never met before!"

Oh if you only knew...

"Sure!"

"Okay then, I'll start! A pleasant day to you sir! My name is Kaoru*, 15 years old, a junior Elementalist*. My favorite color is yellow and my favorite food is chocolate cake. How may I assist you? Now it's your turn."

A junior Elementalist? What is that?!

"Uhm... Okay... Good morning to you Lady Kaoru, my name is Lionel. I'm also 15 years old, just like you and..."

What to say?! What to say?!

"I'm a walker..."

I sure walk a lot.

"Hmmm... A Swashbuckler*, that's amazing!"

"Thanks..."

What is she saying?!

"Kaoru... That's a very nice name."

"Thank you."

"Are we friends...?"

She laughed... It's still cute...

"Of course, silly! Are you really okay...?"

She's starting to get worried.

"N-No...I'm just having a hard time remembering things that's all. I'm fine, really."

Time to change the subject,

"How long have we been friends?"

"Hmmm... Oh well, I guess we'll just have to walk down memory lane together, huh? Don't worry, it's no bother. I'll fill you in with everything you need to know, okay? Just ask."

"Thank you."

She always smiles... She's so sweet...

"If my memory serves me right, we've been friends for almost half a year now."

"Wow... So we really are friends... For quite a long time now, huh?"

"Yes. How many times should I say it?"

"Just making sure... So, how did we meet?"

"You've forgotten that day too?! To shame!"

Oh dear...

"I'm sorry..."

"Oh well... You're forgiven. We can't do anything about it. But don't you worry. It's only temporary. Once we beat the Grim Casket, you'll have your memories back in no time!"

"Thank you for reassuring me, Kaoru."

"You're welcome. So where was I? Ah yes, one day... You went to Iris City to buy some needed supplies. While picking some vegetables, you saw me going out of a bakery. I just bought a freshly baked, chocolate roll that day. Ah... Chocolate cake... Anyways, the chocolate cake is in a thin, long, wooden box that looks like a lady's purse. As I walked back home, a man came rushing towards me and stole the cake. I hate that guy. He thought the box was my purse, silly thief. You saw the whole thing. Acting very fast, you picked up an empty bottle of potion from the apothecary shop beside the vegetable shop, and threw it at him. You hit him perfectly in the head. I was chasing the thief too so when he fell down, the cake fell too! Poor cake! But I was fast! Before the cake hit the ground, I caught it! I saved the cake! Ha ha ha ha ha! And thus, the cake was saved, the end."

"Ah... Okay... So, how did we meet?"

She really likes chocolate cakes...

"Oh... Sorry. When that incident ended, I approached and thanked you for the heroic act you've done to save my cake. We introduced ourselves to each other and that's how our friendship started. The thief had been apprehended and we happily ate the cake. I'll never forget that day..."

I bet it's because of the cake.

"So that's how we met."

"Yes."

Think Lionel, think! Keep the conversations going! What can I say?"

"Uhmm, Lady Kaoru?"

"Kaoru's fine. What's with you being formal all of a sudden?"

"Oh - Okay. Sorry... Kaoru... May I ask a question again?"

"Ask away."

"Okay... Uhmm... Why are we taking this adventure?"

"Now, that's a good question, with an excellent answer."

(*The BGM or Background Music in the Server of Iris will be the Classical Music composed by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Dvorak, etc. But, the players can change it on the Settings and put whatever songs they want. It can be their own music playlist, EDM or Electro Dance Music, old country songs, or pop music.)

(*The Grim Casket is one of the boss monster in the Server of Iris. One thing I can say is, it's very overpowered.)

(*Kaoru is the official Guide in the S.O.I. She will assist you in achieving your dreams and always help you in your new, exciting journey inside the game.)

(*Elementalist is a unique Title in S.O.I. Just by waving his or her hands equipped Game Gloves, the player can cast fire balls, water orbs, flying rocks, and wind slash.)

(*Swashbuckler is another unique Title in S.O.I. He or She, is a jack of all trades of some sort. The player can use any kind of weapon or equipment, even a bicycle! And he or she can read any type of story and do every kind of quests.)