"Ugh, what a complete and utter waste of time that was," Shizu complained as she stepped off the Eclipse Views express elevator and into her apartment before flopping down on the closest sofa.
"Manners, Shizu," Tamamo sighed.
"Oh please, it's only the two of us here," Shizu replied while gazing out at Waning City's skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. "The view really isn't as good as the penthouse. Did you happen to find out who owns it?"
"I did, and it's quite an interesting turn of events," Tamamo replied, causing Shizu to look at her with interest before she continued. "His name's John Michaels, and he's the citizen who was mistreated back in Dawnscape City."
"The one that led to the humans' racial punishment announcement?" Shizu asked in surprise before smiling and saying, "Then it should be easy to purchase the apartment from him."
"You're forgetting that he earns two percent of all sales Sanders Incorporated makes; he's not lacking money anymore."
"Then I'll wave my tails at him; no man can refuse them," Shizu said proudly before asking. "By the way, did you manage to get the name of the handsome man in the bar? Jason was being so clingy that I never got the chance to ask you."
"What clingy? You never allowed him to touch you," Tamamo replied while rolling her eyes.
"I was speaking metaphorically," Shizu huffed. "The only time I got away from him all evening was when I saw Sarah and Mel. Besides, he'll have to work far harder if he ever wants to touch me."
"We both know he's not your type, so just keep him happy while you're attending university and find men and women you are attracted to for fun in the bedroom with," Tamamo replied.
"You make it sound like I sleep around," Shizu stated while glaring at Tamamo, who sighed and said. "I didn't mean it that way, but you can't admit that you're far more liberal with having fun in the bedroom than your friends. I mean, you even played around with that new stewardess on the flight here."
"Since my heart is locked away until someone finds the key, I'm free to play with who I like," Shizu replied while pouting. "Also, what about Sarah? She's rather liberal with men."
"She's liberal with her boyfriends; there's a difference. She's never cheated on her boyfriend; it's just her relationships don't last long."
"Ok, what about Mel? I'm sure she's seen plenty of action being the most famous diva in all the world."
Tamamo thought for a moment before asking, "While I can say for certain that she's not a virgin, I can't say how many people she's been with. Though she doesn't come across as the type of celebrity that uses her body to get what she wants."
"Oh please, that's exactly what she does; you've seen those tits of hers," Shizu scoffed.
"I mean, using her body sexually, there's a difference between flaunting your body to get what you want and actually selling it," Tamamo explained before adding. "If you're that interested, why don't you ask her?"
"I think I will," Shizu replied. "I still want to hear how she became a druid after all."
Tamamo nodded before saying, "Well, at least now we know who Dream Star is. I can't believe you didn't even know the Genesis ID of your friend before now."
"I planned to ask her after I left the starter village and reached Waning City, but as soon as I did, you told me that the plane was about to land," Shizu said with a pout.
"Then perhaps you shouldn't have played with that stewardess so much," Tamamo retorted before turning and heading towards the bathroom, adding. "I'm going for a shower; you go hang out with Mel or whatever."
"Whatever, I sent her a message earlier telling her to add me as a friend," Shizu replied before realising something and asking, "Hey! You never answered my question before. Did you get the handsome guy's name or not?"
"Not," Tamamo replied as she stopped and turned to look at Shizu with a smile before adding, "You've found a good one there, Shizu."
"Huh?" Shizu said in confusion.
Instead of explaining, Tamamo turned and headed for the bathroom again while repeating the lines John gave to her: "Such a thing would go against fate's will and therefore ruin any chance of us ever meeting again, for it is foolish to try and trick fate. I therefore must regretfully refuse and ask you to remind your lady that we will meet again only if fate wills it."
Shizu stared after her with a surprised expression as Tamamo entered the bathroom and closed the door. Only then did Shizu break out into a smile while saying, "He truly does understand our culture; it's not just knowledge of our language."
Smiling happily, Shizu lay down on the sofa before closing her eyes and saying, "Genesis Sync."
What she didn't notice as her mind entered Genesis was that deep within her, the sound of a click occurred.
***
As she opened her eyes again, Shizu found herself standing outside the teleportation hall in Waning City. It really was right after her arrival in the city that she'd had to log out and hadn't had the time to play since.
She wasted no time in opening her friends list to see if anyone had sent her a friend request, and just as expected, she had received one from the most talked-about player at the moment: Dream Star.
She quickly accepted the friend request and, seeing that Mel was online, sent her a message.
[Ninth Wonder of the World: Spill, how exactly did you become a druid?]
[Dream Star: You seriously couldn't wait until we meet up tomorrow evening, could you? Also, what's with that name?]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: Oh please, it's not like I'm going to be like all those others who try to copy my mum's ID; I'm me, but I still had to make mention of my pride at being a ninth.]
[Dream Star: Yeah, yeah, I really don't understand this whole pride at being a ninth thing.]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: Most humans don't, though that handsome man from earlier did.]
[Dream Star: Is this the same handsome man you mentioned you'd rather be on a date with than Jason Marks? Though I can't really blame you there.]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: Yup, one and the same. I was so surprised when I learned he could speak my native tongue, and he even seems to understand my race's culture.]
[Dream Star: Sounds promising. So what's his name?]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: No idea. I wanted to ask, but I couldn't very well do it with Jason being stuck to my side. So in the end I asked Tamamo to find out, but he refused, saying that it would be fate if we met again. So romantic.]
[Dream Star: That's romantic?]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: It's a cultural thing; you wouldn't understand. So come on, spill, how did you become a druid?]
[Dream Star: Well, John and I…]
It took several minutes for Mel to explain everything that happened until Shizu finally said.
[Ninth Wonder of the World: This John guy really helped you out; you need to make sure to thank him.]
[Dream Star: I know, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do so.]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: Why not tickets to your next concert?]
[Dream Star: That's what I said, but Sarah shot the idea down. He basically has no idea who Melissa Delacruz is and probably wouldn't go alone.]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: Seriously? There's a guy out there who doesn't know who you are?]
[Dream Star: John's situation is special?]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: Then why not reward him with that body of yours? Then he'll always remember who Melissa Delacruz is.]
[Dream Star: We're not all like you who are willing to sleep with anyone who catches your eye. Honestly, if I didn't know you were a Kitsune, I'd say you were a succubus.]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: I'm just enjoying myself until I find the one. But seriously, I was talking about this with Tamamo earlier; how many people have you been with?]
[Dream Star: Why would you even discuss that with her?]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: I was trying to point out that I'm not the only liberal woman in our group.]
[Dream Star: Well, you kinda are.]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: Just answer the question already.]
[Dream Star: I dunno, maybe half a dozen men and a few women. Less than you and Sarah.]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: It's true, Sarah has had way too many boyfriends. Were all of them celebrities then?]
[Dream Star: Yeah, though it didn't mean anything. Normally, it just happened after drinking too much at a show's after-party.]
[Ninth Wonder of the World: You need to introduce me to them in the future.]
[Dream Star: If you keep going the way you are, you're never going to settle down, you horny slut.]