People. Lots, and lots of people. That was simply the sensation Sarah felt while waiting in the enormous line at her local GameStop. Were there even this many people in town? She shook her head. This was insane. So much hype, over one video game...though she couldn't blame them. Sarah herself was probably a bit too excited. In her black leggings, light gray boots, and an oversized gray hoodie to keep her warm, the girl with a brown ponytail waited in a line of at least 100. No, way more than that. Yet here she was, nearly at the front. Anticipation danced across her skin, sashaying down her spine. It teased her. A brand new world was only minutes away.
A news report came over someone's radio, one who had been camping all night, reinforcing this fact. Just a bit longer... Sarah told herself. The line moved, a young man racing out of the store practically making out with the MAELSTROM box. How...nice. Focusing on the hot coffee in her hands, courtesy of her boss who was also in line behind her, Sarah moved another inch, taking time to reflect. Three paychecks. She'd used three paychecks to pay for ToK. That was college money, money for a new car, moving out. And she spent it on a video game. Though, she couldn't find the kernel of regret she was looking for. In fact, it only made her more excited.
Lost in her thought, it was her turn. Stepping into the cool store, the familiar beep sounding as she walked in, Sarah stepped up to the counter to hand the employee her card, validating her preorder. The skinny young man, with long brown hair, handed her the box with a smile. "Careful. They say it's like heroin." Sarah laughed, and put the box under her arm. "I'll be sure to remember that." She said with mock concern. Leaving and placing the box in the back of her rather junked-up car, Sarah managed to putter on home, burst through the door, and run up to her room before her mother could ask "How was the wait, dear?"
It was time. She ravenously ripped at the packaging, removing the sleek cylinder inside. "Beautiful." The young woman breathed, before hooking it up. It had to synchronize, so...what now? Sarah paced her room in her socks, layed on the bed, and groaned into the pillows. Her suffering was only relieved when the chime signaled the coming of the end for this world, and heralded the coming of another. Sarah raced to the console, turned it on, and grabbed the headset, slipping it on and flying onto her bed. Her chocolate eyes felt heavy, and soon she was filled with a state of calm.
<<WELCOME TO THE THRESHOLD OF KAKOPHONIA>>
<<STATE YOUR USERNAME AND RACE>>
Oh ho ho, yes. Here it was. After thinking about it for a second, Sarah replied, "Username: E,L,I,Z,E,A, space, R,O,R,I,A". There. That sounded pretty. Now it was time to choose a race. She was already a Human, so no need to go there again. Nobelle seemed cool, but she wasn't a fan of the look or the play-style. Veni Yan...now, there was something she could get behind. A race in tune with the world around them, enough to channel spirits? Definitely cool. Sarah stated clearly, "Race: Veni Yan". The feeling of weightlessness turned into one of substance, and the feelings of a fresh new world greeted the newly deemed Elizea. She sat under a shade tree, near a cobble road leading to a town not too far off. The sun shined beautifully, and the breeze carried with it the scent of possibilities. Which was reminiscent of grass and flowers. Who would have thought?
Standing, Elizea began walking to the town, already hearing the shouts and hollers of excited players. A smile broke out on her face, and she couldn't stop herself from jogging to the area. So many people...well, why hold back? Figuring out how to open the menu with frantic gestures, Elizea turned on her mic, and let out a resounding, "Hell yeah!"