~Candice~
Today was the day! Just 5 more minutes separated me from my greatest desire. I had waited months for this. Now don’t judge me, I’m very into my hobbies and there are worse hobbies out there than mine. I have a slight (and by slight I mean huge) obsession with video games. But not just any video games. Otome games. Now, I know you’re probably thinking either one of three things. Either, “what the heck is an otome game?” or “AH MAH GERSH ME TOOOO!” or “Wow. Wierdo.” But, what can I say? A virtual dating sim is the closest I get to friends sometimes, let alone male interaction.
*Dingdingding* And I was off. Straight from school to the video game store. I had preordered a few games, but there was one in particular I was most interested in. There had been no pictures released. And nothing but the back label had been leaked, as well as very few reviews from only the most prestigious testers. All raving about the incredible experience they had. “This is the future of gaming. A completely unique immersive experience the world has ever seen. For the rest of this story, you have to play it for yourselves.” That was it. A solid black cover and back. I raced home and opened up the box and found a sheet of instructions. A small watch was inside as well.
“Put this on, and the insert the disk into the gaming system. Make sure you are either sitting in a comfortable position or lying down. Never start the game standing up or in a hazardous place. Enjoy.” I read out loud to myself as I got up to my room. The house was empty as usual. Mom and dad must have been out doing something like always. I hopped onto my bed and laid down after I placed the newly bought games with my huge shelf full of similar styled games. I tossed a few of my tens of plushies to the floor and grabbed my small gaming system. I switched the disks and clicked the watch onto my wrist and powered it up. I hit start on the menu, but my screen went black. I felt dizzy, and suddenly, everything just poofed into darkness as well.
~*~
‘Birds? I never left my window open…and why did I faint?’ I opened my eyes and felt grass under me. ‘How did I get outside? Where the heck was I?!’ I jumped up and looked around frantically.
“Hey.” A voice from above caught me by surprise and I jumped. Suddenly a man appeared in front of me. A man that couldn’t have been real. He was far too beautiful with his dual colored white and black hair and revealing clothing. “I said hey.”
“H-H-Hi?” I squeaked. He smirked and walked around me.
“Lost?” He asked.
“Um…” I was frozen on the spot.
“Well, if you aren’t, I’ll be leaving now.” He waved his hand and walked off. ‘Maybe I should say something, make him stop…’ But I stayed put and he was gone before I could change my mind.
“Oh great…” I started walking in the direction he went, hoping to find someone else, or the man again. I started shaking, Where was I and how did I get here?! There’s no way this could be the game, was there? If it was, then immersive didn’t even describe a fraction of it. It was unbelievably real. The smells were real, and the feeling of the breeze, the sun, everything. I touched a tree, and it was rough and there was no way it wasn’t real. I heard a funny sound and looked up into the trees. And looking back at me was a, SNOW LEAPORD?! I screamed and ran to a different tree and hid behind it, holding my breath, then felt something drag lightly against my cheek, and I jumped and yelled, whipping around, but finding nothing there. “Hello?!” I gasped. I turned and saw a face inches from my own. I scrambled back and hit a tree. In front of me was another man, with cat ears, and, a tail. Hair that was tied back low behind him, that went to his knees. Brilliantly white with black leopard spots. He had brilliant blue eyes that took my breath away. He, was, GORGEOUS. Drop dead, carved by angels, blindingly beautiful. He got close to me again.
“I’m sorry, are you ok?” He asked. I could have had a heart attack. His voice was even deeper than the other guys. Smooth and silky like velvet, or that really really really creamy ice cream that you love.
“I-I…” Then I remembered why I ran before. I looked around him. “Be careful! There’s a snow leopard here! B-But, there’s no snow here…” The man chuckled.
“It won’t hurt you, promise.” He took a strand of hair and brought it to his face and took in a deep breath. “You’re a human? You smell like strawberries.” He said. My face could have burst into flames and I noticed his long, sharp nails.
“You’re, you’re…”
“Yes, I’m the leopard. Sorry I scared you. I took on this form, it seems to not scare you as much, but, I could be wrong. Are you lost?”
“Y-Yes…I don’t know, where I am…” I stuttered. He smiled, and my heart jumped to my throat.
“We should ask the Goddess. She will know why you are here. Come with me!” He took my hand and started to drag me away with ease.
“O-Ok…” I was too scared to fight him, and I wasn’t about to argue with a carnivore.
“I’m Snow.” He said.
“I’m, Candice.” I introduced myself quietly.
“May I call you Candy?” I glanced over at him nervously.
“I-If you want.” I answered. We soon came to a huge castle. “Wow…” I gasped.
“Come on, she’s inside, don’t be afraid, she’s really nice.” Snow said. I squeezed his hand slightly and he slowed down a little. “Are you sure you’re alright? Are you cold?” I shook my head.
“Just, scared.” I said honestly. Snow nodded.
“I understand why. Did you see anyone else?” He asked.
“Yeah, a man with white and black hair.”
“Talon! He’s my friend!” He grinned.
“He left me in the woods alone.” I sighed.
“He’s a bit rough around the edges, I’ll yell at him later for leaving a scared lady in the woods alone.” He frowned.
“N-No, that’s alright…” The big castle doors opened as we approached them.
“She will be in the big room up the stairs.” He stopped and I did too. I looked up at him. He must have been at least 6 feet tall. He looked down and tipped his head and out of sheer habit, or maybe it was just my instinct, but I tipped my head too. A small smiled played on the edges of his mouth. “I’ll go with you if you would like.”
“Would you?” I asked. I felt myself starting to relax. I didn’t think he meant me any harm. He nodded and stated walking with me again. We got to the top of the stairs and the doors opened, revealing a large room with bookcases and a big desk. Standing in front of it was a stunning lady with beautiful blonde hair styled in long, tight ringlets. She seemed to almost glow. I hid behind snow a little who put a hand behind my back and gently pushed me forward and he stood off to the side. I looked at the goddess timidly, not knowing what to expect.
