Here's something I wrote for sherlockdame, a long overdue continuation of a story I had been working on for them some time ago. Hope you enjoy it!
Akina took another look at the clock on the wall of the small yet modern station that connected their game to Game Central Station. Akio should have been here ten minutes ago, where was he? It didn't help that it was both unusually cold in the game today, and that the train was only a few minutes from arriving. Akina sighed and sat down on a bench in the station, there wasn't much she could do other than wait for him and try to warm up. She wished she had thought of bringing something a warmer to wear.
"Train from Grand Central Station is arriving in two minutes" a loudspeaker at the station blared. Now Akina was feeling a bit anxious. She hardly ever ventured out of the game, and although she wouldn't admit to it, she felt nervous about doing so even with a friend, much less if she was on her own. Akina tapped her feet nervously as she waited another minute for Akio to arrive.
She could suddenly hear someone running towards the station from a bit of a distance away. She looked around the corner from the bench she was sitting on and saw Akio sprinting towards the station. He arrived in no time, and immediately looked for Akina.
"You're late." Akina said to the other, visibly annoyed. "I know, I'm sorry, I had something to take care of at home." Akio explained, between breaths. Akina got up off the bench and walked a little closer to the platform. "Well, the train's about to arrive, you got here just before it did. No more than a minute from now."
Akio leaned on a support beam. "Good thing I'm made it, then." he said. After a moment, the train finally arrived. "The tram's here, let's go!" urged Akio as he stepped onto the train, followed by Akina. You were late, and you're trying to get me to move? She thought. They both took a seat towards the back of the otherwise empty train. "So, tell me a little more about this game. Technical tracks and supercars, hm?" Akina asked.
Akio thought for a moment. "Yes, something like that." He told her. "The tracks aren't simple ovals, they are a little more difficult, with more turns and some jumps. The cars go about as fast as our boards, but they are cars, so that's going to be a different of course."
"That sounds about right." Akina said as she stared out the window, watching the city skyline as the train continued along its route. She continued to feel uneasy about even setting foot outside of her game. The last time she had been to Game Central was maybe...4 months ago? She could hardly remember. She had probably only visited it a couple of times, Hover had only been in the arcade for a little over a year.
Akina was silent for the rest of the ride to the terminal. When the train pulled up, Akio suggested to Akina, "Stay nearby me, it's easy to get lost here. I know where the cabinet is."
"Sure." Akina muttered. I would hope you do. She thought. The pair stepped off train and headed towards the South end of the station. Akina followed him closely, glancing around the station. Even though she didn't pay much attention to most of the other games, she could recognize a few characters in the crowd. It was odd to see so many different characters all in one place.
"And here it is." Akio said with a smile as he stopped in front of a large gate with the game's title placed above it. "So, the way this usually works" he started, turning towards Akina. "Is that most games will allow other characters to try out their game sometimes. We can race in most racing games, shoot in some shooting games, things like that. I'll check down there quickly to see if they're open."
"Okay." Akina said, taking a seat on a bench near the entrance. She waited nervously for him to return. Fortunately for her, he was only gone for a moment. "We're fine!" Akio said to Akina, beckoning for her to follow. She nodded and began quietly walking with him down the game's entrance.
