by Mark Mulle
Chapter 4: Tesseract97
"Alright, there's no use in keeping up the small talk," I begin. "This isn't exactly normal. Two players on single player. Are you sure you're not a hacker?"
Tess jumps down from the crafting table. "Yes! I'm not a hacker! I know you probably don't believe me, but I'm telling the truth. I stopped playing multiplayer for the first time in a long time, I started on a new random world in single player, and here you are!"
"... Okay then. Ahh," I stop her. "But why are you on version 1.7.10? And not the most recent update?" I smile to myself, smugly.
She looks about as sheepish as a virtual figure can be. "The server I was on before required our profiles to be below the latest update. That's all I can say."
I sigh, inwardly. The girl seems genuine enough. Not that you can tell what a person is really like over a virtual world and screen.
"Okay." I say. "I'll believe you for now. Should we report the crash to customer support?"
"Maybe," she replies. She then turns her back to me, and starts working at the crafting table. She pauses, before asking me a question. "So, what are your plans for this world?"
Awkward. "I have a couple of geeky ideas. What about you?"
"Hey, I want to hear them!" She picks up her newly-crafted spade, proudly. "Come on, tell me."
"Um." I wasn't planning on telling anyone about the silly mission that I've set for myself. I have to change the subject. "Maybe later. So, what made you go on single player after playing multiplayer for so long?"
"Well..." She is silent for a few moments. "It's a long story. And I wasn't really planning on telling anyone..."
"I'm all ears." I'm also kind of hoping it isn't too long a story. I know that when girls usually say that they weren't planning on telling someone their secrets, it usually means that they're about to open up and rant away.
She seems uncertain. "It's a secret."
"I'm sure I'll be able to keep it."
"Okay then..." She steps a little closer, before launching into her story. "Well, you already know I was on a server for a very, very long time. I suppose I should start at the very beginning.
"I was looking over the online forums, and I saw a post offering spaces on a new server. This wasn't just any server - it was a server only for the very elite of players. Spaces were limited. You had to audition to be on it. Only privileged players could be a part of this kingdom, and I desperately wanted to be a part of it. The server was run by a player called X."
"X?" I interrupt. "That's hilarious."
"Let me continue," she answers. I can't tell for sure, but her tone seems serious.
"Player X wanted to create a kingdom of elite crafters - with him as leader. It was a grand group of players. I was appointed as one of the main brains of the project, a leading designer and creator. At first, it was a great opportunity. But, over time, Player X became too controlling. He would go crazy over any missing detail. One block out of place, and he'd go mad.
"Over the years, I was losing more and more freedom to create what I wanted. I couldn't be myself any more. So, without any warning, I just left. I respawned here. I want to start again - rediscover my love of crafting - and start a new world."
Silence. I don't know how to respond. It was a lot to take in.
"Ah..." I break the silence. "Well. That is quite the story, and maybe you were right in doing what you had to do, but... Don't you think you should have told this Player X you were leaving? I mean he's probably raging that you went AWOL."
She tilts her head and thinks about it for a moment. "He might try," she finally answers. "But I'm sure he'll get over it eventually. He'll replace me. He would ban any of the players who broke the rules. We lost some talented crafters. But you know. It was just a long time to spend on a server - you create bonds, you grow attached to your world. It's kind of hard to leave behind."
"Oh." I wasn't expecting her to come out with any of this. I'm really unsure how to reply. "I'm sorry you had to leave all that behind."
"Thanks. Well, never mind." She walks over to a window, and looks outside. "Enough about me, though. What do you have planned for this world?"
"Well, maybe a few things. But overall, I want to create a world that I would never give up on. It's silly really, but have you ever started a new world, and then deleted it ten minutes later, because it just wasn't right for you?"
"Um, I think I know what you mean." Tess says.
"Okay. Well, that's what I want to do with this world. I've mentally committed to it now."
"I think that's cool." Tess wanders over to the furnace, and starts to smelt some cobblestone.
I'm suddenly struck with an idea. "Hey, you know what? We should make a pact."
"A pact? Like a treaty or a promise?"
"Yes. To never give up on this world."
Tess puts more wood on the fire. "Okay then... If you're sure? Even though this world seems pretty glitchy, with two of us being here?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. Well, jungle biomes were never my thing, but I can feel myself getting used to it." I stand up, and replant the dandelion I'd picked up earlier. "And I think it's nice to craft with another person, sometimes."
"Yes, that's true. Cool."
We share a comfortable silence for a few seconds, then Tess speaks again. "But hey, you mentioned you had some ideas for this world. What are they?"
"Ah. Well. It's a pretty stupid idea really."
"Oh, please. It can't be any more pitiful than my story!"
"Okay then..." I take a deep breath. "Really though. It's ridiculous."
"Come out with it already!"
"I..." I take a deep breath. "... I am searching for Herobrine."