As Bastet takes her hand off Anubis‘ wrist, the flickering displays on her HUD fade into the background. They push off from the brightly lit vending machine, leaving the quiet courtyard behind. It doesn’t take a teleport, no sudden shift of the world – just a few steps together on foot to cross the boundary between the cool night air and the pulsating life of the club. They walk through the entrance, and at that exact moment, the scenery around them comes alive.
The textures have finally finished loading. The glaring cyan and magenta of the neon lights from Nille’s Hangout reflect on the wet cobblestones of the ground, while the particle effects of the artificial rain dance quietly around them.
Anubis stands right next to Bastet at the edge of the wooden walkway where their path has led them. Even here, he is an absolute eye-catcher in the flickering club light. His long, intricate braids are tied into the familiar bun, and his heavy jacket seemingly protects him from the artificial chill of the night. He has his arms crossed and types a quick message into the IM window while his gaze silently glides over the dance floor. He watches the other avatars with that typical, cool composure that has always defined him – truly the ancient guide of souls, losing none of his unwavering calm even in the metaverse.
Beside him, Bastet draws everyone’s eyes. Her long, coppery-red hair, tied in a high ponytail, glows in the restless shimmer of the club lighting. Her casual top perfectly hugs her graceful movements as she finally lifts her gaze from her HUD’s display. To the people here in the club, they are simply a perfectly matched couple with a pretty brilliant, customized look.
She takes a step forward, adjusts the camera perspective, and her eyes meet his. After all the years behind them, they no longer need big explanations. A quick glance is enough to know that they operate in the same rhythm. The bond between the former goddess of dance and her old friend holds true everywhere – whether in real life or right here, caught between scripts, codes, and prims.
„Pretty crowded for a weekday,“ Bastet types into the chat, as the deep bass of the music vibrates noticeably through the wooden walkway.
Anubis barely curls the corners of his mouth, looks down at her from the side, and sends a quick animation over to her. As she accepts the invitation and her avatar smoothly leans against his shoulder, the absurd feeling of the digital world vanishes for a moment. No big drama, no unnecessary talk. Just the familiar, ancient presence that has absolutely nothing to do with the impersonal pixels of the other users.
They slowly drift past the tables toward the main dance floor, past the flashing lights and the typing guests. When they finally sit down at the edge of the walkway, letting their legs dangle over the simulated abyss, they just soak in the vibe of the club. The night at Nille’s has only just begun, and with him by her side, there is absolutely no reason for Bastet to rush.