"We need to talk," SparkleDog2020 tells me.

"We are," I reply.

They shake their head. "No, no. Not in game. We need to talk in person. You could come to my house, here, in reality, or we can meet somewhere in public if that makes you feel safer."

I squint at them. This person already knows where I live. If they're a hacker there's no telling what information they have.

"I know you probably feel you can't trust me," the blue furry continues. "But, I also know Augmented Stars isn't the most safe place to discuss what I'd like to talk about. I swear I don't want to steal your kidneys or identity or anything like that. I want to talk game strategy. Augmented Stars draws data from its users. It's possible just discussing a plan could influence the game and make that plan harder to carry out. You're the only person from our town I've come across. The other two people who bought an EcFi Halo haven't actually used them yet."

That's ridiculous. The EcFi Halo isn't cheap. Why would someone buy one and not use it? Maybe they were holiday gifts for people?

"Presents," I say.

"What?"

"They probably bought them as gifts," I explain. "Okay, coffee. Tomorrow's Saturday. You know that coffee house on Forth Street?"

SparkleDog2020 nods. "Yeah. The Coffee Cave. What's a good time for you?"

I'm used to waking up in the afternoon to get ready for work. I don't have another shift until Monday. I could meet SparkleDog2020 today.

"You know what, maybe not Saturday. How about today?" I ask. "I work nights. Give me a few hours to sleep and I can swing by the Coffee Cave at four. Does that work for you?"

SparkleDog2020 grins. Their avatar's muzzle mimics the way a dog smiles when someone gives belly rubs.

"Yeah. That works great. I'll wear a button with my avatar on it. My pronouns are she and her so don't be surprised. You?"

I shrug. "Mine are whatever I'm presenting as if I bother presenting in any particularly gendered way. She, he, they. I will answer to anything."

She nods. "Cool. Oh, and I know my avatar sounds a bit masculine, if someone misgenders me in game just roll with whatever they say. I don't want people knowing what I really look like or how I sound in here."

"No problem."

                                                                ***

It's never occurred to me that I have no social life. I mean, it has, but I just never dwelled on it. The Coffee Cave isn't terribly busy when I drive up and park. I peer in the large windows in an attempt to spot SparkleDog2020. I have no idea what she looks like. She doesn't know what I do either, or at least she shouldn't. If she really is a hacker there's a chance she knows my face. Still, I didn't tell her I'd wear anything special. I debate keeping my helmet, riding jacket, and gloves on in the restaurant, but I could go for some coffee right now. I decide to leave the jacket on and remove my helmet before going inside. I keep the helmet with me in the event she really is here to steal my kidneys. I scan the room and spot a woman with a laptop computer and headphones near the back of the dining area. A blue button is pinned to her shirt but I can't see it well enough to tell if it has a picture of a dog on it or not. I hesitate to go near her. She has headphones on. I don't want to bother her. I stand by the door for a minute or two frozen until she looks up and locks eyes with me. She grins.

I shut my eyes for a moment before taking in a deep breath and heading over to her table.

"Fire Sign!" She beams as she gets up. "Can I give you a hug?"

"Sure," I say before we embrace. We each take our seats at her table. I set my helmet on the floor between my feet. "So..."

SparkleDog2020 continues to grin before extending her hand again for another shake. "My name is Danielle Wolfe. You can call me Dan, Danny, Danielle, or whatever."

"Rynn Avalon," I reply as we shake hands.

"Really?" she asks.

I nod.

"Wow. That's just, such a cool name. It sounds like a pen name or something. Anyway," she says before shutting her computer and leaning forward. "Game strategy."

"Yes."

"I want you to kill me." She adds, "In the game."

I nearly fall out of my chair. "What?"

"To level up. A.S. is player versus player from the get go, unless people are in a party. You can't harm members of your own party. If we don't make a party, we can fight each other until they release the monster DLC and start with higher levels."

"So, you want me to kill you in the game and you kill me?"

Danielle nods. "Pretty much. At least until the monsters show up. We can teach one another how to fight. I didn't want to mention it in-game because there's a chance the game might learn our plan and keep us from exploiting the PVP settings."

"How would it do that?"

She sighs. "You read the paperwork that came with the EcFi Halo, right? You seem like the sort who would."

"The sort who would?" I echo before nodding. "Yeah, I did read the paperwork." I'm not sure how she has me pegged for someone who reads instructions but she's not wrong.

"You remember the bits about proprietary technology? There's a clause in there about accepting the risks of using the EcFi Halo and the interface tech. It mentions health risks associated with that."

I vaguely remember it.

"I bet the back of your head itched for a bit after using the EcFi Halo for the first couple times too."

Again I nod. It did but I figured it was just because part of the headpiece rubbed against my skin while I had been laying down.

"See. That's the proprietary tech. You and I are both swarming with it right now. It's how the default avatar skins so closely match how a person is in reality. It's how the neurological interface is so fast. We've both been injected with billions of the EcFi Halo's nanobots." Danielle grins again. "You're a cyborg now, Rynn."