News just broke that the quests and monsters have been delayed until the first week of August. It's almost July right now. The delay is frustrating, especially since there's so little to do in Augmented Stars if you live in the middle of nowhere. SparkleDog2020 and I have already wandered around most of our town exploring. We quit trying to level up once we realized no matter what we did Level 6 is the current level cap. According to folks online even if you play in a city and PvP all day you can't advance past Level 6 until they add the new features. Everglade's consolation prize for players has been the introduction of magic to the game. Players can find Easter eggs to unlock new powers or in some cases summons, which are called 'Tulpas' after the paranormal idea of a being created by someone's mental or spiritual powers. Some Tulpas seem to be common, like wolves, birds, other animals. A few people have reported getting the same magical creatures as one another, like unicorns and dragons. There is, however, a rumor online about someone who found a unique Tulpa based on Albert Einstein. People who've tried doing the same things the person who found the Einstein Tulpa did discovered they couldn't also get the same summon. There's only one Einstein. Which means there's likely only one of various other historical figures or urban legends.

"I think we should make a party," Danielle tells me over coffee. She wanted to meet in person again rather than in-game. She has her shoulder length brown hair pulled back into a partial pony tail. It's so very cute. "You and me."

"And do what?"

"Tulpa hunt," she says. "I mean, you have that one avatar skin you based on that one guy, right? What's his name? Wouldn't you want to be the person to get him as a summon in-game? Isn't it almost his birthday?"

I stare at my coffee. It would be cool to have a summon in the game. Especially a unique summon.

"I doubt he's available anymore," I say. "I'm sure someone else already got him."

"Not according to the internet," Danielle says with a smirk.

"But, would you or I post we got him if we did? I'm sure there's other lurkers online," I reply. I feel bad shooting her down like this but it's highly unlikely the Tulpa is still up for grabs.

Danielle sighs. "Okay, but if you change your mind I have a way to get us wherever we need to go in the game. Just give me the word and I will take you to where you think he might be."

"Travel in-game is almost as expensive as in reality," I say. "I don't want you wasting your money like that."

"It wouldn't be a waste, Rynn," Danielle says. "It would be an adventure. We don't have to worry about being attacked in a city since we're both Level 6. And if we're in a party we can use the direct message feature if we get separated."

"How would you get us there?" I ask. "The city is over a thousand miles away."

"I got a flying car."

I nearly drop my coffee. "What? How the hell did you do that?"

"I went on a trip with a friend from out of town," she says. "There are no quests but apparently you can rob banks in the game and oh my god they're full of Stars."

I can't help but laugh. It's ridiculous. Easily the funniest story I've heard Danielle tell before. After a few moments I see her face and realize she's not making things up. She really did it.

"Oh my god you're serious," I say. "Why didn't you take me along? I'm a Level 3 thief in the game."

"It was morally obtuse so I didn't think you'd be up for it. Plus, you were at work. Anyway, I'm loaded in the game or at least I was until I bought the flying car. It's supposed to be based on the Everglade Hoverglider, by the way. Looks pretty spot on from what I can tell. They wouldn't have to pay for licensing or anything."

"Wow."

"Also, I have enough left over to help you get that thing you wanted," Danielle adds.

"The motorcycle?" I ask.

She grins. "Yup. Once we're in a party we can trade items. I can send you Stars, you can get the bike. We take my flying car to where ever and use your bike to get around closer to the ground to be inconspicuous."

I hate that this idea may actually work. I mean. I love it but I also hate the idea of spending money. What if the money she stole was real money someone paid in to the game? No wonder she didn't ask me to come a long on the heist. I would have been a mess.

"So," Danielle begins after I don't reply for a while. "What do you say, Rynn? Want to go on a Tulpa hunt? You said the city so I take it you know where he might be."

"New York," I say. "He'd be in New York."

"When?"

I can't believe I'm going to do this.

"Today. I'm going to take time off from work," I say. "I have some vacation days. I'll call in now."

Danielle grins. "It's a date."