[center][h2][color=CCCCFF]December[/color][/h2][/center]
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December had so many good memories of this game. She felt a little guilty about leaving her old guild, but it was to raise her son; everyone understood and wished her well. The nostalgia was refreshing in a way, but sad too. She couldn't be honest with herself though, and had been driving away every negative thought that popped into her head. Her reaction was instinctive. On some level she hoped, that if she didn't think about losing the place where she slowly got to know her sweet husband, or any of the colorful people they played with... maybe it all wouldn't disappear, if she just wished for it hard enough.  

The festive hall, once crowded with all manner of wondrous items, constructs, and NPCs, seemed lonesome and, for the first time tonight, [i]empty[/i]. The crowds thinned and the space between those remaining grew as more left after saying their final good-byes. 

Others wandered around viewing interesting sights and sounds like socialites enjoying gallery night in a high-end arcology. She passed them by without a word. Her heart couldn't endure much more of this party, and she was wounding herself just by sticking around, but she didn't want to leave. Not yet anyway.

As she was filling a new cup of wine, she overheard some intimate confessions exchanged between a cutely dressed village girl and a sultry demoness. She hadn't intended eavesdrop. It just... [i]happened[/i].

As she listened, a knot began to tighten inside her chest and low, hollow feeling swelled behind it. If her avatar could make tears, she was certain it would be crying right now. She stared at the virtual red liquid idly sloshing in her glass, and briefly wondered if there was some kind of closure at the bottom. She only needed to drink to find out, and even brought it to her lips to drink, but stopped.

[color=CCCCFF]"It's not pathetic..."[/color] her tone was quiet and wistful. Once she realized she had said that, she felt a little awkward, but it felt right to say it.

She turned to Selena, her voice trembling as if fighting back tears. [color=CCCCFF]"I don't know what's waiting for you on the outside, but I won't believe that any of the time I spent here wasn't worth it. I met my husband here. Some of my most treasured memories are here! It's the same for you, isn't it? At what age does cherishing the things important to you become pathetic? I'd rather-"[/color] December realized only too late that her tone had grown harsh, as if scolding this poor stranger.

[color=CCCCFF]"I'm sorry."[/color] She said quickly. Embarrassed, her voice suddenly became soft and quiet again. Her impassioned flare vanished in an instant. [color=CCCCFF]"Please excuse me, I said too much."[/color]

With a polite /bow, she took her wine and briskly walked away. Her fingers nervously circled the rim of her glass as the seconds stretched into eternity. She needed to unwind and sort through the mess of emotions that tangled her heart strings into wicked knots. 

[color=CCCCFF][i]Maybe I should just leave early?[/i][/color]

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[@Hammerman][@Rune_Alchemist]