II - Code Fuchsia

Isrina arrived at the UICA tower of Altair, wearing her orange blouse and brown office skirt. The UICA (United Industries of Cybernated Advancement) was well known for developing many video games, especially Cyanic Odyssey. It was their first VR role-playing game (RPG) invented. Today, the UICA is celebrating the first anniversary of Cyanic Odyssey.

Isrina worked on her computer to monitor the programming of Cyanic Odyssey. It wasn't a flashy job for a martial artist like Isrina, but she was happy to live a regular work life. After all, Isrina wanted Shien and herself to live freely away from persecution. That was why she fled to Altair when Shien was just a baby.

After helping the developers construct plans for a new game, Isrina visited the tower's lobby where the anniversary would occur. Isrina and her boss, Saitori, finished helping their colleagues set up the tables filled with sandwiches, cakes, cookies, and drinks. The tower's doors were also open, inviting citizens of Altair to walk in and join their celebration.

"Thanks for your help, Isrina," The blue-eyed and haired Saitori smiled.

"No problem. Shall we have lunch, Saitori?" Isrina walked with her boss.

"Sure thing."

The two grabbed coffee and tuna sandwiches as citizens entered the lobby, joining the celebration.

"Anything new with Shien?" Saitori asked, adjusting her blue hair in a bun.

Isrina nodded. "Shien and I finished building that birdhouse for the chickadee couple."

"Oh, cool!"

"Shien named the chickadees Naku and Kaku before entering Cyanic Odyssey."

"Aww, that's cute."

As the two ate a light lunch, they watched their colleagues greet the citizens who walked in. Soon, a familiar face appeared, smiling at Isrina. It was a red-haired Vulpi with purple eyes, wearing his red Master Magician robe with a phoenix embroidery.

"Oreic!" Isrina greeted him with a hug.

"Long time no see, Isrina!" Oreic chuckled, wagging his tail. "How's everything? Shien doing well?"

"Yes. My Little Chickadee loved your gifts!"

"Aww, glad to hear it," Oreic turned to Saitori. "And how are you, Saitori? Those refreshments sure look delicious."

"I'm well, thanks," Saitori shook hands with Oreic. "I thought you couldn't make it today, but I'm glad to see you!"

"Ah, my apprentices were a bit stressed with school midterms this week. So, I allowed them to take a break from my classes. Of course, I still told them to practice meditation to find peace."

"That's nice of you, Oreic," Saitori observed the lobby full of guests. "Ahem, I believe this is enough people to get started."

"Sounds good. I arrived just in time," Oreic twitched his fox ears, sitting beside Isrina.

Saitori brushed off the sandwich crumbs from her blue UICA blouse and skirt. She stood on a podium, speaking on a microphone to welcome the guests. While Saitori announced news and the celebration of Cyanic Odyssey, the dining guests applauded. Unbeknownst to all, a UICA worker was a Federation agent in disguise.

"They don't suspect a thing," Maika snuck off during Saitori's speech.

Dressed in work clothes and a blue coat, Maika looked like another UICA game developer. Her beautiful fuchsia-colored hair and cat-green eyes charmed the male workers. Maika proudly stroked her hair as she walked through the hallways.

While everyone was distracted by the anniversary, Maika accessed a computer monitor to carry out her mission. Fanghui, the Federation's leader, trusted her, and she wasn't planning on failing him.

Maika picked her red rose from her jacket pocket. "Let us begin Code Fuchsia."

She accessed Cyanic Odyssey and pulled a flash drive hidden in her rose. Maika inserted it into the computer to begin the hack.

"I don't want to do this to you, Saitori," Maika typed into the computer. "But you left us, and you've become an enemy."

***

"We're here!" Shien approached Enshiron's bar, holding a brown plush mourning dove.

"How did you know the bird would calm Shien?" Elysia asked Phoenicia.

Phoenicia laughed. "My friend is a bird nerd. Shien's brain is attracted to stimuli relevant to birds!"

"So that's why he was chasing a pigeon."

"Correct!" Phoenicia lifted her hand.

Elysia stared at the android's hand while Shien hopped into the bar's entrance. "What's this?"

"A proper greeting. I apologize that our meeting didn't occur under ideal circumstances. However, Shien and I are delighted to meet you."

"Oh, thanks," Elysia shook the android's hand. "I appreciate you two for inviting me over."

When the two girls entered the bar, they heard someone playing a violin on the bar's stage.

"Come on, slowpokes!" Shien dragged Phoenicia and Elysia by the arms to the bar counter.

The three watched and listened to the handsome purple-haired Vulpi violinist who wore a purple magician's robe. It was Shien and Phoenicia's friend, Enshiron. With green eyes and a bright smile, Enshiron played his violin. He combined his wind magic with music to summon breezes that cooled the audience. The people enjoying their drinks applauded as Enshiron bowed.

"He's talented as expected," Phoenicia clapped.

"W-who's that?" Elysia stared at the Vulpi boy.

"Aww, what's wrong? You fell in love?" Shien picked on her.

Elysia blushed heavily. "No! Zip it, half pint!"

"I'm going to tell! I'm so going to tell him!"

"I'll bite your head off if you do!" Elysia tackled Shien again.

"Bite me!" Shien yanked Elysia's tail. "You think I'm afraid of you?"

"Ack! Not my tail!"

"Cease your bickering!" Phoenicia grabbed the plush mourning dove, quickly giving it to Shien.

Shien hugged the bird, forgetting the fight.

"Whew, thanks," Elysia high-fived Phoenicia. "Ow, your hand is hard."

"Ah, my dear comrades!" Enshiron walked to the trio, wagging his purple tail.

"What's up, Enshiron?" Shien hugged him. "Sorry, we were late."

"Nah, you're good, shortie."

"Hey, stop it," Shien pouted.

Enshiron chuckled as he packed his violin away. "Phoenicia, good to see you. Always easy on the eyes."

"Aww, I'm flattered by your comment," Phoenicia blushed when the Vulpi boy winked at her.

Enshiron then turned to Elysia. "Ahem! I spy a fair and beautiful maiden seated before me! Who might you be?"

"Oh, m-me?" Elysia stuttered.

"Haha! Elysia's cheeks turned red!" Shien yelled.

Elysia bonked Shien on the head. "Shut up!"

"Ow! Tell him your name, smarty pants!" Shien rubbed the bump on his head.

"Ah, I appreciate your assistance as a wingman, good sir," Enshiron grinned at Shien.

Phoenicia rolled her eyes.

"M-my name is E-Elysia," Elysia mumbled in embarrassment as her tail wagged excitedly.

"Ah, Elysia! Such a beautiful name for a fair lady like yourself," Enshiron kissed Elysia on the hand. "The name's Enshiron. The pleasure's all mine, dear."

Elysia covered her red face as Shien giggled.

"Enshiron, cocktails please," Phoenicia rubbed Shien and Elysia's shoulders.

"Oh, yes! How rude of me!" Enshiron twitched his fox ears. "Right away, ma'am!"

While Enshiron prepared the liquor, Elysia took Shien's plush mourning dove. "That's for embarrassing me! I could've maintained myself just fine!"

"Hey! I was helping you," Shien reached for the bird. "Give my puffy back, you dumb fox!"

"Come and get it! Feeling tall yet?" Elysia stood, holding the bird up high.

Shien helplessly jumped for the bird as Phoenicia couldn't contain her laughter.

"Drinks are on me, ladies and gentlemen!" Enshiron prepared glasses of cool cocktails for the trio and himself. "Cheers!"

After Elysia chucked the plush bird at Shien's face, the four friends held their glasses to toast. Elysia couldn't help but laugh with Shien, Phoenicia, and Enshiron. The last time she drank with friends like this was with the Waxing Sickle, the Vulpi gangsters she used to hang out with in real life. She left after realizing the terrible deeds they had done to humans.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to have friends again. Elysia drank her cocktail. These three seem nice. I don't think they're anything like the Waxing Sickle.

"Why does that dove look different than the one you chased?" Elysia asked Shien.

Shien held his plush mourning dove. "That was a rock dove. Those pigeons are city dwellers. This mourning dove is more of the suburban and rural type."

"I see. What's your favorite bird?"

Shien swiped a tab to get a plush chickadee. "The chickadees are my favorite!"

"Ah, of course. The small, hard-working birds," Enshiron nodded. "A humble choice, indeed."

"How small are they?" Elysia finished her drink.

"Tiny!" Shien cupped his hands to mimic the chickadee's small size.

Phoenicia sipped her liquor. "An adorable size for a bird. Don't you agree, Elysia?"

Elysia nodded. "Yeah, I can see why it's your favorite, Shien."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Shien hugged his plush chickadee.

"The chickadee is small and tiny," Elysia smirked, grappling Shien's hair. "Just like you!"

"You worthless brat!" Shien tackled Elysia.

"Oh, you think you're so tough? Once a half pint, always a half pint!" Elysia yanked Shien's face.

"Bring it! You're going down!"

Phoenicia laughed so hard that she choked on her cocktail. While Shien and Elysia strangled each other, Enshiron cleaned the glasses.

"Quite the friend Shien found, don't you think?" Enshiron whispered to Phoenicia.

"I would classify their dynamic as frenemies," Phoenicia rolled her eyes. "I appreciate the drinks."

"My pleasure, dear lady!" Enshiron swiped a tab to check his menu. "Hmm?"

"What appears to be the issue?"

"Unless my eyes have failed me, I believe the log-out button has vanished."

Phoenicia swiped a tab. "I see no system maintenance updates in my data banks."

"Shien! Elysia!" Enshiron called.

The two were too busy wrestling each other until Phoenicia bonked Elysia's head.

"Cease your bickering!" Phoenicia threw a plush robin at Shien. "Please check your log-out buttons."

Shien and Elysia checked to find theirs missing as well. The four friends observed the bar customers who bustled in confusion as they accessed their menus. Nobody could log out. Amidst the panic, the players received an urgent news notification. Shien, Phoenicia, Elysia, and Enshiron tapped it to find Fanghui, the Federation leader on screen.