meaning of Full Immersion

Finally it was time, It was 1:30, everyone was asleep and I got in a powernap after a bit of browsing and snacking so I'm fully prepared. I was already staring at my set waiting for the remaining 30 minutes to pass before I realized I needed to go to the bathroom.

I excited my room and noticed a paper bag to the left of the door. on closer examination it was food with a not taped on the front reading "I hope you're doing alright! Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help! :P -Love The amazingly loving & beautiful Big-Sister."

I've gotten used to this by now so I leave it to get on the way back. As I go to the bathroom I think of my sister, I wish I could do my thing without worrying her but...

I think of multiple things, I've done this so much the process feels like breathing. How bad I feel, how I didn't really ask to be born, especially into this situation, but I still feel responsible, I don't really know how to make sense of anything anymore, I know it can't go on like this forever, but you never know anything for sure either....

I shake my head to stop myself from thinking and get up off the toilet, clean my hands, splash my face and refocus "I'm almost in, I need to focus, I wanna get something done before I log off for the first time!" I resolved myself of my destiny and headed back and ate the Salad & burger that was waiting for me, by the time I was done it was 1:50.

I decided it was time anyway and jumped the gun 10 minutes early and put it on. and pressed the button on the right side of my temple, the on button.

I heard a revving from the box first "Vrrrrrrrr" then from the helmet "vrr~", and as I felt my butterflies about to burst out my stomach and start eating me I tried to relax*Deep inhale* *Deep exhale*

 and everything went dark & silent.

Before I thought I'd died I saw text pop-up in the middle of my vision "9 minutes 04 seconds until server sign-in, feel free to log-into or create an account while you wait."

The seconds dropped down in live countdown and the minutes followed when the seconds went below 0. My anxiety part of the excitement started to die down as I confirmed this was likely real and I was probably fine.

I decided to sign-in as I already made an account, as soon as I thought that the countdown was pushed up my vision and a sign in page filled the center of my vision, it asked for my Username & Password, I didn't even need to type anything, it just filled itself in and began loading. Then the textbox shrunk to only say "welcome Julius, feel free to begin designing your avatar If you decide not to, you'll go as you are."

Of course I begun immediately. All the sudden I felt my body, I didn't realize I didn't before but realizing now it was a really freaky feeling. I looked down at my hands and the text moved to the top right of my vision "Cool..." then I looked over the rest of my body and when I looked ahead again I saw a mirror with no edges reflecting my appearance with a pitch black background.

My brown hair and everything was on display in front of me, I didn't look bad for living a unflattering life-style, but I bet that was thanks to when I played soccer and the healthy food my sister kept getting me.

"What can I change anyway..." as I muttered this to myself a list of text appeared in front of my face "Hair color, hair length, hair style, Clothes, accessories." in slight surprise and contentment I sounded an "Oh".

After I was done I made my hair tidier and a little longer and stiffer and made it a slightly lighter brown. I also changed the white t-shirt and shorts to some slightly more mid-evilish as that was the setting. I got a cream white tunic that and some simple long sleeved pants with a string around the waist.

It didn't let me put anything like armor or leather on, Though I could do tattoos, scars, earrings, rings, bracelets etc.

I decided on a dark grey bracelet & anklet on the right limbs that kept my sleeves bound to my wrist and ankle sorta like an Egyptian or a genie, along with a simple silver earing on my right ear that was essentially just a cylinder with a sphere at the end I tried changing my eye color but nothing happened, still brown, Same thing for height, still 5"8'.

And like that I was ready by my own admission, and it was 20 seconds until the servers opened.

I took a deep breath that felt almost realer then reality and counted down in my head with silent impatience, staring a hole through the countdown text.

and then the cooldown went to 0.

I woke up in what seemed to be a log cabin room of some kind. Also in a bed. Or I guess spawned rather then woke up? Whatever, I got out of bed regardless and began looking around. There was a night stand, a window slightly beyond it, and a shelf with varying items on it. I decided looting is life in MMO's and don't hesitate to grab, Skyrim rules be damned.

There was a simple knife, a bow, a leather satchel and a few books. I grabbed all but the books, put the knife in the satchel and bow in my hand, then I spread my curtains and realized it looked like morning outside, despite it being 2am IRL. nice, bright and I could feel the sun on my body. "There's no way this'll suck." I mouthed amazed at what I was seeing & feeling.

I looked below the sun to the seemingly small village and notice 2 people already out tilling farms. "Did they log in before me or are those NPC's?" As I was asking myself this I heard a knock on my door and jumped like a grasshopper and turned like a cat as the door eased open.

Behind the door was a mature middle-aged looking women with soft brown hair that screamed maternal. "Hey there hun, ready already huh? Fantastic! I'm so proud of you! breakfast is ready downstairs come come let's talk." I definitely never saw her before, maybe she was a NPC? Or a game-master to teach me the ropes? nah no way they'd have 10million of those... Either way she seemed delighted to see me so there was a safe assumption.

Assuming it was an NPC I decided to head out the room and down the stairs. It was pretty cramped, only 2 rooms upstairs and a small living area & kitchen downstairs with the stove & furnace being one in the same. The whole way down I ran my hands down the log walls and railings surprised at just how real it felt, it was like maybe you could kind of tell? But not really, not enough for it to matter at least.

When I got downstairs the women greeted me again. "Good morning! Are you excited for orientation today? I still can't believe you're one of the players! I'm so happy for you!"

"Huh-say wha~?" I asked immediately, I got I was a player, I mean I thought the same thing, but why did she seem happy I was one? Also orientation? She immediately seemed to understand my confusion and began explaining.

"Well, as you know, some people are just chosen as players, it's just how it is, and they get the ability to become stronger and accomplish amazing things and access to otherwise restricted services such as Starting a guild or going on raids! Oh~ as your mother I'm so glad you were so talented to be chosen!"

Oh, I kinda get it now, so this is the setting. Some "people" are players, others aren't, so this person who's allegedly my mother is an NPC and.... "So whats this about orientation?"

"Here here i'll explain, but eat as I do." she said plopping some eggs and bacon out of her pan onto the plate with a beaming smile full of pride.

I oblige and sit down to begin eating as she explains.

"You see, it's when the operator comes down to greet you to your new found power & potential along with allowing you to ask any questions, in return you're expected to contribute to us raising through the tower of course but with all the other players I'm sure you'll do fine Julius."

"Hmm." I thought about it as I was eating. I guess we can ask some questions from someone somewhat important. and I have to climb a 'tower'. probably  like levels or something I guess.

"What else can I ask you mom?" I decided to ask outright.

"Well anything you want I guess." she said cleaning pan she seemingly just cooked breakfast on.

After debating in my head for a bit I decided to ask. "Where are the other players?" in-between bites. 

"There's only 3 others in this village, otherwise their scattered all around the first."

"First what?" I said with a bit of bacon still in my mouth. It tasted exactly like bacon except cooked the same way allover the slice and completely unburnt, maybe that was just exceptional for my experience with bacon though.

"First floor silly." She replied, a little dismissively.

As I swallowed my last bite, text appeared in the top left of my screen.

[+13 bonus HP]
And a green bar appeared at the top left of my screen pushing the text down & filled up, at the end it changed from a bright green to a pale desaturated green and continued for a small nick about 1/10 the size of the bar.

"Huh, Um how did I get bonus HP just now?" I asked curious as to what I saw.

"Hmm? Oh when you eat at full HP & Stamina players get a little extra." she said turning around, seemingly understanding that meant I was done. 

"That's so cool..."

She didn't reply but I was talking to myself more then anything so I didn't mind, she did begin humming as she cleaned my plate though.

I thought about what else I could ask, I decided it was probably best to ask about what I should do next, so I started to inquire about possible progression "So how do I get to this orientation?"

"Oh, he'll summon you sweetie, don't worry. Should be as soon as most of the players settle, don't know how long that'll be, but he should send you right back home once he's done."

So I didn't need to worry about it, or at least that's what I understood.

Other then that I guessed I should ask for just a bit more info before I decided to head out.

"How do I get stronger and realize my potential?" I said leaning back in my chair stretching my back.

"Simple, just keep practicing and accomplishing feats, help people, defeat monsters, learn skills, All sorts of ways, for now you can read the books I got for you on your shelf, it should have most of the info regarding the basics if you want to look them over, I got them for you so please feel free to take them anywhere you want, their yours."

That was a massive tip to take the player guide with me.

"Thanks mom." I said getting up out of my chair

"You're very welcome hun."

I went upstairs and put the books in my satchel, I realized it felt like they got lighter once they were put in the satchel, I guess I didn't notice before since only the knife was in there.

I headed back down and found the door. "Do we have arrows by the way mom?" and she replied "Our fletching should have them made by now dear, go have a look."

Cool, super fantasy like.
"Alright mom, Heading out, love you." 

"Be safe honey~" she said still at the kitchen, now I didn't know what she was cleaning, coulda been an idle animation but it still warmed my heart.

 I opened the door and headed out.

It felt nice to leave the house in a good humor, I don't remember the last time the ordeal was so easy for me, even if it did feel a tad robotic.

I looked around stretched my arms like a star and took a deep breath as the door creaked closed behind me. The scent of soil, grass and the long stretching field flowed blissfully through my nostrils. 

"Ahhhh~" I exhaled.

"Time to head out!"