12.1. Don't Be Afraid of Us - Part 1

It almost doesn't seem real but Fefnir turns on the 3D projector and it's on all news channels. Silent and horrified, we stare at a live footage of the military occupying streets of American cities. Fefnir then finds a debate programme.

"It's just a precaution," an American politician claims vehemently and looks pale. "We want to avoid any violence... possible racial riots."

"It's supposed to protect the transforming players," her colleague seconds. "There were already some cases of Draconians being attacked... so far only verbally, fortunately."

"Hospitals are full and people are buying food rations like crazy," the first politician adds. "All we want is to prevent panic."

"But you strongly recommend that Draconians don't go outside unless they absolutely have to?" the commentator asks.

"We implore them," the politician nods. "For the time being... until people get used to it a bit."

I look at Erik and he clutches my hand. We were expecting some kind of escalation soon but a state of national emergency?

Fefnir switches the channel and it's the EU representatives speaking. Although they didn't announce the state of emergency, they also strongly advise players not to leave their homes for now. Allegedly, for our own safety.

"Our safety!" Liana spits. "They're afraid of us, that's all."

"It's understandable, Miss Richter," Dr Stein speaks up. "We still don't know what's really going on and people are losing their nerves. I mean... we know WHAT is going on. But we have no idea HOW and WHY."

"They can't limit our freedom of movement like that," Fefnir protests and angrily hits the chair.

He just wanted to release some steam but the wood doesn't withstand the pressure and breaks. Fefnir opens his mouth wide and looks at the damage he's done.

"S-sorry... I didn't mean to... I...," he's shocked by his own strength.

"And that's exactly why people are afraid," Dr Stein gulps. "Four new races on the planet, each with abilities far exceeding humans."

"We have to prove that we're still us," Liana says. "We're still their friends, colleagues from work, family..."

"How?" Ingri is on the verge of panicking and looks back at the projection. Now it shows a footage of people protesting in front of the White House.

"You two specifically might be able to help," Liana points at me and Erik.

"Huh?" we both blink, confused.

"First of all, you're a VR celebrity, Aefener. You've already had millions of followers and you keep getting more by the minute. That means that we can reach a lot of people with whatever you post online. We potentially have a huge audience."

She breathes in.

"Secondly, your boyfriend is human. The public will accept us better if we show that we're still friendly with them so there's no reason to fear us."

"I can't involve Erik," I violently shake my head. "What if someone hurts him because of me? There will be many haters."

"You-are-so-cute-but-stupid," Erik pauses every single word. "I'm not leaving your side which means that I'll be perfectly safe wherever you'll be."

"I have a third point," Ingri brings up, trying to calm herself. "Think about the majority of your fanbase, Aefener. Giving them an eye candy by presenting your handsome human boyfriend will make them even crazier for you. That's more positive publicity."

"B-but... Erik... I don't want to involve him...," I'm hesitant.

"Ryuu, I mean it when I say that I'm okay with it," Erik insists. "I know that you want to protect me but let's face it. Your wings aren't going anywhere and the world is never going to be the same. I'm not leaving you even if you are a new species now. Besides, I agree with Liana—I can really make a difference just by being openly by your side."

"What about your publicity, Li?" Fefnir asks. "Aefener is just a popular streamer of one VR game but your name is universally known."

"My publicity won't help," Liana sighs. "On the contrary, it'd only harm us. I'm a super rich businessperson, quite eccentric, and people can't relate to that. Aefener is, on the other hand, still a student leading a normal life. He's liked by his fans and has a lover who stayed human. Many people, transformed or not, will easily sympathise with that."

"And he's beautiful," Ingri adds.

"Also that," Liana agrees, amused. "He'll make a perfect public relations figure. Of course, other famous Draconia streamers and former race rulers will hopefully help as well and... ouch," she whines because she became too excited and tried to sit up.

"Don't strain yourself, Miss Richter," Dr Stein pushes her down.

"Li, you've done more than enough already," Fefnir says. "Now it's time we work while you rest. Go to sleep, we'll brainstorm some ideas in the study."

*****

"I'm not presenting myself as the Celestial Emperor," I refuse.

"But you technically are one," Ingri insists. "You look the part so let's use that."

I roll my eyes. Calling myself the Emperor ingame is one thing. That's just role-play. But transferring that into real life? Ridiculous.

"I'm not doing it," I purse my lips, pissed.

All of a sudden, a glass of lemonade falls down the table and breaks. And it wasn't unstable or anything.

"Aefener?" Fefnir raises his eyebrows. "Did you do that?"

"N-no?" I twitch. "I mean... not willingly."

"We have to train our new abilities or we can potentially become dangerous to our surroundings," Ingri says and looks at the glass shards. "Can you levitate them?"

"Hm? Sure," I focus on the shards and they fly up. I think she just wants me to clean the mess but something else is bugging her.

"Celestial telekinesis wasn't used in combat much, right?" she asks, thinking hard.

"Not really, it's too weak for that," I confirm.

"Well... but in theory... you could throw the shards at someone, right?" Ingri ponders.

I shudder at the thought. In the game, throwing small objects at players didn't really do any damage but here if used inventively... I get distracted and the shards fall down.

"Damn," Erik shivers as well. "A lethal weapon, another reason for people to panic."

"Excuse me," Hana looks into the study. "The IT department just let me know that the secure network is ready and asks where you want to install the command centre."

"Excellent," Fefnir appreciates. "I guess... here?"

"What's that?" Hana frowns at the broken glass.

"A small accident with telekinesis," Ingri explains. "Sorry, Mrs Hana."

Hana sighs and sends a maid for cleaning. The maid has seen us several times already but she stares at my wings and Fefnir's forming scales again. Thankfully, she doesn't ask what happened, cleans the mess and leaves immediately after that. I catch her anxiety, she feels uneasy around us.

Do we really look THAT weird? I ask Erik.

Well, yeah, he doesn't deny it. To be honest, what's weirder is the fact that you've come to terms with is so quickly.

I suppose it's because we're used to having these bodies from the game.

"G-good afternoon," two IT technicians enter the study.

They see us for the first time so their stares are really intensive. They freeze completely for a few seconds, astonished. Even though they must have seen me on the news, actually encountering real angel wings must be mind-blowing.

"Can you set it up here?" Fefnir steps in front of them and points towards Liana's huge study desk.

The technicians flinch. Fefnir looked impressive even as human and now he has scales and seems somewhat bulkier. It is a bit terrifying.

"T-three c-computers will do?" one of the technician answers with a stutter.

I don't need my telepathy to see that these poor guys are scared of us. We've done nothing intimidating and they don't know I can do telekinesis, yet they're terrified. I deepen my connection to Erik and try to see us with his eyes but it doesn't work. He got used to us by now and him being telepathically connected to me almost nonstop is a contributing factor.

I can take any weirdness you throw at me, Erik chuckles in his thoughts because he knows I'm searching his mind right now. I don't think anything can truly surprise me anymore since my boyfriend is a telepathic angel.

The technicians start bringing computers and screens and plugging them. Fefnir is trying to help them but they're too nervous around him and almost drop one of the computers. In a few minutes, Liana's desk is transformed into a decent IT corner.

"You can continue working with Vortex but now everything goes through our security protocols," one of the technicians explains. "For a fee, the platform allows users to connect their own private servers so we took an advantage of that. Naturally, AstraTech has some of the best encryption protocols and servers and you can set your passwords without us just as Miss Richter ordered."

"Great, thank you," Fefnir nods.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact us," the other technician says politely but, in reality, he hopes we won't need their help that often.

"Gosh, they didn't have to be that scared," Ingri sighs when the IT guys leave.

"They weren't scared of you... yet," Fefnir shrugs. "They were staring at me."

Ingri is at least two weeks behind me with her transformation so nothing obvious is visible yet. She was complaining about needing more sun and switched to vegan diet but that's it so far. The Earthborn bodies are very intricate, though. I bet she's changing rapidly inside.

I notice she's rubbing her chest a few centimetres above her stomach.

"Are you okay?" I ask, worried. "Did Dr Stein examine you?"

"Y-yeah, I just feel a bit weird," she says slowly. "I think my wallascula started growing."

"Wallascula?" Erik tilts his head.

"It's a special organ in which we can process new genetic information according to the game lore," she explains. "We're not plants even if we look the part a bit because we can alter our bodies."

"The developers of your game really enjoyed creating inhuman races, didn't they?" Erik shakes his head.

"Which reminds me... what about Uriel?" Fefnir remarks while switching on one of the computers right away. "She never contacted us again which is strange. I thought we'd stay in contact."