Chapter 5
five
. . .
“Hi, baby,” Kaelum murmurs.
This feels so bizarre. I know this is just an animated avatar in the virtual reality world, but with Kaelum’s voice attached, it gives the feeling of actually being in the same room as him. He’s wearing tightly fitted black pants, along with a fishnet top and harness.
Although his character has the same hypnotizing blue eyes as him, and is covered in tattoos, the rest is different.
His avatar has much longer, messy tousled dark green and black hair, with several piercings on his face.
Two lip piercings, doubled sided nose piercings, and his right eyebrow.
In reality, he has no facial piercings at all.
“This is wild,” I gasp, taken aback as I look him over.
Thankfully there’s a floating username above his head, or else I’d have no idea it’s him.
“Isn’t it?” he asks, leaning down. His virtual face is only inches from mine. “Feels pretty real, right?”
Reaching up for him, I cup Kaelum’s face with my hands, my palms tingling. “Oh, wow,” I gasp again, losing my breath at the sensation. “It feels like you’re standing right in front of me.”
“Can you actually feel me?” he asks, sounding hopeful.
“Yes. It’s so bizarre.”
“Fuck yeah. You have phantom senses, then. I do too.”
My breathing quickens as excitement overwhelms me. “It’s like you’re really here.”
“How long has it been since we were in the same room?”
“Three years?” I wonder.
“Sounds about right,” he says in a hushed voice. “Hi, Lenny.”
I smile. “Hi.”
“Kaldren!” A few people exclaim in unison.
He slightly backs away from me, scanning the lobby. “Hello hello,” Kaelum replies, waving. “Oh, damn. Good amount of you on tonight, huh?”
A group of five or so avatars swarm towards us, small user tags floating above their heads.
Each one is more unique than the last; colorful hair and piercings, fun hair styles that could only work in virtual worlds, and intricate, tattoo-like designs swirling across their bodies.
I start to read the user tags as they get closer and realize I recognize some of the names.
“We’ve been waiting for you,” RainFall says. “You aren’t streaming tonight?”
“Nope,” he says.
Cara moves beside him. “We were hoping you’d get on,” she reveals.
Kate approaches me, and I’m happy someone I know is here. “Hi Lenora,” she says.
“Hi,” I reply softly. “Don’t mind me. I’m new here.”
She laughs. “I know. We never see you on Chatworld.”
“I’m not sure how any of this even works,” I admit, raising my arms and looking at the hands of my avatar. It’s the default one, so it’s pretty basic compared to everyone else's. “This feels way too real.”
“Crazy, right?” she asks. “It’s cool because we all live in different places, but this gives us a sense of hanging out.”
“Hi, Kate!” Kaelum calls out, waving happily.
“Hi, Kaldren.”
“Y’all get on here a lot?” I wonder.
“Yeah. There’s a pretty big group of us,” she explains, talking over the sound of everyone giggling and swarming around Kaelum. “A mix of their community, friends of friends, and other streamers. It always gets crazy when the boys are online, though. I make sure I’m on to keep everyone in check.”
“Got it,” I reply, watching as six more people make their way towards the already large group of us.
“What’s going on, Kaldren?” a deep voice calls out, a male avatar approaching us. He has pale white hair, eccentric purple eyes and countless tattoos and piercings. He even has a collar around his neck with a chain leash hanging off.
“What’s up, Mars,” he says with a quick wave. “You streaming right now?”
Oh. I know the name Mars. He’s another well known masked streamer.
“Nope,” he answers cooly. “Just a chill night.”
“Same here,” Kaldren responds.
Autumn joins us. “We’re all super happy you’re online, though,” she rushes out, enthusiastically. A part of me begins to fangirl when I realize I’m in her proximity. She’s definitely high on the list of my favorite streamers.
“Kaldren’s here, oh my fuck!” Spookynspicy shouts happily, joining the now overwhelming crowd of us. I’m not familiar with her. Another streamer, maybe? “Kall, Kall, Kall!”
“Spooks!” he responds playfully.
She lifts her arm, giving the sense of touching his shoulder. “Oh my god! Yay! You’re here!”
“I am,” he vaguely responds.
Several others join us.
“Hi, Kaldren. Spooky, is that a new avi?” someone asks.
“Yeah, we’ve never seen that one,” someone else calls out.
My social anxiety begins to kick in pretty quickly. I’ve never been great in social settings where there are large groups of people, and being in virtual reality doesn’t make it any easier. I guess if I wanted to, I could just take off my headset and disconnect.
That’s the easy way out.
Except, Kaelum and Lucien seemed pretty set on us hanging out tonight to cure the boredom. I just didn’t realize this many of their friends would be joining us.
“There’s so much going on right now,” I mutter.
Kaelum turns my way. “You good, Lenny?” he checks in, his voice soothing over the complete chaos breaking out around us.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I reply, unsure.
“This is my best friend, Lenora,” he introduces me. “Lenny, I’m not sure if you’ve all met, but this is Mars, Spooks, Autumn, Rage, Sorrow,” he says, continuing to rattle off names. “They stream too.”
Everyone surrounds him, barely giving him any space, yet he doesn’t even seem phased. I know he must have gotten used to the madness at this point. I’m honestly not sure how he manages to stay so calm. I’m overstimulated and I’m not even a part of the circle.
Even in a virtual setting, I can’t imagine the feeling of having tons of people swarming you, all talking at once and demanding your full attention.
“Nice to virtually meet you all,” I say, shyly.
“Likewise,” Mars says.
Unexpectedly, a swarm of avatars appear in the lobby. Everyone in the group rushes over to greet them, including Kaldren. He looks back at me and gestures for me to join with a slight wave of his hand, so I anxiously follow.
Stupid social anxiety.
“Hi, friends!” someone calls out excitedly.
Looking at the username above their head, I gasp.
It’s LucidLily.
“Oh my god,” I exclaim frantically. “I’ve been watching your streams forever!”
She laughs softly. “Aw, really?”
I nod, and I feel my headset tilt with the movement.
“Hey, Lily,” Kaldren greets her. “This is my best friend, Lenny.”
“Oh!” she gasps, seeming excited. “I’ve been wanting to meet you! Kall speaks so highly of you.”
Swoons.
“If you ever want to play, I’m so down,” she offers.
“That would be fun,” I reply happily.
“Okay, sweet! I’ll friend you.”
“Kaldren, when are we doing a collab?” Mars calls out.
Kaldren mumbles in response, coughing, then clears his throat.
Someone laughs. “You good, bro?”
“Yeah, my bad,” he says. “I almost choked on my hot cheetos.”
“I’ll give you something to choke on,” a dark, sensual voice replies.
Suddenly, all hell breaks loose. Everyone shouts and squeals loudly the second they realize Lucien has entered the lobby.
“Luceifer!” several voices call out at once.
“Hey, daddy,” Kaelum murmurs submissively.
The group watches and giggles as Lucien’s avatar approaches Kaldren. There are vibrant red highlights streaked throughout his disheveled black hair, and he has the same piercing golden eyes he’s been blessed with in real life. His outfit is also on point.
Although similar to Kaelum, Lucien has his own style, with baggy black pants, shirtless and a harness as well. They’re both also decked out with chains and neon accents that glow in the dimly lit room.
Even though they’re animated avatars, they’re still hot as hell. Am I drooling right now?
Lucien slowly brushes Kaelum’s face with his fingertips.
“Fuck,” Kaelum mutters sharply, his mic emphasizing a guttural breath. “I felt that one.”
“Yeah?” Lucien asks, giving everyone a show as he strokes Kaelum’s hair. “How’d it feel?”
“Now you’re petting me,” he moans softly. “Pretty fucking good.”
“You like when I pet you, pup?” Lucien asks, closing the distance between them, giving the illusion of their foreheads pressed together. “I’m gonna have to get you a collar.”
“Come on, stop fucking teasing me,” Kaelum pleads.
My thighs clench at that one.
“I’ve missed these two,” Autumn murmurs, giggling.
“Same,” Spookynspicy agrees.
The two of them ignore their audience, playing off each other.
Lucien chuckles sadistically under his breath, dominating and taunting Kaelum in all the best ways. “You’re cute,” he mutters teasingly. “You and your phantom senses.”
“Jealous you don’t get them, huh?” Kaelum challenges.
“Very,” Lucien admits.
Kaelum abruptly lifts his hand, brushing Lucien’s face with his fingertips. “Can’t feel this?” he asks, tracing down the outline of his avatar’s neck and chest, hesitating.
He quickly clears his throat. “Nope.”
The virtual room gets quiet, everyone’s full attention trained on the two of them. Kaelum brings his hand further down his body as Lucien lowers his gaze, watching intently.
“Anything?” Kaelum wonders, sounding optimistic.
“Nothing.”
“Lame.”
“Look at me, Kaldren,” Lucien orders, moving closer to him.
“Okay, I’m looking,” he obeys.
Lucien hums quietly, the anticipation building, buying some time before letting out a deep chuckle. “Good boy.”
“Mmm,” he hums.
“That’s it.”
“That’s it?” Kaelum snorts. “Okay. Thanks for the edging, Luceifer Duceifer.”
We all can’t help but laugh at their goofiness. They’re definitely some of the funniest people I know. If someone asked me to describe what knowing them feels like, I would tell them it’s like taking in a breath of fresh air.
Yes, they can be incredibly silly and entertaining.
They’re also hot as hell, on and off camera.
Except they’re more than just their content.
They’re down to earth, trustworthy, and so incredibly kind.
Even though their community can tell that’s who they are, it’s so much more fulfilling to know them in real life.
They are a safe place, and have done a great job at building a community they adore. They deserve it all.