Short Story: [Emberfate] Khanyisa's Birthday

Hey everyone!

Short story for this month is ready~ As with before, this was drafted by Anna 'Lavinnia' Kończak and then edited by me.

I hope you enjoy!

---

"So which do you think is better? This one, or this?" You say into your microphone as you paste two links one after another into the party chat.

"One sec, let me look— arghhh, help! Cat! Save me!" Jim's screech almost kills your ears as he steps just an inch too far and grabs the attention of a pack of crystalline mobs that just happened to patrol past.

"Ohhh, these outfits are pretty cute!" Ruby gives a low whistle. "Jesus, the second one costs like thirty bucks? The cash shop is a rip off as usual, I see."

"Ruby's slacking off while we're doing all the hard work killing these mobs, I see." Aedriss teases, prompting a protest from Ruby. "Hey! Two monitors privilege, okay? I am still playing, I swear!"

Proving to be the only one who even remembered your initial question, Ali interrupts the banter with a chuckle and answers you. "Better in what way? Is this supposed to be a gift for Khanyisa?"

"Yes, exactly! It's going to be her birthday soon, and well, I already got her IRL present ready, but I want to give her something on Emberfate too. You know, since this is how we first met and all."

"Hasn't Khanyisa bought out like half the cosmetics in the cash shop already? Are you sure she doesn't have these two?" Ruby asks, and you bite your lip with a sigh. "Yeah, I don't know for sure either. I haven't seen her use these two outfits before, so I'm just guessing that she doesn't have these, but it's not like I can subtly just ask her if she owns either of these outfits without ruining the surprise, you know?"

"Hey, I know one cosmetic that Khanyisa definitely doesn't have — but it's not from the cash shop. Would you be interested?" Aedriss pipes up, and you quickly give her your agreement. A few minutes later, Aedriss sends a link in the party chat, which you click on. "It's a new item they added last patch — a cute ice-themed robe that drops from the Ice Wyverns in Frozen Wastes."

"Oh, that's pretty! It looks right up Khanyisa's alley — she'd love this." You immediately comment upon seeing the image of the robe on the database site. "Okay, I need to get this. Ice Wyverns, you said?"

"Yeah. Though just oneeeee tiny problem," Aedriss gives a sheepish laugh. "It has a sub-1% drop rate."

You mutter a low curse under your breath and sigh. "Well, guess I'm in for a long grind then."

"It doesn't look like the robe is account-bound on drop, so... don't worry, we'll help you farm! Right, guys?" Ruby's suggestion soon receives agreement from the rest of the party, except Ali who apologizes in a low voice. "I'm sorry, I might not be on enough this week to help farm much. There's a big wedding I'm in charge of next week, so I'll probably have to work overtime a lot."

"It's okay, real life comes first! Thank you for being willing to help anyway. I appreciate it.”

“How much time do we have until Khanyisa's birthday?” Cat asks.

“A week.”

“Oh, you’ll need all the help you can get. Let's recruit more from the guild — we can make it into a little guild event!" A hint of excitement creeps into Ruby's voice, and you hastily remind her that it has to be kept a secret from Khanyisa, to which she reassures you that she'll be careful and warn the rest of the guild to keep their mouths shut.

The next week flies by in a blur as you spend every free moment in the Frozen Wastes, looping around the trenches to kill all the Ice Wyverns you can find. Your guildies do their best to pitch in their efforts, camping the other spawn spots whenever they're free, but still, there's no sign of the elusive robe.

Before long, the day of Khanyisa's birthday arrives. Your leg bounces anxiously as you try to squeeze in as many Wyvern kills as possible before Khanyisa comes over, praying for a last-minute miracle. So focused you are on your farming that you almost jump out of your skin when your doorbell rings.

You shove your disappointment at your failed quest aside as you cheerfully greet your girlfriend with a hug and kiss. "Khanyisa! Happy birthday!"

She returns your kiss, but you can tell something feels off about her demeanor, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

"What's the matter? Did something happen at work?" You ask as you both get settled onto the couch. The incessant vibrating of your phone in your hand is starting to get distracting, and you glance down at the screen. At the contents of the text message from Ruby, you have to hold back a gasp of delight, and you apologize as you swipe to unlock the screen and type back a reply. "I'm so sorry, Khanyisa, give me just a minute..."

You: How much is it on the auction house?!

Ruby: 150mil...

You: WHAT?! I don't have that much gold!

Ruby: How much are you missing? Maybe the rest of us can chip in?

You: I only have like less than half the amount...

Your typing is interrupted by the sound of Khanyisa calling your name in a somber tone that you haven't heard before. Startled, you immediately forget about your text as you look up at your girlfriend, only to find her gazing at you with a sorrowful and serious look. "Did I... Is it something I did?"

"Huh? Wait, what do you mean?"

"I... I can't help but notice that you've been distant this week. I know you said you've been busy, but... every time I log in, I see that you're online or were on not long ago." She looks dejected, her head hanging low. "Do you just not want to spend time with me anymore?"

"Oh, Khanyisa... I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to neglect you or make you feel insecure. I promise, it's nothing like that." You wrap your arms around your girlfriend, trying to offer her some comfort. Your phone buzzes again, and you can feel Khanyisa shoot it a death glare for its poor timing, but you can't help but grin as you catch a glimpse of Ruby's reply text that only consists of three words — "Check your mail!"

"Here, do you want to know what I've been busy with on Emberfate all week?" You give her a soft kiss on the lips, and she tilts her head at you in lack of comprehension. "You brought your laptop with you, right? Go log in and you'll see. Meet me in the guild hall!"

Khanyisa looks a bit reluctant, but she complies. As she loads up the game, you quickly run back into your room where your computer awaits, grabbing the item mailed to you by Ruby before sending Khanyisa a party invitation.

As Khanyisa's character appears before you in the guild hall, you throw a trade request her way — and grin to yourself in pride as you hear her gasp from the living room when you place the robe in the trade window.

A moment later, Khanyisa bursts through the door to your room, her eyes wide with surprise. "That robe — isn't it really rare? How did you get it?!"

"I've been farming for it for a week, along with the guild's help, but it still didn't drop... Ruby was the one who just saw it up for auction, which is why I was texting furiously just now." You stand from your chair, pulling your girlfriend in for another embrace. "Happy birthday to my beloved girlfriend. I hope you like the present."

"Oh, I love it! It's beautiful... Thank you so much, but really, you didn't have to go to all that effort —"

"Hey, it's worth it for you! I wanted to make you happy. Though I can't take all the credit anyway — I didn't even have all the gold to buy the robe, so it's the guild who chipped in to help buy this for you." You smile at her sheepishly. "I hope that makes things a little better, though I'm still at fault for neglecting you and making you upset. I'm sorry."

"Considering you got yourself indebted for this present, I'll forgive you — just this once." Khanyisa jokes, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Let's take some screenshots together once I put on the new robe! But first, I need to go thank the guild first for helping with this present — I'm so glad your guild is the one I call home in Emberfate."