Somnium Online

Role Swap

Eric was awake. He looked around, dark, plain, and gloomy? Definitely the real world.

"Good morning sleepyhead," N joked.

"Very funny." Eric grouched. "Hey, I have a question. What happens to the server when I leave?"

"Well, actually by the time you wake up it's shut down. The server starts running at 9:00 P.M. and closes promptly at 6:00 A.M. this prevents people from remaining logged in during the day, and makes it impossible to use the game during that time."

"Wouldn't the NPCs notice?" Eric asked.

"Normally yes, but for them, when the server stops, time stops," N explained.

"That makes sense, sort of." Eric sighed.

"So Eric, I have an idea for school today." N sounded unusually excited.

Eric was hesitant. "Okay... should I be worried?"

"Well, I have a theory to test. You remember how I programmed your body when you went slack?" N asked.

"Yes, what does that have to do with... oh no, you can't be serious." Eric was nervous.

"I want to practice using your body by being you at school." N was enthusiastic.

"Hang on a minute." Eric was extremely nervous. "Look, fighting is one thing, but if I have a sudden personality shift, people will notice!"

"I doubt it." N sounded smug. "Since no one actually talks to you, no one would know what to expect if you did talk to them."

"Okay, but what about teachers? You're a computer, if my grades shift they'll suspect something!" Eric was grasping at straws, and really, he kind of wanted to watch N fumble his way through the real world.

"Come on, please? It'll make our teamwork in combat more efficient if we see what it's like to do each other's jobs."

"How are we going to go about this though?" Eric asked.

"If you just refrain from moving intentionally, I can do the rest. If I need you to bail me out of a situation, I'll scratch your left ear." N answered.

"You've really thought this out, huh," Eric said, impressed.

"So, what do you say boss?" N pleaded.

"Alright kid, but no funny business," Eric warned.

"Yes sir!" N cheered happily.

N took a few steps. He flexed his hand. "Okay, I think I've got this," N said. He was in serious mode now.

Eric watched almost detached as his body did a varied series of movements and stretches. N made a few comments now and then.

N approached Eric's closet and riffled through the clothes he could find. He pulled out what seemed to Eric like a random outfit, and put it on.

When he looked in a mirror though, even Eric had to admit to himself that it looked good in him. Normally Eric didn't try too hard to be stylish, but even with his limited wardrobe N knew just what to do.

Then N went to the bathroom and found a pair of scissors.

"Whoa, whoa, what are you?!" Eric tried to stop himself but in a flash, N had totally changed his hairstyle.

Eric couldn't look, but he did anyway. He looked... good?! Before he had been barely attractive, just good enough to not draw attention.

Now he looked like he was... popular.

"All right, that's enough," Eric warned. "You're going to be late for school."

N hurriedly rushed through Eric's morning routine and was out the door just barely on time.