Teamed Reality

Prologue

Ather's Novelty Comic and Gaming Store
*Ding*
   The front door of Ather's Reality shop chimed as it was gently pushed open. A cold breeze blew into the small building, slicing through the warm air inside. The cashier's face lit up as he noticed who was entering.
   "Ah! Lily Abern, welcome back to our shop! What brings you in today?" He asked, cheerfully sorting out the papers on his desk. Lily gently let the glass door close behind her.
    "Porter! I've missed this little shop! What are some new comics or games you have?" Lily happily skipped to the front desk, laying a letter on the desk. Porter smiled, he quickly lifted a note and grabbed something small off the shelf.
    "Here, Ather made one last major game with this staff team before he sadly passed away last year. Funnily enough, he never released it, only gave me and a few of the shop managers some copies he deems special. I thought you and Mark would like to play it!" Porter placed the crystal-looking pieces of metal on the desk.
    "Huh? How do these work?" Lily said, picking them up gently, being extra confused. Twisting them side to side to inspect it.
    "They're VR sets! Just place them wherever you want on your body, after you fall asleep, you'll be sent into the game! It's pretty cool right?" Porter said excitedly. He picked up the letter and tore the fold open. He shifted his glasses and glanced at the note inside. He smiled.
    "Ah. Mark Abern is already finishing another series of Ather's books! Hahaha, the bookworm can never get enough of Ather's writing!" Porter chuckled, grabbing a box from the shelves and putting it on the counter. Lily put the VR pieces into her front shirt pocket.
    "Yup. I don't blame him, Ather is simply the best. I'm so sad I never got to meet him before he passed away.. By the way, where are you getting all of these books and games if he's already passed away?" Lily looked at Porter puzzlingly, looking into the box.
    "I don't know.. They just get sent here by the delivery staff team... I question that too, but I'm sure these are premade that wasn't released till now. You could try asking one of the main developers." Porter started to type on his computer. Lily nodded slowly, she reached into her pocket and gave Porter a card.
    "I might."
    "Your total will be $128.76, the VR game is free, there were specific orders to not take in money for it." Porter smiled and swiped Lily's card into the card machine. While the receipts were printing out,  Lily glanced around the shop. The whole place has changed since Ather's passing: the walls were lined with synthetic fake plants, and the wooden shelves were replaced with moveable ones that allow people to get around and up top to any of the items they want.
    "Done! Come back soon Lily! Thanks for shopping at Ather's Reality." Porter smiled warmly, giving the receipts to Lily.
    "Of course, I'll come back, Porter! Here, take this as a thank you gift for always being so wonderful!" Lily quickly picked up the box, threw a wrapped present at Porter, and dashed out of the shop giggling. Porter sighed.
    "I didn't even get a chance to reverse that, what's in this?" He unwrapped the gift box Lily threw at him. ?! What! Porter stood in shock. In the box were some chocolates and 1k worth of dollar bills. He rushed outside to see if he could give it back. No way in hell could he take suck a big amount of money! When he pushed the door open, he realized that Lily had already gone.
    "Stupid child. Hmph, thank you." Porter mumbled to himself. He sighed and walked back inside. Lily smirked from behind a wall.

The Abern's house
    "Mark!" Lily yelled, dropping the box on the coffee table. No reply.
    "I'm leaving your books on the table, I'm tired, gonna head to bed early tonight." She said, taking off her scarf, gloves, boots, and jacket. Lily wrote a note, explaining the VR piece and left it next to the box. She sighed in relief and went into the bathroom. Lily washed her face after she came out of the shower. She put her hair into two braids, did her night routine, and headed to her bedroom. The fairy lights in the room lit up in a purplish pink as she walked in. She sat down on the side of her bed and pulled the crystal pieces out of a pocket in her robe.
    "Well. If I'm going to be asleep, I might as well try out this game." Lily placed the crystal onto her head like a head accessory. She lay down and closed her eyes. Slowly, she drifted off into a slumber...

Abern's Living Room
    *Shuffling*
    "Sis! I'm home! I'm sorry I'm late tonight. Andy and his family needed me to fix their upstairs TV as well. You know me! I can't leave a dear company partner hanging!" Mark took off this winter gear and dropped his toolbox near the front door.
    "Huh. Must be asleep then. Welp! Hm?" He looked at the box on the floor, his face lit with excitement. He quickly went to wash the soot from his face and hands. Mark rushed back instantly after. He picked up the books one by one and placed them on the empty bookshelves.
    "What-" He paused and read the note Lily left. He smiled, put the piece into his pocket, and finished sorting out the books. The maids and butlers showed Mark to his room and proceeded to clean through the house. Taking the clothes from the front and washing them, throwing away the empty box, and wiping everything down.