Good evening from a rainy NYC,
I am in bed and on my computer, typing away at my next story. Before that, though, I decided to hop onto SmallVerse. SmallVerse is an online, immersive world where players can interact with other players, build homes, and more. SmallVerse is the spiritual successor to SmallWorlds, which shut down almost a decade ago. I played SmallWorlds on the many hotel computers I encountered growing up. I could never remember my password so I would always have to create a new profile. When I got my own computer, I made sure to write down my account information. Thus, a new avatar was born: Pixie Lucas.
Over the years, I ground away on leveling up the Pixie Lucas avatar. I made friends, bought the in game currency, and created lasting memories. When the game shut down in 2018, I was devastated. I had friended some my Smallworlds pals on Facebook, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to continue playing Smallworlds all through the night. It represented one of the first things from my childhood that I could feel slipping through my fingers. I went to different games but nothing quenched my thirst like Smallworlds. I was elated to discover Smallverse last month. I spent a little while on the correct name for my new avatar before landing on Pixie Lucas once more. Back in the Smallworlds days, we all used to hang out at the game’s Town Center room. I loved it. It was thee place to meet new people. So tonight, I teleported there, hoping to run into from my past. Tonight one of those memories showed up on my new SmallVerse account. Her account name was Kimberly, but her bio read: Was Zuella Nimrod.
“Zuella Nimrod,” I thought to myself, “That sounds familiar.”
I clicked on my mousepad over to where her avatar was standing. I told her who I was, same name and everything, but she didn’t remember. I asked her if she remembered another friend of ours and the lightbulb went off. We were back in the same place before the game shut down, sharing the same virtual space. As I began to type out my questions about where life had taken her over these last eight years, I felt a younger version of myself come through. I reconnected with the joy I once felt playing with Kimberly. She was like an online guardian for me before I could fend for myself. I know from her Facebook that she is much older than me, blonde, and has a family of her own. Despite our differences, we were able to connect over a fond past.
It’s strange to think that I am the same person but also different. I don’t live in Muscatine anymore and I am starting my own career. I can log on anytime I want without having to worry about a school night deadline. Time is funny that way, I guess. It goes by and yet certain things stick with you forever.
I’m glad I can look back on those countless hours spent at the hotel computer and smile,
Pixie Lucas