Dunno. They just show up.

I wake up feeling the sun on my face, trying to piece together how I got here from my drunk memories. Let's see... I got home, got on my computer, and logged into my favorite AlwaysSummer Days server. They have a nice mod pack that... well, imports basically all optional content. Big world, too... I've no idea how they got the system to fake that large of a place... seriously, everyone gets mounts as soon as they can because otherwise it takes an hour to get across town. There's fast travel portals for city to city, quest locations, and so on... but it's huge.

There was a storm... I was too drunk to worry about it... a flash... and then here I am. Huh... nope, doesn't make sense. I may as well open my eyes....

I'm outside, laying in grass. I can hear birds, but no traffic. There's an orange cat with black stripes laying next to me... that looks like it weighs two hundred pounds.

I hold my breath. It's... a tiger? Young, as it's 'only' around my size. It's breathing slowly... I try to get up very quietly and back away. Sadly, it notices... gets up, and follows me. Ah... great. Umm... that's... I swallow and freeze, as the giant cat walks up to me, and rubs its head on my hand.

Blinking, I idly pet the beast.

And it starts purring.

I blink a few times... okay, so... friendly... not an immediate threat... so where am I? I widen my perspective. I'm in a grassy clearing in forest, by a dirt trail about the width of a small car... oh make that an intersection. The trail splits, and there's a sign. Looks like if I go... West, assuming it's morning... I'll reach Noobtown.

Why does that sound familiar? I rack my brain... ah, the game. Trail crossings are just outside of towns, and serve as the portals. So... I'm dreaming? I frown. This doesn't feel like a dream... I do the classic, and pinch myself: Yes, it hurts. Also, I'm still here.

...and I then realize I'm still holding my breath... and I'm fine? That makes me frown. I bring my hand to my face... thinner than I remember. Slender... long nails? Did someone give me press-ons while I was asleep? My eyes follow my arm... which is also thinner, and is in a simple brown wool coat sleeve. I'm dressed in something I don't... oh, my character’s outfit in the game. Right. Dream, has to be. Of course, if I am dreaming I'm my character...

I look down, and see two very large bumps in my shirt, blocking my view of the skirt I know to be down there. I nod. Okay, yes. Dream. And... if I am dreaming....