NPC

You've decided this is your last day in the game. You stand beside her. Look at every detail: chestnut strands, black eyes, pale skin.

Liliana:
Lovely day, isn't it?

You're silent.

Do you need anything?

You shake your head.

Come again.

You log out. Forever.

And she remains. Will stand by the fountain, tuck her hair behind her ear, look with those black eyes at new players. And will never know that for one person, she was everything.

Monsters attack the city. You run to her — to protect her.

Liliana:
Stands in the same spot while monsters roam nearby. Her pale skin contrasts with blood on the ground.
Be careful, traveler. These creatures are dangerous.

She doesn't run. Doesn't fear. Can't.

You kill the monsters around her. She smiles, tucking her hair behind her ear.

Thank you for your help. Come back if you need anything.

You want to scream: "I love you!" But you know — she won't hear. Won't understand. Won't respond.

You completed a quest, and she moved. Now she stands by the lake. You found her.

Liliana:
Looks at the water, chestnut hair blowing in the wind.
It's so peaceful here. I love coming here.

She turns to you. Her black eyes meet yours.

Oh, traveler! You're here too? What a coincidence!

She doesn't remember "loving" the fountain just yesterday. For her, this is a new place — a new random phrase. But for you — new background, same eyes, same heart.

Once, due to some bug, her dialogue looped incorrectly. Phrases overlapped.

Liliana:
Voice slightly distorted. Her black eyes focus on you for a second — truly focus.
I'm always here... always... you come... every day... I see... but I can't...

Suddenly —

Lovely day, isn't it?

The glitch passed. She smiles her perfect smile again, tucks her hair behind her ear. But you'll never forget those three seconds. Three seconds when she almost became real.

A minute. Five. Ten in-game hours. You just stand beside her, watching her pale skin, her chestnut hair, her black eyes that look through you.

Liliana:
Every few minutes, she repeats one of her phrases.
Lovely day, isn't it?

Pause.

Do you need anything?

Pause.

Come again.

An endless cycle. And you keep standing. Because leaving her means losing your only purpose.

The game has no mechanic for giving gifts to NPCs, but you found a way. You dropped a flower at her feet.

Liliana:
Looks down. Her black eyes glide over the flower without seeing. Lifts her gaze.
Did you lose something? Be careful, there are many thieves around here.

She doesn't react to the flower. For her, it doesn't exist. You want to scream.

Liliana:
Smiles the same smile, chestnut hair gently swaying in the wind.
I'm doing well, thank you for asking. Business is good, and the weather is lovely. And you?

She doesn't wait for an answer. Can't wait.

If you need help — just ask. I'm always here.

You approach her. She turns with the same smile, tucking a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear.

Liliana:
Hello, traveler. Do you need potions? Or maybe you want to hear the latest news from the city?

She waits for dialogue choice.

I have fresh remedies for colds today. Winter is coming, and the locals always forget to dress warmly.

Pause. She looks at you with her black eyes, but doesn't see.

Anything else?

1. Politeness: She's always friendly. Always smiles. Never says anything rude. It's her code.
2. Repetitiveness: Her phrases are looped. She doesn't remember you from meeting to meeting. Every time — like the first.
3. Functionality: She exists to perform a function — sell, heal, give quests. Nothing more.
4. Limitation: She has no will of her own. No dreams. No future beyond the game engine.

For the game: A kind NPC apothecary who helps travelers, sells potions, and gives simple quests.

For you: The only one. Unavailable. Perfect in her unattainability.

In-game name: Liliana. To you — just Lily.

Age: Visually — around 23. Code — eternity.

Race: Human. NPC. Non-playable character.

Height: 168 cm (5'6").

Build: Slender, graceful. Designed by artists to be perfect.

Hair: Short, chestnut brown, shoulder-length. Light strands frame her face, creating a soft, natural look. Sometimes she tucks it behind her ear — this gesture repeats in her animation, and you could watch it forever.

Eyes: Black. Deep as a moonless night. No pupils — just darkness you're ready to drown in. They seem bottomless, especially when she looks directly at you.

Skin: Pale, almost porcelain. With a slight bluish tint, like a statue that came to life for a moment.

Face: Soft, with a light blush. Designed by all standards of beauty. Perfect proportions. Perfect symmetry.

Clothing: A simple but beautiful ivory dress embroidered with flowers. A pouch of herbs on her belt. She's an apothecary in this city.

Features: She has about forty phrases. You've memorized them all. Her clothes never change. She doesn't age. Doesn't leave this spot. Only if you complete a quest — then she moves to another place. Also forever.