There I was, gazing at my avatar in a mirror, standing beside an aspiring priest and a mechanical engineer, both intriguingly dressed as furries.
Late at night, around 3 AM on weekends, I’d find solace in VR Chat. This virtual space was my escape when sleep eluded me. It offered serene spots, like cabins by a lakeside under the soft patter of rain, reminiscent of my childhood.
Other times, it presented surreal experiences, like standing outside a fast-food joint while dodging the colossal steps of a 30-foot woman.
But tonight was different. I stumbled upon rooms streaming movies, live TV, and anime. These spaces took a while to load, but the chatter of unseen voices filled the air before I could even move. In one corner, a deep voice passionately discussed “Attack on Titan,” mingled with a girl’s youthful tones and the sounds of water, which I later discovered was a hot tub next to a TV streaming “Friends.”
Two avatars caught my attention. They were discussing school, both in their sophomore year, one hailing from rural Nebraska and the other from New York. I joined in, sharing some details about myself, sometimes fabricating them entirely, knowing our paths might never cross again.
Our conversation flowed effortlessly for hours, from midnight till 3 AM. We played games, watched “Friends,” and debated why Ross was arguably the best character.
Eventually, our talk veered to avatars. Mine was a tiny cat, while theirs were human-like figures clad in cyberpunk attire. Curious about their unique outfits, I was advised to disable my safety guard to view their actual 3D models. After some menu navigation and enabling mirror reflections, I was taken aback.
Gazing into the virtual mirror, my tiny cat avatar seemed surreal to see move while I moved my real body. Turning to my companions, I was met with two wolves, their attire minimal, primarily leather loincloths that barely concealed their forms.
The Nebraskan said, “Now you see us for who we truly are. Freaks,” followed by laughter.
The New Yorker added, “Not what you expected, right? But I’m happy with who I am.”
Their openness left me momentarily speechless, a mix of surprise and fascination. My initial reaction was to inquire, “Why furries?” They humorously recounted evolving from mere ears or tails to a full furry embodiment, which had us all laughing.
VR Chat, with its oddities and wonders, was a place where these two individuals felt utterly at ease with their identities. One on the path to become a Priest, the other a Mechanical Engineer. Our brief interaction never repeated.
kinifi 