Adventure World Online (AWO)

Special Episode: Valentine's Afterglow

It had been a month since Valentine's Day passed. One wondered how the denizens of Adventure World Online felt about it now—what were their views, definitions of love, or ideal types? After a period of basking in romance—or for some, nursing heartbreak—they might now have clearer answers about this day of love. Let's take a look at how they each define love.

Oliang: Valentine's Day is just a normal day, really. The only thing that makes it special is that it gives people a reason to openly show affection to the ones they love—without embarrassment. Since it's the day of love, after all, everyone's expressing their feelings. If you love someone, you have to show it, especially if you want them to love you back. But hey, not everyone gets a happy ending. Love's a two-person thing. The third or fourth wheel is bound to be disappointed. As for me, if you manage your resources wisely, even being the third, fourth, or fifth isn't a problem. (winked, then went back to chatting on the phone with a girl)

Lidded Wet Trash Can: Hmph! Valentine's Day is so overrated. Flowers, chocolates—it's all just commercial fluff cooked up by savvy merchants to sell stuff. People who only show affection on that one day while ignoring one another every other day don't deserve love. Personally, I prefer the freedom to glance flirtatiously at anyone I want. That's way more interesting than being tied down to someone permanently. (voice pitch rising)

Oliang: Liar. You're just bitter because you still haven't found a girlfriend!

Lidded Wet Trash Can: Mind your own business, O. You better focus on juggling your harem before they all find out! Ahem! Anyway, I'm perfectly happy being single, and I'm not looking for anyone right now.

Oliang: Excuses, excuses. I heard you confessed to someone on Valentine's and got rejected, bro. Hahaha!

Lidded Wet Trash Can: Pshh! (sound of a man's patience snapping)

Oliang: ARGH. Ow, dammit That hurt—gah! (sound of a big mouth getting smacked mid-call)

Peach Blossom: What does love mean to me? Love is ownership. He must belong to me and me alone! My ideal lover must be warm, kind, romantic—a true prince on a waste horse. (Wait, it's white horse—not waste horse) He must look only at Peach Blossom, care only for Peach Blossom, spoil me in every way with no exceptions. And he should shower me with surprise gifts—unlimited budget preferred. (The boys who had been eavesdropping quietly slink away in a defeated line.)

Rafael: Love is about understanding. Not just saying you understand—but truly doing so. It's about being reasonable and patient. Valentine's Day isn't particularly special to me, but showing the one you love that they're special—that's never a bad thing. At the very least, it can become another memorable, happy day.

Draco: Love is love. It's more about feeling than definition. When you fall in love, logic takes a backseat—feelings come first. And because we often follow our emotions more than reason, love ends up taking many forms. Still, I believe love should be grounded in reason. Because if love turns to hate, and reason's been thrown out the window—people might end up killing each other without even asking why.

Aden: Love is about giving good things to one another. I think love makes you want to do good things for the person you love—to see them happy, to make them smile. That's what it's all about. You don't have to think too hard about what to do; love will guide you on its own. Like on Valentine's Day—why do couples give flowers and heartfelt gifts –that's love pulling the strings!

Valentine: Love is about attentiveness. Women are the most detail-oriented creatures on the planet. Sometimes the things men think are trivial or unimportant—things they overlook—can really upset or hurt us. Being attentive isn't hard, but men rarely bother. Some even say it's annoying. But if you claim to love someone and never pay attention to them, how long do you think they'll stick around? Women aren't so weak that they can't live without men. And we're not irrational or overly emotional either. If anything, men are the...

Chang Long: Let's calm down a bit, Mi…

Valentine: ...Anyway. Like I said, love is about attentiveness. So, don't forget to really see the people you love, okay? (smiled sweetly)

Chang Long: Love is probably some bizarre thing that makes people adore or despise one another. Its nature is so complex it's exhausting. If someone's trying to understand love, I'd say it's probably easier to study the human circulatory system… (Everyone gaped at her blunt take.)

Siegfried: Love… hmm. I think it's a blend of affection and expectation toward someone we care about. If there's too much of it, they might feel suffocated. Too little, and they might never notice your feelings. The best kind of love, I believe, is balanced. To me, love is a powerful motivator—it can inspire so many things. And when love is returned in a positive way, it brings immense happiness. But we shouldn't place too many expectations on love either. Let it flow naturally. In that process, we'll learn a lot of good things—about love, and about the one we love. That sort of slow understanding will last far longer than love built on haste or selfish desires. After all, love takes many forms, depending on how we choose to use it. As for me, just being able to look into someone's eyes and know we still have each other, that's enough. (blushing slightly)

Aswa: Wow. That was some next-level mushy stuff from Siegfried. Newsflash—those noble, gentle, silently-loving types don't exist. If love were just a feeling, no one would ever get married. My idea of love isn't all sunshine and roses, but it's not toxic either. I'll do anything for the person I love. As long as she's happy, I'm happy to go along. But hey, what I get in return better be worth it. Otherwise, what's the point of giving your all to love? Everyone who gives wants nothing back—even if it's just something small. That still counts. I may not be a perfect guy, but I'd never hurt the one I love. (puffed chest proudly while his underlings applauded)

Demos: Love is nonsense. I don't see how love makes anyone better. All it does is make people obsessive and full of false hope. If you want a simple life, then don't fall in love. (Everyone did seemed shocked again.)

Crown: Love makes the world a brighter place. When you're in love, everything seems more beautiful. You can even smile if a bird poops on you. But that's only one side of love. It's like falling for someone from afar and getting lost in your own imagination, too scared to confess. That's puppy love—innocent and sweet.

Duncan: So what if you do confess—then what?

Crown: Well, it depends on their answer. If you've got the guts to accept the truth, go confess. If not, keep daydreaming.

Duncan: …

Thankhun: Love is a lie. If the person you love feels better because of it, lying isn't such a bad thing—as long as you don't get caught. But if you lie badly, forget what you lied about, and get exposed, that's when the trouble starts. And then you have to lie again, and again, until they finally understand you. I don't feel guilty for lying—because I got what I wanted. Even if I get caught later, I still won. Love always comes with lies. If someone says they're 100% honest with you—they're lying!

Narada: Love is something you have to pursue. You've got to work hard to stay in the eyes of the one you love—to make them notice you, appreciate you. Do everything you can to make them love you back. If you've got a hundred tricks up your sleeve, use them!

Aswa: Isn't that a bit much?

Narada: What would you know? If love came easy, no one would bother with plastic surgery, or makeup, or hair styling, or fancy clothes and accessories just to stand out and get noticed. And there'd be no such thing as feminine wiles, now would there!

Phiros: Love is built on mutual understanding. No matter what happens, if you understand each other and have a strong, stable heart, you'll get through it. But if you don't understand each other—if you never talk, never share your burdens, never talk about your day nor open up about the little things that make you happy or sad or frustrated—then understanding will never grow. Being attentive, being aware of what makes your partner smile or suffer, spending time together, and sharing joy—that's more than enough for a happy love life.

So, what's everyone's type? Seems like nobody actually said—except Peach Blossom, whose standards sent all the guys running. Let's hear those preferences now!

Oliang: Fair-skinned, pretty, Chinese features, curvy, and a butt that pops! (Peach Blossom: Ewww)

Lidded Wet Trash Can: Pale skin, delicate and gentle, beautiful. (Oliang—still bruised from earlier—jeered while fleeing.)

Peach Blossom: I already said: a prince on a white horse." (sneaked a glance at Chang Long, who's half-asleep standing)

Rafael: Someone easy to talk to, and who understands me. (Draco: You mean someone who obeys your every word, right?)

Draco: Someone easygoing, friendly, and sweet.

Aden: Cute, a little tomboyish… kind of like someone sitting over there. (glanced at Valentine)

Valentine: (blushing) I don't have a type. As long as we click, they're honest, and not a liar—that's good enough.

Chang Long: Huh? I have to answer too? (Everyone nodded eagerly.) I dunno. Never really thought about it. I guess I don't have one.

Siegfried: Not sure. If I see someone and like them, and talking to them feels right, then they're probably my type. (sneaked a look at Chang Long just as she yawned widely)

Aswa: I like a challenge—those proud, aloof types who are hard to approach. But no fake attitude, thanks. That's my type. (winked at Chang Long, only for Kitsune—perched on her shoulder—to growl warningly)

Demos: I don't have one. It's a hassle. Honestly, who actually ends up with someone who matches their ideal type anyway?

Crown: Beautiful, sweet, cheerful, and lively. Someone who makes my heart flutter just by being near. Hahaha!

Thankhun: I like beautiful women—but only the ones who don't see through me.

Narada: I've just been chasing after him this whole time… (gazed longingly at Siegfried)

Phiros: Bright, cheerful, and true to herself!

P.S. This was meant to be light-hearted and fun—so don't take it too seriously!