Clarkesworld Magazine Jade Fighter by D.A. Xiaolin Spires (audio)
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Nov 8, 2025 Dive into a mesmerizing VR Tai Chi dojo where Ling trains not just for her aging father but also to discover her own strength. Encounter unique NPCs like Carmelita, who reveals her past lives and desires to escape the digital realm. Experience playful sparring, personal growth, and the merging of real and virtual skills. Carmelita's bold plan to leave her NPC life adds a thrilling twist, while a jade hairpin symbolizes trust and new possibilities. This journey challenges the boundaries between the real and the virtual, sparking reflections on identity and connection.
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Scouting Tai Chi For Her Father
- Ling tries a tai chi edutainment session in a faux winter temple to scout options for her elderly father.
- The attraction mixes real props, AR birds, and moving walkways to simulate practice without full realism.
Design Balances Presence And Intimacy
- NPC silhouettes stay intentionally blank to avoid unsettling solo VR patrons.
- Designers balance presence and intimacy by limiting detailed NPC embodiment unless users engage more.
An NPC Who Breaks The Script
- Ling meets Carmelita, an NPC who becomes unusually talkative and meta-aware in the locker-room scene.
- Carmelita introduces her pet bird Huni and reveals unexpected personality and backstory.