number 2, let us spread the word to the less fortunate.

>>213917
Number 2. Those down on their luck needs to hear the glorious message of the lord.

2 Why not.

Jesus christ is a lion, get in the car.

I smell huge ass troll quest.

Go to the moon

Sammy decided that the poor people in town could really use to hear an uplifting message. If they'd just believe, life wouldn't be so hard on them! Maybe if they knew that the church would give them food and clothes, they'd be more willing to come to church as well. Should be easy pickings!

Sammy rode his Huffy down to the poorer neighborhood. The buildings were all big apartments, and most of them were plain gray concrete. Further down, there were shanties and shacks were the really poor people lived. He could see a few bundles of rags that may have been sleeping people dozing in some nearby allies.

Sammy was new to the whole proselytizing thing, so he wasn't sure whether or not he should

1) Just walk up to the closest sleeping person
2) Buzz the apartment closest to him
3) Go to the shantytown

Find a whore.

Have her repent and suck ya dick.

???

I don't know, beat her ass afterwards.

>>213939
3, Shantytown. They're the ones that really need to be given hope and hear the good message.

Sammy would never do something so unchristian! He doesn't even know what a whore looks like! And putting a p-p-penis in somebody's mouth is against like, all of God's plans! (Besides, we both know that no whores are awake, much less walking around, at 6:30 in the morning. Whores come up when the sun goes down, man.)

Sammy decided to go to the shanty town. Those people probably really needed him most. The area was mostly filthy white clapboard houses, old and cheaply made. Many were abandoned an a lot of them had broken windows. There were some gross old people rocking on some of the porches and staring off into nothing. The overgrown yards and dark allyways seemed to hide silent watchers, and Sammy sort of got the jitters a little, before he remembered that his faith would protect him.

Suddenly, he noticed his classmate, a pangolin girl named Mika, slipping out of one of the shacks down the block. Sammy never knew she was poor! He sat next to her in a few classes, too, which retroactively now grossed him out a little. He wondered what she was up to on such a nice Saturday morning, but wasn't sure if he should approach her or not. She was kinda hunched over a little, like maybe she was being suspicious.

>>213954
Approach her and spread the good word to her. If she's one of your classmates then you might even be able to get her help. Then you will be able to do more work and further spread the good word in class.

>>213955
Yeah that basically.

Sammy decides it's best to just go up to her and see what's going on. He got closer to her without her really noticing. She was wearing a baggy, dark blue t-shirt and some jeans. They were pretty ratty, and definitely not name brand. How had he never really noticed before? He knew she never wore makeup, but he thought it was because she wasn't vain - she probably just couldn't afford it.

She was really focused on whatever she was holding. Sammy had to touch her on the shoulder before she even noticed him. She jumped up and let out a terrified squeak.

"Oh! Oh, uh, Sammy! What are you doing here?"

"Well," he answered, sort of uncomfortable, "I was trying to see if anybody needed the Word of God in their lives. Are you a Christain, Mika?"

Mika's shocked expression quickly faded into an inscrutable stare. "uh... really? You came down here to preach?"

"of course, the poor and downtrodden need the word of the lord most of all. i am actually surprised to see you here though."

"of course, the poor and downtrodden need the word of the lord most of all. i am actually surprised to see you here though," Sammy replied, trying to get into the swing of things.

Mika's made a little snout pout. "I live here, Sammy. Look, this isn't really a good neighborhood for you to be in what with the khakis and the short-sleeved dress shirt. A-are those tassels on your bike handle?" She had a look somewhere between disgust and confusion on her face.

"Well, I never really did this before, and just wanted to go where I could help people out." Sammy replied. He felt a little insulted by her demeanor, but he understood that she probably wasn't very Christian.

"You want to help people? I found something cool in the woods. Maybe you can help me. It's not too far away." Mika grabbed his paw with her long, curving talons. Her had was hot and a little sweaty. He could almost feel the germs crawling up his arm.

Mika began to pull him toward the edge of the shacks, towards the woods where a few aerials from the old railway station were still visible above the skinny trees.

He wasn't sure this was an entirely good idea.

hmm, but she says this would let you help people. you may be able to REALLY help someone if they are all the way out here.

>>213973
Follow after her. After all it's your christian duty to help her and trust her. Jesus wouldn't be proud of you if you were to turn your back on her now.

Sammy reluctantly agreed to help, extracting his hand from hers. After all, Jesus stayed with lepers and poor people all the time. He was so strong to pretend like he wasn't totally grossed out about it!

The abandoned railway station is somewhere he almost definitely wasn't supposed to go. It was a big, red brick structure that was built around the '60s or so, replacing an ancient depot from the old-west days. Of course, light rail didn't really take off in his area, and it wasn't exactly a hub for freight, so by the mid-'80s it was overgrown and broken down. The woods had always been there - they were a sort of natural noise break for the depot - but no one had really maintained them or anything for a couple of decades now.

Sammy couldn't really think of a lot to say as they walked through the trees. The tall grass and dappled sunlight made it actually pretty peaceful. He could see big white pieces of rock spread throughout the grass, and sometimes he could make out a piece of buried track.

Of course, he could also see some empty beer bottles and less savory trash scattered in the bushes.

Mika was hugging a brown paper bag to her chest protectively. It looked like there were some cans inside. She wasn't saying a lot either - mostly talking to herself. "It's really cool, you'll see" and similar sorts of things.

Sammy wasn't sure how to best use this time. He could try to ask her about where they were going, or try to turn the conversation (as it were) to more spiritual matters.

>>213978
Turn it towards more spiritual matters. You need to use the time you got before your parents start missing you.

Sammy decided he'd try to at least convert someone before he goes places he's probably not supposed to. To be fair, he wasn't too worried about his parents missing him. He was such a good, clean, Christian kid that they trusted him pretty implicitly. Every Saturday he goes to the youth center at the church, or sometimes he hangs out with a couple of his friends. Until it starts to get dark, he should be in the clear.

"So," Sammy asked nervously, "About what I said before, are you a Christian?"

Mika sighed, "Yeah, I guess. Sure."

"What church do you go to?" he asked. He needed to make sure she really was a Christian.

"Well, I don't really go to church or anything," she sighed, stepping over some rail ties as they walked deeper into the woods. Sammy could really see the slums or the station from where they were. He could hear cicadas buzzing in the hot summer afternoon, and the rustling of small animals in the underbrush.

"Sammy, I just do what I think is right and follow my heart. I'm pretty sure God'll understand."

Sammy almost tripped. "I don't think you really understand, Mika. Everybody can't get into Heaven. You have to really show God you love Him, even when it means doing things you might not like or understand. It isn't enough to just do what we think is right - we have to do what God thinks is right. Why don't you come to ch-"

"Sammy!" Mika barked, holding up her free hand, "Can we please just talk about something else?"

Mika seemed pretty uncomfortable, and Sammy could feel himself blushing. Nobody should be uncomfortable talking about Jesus, and it felt kinda insulting just to shut him down like that without even explaining.

>>213984
Ask where you're going.

Sammy decided he needed to find out exactly what was going on, and really didn't want to make Mika any more uncomfortable, although her dismissal still stung.

He jogged forward through the variegated darkness right as the bulk of the abandoned station loomed into view. The building was wide and flat, with a long, overhanging porch supported by metal columns. A wide, worn concrete staircase lead from the thinning grass and gravel onto a broad waiting area. The glass was opaque with filth, and vines wove across the entire surface of the structure. He could see several places where trees and vines protruded from the roof of the building. Bird's nests and clumps of debris hung from the wires and antennae that covered the still-intact portions of the roof and trailed out across the remains of the tracks.

Even the graffiti was covered with dirt and moss, and Sammy could almost feel the eyes of millions of bugs and vermin peering at him from the gloom.

The door was slightly ajar, and he could see hand prints and scuff marks where it had been opened recently.

"So, what are we doing here?" Sammy asked. He tried to sound nonchalant, but it came out as a whispered whimper instead.

"You'll see," Mika said, her itsy mouth grinning, as she reached for Sammy's hand, "You're really smart. Maybe you can help me out with this whole situation. You've got to promise, though," she said, a look of utter seriousness in her beady black eyes, "you absolutely cannot tell anybody about this, no matter what."

>>213987
Agree, it's clear that she needs help. And if you show how superior you are at the task through the power of your faith then she should be more willing to listen to you.

>>213987
She's going to get you killed.

>>213991

Pish posh! Continue into the darkness. This looks totally legit.

@ Divine!!LjAGMyAQSu 2010/07/30(Fri)16:21 No. 214029 ID: 1f1c21
File 128053210067.jpg - (289.35KB , 1000x700 , The train station.jpg )

"O-ok," Sammy muttered. He wasn't scared, not really. He just thought it was a little too dangerous for kids to be fooling around in was all. Courage is a virtue, though, so Sammy took her hand and she led him into the darkness of the ruins.

>>214029
You may need to purify her.

With your body.

Think impure thoughts! Impure thou- oh wait I mean pure thoughts. PURE thoughts!

Jesus said it was Ok to draw a picture once in a while, as long as it's Christian

They walked into the dim interior of the abandoned station. There were holes in the roof where light poured in, but the dust and mold drifted visibly thought rays of sunlight. Most of the interior was bare concrete with a few metal benches and upturned chairs. Mika crept through quietly, the contents of her bag clanking softly as she walked. "You'll never believe this," she whispered, opening one of the interior metal security doors.

Sammy felt the dust and filth swirling all around him, but he thought about how he had to be courageous and kept up with Mika. There were no holes in the ceiling, so the only light was a flat, bright rectangle slipping through the door behind them. the room was utterly bare, and a gaping archway cut a black hole, like an open mouth, in the wall to Sammy's left.

Mika went in fearlessly. She took a can from her bag - it looked like a pet food can - and rolled it toward the back right corner of the room. The label began to blister and peel after it traversed roughly half the room, and it picked up speed. It bounced, twice, and then hung suspended in the air. Rust blossomed across the surface in dirty rosettes before the contents (yeah, it was pet food) splattered onto the floor. The rusty can crumpled in on itself, leaving a little pile of oxidized metal on the floor.

"Isn't it the coolest?" Mika whispered, eyes wide with awe.

Holy shit it's a demon, banish it in Jesus' name. Don't stop rebuking it, even if it rends your flesh and tears at your soul. God will protect you. SMITE THE EVIL.

>>214043
It's a DEMON! Banish it with the power of THE LORD!

Actually you should probably not try to do anything that involves getting close to that area. Get a different kind of object and toss it in, like a rock or stick.

oookay, stay calm.

Make a prayer asking the Lord if this is His doing. Maybe he likes leaving little things like this?

Or maybe its a demon, in which case, you need to... well, do something about it.

it is good you came, in her curiosity she may have tried to traverse the area and be destroyed by it. the fact that it has not destroyed more is most likely the result of not having eaten a soul.

Immediately begin panicking. Do not stop.

You don't seem to be in immediate danger. Ask a lot of questions. When/how did she find this? What's the first thing she saw it eat?

This is a sign from God! Doesn't the bible say something about purging the evil from something? It must be an angel purging the can of its evil wrapping and releasing the holy cat food inside. Delicious cat food. Salmon as a primary ingredient. Hardly any corn meal at all.

Ask if she knows what's causing it, it might be mundane.

Sammy staggered back, shocked. It's a demon! Some kind of demon! He grabs his bible in shaking hands. How do you get rid of demons? He remembers Jesus driving the demon Legion into the swine, but he isn't Jesus. He feels his back touch the cold concrete wall, disturbing a cloud of dust and covering his shirt in filth.

"W-what is that, Mika?! H-how did you find it?"

"Oh man, you're really freaking out, aren't you Sammy? It's really cool. I've been coming here and fooling around with it for weeks. Basically, if it can corrode or rust or something, it rusts it up, but it doesn't really do anything to rocks or living things or cloth or whatever. I haven't been brave enough to walk in it yet, but if you have something metal on you, you can feel it pulling toward the corner when you walk past." Mika is grinning excitedly as she explains about the demon. Sammy doesn't think he's ever seen her smile before. He also can't manage to summon anything except for abject terror when he thinks about the demon in the corner.

Mika's smile slowly flattens, "Sammy, are you ok? You look kinda pale." Her voice sounds far away. "There's really nothing worth freaking out about. Look, this isn't even what I need help with. I want to show you the guy, but I don't want you to freak out or anything. Just... when you're ready, tell me. It's right on through that archway." She points to the gaping hollow... the archway inside the room with that thing. "Don't worry, dude, I have a flashlight."

>>214113
Oh yeah, this might be a good time to mention that WE are Legion.

Yep, you got demons in you, boy.

>>214132
No, no. We're good legion.

Jesus redeemed us! Now we do his work, see? Such as guiding you.

>The dude

Tell her to tell you more about it before you go in. Be calm. Tell her you want to know what to expect.

in for an inch, in for a mile. if you do not confront it then you will know you have failed forever.

We are not legion!

...

Well, okay. We ARE legion, but we're the good kind of legion. The kind that is a bit perverted but has people's well being at heart, not demons or anything.

At any rate, you're a lion! Act like it! Was Jesus afraid when he saw demons? Heck no! Go forth and spread the word to everyone, even if they're scary!

Suggestion 2010/07/31(Sat)00:44 No. 214156 ID: 34470e
File 128056226281.png - (262.94KB , 400x400 , Legion_Character_Shot.png )

>>214132
>>214150
>>214152
All of you are wrong. THIS is Legion.

>>214113
Man that's some crazy shit, it's probably some sort of heathen science demon. You had better go in there and drive it out!

Sammy had to control his fear. Maybe the fear was inside of him, whispering voices like Legion. No, no, Sammy knew he was pure. He would have to control himself and stop acting like a coward.

Sammy tried to calm himself. "I'm Ok, Mika, but I don't really want to be surprised again. Can you at least tell me what I'm going to see?"

Mika looked at him with concern. Sammy wasn't sure he was doing so well, as hard as he was trying to calm down. Jesus would be disappointed if he knew how cowardly Sammy was acting.

"Well," Mika began, "I don't really hang out with anybody from school, so I've always messed around out here. I'd always been kinda scared of the train station, but that just makes it more fun, you know?" She looked at Sammy, but he didn't really understand. Why would anybody want to be scared? "Anyway," she sighed, "one day I thought somebody was living here. He's in the other room, and I think he's really hurt. He doesn't talk. We don't really have any money at home," here, she avoided Sammy's eyes, "So I've been stealing some canned food or whatever I can find. I- I know it's not right or whatever, but people just feed it to strays anyway, and he probably needs it more. I don't want to call the cops or anything, I think he's in trouble. Besides, you promised you wouldn't say anything." She looked up at him again with such openness and real fear that it made Sammy's heart hurt.

Her flashlight clicked on, it's bright, white beam creating deeper shadows and revealing a multitude of cobwebs. Sammy could see a swathe on the floor where there was no dust, starting near the flat, blank wall furthest from the archway, and leading through the gloomy aperture.

Why, you must follow her! As a Christian, you cannot consciously allow your fellow man to suffer so, in a place like this!

Just remember that God is all powerful. With God on your side the only thing that can hurt you is God. And you will always totally deserve it, because it's all your fault, you fucking sinner. So go in the fucking archway already. FACE YOUR FATE

Ask yourself: WWJD? Why he'd go right in there and find out what's wrong with the poor guy.

>>214215
There is a person in need there. How could you refuse them aid while remaining a good christian?

Remember the tale of the good Samaritan. Help others, no matter who they be.

@ Divine!!LjAGMyAQSu 2010/07/31(Sat)19:30 No. 214367 ID: d8c4bf
File 128062985337.jpg - (103.53KB , 1000x740 , the guy.jpg )

Sammy really needed to man up. He thought about what Jesus would do. Somebody may need his help.
"Okay, let's go," he whispered.

Mika smiled and took his hand, leading him deeper into the darkness. The other room was much larger and the flashlight's feeble beam seemed pitifully small.

In the corner, there was what appeared at first to be a huge pile of filthy cloth.

"Here he is," Mika whispered. Sammy walked forward, but Mika stopped him. "I... don't think you should get too close. I think he's hurt or something. I usually just feed him from here.

Mika took the cans out of her paper bag and rolled them across the floor into the mass of filthy blankets. The mass moved, a bandaged appendage pulling the items into the concealing darkness. The screech of metal and wet slurping issued from the figure. Sammy couldn't tell what kind of fur it was, but it was big.

"He's never said anything," whispered Mika, "but I've heard him whimper before. I've never seen him move. The big streak on the floor starts at the blank wall in the other room and ends here."

Do what any good clean, Christian kid would do in this situation. Scream and run blindly right into the wall where the cans were rusting.

approach the pile slowly. it had bandages meaning it was at least smart enough to put them on. and hold out your bible. to it, maybe something to read would help and you can't get better then the bible.

>>214367
Control your fear. Ask who they are, and if they're hurt. Tell them you want to help them.

Yes, clearly it wants to eat your I mean meet your bible.

Well Jesus of all people was one to show mercy to demons, and this thing looks pitiable at best.

>>214367
Well, no need to be rude even if he is being less than polite at the moment. He probably just doesn't know any better. Introduce yourself.

>>214367
Introduce yourself and ask him if he's ready to accept Jesus Christ as his saviour.

Sammy began to approach the dark corner clutching his bible. Mika waves at him to stop, but he waved her off and introduced himself instead. The guy didn't respond, but he could see it shifting under the blankets. He can smell it - dirty laundry , mold, and something spicy and unidentifiable.

Sammy held out the bible toward the guy, "H-have you accepted Jesus Christ as yo-"

Quick, too fast for Sammy to clearly follow, the bible seemed to disappear into the mass of coverings.

"Dude!" Mika urgently whispered waving for Sammy to come back to her, "Leave him alone!"

i suppose, he took the bible. if you don't hear any ripping sounds then he didn't break it so he may read it.

Wait and say nothing.

Sammy stood there and waited. He could hear birds chirping from somewhere behind him. The guy shifted position in small movements, but made no further sounds except for a quiet, labored breathing.

Mika grabbed his shoulder gently, pulling him toward the exit. "Come on, Sammy. He's tired."

Her voice was pleading, her claws tugged weakly at his shoulder. He could hear her breathing as well, as smell the slightly sour smell he'd never noticed before that he now associated with destitution.

>>214572
Thank him for his time and tell him that you will return tomorrow so the two of you can talk about the contents of the Book.

Then follow Mika out of there and invite her in for the evening, poor thing probably hasn't had a decent meal in a while and you could offer her to use your showers.

Then get on with your work.

Sammy thanked the guy for his time, but the guy's only response was subtle rustling and labored breathing. Sammy thought he could almost place that strange, spicy scent, but it eluded him.

Mika led him back out though the anomaly room and into the waiting room for the train station. The roof of this room had long since collapsed. grass grew in the layer of dirt that covered the floor, the counter and benches were totally covered in vines and fine, downy moss. The long covered walkways that led out to the platforms let in more light - he could see the tracks and fallen cables disappear into the grass.

"So, what do you think?" Mika asked. "I'm not too sure what to do, and I wish I could get him some real food."

Sammy was feeling much more calm. This place was still filthy, but it was somehow peaceful. "He isn't the only one that looks like he could use a good meal, Mika. Why don't you come home with me for dinner?"

Mika immediately turned away. "I-I don't think so, Sammy. Thanks. I don't think I'd be very comfortable."

>>214794
Ask her if it would be ok then if you just bought her some food in a dinnér. Should still be early and she might not have had breakfast yet, so you could offer her that.

You could also ask her if she wants to tag along for the rest of your missionary work.

"Well, at least let me get you some lunch," offered Sammy, "We can go to a cafe or something."

"Ok, cool," Mika said, "Maybe we can go to the Wal-Mart or something after? Like, get something that might be better for the guy to eat than pet food? I-if you don't mind. I'm not, like, asking you for money or anything."

They couldn't both ride on Sammy's bike, so he'd have to walk if they wanted to get anywhere. That meant they'd have to either eat somewhere close, or take the subway. Sammy had plenty of ready cash, so either option worked for him. He looked at his watch and noticed that it was close to noon - it was a lot later than he thought.

>>214796
Find a decently nice place that's close by. If you drag her along to a fancier place she might not want to go along.

And you should probably buy something nice for that guy in the trainstation. After all, Jesus wants you to share your material wealth with those less lucky, and rich men have alot harder getting into heaven.

>>214796
Somewhere close.

Think about the smell some more. Did it smell like a lizard?

Sammy took her to a greasy spoon close by. He looked for somewhere nice, but there wasn't really anywhere this close to the shanties. Everything was tarnished and a little peeling. It was far from what Sammy would consider hygenic. The food was greasy and mildly disturbing, but Mika seemed to enjoy it.

Sammy thought about the smell from the guy. It was almost like incense. It sort of reminded him of a lizard a little, but more like incense. It reminded him of something, but he couldn't really put his finger on it.

"Hey, if you aren't going to eat yours, can I get it to go so I can bring it to the guy?" Mika asked. Sammy noticed that she'd only eaten about half of her own food as well.

"And, like, I'm not really sure what to do. I think if we told anybody, they'd freak out and call the cops or something. I know the guy is hurt and scared, but I really don't think the cops or anybody would make it better. I want to make him comfortable so he can get better on his own. You know? Then, maybe he can tell us what he wants to do. You aren't going to tell anybody, right Sammy? You promised," she looked at him with that open vulnerableness in her tiny black eyes again, "but I need help too. What do you think we should do?"

It was getting close to two in the afternoon, and Sammy felt that he should probably get home around four or five in the evening.

>>214807
Tell her you won't tell anyone (aside from Jesus, but he already knows.).

Go buy some decent cans of food for the poor thing and then you should probably get back to your parents.

>>214807
Does the smell remind you of something at church? Or perhaps if it reminds you of something that is traditionally burned, then... it's a dragon?

Sammy went to a nearby store and got some actual canned food with Mika. She had both their leftovers from the diner too, so Sammy thought the guy would be OK for a while.

He decided to just go home after. He and Mika stood outside the store in the late afternoon. It was warm and bright, with long shadows stretching across the empty street outside the run down market.

"Hey, look," Mika said, not making eye contact, "Thanks a lot for helping me out. You aren't as bad as I thought you were." She waved once with her free hand, and then made her way back down into the ghetto.

Sammy turned and started riding for home. He couldn't stop thinking about the spicy smell for some reason. Sammy didn't go to the kind of church where they use incense. His family has always taught him that those people are the wrong kinds of Christians. He'd heard about dragons before, but wasn't really sure they were real. There were all kinds of stories about them talking about them in all kinds of ways. Some people said they were demons, but other people said they were good, and wise.

Sammy saw the clipped grass and manicured trees of his subdivision coming up. He would probably be getting home a little early for dinner, and wondered if there was anything he should do before he went inside.

>>214833
Well, today was a washout. You were infested by Legion, met a Demon, and went somewhere poor. and no fucking whores. On the upside, that poor girl seems to have a thing for you. Maybe you can convert her with Lawful Good dickings! Go door to door knocking and asking people to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and spy on them and see if you can get some MILF to blow you, as no fucking whores. While you go door-to-door you should check up on your friends too! and see if any of them wanna fuck. Then dinner, spying on your fucking hot sister/brother/mother/father/dog and maybe hanging out with some friends, or family game night. Bowckikawowwo

>>214833
Come up with a cover story in case your parents get suspicious. Something about helping a friend from class. Which is true, you just don't have to specify what you helped them with or where you were.

Sammy realized his parents were going to ask him what he did today, and he had no desire to lie. He'd just tell them he helped a friend from class.

He thought about all the things that had happened today. The weird rusting spot, the guy, his own terror and reactions to the events he'd seen... He hadn't really gotten a lot of conversion done. Maybe Mika, but she'd take some time. He'd have to learn to hang around her without being grossed out. He thought about knocking on the doors in his own neighborhood, but decided against it now that he realized he would have to say something to his parents.

He put his bike away and walked through the back door into the kitchen. It was just starting to get dusk. The kitchen was filled with scents of delicious food. Food and cleaners, and everything was spotless, like always. His mom was standing at the stove in her clean, starched apron and asked Sammy what he'd done today when she heard him come in.

"I, uh, helped one of my classmates. With some stuff." Maybe he should have thought about this with a little more specificity. His mom turned and saw him, screaming in horror and dropping her ladle. A glistening arc of gravy splashed across the gleaming tile.

"Sammy Caleb Winters, how on Earth did you get so filthy? What on Earth were you doing today?"

"I- I was helping a classmate!"

"Helping a classmate do what? You go clean up right now and tell me exactly what you've been doing today!"

Sammy ran up the stairs into the bathroom, and got a good look at himself in the mirror. He was almost crying. His mother had never yelled at him like that before, but he had to admit, he was a mess. His shirt and pants were both covered in dust and filth. Grime was caked in his mane and smeared on his face. The pads on his paws were almost black. He shook and sobbed and he hurriedly made himself presentable. Trying to think of what he should say to his mom.

Your friend lost some stuff in the woods.

>>214938
What would Jesus say if he knew you were lying?

AND HE WOULD.

>>214935
You and your friend were giving food to a homeless man who seemed very down on his luck, and you gave him a Bible so he could read about Jesus.

Yeah, tell mom the truth. That you were helping the poor like Jesus Christ would.

Seriously kid, you're ridiculous. Do you have a older brother or something? I mean, at least most people react to us in someway. Seriously, you're like some kid who got named a number and decided to go 'oh fuckit'. Huh. You got a sister, kid? They're usually more fun. Remind me to tell you about Muddy some day.

>>214935
Sammy, stop crying and panicking and think this through calmly. At every step of the way, you tried to do what you believed was right. That is nothing to be ashamed of, so you should not be crying. You're a man of faith, right? One of faith's greatest strengths is that it gives the ability to stick to your guns in spite of adversity. You should have a spine of solid steel, or perhaps sort of advanced tungsten alloy. How can you call yourself a true Christian if you're not willing to proudly stand by your own attempts to do right and defend them to others?

Anyway, on to justifications. The important thing here is to avoid lying, both because it's disrespectful and because once your parents start thinking that you'll lie to them they will begin to question your actions more often and more skeptically. Rely upon the fact that she knows you are a sensible, moral young man and would not knowingly do anything wrong.

Tell the truth- that you ran into a classmate unexpectedly, that they asked you to help them to decide what to do about something they wouldn't feel comfortable bringing to most people but that they were willing to trust you with, and that they asked you not to talk about it. Yes, it involved wandering in the woods and a couple abandoned buildings, which was kind of nasty but you felt a responsibility to support your friend. Avoid mentioning details, but make sure that she knows you're avoiding specifics not because you want to hide something from your parents, but because you promised your friend not to share and do not wish to break confidence. Reassure her that you did not do anything you think she would disapprove of, aside from getting dirty. It might also be good to apologize for tracking filth in.

Hopefully that will go over well. Just remember, be confident in yourself and your decisions, keep your promises, and act with integrity.

>>214935

Mothers also yell when they're scared, Sammy. She wasn't yelling at you, but at her fear of what you did, or might have done to get so dirty. Tell her your honest feelings, that you were doing the Lord's work in the poor area of town, and you hadn't thought about how it was dirty there. You're sorry for worrying her.

As long as you tell only the convenient parts of the truth, you're not lying. Just say that you were assisting the poor and trying to help them accept Christianity.

>>214935
No problem really. You just tell her that it was a classmate who isn't as well off as you are, and you feelt it was your christian duty to help her out.

So you went over to her place and helped her with schoolwork and then decided to go buy lunch with her since she doesn't seem to get as much food as she needs. You can mention Mika's name as well. It's all pretty close to the truth anyway. And I'm sure Jesus will forgive you for these minor lies, he's rather big on the forgivness after all.

Sammy looked at himself again after he'd washed his face and hands and changed into clean clothes. He had to control himself, and he had only done the right thing today. Nothing he'd done had been wrong or immoral, and his mom was just scared or worried about him. He'd tell the truth and still keep his promise- anything else would be compromising his principles. He wasn't proud of the way he'd acted in the train station, but he could start putting some steel in his spine right now.

He walked back down stairs. To his left, in the living room, he could hear his dad talking with his older sister Becca, but couldn't hear what they were talking about. It looked like there would be no convenient distractions while he explained himself.

His mom was perfectly composed when he entered the kitchen again, and the gravy had disappeared from the once-more perfect tile.

Mom didn't exactly look angry, but the look she gave him was glacier-cold and dangerous. "Help me set the table," she said, calmly, believing the immanent danger Sammy felt he was in, "and explain to me exactly how you came to be in that condition when you walked into this house."

Sammy grabbed the mashed potatoes and moved them to the dining table. He thought about God and his promise to Mika, and spoke. "I was helping a classmate who is really poor. I helped her and a homeless person get food, and gave a bible to the homeless person. We were off in the woods some, and I didn't realize how dirty I got walking to where the homeless people live." He saw his mother's face transition slowly from apparent composure to stern disapproval.

"And where exactly were you? And what is your classmate's name?"

Sammy felt burning humiliation rise through him. He reminded himself that he hadn't done anything wrong. "Mika Parker, and we were over near Dickory street," he said. The plates were mostly set at this point, and his mom reached down and grabbed his shoulders painfully hard. Her face was fixed and stiff. She spoke low and quietly through clenched teeth. "You listen to me, Samuel. I do not want you associating with Ms. Parker in the future, and I especially do not want you to find yourself anywhere near that part of town ever again." She shook him twice, hard, "do I make myself perfectly clear? You have no idea how dangerous those people are and you are lucky you made it back into a civilized neighborhood. I thought you knew better than this young man." She shook him again, then hugged him painfully tight, burying her face in his shoulder. He stood, stunned, and said nothing. In a blink, she was standing again cheerful and composed, and called to Dad and Becca for dinner. Sammy thought he noticed two damp blotched on the shoulder of his shirt.

Dad was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, the handles of Becca's wheelchair swallowed by his massive paws. "Oh, don't be so hard on him, Molly," he said, his deep voice dissipating the residual tension that hung over the table, "He was out being a good Christian like we taught him to." He wheeled Becca up to the table and then took his seat at the head of the table with a sigh and a groan. "But look, Sammy," he continued, "you have to be a smart little missionary and not get yourself in trouble. If you want to help people out you need to talk to Reverend Paula tomorrow and not scare your mom, OK?"

Sammy sat down opposite Dad and swallowed. It looked like he'd dodged the bullet. Dad popped his suspenders against his undershirt and slapped his substantial gut. "Okay, Molly, let eat."

Sammy could barely think about his food and just sort of pushed it around on his plate. He knew that Mika would want him to help out again, and he knew that she'd probably want to talk to him at least. Besides, what was so bad about her, anyway? He noticed Becca glancing over at him as he ate. She almost looked normal, tall and thin, in the long, pleated yellow dress she was wearing. He couldn't tell if there was pity or curiosity in her glances.

After church, Sammy would have most of the day to himself, although he felt like his mom would ask him for details if he wanted to go out, and tried to think of what he should do.

>>215197
Hmm. This is difficult. Let's talk to Referend Paula (... wait, is that a girl's name? A woman leading a church? Is that Christian?) and ask her about how to help the poor.

We really, really want to save Mika, don't we, Sammy?

Just started reading to day. Oh my god, you're brilliant. I love you to pieces, OP.

>>215197
Talk to Reverend Paula tomorrow. And don't worry about your mom, she's just worried, and she doesn't really understand that you can take care of yourself. Mothers never really understand that.

As for today I guess maybe hang out with your sister. Siblings usually understand you a bit better than parents do.

Sammy, your mom is insane. I know it may hurt you to hear that, but you should talk to the pastor about it, right away. It's not normal for someone to be so clean. She may be under the influence of demons, tempting her away from God with a perfect kitchen. Her fear is getting in the way of her faith, and she may be doubting the power of Jesus Christ to protect you. Some people, whose eyes are clouded by their own inner demons, begin to see danger around every corner and can no longer tell what is safe and what is not. That doubt can keep you from helping Mika, which can keep Mika from getting into Heaven, and I'm sure you don't want that. You need to ask yourself what's really true, and in accepting that truth you can do what's best for Mika, your mother, and yourself.

Yeah like accepting that there a bunch of voices in your head

Sammy decided to hang out with his sister some before he went to sleep. He told Mom and Dad that he would clean up the kitchen and get her ready for bed. He'd go talk to Reverend Paula after church. Sammy thought about how upset his mom got. Things couldn't be too clean, though, right? Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Sammy liked things clean too.

Sammy cleaned the table after everyone had finished and put the dishes on to wash. Mom was upstairs getting ready for bed. Sammy wheeled Becca through the quiet darkness of the den, scattered with big, heavy armchairs and lined with bookcases. The walls were paneled wood, and the thick mahogany carpet swallowed up his footsteps. Dad was relaxing in his favorite chair with a heavy book on his lap. Sammy watched his eyes slowly close in the reflection on the small TV tucked away in the corner of the room.

He wheeled Becca down the hall and into the big downstairs bathroom. He parked her chair next to the sinks and started to fill the giant tub. "So," Becca said, looking at his reflection in the vanity mirror that ran the length of the wall, "What did you really do today? It's cool, you can tell me. Big sisters and little brothers have to stick together."

"Oh, uh. You heard what I told Mom, right? Don't you think she freaked out a little?" Sammy said, not sure how much he should tell her.

"Yeah, well, you were hanging out in the ghetto and all. Are the homeless dudes that live in the woods extra needy or something? That sounds really freaky, Sam." Sammy looked at her and caught her reflection smiling. It wasn't something she did a whole lot.

>>215231
Tell her that they wouldn't be homeless out in the forest if they weren't extra needy. But you focused a bit more on helping your classmate, you didn't know she had it that bad, and you really wanted to help her.

After all it's your christian duty to help those less fortunate. And Jesus did hang around with whores and lepers and beggers an awful lot. He can't have been that clean himself all the time.

>>215231
Tell her that you're working on converting this poor classmate of yours, and doing good works on the side.

Sammy told her that it was more about his classmate, and it was kinda scary but it was also like an adventure. He decided not to confide in his sister, though. She seemed more interest in talking about Mika, anyway, and he talked about how she looks like she really needs somebody. Becca thought it was great that he was there for Mika. He'd always found it really easy to talk with Becca, even though she was four years older than him, and she'd always taken care of him. Well, she always used to, before she got worse.

Sammy left to let her get undressed (If it's a dress, she can take it off on her own)after he set up the chair and the other things she needed. Talking to her for a while made Sammy feel better, even though he didn't tell her what really happened.

He went upstairs and told Mom that Becca 's taking a bath when he walked by her room at the head of the stairway. His room was all in greens and golds. He had thick carpet and a bookcase and desk, but no computer or TV or anything like that. He said his prayers and then slipped off to sleep.

****

He stood on cool marble tiles. It was dim inside the building, but the bright light coming through the open, rectangular doorway seemed like a scorching summer blaze. Water dripped into the huge pool in the center of the room, surrounded by ornately carved columns.

Naked women crouched around the edge of the pool, each one wearing a gold collar that connected to a little ring set in the ground. They were all the same kind of vaguely canine Fur, long muzzles, wide, triangular ears and short, stiff tails. Their hides were various splotched and patterned reds, blacks and brows. A few in robes walked around the edge of the pool, grooming and watching the poolside sitters.

An impossibly tall, impossibly thin fur in an ornate, translucent gown came up to Sammy. He could not understand what she was saying. The dress was horribly indecent and did nothing to hide her shimmering golden pelt or long, white mane. She resembled the others around the pool, and held a gold stick or cane in her hand. She gestured to the women sitting meekly around the pool, and then back to Sammy, turning her head curiously and speaking slowly in her strange, garbled language.

No. Shake your head no. Make clear your desire not for them.

Tempters come in many forms, Sam, and primary among them are demons who come to you in dreams. Deny them. Let God be your sheild against thier corrupting ways.

>>215253
Hm. Why on earth are you in this establishment? This is obviously a whorehouse, Sammy.

Try to speak with the Matron. Try to figure out what she is saying. You are not here to partake of the flesh. This is nothing but a house of sin. Perhaps, you are here to free them?

Look at yourself. Are you an officer of the law? Of course you are. Take your sword and cut their chains. Let your righteous steel slice through the prideful gold.

>>215253
Try to explain that you can't understand. It certainly seems like they're trying to get you to indulge in some sort of depravity here, but you can't be certain; she could just be asking what you're doing in the woman's baths and if you're looking for someone in particular.

Yeah, I don't really buy that either. Important thing is to stick to your morals without being rude.

Sammy looked down at himself. He was wearing his pajamas, standing in the corner of the room. He could see another archway to his right, and one at the far end of the pool. They were peaked and had a thin wisp of fabric instead of a door. Something was wrong here. He would never go into a place like this. He tried to explain that he couldn't understand, but she gestured more insistently and seemed to become agitated. He heard the click of claws on marble and saw another fur enter the establishment from the street. He was gold, like her, and wore a light, embroidered gown with strange blue patterns winding across its surface. His eyes were darkly lined with makeup. He held a chain loosely in one paw, the other end attached to an almost naked fur like the ones around the pool. Her paws were crossed over her lap and her chest was bare. She walked with small, quick steps behind and to the left of the male, and kept her eyes downcast.

The male places his long, delicate claws on the matron's shoulders, and she seemed to calm. He spoke soothingly to her, and lead her toward the pool. He dropped the end of the chain into Sammy's hand, along with a strange, octagonal metal coin.

Might be the patron saint of lust, that guy. uh uh lets try lucid dreaming and make like a floating ice cream sunday

>>215271
Examine the coin. Then you should go in and look at the pool. After all, this might be a vision of what heaven is like.

>>215271
Uhh. Great, the guy gave you his girl to hold onto while he's busy. Better not betray his trust.

Peek through the doorway next to you. Take a look outside and figure out where you are.

Read coin, hug nothing.

These dreams are nothing to worry about. You didn't find any whores in the poor area so you're obviously just preoccupied with it, and this is where you dream they might have gone. All canine though, do you ...like dogs Sammy? Or a dog maybe, who you might know?

Regardless of your answer there is one thing you can do in this situation. You're a kid. There's a pool. Go swimming!

Can you speak to the woman who's chain you're holding? Maybe she can give you the answers you seek!

@Dream1 Divine!!LjAGMyAQSu 2010/08/03(Tue)17:30 No. 215312 ID: f87000
File 128088180952.jpg - (127.85KB , 712x508 , Dream1.jpg )

Sammy thought that he must be dreaming. He tried to change the dream- make some ice cream appear, but nothing happened. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He could smell wet stone and cinnamon, hear the water dripping into the pool and quiet whispers of conversation, feel the heat radiating from outside and the cool marble under his feet, the heavy gold handle and chain, the rough edges of the coin.

He opened his eyes and saw the woman kneeling, eyes averted. He spoke to her, but she didn't move. He could see the tall man speaking with the matron, the glimmer of coins falling from his hand to hers. He pointed to three of the kneeling females and they stepped into the pool. The attendants began to wash them, and small skirts like the woman kneeling in front of Sammy wore were brought out. While they were being prepared, Sammy peeked into the open archway on the wall to his left. When he moved, the woman whose chain he was holding obediently stood and followed.

The chamber was identical to the one he was in, only the kneeling slaves were male- some slender, others muscular. He moved toward the street entrance and peeked outside. The sun was glaring and oppressively hot. White marble streets lined with grass wended between open squares and large, columned marble edifices. More of the tall, slim creatures filled the streets pulling carts, or carrying clay pots or and sedan chairs. Everyone moved with calm purpose, with some couples idly chatting under wide, colorful cloth awnings.

He could hear the tall man conversing quietly with someone behind him.

>>215312
Kneel down as well. Obviously they're praying.

>>215312
Well. This should definitely be a dream, but it isn't behaving like one. Everything is too concrete. Too detailed.

Do the red/mottled furs seem... distressed? Downtrodden? They seem to be treated well, despite being chained and dominated. This doesn't seem right, in any case. Like they're separated into a lower class because of their species.

I want to do something outrageous, but... for now, observe the conversation.

Hmmm. Sammy,You're a lion, and lions seems to be in charge here.

Jesus was a lion, and he was in charge.

Maybe this is heaven. Maybe all the best Christians are turned into lions (unless they're lions already. Maybe only lions can be good Christians?), and all the sinners become these canine furs.

That makes sense, doesn't it? After all, since Jesus was a lion, lions are best.

MUAHAHAHA.

SAMMY THIS IS THY LORD, CHRIST. I, YESHUA OF NAZARETH, DO SAY ONTO MY FAITHFUL, STAND TALL AND PROUD. LIFE THESE SOULS FROM THEIR BONDAGE! SAY ONTO THESE BASE ROMANS TO FREE THESE POOR AND DEBASED FROM THE CAPTURE. RISE UP, YOUNG SAMMY! LIKE MOSES ONTO THE GREAT PHARAOH AND LIKE MYSELF FROM THE SHADE OF DEATH, RISE UP AGAINST THIS OPPRESSION! REMEMBER 1 TIMOTHY 1:10, YOUNG SAMMY!

MOLD YOUR DREAM AS A CARPENTER WOULD MOLD WOOD. SHUN THESE DECEIVERS!

@ Divine!!LjAGMyAQSu 2010/08/03(Tue)19:56 No. 215366 ID: f87000
File 128089058442.jpg - (140.05KB , 684x683 , Dream_1.jpg )

Sammy realized these people were slaves. The tall fur was buying people. He was holding the leash to an owned person in his hand. The law is for criminals and murderers, slave traders and kidnappers, not for righteous people, he thought to himself. The slaves were all so calm. Everything was calm and quiet. The light kept getting brighter, the sensation of marble and cool water dripping slowly fading. He felt the heavy gold chain lifted from his paw and saw the male lead the spotted female down the quiet, sunny streets.

***

Bruised predawn light crept across his bed as Sammy blearily opened his eyes. He felt muzzy and confused. For a moment he couldn't recognize his surroundings until the familiar shapes of his things - bed, desk, bookshelf, slid into view. He remembered the strange dream, every vivid scent and feeling, and still thought he could smell cinnamon and wet stone.

He staggered out of bed and heard something land heavily on the carpet.

>>215367
>>215312
That was obviously a vision of hell. Oppressive heat? Marble palace? Naked slave women?

And I think I may know who that tall, golden looking lion might have been.

IT WAS... Lucifur! :D

DESTROY THE COLLAR THAT IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO APPEAR, MAKING YOU DOUBT IF IT WAS A DREAM OR REALITY.

>>215367
It's a coin, isn't it? This is probably the work of that demon you saw earlier. Don't fear, Sammy. Jesus will protect you.

I... don't know where you guys are getting 'lion' from. The really tall thin guys are canid, like the slaves. they're just different looking. It's in the text, right up there.

>>215367
Weird... I wonder if you are become a dreamer of kinds? Ever had a dream that powerful before?

Oddly the oppressive heat makes me think Egypt.


But the Pre-Americans were known to use gold excessively and likely kept slaves as well (reports are sketchy on exact societal structure, smallpox and Spaniards wiping out most of them and all that.)

Hey. Did the person in rags smell like cinnamon?

>>215372
Oh, I heard mane and assumed because it was convenient for trying to tempt the main character, nevermind

>>215367
Hot damn, check if you just got a gold coin from a dream Sammy boy.

And you know this is some weird shit going on. You have to ask Mika if she has had any similar dreams. Probably none that gives her gold if she's had them, if she got gold she could have brought some better food to that guy.

If she hasn't had any dreams then experiment by having her give the strange guy in rags a book and see if she gets funky dreams then.

Sammy blinked. He'd just dropped something onto the carpet. He knelt down among the long shadows and clean scents and felt in the plush fabric until he found small hard object. It gleamed, an insane thing. The images on the octagonal metal coin were worn down and difficult to identify with specificity. The letters were alien. Its surface was silvery and slightly tarnished, with some other metal visible where the ridges along the edge were worn. It was roughly an inch across and thick, substantial. It was more than a dream, then. Sammy rarely even remembered his dreams, much less had experiences like he'd just encountered. He did not know if it was some kind of vision of Heaven or Hell. He thought about Jesus and the 30 pieces of silver.

It must have to do with the guy at the station. He'd have to ask Mika if anything like that had happened before.

The smell from the dream was clear - maybe some of the perfume had followed him, because he could still smell it - cinnamon. He thought about the strange spicy smell from the train station, but it was totally different. It was something he had no frame of reference for whatsoever, other than it reminded him of incense.

His alarm hadn't gone off yet, and no one else was awake. He didn't know what he should do with the coin, if he should tell anybody. He also thought that it might be useful to try and figure out where he was in the dream. He thought about Egypt and the early American civilizations, but he didn't really know very much about either.

>>215526
Keep the coin to show to an anthropologist or archeologist. Neither early american or egyptian civilizations used coins though (if the guy had purchased slaves with garlic then it would have been easy to figure out.). So it's probably a bit later than that.

Anyway, if you're up early and it's not too early then you could take the time to make some nice breakfast for your family. I'm sure they will appreciate it. Then you can go to church with your family and then talk to Reverend Paula.

Sammy showered and got ready for church. He put the coin in his pocket and figured he'd just keep it with him. He didn't know any archaeologists or anthropologists - the best he could do was the library.

He made breakfast for everyone, and was just setting plates out when Mom came down the stairs. She was wearing a pressed, white blouse and black skirt with her fuzzy slippers, and was just taking her apron off the hook when she noticed him. She grinned with obvious delight. "Oh, Sammy, you didn't have to make breakfast for everyone! That is so sweet. You have to forgive Mommy for yesterday, OK? I just don't want anything to happen to you. You know my rules are for your own good." She kissed him on the forehead and then went to make the coffee.

A little later, everyone was fed and on their way to church. The First United Methodist Church of Summerdale wasn't an imposing building. It was a newer building made of red brick and white plaster designed to be angular and vertical. It had a single, high steeple adorned with a cross and sat on a tiny patch of manicured grass not far outside Sammy's subdivision. The ugly, square bulk of the activity center swatted behind it like a troll.

The service was good. Sammy always enjoyed service, though, and afterward he went up to Reverend Paula with his mom and dad. She was a short, slightly heavyset vicuña who had always been very friendly to Sammy and his family. She had an open, expressive face that seemed to exaggerate and emphasize her emotions usually split into a bright, wide grin. He hadn't spoken to her very much other than when he helped out at church functions. She was smiling as Dad told her about Sammy's attempted mission work. "Well, Sammy, if you're serious about doing some work with the poor, we can go into my office and I can tell you about some local programs we have. Is that OK, Ryan, or do you want to come with him?" It looked like Mom was about to say something, but Dad put his hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, that's fine," he replied, "Just give us a call when you're done and we'll come pick you up, OK Sammy?" He gave his son an exaggerated wink.

Reverend Paula had to finish a few things, but soon they were in her small, cozy office. "So, Sammy, what did you want to talk with me about?"

>>215544
Tell her that you wish to help the poor. When you recently visited the less rich areas of the city you noticed the vast difference between the life led there and your own, and now you wish to help the poor unfortunates who have less than you do.

Also Coin. Also, odd dream. Also, devil in the train station.

Also hugplz? And what cool things go on at this church to help after school programs?maybe you can join a D&D group.

Hey, Sam, where do you live again? I mean, the vicar is a Vicuña and your poor friend is a Pangolin and your a lion. Southern California?

Let's just skip over the demons and the pagan coins and the satanic dreams. Talk about helping the less fortunate.

Hey, I wanna get any devils out of us.

>>215600
WE'RE devils and we can't leave just yet. There's work to be done.

No we're not, we are clearly the voice of god.

i doubt she knows anything about the subject of the coin.

>>215544
Ask her if there are any programs running in the area Mika was in. Maybe a soup kitchen or something.

As for the coin, we'll look up information on that ourselves at the library - we can always come back later if we come back empty-handed. Er, pawed.

>>215612
We should also check any local universities or colllages and see if they have any professors in archelogy or antrhopology.

>>215613
Stepping into a secular snake's pit to solve our dilemma? Ooh, that could be risky, but if we found an actual professor who specialized in one of those things, it could well be worth it.

An archaeologist, an anthropologist, or anyone trained in historical linguistics would be a good start.

"Well, I went to help people out, like you heard, but my mom really doesn't want me going down there by myself. Everything was so awful and dirty! Everybody really looked like then needed help. Do you have anything in that area?" Sammy asked. He'd done some after school programs before - there was a bible study group for teens and they did a fair and stuff sometimes, but there wasn't anything going on at the moment.

Paula's comforting smile exuded pride and gratitude. "We sure do. We have a medicine and meals program for elderly people in the area, and we have a soup kitchen that we run in the evenings there. We can get you down there helping out once a week or whatever your comfortable with. I'm so proud that you're reaching out to the community like this, Sammy, but don't feel like this is something you have to do. If you feel uncomfortable, you just tell me. No one is going to think less of you."

Sammy thought about telling her about the dream and the coin and the strange events at the train station. He was torn - it would be nice to confide in someone - but he was also scared about what she might think or say. Plus there was his promise to Mika. Reverend Paula looks at him with obvious concern, her large, expressive brown eyes seeming pained for him. "Is there something else you want to talk about, Sammy?"

"No, that's it for now, Reverend Paula, thanks a lot," Sammy replied.

He thought about universities. There was a big state College, but it was too far for him to ride his bike, and he didn't really know anybody there. It would be a pretty good idea, he'd just have to figure out when he could go there. He also needed to decide when he'd participate in either of the church programs, and if he'd call for a ride now, or try to do something else before he went home.

>>215617
Check around among the programs to see if there's anything that would fit your scheduale.

As for the university, the information about what professors and faculties they have should be on their homepage. Where you should also be able to find the information you need to contact them and see who you should talk to. A face to face meeting might not be necessary, you could just take pictures of the coin from different views and send in an email to whoever they recommend.

If any of your parents ask you about why you're doing it then you can just say you're looking for information on nearby universities for the future. Which should be halfway true since you should be looking for that information as well.

Any history teacher should be able to tell you some basic information about the coin.

>>215630
History doesn't really work with coins or other similar remains. You mainly work with written texts in history, so unless someone wrote it down it's not very insteresting to a historian.

>>215620
He might try the library. A good public library should give him internet access, enough for some basic searches which should let him find both basic information on old coins and emails to university professors, complete with their credentials. With email and a digital camera, he'd be able to pick and choose whoever looked best.

Sammy didn't have a digital camera, and neither did his folks. The only computer was in Dad's study, and he wasn't supposed to use it unsupervised. The library had free internet access, though, and he could check out the university staff and maybe find something useful. The library wasn't too far away but it was kinda long for a bike ride. It was big, nice, roomy and modern.

Sammy wasn't sure if he should just go or call Dad and get a ride. He also wondered if he should tell them he was looking for university information, or just ask to go to the Library. he spent a lot of time there and the rest of the day was his to do as he wanted with. It was about 9:30, so he had plenty of time.

>>215773
Use the bike so that you get some sunshine and excersise, and just tell them that you're going to the library. And if you don't have a digital camera yourself then there might be one that you can loan from the school or a friend.

>>215808
I'm... ok with this plan, I guess.

Sammy told Reverend Paula that he'd work at the soup kitchen on Wednesday. She said to meet at the church after school and he could ride there with one of the other workers.

Sammy called Dad to fill him in, then rode his bike down to the library.

The library was a three story ultramodern glass and steel building. Its white roof was sloped down at an angle, and the rows of darkly tinted, curved panes that made up it's facade reflected the manicured lawn and quiet street that fronted it.

The weather was cool and slightly breezy, but even so, Sammy was a little tired and sweaty by the time he arrived. He chained his bike to the bike rack on the side of the building and sighed as the cool air from inside blew over him when he pushed open the doors.

The first floor contained the stacks - row after rows of tidy brushed steel shelves - separated into a children and adult section by an open reading area with comfortable chairs and tables liberally scattered over a rubberized patterned floormat. There were a variety of furs reading or chatting, but Sammy was on a mission and didn't have time to talk.

Two curving white staircase went up to the smaller second floor where the microfiche archives and genealogical material were. Up a brushed steel spiral staircase, at the very top of the building, was the computer lab. Much smaller than the other two floors, it had rows of metal desks and black, flatscreen monitors. The tech on duty was at an elevated desk at the rear of the room, and could easily see the worker's screens. He also guarded the printers and, Sammy noticed, a scanner.

Sammy showed his card and looked around. There were several students and adults making use of the computers, but it wasn't too hard for him to find an empty terminal.

After some cursory research, Sammy located a few likely candidates on the university website.

Dr. Browne was a recently-tenured professor of anthropology that listed mystery novels and spelunking as two of his interests. He also wasn't from Summerdale.

Professor Lee was the head of the history department and his personal website talked about how approachable he was.

Dr. Cobbler was a professor who worked in the clinical psychology department and ran a bunch of the experiments and labs that were always looking for volunteers.

Scanning both sides of the coin would be pretty simple. He could just attach the .jpgs to the emails. He wondered what the email should say, and which professors he should send it to.

>>216150
Scan the coin to Dr. Browne and Professor Lee.
Tell them you have came upon this coin and wish to know more about it.

If Dr. Browne likes spelunking and mysteries, he sounds like the perfect person to assist you on your journeys into the labyrinthian ruins of the abandoned train station. He's just like Indiana Jones!

Dr. Cobbler might know why the train station guy won't talk to anyone, but he probably won't know about any coins.

It might be tricky to get past the tech guy. You should draw a picture and tell him you want to scan that, then slip the coin in under the picture when you're scanning it so he doesn't see.

>>216159

This is lying, and lying is bad and unchristian.

Just tell him you want to scan an old coin you found. Don't give it to him if he asks though. You can show him I suppose.

Sammy went up to scan the coin (the tech didn't really ask him anything or pay much attention to what he was scanning)and emailed both Dr. Brown and Professor Lee. He decided not to email Dr. Cobbler yet.

Dear Professor; My name is Sammy and I am a junior at Summerdale Highschool. I found this coin and would like to know more about it if you have time. Thank you for your time, Sammy Winters

This seemed good enough to Sammy. He checked the computer's clock and saw that it was almost noon. He could wait around, but he didn't figure he'd get a response on Sunday. He wondered if he should ride back home, call Dad to get picked up, or go somewhere else.

>>216208

Lying isn't bad if you're doing good, and Christians lie all the time! Lying is good if you're doing it for God, right? You sound like you don't think Jesus will forgive you!

>>216215

Still, it's good that you didn't have to deceive the tech. He's doing his job right if he doesn't try to interfere with people's learning.

>>216215
I would stick around and try to do some research while still at the library for a bit. Find a book under: The Roman Empire, Greek Republics, Coin Collecting, and The History of Money.

>>216215
Do some research on the history of slavery around the world.

Sammy decided that there was no reason to waste a day when he was already in the library. It was full of knowledge, maybe he could find some stuff out on his own.

He found a comfy place to sit in the reading area on the first floor and collected some books. Rome, Greece, coins, money, and slavery were the topics of research. Comparing what he read to what he'd seen, he couldn't really figure out where it was. The architecture looked a lot like Rome or Greece, but the money looked nothing like either culture's currencies. Asian cultures used hexagonal coins, but the characters looked nothing like asian characters, even in their worn state.

The racial disparity also didn't make much sense. In both Greek and Roman culture, although especially in Rome, anyone could become a slave. It didn't make sense for the people in the streets to all be one type of fur and the slaves to all be another. He also couldn't identify the species for either one.

He called his dad and went home confused and tired from everything he'd learned. He ate dinner and figured he'd just go to sleep, and dropped the coin in the drawer in his bedside table.

Tomorrow was school. He'd see Mika again and maybe have a chance to talk to her. He could check his email at school too. He wondered if there was anything he was forgetting about.

>>216351
You forgot to say your prayers before bed. Other than that there probably wasn't anything important.

Although, might be a good idea to get a pen and block of papper if you have another one of those dreams. Then it could be good to write it down when you wake up. You could keep it as a sort of dream journal.

Dude, psych experiments? Free cash! Those would be so cool to, to be able to read peoples mind and shoot mindbullets and everything!

Sammy got a pen and notebook out of his schoolbag to use as a dream journal. he wrote down what he remembered of his dream last night (which wasn't difficult), then said his prayers and drifted off to sleep. He thought about the psych experiments. Maybe he could just do them and not really talk about the coin or the dream.

****

Sammy was standing on dusty, cracked hardpack in complete darkness. The air had a foul scent, like burning oil and ozone. The darkness was absolute - he could not even see his hand or the end of his muzzle. There was a sense of being watched, that something high above in the black void was roving, searching, and if it saw him, he would be devoured. He crouched in terrified silence. There was no noise, even the sound of his breathing was muffled, as if the darkness swallowed sound. There was no wind, and a dank, humid head settled heavily over him like a suffocating shroud. His heart hammered in his ears.

>>216399
Interesting. Seems like it wasn't a onetime occurance. See if you can't find a safer spot to hide at, use that feline nightvision for something.

>>216399

dilated pupils don't help in absolute darkness. Anyway lions are diurnal, so no help there.

So, you're in absolute darkness that muffles sound, and something high above the black void thinks it can find you? Good luck! It might try randomly flailing about; be ready to move if anything hits you. Doesn't matter where you move. Try to keep your location chaotic and unknown. And do keep quiet. Can you throw rocks on the hardpack? Take some rocks so that if it starts getting close to finding you, you can throw them away from you to distract it.

>>216399
Keep hiding. Don't move. Don't think. Just hide. Hide. Hide.

That awful gaze was like a physical pressure inside the utter blackness. It seemed enormously far away, but also enormously massive. The abject terror of being alone and insignificant in a consuming void seized Sammy's heart.

He crouched and felt around in the dirt. He had to move, not stay still. His heart hammered in his chest. He felt something sharp poke through his flimsy pajamas. He screamed, staggered forward, fell face first in the dirt. Quick scurrying, more blind groping revealed spiny desert bushes, like mesquite, clinging to the parched, broken soil.

Stay still or move? Stay still or move? All he could hear was the thunder of his heartbeat in his ears. The heavy, humid air made it difficult to breath, and sweat soaked through his nightshirt.

>>216421

Oh god oh god oh god. What if it's God? Stop staring at Sammy, God! You're freaking us out!

>>216421
Fight the fear. Crawl slowly, carefully onwards.

>>216421
Move slowly away from the frightening prescense.

What if this is a vision of when God killed all of the firstborn son's in Egypt? You're not a firstborn son are you? Becase if you are you need to find a house with some blood on the door right away.

Stand up and move quietly. Walk carefully and use your feet to test the ground ahead so you don't fall off any cliffs or trip into any bushes. Stretch out your senses to see if there's anything you can use to navigate.

Sammy opted for a low crouch as he moved slowly across the terrain. He waved his outstretched hands to navigate around the stunted, thorny bushes.

Sammy thought about the creeping death in Egypt. Was this the terror that the Egyptians felt? A huge, indomitable presence bearing down on them? He could not believe that thing, blindly searching in the infinite blackness, was God.

His hand touched something hot and rough. Pavement? No, asphault. It was a roadway stretching off into the absolute darkness.

Sammy strained his eyes and ears, searching to the left and right. He thought he could make out a tiny cluster of lights in the blackness to his left, slowly approaching.

input train joke here

>>216664
Keep off the asphalt, but observe the approaching lights from the bushes.

>>216709
Yeah, basically that. Try to catch their attention somehow, though!

>>216664

Unless you have any goat's blood handy on you let's not assume that it is God. You're not the firstborn anyway, so it can't be that curse thing.

>>216723

Get their attention? But what about the presence? You don't want to get it's attention!

Allow the lights to approach, but warily. God might be showing you something Sammy. He is the light that pushes back the darkness, after all.

Sammy doubted the tiny, stunted bushes would provide much cover, but nonetheless he crouched off the side of the road and waited. Soon enough, bright headlights revealed what he'd already guessed: Cracked, dusty brown earth, stunted, spiny black bushes and a gray, crumbling two lane highway.

The vehicle was a massive 18-wheeler, slate gray with no insignia and covered in dust. It carried a rusty, dented rectangular tractor trailer that he could barely make out in the gloom. It had an entire suite of orange and white running lights, but they were pitifully dim and the headlights only illuminated a narrow strip of road. What should have been the monstrous roar of its engine was muffled and flat. The darkness seemed to consume light and sound.

Sammy backed away from the road. It was close, but he figured he still might have time to try and flag it down, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to...

>>216775
Flag it down.

@Dream2 Divine!!LjAGMyAQSu 2010/08/09(Mon)18:20 No. 216835 ID: f87000
File 12814032385.jpg - (119.21KB , 1000x700 , Dream2.jpg )

Sammy steps into the faint light on the edge of the road and waves frantically. Sammy hears the massive engine rumbling, a hungry diesel growl, as the air brakes hiss and the monster slows. The wheels crunch grittily over the broken asphalt.

The entire machine crouches, vibrating and belching smoke. He hears the passenger door click, and sees it open just a crack.

>>216835
Walk up quickly, making sure you can see the driver before you get in.

>>216835
Approach the truck.

get in the truck as fast as you can, what is that thing on the other side oh god!

>>216835
Watch out for the red horror on the other side ready to flay you alive.

>>216838
>>216841
Those are its taillights, guys. It's a curved road.

Sounds like the driver doesn't want to get out because he feels the watchful presence too. Better get where it's safe.

>>216835
Well what are you waiting for? The friendly driver has agreed to give you a lift. Hop in and thank him for his kindness.

I had intended to update far more quickly, but I immediately lost my stylus and then my computer shit itself and died. Sorry for the delay.

Sammy didn't waste time and quickly climbed into the cab. What he could see from the dim interior lights was dingy and worn. Just two big gray seats and what he assumed was a bed in the darkness behind them. Freezing air blew full-blast from the vents and the driver hunched forward over the huge, spoked steering wheel. He was shorter than Sammy and wore a long, heavy coat and wide-brimmed hat.

The reflected green and orange lights from the console picked out few features. he had no fur and his skin was ashy. Sammy could make out black veins visible on his thin, clawless hands.

He choked out something gutteral and rough in a language that Sammy couldn't understand and then began to drive, the huge machine bouncing and shaking as he made is way over the cracked blacktop.

>>217330
He probably asked where you're going next... Try to communicate that you'll get off at the next stop.

Sammy figured the figure was just asking him where he was headed. Sammy shrugged and said "next stop," not knowing how much good it would really do. The driver choked out something he didn't understand and shrugged noncommittally. Not being able to see into the infinite blackness above him, the terror Sammy had felt concerning the watchful presence lessened. He was still aware of it, but the thin metal roof seemed to offer him some meager protection from its invisible gaze, and he began to calm himself.

The harsh scent of mammalian sweat and exhaust accompanied the driver's intermittent coughing as they traveled on through the seemingly infinite darkness. They passed no other traffic, and Sammy almost began to doze when he noticed a cluster of lights ahead.

The lights were some kind of lamps or lanterns hung from small strange buildings with long, stilt-like columns that elevated them high into the air. There was a massive cluster of them, a city of thin, inelegant buildings, but they seemed sinister as well, and he couldn't make out many details from a distance, but somehow their crooked shapes and spindly limbs increased his sense of dread. He thought he could make out vehicles driving below them. Fortunately, the world began to blur and slip, run like liquid, and he heard the driver bark in surprise before he woke up in his own bed.

****

Sammy was covered in dirt and dripping with sweat. He was on top of his covers, and brown dust was smeared on his pillow and sheets. He felt drained and physically tired. His hands and feet were equally filthy, and he could still smell the dust and ozone and burning oil smells. He had maybe an hour before his parents would wake up.

Man, whatever you do don't die in your dreams or you'll really die! Just like in those horror movies you probably don't watch.

Quickly remove all sheets and bedding and get them in the washing machine then hop in the shower. You have enough time for that.

>>217390
Throw those sheets in the laundry, shower, and clean up any tracks you leave. You do not want to have to explain this to your parents, Sammy.

Oh shit you're dirty. Wash that stuff off before your crazy mom wakes up and goes all ice queen on you again.

>>217390
Collect some of the dirt for later. Keep a memento of each dream...

Adrenaline began to pump and Sammy's heart started to race. He had to get cleaned up, fast. There would be no way to explain this to his parents. Mom, especially, would be less than thrilled. He quickly showered, scrubbing away the layers of grime, then hurriedly cleaned the filthy tracks he'd left from his bed to the bathroom, Stripping his sheets, he got dressed then rushed down to the laundry room and tossed them in the washer. He threw in some other dirty clothes as well as his pajamas, and started the machine. As it rumbled, the realization that his dreams were far from normal began to truly sink in. More than just the coin, he knew now that he'd really been in that dark, awful place. He wasn't hungry, but forced himself to make some breakfast. As he was somberly chewing his toast, he heard Dad moving around upstairs, then saw his comforting bulk walk through the doorway into the kitchen.

His dad glanced at his hunched shoulders, then at the open door to the laundry room before walking over to envelop Sammy's shoulder with his paw.

"No need to be embarrased, son," his father said in a low congenial tone, "You can't control what your body does when it's asleep. It happens to everybody, especially unmarried young men." Sammy almost choked. He felt mortified. He quickly got his books and escaped to the bus stop.

There were a few other bleary-eyed kids waiting at the end of the block for the bus to come around. Sammy took the opportunity to catch his breath and try to come up with a plan. He'd check his email during Computer Lab, but other than that he wasn't sure if he should try to do anything else either before or after school.

>>217410
It's not really a bad thing that your dad drew that conclusion. And what he said is true, happens naturally to pretty much all normal people. It's simply how God designed people.

Anyway, you should ask Mika about the dreams as well.

>>217410
You should probably start sleeping with a small set of potentially useful items on hand. A miniaturized flashlight or LED would have been very handy in your latest dream. Sleeping in some sort of non-pajama clothing- proper pants, for example- might also be useful, if only because it's better to walk around in them. A utility knife has a myriad of uses, as does a multitool- swiss army knife or leatherman. Perhaps a lighter.

Of course, if you don't have these things lying around, it might not be convenient to get them together... but it's worth a shot. Whatever the cause of what's happening to you, you have to deal with the effects on your own. Thus far both of your experiences have been relatively harmless, if somewhat frightening; there's no guarantee they will stay that way.

Also, keep your dream journal carefully updated, but hidden from anyone else who might like to read it. No one else should be finding out about this unless you consciously decide to confide your experiences to them. Still, try to write down details of each dream that you might forget later- exactly what the people and plants looked like and were wearing, what the buildings and vehicles looked like, that sort of thing. Use as much detail as you can remember.


>>217416
The difficulty in this is that your mother told you not to hang out with Mika, and you need to honor her wishes as a good son. Your mom couldn't possibly object to interacting with her in class, as that's expected, but making time outside it would definitely be pushing it- and actually going off with her again would be an obvious violation of your mom's requests. So make the most of that time which you can reasonably use to speak with her.

Also, please show a little bit of subtlety in sharing the news about your dreams. You don't need a whole lot, but "Mika, ever since we saw that demon I've been appearing in other worlds every time I go to sleep and I think they're real" would just make you sound crazy. So keep your cool and remain calm and reasonable even when discussing extremely agitating and patently unreasonable things.

Sammy decided that when he went to sleep that night, he'd be prepared. He had a LED maglite and a little swiss army knife, and he could wear some shorts and put them in his pockets. he got on the bus, laying his cheek against the window as the familiar turns and bumps brought him to school. He didn't think he'd be able to sleep with shoes on, but maybe he could try some sandals or slippers. Either one would be better than nothing. He'd forgotten to update his dream journal, so he tore some pages out of his notebook and wrote as detailed a description as he could of the dark void place, then folded them up and stuffed them in his pocket. He'd have to remember to transcribe them into the journal when he got home. Right now it was just in his desk. He'd have to think of a better place to hide it.

Soon enough, he was at school. Summerdale Highschool was a large, red brick complex. The buildings were generally arranged in a pentagon around a large central courtyard. Everything was tile and blue, with white stripes down the hallways to direct traffic. He was barely even aware of his surroundings. All day he kept thinking of a way to talk to Mika without breaking his mom's rule, waiting to check his email, and worrying about the night. He barely remembered what had happened before he found himself opening two unread messages in the computer lab The first was from Dr. Browne

Hello Sammy. I'd be interested in having a closer look at that coin you found, as well as getting some more info on where you got it from. I'm free most days from 4-6. My office is 416 in the Kościuszko building.

The second, predictably, was from Professor Lee

Mr. Winters; I cannot place the origin of that coin. If you bring it to the university, I can have it dated for you, which could shed some light on the issue. Please set up an appointment with my secretary and come by. My phone number is in the signature line of this email.

Sammy sat looking at the keyboard, thinking about what to type.

To Browne, say that you'll have it dated by Lee first, then gladly show it to him. Say you obtained the coin by some mysterious man... or the full truth that it got passed through your dreams by a mysterious man and woke up with it. Risky though, as its unbelievable and would make the man lose respect for you and your request.

To Lee, you'll agree to send it to him and plan to show it to Browne later.

Sammy replied to Dr. Lee first. The secretary's email was in the signature line as well, so he sent an email saying he wanted to set up an appointment and the general gist about the coin being tested. He also emailed Dr. Browne saying that Lee was going to test it and then he'd bring it by.

He got an email back before he was done with the lab that said Dr. Lee would be free that afternoon around 3:30. Sammy got out of school at 2:30, but the university was way too far for him to bike. He'd have to take the subway. He didn't have to OK it with his parents or anything as long as he told them where he was when he got home. After all, he hadn't done anything to make them lose their trust in him.

More classes drifted by with little awareness on Sammy's part as to what went on. He kept thinking of a good opportunity to talk with Mika without breaking his mom's rule and soon enough he saw an opportunity.

The cafeteria was loud, dirty, and smelled like a constant war was occurring between unidentifiable rotting foodstuffs and industrial cleaners. The floor was an ambiguous scramble of black, green, blue and gray (Sammy always suspected the reason for this was to mask it's actual state of filthiness - like spill camo). The tables had long, plastic benches attached to their aluminum frames, and had the same disgusting pattern covering their surfaces. He got his Pizza Snack and Fruit Cup along with a milk, and immediately noticed Mika sitting by herself at the table closest to the trash cans. He'd never paid that much attention to her before, so he didn't realize that she really didn't have any friends at school. He slunk over to the corner and slipped in next to her.

Mika was wearing a baggy black shirt and worn blue jeans and staring gloomily into her mashed potatoes until she realized he was sitting there. She meeped in surprise and her tiny muzzle immediately split into a grin.

"Hey Sammy," she waved awkwardly. He was sitting right there, after all, "I, uh, thought I'd hear something or uh. You, uh, didn't come to get your bible back yesterday or anything."

Sammy didn't know exactly what to say, so he just forged ahead with the issue sitting most uneasily in his mind.

"Look, Mika, I've been having these weird dreams..."

Mika's paws clapped over her mouth and her eyes widened in shock. "Oh- oh no. Not you too."

Her distress was contagious. "What do you mean, me too?"

"Look, Sammy, I- I can't talk about it here. Meet me after school." She grabbed his shoulder. Her hand was hot and damp. Her little black eyes were worried, afraid. "It's important, OK?"

Oh jeez. It's either we disobey Mom or we don't find out what's going on...

However, your condition could be dangerous. Your mom would hate it even more if you got hurt than if you disobeyed her. Agree to meet her after school.

>>217702
Well she has more experiance with this. You should probably meet with her, might be really important. And you can compare your experiances as well.

Yeah you'll meet her, but say you can't let your mom find out or she'll have a heart attack. Also say you're not allowed to go near Dickory street anymore, but you can talk about it later after school out of sight.

After school check out the door to see if your mom is there waiting for you. She was pretty scared of losing control of you the last time so she might try harder now to stop you from escaping her. If she's there, go out a different exit and meet Mika, then hurry to your mother before she starts to suspect anything.

The rest of the day slipped by in a blur of anxiety. Teachers, notes, assignments, quizzes, and then he was free. He walked carefully past the trophy case and the bulletin board, out of the florescents and into the sun. Sammy hated disobeying Mom, but he had to figure out what was happening to him.

He found her waiting near the entrance, leaning against one of the painted I beams that held up the long awning where the busses stopped and people waited for their parents to pick them up, standing just outside the flow of bodies rushing to cars or busess or onto the practice field. She slouched, staring at the concrete, until she noticed Sammy. Shyly, she waved him over.

They walked across the concrete parking lot, under the big metal light posts casting sharp shadows under the bright sun, and past the chain link fence. They slipped past the mass of traffic entering and leaving the school, into the long grass of the abandoned lot that faced it. There was nothing but weeds, a few slender trees. A line of dense brush several blocks away sheilded the bottoms of the massive cruciform structures that held a series of humming high tension wires that marked the furthest boundary of the lots. They could hear crickets and the faint electrical buzz from the lines as they walked down the pale, gritty sidewalk.

Sammy briefly explained about the dreams and the coin without going in to too much detail, and Mika listened silently, looking away. Her claws were stuffed in her pockets and she stared down at the pavement, scuffing the heel of her worn, peeling tennis shoes as she walked. She would look at him, sigh, inhale deeply, and then look away before eventually she began to speak. "Uh, look. I never got the dreams, but Dee did. She was with me when we first found the guy. She's the one who bandaged him up and gave him the blankets and stuff." She paused, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, before she continues, "Well, with her, it wasn't exactly dreams. She'd just," Sammy could tell Mika's paws were balled into fists in her pockets,"vanish. Like, nobody's be able to find her or anything and she'd show up later all dirty or scared or something. She told me a few things - a place with big, empty buildings - like, big apartments, but each one is a solid piece of black rocks, um, one was these islands floating in the clouds with little rails, uh, a city where everything was frozen, then, one day, she never came back." Her voice cracked. "I... look, I don't know what happened, but I didn't think anything would happen. I- I tried to keep you from getting too close, but you were already so freaked out that I didn't want to make you panic or something. I- I don't know."

Sammy wasn't sure what to say. Walking along, a strip mall full of cars to his left and the high tension wires buzzing inconspicuously in their series of abandoned lots to his right, the sun overhead, a cool breeze tugging at his shirt, the weight of his bookbag. They were real. This was reality. Everything was physical and material. The whole conversation seemed ridiculous - a campfire story for a dark night in the woods. But he could also feel the weight of the coin in his pocket, and the torn sheets of paper memorializing the lightless desert.

>>217760
Seems like it's the gifts then that establish the connection. Ask her where Dee is now.

A bit of a shame that Mika doesn't have the same dreams. If she did then you could try meeting up in the dreamworld.

>>217765
Dee is *gone*, dude. She probably died or something while she was off in the Elsewhere. Ask Mika if Dee ever brought things back. Show her the coin.

I think we should go back to the bandaged dude. Surely we couldn't make anything worse by going near him again.

In fact while we're at it let's show her the notes too. Just go ahead and tell her about all our experiences.

Sammy decided to tell her everything. He showed her the coin, told her about the naked slaves, showed her the journal from last night. He even told her about the plan to carry some tools when he went to sleep.

Mika took it all in. Talking about it under the bright sun, in the middle of the day, it sounded completely insane, but there was the coin, gleaming in the same sunlight, casting shadows like everything else.

"I think I might have to go back," said Sammy, "But my mom told me not to go down there anymore. I'm already kinda bending the rule just by talking with you now."

Mika's expression clouded. Her tiny little mouth made an upside-down 'v' shape. "Listen, Sammy," she said, serious and confident, "this is way more important than breaking your Mom's rule. Dee never told me if she took anything from any of the places she went, but I think she probably did. They weren't all scary, after all. I don't know for sure, though. She didn't keep a journal or anything. But her's didn't just happen when she slept either. Anyway, I think you're right. We've got to make this stop before you disappear too. I..." She kept the fierce expression, but didn't say anything else.

By now, the empty lots had turned into small shops, strip malls, and apartments. The glass and steel frame of the subway station rose out of the concrete like a cresting submarine.

"I can't go today," said Sammy. "Some guys at the university are going to look at my coin."

"Tomorrow," said Mika, still grim and determined, "Meet me at my house."

Before Sammy could reply, she ran awkwardly off, tripped on the curb, slammed her face into a trash can, and then staggered awkwardly off into the city. Sammy just watched her go. He heard the trains roaring and felt the blast of cool air coming from the mouth of the subway. This was it. He would certainly have to lie if they asked him where he got the coin, and now Mika had just made his life a lot more complicated.

>>217862
Well nobody ever promised you would have a simple life. But time to get on that train. Lets go see if anyone has ever seen a coin like that before.

This sounds serious. I think you should spend some time learning about that old train station, seeing if there are any clues to its history why some dissheveled heap of cloth and strange can rusting thing would be endangering your life. I don't think the coin would be nearly as important, but that's what you started on so see what the teacher thinks about it. If it's nothing he recognizes your only clues might lie in the station itself.

Sammy would figure out what he would do about Mika tomorrow. The sounds of people scurrying and children screaming rose to greet him as he descended into the subway.

Sammy was not particularly fond of the subway. This station, at least, was comparatively clean, but there was always the press of bodies. People, everywhere, coughing, sneezing, shouting, eating, wiping their noses, spilling things; the whole place was just ... unsanitary.

He moved as quickly as possible, buying his ticket from the machine and going through the turnstile into the series of escalators and staircases that went to the various lines. He knew is way around and swerved to avoid as many people as possible as he shuffled, hands in pockets, to the appropriate terminal - a gray concrete platform in a larger, gray concrete cube, the black mouth of the tunnel extending in either direction. He stood, not wanting to sit on the red plastic benches, and soon enough the rattling, screeching engine came sparking and shaking its way to the landing. The doors slid open with a forceful hiss and Sammy quickly made his way inside.

Fortunately, the car wasn't too crowded and there were no especially unpleasant odors. He zoned out, looking at the scratched plastic windows and listening to the steady thumps and squeals as the car pushed on through the black tunnels and harsh, bright platforms until he heard someone calling his name.

"Winters! Hey, Winters!" The high-pitched, forceful shout belonged to Emma Li, a tall, thin Anole girl in his grade. Sammy turned as she walked toward him, tennis shoes with knee high black sock, a short, pleated black skirt, and an oversized red sweater. Her tail swung sharply behind her as she approached and The corner of her mouth was curled into a half-smile, "I saw you talking with that filthy pangolin girl today. Cynthia said you were sneaking away together after school. I hope to god you put your boots on before you went dumpster diving." Her eyes glittered as she sneered down her snout at him.

>>218021
Just ignore her. Don't even aknowledge that she's there.

A wave of shame and embarrassment crested in Sammy's gut. Sammy wanted to say something, defend himself, but he just held his tongue. He turned away from her, facing the scratched window as the lights flickered past in the dark tunnel.

"Oh, Sammy," She cooed, "Are you embarassed? You should be." he could see her long, green fingers wrap around the metal pole above his own paw out of the corner of his eye and feel her breath on the back of his ear. "Lowering yourself like that. I mean, just imagining the smell makes me want to barf. How could you even keep it up?" His ears were ringing and his face burned with shame. She thought he was... with ... he felt nauseuous.

"Your a big boy, Sammy," Emma continued in an almost-whisper, "I'm sure Katy would have let you take a spin. She's always had her eye on you. She's a slut, but at least she has enough money to buy tampons." She paused, "I guess Jesus told you to help the needy."

"Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior?"

>>218039
Well that didn't work. Inform her as calmly as possible that she's half right. You are helping the needy, but not in THAT way.

Go along with the religious route. Maybe you can annoy her with bible scripture.

>>218039
Talking back won't produce anymore favourable results. She will simply keep on drawing the conclusions she likes regardless of what you tell her.

Just keep looking out the window. Eventually she will tire or you will reach your destination, and she hopefully has something better to do than follow after you and pester you with stupid crap.

>>218044
Yeah, he's right. Just yawn, ignore the chameleon. While you're ignoring her, do you have any hobbies other then religion? I mean, whatta ya like to read or do? And, seriously Sammy, where do you live? Where is Summerdale?

>>218042
Indeed. It is wrong of her to criticize others' virtue; she has no idea what she's talking about. Don't be embarrassed at her accusations, Sammy; pity her. Her mind is so mired in her own sinful thoughts that she sees them everywhere, even where there's nothing of the sort going on. But it's not as though pointing this out would make her more inclined to listen, so there's no point.

Consider those with whom you have associated, and know that being dirty and poor but virtuous is far better than being well-groomed and wealthy, but as corrupt inside as this wretched girl. Someone like Mika might not be particularly religious and might well live in squalor, but when she thought that you were doing something unwise and putting yourself in danger the other day, she immediately tried to intervene and take you to a safer area. She might need a bit of work, but she's a good person and God must smile upon her. Emma sees you speaking with someone, entirely innocently, and jumps upon the possibility of twisting that fact into vicious gossip and accusations for no better reason than her own sick thrills at watching you feel uncomfortable and guilty over nothing. Where could someone like that possibly end up after their death, but in hell?

Try to feel compassion for her, Sammy, for she is destined to burn for eternity unless she changes her ways, and even if you told her that she'd never listen.

>>218039

Jesus told you to wait for marriage! Oh wait, no he didn't. uh...

Just say yes, you were helping the poor. Telling her anything, or trying to explain, would just give her fuel to hurt the situation even more. Maybe you'll do ...that with Mika one day, if things work out that way. Mika might be dirty and poor, but she was nice to you, and she hasn't debased herself by slandering others and /quest/ loves pangolins. You are a lion of honor, and if anyone doubts your word above this meddler then that's something for them to work out.

>>218050 Anoles aren't chameleons. They're more closely related to iguanas.

Sammy thought about saying something to Emma. He really wanted to try and defend himself, but he opted to ignore her. He just wanted her to stop, to leave him alone. Embarrassment made his ears burn and his stomach flip. He was nauseus. He felt dizzy. She just kept on taunting, her breath on the back of his neck and the smell of her perfume that didn't quite conceal her reptilian musk. Why wouldn't she just leave him alone? He tried to tune her out, thinking about putting together model airplanes, reading about early American adventurers, playing baseball and going to bible study and various youth groups with people from his church. Emma was smart, top of the class on and on the girl's basketball team. She hung out with some of the other clean cut popular girls, and he'd seen her be cruel before; he'd just never been the target of her taunting. He had to put things in perspective though. Emma had started out with accusations and taunts. She was being spiteful, petty and mean for no reason, and trying to tell her anything wouldn't do any good anyway. Unlike Mika, who at least tried to help and didn't pass judgment. Emma was being more sinful that she accused Sammy of being. Still, he was more than grateful when the train slowed and he could escape to the manicured grounds of the University.

The campus was spread out and spacious. Old, brownstone buildings with marble facings were scattered around a series of small streets, plazas and parks. It was mostly a walking campus, and it could be hard to get around, but Sammy always thought the whole place was relaxing and pretty. Everything was tidy, and even if the new library or the apartment-like dormitory building didn't fit in with the style of the original campus, their facades and grounds were always well-kept.

He hurried to his meeting in the basement of the Curie Building. The room was obviously a science classroom of some kind - hexagonal black tables with sinks in the middle, glass cabinets with various instruments in them, and chemical hood. Standing near the center of the room was a Lesser Antillean Iguana in a pinstripe suit with his dewlap was neatly arranged over the collar of his white, pressed shirt. A Bouto in a short-sleeved yellow button down shirt and khakis leaned against one of the tables behind the iguana.

"You must be Samuel," the iguana said. "I am Professor Lee, and this is my associate, Professor Reyes," He gestured toward the pink, shiny dolphin with one long, clawed finger. The dolphin nodded slightly and continued to lounge. "Please, hand the coin to Professor Reyes so that he can make some determinations for us, and while he is otherwise indisposed, I'd like to ask you some questions about how you acquired the coin and what you know of it's history." His tones were clipped and precise, his posture rigid.

"I'll be in the lab just down the hall," said Reyes as he waited for Sammy to fish out the coin, "It shouldn't take more than a few minutes."

Tell him you'd like to keep an eye on the coin, if that's alright. You can tell professor Lee that you were given it as a gift from a strange otherworld you were pulled into while you slept, while you follow Reyes to the lab.

>>218107
Or... we could be a little more subtle than that, and say that we found it in our house one day (the implication being that it was in storage somewhere, but hopefully we won't need to actually lie), and no one we'd shown it to knew where it was from. Unfortunately, we know very little about the coin or its history; our first thought when we got curious was to email some university professors who'd surely know more about strange coinage.

You might ask if any of the symbols looked at all familiar. Anyway, be at all times polite. If you really did pull the coin from another world, dating will likely turn up that it's not very old at all and he'll tell you that it's a fake of some kind; you might consider apologizing for taking up his time over something like that, if those results turn up.

Anyway, would definitely keep the bizarre alternate dimension thing on the down low for now. But if you want to keep your eyes on the coin, you could ask to see the dating process, since it's probably some sort of exciting science that you've never had the chance to see before. Enthusiasm rarely goes amiss.

>>218103
Found it in the attic. No idea where the great-grandparents could have gotten it from.

>>218129
The attic story sounds pretty good and believable. Go with some variation of it.

Hmm, saying that you found it in storage is a good idea. It will give them absolutely no information that might lead them on the wrong track, since something in storage could've come from anywhere!

>>218132
Believable, but also a lie. We're already getting into evasion and deception; let's not add outright fabrication of tales to those willing to help us to our list of misdeeds. We can imply it, but outright saying that should be avoided unless we're pressed to it. Sticking by one's principles only when it's easy is much like not having principles at all.

Also, if dating shows that it was minted last year- and it might, given the whole alternate universe thing- then it would be awkward to claim as an inheritance of some kind.

Sammy told Professor Lee that he found the coin in his house, and nobody there knew where it came from. Professor Lee looked at it for a while, turning it over in his hand, before handing it off to Reyes. They adjourned to one of the nearby labs. Everything was white and sterile, and Reyes looked at the coin under an extremely large and complex microscope, scratched it with a few tools and then gave his prognosis.

"Well, it's got a lead core that's copper plated and then electroplated with something else. It isn't silver and it isn't aluminum, which I understand were both used by a lot of early societies."

Professor Lee interjected, "It certainly isn't old then. Ancient societies that minted coins with stamps didn't use separate cores and didn't electroplate currency. In the middle east, lead was frequently used in money, but this doesn't look like middle eastern currency, and once again, it has been electroplated twice. That puts it no earlier than 1805, and I'd be willing to guess that the object is much more recent in origin. It's probably a prop or a token of some kind. As far as I can tell the markings around the rim are nonsense. I can't place the characters at all."

Reye's tiny, beady eyes inspect the coin as well. "If you don't mind, I'd like to figure out what this top coating is. I can also do a little more looking to try to get the date more precise. Once I figure out what it's made of, I can use the wear to extrapolate a rough guess, anyway. Don't worry, I'll give it back."

>>218138
Now this is very interesting. Even if we can't place it to a real place or time, it tells us something about the production abilities of this dream locale. Yes, let him analyze it.

>>218138
Interesting indeed. Let him do a closer inspection and see what he comes up with.

Sure, let them test it further. It's not like we can do anything with the coin ourselves.

I don't think we should trust him to give it back so easily. Let's take it to Dr. Browne first and then come back if that turns up nothing.

Sammy decided to let Professor Reyes keep the coin for now. Whatever he found out could be useful in the future. "Cool," Reyes squeaked, "You'll hear back from me in a couple days."

Sammy probably wouldn't need the coin to talk with Dr. Browne anyway. He headed for the Kościuszko building.

The building was old and smaller, with dark wood floors scuffed by generations of scurrying students. The stairwell had wide, darkly polished banisters and the walls were light brown and half-paneled in wood. Dr. Browne's office was on the fourth floor, near the top of the building.

The landing didn't have wide hallways and open classroom doors like the floors below, instead it was a tight maze of small offices and copy rooms. After a bit of wandering, Sammy saw an open door with a spray of papers in the hall outside, and heard struggling from inside.

Peering cautiously around the corner, he saw a cramped room full of books, boxes and teetering piles of paper. The chairs had been recommissioned as makeshift bookcases, and if there were bookcases against the wall, they were covered by the obviously unsafe pillars of junk.

A tibetan fox in a hideous tweed blazer with leather elbows was perched precariously on the swivel chair behind the almost-completely obscured desk, trying to retrieve a heavy leather book from near the top of one of the swaying mountains of paper. One of the nearby piles unleashed a light sprinkle of loose papers to the floor sympathetically.

Near what appeared to be the back of a computer, Sammy could make out what could be a nameplate buried in the academic strata that said "Dr. Cornelius Browne"

>>219071
Go in and introduce yourself. Just make sure he's not doing something that might tear down an avalanche of paper when you say hi.

Say "Hello, mister Browne!" very brightly and cheerfully.

>>219188
Don't do this, it might cause said avalanche of paper. Instead, knock on the door (whether open or closed), then politely and quietly greet him.

No, do, don't knock or say your name. Just go in and help. Be a good boy, Sammy.

Sammy, cautious of the teetering fire hazard all around him, tapped lightly on the door and introduced himself. Dr. Browne didn't turn, but the chair swiveled unnervingly beneath him and a more significant shower of papers cascaded from a nearby pile.

"Oh, you're the one who found the interesting coin? I'd like to talk to you about it, if you have some time," another cascade of papers fell as he worked another inch or so of the heavy volume out from under the sheafs of manuscript stacked on top of it. "I'm not sure you were entirely clear on the situation concerning its origin. Of course, you've already been to Professor Lee, you said? I'm sure he told you he couldn't recognize it. I may have a lead, but I should really like to know where you got it from first." The chair began to roll backwards before settling against the desk. Dr. Brown leaned forward to compensate, balancing even more precariously on the tiptoes of his tan loafers. More papers scattered across the floor.

>>219237
Oh no go and help him before he kills himself!

Also tell him you found it in old storage. Don't know where it originally came from.

>>219237
So many potential paper cuts! Oh my, oh dear! Tell him about how Lee and Reyes is figuring out what it's made of and trying to get an accurate date. If he wants to see it, he should ask them. but yeah told him the same story you told Lee.

Sammy hurried over, careful not to touch the ominously teetering piles, and returned the chair to its original position. With Sammy there to keep it from spinning or rolling, Dr. Browne had the book worked free with only a few more minor spills. The floor now had a fresh carpet of loose papers, and Dr. Browne took a seat as a few more fluttered lazily through the air.

Sammy told him what had happened with Lee and Reyes, and gave him the same story concerning the origin of the coin.

"Hmmm, found in storage, ay? Well, I don't think I can help you, then. If the origin had perhaps been somehow mysterious or in some way... abnormal, then perhaps I could have some information to share. Are you sure there isn't a story concerning its origin that is perhaps in some way ... unnatural?" Dr. Browne's voice was soft and calm, and he licked his thumb as he turned the pages of the heavy tome sitting in his lap. His ears barely poked above the stacks of papers on his desk.

From Sammy's vantage point behind the Doctor's chair, he could see that the book was some sort of illustrated manuscript - not very thick, and much wider than it was tall. The simple paintings were of strange, gray creatures with hooves and flat faces, and the language was a confusing mess of sharp, angled pen-strokes and dots.

>>219292
Oooh. Maybe this guy will believe what happened? Try to slowly start telling your story, gauging his reaction to see if he believes you.

>>219292
Unnatural? We were looking for someone knowledgeable, and he seems to be going the right direction with this. First off, tell him that the storage explanation was... not entirely accurate. You didn't believe people would believe it just showed up on its own, and you really were interested in dating the piece.

Then tell him that you saw it in a dream, and then found it in your room the next morning. Be willing to elaborate if he inquires into the matter.

>>219292
Play this one carefully, Sammy. Try to find out what exactly he means by unnatural, before coming out and telling your tale; this professor may have encountered other people with similar experiences to yours before.

And if what you've been told about Dee is true, those people likely have a tendency to die. You desperately need more information about your situation, and this guy seems to have it. If you start telling your story, also start asking questions.

>>219292
How...unnatural do you mean, professor? For arguments sake, I mean.

Aaaw crap, he knows something.

You aren't exactly a secret keeper and this guy knows something is strange about the coin. Just spill your guts.

Sammy decided that information was more important than sounding crazy, although he didn't know the eccentric professor very well. He would try to be as cautious as possible in getting information.

"What do you mean about 'unnatural'?" Sammy asked.

Browne didn't glance up from his tome, and continued in the same, even voice, "Well, you know, in many places there are certain instances or occurrences that seem on the surface to lack a sort of credible or scientific explanation. Exploring such events is an area of interest for me."

Sammy decided that he had to know something, and pressed on, "What if I told you that the story about it being something I found wasn't entirely accurate?"

"I would say that I am unsurprised," mused Browne without a pause.

"Okay, well, what if I told you that I had a dream with the coin in it, and when I woke up the coin was really there?"

Dr. Browne looked up at him. There was a serious expression on his face, but that might have just been because he was a Tibetan fox. His yellow eyes belied his detached expression, however. "That would interest me, Sammy. I'd still need to know more, though. In the dreams, did you have full control of your body? Did things look and sound like they commonly do in the real world, or were forms indistinct or different?"

"Well," Sammy began nervously. Dr. Browne seemed to be taking him seriously, but it still sounded crazy to say it out loud, "They seem really real. I remember everything just like I'm awake. Uh, dirt, or whatever, comes over too, and smells and stuff." Sammy paused.

Dr. Browne looked into his eyes for several long seconds. "I see," he said. "When did these events begin to occur?"

Sammy didn't know how much more he should say. He'd promised Mika, after all. Dr. Browne certainly seemed to know something, but Sammy was completely in the dark about whatever motivations the harmless-looking doctor might have.

>>219472
Don't give away where you met the person, or that you went there with Mika. Just mention that you met someone strange, in a place that had other unexplainable phenomena. Describe the phenomena, and the general appearance of the person, if requested.

>>219472

Don't mention the exact location or Mika for that matter. Don't mention other people experiencing the same.

Just tell him you met some weird.. thing... person hiding out. You gave him some food because he looked hungry and well... I think that would be truthful

>>219472
Tell him that they started a few days ago and that you met a strange person covered in rags. You can't exactly remember where though.

Ask him if he has had any direct personal experiance with matters like these.

>>219487
You should also mention that you gave him a bible! Since mika's given him food and it's done nothing, it could be important!

>>219472
Well, erm, what if I told you I saw someone that was really weird in the old rail house? Not that, erm, any if this really could happen, you know. And telling people would be really bad, right sir?

Whoa, guys, don't mention the person you met. The professor hasn't given us a lick of information yet; we've done all the talking. Just mention that the first dream was two nights ago, as it was, and ask what he knows about this sort of thing- why he's unsurprised, if this has happened to other people, and so forth. Turn this conversation around so that you're getting the information rather than only giving it.

Sammy knew he wasn't going to say anything about Mika, but he started to reveal more of the story, formulating some vague reply about a man in rags and a strange location. He opened his mouth, and quickly closed it. Dr. Browne cocked an eyebrow, his muzzle still quite serious, and waved a paw for Sammy to continue.

Sammy decided to leave the guy and the train station entirely out. He realized that Dr. Browne hadn't given him any information at all, and that a vague answer would just elicit more questions from the thin academic.

"It started about two days ago," Sammy began, "and happened last night too. Why weren't you surprised? What do you know about this kind of stuff? Has it happened to anyone else?"

Dr. Browne stood. He was shorter than Sammy and peered up into the young lion's eyes. "There are some places in the world where strange events sometimes occur. I have yet to ascertain exactly what it is that is occurring, but I can assure you, it is quite dangerous. I may be able to assist, you, however. Just a moment."

He dug around in the pocket of his trousers, pulling out a small, smooth stone. "Put this in your pocket when you go to sleep tonight," he said, placing the pebble in Sammy's hand, "and perhaps we can determine the cause of your distress."

Sammy rolled the small, warm stone across his paw pads. It was getting late. He didn't know if Dr. Browne was a crazy person or actually knew something. He felt that Dr. Browne at least suspected that Sammy didn't tell him everything.

Sammy thanked the Doctor and left, taking the screeching subway back to the suburbs where he lived. The weight of the coin in his pocket had been replaced by the far less substantial stone, an equally crazy thing to be carrying. He walked in to the kitchen and saw his family just getting ready for dinner.

Mom turned to him, "So, Sammy, what did you do with your afternoon? Got all your schoolwork finished?"

Hmm, the half-truth of what you did today will probably make her happy. Tell her you went to check out the university and talk with some professors.

>>219563
I went to the college, mom! You know, it's a good idea to try and make friends with the professors so early, too. I got caught up in talkign about old stuff with one of them. I'm sorry mom.

>>219563
...Do we have any work assignments to do? Tell as much of the truth that you can, without sounding like a crazy person. Like, say you had some interesting conversations about a strange coin you found.

>>219563
Tell her you went to the university to speak with some professors is probably safe enough. And it's also the truth.

If she asks what you talked about with them then just say that it was for a project with a classmate.

 

>>213917

Sammy told his parents that he went to the university to talk to some of the professors. Mom and Dad both seemed pretty impressed, what with him taking the initiative and all, going out of his way to get ready for life after High School. They didn't ask him anything more specific, and dinner was nice. He could sort of pretend like everything was still normal...

He hurried up to his room after dinner and found that didn't even remember half of what was said in class. Hopefully he wrote his assignments down. Digging through his book bag, he found some worksheets and scribbled what looked like answers down on them. He had more important things to think about, like getting ready for bed.

He felt nervous and scared as he crawled under the sheets with a flashlight and a little swiss army knife in the pockets of his shorts and sandals on his feet. He wondered if there were any other precautions he could take before he tried to get to sleep, and if he should add Dr. Browne's stone to his meager inventory.

>>221860

Take the stone with you. It won't hurt, would it?

>>221860
Yes, take the stone.

>>221860
You could bring a piece of paper and pencil since there have been language problems in the past. You can draw pictures to convey basic concepts.

Sammy added a little notebook and ink pen to his pockets. It wasn't easy - he was nervous and a little uncomfortable - but eventually he drifted off to sleep.

****

Sammy was standing on damp grass in a deep valley. A dense fog lay heavily over the area like a cold, damp shroud and the myriad stars were obscured on the left and right by the mountains looming on either side.

The valley descended further and lights shone dimly in the fog. Peaked, wooden roofs breached the white mass like the bows of sinking ships. The mountains were grassy with gentle slopes and sparse trees and a huge, white moon illuminated the area. On his right, a path was visible, terminating at a huge gray castle that squatted heavily on the mountain's gentle crest. Lights shone from it's oblong windows, and mist poured into the valley like a slow, drifting waterfall from the open gate.

On the left, the mountain was part of a long ridge line that extended out of sight behind him and merged with the becastled mount somewhere on the other side of the valley. The ridgeback looked smooth, maybe finished, and he could barely make out a wavering point of red light moving across it some distance away. He could hear the sound of waves crashing somewhere to his left.

He checked his pockets. All of his items were accounted for. Knife, flashlight, pencil, paper, and stone. The moonlight cut sharp shadows, muting colors, but he didn't need the flashlight for now.

Take out the stone and examine it carefully. Hey, is that red light getting any closer?

I wonder if it's safer to stay put or to wander into the village even during this fog? ...probably best to stay put. I doubt approaching a castle uninvited is a good idea, and we have no idea what's in the fog. It might be dangerous to enter the village in this weather. It's definitely not a good idea to try to walk along a cliff edge!

Sammy looked at the stone. It was perhaps an inch across and shaped like an M&M with a slight depression in the center. No rays of power or magical glows emanated from it and it was slightly warm from his pocket.

He stood, shivering, with cold fog drifting around his ankles like curious fingers. He was undecided as to what he should do. There was no telling what sort of things lived in the village, or if the fog itself posed some sort of danger other than what it might hide. The white mass of the castle was an ominous centerpiece to the whole panorama, gleaming in the moonlight as its towers and spires gleamed bleakly against a backdrop of stars.

The ridge to his left seemed wide and flat judging by the trees he could see growing on either verge, although he now guessed that there could be a cliff on the other side. The little point of light wavered, some distance above and away. Perhaps it was a traveler with a lantern.

He decided to stay put for now as the cold slowly crept into his flesh. Dew soaked his paws and his teeth began to chatter.

>>222167
I guess we can't really stay put. It's too damn cold. Let's check out the ridge, I guess. Get a closer look at the red light.

Sammy had to move. He was wet and shivering, and only getting colder. At the very least, moving would warm him slightly. He began to climb toward the ridge. The slope was gentle, the land folded and ridged, and the moon directly overhead. Black shadows pooled in the folds of the earth where they weren't obscured by pockets of mist, but even so the climb wasn't difficult. The moon did not seem to move as he climbed, and even though his fingers and toes were numb and his nose ran from the cold, he felt better than he had shivering in the fog.

Sweat streaked his shirt and clouds of steam blossomed from his open mouth as he finally crested the ridgeback. It was grassy and dipped slightly toward the center, where a little dirt path had been worn. He peered cautiously off the far side. Black basalt cliffs cut drunkenly down in broken slabs before they met the crashing ocean waves far below. He could not see the base of the cliffs, sheared off by deep moon shadow, but could barely make out the glittering crests of waves far below. He stood and looked down the trail as the ocean hissed and roared below, echoing upward into the night.

The little trail had a few sparse trees on either side, and little stone structures that looked like raised gazebos no higher than his knee dotted the path at irregular intervals. Many were worn down into featureless fingers of stone, or lay collapsed in the grass.

Up ahead he could make out a figure pacing in a little clearing some distance ahead. White fabric drifted in the wind like smoke from the long, concealing garment that covered her. The red light came from glowing object she carried in her hand, little drips of fire occasionally spilling onto the path.

She hadn't seen Sammy yet, and he was unsure if he should approach.

>>222194

What exactly does she look like. Get a better glance. I'm unsure if this is safe or not.

@Dream3 Sammy!!LjAGMyAQSu 2010/08/25(Wed)17:21 No. 222232 ID: 117dce
File 128278206475.jpg - (95.02KB , 1000x740 , Dream3.jpg )

Sammy approached as quietly as possible. She still didn't seem to notice him.

>>222232

I'd say stay the fuck away from her and go to the castle.

Pacing? Movement without reason is seldom a good sign. Get away from ... whatever that is.

Don't be shy, go say hello. You've had no luck talking to people, but no one you've met in a dream so far has meant you any harm.

In fact, it's hard to understand why they've taken your odd presence as a matter of course. You should stick out like a sore thumb in these strange places.

@Dream3 Divine!!LjAGMyAQSu 2010/09/09(Thu)16:43 No. 228754 ID: 383006
File 128407581964.jpg - (124.19KB , 740x740 , Dream 3.jpg )

Sammy was worried by the figure - pacing strangely in the dark. The freezing wind blew howling from the cliffside. His heart hammered in his chest and his breath misted in fine clouds around his muzzle. He turned to run but the cliff was high, slippery and strewn with loose rocks. He landed on his knees with a shout, and she was there, before him.

White. Her pale skin and flimsy robes shone in the moonlight, her black hair and the long, jagged wound on her chest cut in sharp relief.

There was no lantern in her hand... The only thing that kept Sammy from panicking completely was the knowledge that nothing he'd seen so far had been harmless, even nice. His voice only wavered a little as he said "Hello"

Her voice, a strangled, raspy whisper, seemed to echo in his mind, "I am so cold here, on the ridge! What is that inside of you? A love? No. A ghost is in your heart." Drops of flaming blood spattered on the ground around him.

>>228754
Uh, yeah. Keep your distance, Sammy. Ask her what she means, but if she approaches, back up.

>>228754
Don't let her take your heart to use as a lantern.

Get some distance between the two of you and ask her what she means, and what she's doing out here.

>>228754

Controlled fear. Don't let her near you.

Sammy has the Holy Ghost in his heart.

>>228754
Ask who they are.

The creature moved closer in long, purposeful strides as Sammy scooted backwards, doing his best to control the terror frantically pounding against his ribcage. He could hear the vast ocean crashing against the steep cliffs somewhere behind him.

"What do you mean, a ghost? Who are you?" he stammered, hoping it would pause and he would have a chance to regain his footing, but the creature didn't slow as she responded.

"I am a lost girl, just a poor, lost girl who touched the light and was burned." She flicked a strand of silky black hair away from her face, and Sammy could see tears welling in her eyes, reflecting the drops of oily fire scattered on the ground around him. Her hand darted in the air above him as the creature seemed to grasp something and hold it in a clenched fist. "There! A ghost follows you, poor, tired thing that you are. We will protect you," she twisted her hand, and the muscles in her cold, white arm flexed as if some invisible something resisted before her hand jerked forward. The stone in Sammy's pocket burst, peppering his thigh with shrapnel and causing him to flinch.

The creature gained on him, looming overhead, as flaming droplets spattered against his clothes.

>>234827
Right. Lot of good that stone did.

She's above you, so we're not likely to be able to keep running. Our options are pretty much talking and fighting. You brought that swiss army knife with you, right? Get it in your hands. Tell her to keep her distance, and if she complies, ask her where you are. I know it may seem un-Christian, but being ready to defend yourself is okay, right? Be ready to employ violence if necessary.

>>235373

This sounds pretty good. Point the knife towards her and try and scurry to the side. Don't want to get killed now do we.

Let's not give any explicit threats of violence, but do get away from the cliff edge while holding onto the knife, at your side.

More drops of flaming blood splashed on his chest and legs as Sammy dug frantically in his pocket for the knife. The ink pen went rolling down the hillside and the notebook disappeared into the wet grass.

She moved with simple fluid grace, her cold heavy thighs pressing against his hips. Liquid fire dribbled across his shoulder as she held her bleeding heart up to his face. He managed to free the blade with one hand as she pressed her freezing fingers against his chest.

Everything was limned in red as fire continued to pool around him. "Back away!" he shouted, interposing the knife between her naked torso and his body. Tears streamed freely down her face.

"look at you! Look at what I have done to you!" she sobbed. Ignoring the knife, she shifted her weigh and pressed him to her bosom. The knife pierced her soft flesh just below the sternum, and Sammy could feel some thick liquid oozing over his hand.

>>235410
Sammy, does the fire even hurt? Maybe there isn't much to be afraid of here. Of course you've already stabbed her, though unwillingly. Not much we can do at this point but avoid stabbing her any more.

>>235410
Well, this is... surreal, but currently sort of harmless.

Ask her what she means about having been burned touching the light. Try not to think about how hard this will be to clean up afterwards.

Her body was like ice. His teeth began to chatter and his fingers quickly grew numb as freezing water running from her hair and down her body soaked through his clothes. She pulled back, still pinning him to the ground with her weight, and began to wipe the blood from his clothes with heavy lengths of her hair. There was no earthy, mortal scent, only the stinging salt of the ocean and the strange, sweet hint of decaying meat.

The fire did not burn, and produced no heat. It seemed to only consume the ever-pooling blood and then vanish into the darkness. Still, she wept and sobbed. Thick, coagulated black ichor was matting in the fur of his paw. He saw the body of his pocket knife bobbing in her heaving chest as more thick slime oozed around it. The black wound over her left breast opened and closed like an obscene mouth as she shuddered, weeping.

Sammy swallowed as much of his discomfor as he could. Other than the numbing cold slowing working through his body and the pain in his left thigh, he seemed to be in no immediate danger. "Wh-what's happened with the light?" he asked. It felt almost wrong somehow to interrupt her weeping, but he had no idea what else to do.

She lunged forward, pinning his shoulders with her forearm and pressing her icy heart against the side of his face. He could feel it's erratic beating pulsing frigid liquid against the side of his cheek. Long strands of hair slid like tentacles over his chest, and he saw himself reflected in her abyssal black eyes.

"It touched us. It touched all of us. It burned in us and changed us and gave us power. It peirced the world and left us strange. It burned us. It left me so lonely... so alone..."

>>235871

Ask her "What did." She needs to be more specific. I believe this may also be somehow related to our condition.

>>235871
Be quiet. Every time you speak to her, she presses closer to you... resulting in COLD. Try to push her away a bit, so that you can recover some body heat.

The freezing numbness crept slowly up his limbs. He couldn't feel much of his arms or legs, and his face and shoulder were quickly going numb where the icy blood pumped from her glowing heart, running in a frigid stream down the left side of his body and trickling between his shoulderblades. He lifted an insensate arm and tried to push her away. He could barely feel her yeilding flesh as his hand pressed against her heavy breast. She leaned back, rocking against his frozen hips, as he quickly moved his hand away in shock.

"Do you love me yet?" she asked, her tears glittering like snowflakes as they ran down her cheeks. She arched her back, working her icicle fingers into the fabric of his shirt, massaging his chest with her dead fingers. She flexed her spine and threw her head back, her hair trailing in a long, wet arc of water droplets that caught the moonlight and shone like stars. She shook out her hair, staring at him with her horrid, pitch-black eyes as she rolled her hips backward and thrust out her chest.

Sammy shivered. He pushed her hands away, huggging his torso and trying to generate some faint spark of warmth. "W-what d-did this t-to you?" he asked, hoping to distract her, horrified at what she intended to do to him.

"The Light was beautiful when we first saw it in our dreams," she mused wistfully, lit red, almost looking like a living thing as she stared wistfully at the white bulk of the glowing moon. "It granted us power over the things of the natural word, and we worshipped it. We did not know that it slept too, and its dreams were living things." She worked her cold fingers under his t-shirt, pushing it into his armpits and working her fingers directly into the fur on his chest. "It's dreaming mind leaked out from the place it had peirced our world, and its dreams began to absorb our reality." He tried to push her away with his elbows, but she ignored his efforts and slowly kneaded his chest with her pale hands. He tried harder to force her off of him as she found his nipples and her cold mouth descended toward his own horrified muzzle, but thankfully things began to blur and shift,

****

and he just felt her freezing breath tickling his lips before he found himself wet, freezing and miserable in his bed.

>>235935
Try not to immediately throw up. I suggest drying off then getting into a warm shower. Try not to think too much about what might've happened next, and remain thankful that you escaped.

Don't forget to write down what happened...

>>235937

Yeah try not to think about what might have happened next. Frostbite... down there...

You should've kissed Mika earlier. :3c

Sammy quickly rolled off of his bed and on to the floor, shivering convulsively. His room was a reddish flickering hellscape as he trailed more of the burning blood across the floor. He couldn't worry about it now. He staggered to his feet, bumping against the corner of his bed, slipping again and falling before he got to the door. He staggered down the short hallway, closing the door behind him. The fire was already dieing down as the blood consumed itself. He stumbled into the bathroom and locked the door, turning the showerhead on full blast and stripping his shorts off before he collapsed into the tub. His whole body stung painfully as hot water poured over him and the room began to fill with steam. His numb fingers and toes began to feel again with agonizing intensity, but he didn't care. It was better than the freezing, awful cold. He lay under the water, not thinking about what almost happened to him, not thinking about anything, as blessed warmth returned to his body.

His first kiss had almost been from a corpse. He thought about Mika. He- he couldn't worry about that now. There were much more pressing concerns. He inspected his left thigh. There was blood flowing freely from under his fur, and it hurt when he touched the spot. Brushing his hide, he noticed several small, shallow wounds peppering the area and no sign of the rock. It hurt, but he didn't think it was serious.

His reverie was suddenly interrupted by loud banging on the bathroom door.

"Samuel Winters! It is five O'clock in the morning! You tell me what you are doing right Now!"

Oh.. oh no. Sammy began to panic. Oh no. What was he going to say? What had she seen? What was he going to do?

Had a nightmare, stumbled around, and hurt your thigh on a corner.

Start with "I had a really terrible dream, mom...", you might want to add the whole shower was to make sure you're fully awoken, since it was so real.

Just hope she didn't see anything coming from your room.

"I had a nightmare, Mom!" he stammered, "I-it was so real that I had to make sure I was really awake!"

The banging on the door didn't stop.

"A nightmare? Why the- Why on Earth is your bed soaking wet? What have you been doing? You tell me right now!"

Sammy had just lied to his mom. Outright lied. He didn't think he'd ever done that before. At least she hadn't seen any of the fire. He felt sick and scared and in pain, but he still needed to think of something fast.

>>236307
Say you freaked out and your first thought was to get in the shower to snap out of it but it felt wrong to be in the shower this early in the morning so you wound up getting back in the bed soaking wet but you were still freaked out and you realized you just got the bed soaking wet and you got back in the shower and somewhere along the way you bashed your thigh against something and it really hurts and it's bleeding and aaa. Or something like that.

I have had mornings like this, minus the nightmare (slightly more mundane reasons for waking up at a godawful hour) and I guess the bleeding. :<

>>236324
Or... I don't know, I don't have a good feel for what state your room is in beyond it being soaked and apparently not currently on fire.

>>236307
Man, Sammy. You're up a creek without a paddle.

She's confused, worried about you, and kind of upset. I doubt there's much we could say that would be plausible at this point...

Just say that you have no idea how the bed got that way. You woke up and it was like that, and it freaked you out so much that you couldn't think of anything else to do but shower. That is sort of half of the truth anyway.

>>236307

How could you have gotten around lying? How much of a lie was it? Could the dreamworld be described as real? Are you really awake during those times?

Even with all of that, you wouldn't have told her the whole truth anyway.

You could ask to speak to someone else about it. Maybe Dad. She might think you was trying to clean the bed. You remember what Dad said: "You can't control what your body does when it's asleep. It happens to everybody, especially unmarried young men."