In Your Dreams

>As you open your eyes, you stretch and yawn.
>Despite having slept for... presumably a while given the midday sun shining in, you don't really feel all that rested. But, you don't really feel TIRED either.
>You sit up and look around the room, momentarily confused. ...when did you check into a hotel?
>The room is decorated very cozily, with all manner of charming little knickknacks littering the shelves and dresser.  A framed linen has HOME SWEET HOME embroidered on it.
>Several paintings of sheep leaping fences decorate the walls as well.  The entire room is painted a soothing blue color.
>Hm.  Well at least it's not a shitty motel. This place is pretty nice.
>You plunge your hand into the mattress, and are pleased to find it has juuuust enough give for your tastes.
>Very nice.
>There's a little note lying on the endtable, folded up neatly, and... huh.  No alarm clock?  Not even a phone?
>...weird.

[INVENTORY]
Bookmark: 1

>Well, may as well take a look at that note.
>You pick up the delicately folded piece of paper and straighten it out.  A few stray bits of red hair fall out.
>The note is written in red ink, with exceptional penmanship.
>"Hello!  If you are reading this, you must be up and out of bed; congratulations!  We have taken great pains to ensure your stay with us is as comfortable as possible, but some inconveniences are necessary. At your earliest leisure, please direct yourself to the concierge desk at the end of the hall.  There, you may claim your room key and get information on our hotel and the surrounding area.  Enjoy your stay! -MNGMT"
>Hm.  Interesting.
>The note's letterhead says DOZE INN.  That must be the hotel you're in.
>...how did you get in this room if your key is at the concierge desk?
>Oh well.  They've certainly done a good job making this place comfortable.  It's cozier than your own house, actually.
>You fold the note up and set it back in place, then stand and stretch.  Should probably head to that concierge desk soon... but there's probably no rush, given they told you to go via a note.

>May as well look around the room first.
>The bedroom portion is surprisingly sizable; you'd think this was a family suite if not for there only being one bed.  A massive pillow in the shape of a cartoon cloud rests in the middle of the bed. That's... oddly cute.
>There doesn't seem to be a TV here, despite there being a pretty conspicuous place for one.  That's a bummer.
>The room is bathed in a soft pinkish light.  Closer inspection reveals colored lightbulbs in the ceiling lamp.
>There's a little... thing... made up of a delicately folded and tied rag.  It almost vaguely resembles a rabbit?  Maybe?  There's also a pair of googly eyes stuck to it.  More red hair is visible on the white cloth.
>Checking the dresser reveals nothing but immaculate, completely empty drawers.  Did you not pack for this... trip?  The nightstand is also empty, as is the closet.
>The bathroom is ripe with miniature toiletries bearing a DOZE INN logo.  Otherwise, it's fairly nondescript.
>All in all, a pretty standard hotel room, if cozier and cleaner than most.
>...feeling a strange pull, you return to, and pocket, the note.  Once it's in your possession, you nod and head off to the concierge.
>The hallway isn't particulary long.  Every few feet, a small table rests, holding a vase filled with blue flowers that mesh wonderfully with the blue walls.
>At the end of the hall, you can clearly see the desk.  A large newspaper is being read, with a small bellhop-style hat being visible just above the paper.
>You walk closer, and the concierge folds up their newspaper, revealing them to be a rather tall, lithe fox woman with eyes the same baby blue as the walls.  She straightens her bellhop uniform out and tips her hat.
>She then smiles warmly and nods in acknowledgment before speaking.
>"Good afternoon!  I hope you thlept well?"
>You nod, and she claps her hands together happily.
>"Great!  Tho I gueth you found the note?  Good, good.  Now, uh... I'm thupothed to help you get your bearingth, tho... any quethtionth?"

[INVENTORY]
Bookmark: 1
DOZE INN Note


>She leans forward on the counter, smiling expectantly.
>"Well, uh... where AM I, exactly?"
>"You are thtaying in the Doze Inn, the betht hotel in town!"
>"O...kay.  How did I get here?  I don't remember checking in."
>She giggles a little.
>"Of courthe you don't, thilly!  Nobody doeth!  You woke up here like every other guetht doeth, nothing to be worried about."
>"You're being vague.... can you be a little more clear?"
>She grins widely.
>"Thure.  You fell athleep at home, and woke up here.  Make thenthe?"
>"..."
>She blinks a few times, then her smile fades in favor of a concerned look.
>"...I'm not being confuthing, am I?"
>"A little bit."
>"Curtheth!  Thorry, I've never been good at eckthplaining thtuff."
>"That's fine, miss, uh... I didn't catch your name."
>Her smile returns as she gestures to a blank nametag.
>"Ah, well, you can call me whatever you like... jutht don't call me thomething mean, pleathe."
>"You don't have a preferred name?"
>"Thith ith YOUR dream, thir, tho YOU get to name me!"

>"Uhhh... how about Clio?"
>Her eyes practically glimmer.
>"That'th perfect!"
>She pulls out a pen and writes the name on her nametag in red ink.
>"Thankth for the good name... the latht guetht jutht called me "Fockthy.""
>"It's no problem, uh, Clio... didn't you just say this was a dream?"
>"Oh YEAH!  Gueth I thould've thaid that earlier, whoopth.  The Doze Inn ith in the Dreamthcape, where the dreamth live!"
>"...you're a dream?"
>"Yeth."
>"Well, uh... okay then."
>"You theem lotht."
>"No, no, it's just... everything feels and looks so real."
>"Yep!  Ithn't it great?"
>"I... yeah, I guess."
>Clio giggles again, smiling and adjusting her hat.
>"Tho!  You need your room key, right?  Can you thow me which one ith your room?"
>"Sure, follow me."
>She opens up a door and leaves the desk... and you're baffled when you see her entire body.
>From the waist up, she's a normal red fox...
>However, where there should be legs, Clio slithers about on a massively long, obscenely fluffy fox tail; kind of reminds you of some snake folk you've seen...
>She notices your eyes drifting to her tail and blushes.
>"Eheh, thorry if I dithappointed you.  I get a lot of guethth that are weirded out by me."

>You blink a few times, mentally excusing her anatomy as dream logic.  ...then you try, with great difficulty, to stop staring.
>Clio smiles, looking a bit sheepish.
>"I know I'm a bit thtrange."
>"No, no, you're fine, even cute, I'm just n-"
>Her eyes widen excitedly.
>"I'm cute?!"
>"You are."
>A blush appears on her cheeks as she smiles warmly.
>"Thankth!  That'th thweet."
>You point her to your room, watching the mesmerising sway of her tail as she moves.  She tests a few keys, then nods and hands over the correct one.
>"There!  Hold onto it, okay?"
>"Gotcha.  So, uh, how many guests have you had?"
>"Oh, tonth!  We're the motht popular hotel in the Dreamthcape, after all."
>"...you said some of them got..."
>"Yeth... thome of them found me creepy. But it'th okay, really.  I-It didn't hurt my feelingth, really."
>Aww.
>"So, why is it just me here and not one of the millions of other people asleep right now?"
>"You can't thee other dreamerth, and they can't thee you.  Pluth, not everyone dreamth when they thleep."
>"Oh, okay.  Is this Dreamth- DREAMSCAPE an actual place?  Like, another world?"
>"I gueth?"
>"I mean... are you... REAL?"
>"I THOUGHT I wath? Can you feel thith?"
>Clio wraps part of her massive tail around you; you feel your body sinking into heavenly fluff as she gently squeezes you.
>"Mmhm, I feel it."
>She unwraps herself.
>"Then, I gueth I'm real.  Neat!  Anywayth, I need to get back to work.  Unleth you need thomething elthe?"

[INVENTORY]
Bookmark: 1
DOZE INN Note
Room Key


>"Well, can I follow you to your desk and just talk for a bit?"
>"Thure, go right ahead."
>Clio slithers back behind the concierge desk and smiles, again leaning forward expectantly.
>"So, how long have you worked here?"
>"That'th tricky.  Time ith weird here.  But, I've worked here ath long ath I can remember."
>"I see... I'm sorry your previous guests hurt your feelings.  I promise you're not creepy to me."
>"Thankth!  That jutht made my day, thir!"
>She grins practically ear to ear.
>"...Clio, can I ask you something else?  What's the purpose of this place?"
>"It'th where dreamth take plathe, thilly!  I already thaid that, heehee."
>"Fair enough.  What's there to do outside of the Inn?"
>"Oh, there'th a lot of neat thtuff!  There'th the mall... the river... Main Thtreet... You thould go eckthplore, it'th fun!"
>"Sounds like it.  ...hey, can you tell me what's up with this bookmark I found in my pocket?"
>"OOOH!  Thothe are rare, you're lucky.  By uthing a bookmark, you can thave where you are in thpace and time, then come back to that thpot any time you want.  They only work onthe, though..."
>"I see.  Thank you, Clio."
>"My pleathure, thir!"

>"Uhh, just a few more questions, if you don't mind.. You said I couldn't see other dreamers... are there others in the room, talking to you right now?"
>Clio nods vigorously.
>"Yep!  But, uhhh... (to tell you the truth, you're the nithest one.)"
>"I see.  So I can't interact with them at all."
>"That'th right."
>"When I wake up, will I remember you?  Can I come back?"
>"Yeth, and yeth!  We get repeat cuthtomerth all the time."
>"That's great.  Uh, one more... can I get more bookmarks?"
>"Yeth, but they're not very common.  I would thave them for catheth where you might want to undo thomething."
>"Understood.  Thanks for your help, Clio."
>"It'th what I live for!"
>She opens her newspaper once more after bidding you farewell.
>With that done, you take a look around the Inn.  It's... pretty standard.  There's a pool, a built-in cafe (that's closed), that sort of thing.  Every guest room but yours is locked.
>The entire place is decorated cozily, just like your room.
>In the lobby, a massive portrait of Clio hangs, labeled EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR.  She's beaming in the photo, tears of happiness in her eyes.  Aw.
>A blank photo hangs nearby, labeled OUR FOUNDER.
>Outside, you see vague shapes milling about.
>The Inn's gift shop is open, at any rate.

>The gift shop piques your interest... you head inside without hesitation.
>It's remarkably cramped in here.  All the shelves are too close together, and the shop altogether is way too small.
>There's all manner of tacky souvenirs.
>Magnets in the shape of sheep... T-Shirts emblazoned with DOZE INN... stuffed clouds with obscenely cute faces... generic, off-brand candy...
>...a plushie of Clio...
>You smile, chuckling.  Management must really like her.
>As you weave in and out of the aisles, you find it difficult to get through some; a familiar, long tail takes up most of the limited floorspace.
>Sure enough, when you reach the register, Clio is behind the counter, smiling.
>"Did you thee anything you like, thir?"
>"...weren't you just at the concierge desk?"
>"I wath, yeth.  THOMEONE hath to run the gift thop!"
>Fair enough.
>"Thinthe thith ith your firtht thtay with uth, you can choothe a thouvenir free!"

>You know exactly what to get.
>You retrace your steps and grab the last Clio doll off the shelf, then bring it back.  The vixen snickers at the sight of the plushie.
>"I thought we thtopped carrying thethe!  Watch:"
>She holds the doll around the waist, then pulls the tail.  A speaker crackles to life, playing a familiar voice.
>"Thweet dreamth!"
>"Heehee!  I had fun recording mythelf for thethe.  I hope you like it, thir!"
>She hands the doll over graciously; you give the tail a tentative pull.
>"You're thweet!"
>You smile and marvel at how perfectly the doll captures her likeness.  It even has the same colored eyes!
>Clio watches you with a smile.
>"It'th cute, but not really to thcale... the tail'th too thort.  But that'th okay!"
>"Just how long ARE you, Clio?"
>"About, uh, theventeen feet, counting my tail?  That thoundth right."
>...wow.
>"Thanks for the souvenir."
>"No problem, hope you enjoy it!"
>You bid her farewell and step back into the lobby.

[INVENTORY]
Bookmark: 1
Clio Doll
DOZE INN Note
Room Key


>Hm.  May as well take a look at the pool as well.
>You head inside, taking a look around.  Some music is being piped in, echoing in the massive room ethereally.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J_jKwVp5-w]

>In the large pool (which is shaped like a cloud, because of course it is), a single woman floats idly, lounging as she bobs in the water effortlessly.
>A lifeguard tower rests nearby, a by-now familiar tail wrapped all the way up and around it; Clio sits in the chair, her usual bellhop outfit swapped for a one-piece lifeguard uniform.  ...you vaguely wonder how she got it on with no legs...
>She lowers her shades, smiling at you, then nods and returns to keeping a watchful eye on the pool.
>The bluish-purple rabbit floating in the water idly waves at you, then returns to lounging atop the pool's surface.
>You walk up to the lifeguard tower.
>"Nice pool."
>"Hop on in, if you want; we have a plathe for drying your clotheth off afterwardth."
>"Okay, thanks."
>You look up at her, admiring how her hair cascades down her back and how her swimsuit tightly hugs her slender figure.

>Well, if you can just dry off afterward anyway, no real harm in getting in the water.
>You wade off into the pool, enjoying the pleasantly cool, but not TOO cold, water.  It quickly becomes too deep to touch the bottom.
>As you paddle, Clio watches with eagle eyes, making sure you don't need help.
>You dive under the water, curious about its depth.
>...despite holding your breath for as long as possible and swimming down as fast as you can, you don't even SEE the bottom, much less TOUCH it.
>You gasp for breath, then hear a high pitched laugh from behind you.
>"Ha, yeah, not happening, buddy.  I've never seen ANYONE touch the bottom, not even ol' 'theventeen footer.'"
>The voice is obviously female, and is very high pitched and breathy.  You turn to see the rabbit staring directly at you, lounging on her stomach and somehow floating right on top of the water.
>Her fur looks oddly... fake.  It's of a strange purplish blue color.  Her irises are black, making her eyes look rather cartoonish.  Her ears seem to be static, one perpetually half-bent, the other straight.
>A pink bikini clashes rather horribly with her fur, hugging her modest figure nicely.
>She stares with a bemused smile for a bit, then nonchalantly splashes you in the face, giggling again.
>"So, you're a dreamer, huh?  Cool.  Lay one of them names on me, why don'tcha, buddy?"

>"Uhhh... Layla?"
>"Layla, huh?  That works.  Nice to meetcha."
>She extends a hand, and you reach up out of the water to shake it.  Her fur AND skin feel... wrong. Plasticky.
>You accidentally squeeze her hand, and are a bit horrified to find that it has a LOT of give.  Almost as if she were boneless... or hollow.
>"So, uh, what is it you do, Layla?"
>"Swim, mostly.  Err, float, I guess.  Not really technically swimming, huh."
>"How long have you been swimming?"
>"Oh, y'know.  A while.  Who can really say?"
>"...right, dream time is weird."
>"Oh good, foxtail gave ya the ol' rundown.  Saves me the trouble, heh."
>"Yeah, she was very helpful... oh, shit, I almost forgot to ask her something..."
>"What is it?  Lay it on me, I might know."
>"When I wake up, how do I come back to the Dreamscape?"
>"Psssh, I thought it was gonna be a hard one.  Just, uh, think about it as you go to sleep, man.  Easy as that."
>"Roger.  Thanks."
>"I thought my name was Layla, not Roger."
>She winks and, with a loud PSSSH sound, blasts you in the face with a little gust of air.

>You shrug off the blast and laugh along with Layla, then splash her.
>"Very funny, Layla.  You think you or Clio could tag along while I explore?"
>"Nahhhhh, I'm gonna float here, man.  And as for foxy over there, I don't think she can leave while her shift is on.  'Sides, this is YOUR dream, where's the fun in having someone lead you through it?  Get out there and explore, bud."
>"Alright, but one more question: can I... CONTROL the Dreamscape?"
>"HA!  Nah, not any more than you can control Earth.  You're just one of countless explorers, pal."
>"Okay then.  Thanks, Layla, I'll see you around."
>"Later."
>She slowly bobs away as you head to the edge of the pool.  Clio pulls you onto dry land with a smile.
>"Have fun?"
>"Yep, thanks."
>She nods and returns to the lifeguard station; you idly watch her slither off, admiring that uniform some more...
>You shake it off and head into the lobby.  As soon as you exit the pool, you're completely dry.  How convenient.
>Having checked out most of the Inn, you step outside and onto Main Street.
>All manner of people mill about idly; closer inspection very quickly reveals that they all appear to be identical anthro women of some unclear species. Mice? Maybe?
>Either way, each one has beige fur, wears a brown suit, and has a white mask on, each with a blank expression drawn on.
>A couple of stores immediately catch your eye: a junk shop and a fortune teller's.  It doesn't look like anything else is open at the moment.
>A signpost directs your attention to a path apparently leading to the Lamplight River.
>Among the throng of mice, you can see a sizable gap in the crowd.  A feeling of dread momentarily washes over you as your eyes cross the clearing...

>Morbidly curious, you wade through the crowd of mice, heading for the gap in the mass.
>When you get there, another wave of visceral dread strikes.
>In the center of the circular clearing stands a strikingly tall, slender woman of indeterminate species.
>You step closer, feeling increasingly concerned with every inch.
>Everything about her is grey.  Her rather outdated-looking cloak and hood ensemble.  Her fur.  Her eyes.  All of it the same shade of grey.
>A vague frown rests on her face as she slowly advances down the street, the mice avoiding her carefully.
>She casts a baleful eye over you, saying nothing but sniffing the air quietly.  Her long, pointed ears twitch almost imperceptibly, her tail swishes through the air precisely once.
>Once she's close enough to touch you, she stops walking, then turns to face you, expression unchanging.
>She stares silently, unblinking, as every fiber of your being is flooded with internal panic.

>You manage to swallow your fears and force a smile.  She narrows her eyes ever so slightly, her frown straightening out into a slightly more neutral expression.
>"Uh... h-hello."
>A wave of terror hits HARD as she blinks, then bows her head a fraction of an inch.
>"..."
>"...d-do you... have a name?"
>She narrows her eyes farther, making you realize your question was a tad foolish.
>"Right, sorry."
>"..."
>Her tail again swishes once.  A mouse woman in the surrounding crowd lets off a squeak and dashes away.
>Despite the mounting dread, you feel you can keep talking.  She doesn't seem aggressive...

>"So, u-uh... do you even want a name?"
>She sniffs quietly, then ever so slightly nods her head.
>"Okay then... how about Serenity?"
>You feel the dread subside just a tad as one of her ears twitches a single time.
>"O-okay, glad we got that sorted out.  What is it you do, Serenity?"
>She narrows her eyes and stares, then relents and slowly retrieves a bag from within her cloak.  It's obviously from a store.
>"Oh, you've been shopping?  That's nice."
>She frowns a little as she stows her shopping bag away once again.  She adjusts her cloak with amazing precision, getting it back to the exact same state it was before retrieving her bag.
>"...I'm not interrupting you, am I?  If you'd rather me atop talking and move along, I understand."
>She tilts her head to one side a minuscule amount, tail flicking the air twice before falling limp once again.
>"O-or would you rather me keep talking?"
>She tilts her head the other direction, again flicking her tail twice.
>"..."
>You still feel that dread, but she at least seems personable...

>"...are you... like, my fears?"
>Serenity raises an eyebrow, frown momentarily becoming a subtly bemused smirk.
>You feel rather like you've asked another silly question.
>"Nevermind.  Uh, have you ever met a lady named Clio?  No, wait, uh... a fox with a snakelike lower half?"
>The grey woman's eyes widen, and you swear you can see Clio's face reflected in them.
>"Y-yeah, her.  What do you think of her?"
>Serenity smiles slightly.
>"..."
>"She seems pretty nice, yeah."
>The grey anthro nods gently, then slowly advances along her original path.
>"Oh, uh, bye, then.  Thanks for listening to me."
>She stops and turns back towards you with a frown.
>"I'm new to this place... if you'd like to follow me, that'd be appreciated, but if not, I understand."
>At the word "follow," her narrowed eyes open wide.  Her frown slowly transforms into a nearly ear-to-ear smile that shows absolutely no happiness behind it.
>You feel very much in danger.

>Despite your very legs desperately trying to make you run, you manage to stay still and keep talking. Serenity's ghoulish smile immediately snaps back to a disinterested frown.
>"S-so, uhhhh... a-anywhere around here you like that I might wanna see?"
>She flicks an ear roughly towards the river, but otherwise doesn't seem to acknowledge your question.
>"..."
>"O-okay.  Do you want to come along?"
>She merely smiles.
>"...okay, uhhh... w-what do you do around here besides shop?"
>Serenity stares in silence, then runs a clawed finger over your cheek.  A chill runs down your spine; you are unable to stand here any longer.  You dash into the crowd of mice, looking back just in time to see the grey woman gently licking her finger, then casting a wide eyed glance at you.
>You run faster, eventually fonding yourself firmly entrenched in the massive mob of mice.
>A few of them turn their masked faces toward you, muttering sympathetically, but incoherently.
>Your heart rate slows back down to normal as you see Serenity heading away from you.

>Once you calm down fully, you walk through the crowd and enter the junk shop.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N4airsRCV0]

>Once you step through the dingy glass door, the interior of the shop looks like a massive junkyard somehow contained indoors.
>Wrecked cars, trashed furniture, twisted and crushed scrap metal; the entire shop is stuffed full.
>In the center of the "room," grinning at you, is a positively massive wolf woman that appears to be comprised of scrap and junk.
>Taillights glow where eyes should be; teeth roughly hewn from scraps of metal glint mischievously.  What seems to be an open pair of garden shears takes the place of pointed ears.
>One arm is made up of an aluminum baseball bat and some metal piping welded together into a bundle.  The other has a large axe and a steel girder.
>Her torso is shapely, and looks custom-made; a decently large chest is styled into her, but no distinct breasts.
>Her legs are similarly cobbled from various scraps, including fenceposts and even what you swear is the barrel to a gun.
>A tail made up of an antenna wags stiffly as the wolf lounges, grinning at you some more. She speaks in a slow drawl, her voice sounding metallic and gravelly.
>"Howdy, stranger.  In the market for some junk, huh?  You're lookin' at the biggest scrap heap in the Dreamscape!  (And I was voted Most Attractive Scrap Heap too...!)"

>Feeling a sudden wave of charisma, you wink at the scrap heap.
>"I came in looking for a diamond in the rough; wasn't expecting to find her so quick."
>She snorts and bursts into laughter.
>"HAW!  Slow your roll, cowpoke, we jus' met!  ...thank ye kindly, though."
>You nod and look around the room-
>Wait.
>No way.
>NO WAY.
>The hood off your favorite NASCAR racer's car is just sitting right there.
>"How much for that hood?  ...and what counts as money around here?"
>She squints at the hood, then at you.
>"...mmm, sorry, hun, I can't bring mahself to part with that.  As fer money, most folks take Z's round here.  They're like dollars, hun."
>She leans towards you and sniffs loudly.
>"Check yer back pocket, sugah, I reckon you got about Ż50 in thar."
>"Okay then... what DO you have for sale?"
>She sits up, towering over you, and gestures to her body.
>"All this here junk is fer trade.  I don't deal with money, honey.  I'd rather jes trade fer somethin' nice.  See anythin' ya like?"

[CASH]
Ż50


>"I sure do: you."
>She chuckles again, tail wagging madly.
>"Now hun, I ain't puttin' out like THAT!  But ah'm flattered you'd be interested~ Naw, it's the junk I'm MADE of I'm sellin'."
>"What junk?  Then again, I guess one man's trash..."
>"Shyooot, yer shameless, ain'tcha?  I ain't had no flirt like you in... well, a while, haw.  But whatcha see here is what ah'm offerin'.  I'm attached to all the rest, darlin'."
>"So nothing else is for sale?"
>"Naw, hun.  Not right now, anyway."
>"Understood.  How do I get more Z's, by the way?"
>"Sell stuff, or find em out thar in the Dreamscape.  Easy as pie, sugah."

>"Sounds good, miss Elise."
>The name slips off your tongue before you even think about it.  The wolf tilts her head with a grin.
>"Elise?  Why, ah love it, darlin'."
>"You don't mind me calling you that?"
>"Why would I, hun?  It's a good'n."
>"Well, okay then."
>She stretches and stands up.  By your estimate, she HAS to be pushing 10 feet tall.  She winks and poses in such a manner you can see most of her body.
>"Have a look, hun, lemme know what catches yer eye and we can make a deal~"
>You take a little time to ogle her surprisingly feminine shape, then start looking for anything you may want.
>Pipes... a bat... an axe... hedge clippers... an antenna... a girder... some fenceposts...
>"Hey, Elise; is that barrel attached to a full gun?"
>"Shore is, sugah.  Pretty nice one, if'n you like guns.  Plus, it's a great femur too."
>"What do you want for it?"
>"Hmm.  If you can find somethin' I can use as a femur, I'll gladly swap you, hun."
>"Huh.  Okay then, I'll keep an eye out."
>"Take your time, sugah.  I'll even put a hold on it, just fer you."
>She digs in a nearby junk pile, then grabs a bumper sticker and slaps it onto her leg.
>"There!  If ya find somethin' that'll be a good trade, lemme know, hun.  Anythin' else little ol' Elise can do for ya?"

>"Uh... what happens to stuff I get in the Dreamscape when I wake up?"
>"Well, hun, you can keep SOME of it, but most of it'll just go to yer closet in the Doze Inn."
>"What can I keep exactly?"
>"Aww, shucks, sugah, it's hard to say.  Someone well 'bove my head has ta approve items before they can be brought to reality."
>"Who is it?"
>"I don't rightly know, hun... some high-falutin' bureaucrat ah'm sure."
>"Huh... speaking of waking up, what does that look like to you guys?"
>"Well, ya just kinda... stop bein' here, heheh."
>"I see.  Anything in particular you want for the bat and axe?"
>"Hmm!  Now, ah'm usin' those for arm bones, hun; long as you can find me somethin' to fit these ol' arms, ah'll trade."
>"Gotcha.  One more: what other kinds of stores are in the neighborhood?"
>"Well now, hold on a sec, sugah."
>She leans towards you and sniffs loudly again.
>"Hmmm.  I reckon you ain't able to go anywhere but here and that ol' fortune teller gal right now.  More folks'll open their doors for ya when ya meet some condition. Course, you oughta be able to get into that ol' Mall too.  I... don't rightly know what all they got in there.  Sorry, hun."

>You raise an eyebrow.
>"What kind of conditions are you talking about?"
>Elise shrugs, her metallic form creaking.
>"Sorry, hun, alls I know is that th'other shops need ya to do somethin' before they'll let ya in.  You'd have ta ask someone else what kinda conditions those might be."
>"Alright then.  Thank you, Elise, I'll be back."
>She winks and blows a kiss.
>"Bye, sugah!  Come back any ol' time, y'hear?"
>You wave and exit the junk shop.
>The mob of mice continue to wander about aimlessly; no apparent gaps are in their midst now.
>Carefully weaving through the crowd, you make your to the fortune teller's shop and duck inside.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD7v7MxkaD0]

>The shop is small and cozy, with all manner of occult knickknacks lying around. Skulls made of various types of stone... jars filled with unidentifiable bones... voodoo dolls... dusty old tomes...
>In the center of it all, a woman almost completely obscured by a scarlet, hooded cloak sits at a table, a small smirk visible at the end of her muzzle.
>"Come, come, have a seat.  I felt your presence approaching earlier.  I took the liberty of preparing some tea, if you'd like a drink."
>Her voice is soft, almost a whisper, and carries a very vague, unrecognizable accent.

>"Uhh, sure, I'll take a cup.  Thank you."
>She nods and reaches into her cloak, withdrawing a rather nice teacup and gently laying in front of you. The cup brims with a dark red liquid...
>You tentatively raise the drink to your nose and give it a sniff.
>It smells like ordinary sweet tea, but... wrong. No other word can explain it.
>The fortune teller chuckles and downs a cup of the uncanny brew herself.
>"I assure you it is safe to drink.  It is, however, perhaps an acquired taste."
>Curious, you take a swig, almost immediately gagging.
>It tastes... savory?
>Another silvery chuckle escapes the woman as you no doubt show every bit of your disgust on your face.
>"Do not fret, child.  I understand my tastes may not be palatable to others.  Do not drink it just to spare my feelings."
>You nod and set the disgusting "tea" down.  After a pause, your hostess gently grabs the cup and downs every drop herself.  You can only see the very tip of her muzzle, but you nonetheless sense she's staring at you.
>Another smile crosses her now-red-stained lips.
>"So, what can I do for you this evening?"

>"Well... okay, I'm sorry, but I have to ask: what even IS that tea?"
>Another wispy chuckle.
>"It is an old family recipe, child.  I am afraid I cannot share the ingredients with someone I have only just met."
>"Okay then.  Sorry it wasn't for me."
>"Ah, worry not.  You are not the first nor the last."
>"Anyway, uh... what is it you do, miss-"
>"Umbra?  Hmhm.  I felt the name bubbling to the forefront of your mind.  Charming, I believe I shall keep it.  As for your other question, I read the very fabric of the Dreamscape itself to offer you advice, read your fate, or to simply inform you of things you may not have known."
>"Wow.  What do I have to do in exchange?"
>"I require from you only a modest fee of Ż15 a session."
>"Understood."
>"I feel as though you wish to ask me something as we speak.  Is that so?"
>"Uh, yes, actually."
>"Wonderful.  I am afraid I must ask for payment up front, however.  I do apologize for that, but I have had clients dash off without paying before..."

>Nodding, you hand over 15 of the strange bills from your back pocket.  They look like normal dollar bills, but where a president should be is instead a blank portrait.  It makes you feel as if something should be there...
>Umbra takes the money, smiles... then eats all 15 bills, chowing down on them as though they were chips.
>She clears her throat and pushes her chair back, then pauses, a small smile on her face.
>"I believe you will enjoy this part.  Most clients do."
>With a fluid motion, she stands and casts off her cloak, revealing absolutely no other garments beneath.
>It's now clear she's a goat woman, judging by the horns and hooves. White, pupil-less eyes stare at you, half-lidded.
>Her entire body is partly transparent, like a stereotypical crystal ball.
>Her tea and the Z's you spent lazily float around inside her belly, with the liquid forming strange swirls and plumes.
>She takes a seat once more, resting her bare chest on the table with a CLACK.
>"Now then.  Questions?"
>"Uhhhh... what can you tell me about Serenity?"
>Her white eyes gain black, hypnotic swirls for a moment.
>"Ahh.  The grey one, yes?  A strange woman.  Dread walks with her like an old friend.  Words come to her lips rarely, but when she speaks, all listen.  Her station is unknown, but some rumor she is a very important individual.  If given the opportunity, she will pursue an item or person of interest relentlessly, never ceasing her pursuit, slow as it may be."
>"Oh... is she-"
>"Hmhmhm.  She is on your trail, child.  Getting warmer every moment."
>"What happens if she catches me?"
>"I know not the consequences of that."
>"I see. How big is the Dreamscape?"
>"It is fairly comprehensive, and expanding constantly.  To put an exact size to it would be an insult."
>"How many hotels are there?"
>"Precisely one.  And I must say: the long one runs a very tight ship."
>"What are some places closed off to me, and how can I access them?"
>"Ah.  I sense two shops lying in wait as we speak.  I believe my neighbor is ready for you now.  As for the other... she is rather fond of bookmarks, and deals with those who use them."
>"So..."
>"Once you utilize one of those marks, her doors will open to you."
>"What unlocked your neighbor's door?"
>"One must spend money to gain her interest.  And, well..."
>She shimmies a little, and the Z's she devoured float up, nesting within her transparent chest.
>"...ah, I have another bit of advice for you, child.  Shoot for the moon, whenever possible.  You may find companionship that way."
>"Huh.  Oh, another question: how are you?"
>She blinks a few times, frowning.
>"Mm?"
>"How are you doing today?"
>"...I am very well, actually.  Thank you, child."

[CASH]
Ż35

>Umbra stretches a bit, smiling.
>"You have but one last question, I sense."
>"Right.  What can you tell me about the river?"
>"Ah, Lamplight River... it is a beautiful place.  Very popular tourist destination. I believe the grey one and the long one are fond of it as well.  A woman lives there, on the banks of that shining stream.  She tells me the river has an incredible relaxing effect. Almost like magic, even."
>"Sounds nice.  Thanks for your time, Umbra."
>"Do not mention it, child.  I appreciate your patronage.  ...and your asking about my day.  That is a question I rarely receive."
>The Z's inside her dissolve, and she pulls her cloak back on, nodding and smiling.
>"Return to me any time you have further need of my services."
>You bid her farewell and head back onto Main Street.
>Right next door, what previously looked like an abandoned shack has blossomed into a gaudy, neon-festooned casino.
>Neat.
>As you look at the new casino, you inadvently bump into one of the countless mice walking about. Another nearby one grunts and speaks.
>"Oop, sorry about that!  I'm a little clumsy."

>Confused, you turn to the mouse that spoke.
>"Oh, sorry, it was my bad; guess I bumped you too?"
>A third mouse responds.
>"No no, it was my fault, mac, I'm takin' up half the street here."
>"...well, uh, are you alright?"
>Sure enough, yet another one responds.
>"Yeah, I'm good; you didn't smack into me that hard."
>This is getting confusing...
>"...are you all the same person?"
>"Yeah, that's me!  We're all me!"
>Every single one of the mice tips her hat at you, white masks now bearing drawn smiles rather than blank expressions.
>Every time the mass speaks, the brisk voice emits from a different individual.
>"Nice to meetcha.  Don't worry about bumpin' into me, mac, I'm fine.  You alright?"
>"Uhh.. y-yeah."
>"That's swell."
>You get a better look at the mice now.  Each one is completely identical, standing about two inches taller than you and wearing a brown suit and fedora. Their smooth white masks have a smile drawn on with remarkably good penmanship.
>Their fur is beige, and each one has long, flowing black hair.

>You smile, trying to think of a name for this woman- these women?
>"Hm.  Which sounds better to you, Haya or Nessie?"
>"How bout Haya?  I like that."
>"Alright, Haya it is.  Where were you all headed?"
>"Aw, y'know.  Running some errands, getting a little shopping in.  Just another day on the town."
>"Do you come here often?"
>"When ya have this many mouths to feed, you better believe I'm here everyday, mac."
>"Fair enough.  What's the deal with that grey woman you were avoiding?  Is she dangerous?"
>"Sweetheart, lemme tell ya.  Y'know how she sends a chill down your spine? Imagine having a couple hundred spines to chill.  I don't know or care if she's dangerous, I'm getting outta dodge if she shows up."

>"That makes sense.  So, uh... do you mind me asking some questions about how you... work?"
>One of Haya's bodies shrugs.
>"Shoot, mac, I don't have any problems with that."
>"Okay... how does your mind work?  Are you one mind, many bodies, or many minds in one network?"
>"One mind, one personality.  We're all Haya.  Make sense?"
>"Yeah.  So, are you a 'she' or a 'they?' Would you be a mouse or mice?"
>"Well, I'm one woman with about 200 or so bodies, so I'm a she, not a they.  Singulars work better.  As for the other, I'm a mice.  Like, you'd say 'look at that mice over there.'"
>"Ohhh, okay."
>"I ain't losing you, am I, mac?"
>"No, no... I think I follow."
>"Nice."
>"So, uh, you must see a lot... anything around here particularly interesting or dangerous?"
>"I'll be honest: I don't leave town much.  It's just a hassle, logistically.  But, uh, there's some creepy-ass woods just across the river, if that's your jam.  The casino just opened back up, so you better believe I'm gonna be in there.  Uhhh, what else... oh yeah, they just put an arcade in at the Mall..."
>"Sounds neat.  Thanks."
>"Don't mention it, slick."

>"Think I'll go take a look at those woods.  See you later, Haya."
>"Later, mac; gonna send some of me into that there casino..."
>As you walk away, you see a gap beginning to form in the crowd of Haya's bodies...
>...and a familiar grey shape.
>You run for the river.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gaCIgnIDQA]

>The Lamplight River runs as far as you can see. Fireflies in every color lazily flit around, granting the place a resplendent glow.
>Despite it being midday on Main Street, it's twilight here.  The moon hangs over everything, the crescent reluctantly sharing some light.
>The water itself glows a soft blue.
>Across the river, you can see incredibly dense woods, the leaves black as tar.
>On the bank sits a woman, calmly fishing.  A wide brimmed boonie hat obscures her eyes completely.
>You cast a glance behind you, panting, and a low, contralto voice speaks up.
>"Take a breather, son, this ol' river is a place where you can get away from all those troubles chasin' you down.  You're safe here."

>Sighing in relief, you turn to the woman, smiling.
>"Thank you, Ma'am."
>She nods, looking towards you now.
>Her eyes are totally obscured by her hat; countless colorful lures and hooks are stuck around the band of it.
>Her fur looks smooth and plush, and is the color of an actual river, a sort of greenish brown.  You come to the conclusion, somehow, that she's a mink.
>Her "fishing rod," on closer inspection, is her tail, hanging over the water with a line dangling off it.
>A fishing vest is stretched to its limits by a positively prodigious bust, while the rest of her is fairly lean.
>Her lips seem... jagged.  Almost like the sort of mouth you might see on a cartoon alligator, even.
>She grins and speaks again in a deep, smooth voice. The inside of her mouth, as well as her tongue, is the same soft blue as Lamplight River itself.
>"Don't thank me, son, I didn't put this ol' bank here. Hyeh heh heh..."
>"Right.  How's the fishing today?  Err, tonight?"
>"It's a nice evenin' for fishin'.  Course, every evenin' is.  Then again, who am I to tell you it's a good evenin'? Heck, for you, it may well be a good mornin'.  Or a decent noon.  Don't let me tell ya what time of day it is, son, you live your life however you want."
>"...o... kay... uhh.  What about that grey woman chasing me?  What happens if she catches me?"
>"Her methods are hers to know, and hers alone.  Who would I be to pry?  Not my place to meddle with some girl's huntin'.  Course, if'n you don't wanna see her methods firsthand... well, just be careful, son.  Or don't; don't let me tell you what to do..."

>Hearing footsteps slowly approaching, you swallow your fear and turn to Ma'am.
>"Do you mind if I break off this conversation for a moment to confront Serenity?"
>"Son, don't let little ol' me get in the way of what you need to do.  Then again, don't feel like you need to listen to me, either.  If you WANNA let me stand in your way, then do it, son."
>"...right. Thank you."
>The mink nods and returns to fishing silently.
>Almost immediately, Serenity slowly, solemnly marches up to you, hands clasped and a look of mild annoyance on her face.
>You still feel a vague, nagging fear... but the calming aura of the River seems to dull it, somewhat. Serenity doesn't seem remotely as frightening as she did before.
>She stares at you silently, expectantly.

>The two of you stare at each other for what feels like an hour.  The tension in the air is palpable.
>Ma'am quietly fishes, ignoring you altogether.
>Serenity blinks a single time, twitching one ear.
>"..."
>"...I... I just want to say, upfront, I'm sorry."
>She almost imperceptibly raises an eyebrow.
>"I'm sorry I ran.  I was... afraid."
>To your amazement, she looks... almost sad at the last word.  Her frown deepens a little, her ears droop slightly.
>"..."
>"But I'm not going to run now.  If there's something, anything you want to say to me... I'm here to listen."
>She closes her eyes tightly, hanging her head a little.
>One minuscule tear drips from one of her eyes as she trembles slightly.
>"...Serenity?"
>She shows no sign of hearing you for about a minute... then opens her mouth as if to speak.
>It's immediately apparent that, rather than continue into a throat, her mouth terminates in a grey "wall" just past her back teeth.
>Not a single sound escapes her lips before she closes her mouth.

>"Oh... you poor thing.  I'm so sorry."
>You step forward and hug her before thinking about it. A chill flows down your spine as soon as you make contact, but you proceed and wrap your arms around her.
>Her cloak feels as though it's made of a very high quality material. Her fur is... strangely wiry, considering it looks fairly normal.
>At your touch, she tenses up greatly, opening her eyes and staring, bewildered.
>She opens her mouth again, only to close it in favor of simply blinking in shock.
>Stiffly, she twitches her tail, then awkwardly puts her hands behind her back, putting on a tiny smile.
>"Is there some way I could help you communicate?  Like... pen and paper... a computer... anything?"
>She narrows her eyes and seems to scan you, as though trying to ascertain your intentions.  After a moment, she gently shakes her head.
>"..."
>"Are you sure?  I don't mind..."
>She nods and gently pulls out of your hug.  She then closes her eyes for a second, mouthing something, and places a hand on your shoulder.
>Incredibly sharp claws gently pierce your shoulder as you suddenly feel a wave of emotions.
>You feel... appreciative, but as though you don't really NEED... whatever is being offered.
>She takes her hand off and tilts her head inquisitively.
>"...?"

>You put a hand on your shoulder...
>Your shirt is torn, but there don't appear to be any actual wounds.
>Serenity frowns and repeats her motion from before.
>This time, you feel as though you desperately want to be understood...
>She pulls her hand away and tilts her head again.
>"...are you... sharing your feelings with me?"
>She nods once, smiling a bit.
>"Ohhh.  I see.  At least you can communicate, then."
>She frowns and looks down at the floor silently.
>"..."
>"...sorry if I'm upsetting you.  I'm just... new to this. This dream stuff.  I'm still sorry about being afraid."
>Just as before, when you say 'afraid,' she looks distressed.
>Opening her mouth silently, she reaches a hand out and claps it onto your shoulder.
>You feel a strange cocktail of emotions...
>You don't want Anon to be frightened... but some part of you feels... as though you're doing something you were SUPPOSED to do...
>Serenity takes her hand away and looks apologetic, wringing her hands a little.

>Seeing her grow increasingly distressed, you place a consoling hand on her shoulder.
>"Hey.  You're fine, I promise."
>Her eyes widen, her jaw drops.
>"...!"
>She smiles gently and pierces your shoulder again.
>You feel almost overwhelmingly happy. Intoxicatingly giddy, even.
>She pulls away once more, clasping her hands together with a mild smile.
>"...Serenity.  I spoke to the fortune teller, Umbra... she said you tend to pursue things... what is it you're after?"
>After a short pause, she gently points at you.
>"...why?"
>She looks absolutely stumped at this question. She blinks a few times, eyes wide.
>Looking apologetic, she again stabs you.
>Now you feel... as though you have some obligation to follow Anon.  Some purpose...
>She pulls back before you can really get an idea of what that purpose is.
>"I... see.  Serenity, may I ask... what ARE you?  Are you my fears?"
>She puts a hand to her chin and, after a bit of thinking, shakes her head a little.
>"Are you... a nightmare?"
>She looks as if you've slapped her across the face. She takes a step back, staring at you.
>Even the crickets chirping go silent.
>Her normally rather neutral expression looks utterly horrified.

>Feeling that you must've offended her, you step forward, grabbing her hands gently.
>"Serenity, I'm sorry.  I... shouldn't have said that so lightly.  I'm still super new to this.  You don't have to forgive me, but I want you to know I'm sorry."
>She still looks frightened... she gently sticks her claws into your wrist...
>...you feel as though a closely guarded secret, one you hoped never got out, just got revealed.
>And that you're hated for it.
>She pulls her claws back.
>You unhesitantly pull her into a hug, drawing a baffled look from the grey woman.
>"Regardless of what you are, it's okay.  You haven't done a thing in this world to harm me.  You seem to be a nice woman, Serenity.  If you can show me patience and understanding, I can do the same for you."
>She blinks in shock, getting teary eyed.  Another stab of her claws makes you feel like...
>Like... you don't understand why someone would forgive you.
>"..."
>"I forgive you because you haven't done anything to me.  I only hope you can forgive me..."
>A smile crosses her face, and she embraces you, tears running down her face.
>As soon as her arms wrap around you, a wave of terror hits HARD.  You stand stoic, showing no fear as you pat her back consolingly.

>As the icy grip of terror tightens, you take a deep breath.
>In....
>....and out.
>Sigh.
>You look at Serenity.  Her eyes are closed, a genuine smile is spread across her face.
>...She's not going to hurt you.
>Despite that feeling continuing to gnaw at the back of your mind, you do everything you can to supress that fear.
>"So, uh... is there anywhere you'd like to go, Serenity? We could travel together..."
>She looks thoughtful, then shrugs with a tiny, sheepish grin.
>"Oh.  Well, uh... you can tag along with me, if you want.  I'd appreciate the company."
>She nods vigorously.
>From behind you, a low, drawling chuckle rings out.
>"Travelin' with her, ey? Good on you, son.  Don't you let a soul tell you to ditch her, y'hear?  A young lady like that deserves some respect.  It ain't easy, havin' her job..."
>"Her job?"
>"Now come on, son.  You just said the word yourself."
>"...understood.  Thank you, Ma'am."
>"Don't mention it.  You kids have fun, y'hear?  Or don't! Don't feel obligated to have a good time on my account..."
>Serenity puts a hand over her mouth, miming laughter, then looks at you expectantly.

>As Serenity stops "laughing," you smile at her.
>"So, you can't make ANY sounds, huh?"
>She shakes her head gently.
>"Hey, that's okay.  Do you wanna go to the forest with me?"
>She nods eagerly, smiling... then suddenly seems to realize something.  She inserts her claws into your shoulder, looking concerned.
>You feel like... something on the opposite side of the woods is to be avoided at any costs...
>Something... with gr-
>She abruptly pulls away, interrupting the thought.
>"Well, uh, we'll stay inside the woods then.  Is that safe?"
>She nods and directs your attention to a bridge crossing the river.  The two of you bid Ma'am farewell and cross.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oay4oU6bh-s]

>The forest is unusually sterile, not a single leaf littering the ground despite the brisk autumnal air.
>Other than a strange sort of... music... you hear nothing.  No crickets, no animals, nothing.
>The leaves are all black as pitch, and a hysterical, deep red light shines down through the canopy.
>Serenity seems at ease, though the forest gives you the creeps.
>Ahead is a fork in the road.  To the left, you can make out a thicket of brambles.  To the right, an outcropping of transparent mushrooms.
>Straight ahead, the trees grow thicker.  It doesn't look entirely impassable...

>Thinking on it, you decide to head right.
>The path is quickly surrounded by clear, gently pulsating mushrooms.
>Serenity regards them with a neutral gaze, but the faint pulsing, squelching sound puts you on edge. It's almost like a heartbeat...
>Up ahead, a huge shrub blocks the path; it is covered in countless mushrooms, including one massive cap easily twice the size of your head.
>...a steady, raspy breathing sound emanates from within the shrub.
>On the ground beside it, a large branch lays. Its bark is pitch black, and it looks very sturdy.

>Hm.  That branch could probably be useful for something.  You pick it up and somehow store it...
>...it dawns on you that you don't really know WHERE you've been keeping things like the Clio doll... ah well, dream logic.
>Just to be safe, though, you reach behind yourself and pull out the branch, just to be sure you can find it if you need it.
>With that done, you cautiously prod the breathing shrub with the black branch.  It takes a sharp breath, then seems to rise up...
>A tall, frightfully gaunt deer woman rises from the shrub, with the plant limply falling off her bare body.
>Her fur is a sickly off-white color, and her eyes are a piercing pink with slit pupils.
>Atop her head, two massive, twisted mushrooms approximate horns.  They twitch and pulsate as she breathes.
>The rest of her is bizarrely normal for a dream inhabitant, barring her impossibly thin form.
>She breathes heavily a few times, eyes darting from you to Serenity, then speaks in a slow, raspy voice.
>"hhhhhhhhh... who's there?"
>"Uh, I'm Anon, and this is my friend Serenity..."
>The deer looks inquisitive, then suddenly speaks in a louder, brisker voice.
>"DREAMER.  CONSUME THE MUSHROOMS, JOIN-"
>With a shake of her head, she returns to her prior tone.
>"ahem.  you were saying?"

[INVENTORY]
Bookmark: 1
Clio Doll
DOZE INN Note
Room Key
Sturdy Branch

>Nope.  Nope nope nope.
>"Ummm... n-nothing.  Sorry to bother you, miss.  Have a nice sleep."
>She mutters something, then gently lays back down, pulsing mushroom "horns" jutting from the shrub.
>...part of you wants to tear a mushroom off that shrub and eat it...
>...a very big part of you.
>...
>One bite couldn't hurt, right?
>You reach for one of the fungi, and Serenity grabs your hand.
>Her face just screams "what the hell is wrong with you?"
>She shakes her head and leads you back to the fork in the road.

>Casting one last glance down the fungal path, you shudder and head leftwards.
>The path is wreathed in thorny vines of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
>Curved thorns... straight thorns... red, black, blue thorns...
>It takes delicate footwork to avoid being cut to ribbons...
>Eventually, you reach a massive thicket of brambles.  A low growl emanates from within as malicious brown eyes glimmer.
>"No go farther."
>The voice is low, gravelly, and harsh...
>The air is filled with a palpable tension... and the sound of... sniffing?

>The sniffing continues, and you carefully retrieve your branch.  Serenity moves in front of you slightly.
>"Do you want me to go back?"
>"Hmph.  Smell... dreamer... humyn... man.  Also... a scare..."
>"Hello?  Do you want me to back off or not?"
>Another snarl.
>"Still.  NOW."
>You comply, keeping a tight grip on your "weapon" as the thicket rustles wildly.
>A huge shape bursts out of it, leaping into the air and landing in front of you roughly.
>Standing over you is a towering, muscular... thing.
>It's VERY obvious she's female, but her species is more elusive.  She seems to have a mixture of fur and scales, leaning more towards the latter.
>Her fur is a sandy color, while her scales are jet-black.
>Massive, snakelike fangs glint in the red light as her eyes focus on you intently. Pointed ears twitch madly, as does her nose.
>An almost whip-like tail angrily flicks behind her as she brandishes sharp claws.
>Most bizzarely, a pair of horns start at the back of her head, behind her ears, and wrap around her head, stopping just shy of making a full circle and curving up into "thorns".
>Speaking of, bramble vines are wrapped around much of her body like "clothes."
>She leans over you and roughly jabs her nose into your hair, sniffing loudly.
>"Mmph.  Unmarked.  Good."
>She steps back, sizing you up.

>The woman eyes you expectantly, then almost flinches when you speak, hanging on your words.
>"Well, uh, Bramber, I'm Anon, and this is Serenity.  I-"
>The towering woman holds a hand up to stop you.
>"Bramber hears enough.  Anon unmarked man.  Smell nice too.  Ser... rrgh, Scare doesn't smell mean..."
>"Er, unmarked?"
>"Yeh, single. No mate.  Bramber unmarked too.  Scarenity too, Bramber thinks."
>Bramber nods and slaps you on the shoulder roughly, grinning and showing off alarmingly sharp teeth all around.
>"Nice to meet!"

>You chuckle nervously as Bramber roughly pats you a few more times, then sniffs Serenity.  A huge grin spreads across her face.
>"Mmm!  Scare been to town?  Bramber smells food~"
>The towering woman aggressively sniffs your companion repeatedly, much to the nightmare's annoyance.  Bramber drools a bit and licks her lips.
>"Mm, MM!  Got food for Bramber?"
>Serenity angrily shakes her head, pulling her cloak tighter around herself.
>"Awww.  That okay.  Bramber still happy to meet two cute unmarks."
>"Err, why does it matter that we're single?"
>"Eh?  Bramber not gonna take marks!  Rude!"
>"Oh, okay..."

>"...wait, TAKE?"
>"Yeh!  Don't see much dreamers.  Not much unmarks, either.  And REALLY not much cutes!"
>"Are you... lonely?"
>"Eh?  No, Bramber just want a mark.  Or two!  Anon and Scary make GOOD marks, both cute!"
>"Well, thanks. You're cute too-"
>"Bramber a cute???"
>She lifts you up and squeezes you in a tight bear hug, burying your face in furry cleavage for a moment.
>"Mmph!  Cute and a sweet! Anon make a great mark."
>"H-hold on, please, can you not mark me just yet?"
>"Huh?  Yeh, yeh, Bramber no mark yet."
>She sheepishly sets you down.
>"What about Sereniddy?  Bramber mark?"
>The grey nightmare shakes her head.
>"Aww... maybe next time."
>"Thanks for being polite about this, Bramber."
>"Yeh!  Not right to mark when cute don't want it yet."
>"Is there anything interesting in these woods we might wanna see?"
>"HRM... weird muchrooms... big scary house... Bramber..."
>"Scary house?"
>"Yeh, a scary.  No scare Bramber, though."
>"Huh.  Does Serenity scare you?"
>"Neh.  She too cute!!!"
>"...r-right. Anything we could trade to the junk lady for her gun?"
>"Junk...?  Oh, OH!  Big metal cute!  Heheheh, BIG cute."
>Bramber winks and uses her hands to trace an hourglass figure.
>"Bramber like~ ...oh!  But like small cutes too!  Ehhh... Anon stick about gun shape... maybe trade?"
>"Ohhh.  Okay, thanks."

>"Uhh, Bramber, do you mind if Serenity and I talk in private for a sec?"
>"Yeh!  Bramber won't listen, watch."
>She scrambles over to a tree and shoves her head inside a hole in the trunk.
>Serenity stares for a moment, then turns to you.
>"...?"
>"I was gonna ask... should we take her along?  Would you be comfortable with that?"
>The grey woman looks thoughtful, then stabs your shoulder.
>You feel like taking Bramber is okay... but that you'll stab her for real if she sniffs you again.
>Serenity retracts her claws.
>"O-okay.  Please try not to be stabby, okay?"
>She rolls her eyes, but nods.
>You walk over and tap Bramber on the side.  She pulls her head out of the tree with a grin.
>"Yeh?"
>"Bramber, do you wanna join us for a while?"
>She laughs heartily.
>"Bramber'd love to!  Heheh, maybe Bramber find some cutes out there... oh, oh; but won't take cutes Anon want to mark.  Rude."
>"Thanks.  Glad to have you with us."
>"Yeh! Thank!"

>With the towering Bramber in tow, you and your motley little crew head back to the river.
>The wood bridge creaks and groans in protest... but begrudgingly allows you to cross.
>Ma'am is still sitting by the river, now quietly humming to herself as she continues to fish.
>The moon glimmers still, drawing your new companion's attention.
>"Oooh, pretty!  Sometime, Bramber like think moon is eye of REEEALLY big cute~"
>Serenity mimes chuckling again as Bramber laughs heartily.  The mink also chuckles in her slow, drawling way.
>"So, y'all picked up another friend, huh?  Seems even ol' Night-Terror Forest can offer up something nice... oh, there I go rambling again..."
>Your Amazonian friend walks over to Ma'am and lays down on her stomach, staring with a smile.
>"You cute!"
>"Well, thank ya, sweetie.  I think I'm a bit too old for you, though.  Or maybe I'm not!  Who am I to dictate your tastes...?"
>Bramber leans forward and sniffs, then recoils.
>"BLEH!"
>"Mm?  Oh, sorry, sweetie.  Must be the bait I'm usin'."
>The thorn-covered hybrid snarls and stands up, rubbing her nose.

>You bid the fisherwoman farewell, then lead your party back to the Doze Inn.
>While you walk, Bramber rubs her nose, muttering.
>"Bait, mink say.  Huh!  Bramber's nose not broke.  Smell... something weird."
>You shrug it off as you enter the lobby.
>A few of Haya's bodies are milling about, but your attention is focused on a familiar fox polishing up the blank "OUR FOUNDER" photo.
>Clio hums happily before turning around and gasping, a huge smile on her face.
>"Anon!  It'th good to thee you again.  And thethe two mutht be... Therenity and Bramber, right?"
>"Uh... that's exactly right."
>The fox fistpumps.
>"Yeth!  I thtill got it!  Anywayth... how are you enjoying the Dreamthcape?"
>"It's been fun so far."
>"Great!  My both liketh to hear that.  I'll be thure to let her know necktht time I thee her!  ...oh!  I almotht forgot: we have new itemth in the gift thop!"

>"Sounds interesting.  I'll head on over and see what's new."
>"Okay!  Thee you there!"


>You enter the gift shop and carefully weave around Clio's massive tail, making your way to the register.
>The fox smiles and sets an assortment of plushies on the counter.
>"Here we go!  We only have one of each, thorry."

[LAYLA DOLL: Ż25]

>"I... don't know much about mith Layla..."

[SERENITY DOLL: Ż25]

>"...I'm thorry, mith Therenity, but thith little doll kinda creepth me out."

[ELISE DOLL: Ż25]

>"Thith ith a weird one... mith Elithe wath hard to make into a doll."

[UMBRA DOLL: Ż25]

>"Ooh, mith Umbra ith tho pretty... thometimeth I go get her to read my fortune for the fun of it!"

[HAYA DOLL: Ż25]

>"Technically I thould probably have ma- err, gotten more than one of thethe..."

[MA'AM DOLL: Ż25]

>"What a nithe lady... I thee her by the river all the time."

[BRAMBER DOLL: Ż25]

>"The thornth are plathtic!"
>Clio nods happily as she finishes showing off her wares.
>"Any quethtionth?"
>"Uh, one: are you free to come along with us?"
>"Oh geez, I'd love to!  But I can't leave the Inn until my thift ith over.  Thorry, maybe later!"

[CASH: Ż35]


>"Well... what time does your shift end?"
>Clio snickers.
>"Anon, there'th no time here, thilly!  But, uh, I thould be off... well, later, anyway."
>"Well, when you get off, feel free to join me."
>"O-oh geez... thankth!  I look forward to it...!  Ahem. Th-tho, uh... thee anything you like?"
>"I think I'm gonna save my Z's for now.  Thank you, though."
>"No problem!  If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
>"Right... say, what if you're off, though?  Where do you usually go?"
>"Well, thometimeth the mall... but uthually the river. It'th tho peathful..."
>She sighs dreamily, eyes practically shimmering.

>"So, uh, what's at the mall?"
>"Oh, it'th great!  There'th a nithe electronicth thtore... a HUGE arcade... and my favorite, the candy thtore~!"
>"Is that it?"
>"There'th more, don't worry!  If you want to thee it yourthelf, Checker Plathe Mall ith at the end of Main Thtreet.  Can't mith it!"
>"I see.  Thanks, Clio!  I'm gonna go make a trade with Elise, I'll see you later!"
>"Bye, Anon! Bye Therenity, Bramber! Thee ya!"
>You and your party wave farewell and head off.  Bramber stops at the end of Clio's tail and sniffs it inquisitively.
>"Mm!  Hotel shampoo! Bramber like."
>You gently nudge the Amazon until she begrudgingly follows you.
>Once on Main Street, you notice that Haya's bodies make an effort to give you ample room to walk.  How nice.
>You duck back into Elise's junk shop, and Bramber immediately looks starstruck.
>"B-b-b... BIG cute... Bramber be back!"
>She runs and dives behind a pile of scrap, her tail remaining visible as it flicks and twitches wildly.
>Elise grins at you invitingly.
>"Howdy, sugah.  Got somethin' for little ol' me?"
>"I think so... would this branch work in place of your gun?"
>You hand over the pitch black branch, and she appraises it.
>"Hmm.  Yeah, hun, this'll work jus' fine.  'Scuse me while I getcher gun..."
>The scrap heap roughly yanks a leg off, pulling the rifle out of place and shoving the branch in instead.  She reattaches her leg and nods, testing her weight on it with a grin.
>"Land sakes!  It actually feels stronger than that ol' boomstick.  Thanks, sugah, here's yore half!"
>She graciously hands over the gun.  It doesn't resemble any rifle you've ever seen... must be some kinda dream make.
>"Now, that oughta have some ammo in it, so be careful, m'kay?"

[INVENTORY]
Bookmark: 1
Clio Doll
DOZE INN Note
Dream Rifle
Room Key


>"Thanks for the trade, Elise!"
>"No problem, sugah!  Now, you ought not have ta load that little ol' thing... it should have one in the chamber anytime ya need it.  So be careful with it, seriously, hun.  Don't wanna get anyone hurt!"
>"Understood."
>You bid her farewell and head out of the shop, collecting Bramber as you pass her.  The towering Amazon giggles hazily, a bit of drool at the corner of her mouth.  Her tail flicks about drunkenly.
>Gun in hand, you think back to something Umbra said...
>...SURELY she didn't mean that literally, right?  Well, it IS a dream...
>You head back to the river, shoulder the rifle, and aim at the crescent moon.
>With a squeeze of the trigger, and a sound like a party popper going off, you fire at the moon.
>You can see the bullet glowing as it flies...
>...
>It strikes the moon, making a visible blur explosion; then, a glowing blue object hurtles down from the point of impact, crashing down a little ways up the river.
>You cautiously approach the crash site, and are immediately accosted by a lanky, hunched over rabbit woman.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4EIDJpRsUg]

>Her fur is black as the night sky.  Her tall ears stick up ramrod straight.  A skintight, black jumpsuit shows off a lean figure nicely.
>Her face is completely obscured by a fishbowl-style glass helmet that glows a strange blue.
>She tilts her head at an odd angle as she seems to... hover, limply, just above the ground.
>Though her eyes aren't visible, she seems to be staring at you.
>A voice emanates from within her helmet, crackling and popping as though coming from an old walkie talkie.
[CRRK, mission control, surface not yet reached.  ETA approximately 9999999999999999999999999999999....]
>She slowly trails off, her voice dissolving into static.
[....CRRK.  Over.]

>The rabbit hovers quietly, staring eerily.
>"Uhhh... hi there, Loony.  Sorry about, uh, shooting at you."
[CRRK.  Downgrade threat level to gingham, boys.  Over.]
>"Uh... how long were you up there?"
[CRRK.  S-stardate fffffour... no, twoooo... ...Stardate orange?]
>She seems a little confused...

>Concerned, you slowly circle the rabbit, inspecting her helmet for blood or cracks.
>Bramber starts to sniff her, but you motion for her to back off.
[CRRK.  No damage to the shuttle on re-entry.  No... no shuttle to the re-damage on entry...?]
>"...Loony, I didn't shoot YOU, did I?"
[CRRK.  Negative.  Asteroid impacted Site Beta-Upsilon-Theta-Theta and was deflected.]
>"Oh, good... I guess?  Uh, I'm Anon, and these are my friends S-"
>Loony drifts listlessy over to Serenity and Bramber, vaguely running her hands across their heads.
[CRRK.  Such strange stars... I believe I'll call the grey one Grey and the large one.........]
>She trails off as her hands limply fall to her sides, then bobs over to you.
[CRRK.  Establishing contact with Planet Anon... attempting to orbit...]
>Loony floats up slightly, then begins floating around you in a circle at a lazy speed.
>Static flatly erupts from her helmet as she flies.
>"Uhhh, Loony, what did you mean by those stardates?"
[...huh?  CRRK.  Launch date... uh... launch was... star... date.... ....M-Mars...???]

>It's become very apparent that this woman is VERY spacey.
>"...hey, wait a minute.  Are you trying to call me dense?"
[CRRK.  Planet Anon is approximately as dense as Planet Anon.]
>Sigh.
>"It doesn't matter.  Anyway... what brings you, uh, down here?"
[CRRK.  Remember your training!  In a zero G environment, down can be any direction!  Don't get disoriented; remember this saying: ......]
>...
>"Can you say ANYTHING that makes sense to us, uh, Earthlings?"
>She perks up slightly at the last word, but still remains listlessly detached.
[CRRK.  The local fauna claim to be Earthlings... how absurd.  Even a child could tell you Earth is an uninhabitable hhhhh... HHHHh...  Hhhhh...]
>She trails off into raspy wheezing for a moment.  Concerned, you pat her on the back until she abruptly finishes her thought as if nothing happened.
[HELLHOLE!  Over.]

>"Hellhole?  Earth's a perfectly fine planet!"
[CRRK.  I concur; Earth is such a beautiful planet... all that blue and green...]
>"But you just- nevermind.  We're not even on Earth right now, anyway, we're in the Dreamscape..."
[We... we are?]
>"...huh?  You didn't know?"
[...]
>"Loony?"
[CRRK.  Affirmative; current location is Schemedrape... err, Dreamscape...?]
>"Uhh.  Do you... do you need help?  Phoning home, or something?"
[CRRK.  Negative.  Directive is to obs- uhh, to stu- uhhhh... to... t-to...]
>Loony seems to suddenly have a startling moment of clarity.
[...why... why AM I here...?]
>She reaches up as if to remove her helmet, then suddenly stops, letting her hands fall to her sides again.
[CRRK.]

>"Well, maybe we'll figure it out later.  For now, do you wanna come with?"
[CRRK.  Instructions unclear.  Please repeat.]
>"Uh, I just asked if you wanted to follow us..."
[I don't... repeat?]
>"Follow us?"
[...]
>She hovers silently, staring as she orbits you slowly.
>As you see your face reflected in her helmet, an idea strikes.
>"Hey... do you want help taking that helmet off?"
[Requesting assistance.]
>"Alright."
>She slows to a halt, and you place your hands on either side of the glass. Loony immediately begins breathing faster, almost seeming to panic.
>Just as you get it loosened up and begin sliding it up, she speaks.
[W-wait, I changed my m-]
>She's cut off by the helmet sliding up and off her... head?
>Between her shoulders and ears, there's nothing more than a shapeless wisp of blue energy.  It almost looks like a minuscule galaxy, actually, with little "stars" trailing off it as it idly wavers.
>Loony gasps for air for a moment, then reaches up and runs her hands through her "head."  After a moment, she speaks, walkie talkie effect traded for an ethereal echo.
[H.... huh?  W-what?]

>You can't help but stare into the starry expanse that is Loony.
>She's... beautiful.
>"Wow... I can see forever..."
[D-did you say something?]
>"Just complimenting your, uh, eyes...?"
[I don't... forever?  I don't understand?]
>"Oh, sorry.  I was just taking in the stars."
[I... oh, I think I understand...?  Th-thank you?]
>"...did you... not know you were like this?"
[Yes?  I'm not... that out of it, am I?]
>"Well, I don't mean any offense, but... you've been pretty out there."
[Oh?  I-I have?  Uh, sorry?]
>She reaches up and rubs her ears gently.
[...so you wanted me to come with you, I think?  I guess I can?]
>"Well, you're welcome to come with if you want."
[Th-thanks?]

>"...you don't HAVE to join us, if you don't want to."
[N-no, I... I would like having someone to travel with...]
>"Are you lost?  You... kinda seem like it."
[A little?  I suppose?  I-I'm sorry, I'm just a little confused..."
>"It's okay... does the helmet have something to do with that?  Was it controlling you or something?"
[No?  It's... just a helmet. But I... I've always felt strange with it off.  And with it on... I-I feel strange a lot of the time, actually...]
>"I'm sorry to hear that."
[No no... I-I'm fine... sorry to make you worry.  H-how about you introduce your friends to me?]
>"Oh, sure.  This is Serenity, and this is-"
>"Bramber!  ...mm, Loony smell like stars...!"
[Uhh... th-thanks?  It's nice to meet you three... I hope it's okay for me to tag along.]
>Serenity nods gently, and Bramber grins.
>"Yeh!  Pretty stars can come!"
>"I'd be glad to have you with us, Loony."
[Well... thank you.]

>With yet another dream lady in tow, you decide to head back to Main Street...
>And hit the Casino.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UquYwRy6QGE]

>As the gaudy exterior suggested, this place is an extravagant eyesore.
>The whole casino is festooned with golden decor and flickering lights.  Some of Haya's mouses wander around, visiting different tables.
>A woman sits at the bar, a glass full of quarters in front of her.  She moodily, ineffectually stirs the coins with a straw.
>As you walk around, taking in the sights, you bump into a wooden counter.  A brisk voice chuckles and speaks.
>"Easy there, tiger!  Gotta keep your eyes open."
>You look up to see a cat woman clad in a silver suit, complete with cape, top hat, even a monocle...
>...she seems to be made entirely of platinum, herself. She glimmers in the gaudy lighting as she grins, a predatory glint in her eyes.
>Her suit is fairly tight, showing off her curves... and a slight, but noticeable bit of pudge.
>"I'm not one to beat around the bush, so I'll ask upfront: you here to gamble?"
>"Uhh..."
>"GREAT!  Now then, the game's simple... I'll roll two dice (D6's, for any knuckleheads who may be confused).  All you gotta do is beat my roll.  If you do, hey presto!  You double your bet.  If you TIE me, you break even.  If you roll below me, though... heh, I get to keep yer money. What'llitbe, big man?  You gonna play ball, or are ya gonna be a coward?"

>She grins expectantly, already holding a pair of dice.
>"Uhhh... could you slow down a little?  Maybe give me a tour first?"
>Her grin immediately sours as she puts the dice away.
>"Bah.  Sure, I guess I can show ya the place.  Over there's the bar; drinks are only free for the PLAYERS, capiche?  I ain't shelling out to someone that ain't shelling out to me!  There's SUPPOSED to be a slot machine, but I think the ol' gal's on break.  (Lazy bitch.) Aaaaand that's about it. Look, pal, we ain't got much outside of the games, alright?  Cut a gal some slack... not like our vault's spilling over or anythin'. Heheh. ...oh that reminds me!  If yer gonna play, you gotta exchange your bills for coins.  Sorry, them's the breaks. We gotta machine, though. Alright, NOW I'm done."
>She sighs and pulls a silver cigar from behind her counter, taking a long drag and blowing a glimmering cloud of silver smoke.  It smells like a handful of change...
>"So ya gonna play or what?"

>"Uh... sure, miss Chancey..."
>"Chancey, huh.  Ain't that one of them, ah... Pokermans?  Screwit, not important.  Just putcher bills into the slot on the counter here, and it'll spit out yer coins."
>You tentatively insert Ż20.  A small dispenser coughs up a handful of coins. Chancey's eyes light up at the sight of the change.
>"Hell yeah.  Now THAT'S what I like ta see."
>"Heh... so, you own this place?  It's pretty nice."
>"Yeah, it's pretty nice, ain't it?  Went through some lean times getting it built... but hey, ain't had any of those in a while, as ya can probably tell, heh."
>She grins and rubs her belly a bit before pulling out the dice again.
>"So, ready to play, huh?"
>"Uh, lemme see if my friends wanna play."
>"Mmm, I dunno if they got any money on em, tiger."
>Serenity hangs her head a bit before shaking it. Bramber shrugs helplessly. Loony doesn't respond at all.
>"Jus' you, then.  Lemme roll first... after you bet, naturally."

[INVENTORY]
Bookmark: 1
Casino Coins: 20
Clio Doll
DOZE INN Note
Dream Rifle
Room Key

[CASH: Ż15]


>"Well... think I'll start small.  Just one Z."
>Chancey's grin deflates as she rolls her eyes.
>"One lousy...! Eh, whatever.  ROLLING!"
>Chancey rolls a 6... then slams her fist on the counter angrily.
>"DAMMIT!  Oh well, it's only one lousy Z.  Go on and roll, big man."
>You toss the dice...
>...5.
>The casino owner laughs triumphantly.
>"Better luck next time, tiger!  Your money's mine~"
>She snatches up the gold coin, examining it closely with a loving smile, then pops it into her mouth, swallowing it with a happy sigh.
>"Ahh~  Pleasure doing business with ya.  Feel free to try again, if ya feel lucky."

[INVENTORY]
Bookmark: 1
Casino Coins: 19
Clio Doll
DOZE INN Note
Dream Rifle
Room Key