Dreams and Prophecies

[Casey]

Casey went and got some dados and a couple changes of clothes before heading back to Kallisti. She spent sometime there watching the shows and even got some personal attention from a dancer named Jasmín. Lots of dancers - both male and female. Some sang. Some (including Jasmín) had used magic. Elyse danced too. There were lots of skimpy outfits and a lot of flesh. It’s was a lot of fun. 

At the end she sent Elyse a message and found her quickly. To her surprise Jasmín was waiting there too. ”This is Anna - she kind of lives in the same building I do.”

Anna gave her a grin and the trio walked to a building a couple of blocks away. Anna and Elyse said good night and she continued up the stairs while Casey and Elyse entered a room. ”You can have the bed and I’ll take the floor if that’s fine with you.”

Casey shrugged. ”Its big enough for both of us and it doesn’t make me uncomfortable to share.” Elyse was being careful to show that she wasn’t trying to make this about being intimate. It made a set feel more comfortable as a whole. 

Elyse nodded and they change into pajamas. That also didn’t bother Casey. She’d already seen most of what Elyse had to offer and generally didn’t care if others saw her. Casey climbed on to the bed and waited. 

”Im going to lead you through the exercises I go through to get into the dream. If it works, I’ll see you there in a moment. If not I’ll be back soon and we can try other things.”

Casey nodded as Elyse turned down the lights and got in next to her. Then Casey followed her instructions, mostly breathing exercises to calm her mind. Even so, she felt herself getting tired and sleepy. She let herself succumb. It was was she was here. 

Then she was there. She recognized it as that weird dream she had been in. Knowing that she decided to come here herself made it less scary and she looked around.  She was in Elyse’s room, but it wasn’t.  For now she was alone. She waited for Elyse to arrive. She said she would and Casey trusted that was the case.

[Elyse]

Elyse led Casey into the dream and when she feel asleep, Elyse followed. She was there in her room - but the dream version of it. Casey was there and she looked up, was startled for a moment, and then relaxed as she realized who was there.

”Its fine - just me. Although others may show up.”

Casey nodded and looked around, her clothes constantly shifting. It seemed to be a common problem for newcomers to the dream. ”You said it’s dangerous here?”

Elyse nodded. ”yes. Just as dangerous as the waking world - maybe more so. Control is different here - so people csn do things they might not be able to do otherwise. Speaking of control. Get a solid view of yourself in your mind. Think about who you are and what you’re wearing. The clothes shifting will stop.” Casey did so, and to Elyse’s surprise was wearing the same thing she was. Perhaps she had been indecisive and just went with what she saw.

Elyse gesture for her to follow and they headed outside. It looked like the red light district. ”Never really looked around when I was here before. Looks like the real world, but different.”

”It’s a reflection of the real world for sure,” she said in explanation. ”Things that are more permanent have a more solid reflection here.”

”So what can we do here?”

Elyse shrugged. ”I mostly know how to travel here and keep myself safe. I’m sure there is more to it than that. Some see prophecies - others can see other people’s dreams. I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I’m trying. You might see wolves here. They have a special connection to this place. Most of what I know I learned from them.” caey gave her an incredulous look. ”Im what’s called a wolfkin. I have some heightened senses and can talk to them. That’s the reason for the eye color. Everyone I know who is like me can come here, but not everyone who can come here is wolfkin.” Casey still looked a little in disbelief, but she was processing it well. It seemed. She was after all discovering a whole new world.

[Anita]

Anita was here. In the weird dream again. Last time she had been here she had saw images - images of the ascendancy building his monument in the Red Square. It had ended up happening. When she had explained her visions to Hayden, he had called her a prophet. She hadn’t talked to him since Nox’s healing. She thought about calling him. Maybe having another night of great sex, but then she’d think of Quillion. That seemed so weird. Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him.

She found herself in a part of the dream that looked like the Red Light District. Funny she should find herself here. She look around and saw two women. Both dressed in the same black body suit. She can’t remember having seen others here. One had golden eyes. The other…

When Anita saw her, her head swam. Images started pouring in. The woman was there, wearing armor of all things instead of the black body suit. She stood in front of a manor house - gothic style - and under construction. A blonde woman came out to greet her.

Th e images vanished and Anita was laying on her back, two women standing above her. Her heart was beating hard in her chest and her breathing was heavy. Last time she hadn’t passed out like that. She hoped she hadn’t been there long.

[Casey]

Casey was still putting everything together and trying to come to terms with all of this. There was a lot of supernatural stuff going on around here. Witches, wizards, and girls who could talk to wolves. Did bear people exist? How about vampires and poltergeists? How much was she unaware of. Casey wasn't sure that she believed Elyse, but what reason did she have not to. It made the weird, golden eyes make sense at least.

They were nearing where Kallisti would be located when they spotted another person. Casey tensed a bit not knowing if the woman was friend or foe. She looked to Elyse who seemed perfectly unfazed by this. When Casey looked back, the newcomer began to spasm and fell to the ground. Casey and Elyse almost moved as one, no worries entering their mind about the potential of a trap. Their concern was if the woman was hurt.

They arrived at her side, and Casey made sure she was breathing, but it wasn't long before the woman opened her eyes. "Are you okay?" she asked as the woman blinked and moved to sit up. Elyse helped.

"Yes, I'm fine. Or I will be at least," she said, and Casey noticed that she was wearing a Paramedic jacket.

Casey wasn't convinced. "What happened?" she asked.

The woman let out a light laugh. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Casey smiled. "I don't know. Today has been a day of discovering weird shit. Humor me. Name's Casey by the way. This is Elyse."

Anita was now looking better. She had appeared to be pale, but the color was coming back to her cheeks now. "Well - to continue with the weird shit, I sometimes see things. Things that are going to happen - prophecies. I just saw one. I've never passed out or seized before when it has happened, but this time. I don't know." She turned her gaze to Casey, meeting her eyes. "It was about you. I guess seeing you triggered it. I can't control when it happens."

Casey frowned. "Me?

Anita nodded. "Guess that gives you the right to know. I saw you - wearing armor. It reminded me off...what were they called. The Norse female warriors?"

"Valkyries?" Elyse asked.

Anita nodded and turned back to Casey and then gasped. "Just like that!" she pointed and Casey looked down. Her black body suit had been replaced with a suit of armor. She had pictured it in her head when Elyse had mentioned Valkyries. Anita chuckled and continued. "You were wearing exactly that. You even had a sword, but it was sheathed, and a shield attached to your arm. Then I saw you in front of a building - a manor house or castle, but it was under construction. A blonde woman came out to meet you. That was it?"

Casey hadn't banished the armor even though she knew how to. Truth was she thought it looked cool. "What does it mean though?"

Anita shrugged. "My guess is you need to find whatever this building is and go there."

Casey smiled. "Makes sense. Do I need to show up in cosplay as well?"

Anita laughed. "Don't think so. Think that's more a commentary on you instead of a requirement. I don't know for sure. I'm not really sure how to interpret them most of the time."

Casey thought about that. Anytime she channeled it had been to protect, and it was something that pushed her. Her friendship with Cadence had started with her feeling a need to protect her. Maybe there was some truth to that. "Just have to figure out how to find this place then. See what happens. Hopefully no danger involved."

"This is more instinct, but I don't think so. But I don't know for sure, so be prepared anyways."

Casey nodded. That was prudent advice. Suddenly an idea came to her mind. "Elyse is here, teaching me about this weird dream world place. I don't know how familiar you are with it, but maybe you can learn or help too." She turned to Elyse. "Elyse, you said this place was a reflection of the real world. Could we find this place in the dream somehow and figure out where it is?" Worst that could happen is that she would say no.

[Elyse]

Elyse listened mostly. Casey seemed okay with taking the lead on talking to Anita. She hadn't smelled anything unusual from the woman, but it seemed she had found another protege in the dream - and a prophet to boot. Elyse looked at Casey, now wearing armor. That made Elyse smile. In some way the armor fit the woman. That seemed to be a weird thing for a professional musician, but it still seemed right.

"Not really familiar with this place. Been here before, but never really explored it," Anita spoke first.

That actually surprised Elyse. Most newbies here seemed to have their clothing shifting. Anita didn't have that at all. The paramedic uniform just sort of stayed. She must have saw her job as extremely important. Important enough that it was a part of her identity. Anita was sitting and so Elyse sat down too. Casey remained standing. Maybe it was weird to sit on the ground with the armor, or she just wanted to stand.

"If I can help I certainly will. Would likely be able to find it if I could picture it, but I can't. Not in the detail necessary," Elyse said, and looked at Anita. "You might be able to though."

Anita looked at her, puzzled. "How?"

Elyse offered a smile. "Physics here don't work the same. I'll try to lead you in finding it. If you can find it, I can follow and take Casey with me." Anita gave her a smile and nodded. "Helps to close your eyes. Think of it - this castle - in all its details. Picture it - a solid place in your mind. Everything you remember about it. The more details, the better. Then imagine yourself there and..."

Anita disappeared then. Elyse gestured to Casey. "Here - quick!" she said and took Casey's hand. "Alright," she said and sniffed the air. Then she followed.

[Anita]

Anita thought of the building and pictured herself there. Then she felt something shift. When she opened her eyes she was standing before the building. The exact one she had seen Casey going to. She looked at it, awe filling her senses. She couldn't believe it. Anita went back to some of the things that she had heard them say before. This place was a reflection of the real world. That meant this building probably existed. No - it did exist, and Casey needed to go there. She was sure of it.

Seconds later, the other two women appeared, Elyse appearing to guide Casey. "This is it. Everything is right,"

Casey stared at the building, moving ahead of Elyse. "So the...prophecy means I need to go here? Why?"

Anita frowned. "I don't know. I'm not going to lie, I'm guessing and following my gut. I do think you need to find this building and the blonde woman I saw. She didn't seem violent towards you. She seemed to welcome you. I really don't think there is danger for you going there, but I don't know what this building is or anything."

Casey sat on the ground close to Anita, Elyse joined and all three women sat on the ground, looking at the building. Casey was frowning in thought, just staring at the building. Her breath hitched just a bit in an almost half-cry half-sigh.

"You okay?" Elyse asked, putting her hand on Casey's shoulder.

Casey nodded. "Yeah...there's just been a lot to process today." She faced Elyse and smiled. "I'll be fine - just taking it all in. Today I found out I can use magic, have supernatural dreams, there are wolf-people, and some woman is giving me prophecies. Fate could have spread this out a little more."

Anita sat a little closer and put a hand on Casey's other shoulder. The woman smiled at her in appreciation. Together the three turned back to the building.

[Casey]

Casey had a lot on her mind, but she tried to just focus on the prophecy for now. It was interesting and a little bit scary. In a way it reminded her a little bit of growing up. They always talked about prophets. Her pastor wouldn't have liked Anita's prophecy though. It wasn't from God - whatever that meant.

Casey turned to Anita as a thought came to her. "You said you thought the armor was a commentary on me. Why did you think that - and what do you think it means. I know that you're uncertain about interpreting. I just want your guess."

Anita met her gaze. "The armor felt out of place for the rest of the vision. The woman was wearing modern clothing. Yeah this is kind of a castle, but still the armor seemed weird. It just makes me think that its something else. Armor - like a soldier - but the sword is sheathed and the shield displayed prominently. Capable of fighting, but more of a defender. That's my thought."

Casey smiled. "You're better at this than you think. It's weird. I have this weird desire to protect people. Not just I don't want to see people get hurt. I just feel like I have to intervene when the situation isn't equal. Probably sounds weird, but it's true."

"Doesn't sound weird at all. Just sounds like you're a good person." Elyse said and Anita agreed.

Casey smiled. "Well sounds like I have work to do before our next recording session. If I can find this place at all."

[Elyse]

Elyse thought she might be able to help Casey with finding the castle, but wasn't sure. First though - she figured she'd finish the tutorial. "I can try to help with that, but first - let's go back to our dream basics. We can catch Anita up and review."

The group talked for a bit, going over the dream, it's rules, and how to enter and leave. Both women were feeling more comfortable with it. Elyse didn't know either of them well, but it seemed like they were quick to pick things up. She also had an admiration for Casey. She had gone through a lot today. Not that any of it had been bad, but she was taking things in stride, with only one momentary blip.

"Alright - I'm gonna take a look around. See if I can triangulate where we are. Be right back." Elyse shifted, using landmarks to kind of figure out where the building was. "I think I have an idea. I'm not sure if I'm right - but we can probably do research with having a smaller amount of area to cover. It's definitely in the Moscow area though - no journeys into Tibet or anything."

The women said goodbye and set a time to meet outside the dream too. It would be nice to meet "in person". Elyse reminded the other two that when you were here, you weren't getting as much rest. She waited for Anita to wake up first, guided Casey out and then woke up herself.

Elyse woke up in her room and Casey was already sitting up. "Thanks for helping me," she said with a smile.

Elyse returned it. "Come on - lets see if we can find your castle." Elyse got her laptop and showed Casey where she thought the building would be, emphasizing that she wasn't sure.

"It's a start. At least gives me a place to look. I can look on my own time and bother you if I get stuck," she grinned. "We should probably get some real sleep though."

Elyse nodded and they got back into bed. "I work weird hours so will probably sleep in. If you wake before me, you can get some coffee and food in the kitchen." Elyse would throw some extra in the food fund this week to pay for her guest even though she was sure Nox wouldn't care. "You can stay as long as you want - just be aware there are kids here. Some of them may even be fans - so you might have to deal with that too. Sky - please let the relevant people know that Casey is here as my guest and that she's friendly - at a time that won't disturb them. Casey, if I'm not awake - you can ask Sky for help too."

Sky responded in the affirmative. The people who lived here wouldn't be surprised to find a new person in their midst. The pair said goodnight and turned in, falling asleep quickly.