|| -------- -- -----  A E R I E   O B L I V I A N A . singular book of text wandertainment by Frank Edward Nora ------------------- ----------- CLOWN CENTAUR ARCHITECT--CUP 11--"ICY CALM" <-------  ||  Severe Repair  ||  Clown Centaur Architect  ||  -------> (Cup SRcc011, Created v2 (6/7/99), Copyright 1999) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = "Where... where is it that I am coming through to?" Thalerdrad asked. "Felptash." Felpever Wand said. "Not a bad place. We'll provide you with food, shelter, emotional support, and the resources you require to start on the new life of your choosing. I'm reading you as a benevolent sentient, and it's our ethic to save those lost in the vastness of nowhere." "I--I don't know if I can answer you." "That's up to you." "I--can I answer--can I answer that I accept your offer, only so long as you're telling the truth?" "That is acceptable." "Okay then--I accept your offer--only so long as you're telling the truth." "Fine. Now, this is, as I said, a delicate process. We have to prepare, and--" Again, the voice grew in volume until it was unintelligible. "Damn it!" Thalerdrad yelled. He went to hide his head in the pillow again, but before his face hit the pillow he saw that the futon was sinking into the black circle. The sound of roaring, buzzing saws filled the air as he frantically tried to scamper away from the futon, but before he could get moving at all, he was waist deep in black nothingness. He howled a savage howl, and looking straight up at the queer arrangement of black circles in the distance, roared out "HATED XONZEFT--I VOW TO DESTROY YOU!!!" And he was swallowed up in the void, but only for a few moments. The darkness was all around him, but soon, something began to take shape below him. It was... a room. Yes... definitely a room. It coalesced out of indistinct mists. He watched the process in fascination, then before he knew it, WHAM!--he dropped to the floor of the room. It was quiet and very dark, but his wolfen eyes quickly adjusted to the low light level. It was a richly appointed room--quality furniture, sculptures, a suit of armor, a fireplace, a nice rug. He drew his sword and crouched. "What's going on down there?" a male voice yelled from somewhere above him. His combat instincts kicked in strong and he knelt behind a piece of furniture, hiding himself and making no noise. "Dailan--I warned you--there'll be no more chances for you!" Upon hearing the severity in the tone of the speaker, a great rage rose up in Thalerdrad, and he roared out "I'm tired of these games ! Show yourself!" Thalerdrad heard nothing for the better part of a minute. Then, filled with courage, tired of cowardice, he stood up and began walking toward the flight of stairs he could see in the next room. "I'm not afraid of you, whatever you are." Thalerdrad said. "I'm ready to face you." "Kindly identify yourself." the voice said. In the next instant, Thalerdrad looked up the stairs just as Finjear Morno began descending them. The two locked eyes. Both were stunned by what they saw, standing silent. "My god..." Finjear finally said, quietly. "Who are you?" Thalerdrad growled threateningly, holding his sword out in front of him. "Finjear Morno." he said with an icy calm. "This is my house you are in." Thalerdrad narrowed his eyes. "Are you the one... who was talking to me before?" "I--" "Talking about Felptash?" Finjear raised one of his eyebrows, regarding the gigantic wolf-man with a touch of amusement. "My dear fellow, you are lost." he said after a long pause. "I feel... I feel that you mean me no harm. I think you need help." Thalerdrad stood silent, but lowered his blade a little. "I'm coming down." Finjear said. "We'll go into the drawing room and talk." Thalerdrad stared at the horned man, trying to size him up. Then he sheathed his weapon and stepped back. "If you are willing to give me the answers to this nightmare, I swear I'll do you no harm." "Fine, fine." Finjear said as he carefully began to descend the creaky steps. Thalerdrad stepped back from the stairs as Finjear came down. The white-haired man cautiously approached the massive form of the Triltan and motioned toward the room where Thalerdrad had fallen in. "In there." Thalerdrad nodded as he walked into the room. Finjear turned on an electric light which momentarily hurt Thalerdrad's eyes. Then Finjear sat, in a chair, and motioned for Thalerdrad to sit on the couch. He did. -------> ------------------- ----------- -------- -- -----