Authors notice: i didnt edit this and i wrote this in an incredibly manic-like state idk what was up with me
REPORT - DWELLERS OF NOTICE
NYTRIC
SULLEN ARRINGTON
SKYLYNN HURST
COSMAS FEATHERMAN - NOTE FROM DIRECTORS: Seems like an interesting fellow, works as a doctor for other hoppers. Maybe we can hire him to help with a raid? Doesn't seem like the worst idea.
JONTHANTHON PHELPS
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All I could hear was the ear breaking blast of a nearby shotgun, if I wasn`t in another room I probably would've gone straight up deaf. I was tending to one of their crewmates, who happened to get a massive slash on her arm. I break out a jar in one of my bags to try and find Manaberries, those tiny grapes that can accelerate healing. All I could wish was it to be over by this point and get a fair share of the cash.
All the woman was doing was weeping, she was in tremendous pain as the sword that slashed her was literally on fire. I break open a gel-like substance and start rubbing it on her wound. A scent of fruitiness fills the room. She cries out harder. Another spine wrecking blast can be heard. I just stared at her with my cold, dead eyes.
I just want the money. This is my job. I should try to be a little kinder. I guess.
"You're going to be ok," I said.
She's utterly incomprehensible, but her wound is almost gone thanks to the gel. I hear chitter chatter coming closer, I grab onto the knife next to my waist, until the two other Hoppers come into the room with two massive bags of crystals.
The stockier man speaks up "Got the cash!"
He starts to give his crewmates money. He gave me a bunch of square coins, studs, nice. I started to count through them only to realize it was about three fourths of what I wanted. I could speak up but this man could crush my head immediately, and I was tired. Seeing a lot of guts here made me tired and numb. I just want to get home to my roommates and their three billion pets. I get up and place down two coins, Aethercoins, and then grab a taser to light a portal and get outta here.
I kind of just blocked out what all three of the dudes were talking about, but then the only woman in the group grabbed my shoulder. The woman who I helped.
She speaks up "“Than- thank you for- for helping me. I've been needing to feed my daughter and now I can come ba- come back to her alive." She was still tearing up, but instead of pain it looked like joy. Might be a mix of both, actually.
Fuck, I feel bad.
Just be nice, "No problem, hope you two live a wonderful life." I replied.
I shock the Aethercoins, which then opens a portal that could probably fit a gnome through, might've let go too fast. I had to awkwardly crawl out of it to end back in my hometown.
The place was covered in a thick blanket of snow. Unlike the many times I have teleported here, I wasn't in some random forest. It looked like I was on an uncleaned street. I look up to watch the stars, Nyrtic is just a massive cavern that has gigantic holes at the top to show sunlight. Some parts are covered in complete darkness, others are covered in snow. All I had to do was walk down this road and hope I end up at my apartment.
It was cold, so cold.
All I could think of was that woman. I couldn't help her, I didn't know her. In that one in a million chance I got to save someone.
I don't… I don't know how to feel about that.
I need to get going.
While walking I stumble onto a scene of some guy getting kicked out of a cabin that was also a gigantic bar. It was some guy in a brown and black jacket with black hair and skin so white it mimics the snow. He had vibrant green scleras and massive green whiskers.
He shouts at the guy throwing him out of the bar, "FACK YOU!! I'M NOT… I SWEAR I'’M NOT GOING TO KILL HIM"
The guy just walks back in and closes the door behind him, not saying a single word to this bumbling freak. He starts slamming at the doors trying to get back in, prying them like his life depends on it. No use. I try to walk pass him, not wanting to bother him. Then I notice he starts following me, walking by my side.
"Hey uh…" He hiccups, "Do you… do you know another bar? I need to-"
"I don't drink, sorry" I cut him off.
"Oooh sorry, I'm just… I just need another drink."
God, this is so fucking awkward, I start trying to speed up to get away. He slowly falls behind.
He calls out, "Hey! I have an amazing book you'd like! You'd look like you'd like feminine literature."
He's gone, and I can see my apartment in the distance. Made of thick, blue bricks. I start running towards the apartment and to the door. Immediately slamming it behind me. Finally, I’m home. Time to greet my roommates.
I live in an apartment full of women, and they all probably have sparkles in their heads. Not saying they're stupid they're just particularly special, often enjoying really REALLY obscure media. I open the door to be immediately greeted by the meows of three cats. Pat and Mallory adopted them and treat them like their babies. All three of them are orange cats. One of them is especially fond of me, his name is Spinach for some reason. He starts trying to climb me like I’m a cat tree, digging his SHARP CLAWS into my legs.
"AUGH!" I yell out.
All three of them were apparently watching that "Really bad" fantasy romance movie they watch practically every year. Mallory scampers up to get Spinach off me.
"Hey hey! No, bad." She puts Spinach to the side to greet me. "Oh my god!! How has it been Cosmas?" She looks at me with glee in her eyes. That oddly optimistic brunette.
"Eh, it's alright." I walk to the couch to sit down with the others.
Apparently they also ordered pizza and a big bottle of soda, Gorple Juice, a popular grape soda drink. I end up pouring myself a cup and sitting with everyone.
Helianthus perks her little leaf ears up, "Sup 'Mas!"
Patty looks at me and quietly waves, not saying a word. Mallory sits right beside her with her arm around her shoulder. She gestures at Patty and Mallory gives her a little kiss on the cheek. I kind of grimace a bit, I don’t know I just always saw any form of romance uncomfortable. I mean I guess they're happy.
Mallory chatters, "You missed like most of the movie and they're about to kiss. It sucks because you missed ALL the funny parts about the movie."
I respond simply with a dead expression, "Wow, really?"
Helianthus replies with "Yeah! They do the entire thing about inflating a rubbery rat full of water and then stabbing it so it explodes!"
I seriously do not get why these people are so invested into this movie. They treat this movie like a baby does a tablet. I take a sip of the soda, it tastes like dog water but for some reason I like the feeling that the bubbles give, ripping my esophagus apart. It’s fun.
I peek at the TV and it's at the part where the two lovers kiss and Helianthus blow up with joy. Helianthus comically takes out a party popper and lets it rip. Patty covers her ears and looks down, I cannot imagine this is as enjoyable for her as for them. Mallory tries to comfort her by hugging Patty and shushing Helianthus. She awkwardly sits back down.
The movie is almost over and I can feel myself drifting off to slumber. If they wake me up it's whatever.
And then I have a dream.
Some type of cotton candy land with a strange man standing in front of me. He was completely nude with long, curly black hair and cracked porcelain skin. I walked up to him.
He stares at me with uncomfortable glee and says "Don't you think the land is beautiful?"
Fluffy bunnies hop the land, pushing sweet dust all around. Pink birds singing with no end in sight. Massive pink trees with a massive break between us, letting sunlight bask us. Bustling nature, and no city in sight.
I agree, "Yeah, pretty beautiful."
I end up getting awoken by Mallory speaking, "Dude the love interest is so dumb and yet they LET him win in a fist fight between a massive dragon. It's so stupid!" and then she giggles.
That was probably the most vivid dream I had in months and she took it away from me. Whatever. It's cool I guess.
The movie is almost over, I think I should just get up.
I complain, "I need to go to bed." I stumble to my room while they continue to talk about the movie. Patty looks behind herself and waves me goodnight.
I like her the most.
I'm greeted with the chill of my room, dark, and gloomy, with only a little dragon egg nightlight glowing in the complete darkness. I wander to my bed and lay down, almost immediately dozing off.
I'm greeted with the same land and the same man. He speaks up,
"You seem tired, come sit with me"
And so I did, sitting down in this beautiful, if not tacky land. I always wondered how dreams work. This place is so beautiful and yet people say you form dreams from random memories. I don't think I’ve ever seen a man like the person next to me. He has his eyes closed, enjoying the sunrays blasting onto us.
I wish I could stay here forever. Eventually I'll wake up and deal with my terrible job. I just wish I could break this cycle.
I want stuff to change.
I just don't know how.