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Is everything okay? There's somebody behind you. There's somebody watching every move you make. But they're not— they're not in the real— did your ritual <span class="mu-i">work?</span> You had to do it from memory, since they took your booklet, but...
You screw your eyes tight enough to see sparks, then turn slowly, turn oh-so-slowly, and look out into the darkness—
<span class="mu-i">And the <span class="mu-r">WYRM</span> will feel its subtle way into you, and the <span class="mu-r">WYRM</span> will take root behind the red of your eyes—
—and see somebody.
—
You are...
...
...You are, uh... Lottie...? Lottie... Charlotte. Charlotte Fawkins. You are Charlotte Fawkins, and you are not where you are supposed to be.
Claudia isn't where she's supposed to be, either. She is gauzy, half-there, but still there, and she is not you. You are Charlotte Fawkins. Your fingernails are unpainted, which is fine, because it's a whorish thing to do. You are sprawled somewhat on the ground, though "ground" is a strong word for it. It's black everywhere, and featureless, except for Claudia, whose eyes are on you.
You attempt a winsome smile and it comes out more twisted than anything, so you drop it. You're too groggy for this. Claudia's looking you up and down fiercely. God. This isn't the first time you've ever seen her face, but it's the first time you've ever seen... her. She does look a bit like you, though only a bit. She's dyed the tips of her hair. Her chin is pointed. There's a little too much makeup around her eyes.
Those were your eyes. When? ...Just now? You can remember, kind of. But where were you? Were you here? Sleeping? Drugged? Stealing somebody's identity is a messy business. You suspect Claudia would agree if you told her.
Does she know? She's speaking. Her voice is different from yours, even though it sounded the same in your head. "Are you... the WYRM?"
"What?" you say.
She folds her arms. "Well?"
>[1] No, but it doesn't matter. This is the next-best thing to being woken up directly. Get up, march past her, and take back direct (and lucid) control.
>[2] No, but it doesn't matter: you're going back to sleep. She seems to be productive enough without you, and you don't want to have to go through the whole rigmarole of "who are you what happened" with Dream Gil. Maybe get her to wind up the bird so you'll be there for the important bits with Pat.
>[3] Uhhhh... no. But you are...
>>[A] A WYRM-daughter.
>> A time-traveler.
>>[C] A famous heroine.
>>[D] Gil's friend?
>>[E] A... snake?
>>[F] The spirit of Iceover? (She's awfully un-jolly.)
>>[G] The Herald? Does she know what that is?
>>[H] Write-in.
>[4] Yes.
>>[A] [-1 SV]
>> No spendy.
>[5] Write-in.</span>