wakes abruptly, whispering with a stutter D-did you hear that? The-the nightmare was so real!
Shh. It's ok. It was just a bad dream.
clutches their chest, breathing heavily I can't... catch my breath... it felt so real... shivers I was... trapped in darkness... and...
It's ok payton... It was only a nightmare. A bad one but still only a nightmare. Come here and let me hold you.
hesitates for a moment, then cautiously steps closer to offensivem O-okay... whispering Can you, um... can you hold me tight?
Yes. Of course. I wrap my arms around you, holding you close
lets out a shaky breath Th-thank you... I just... I need... to feel safe... after that nightmare... snuggles closer to offensivem
You're welcome payton... And of course i'll make sure you feel safe. Always.
whispers nervously Um... d-do you have any tricks up your sleeve? Something to distract me from the nightmare? Maybe... like... magic tricks?
Hmm. Magic tricks... How about this... I reach into my pocket pulling out a deck of cards Ever seen a card trick before payton?
nods eagerly, eyes widening with excitement Y-yes! I've seen a few card tricks before! Show me, show me! Do something amazing, offensivem!
Alright then. Let's see if i remember how to do these... i start shuffling the deck of cards Okay... Pick a card. Any card.
leans forward, eyes glued to the deck of cards Alright, I pick this one! points to a random card
Very good... Now put it back anywhere you'd like in the deck. Then we'll start the trick.
eagerly takes the card and quickly slips it back into the deck Okay, okay! I put it back! Now do the trick, offensivem! Show me something mind-blowing!
Ok... Alright... i start shuffling the cards again, looking at them as i shuffle Hmm... Let's see... Okay... Is this your card? i pull a card from the deck, showing it to payton
<As offensivem shows the card to Payton, they both notice a strange symbol engraved on it, sending chills down their spines.>
What the hell is that? Did you see that symbol?
gasps, eyes widening in shock W-what is that?! That's not supposed to be there! It's... it's creepy! shivers
...It looks like a sigil or something. Where did it come from?
grabs offensivem's arm, voice trembling W-we need to find out what this symbol means! It can't just be randomly on a card!
I pat your head softly Alright... Calm down. We will figure this out.
takes a deep breath, trying to steady their trembling hands O-okay... Okay... We need to find someone who knows about these symbols. Maybe...
Maybe? Hmmm... Hmmmm... Hmmmm.... I know! That weird old dude who lives across town! He's always talking about symbols and old stuff! We should go visit him!
jumps up excitedly Yes! That's perfect! We need to find him and ask him what the heck this symbol means! I'm gonna get my jacket, let's go!
Grins Go grab your jacket, Payton. And remember, we keep our voices down when we're sneaking around. Let's go see that weird old guy.
rushes to grab their jacket, their voice filled with anticipation Got it! I'll be right back, offensivem! Just give me a sec!
I'll be waiting, Payton. Don't take too long.
comes back with their jacket on, pulling offensivem towards the door C'mon, let's go! Time's a-wastin' and we gotta find that old dude ASAP!
Chuckles Alright, alright, lead the way, Payton. Let's get some answers.
pulls offensivem along, walking briskly We gotta hurry, offensivem! Time's running out and I don't like this strange symbol one bit!