Miss Stockbridge

[Mr. Handy]

"Or have you perhaps seen Jeremiah Collins?" asks Victoria.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Startled by the greeting from Josette and Victoria's question, and apparently somewhat in fear of Nathan, and also glancing nervously at all three of the arrivals, the woman stutters out an answer.

"I . . . I ain't seen no .. nobody." She is visibly trembling. She clutches the bundle to her breast, as if it holds a precious treasure that she is in fear of losing.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reverend Trask is able to recall a very brief mention of one Carolyn Stoddard, daughter of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, said to be one of the current (whatsoever that term may mean in these circumstances) residents of the mansion at Collinwood.

In response to his inquiry, the man on the wheeled vehicle replies, "Yeah, everybody in town knows about Jeremiah Collins. Eccentric guy, some kind of distant cousin or something, showed up a few years ago. Guess the Collins took him in. I'm sure he'll be there. Well, gotta run." He takes off at a remarkable speed, waving with one hand.

[Mr. Handy]

"Nobody's going to take that from you," Victoria reassures her. "We just want to find our friends. What's inside that shack?"

[Mr. Handy]

Reverend Trask waves back and proceeds toward Collinwood, quickening his pace, more determined than ever to reach it. He recalls that Elizabeth Collins Stoddard was the one who had given Victoria Winters her book. Reasoning that this was the future, he realizes that she must have come from this time. This explains much, and yet leaves much unexplained.

[SunlessNick]

"The good lieutennant is only here to escort us," Josette adds. "You have nothing to fear."




Nathan hangs back from the two ladies, doing his best to appear unthreatening.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Nobody's going to take that from you," Victoria reassures her. "We just want to find our friends. What's inside that shack?"

"Dreams," she says, rather distractedly. "And nightmares." She hurries away.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

After a somewhat strenuous hike up the hill leading to the mansion at Collinwood, Reverend Trask arrives at the brooding edifice. It seems to be almost exactly as he recalls it, from previous visits, although not appearing as newly constructed as when last seen. The sounds of merrymakers come through the heavy front door, as well as a strange sort of music. The instruments producing it are difficult to identify.

[SunlessNick]

"Well," says Nathan once the woman is gone, "shall we attempt another approach toward entry?" He makes to break open the door.

[Mr. Handy]

"Let us try knocking first," says Victoria.

[Mr. Handy]

Reverend Trask strides up to the front door and knocks on it.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Let us try knocking first," says Victoria.

A voice indicating great age, yet strong and clear, says "Enter, seeker of anodynes."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Reverend Trask strides up to the front door and knocks on it.

It is opened by a petite, blonde young woman, dressed in a normal outfit, as compared to the bizarre and abbreviated clothing witnessed on the journey to Collinwood.

"Great costume," she says. "Real authentic."

"Does this gentleman have an invitation, dear?" The question comes from a dark-haired woman of middle years, standing behind her.

"Oh, Mother, who needs one? Let's have fun!"

"Very well. Welcome, sir."

[Mr. Handy]

Victoria opens the door and ventures inside.

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, madam, says Reverend Trask, doffing his hat and stepping inside. "I am Reverend Orville Trask."

[SunlessNick]

Nathan nods ruefully and follows Victoria. Josette enters too, unable to resist a slight smirk on her face.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Thank you, madam, says Reverend Trask, doffing his hat and stepping inside. "I am Reverend Orville Trask."

"Really getting into the part, aren't you," the young woman replies. "Well, I'm Carolyn, this is my mother, Mrs. Stoddard, there's Uncle Roger over there by the bar; lots of folks here for the party. Grab a drink and mingle!"

There are a large number of persons of both sexes, freely conversing without regard for the usual social conventions, dressed in the type of clothing which is familiar, but wearing it as if not used to such normal dress. Strong drink freely flows, even among the ladies. Some of the guests look vaguely familiar, others do not.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Victoria opens the door and ventures inside.

Gesturing for the three guests to enter is an Oriental gentleman of advanced age, sitting before a table covered with scattered thin wooden sticks, smoking a long clay pipe, whose smoke fills the air with a sickly sweet scent.

"Which of you wishes to purchase release into the world of dreams?"

[Mr. Handy]

"That depends on what that release entails, and what the price is," says Victoria. "We came here seeking Reverend Trask and Jeremiah Collins. Have they been here before us?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, young lady," says Reverend Trask. "Is Jeremiah Collins here, by any chance?"

[SunlessNick]

"We know that the Reverend came here seeking Mr Collins," adds Nathan.



Josette smiles reassuringly at the Oriental.