[video/action] The Nightmare Emerges

[phobophage]

(OOC: her permission post is here)

[video] Shameless plug
Well, I reviewed the recent conversations on this network, so I won't bother with the whole "Where are I? What's going on?" procedure. I have a pretty good idea of what's going on. It's superbly annoying, but I haven't survived as long as I have without learning to adjust. So I'm going to try starting a business that's, as they say, by artists for artists. Basically I'm going to apply my prior experience as a professional artist and manager of artist collectives to helping other artists, whether it is with selling their works, promoting themselves, getting exhibited, or getting gigs from local businesses. If you're interested, whether it is as an artist or support staff, drop me a line. I'm called The Shadow Lurking Behind You, but you can just call me Shadow.

Might as well do something with my time now that I've lost many of the usual ways to spend my time. And physicality means I need money for a place to stash my stuff and art supplies. Speaking of, who else have suddenly found themselves physical? It sucks. It means you actually have to walk places and so on. I'll just make that my one complaint of this post.

Also, what's with all this collecting adorable fight-happy critters? It's like something out of someone's dream about similar video games.

[action] The Shadow Lurking Behind You

[You're probably just walking somewhere, probably on a street, when it happens. You get a unspeakably ominous feeling. Like something horrible is lurking behind you. It feels like it's approaching. The shadows seem deeper, darker, like they're hiding things.

Or maybe you have enough resistance to such things to realize you're the target of an illusion.]

[action] Just Catnapping Around Town

[Or you might encounter Shadow in one of her lazier moods loafing around in one of her favorite forms: a black-furred sabertooth cat with red eyes. She has a tendency to sprawl out in weird places like other people's pouches, atop other people's cars, or inside elevators.]

Comments

[ninjabanish]

[She remains wary, weapons still at the ready. She doesn't like this- An invisible enemy? Hidden in the shadows, maybe? But she should be able to tell- She, after all, is an expert in hiding there. So if she can't see whoever this is there, then...

Still, the voice gets her to pause. Doesn't mean any harm?]

Why are you frightening people?

[phobophage]

Oh, you're an alert one. I'll answer your question, then.

[She dissolves the illusion concealing herself, revealing herself to be that shadow right over there. She has her hands up, signifying her harmlessness.]

Three reasons. One, it's fun. Two, it's in my nature to the point where I'll cease to exist as I am if I stop doing it. Three, it's fun.

[ninjabanish]

That was but two reasons.

[Okay. She slowly lowers her guard, putting her sickles back into... wherever it is she hides them. Don't look too closely at that part.]

You will cease to be?

[phobophage]

[Yeah, she'll take that. She lowers her hands.]

Either fade away or become someone else entirely. Such are the nature of us dreamlings, that we are bound to our natures. Such is our nature that we enjoy our nature, too.

[ninjabanish]

"Dreamlings"... I have never heard of such a people.

If it is necessary for you to survive, then I understand. However, I must urge you to choose your prey more carefully.

[phobophage]

In short, we're residents of dreams. And, yeah, I'm gonna avoid targets with combat ability from now on.

[ninjabanish]

[She pauses, thinking.]

... Would you perhaps be amenable to... a deal, of sorts?

[She has a far-off look in her eyes. She hopes she's doing the right thing.]

[phobophage]

[She leans forward a little.]

I think I have a good idea of what you're about to suggest, but let's hear it.

[ninjabanish]

I have... great experience. In scaring people, without harming them. If you wish for it, I may help you. I will ensure that you cause no true harm, and that you are not harmed. In return, I simply ask that you keep this to a minimum, of sorts. Enough that you may live, and live comfortably, even. But no more than you need.

[phobophage]

Hmm, that's different from what I had thought you were going to propose. Okay, so I don't really require help scaring anyone. But I don't mind someone tagging along. And, yeah, I'll turn it down a little. Probably a necessity here, anyways, and I have other hobbies. Like art.