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Date: Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024

Time: 3pm

Location: Bus

As I sit in the bus, on my ride towards my destination, listening to my usual Spotify playlists, I look out towards the open grassy fields, with the occasional farm animal grazing, and the gentle afternoon sun beaming down on us.

The bus, while able to cater for a larger group of people, only had a small handful of us heading towards its destination. I did not pay attention to the others in the bus, as I just preferred my own company, and did not really feel like mingling just yet.

Not when there’s views outside which I have not really seen before. I had been a city folf, so being out in the Australian bush was still quite a different experience for me. And most of my life had largely been in cities like Sydney, the capital state of New South Wales, and Singapore. Having only been in Sydney for 5 years, things still felt quite new to me, as I have not explored the majority of Sydney outside of the main city district.

I rested my cheek restlessly against my paw as I continued to gaze out of the window, paying little to no attention to the rest of the space inside the bus.

This bus trip had taken about an hour so far, with another hour left to reach its destination. I was no stranger to trips like these, but having lived in Singapore and of personal volition, these trips felt rather inconvenient and just made me impatient. But I coped with as long a Spotify playlist as I could find, and it was the easiest way to pass the time while not playing mobile games.

“It's.. quite fine weather today..”, I thought to myself, the moods gently swaying to the thumping of music in my ears. A small flashback of a thought snuck into my mind as I recalled what got me on my journey.

---

Date: Saturday, 20 Jul 2024

Time: 7pm

Location: Hornsby, Odax’s place

“Happy Birthday Kai! And here is your gift!!”

I stare at a small little.. Wrapped something. It’s smaller than any of the gifts Odax had gotten me before, flat with a small little bulge at the front of it. Usually I would expect things that would be game related, like Magic: The Gathering. The lynx did know of my fascination with the game, and would often get me bundles or a Commander deck or something.

But this is quite different.

And I think he noticed, as he smirked and winked,

“... You were expecting to get a new Commander deck, are you?”

“Well.. I can’t say that was not what I was anticipating. This is a single Collector Booster, is it? It seems a bit too thin for that.”

Odax simply maintained his playful demeanour, clearly enjoying teasing me a bit too much. But he does know I enjoy that teasing as I wiggled my nose in feint irritation. The curiosity was really getting to me, but boy, does he know how to tease it out.

“It’s definitely not a Collector Booster. But I think it’s something you’ll like better!”

He says with quite distinct confidence, one of his tufted ears tweaking at that. I quirk an eyebrow at him, and then look back at the wrapped something with even more curiosity now. Odax clears his throat in dramatic fashion, and with all the demeanour and character that might rival Brennan Mulligan, he narrates,

“Somewhere, a little farther out from where we are today, in the deepest reaches of the darkest parts of Sydney, lies a portal. A portal! To the most fantastical place that would make any fox, one as slutty as you are, absolutely jelly to the knees!”

An ear twitched as a small flush of red ran across my cheeks, but I listened on, albeit with a slightly confused, curious look on my face

“A place of dark desires, filled with patrons the likes you may not have ever seen before. A parade of diverse beings, large and small, in differing shapes and sizes. Ones not of this world, maybe not of this dimension, but packed in the greatest motel that ever existed.

I present to you.. Motel Spooky Nine!!!”

Odax exclaims as he does his best impression of jazz hands, while holding the wrapped package to me. I stare, dumbfounded, at him for a few moments, before the head tilts to the side. The lynx clearly notes my state of complete bewilderment, as he wraps an arm around me while pressing the wrapped package to my chest.

“My friend, this is.. Possibly a rare find in any kind of dungeon crawler, yet one that you sorely need as a break from the deluge of the daily grind. This.. Is a ticket booking for one night at Motel Spooky Nine, the welcomer of cryptics, creatures, and critters of any kind.”

He leans in to whisper in my ear.

“It’s also a bit pricey but I got it as a gift. Unfortunately, I do have a dinner date with mom, and she was insistent that Brendon and I were to be there to dine with her for that night. So.. To make the most of the ticket, I wanted to give it to you since I thought you would be interested.”

I looked back at him, still appearing quite dumbfounded and possibly clueless.

“....Motel Spooky Nine? Cryptics? Rare find? I- I’m not sure I quite follow..”

Odax sighs a bit as he gestures the wrapped thing to me again, I take a hold of it this time while looking at him inquisitively.

“Well.. You like Cthulhu, right?”

I nodded.

“You like tentacles right?”

I nodded, though with a slightly sheepish smile and a pink tint on my cheeks again. And my body felt warm at the intrusive thoughts in my mind.

“Think of it as like a motel, but with every creature imaginable; werewolves, minotaurs, anything. Now.. I’m not saying that anything can and will happen there, but who knows?”

I nodded, a little more in my thoughts as I looked at the wrapped thing. Odax nudges me as he smirks,

“You can open that up, you know.”

An ear of mine twitched as I looked at him, and then back at the parcel. As I started to delicately peel the wrapper, somehow feeling excited, though nervous.

I never really thought that such a place had existed. From where I was born, here in these foreign lands, and now learning new secrets that I thought had only existed in game books. It felt surreal, much like how Harry Potter may have felt when he learnt that he was a wizard, and that a new world had existed without him knowing.

It took me a while, but in the wrapping was a black ticket, and what looks like a dark leather bracelet with a tiny ruby heart at its clasp. The bracelet seemed to have a sort of inscription on the leather, with words I did not really understand. And as I saw the black ticket with the white gothic words that spelt out the motel’s name, I stared for a while, tail starting to wag a little in excitement (and nervousness) as I read the details of the ticket, before stuttering,

“I.. This is.. Well, I- Thank you! I think I’m going to really like this!”

Odax beamed and patted me on the shoulder,

“I thought you’d like the idea of it! Well, let me know if you can make it and I-

“I’ll make time for this.”

I smiled up back at Odax, though hiding the myriads of differing emotions and thoughts pulsing through my body and mind. He nodded and acknowledged my certainty, as he leans in and whispered,

“Now… go fuck those Cryptics folfy.”

My tail froze and my ears shot up, cheeks completely flushed red as I glared and scree-d in accusatory fashion at the teasing lynx, chuckling in deep amusement.

---

Date: Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024

Time: 3.05pm

Location: Bus

I bit down on my lower lip as I suppressed the contagious need to scree (A fennec fox’s natural desire to screech at any sort of high emotional arousal, particularly that of excitement and playfulness), my tail coiling about as I shook one of my legs to ease the roiling energy in me, since Odax had absolutely called me out on my vices. As those instincts started to subside, I then eased into my usual reflective thoughts about this journey/

It was the break I much needed from work. And I very much needed my own space and time away from my German Shepherd husband. I do love him very much, but much has happened in a short time this year; From my employment back into full-time work, and realising new things about myself, trying to be more true to who I was as a person, I just needed that time away.

Schattenhund was very understanding and encouraging of me to go on this little personal journey, reminding me that I should, “Play hard, and play safe”, winking at me as he did so.

Once again in the present moment, I bit on my lower lip as another need to scree came over me.

As I thumped my tail slightly annoyedly at myself and fiddled a bit with the bracelet on my right wrist, the scenery just blew on by while the bus continued its way to its destination.

I had to stop off at a specific bus stop that was in the Pokolbin region. A thought came to mind, pondering how the portal was not discovered by more people. The ticket simply indicated that, “Let the heart guide your way, for it will lead you to that which you desire”.

I scoffed a bit at how cheese that sounded, but I suppose it had something to do with the bracelet.

Letting off a soft sigh as I thumped my tail on the seat with some anxious energy, the growing realisation that I was going to be at my destination shortly, I continued to gaze out to the windows, as the now repetitive scenery of country and nature started to feel a little less new.

---

Date: Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024

Time: 4.05pm

Location: Polkobin region

Letting out a yawn as I stepped out of the bus, stretching a little and hearing the small creaks in the upper back. Two hours felt like forever, and folfs were definitely not built to be locked in a place for such a long period. I felt an oncoming scree of delight to finally be out in the fresh air and open space, but suppressed the need to be a public nuisance.

I looked around my stop. It looks just like any other small town within Australia; wide roads, not too many people walking around, with corner pubs and hotels, small shops strewn across the walkways. And the occasional large open field, maybe a playground with new toys that would make my inner child envious of the childhood children have nowadays.

I pull on my backpack, mostly filled with space clothes for tomorrow and a few other ‘preparatory’ items, specific toiletries for folfy maintenance since that long tail does need more specialised shampoos, and just a bottle of water in case I lose my way and have to endure the hardships of the Australian Bush.

It’s probably more likely I would perish under certain circumstances, but I decide not to think too hard about it.

I thought of the words that the ticket indicated while looking down at the bracelet, fingering the ruby heart:

“Let the heart guide your way, for it will lead you to that which you desire”

Grimacing as I stared at the bracelet, a bit of anxious energy started to build as I was not really familiar with any sort of artifacts like these. Sure I played Dungeons & Dragons a lot, but I did not happen to have any pre-built stats into detect magic or anything. Suddenly realising that I should have maybe been better prepared before trying to figure this, I placed a paw on my chest as I quietly whispered anxiously,

“Oh please,oh please, give me a sign to get to Motel Spooky Nine…”

I gritted my teeth as I looked around anxiously for a few more signs, as my chest started to get warm. I started breathing through my nose and out through my mouth, reaching back to grab my bottle and take my bottle. As I uncapped the bottle and took it to my lips, a glint of flashing red caught my attention.

I then noticed that the warmth in my chest is gone, and it is now pulsating on my right wrist, the ruby heart seemingly come to life as it gently thumps.

“...Holy shit.”

I muttered under my breath as I gazed in wonderment. So this is what magic feels like!

And as I gazed in it, I noticed that the heart projected out what looks like a map into air in front of me, with a white gem looking indicator that seems to be my current location, and a vortex looking thing. It looked like it was a bit of a distance behind a wide open space, and a sort of building, and looked to be about one click away from where I was.

I decided to pull up my phone to check with Google Maps to see what the name of the building was.

“... Vamp Wine rooms. Huh. Fitting.”

I smirked at the tongue-in-cheek reference. My folfy body now started to relax a bit more from the fight-flight instincts, as another subtle scree of excitement was building. I instead decided to spur that energy towards taking the next few steps towards my destination as the nervous energy had shifted.

“...Holy shit holy shit holy shit I’m about to get there…!”

Went the thoughts in my head as I made my way through the town centre, past major shops like Woolies and Coles, and a couple of bottlers…

I backtracked to one of the bottlers and peered in.

“Well.. would not be a holiday without a bit of booze. Why not!”

I thought to myself as I strode into the bottler. Tail swishing about as the need to scree rose once again, I peered about excitedly at the various bottles of wines, spirits, and alcoholic beverages here and inbetween the store. Bottlers made me feel like a kid in a candy store, and while I was not a raging alcoholic, I always enjoyed a nice good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz, or even a nice gin or whiskey.

This time, I decided to go for a nice Tempranillo; something that I thought was a little gentler, sweeter, but still pretty full bodied. Just as I bought it, I realised that I was going to be at Vamp Wine Rooms anyways, but decided that maybe it would be a good idea to buy a bottle to bring home to Schattenhund.

Packing the wine into my backpack, I strode onwards with nary a distraction, fully intent to make it to Vamp Wine rooms, and with Um Jung Hwa’s “invitation” playing on repeat, as I let loose a small casual “scree~” to the air.

A baby’s cry from about 10 metres away could be heard after which.

---

Date: Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024

Time: 4.55pm

Location: Vamp Wine Rooms / Outer areas

Exiting the Vamp Wine Rooms in a bit of a rush, I packed the new bottle of Shiraz into my bag as I felt the thumping on my wrist and my own chest pick its pace.

It was a shame I had a bit of a tight schedule and I regretted leaving earlier since the decor in Vamp Wine Rooms really set the tone; Medieval setting with a high loft ceiling, a round table in the centre of the dark walled room, with mannequins adorned in medieval armors and an occasional sexy harness, and various dining rooms with chain mail serving as dividers.

I made a bookmark on Google Maps to ensure that I will visit again.

As I made my way towards the back of Vamp Wine Rooms, I was greeted by a large field; a vineyard. Looking around, I spied a pathway which led off to the right of the vineyards, and a solo trail leading towards an ominous looking forested area that covered the horizon. Yet, I was not sure if it was just my foxy senses tingling, or the quickened pace on my wrist that aligned with my heart which beckoned me further forward.

I was dreadfully curious, anxious, nervous of what’s to come, tail just lowering between my legs as I felt like I was walking towards a maw waiting to swallow me whole.

“... It’s going to be fine. It’s not like you’ve never spoken to cryptics before…”

I assured myself weakly as I reached the opening to the forested area.

Looking at the opening, a lewd association was made as I felt that the canopy of the trees somehow resembled the outer folds of a vagina, the tops of the leaves conjoined, forming what appears like the hood and the bead of the hidden pearl of feminine pleasure.

Somehow, the imagery roused a sensation within my lower abdomen. At this point, I was not sure if the bracelet was starting to influence me, or if it was starting to bring my deeper longings to the surface. A gentle flush across my cheeks persisted as I decided not to tarry any further, and entered what feels like the point of no return

The forest, absent of much sunlight, somehow felt vibrant and strangely beautiful. While I was able to see fairly well in the dark, I felt as though I was stepping into a dimly lit room.

Yet it was strange; No sound of birds or any sort of wildlife could be heard. All I can hear is the sound of waves washing on the shore, as the breeze grazed the top of the treelines across its leaves. It was relaxing, yet unnerving. An odd scent too permeated the air, like that of morning dew tinged with the taste of sulphur and smoked applewood. As though I was walking on the line of Heaven and Hell, and if I fell, would either be blessed or condemned. There was also a comfortable chill; I could feel the breeze along the tips of my fur, hackles slightly raised due to the incongruence of the environment, yet I felt warm inside, as if I had a good round of whiskey, fire in the belly and especially in the lower abdomen. My maw felt a bit dry, the salivary glands on overdrive as I reached for my bottle and took a swig of water. Somehow, the water tasted… off. Like all the tastes of water that I was used to was suddenly removed, like the water died.

I quirked an eyebrow in puzzlement as I continued along the path while capping and replacing the bottle back to its compartment on my backpack. I glanced at my watch as it felt like I had been walking for about 20 minutes. Yet, somehow, the watch’s time showed:

“??:??”

As I glanced up from the watch, my ears twitched as I suddenly realised; The sound of the leaves was no longer, and the very air itself had become whispery, and visibility had gotten brighter.

Something has changed.

I think I’m not in Australia anymore..

---

Date: Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024

Time: ??:??

Location: Walkway towards Motel Spooky Nine / Entrancy & Lobby

What now greeted me was a paved pathway. The pathway felt different, and were lined with materials that did not seem earthly at all; they shimmered gently with each step I took, and felt like I was stepping on air. The sky had become dark, but it felt like a million stars were in full glare, as it lit the “night” sky up. The bushes by the side of the pathway, previously lush and green, were now an off pink with luscious red flowers with ends that glowed gently, appearing like a mix of Bird of Paradise and Sun Dew. I gaped in amazement at the sudden change in scenery, before realising that I was hearing some music off further down the path. And that’s when I saw the neon signs.

Motel Spooky Nine.

A lone castle-like building stood in the centre of a clearing, with spires and structures that made me think of Dracula’s Castle. I immediately wondered if this might have been an inspiration from Hotel Transylvania, but there were some elements of the place that are immensely different.

I noticed the stronger scents of sulphur and burning, as I contemplated the red glow hue on one side of the building, and a green glow hue on the other side. Were these the special pools that the ticket had mentioned, the toxic and lava pools?

Surrounding the building were other pathways from their own respective forestry openings, and I can already see the different beings striding towards the Motel. While I could not make out all of them, I thought I had seen a minotaur, a gelatinous blob, a flame elemental, a cloud of faeries, what looks like a Tiefling? A shape that resembles the Mothman..I could feel my mind cracking a little bit, as I took a deep breath.

The pulsing on my wrist somehow brought me some comfort, as I am reminded again of the sensations within my body that still have not subsided; I still felt that warm feeling in my lower abdomen, though it was less fiery than before, and was instead feeling like a gentle warmth that enveloped my inner self.

I wondered if the proprietors of Motel Spooky Nine knew that our earthly minds could not comprehend what stood before us, and provided us with a sort of magical means to somehow withstand these other beings without losing our minds. Or did it tap into the deepest parts of what made us unique, and simply magnified those traits? I pondered curiously as I came up to the entrance of Motel Spooky Nine.

The entrance presents itself as rather familiar, somehow. Instead of the usual doors, the high archway was draped with chainmail as a sort of partition. And up close to Motel Spooky Nine, the building was far taller than I had seen from before, the room windows giving the impression of tall lofty rooms within. What sounded like vintage jazz music played from inside, as I could make out an empty, dark, reception area complete with two archway entrances draped with the same chainmail to the left and right. The entranceway seemed built of the same material the path I walked on was made of, except that there are tiny glowing dots that made you feel like you were stepping right into Space.

Pushing the chainmail past as I made my way into the reception area, comforting smells of Lavender and sandalwood were noted, and I could see the front desk of the reception; a true work of art of intricately carved maple or similar wood, with asymmetrical symbols that did not seem familiar, and corners adorned with gargoyle-like creature faces with forms that seemed to shift and morph. The table itself seemed to be breathing, with the shifting colours on its form pulsating like the exterior of an octopus, but in shades of various wood found on earth.

The best way my mind could interpret this was that Motel Spooky Nine likely formed its shape based on the memories of the patron; me. It was taking forms that seemed familiar, or as familiar as it could make it, and I sensed no malice. Instead, I felt welcomed, bewildered beyond words, marvelling at the very experience.

And behind the table stood… No one.

But someone shared the space with me in this lobby.

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