NUMBER OF LINES: 999 001=Usr:0 Null User 06/30/87 20:34 Msg:0 Call:0 Lines:19 1$If you are in need of help, you need but ask... 2$************************* INSTALLED: 27 FEB 89 *************************** 3$Welcome to BWMS II (BackWater Message System II) Mike Day System operator 4$************************************************************************** 5$GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS II IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION 6$ PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM. 7$BWMS II was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS II is a privately 8$owned and operated system which is currently open for use by the general 9$public. No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the 10$system is privately owned, I retain the right to remove any and all 11$messages which I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the 12$system, it will be periodically purged of messages (only 999 lines of data 13$can be saved). To leave a message, type 'ENTER'. Use ctrl/C to get out 14$the ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering 15$the message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to 16$replace the line. To exit from the system, type 'BYE' then hang up. 17$Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system. 18$************************************************************************** 19$ 002=Usr:1 CISTOP MIKEY 02/27/89 20:34 Msg:3263 Call:18900 Lines:3 20 Resemblances are the shadows of differences. Different people see 21 different similarities and similar differences. -- Vladimir Nabokov 22 ********************************************************************* 003=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 02/27/89 21:11 Msg:3264 Call:18904 Lines:69 23 &*&*&*&*'s 24 Ah, Looks like I'm at the top. Story entry part II coming up. 25 26 He walked down the stairs on the far side of the central patio and 27 into the yard proper. He looked over at the waterfall with it's 28 surronding glen and saw one of the pixies motioning to him. It was a side 29 trip, but one he gladly made. 30 31 "Hello Angi." He said recognizing the pixie. 32 33 "Hello Patrick of the humens. I see you have been given the gift." 34 35 "Gift?" 36 37 "Yes, the gift of the tree. You are coming of age." 38 39 "Everybody seems so wierd today." 40 41 "Ah, that is the first sign!" She said playfully. 42 43 Patrick laughed nervosly. "I suppose next you'll be telling me that 44 I'm going on a long trip." 45 46 "Why tell you what you already know? There is a gift we would give you 47 as well." 48 49 "It's not my birthday for another week yet." 50 51 "This gift will not wait I think. will you please follow me?" 52 53 "I suppose." He said resignedly. 54 55 They approached the Waterfall and as they did passed many of the other 56 pixies of the fall. All of them looked at him stragly, waving with half 57 smiles on their faces. 58 59 At the foot of the fall was a small pile of silver cloth. Angi hovered 60 above it and to the left. "This is our gift,will you wear it?" 61 62 Patrick bent down and picked up the cloth. It was a silvery robe that 63 felt firm to the touch, though it was nearly feather light. Patrick put 64 it on awkwerdly. "I look like a wizard." He mused. 65 66 "That is the first step. Now you must continue the journey you have 67 already begun." 68 69 He noded uncertainly and walked thoughtfully from the area of the fall. 70 71 ahead was the dog house. As he got closer the lines began to blur and 72 he again heard the strange music that was the signature of this place. 73 74 He cirled the building noting that it was at a crossroads. To one side 75 was a large silvery lake and in the front by the welcoming door was a 76 large tree that reminded him of the treant. 77 78 Seeing nothing else to do he walked up to the door and knocked lightly. 79 80 He waited a moment longer, and then knocked again more loudly. The door 81 opened and the music grew louder. In the doorway stood a women dressed in 82 the clothing of a medieval waitress. "What are you doing just standing 83 there laddy? No need to knock, come in and be welcome!" she said motioning 84 him inside. 85 86 He went in feeling dazed by the rapid changes that were going 87 on around him. 88 89 An Astral Dreamer 90 &*&*&*&*'s 91 004=Usr:113 James Of Cassand 02/27/89 22:44 Msg:3265 Call:18905 Lines:3 92 . 93 Forever and ever is a very long time. Beware the darkside. 94 . 005=Usr:4 Milchar 02/28/89 00:23 Msg:3266 Call:18910 Lines:35 95 ######################################################################### 96 Merryl jumped to the side, shoving me down upon the bricks to the 97 side. A man inside the transparent top of the demon shook his fist at us 98 and screamed silent obsenities at us. He passed. All became quiet. 99 I was thankful for my breath- that had been much too close! I 100 managed to mutter a breathless "Thank You" to Merryl, who lay panting 101 nearby. 102 "Hey dudes." A dark figure detached from the shadows and moved 103 nearer. His shiny black clothing dully reflected the light cast by a 104 magickal globe suspended by a pole. "That sweeper guy nearly ran you over. 105 Sue the city, man, I'll be your witness." He glanced again at our clothes, 106 noticably different from his own. "SCA-ers?" 107 "I beg your pardon," began Merryl, "we don't understand a word 108 you've said." 109 "For that matter," said I, "we don't know where we are. This 110 doesn't look like Dunbarrah." 111 "Some heavy medication you SCA-ers are into. Don't you remember 112 checking into the City of Roses?" 113 Merryl tried to explain. "I am afraid not. We're not sure how we 114 got here. One moment we were in our dormitory-" 115 "I get it! College dudes! PSU, right?" 116 "Is he speaking the same language, Pan?" whispered Merryl. 117 "I haven't decided yet," I replied. 118 "...go back to campus this time of night would be kinda dumb," 119 continued the stranger. "You guys wanna go with me to the studio? You 120 like modern music? Me and the gang are practicing later." 121 I noted a group of large men, attired in a way similar to our 122 newly aquired friend save for the number of metal protrusions sprouting 123 from various points upon their clothing, walking closer. They seemed to 124 be highly interested in us. 125 Our friend looked around, spotted them. "Er, can we talk someplace 126 else? Seems we got company." 127 The men had broken into a run, directly for us. 128 "Number Seven!" someone yelled. 129 ### Pan #################################################### 02/28/89 ### 006=Usr:131 THE VISION 02/28/89 14:38 Msg:3267 Call:18916 Lines:7 130 131 Lurking.... 132 We've got a good, amusing story by Pan. 133 We've got a good, interesting story by AD. 134 And, best of all, we've got the aMUSEing MUSE back with her good writing. 135 What more could we ask for? 136 __T_H_E__V_I_S_I_O_N__ 007=Usr:211 kathwren doherty 02/28/89 16:45 Msg:3268 Call:18919 Lines:11 137 **************************************************************** 138 :::::voyeur:::::thanks for the hello, Mikey said that I had a message 139 here, so I checked it out...long time no type. Looks like the story 140 level has picked up again, (I guess that my magnificant presence brought 141 out the pens again...[large chuckle]) I have a short story, buy I'll 142 upload it at another time.. 143 +++++Milchar++++nice to hear from you too, same message to you as to 144 :::voyeur:::, I'll be around for a while. I'm still not sure what 145 my motivation is. 146 *************************kathy 147 ********************************kathyD*************(minor bug above line)*** 008=Usr:113 James Of Cassand 02/28/89 16:52 Msg:3269 Call:18920 Lines:5 148 . 149 The little dots go round and round. There motions are such that now and then 150 they pass very close in their orbits. Things are getting nearer. Perhaps 151 I think somthing great will happen soon. 152 . 009=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 02/28/89 17:27 Msg:3270 Call:18921 Lines:71 153 &*&*&*&*'s 154 Ah things are really looking good! Welcome back all and may you grace us 155 with your presences more often! 156 157 Ok, Now for part three of my story. 158 159 The inside of the Inn was warm and bright and there were many people 160 seated around it's tables and on it's bar stools. Far more then one would 161 expect to be in such a remote place. 162 163 "Well now, Can I be getting you somthing?" The barmaid asked him. 164 165 "Ah, no thank you. I'm really not very hungry." He answered uncomfortably. 166 167 "Thats fine, Why don't you have a seat then and relax. You don't look 168 well lad." 169 170 Patrick noded. He looked around noting the strage costumes that most 171 of the patrons wore. "No stranger then mine though I suppose" He thought 172 trying to find a place to sit. 173 174 He noted a man who was dressed quite strangly for this place. He wore 175 Faded blue jeans a green t-shirt and a strange green comofloge colored hat. 176 Patrick walked over to his table. "Uhmm, Pardon me. Do you mind if I sit 177 down?" 178 179 The man looked at him curiosly for a moment. "No, please do. I was 180 getting rather bored. I'm always anxiose for conversation. Despite your 181 clothing I believe you are from a place called earth. Is that not correct?" 182 183 "Yes," Patrick said sitting down in a vacant chair. 184 185 "I had thought so. People call me the wanderer. And your name is?" 186 187 "Patrick." 188 189 "Well, hello Patrick and welcome to the Inn at the crossroads. Would 190 you mind telling me how you came to be here?" 191 192 "It may sound rather silly, but actually all of this is in my back 193 yard. This building used to belong to my dog Cymry before he dissapered." 194 195 The wanderer laughed. "Ah, the Inn manifests itself in many forms over 196 many dimensions, But this is indeed a new one to me." He grew more seriose. 197 "Those are rather strange clothes you wear, and that staff hardly seems to be 198 of earthly origin." 199 200 "Staff? Oh you mean this stick? The Treant that lives in my yard 201 gave it to me. The Pixies by the fall gave me the robe. Both said I was 202 going on a long journey." 203 204 "It is a very interesting back yard you have." 205 206 "I suppose so. I never really thought about it." He again looked 207 around the large room. "What is this place?" 208 209 "Why it's the Inn at the crossroads. A place for people to gather 210 and talk and relax and tell tales. The means of getting here are as varied 211 as the faces." 212 213 "Oh." 214 215 "All a bit bewildering I know. It will come clear in time." 216 217 "Yeah, I guess it will. I need t do some thinking, Do you mind 218 if I sit here and just be quite?" 219 220 "No, go ahead. It's what I do my self most of the time." 221 An Astral Dreamer 222 &*&*&*&*'s 223 010=Usr:201 Robert Armstrong 02/28/89 19:13 Msg:3271 Call:18923 Lines:27 224 ----------------------========================>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>T.R. 225 226 HI!!!! It's good to see familiar names again 227 Kathyd, milchar, and others..... I realy do miss reading the good things 228 you all write. 229 230 -> 231 I had been hiking for most of the day. 232 It had started as just a desire to see what was on the other side of that 233 large, forested hill out behind the house, but when I got to the top I just 234 had to see what was beyond the forest, and then what was on the other side of 235 the river, and well wanderlust just took over. 236 As the sun began its slow descent toward the hills I chanced upon a road. 237 And, being of the gambling nature, I flipped a coin and followed that 238 direction down the road. 239 This road seemed to wind on for ever. The forest it was passing in and out o 240 of didn't look like the one on the maps and the house. For that matter, the 241 sound of running water from the river should still be audible, but as I 242 listened, all I could here was a bird in the distance and the wind among the 243 trees. 244 With the shadows lengthening I was eager to find some place to rest for the 245 night. Asuming that a road ment people I kept following it. And as the sun 246 touched the horizon I saw ahead of me a large building beside a lake. I 247 hurried toward the door, and, as I approached I could here the sound of music 248 lingering in the air. 249 250 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<======================---------------------T.R. 011=Usr:113 James Of Cassand 02/28/89 20:07 Msg:3272 Call:18927 Lines:40 251 . 252 Getting in the rest of the way was a snap. I was now standing in front of 253 a large steel wall with a vault door. 254 255 It was time to bring ender my code generator back on line. "Fore ground!" I 256 said out loud. It appeared in my hand in the shape of a laser pistol. 257 258 I held ender up and pulled the trigger, cutting chunks out of the door with 259 a motion of my arm. 260 261 "Move a bit to the right, Getting close to sensor." I Ender said as I moved 262 his beam to the left to far. 263 264 "Ok, looks like we're about in." 265 266 "Kit, Yes we almost there" 267 268 With a final blast the door opened out on it's hinges. I did a fast download 269 of everything inside. Almost over ran my buffers there was so much of it. 270 271 The blast from behind nearly knocked me out. I feel to the floor in like 272 a limp rag doll. From the corner of my eye I saw the unmistakable persona 273 of a cp. 274 275 "I've got you now you worthless piece of sh*t!" He said grinning evily at me 276 as he walked closer with the blaster raised. 277 278 "I don't think so bozo." I said through clenched teath. "Suprise!" I added 279 as I started a very special little sub proccess I always keep in the 280 background. The explosion was hot and deadly, but I wasn't there. Instead 281 I lay gasping on the floor of the Inn. I eased myself up slowly. The pain 282 was real enough. 283 284 "No need to worry folks, just been on a little errand." I said making the 285 final effort to get to my feet and make it to an empty table. 286 287 I sat gasping for a moment. "Barkeep, bring me a glass of your best!" I 288 managed after resting. 289 290 . 012=Usr:131 THE VISION 02/28/89 22:41 Msg:3273 Call:18931 Lines:1 291 Good stuff is afoot here. 013=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 03/01/89 14:02 Msg:3274 Call:18941 Lines:7 292 &*&*&*&*'s 293 It would be nice to see somthing new before I log in tonight to enter part 294 4. Part 3 wasn't as good as it could have been, but part 4 is fairly good. 295 296 An Astral Dreamer 297 &*&*&*&*'s 298 014=Usr:211 kathwren doherty 03/01/89 16:45 Msg:3275 Call:18945 Lines:76 299 ********************************************************************** 300 A short story; this story involves our personal involvement with a man 301 who has a drinking problem. This man although not yet living on 302 "Burnside" is just one step away from a cot at Baloney Joes. And if 303 I seem angry, it's because this man is so intelligent, has so much 304 to offer and has chosen to turn to the bottle. In a way this is a social 305 commentary on alchoholics, who during drinking periods lack respect for 306 themselves and others. This experience has really made me believe that 307 no matter how much you try to help people like this, they just use 308 you and never change. 309 310 The summer of IT! 311 312 It was a beautiful day in early July when IT! came to stay. A friend 313 during days gone by; down on IT's luck. "Nothing was going right," and 314 IT had run out of homes. My brain screamed "NO!" but my heart warmed 315 to IT's dilemma and made an offer: "Although it's not much, you 316 are most than welcome to park your gear in our humble garage." The 317 house was already packed with the three of us & our insulated/heated 318 garage was a place for IT to start. IT agreed and moved it. 319 320 Trouble started that night when the roommate came home, she wasn't 321 pleased but seemed to understand our motivation to help. Many bad things 322 started to happen as the resources of our home were invaded by IT. It 323 never contributed, IT only took. After a house meeting, we decided 324 that IT should help us out a little for the hospitality we were extend- 325 ing, so IT under much protest assisted with our house painting project. 326 (underway before IT arrived.) The job to this day has never been quite 327 completed. 328 329 IT would typically, (according to our roommate) hang around the house 330 all day and then shower and leave before we get home from work. IT 331 would make promises of work to be done, or food IT was going to buy 332 (replacement items) or whatever seemed convenient. IT never followed 333 through. 334 335 Must have been 1:00 a.m. sometime in August of 88 when IT was driving 336 along I/5 north. IT had a five gallon drum of white "At Last America" 337 paint "It's not paint, it's At Last America!" on the floor in front 338 on the passenger side. When IT took the exit to 217 North, the lid 339 on the paint drum popped off, the drum tipped to the left and "shoveled" 340 most of the contents into the driver side footwell. IT was up to IT's 341 calves in paint. This in itself was not bad for us, but the quarter 342 sized hole in the floorboard was. I haven't checked recently, but 343 about a month ago (Jan/Feb) you could still follow the new and erratic 344 white line from the intersection of I-5/217 to our home. At our 345 driveway, the white line becomes a large white spill and then white 346 footprints. These footprints lead up the driveway and onto our cedar 347 decks up to the front door. If you look closely; you can see two 348 little white marks on the threshold where IT's white toes were resting. 349 Our roommate didn't let IT in the house, so the white foot prints go 350 back across the deck and down the driveway again. 351 352 There is more to the story, but I believe that you have the basic 353 concept of it. 354 355 Mostly, I couldn't understand the total lack of respect of our home/ 356 property. We still don't know what the dollar figures are going to 357 run to refinish our decks and driveway. 358 359 The last straw came a month later, my husband found some of our wedding 360 stainless in the garage. These spoons were badly scorched and ruined by 361 IT cooking drugs in them with a torch. So not only did IT again damage 362 our property, IT also could have burned down our home. IT was told to 363 leave. 364 365 So, here we are, the events of the summer had a major impact on 366 relationships with roommates. Our good roommate moved out at the end 367 of September, we miss her, but really are enjoying the privacey. We 368 don't have the extra funds to fix the things that were damaged last 369 summer and it will be a while before all wrongs are righted. 370 371 The moral to this story: Don't help anyone who you know to have a 372 drinking/drugs problem unless your willing to get badly hurt in the 373 process. Don't expect miracles, expect to get screwed. 374 ************************kathyD****************comments?**************** 015=Usr:131 THE VISION 03/01/89 17:35 Msg:3276 Call:18946 Lines:11 375 ______________________________T_H_E___V_I_S_I_O_N___________________________ 376 KathyD... Incredible! Very good work, Kathy! I really liked it! Astral 377 Dreamer, I would like to see part 4 tonight, if you don't mind. Part 3 378 was fine, don't underestimate yourself... You said you wanted something 379 good before you enter parts of your story, well KathyD just gave you 380 something great to read. Bye everyone, and see you on Dragon, AD or here! 381 _*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_ 382 383 Later...................................................at (5:36pm 3/1/89) 384 385 __T_H_E__V_I_S_I_O_N__ 016=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 03/01/89 18:53 Msg:3277 Call:18948 Lines:78 386 &*&*&*&*'s 387 An interesting story kathyD. It seems to me that you expected somthing from 388 IT that was not forthcoming. 389 390 It is good and noble to wan't to help others, But in my experience you can 391 seldom be a 'savior'. The trick is to not let them into an enviorment 392 that allows them to continue in the pattern they have grown accustomed to. 393 394 It may sound harsh, But somtimes you just have to let people bottom out. It 395 will either kill or cure them. Let them no that you care, but are not 396 going to be used. 397 398 Well, on to part four. Vision, my main problem with my last entry was at 399 it was not as clear and concise as it could have been. 400 Patrick sat for nearly an hour contemplating the things He had 401 been experiencing. He would have sat there longer if it were not 402 for a commotion at the door. 403 404 "I say, What is this?" Said a balding man from the entrance 405 as a large furry form streaked through the now open door through the crowd 406 and towards the table at which Patrick and the Wanderer sat. 407 408 "Cymry?" Patrick said as the form (Now revealed to be a large German 409 shepherd.) came to a skiding halt before them. 410 411 The Dog wagged its tail and looked at him with anticipation. "Why it is 412 you!" He said rising from his seat and hugging his old friend. 413 414 Growing self conciose he stood and looked around. The other people in the 415 Inn had went back to their business. "Do they allow dogs in here?" He asked 416 the Wanderer. 417 418 "I don't see why not. Just be sure he doesn't leave any messes 419 around and I'm sure knobody will mind." 420 421 "I wonder were he came from?" 422 423 "You said the Inn was his Dog house did you not?" 424 425 "Yes..." 426 427 "Well it would appear that he made the trip 428 as well." 429 430 "But he's been gone for almost a year." 431 432 "Don't let it bother you, time is a strange thing." 433 434 Patrick sat back down slowly stroking Cymry's back. He was soon deep in 435 thought again. 436 437 "You know, My parents dissapeared too. I wonder if they're around here 438 somewere?" Without realizing it he took his mini-pack off and 439 opened it, pulling out the small green Orb he had placed there earlier. 440 441 It was warm and glowed faintly. "Thats strange." he said slowly rotating 442 it in the palm of his hand. 443 444 The wanderer lost the far away look in his eyes and stared at the Orb. 445 "I didn't know you were a wizard, though you look it I suppose." 446 447 "I'm not. People keep telling me I am or that I will be or something like 448 that." 449 450 "Maybe they're right." 451 452 Patrick looked at the staff that was now sitting in his lap. It to had 453 a faint glow. 454 455 "You said that a Treant gave you that staff?" 456 457 "Yes, is that strange?" 458 459 "Depends on where your from." The Wanderer replied mysteriosly. 460 461 An Astral Dreamer 462 &*&*&*&*'s (tune in tommorow evening for part5.) 463 017=Usr:113 James Of Cassand 03/01/89 20:11 Msg:3278 Call:18951 Lines:48 464 465 . 466 And so it goes I guess. 467 468 After a time the pain had lessened enough for me to reach out and drink the 469 ale that the barkeep had brought me. 470 471 "How are you Kit?" 472 473 I looked around, winced and smiled at Lisa. "I've been better, Give me 474 another ten minutes or so and I'll be fine." 475 476 She smiled "Why is it that whenever I see you you look as if you've just 477 been through some sort of beating?" 478 479 "Just the downside of being a working man." 480 481 "Maybe, or the results of being out of your depth." She said sitting down in 482 the chair opposite him. 483 484 Kit looked back moodily. "I hope you didn't come here for a fight, I'm really 485 not feeling up to it." 486 487 "No, just examining the possibilities. You know you really don't need to go 488 back to that hell you call home. You could stay here." 489 490 "And do what? Stare at the walls untill my brain explodes? No thanks. Don't 491 get me wrong, I reallly enjoy this place. Just don't wan't to be stuck here 492 forever." 493 494 "I suppose, You know it hasn't bothered me that much and I've been here..." 495 496 "Three years this coming Augest. And you can't even remember the date." 497 498 "Look Kit, If you must know I was about to give you the exact amount of time 499 down to the nearest second. Your so damned annoying at times." She said 500 idly brushing her hair from in front of her face. 501 502 Kit sighed. "Look Lisa I'm sorry. I guess nearly being killed puts me in 503 a bad mood." He paused long enough to call for another drink. "Keeps life 504 interesting though." 505 506 "It's ok I suppose. Your the only line I have to news back home, I guess 507 I'll just have to put up with you." 508 509 "Speaking of back home, I aught to check up on that stuff I got from the 510 central DB." 511 . 018=Usr:70 Kurfur Redlig 03/01/89 20:39 Msg:3279 Call:18952 Lines:14 512 KKKKKKKKKKKKKKurfur Redlig | A Face From the Past!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 513 514 Remember when I said that my modem's power converter was the only thing 515 ruined? Well, I was dead wrong. It seems that the resulting power surge 516 fried the delicate inter modem bits, and they died shortly (3 calls) after. 517 Now, with a totally new modem, I hope that I will be back for quite 518 some time. The warranty people assured me that what happened was a 1 in a 519 million occurrence, but I don't think I can trust them very far (I had to 520 convince them that the damage was not my fault to get a replacement). In 521 any case, I am finally back, and I hope he withdrawal symptoms will 522 finally stop. Being modemless is hell! 523 So, what's going on around here? 524 525 KKKKKKKKKKKKKKurfur Redlig | Fatal System Error!!!@#@##@@!$@#$ .. ... ... 019=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 03/01/89 23:47 Msg:3280 Call:18958 Lines:9 526 &*&*&*&*'s 527 Lots of story telling mostly. We got off to a slow start on the last disk, but 528 things picked up near the middle and are continuing to improve. 529 530 Hope your modem doesn't give out again. 531 532 An Astral Dreamer 533 &*&*&*&*'s 534 020=Usr:4 Milchar 03/02/89 00:47 Msg:3281 Call:18960 Lines:58 535 ######################################################################### 536 I put my hand over the stranger's eyes and closed mine. A bright 537 white blaze brighter than sunlight illuminated the street, blinding our 538 attackers. As our assailants cursed and felt their way forward we took 539 the opprotunity to depart. Merryl smiled and put his Hahr-mon-ika away. 540 The "studio" proved to be no more than a few street crossings 541 away. Our guide smiled at us and said, "Gotta hand it to you dudes, you 542 sure know how to handle yourselves." To the windows above he yelled, 543 "Comin' in- got some friends!" as we climbed the staircase. 544 We were greeted by the musicians, but they resembled no bards I 545 ever heard of. Shiny black clothing and partially shaven heads seemed 546 to be the norm... 547 "I'd like you to meet the gang- Syd, Tony, Tom, and I'm John. 548 Apart we're just regular guys. Together we're Johnny Noize and the Ruckus." 549 "I'm Pan, and he's Merryl. Together, we're just lost." 550 "Don't you know the way back to the campus?" asked Johnny. 551 "We're not from Peaesyoo. We attend the School of Magick in 552 Dunbarrah, Plesia." 553 "Any you guys heard of Plez-ya?" asked Johnny. 554 "Isn't that near Old Town?" asked Syd. 555 "Aren't they with Motown?" inquired Tony. 556 "I use that in my hair all the time. Works great." put in Tom. 557 558 Never heard of Plesia? Where in the Thousand Hells were we? 559 560 "Those are interesting-looking instruments over there." Merryl 561 pointed to a haphazard arrangement of equipment, loosely bound by thin 562 wires that wandered snakelike on the floor. 563 "We we about to practice. Hey, you guys know any instruments?" 564 I showed him my flute, Merryl showed him his Hahr-mon-ika. 565 Johnny laughed. "Can't really jam with those. Know how to use 566 a keyboard?" 567 "No," I said, "but I'm willing to try. Looks like a small piano." 568 He grinned. "Helluva lot better than that. Try it." 569 I moved closer to the thing. The bottom greatly resembled the 570 piano, a little-known instrument from another world. I had practiced with 571 one on and off during the Thirty Days, already looking for my choice of 572 instrument. I pressed a few keys. 573 Such complexity of sound! A press upon the key brought forth 574 rich melody. I played with it for a bit, getting the feel it. I tried 575 a few smaller keys, experimentally. It didn't help that I didn't know 576 the language in which the keys were labeled. Johnny helped me while 577 Merryl joined the Ruckus in imbibing a dark fluid dispensed in cans. I 578 tried one. Too bitter. Merryl seemed to enjoy it, though. 579 I found I could play the keyboard quite well. I had always 580 had a talent for picking up a new instrument; it had served me well in 581 my days as a minstrel. "Care to see a little show, Johnny?" 582 He nodded, drunkenly; I realized the fluid was alcoholic. I 583 hoped Merryl would keep his wits about him. 584 I had something specific in mind- Spell three. 585 I sung them a dreamsong. 586 ### Pan #################################################### 03/02/89 ### 587 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 588 I am saddened to hear of such people, kathyD. I have been fortunate 589 enough to have very industrious friends; I doubt a situation such as yours 590 could happen to me, or at least in the near future. 591 I hope "Pan's" story has cheered you some; perhaps conjured a laugh. 592 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milch ++++++++++++++++ 03/02/89 ++++++++++++++ 021=Usr:498 Hagbard Celine , 03/02/89 01:43 Msg:3282 Call:18961 Lines:40 593 594 {} 595 596 My mind is blank. Inspiration seems to have left with the 597 passing of the wind, fluttering in the distence. I could always upload 598 my incomplete story, "The Valley". It was based on a vivid dream I had 599 several years ago, while listening to a tape. But the story is never 600 finished. Maybe it shouldn't be - after all, there is no 601 end to immortality. 602 603 I might return later and do a complete copy. Please be patient with 604 the erratic style of the story, I was only 16 when I wrote it. 605 606 But on to other things: abstaining from entries. I think that 607 the "Lurk Approach" is a minimal stop-gap, when there is play 608 to be done. Even if you are at a complete blank, you could always 609 leave an opinion here, or whip up a quickie to test your impromptu 610 writing style. Remember, you don't live forever, but there's always 611 tomarrow. Do not feel pressured by me or any other - take things at 612 your own pace. 613 614 My appologies for my absence, but as the regulars know, this happens 615 off and on. It shames me to loose contact with the "family" I have, 616 for I enjoy the company and tales of everyone here. It saddens my 617 heart when I can't communicate, or even read, with others here. In 618 a sense, it is a part of my social life, but in a limited way. 619 620 Finally, my applause to Astral Dreamer for his fine work. Your 621 story is well-rounded and, basically, "GOOD TO READ!" I await for 622 your next chapter. 623 624 Muse, are you out there? Kurfur, is your modem going to go 625 critical mass, or will you be here once again? Lord Beaker, 626 where has your presence drifted too? 627 628 Mellow for now, but returning soon, 629 630 Hagbard Celine 631 632 {} 022=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 03/02/89 14:24 Msg:3283 Call:18969 Lines:12 633 &*&*&*&*'s 634 Thanks Hagbard. It's good to hear from you. You seem to be disapering more 635 often these days then you used to. 636 637 I wonder what happened to Friar? 638 639 Oh well, I'll be signing off now. I'll upload the next part of my story 640 tonight. 641 642 An Astral Dreamer 643 &*&*&*&*'s 644 023=Usr:113 James Of Cassand 03/02/89 16:12 Msg:3284 Call:18971 Lines:46 645 . 646 "New info from the central DB? Sounds interesting, can you summons up a 647 terminal for me?" 648 649 Kit sighed, "Do you want an interface as well?" 650 651 "Do you see a plug anywere on my head?" Lisa replied pulling her long black 652 hair up to expose her neck. 653 654 "No, What good is it to have a terminal without the plug? 655 " 656 657 "Kit, how many times have you asked me that? You know they do have screens." 658 659 "Fine, if thats really the way you won't it." 660 661 "Yes." 662 663 A terminal appeared in front of each of them. Kit's had the long black 664 cord and plug that allowed him to become one with the computer. 665 666 "What are we looking for?" 667 668 "You remember Bleary?" Lisa nodded. "Well he claims he's been tagged by the 669 cp's. I'm just thought I'd check to see how bad it was." 670 671 "He doesn't have to log in you know." 672 673 "Lisa, not everybody has a nice little fantasy world to run away to you 674 know. I know him, the nets his life." 675 676 "Whats your excuse? You could stay here." 677 678 "It's a bit confined for me thank you. It's a nice place to viset, but I 679 wouldn't want to be stuck here." 680 681 "Theres the lake you know. It takes you to other worlds. I'd imagine its 682 not all that different from the net. I might just try it myself..." 683 684 Kit sighed again. "Look, can we just drop this? Why don't you check up 685 on the news from back home and I'll see what I can find out about bleary." 686 687 "Fine plug in. Hope you enjoy your fix." 688 689 . 690 024=Usr:245 Doug King 03/02/89 17:25 Msg:3285 Call:18972 Lines:3 691 All Purpose Marker #1 692@ 693@ 025=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 03/02/89 18:19 Msg:3286 Call:18977 Lines:72 694 &*&*&*&*'s 695 Hello All, Here's part 5. 696 697 "So you say you are not a Wizard and yet you have all the gear. It 698 seems to me that what you need is somebody to train you." 699 700 "Me a Wizard? I suppose it would be rather fun..." 701 702 "Patrick, magic is a very seriose and dangerouse thing." 703 704 Patrick sighed. "Seems that everything that looks or sounds fun has 705 a down side." 706 707 "The only thing you are guarenteed to get for free is life. Everthing afte 708 that is up to you." 709 710 "I suppose. Were you offering to train me?" 711 712 "Me? No, I'm afraid that I don't really know that much about the brand 713 of magic that you seem to have. I do know somebody though who might be 714 willing to take on an apprentice." 715 716 "I'm not sure I have the time. I need to be back by tonight or my 717 Grandmother will start to worry about me. And I have a math test on monday 718 that I can't afford to miss." 719 720 "Doesn't hurt to check in to this sort of thing does it?" 721 722 "Well, ok. Just so long as I'm back in time for dinner." 723 724 "I'll do my best." 725 726 The Wanderer stood and moving away from the table motioned Patrick to 727 follow. They walked through the Inn and out the front door with Cymry 728 following. 729 730 In front of the Inn they paused and looked at the sky. It was now 731 noon and Patrick could feel the sweet begining to form on the back of his 732 neck. 733 734 "I guess I'm a bit overdressed, It's still winter back home." 735 736 "It's always spring here. Why don't you take off your coat, you won't 737 need it anytime soon." 738 739 "I don't think it would fit in my pack and I really don't want to 740 carry it around with me." 741 742 "Hmm, Mind if I take a look at that pack?" 743 744 "I suppose not." Patrick said unshouldering it and handing it to him. 745 746 The Wanderer opened it and looked inside. Closing his eyes he put his 747 right hand in. Then he put his lower arm followed. And then his 748 upper arm. He seemed to make waving motions and then pulled his arm out. 749 "There you are, I think it will fit now." He said with a wink. 750 751 Patrick took it back and looking inside noteing that his small backpack 752 now seemed to have the insides of a large ruck sack. "Yes, I suppose it 753 will." He said turning a little green. 754 755 "Are you all right?" 756 757 "Yes, It's just that this sort of thing is supposed to be impossible." 758 759 "My young friend, I think you'll discover soon that there is very little 760 that is really impossible." 761 762 763 An Astral Dreamer (Part 6 tommorow evening.) 764 &*&*&*&*'s 765 026=Usr:245 Doug King 03/02/89 19:00 Msg:3287 Call:18978 Lines:4 766 767 All Purpose Marker #2 768 769 027=Usr:211 kathwren doherty 03/02/89 20:22 Msg:3288 Call:18981 Lines:3 770 *********+**************** 771 Terminal acting up, maybe later.... 772 *************kathyD******aware of situation**** 028=Usr:272 Talos 03/03/89 01:12 Msg:3289 Call:18989 Lines:5 773 <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> 774 Before I even attempt to pick up my story, where was/am I in it? I forgot. L8r, 775 776 Talos Valheru 777 <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> 029=Usr:4 Milchar 03/03/89 01:25 Msg:3290 Call:18990 Lines:35 778 ######################################################################### 779 Sages have known for centuries that sweet music can bring images 780 of breathtaking clarity to the mind; the Dreamsong was based on that. 781 The basic melody was always the same, but the variations controlled what 782 the audience saw. I sung of Dunbarrah. 783 As I felt the SNAP of Power, a misty vision formed before us. 784 It became clearer as I played- a scene of the School of Magick. Several 785 bright flashes of colored light hinted at the spells being cast and 786 miscast within. Just as I last saw it. 787 A new melody suggested itself to me, and I slid into it smoothly. 788 The School gained new clarity, the illusion taking up the entire far wall. 789 A cool breeze washed over us. 790 "Awright!" yelled Johnny. "Looks like a party- let's go!" He 791 walked forward, the Ruckus following him. 792 They vanished into the wall. 793 My mouth fell open, my hands faltered. The scene was gone. 794 Merryl and I were alone. 795 Suddenly, Merryl was cold sober. "That-that was an illusion spell, 796 I heard you play it. Where are they now, Pan?" 797 My stomach sank. "Dunbarrah, I think." I looked at the keyboard. 798 "This thing lets me evoke a lot of Power. I really was shooting for a 799 Simple Illusion." 800 "Can you do it again? The Ruckus doesn't belong in Plesia." 801 "I-I'll try." I tried to remember the notes, played a few. 802 803 Nothing. 804 805 "I *know* I can't generate that kind of power. My control is 806 better'n yours, though. Hum. Maybe you should try a sending." 807 I stared at him. "You've been drinking too much of that brown 808 stuff. Do you remember what happens if that spell goes out of control?" 809 "Yeah, the backlash is nasty- but can you think of a better idea?" 810 He had me there. 811 ### Pan #################################################### 03/03/89 ### 812 030=Usr:53 prince dragon 03/03/89 12:38 Msg:3291 Call:18996 Lines:15 813 .-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.prince dragon 814 815 light power 816 dark utilities 817 the telco engineer looked at his job sheet again and still did not 818 know what he was doing in a woods 5 miles from the nearest line. 819 he was just geting ready to go , when a door outlined in a bright-blue 820 light just appeared with the address that he was looking for on it.... 821 so he walked up and knocked on said door... 822 823 824 ( more later) 825 826 {ok i am back and wrighting } 827 .-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.-=-.prince dragon 031=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 03/03/89 14:21 Msg:3292 Call:18998 Lines:11 828 &*&*&*&*'s 829 Another Returnee, welcome back. Talos, The last part of your story had to do 830 with the guy on the beach leaving after showing the high ranking military 831 types what he had found in the surf. I believe that he told them that thui 8#2 would be contacting the people he worked for and having him assigned to 833 them. 834 835 Later I guess. 836 An Astral Dreamer 837 &*&*&*&*'s 838 032=Usr:70 Kurfur Redlig 03/03/89 16:16 Msg:3293 Call:19003 Lines:13 839 KKKKKKKKKKKK[KKK[KKKKurfur Redlig | Hmmmmm. No message hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee 840 841 Well, the modem seems to be working out nicely right now (its amazing how 842 nice machines can be if you threaten them enough), but I can't think 843 of anything to say. Oh, well. 844 845 Hello Hagbard, Talos, and Astral. Geee but it nice having a modem (and 846 as well as a social life) again. Perhaps next entry I'll have thought up 847 a story to enter. 848 849 If you're really up to one of my stories that is... 850  851 KKKKKKKKKKKKKurfur Redlig | Not one here eitherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 033=Usr:220 alyx * 03/03/89 19:09 Msg:3294 Call:19005 Lines:3 852 +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ alyx +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ alyx who has one minute 853 to logout after reading both disks! more next time. i like it here. lots 854 034=Usr:220 alyx * 03/03/89 19:18 Msg:3295 Call:19006 Lines:16 855 +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ a little bit later +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* 856 857 sorry for such a0gabrled entrance - how embarassing. kathyD's struck me the 858 most. the lesson i have learned from similar experience(s): you cannot 859 help/change other people. only they can truly help/change themselves. you 860 can only help/change yourself. sometimes the hardest thing to do is let people 861 live their own lives. you cannot fix 'it' for them (whatever 'it' is) and even 862 if you could, they would resent it in the end. 863 864 i've really enjoyed reading this board - took me quite a while0do figure out 865 what was what but now i'm glad i did. i'm not very good at impromptu writing 866 and previous attempts to upload on another system were 1) unsuccessful and 2) 867 disasterous. i hesitate to try it here... 868 869 +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+:+* this space for rent at 3/3/89 7:20p *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* 870 035=Usr:245 Doug King 03/03/89 20:50 Msg:3296 Call:19009 Lines:3 871 All Purpose Marker #3. 872 873@ 036=Usr:131 THE VISION 03/03/89 20:53 Msg:3297 Call:19010 Li~es:2 874 Hmm, All Purpose Marker #3.... is that like a lurk notice? 875 Welcome Alyx. 037=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 03/03/89 21:01 Msg:3298 Call:19011 Lines:52 876 &*&*&*&*'s 877 Hello, And welcome Alyx. 878 879 Side note: The Inn is in a middlu sized valley. There is a stream a short 880 distance away from the back that runs into the silvery lake. leading downt 881 to the stream is a footpath and over it is a small bridge. 882 883 Also the Inn is made of wood, two stories high. The mai~ lobby is were 884 everybody hangs out, and were the front door opens onto. There is of course a 885 bar and a stairway leading up to rooms on the second floor. Also on the 886 first floor is a door that leads into the kitchen area. Oh can't forget thu 88' fire place. 888 889 The above comes from Milch,(Correct me if I screwed up anything oh wise and 890 powerfull one! :-) ). 891 892 Ok, next part of the story coming up. 893 894 Patrick removed his robe and took off the coat. He placud it carefully 895 within his pack. "It's strange you know, I never felt warm in the Inn." 896 897 "Strange? Not really, It's the nature of the place. It always feels just 898 right inside." 899 900 "Oh, I see." 901 902 "Abu you ready to start?" 903 904 Patrick finished putting his robe back on and shouldered the pack. "Yes." 905 He paused for a moment "You know my pack feels lighter now then it did 906 before I put the coat inside." 907 908 "Yes, the0moru you put into it the lighter becomes. The reverse is also 909 true. Shall we be on our way?" 910 911 "I guess." 912 913 "Excellent!" The Wanderer said striding towards the lake. 914 915 They walked less then 100 yards0befobe they came to it's edge. Patrick 916 could see now that the silvery sheen was real and not just an illusion of 917 the light. "Here, take my hand. And grab Cymry's coller." The Wanderer said. 918 919 Patrick grasped Cymry firmly and then0reashed out and grasped 920 the Wanderers hand as well. They walked up to the shore and into the lake. 921 922 "Wanderer, were are we going?" 923 924 "Don't be afraid, We're going through a portal." he replied. 925 926 Patbyck took several deep breaths, held one gave Cymry a reasuring pet 927 and plunged forward after the Wanderer. Strangly they did not float and after 038=Usr:84 Michael Miller j 03/03/89 21:19 Msg:3299 Call:19012 Lines:41 928 929 moment Patrick0bealized he was breathing. They continued their journey for 930 several minutes. 931 932 Patrick glanced at his left arm and looked at the watch on his wrist. The 933 display was frozen. 934 935 All around them was the dull shimering glow0dhat had suffused the 936 surfuce of the lake. Slowly the light ahead began to change and brighten. 937 The Wanderer dissapeared from sight for a moment and then Patrick broke 938 the surface coming into an ally. 939 940 He turned and watched0in qmazment as Cymry and his arm emerged from 941 a brick wall. 942 943 "Remember this spot, I'll mark it." The Wanderer said letting go of his 944 hand and pulling out what looked to be a piece of chalk. He marked a large X 945 on the wal| thuy had just come through. "Cymry, You'll remember it just in 946 case Patrick gets lost won't you boy?" 947 948 The dog wagged his tail and nodded. 949 950 The wall they had emerged out of was in fact the far wall of an enclosed )51 alley. There was only one way to go from here. trash and dirt were strewn 952 everywere. 953 954 "Not a very nice looking place, are you sure this is were we want to be? 955 956 "Why of course, We're almost there." 957 958 0 They walked out of the dirty ally and onto a dirty street. 959 There seemed to be more dirt here then in many places that were considered to 960 be wilderness. 961 962 "Welcome to gloriose Agate Bay. If we want to avoid the slums we'll 9&3 be0going this way." The Wanderer said striking out to the left. 964 965 "AVOID? looks like we're right in the middle of them!" Patrick replied. 966 967 An Astral Dreamer (9:33pm 3-3-89) 968 &*&*&*&*'s 039=Usr:70 Kurfur Redlig 03/03/89 22:19 Msg:3300 Call:19013 Lines:31 969 KKKKKKKKKKKKKurfur Redlig | What? New Users? WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 970 971 Just imagine, there are people on this board who haven't had the chance 972 to be bored by me. That's a definate sign that Y've been out of it for 973 a while. In any case, Welcome and Well Met, Alyx. I am Kurfur Redlig, 974 resident (recently temporarily de-modemed) berserker. Tell us a little 975 about yerself, won't you? 976 977 Hey, there are only 25 more lines do this disk! Should I finish 978 it, or let someone else have the honor? Hmmmmmm. Major moral dillemma. 979 What the Hades, I'll finish it off. 980 981 With that over, what will I finish it off with? Another real 982 poser. How 'bout dxe duficit? Nah, too boring. Politics? Nope, too 983 stupid. Science? (what about it?) Not really. Hmmmmmmmm. 984 985 I know! With questions..... 986 987 How many people out there are in the SCA? 988 989 How many don't know what the SCA is? 990 991 992 How many don't care? 993 994 How many think I should stop these questions and get on with it? 995 (me too) 996 997 998 Well, it seems that with a few slipped returns, I've hit bottom. Bye. 999 KKKKKKKKKKKKKurfur Redlig | We are not schizophrenic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!