Chapter 101: Mary’s Dream [Illustration]

Through the wisdom of wine, it began with a crash to the bed.

To her credit, Mary never thought her sleep would be any different, since she didn't feel any different. She could easily forget she had merged with her slimy clone because it was a seamless connection that didn't bring any change in her sense of self.

Clearly, things were different. One blink, and possibly a snore, she opened her eyes to a new world. In her stunned, blank gaze, the bright green oak leaves fluttered about with the wind while evergreen pine towered in the distance.

"Uh....well then."

It helped this wasn't her first rodeo to dream lands, so she took some time to warm up to her new environment. In front of her, she squinted her eyes to a clearing where an abundance of light filled. Holding her breath, she crept forward, letting the breeze stroke her nightgown that followed on her. Once she stepped out to the exposed land, a bright flash flooded the artist's form, causing her to look away for a moment. As her eyes adjusted to the fresh sunlight, a cabin faded into the center, glowing among rays cast between the surrounding trees.

"What the..."

Usually, when people dream, it's based off something that's made an impact in the mind or recently seen. However, Mary never visited a cabin in her life nor held any appetite for remote living. Given that she could feel the lush environment, it was clear that she was connected to something similar to Anne's dream realm. As for why it pulled her to this area, she had no clue. She didn't know whether this place was still part of Anne or a completely separate realm. Based on the lack of tears and bright sky, she felt the answer was leaning more towards the latter.

Regardless, Mary studied the area and the cabin for a while. She was hesitant about entering the wooden structure on her own, but not wanting to drift too far away, she eventually tried knocking on the door.

"Hello?"

Nobody answered, and the door was completely unlocked. She peeked in first, finding the interior was neat, but fairly empty. There was a bed in one side, a table in the center, and a row of drawers and cabinets lined to a wall.

It was too clean to not have been taken care of, but too empty for anyone to have stayed. Although, was there even a need to clean in a magical world?

"It's cozy at least."

Following in, she scoured the place for any signs of living, checking the drawers and cabinets; however, there was nothing. She huffed and sat on the bed, taking in the interior.

"Think, Mary," she told herself. "If this is anything like Anne's world, and I'm currently joined by a piece of her, then...this place must also be a piece of her."

That would be a logical conclusion, except, there didn't seem to be any "damage" to this area like a magical tear. Further, nothing in her, Daniel, Viviane, or Anne's memories brought a cabin into play.

At least, as far as memories accessible to all of them.

Seeing how there wasn't a clue in sight, Mary sighed and stood up. "No point staying around here. Maybe I can climb a tree to... Oh, wait!"

Brightening with an idea, Mary raised her hands to check her state. Focusing, she willed her new slimy coat to draw out of her skin. Sure enough, her hand became visibly covered by a translucent blue slime.

She grinned. "Nice!"

The question was whether she could use her slime body to help lift herself and get a bird's-eye view of the area. Stepping out, she started with the tallest pine tree closest to the cabin. She guessed it was at least a hundred feet high, although, even her artistic sense of depth couldn't be certain.

Regardless, she was more excited to make use of her new accompanying slime.

"But how should I do this? Hmm... Ah!"

Splick!

From her shoulders blades, two slimy appendages extended out of her nightgown and wobbled above her. She figured, this way, she wouldn't have to risk any tension to her underlying human structure by stretching too far.

"Alright then, easy..."

Steadily, her pair of slime grapplers stretch from behind towards the best stable branch she could see. Once they wrap around the trunk, Mary breathed out.

"I should be able to lift myself with this slime, right?"

She thought of her mass like a pulley. With a bit of a focus, her feet lifted off the ground.

"Hell yeah!"

Mary laughed freely, her body raised effortlessly by her accompanying gelatinous mass. While avoiding branches on her way up, she hums pleasantly as the wind picked up and brushed through her hair. Soon, her feet lightly tapped the bark of the branch as she reached her new platform without issue.

More light filled her vision as she widened to the sprawling forest that seemed to go on forever. As she looked for any other structures or features, mists rising in the air caught her attention. She leaned forward, consequently losing focus of her slime mass on the tree as she squints.

"Wait, they're coming from...lakes?"

Three lakes from what her eyes could see.

Snap!

But the artist wasn't able to confirm. Her woody support cracked, dropping her off before she could even register. In a blink, she screamed while slimy appendages tried to grip on to anything.

Everything was spreading too fast to focus!

"FUC—"

Thump!

...

..

.

Safe to say, Mary woke back into her apartment after that.

Having given her heart time to cool, the artist synchronized her experience with Viviane before leaving for the airport. Unfortunately, the elder slime held no new ideas about the environment, nor did she receive any new memories.

Coughing, Mary tries not to think too hard about it or her fall as the clattering from her car's tires reverberates along the patched highway towards Keystone airport. Perhaps next time, she would even bring Daniel with her, providing a good excuse to wrap her new slimy layer all over her artistic half and bind him to her.

As the kinky idea persists, Mary's hands tighten around the steering wheel as she mentally slaps away any anticipation.

'Focus, Mary! You just fell like a dumbass!' the British artist tells herself, her lips crooked shamefully as she passes under the airport signage. Clearing herself once more, she drives for a bit until she's able to park in the lot closest to the terminal her uncle, Marlin, should be waiting.

Exiting the car, she couldn't help brush herself down. Although she's fine, there's a sense that she should be more of a mess after that drop through trees. Not to dwell on her would-be state, she checks her messages on her phone. There's one update from Merlin saying he's arrived and another by Daniel.

Regarding her artistic half, she's upset he didn't encourage Viviane to wake her if they were truly worried about her dream state. What if he learned more that has to be considered without her?

Groaning, she reads on while walking towards the terminal.

Morning. I talked with Viviane, and I'm glad you're fine. We'll have to sync up depending how things go with your uncle, but Anne and Daniel did go into the dream realm. They ended up being guided to a place that showed the rest of the Stonehenge memory with Merlin. Mother has the details, but just giving you heads up. Love you.

Mary stops in the middle of a crowd and narrows her eyes. 'So they did find something important without me! Seriously, they should've just woke me up if they were so worried about...'

Her thoughts slow as she catches how the message is presented.

They... Anne and Daniel.... Dream.

Her breath becomes stuck in her throat as she internally screams, leaning her face into her phone screen. 'Wait, what?! They merged! That means Anne must've shared...!'

"Mary?"

"Gah!"

The dark artist fumbles for a bit, then straightens. Her eyes lock onto a familiar shiny-headed man in front with brown eyes, and a grin to boot.

"Hey there, miss weirdo," Marlin greets, trailing with his luggage.

Mary shoves her phone into her pocket as she resets before her family. She wants desperately to see Daniel and Anne's state, but that'll have to come later.

Clearing her throat, she raises her arms. "Uncle Baldy!"

"Of course," Marlin mutters, snorting as he accepts her incoming hug. It must've been at least two years since they last saw each other in person.

Holding a few seconds to celebrate this reunion, Mary pulls away and beams. "I'm so happy you came all the way to visit me!"

Marlin slumps. "That's one way to put it. Honestly, you have no idea how much you've troubled me lately. I'm...a little scared what you have to show me."

Mary waves her hands quickly. "Relax, relax! I know you've come a long way, so we don't have to get right into anything strange. Here, let me take your lugg—"

"Ah, ah, it's fine!" Marlin excuses, forcing a chuckle while his grip on the handle bar twists tighter. "Let's get going. How are you faring so far?"

"As normal as can be! Well, aside from being one of the few British folks in town...among other things."

Marlin grins. "Well, it's part of your charm, innit?"

Mary groans. "Ugh, let's not overemphasize it. Anyway, I've already got a guest bed ready in my studio since I'm sure you're tired. Do you need to go anywhere first?"

"Actually, I should rent a car for myself while I'm here. Is there a center nearby?"

"There's one a few miles away from here, but really, I don't mind if you need to borrow my car to go places."

The Order likely knows of his relationship to Mary, but even so, Marlin feels he needs to have his mobility while limiting any traces to his niece. He shouldn't even stay with her in that regard, but he can't follow any risks either if he's not close.

"It'll be better this way for me. You won't have to pay for the car, I promise."

Mary huffs. "As if I would! Being a cheapskate has limits, you know."

Marlin chuckles. "That's harsh. Didn't I refund you back the price of my plane ticket? It was necessary to make sure you were serious about me visiting."

"I do understand the caution, but it still irritates me. Whatever your case is, we'll head to the rental center."

"Thank you."

From then on, the two continue in idle chat as they leave the terminal. While a step behind from his niece, Marlin can't help but warily look at the people surrounding them, wondering how many, like the Italian man he bumped into, might be from The Order.

What were they here for?