[center][img] https://i.postimg.cc/05wJvy8F/Crimson-Room.jpg[/img][/center] Issue # 1.02: The Crimson Room [hr] The body has many visceral reactions to extreme stimuli. It’s specific response to seeing a demonic goat man missing half its arm and having its flayed face take form from your lunch happens to be barfing the rest of said lunch. [color=3865A9]“Oh God!”[/color] Buddy exclaimed as he felt this urge, trying to fight this primal compulsion for expulsion. Much to his horror and dismay, the bits of his host still stuck inside him had started to crawl up his throat and out of his mouth along with bile it had taken along with it from his digestive tract. This left him heaving and teary-eyed, completely grossed out by this experience. However, instead of lying on the ground, the chunks of vomited meat started to gravitate towards their main host and began to reform the goat man’s form to completion. No sign of it being partially digested inside Buddy’s stomach could be seen at all. [color=8B0000]“Welcome once again to The Red, avatar Baker. I see your guardian has found a way for you to bypass The Dreaming and reach us.”[/color] the goat man would state with a slight nod to acknowledge Socks.[color=8B0000]“I am of the Parliament but, in this form as your overseer, you may address me as Silenos.” [/color] [color=3865A9]“Alright... Silenos…”[/color] Buddy took a momentary pause, still reeling from the clear violation of his personal space. [color=3865A9]“I don’t even know where to begin because this shit is insane!” [/color] [color=8B0000]“Recall our first contact. We had reclaimed your body from death’s door and you had agreed to be our avatar – an agent that will channel The Red’s powers in the mortal plane to fulfill our interests. As for this location, it is your psyche’s sanctuary within our vast domain.”[/color] This did nothing to clear Buddy’s confusion and frustration. Sensing this, Silenos had began to reshape the vast, hellish landscape to something more sensible yet equally outlandish. Red curtains appeared from seemingly nowhere and began to veil the endless vista and the reddish soil had now been covered by zebra-striped carpeting with an accompanying zebra head at the center of it all. The scent of blood and meat still lingered in the air. [color=8B0000]“Perhaps this change of scenery is more calming. I recall one of our other avatars being partial to this setup for his sanctuary.”[/color] Silenos stated, now dressed in a three-piece red suit instead of his judge robes from earlier. [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKBRyNNW3u0][color=ffffff]Smooth jazz[/color][/url] could be heard in the background. [color=3865A9]“Wait, how did you do that?” [/color]Buddy inquired, curious as to how this magical force actually operated. [color=8B0000]“It is simple. We are in The Red. As long as it is made of flesh, bone, or skin then we are able to manipulate it as we see fit and give form according to our desires.”[/color] As Silenos spoke, Buddy soon noticed that the drapes surrounding him were, in fact, thin slices of unspoiled beef which probably explained the smell. Knowing that he would be able to do what his host had just done, Buddy began to visualize something composed of any of those three components described earlier. His imagination raced at all the possibilities he would be able to shape. This was the power of creation! And yet, he could not think of what he could possibly… [color=3865A9]“Chair!”[/color] Buddy exclaimed. Soon, bone as bright as polished ivory had risen beneath the zebra rugs and formed an exact replica of his studio apartment’s kitchen seat. Gazing upon it, he soon noticed his own reflection against the fixture. The injuries he sustained from earlier were still there but if Silenos could reshape half its missing body then, surely, he could fix a small laceration. Touching his face, Buddy could feel his own flesh bending to his will as if he was an artist shaping clay to the vision of his image. [color=8B0000]“Quite impressive. Now, as for why specifically we choes ouy ot emoceb ruo ratava.” [/color]It was occurring once more. Silenos had began to speak in the same gibberish language he had been using the first time around. Before he could make sense of it all, Socks had placed his paw against Buddy’s leg. [color=#FAFD0F]“Your mortal form is in danger, Baker.”[/color] Socks would state before Buddy would suddenly awaken still in the middle of the butcher shop floor. However, an immense, putrid rot had taken over the room and a loud banging against the entrance amplified the headache Buddy was suffering from his collapse. A quick glance at the store’s stock soon revealed that all of the meat on display had suddenly decayed as if it had been doing so for months. The butcher was braced against the door, struggling to keep something from getting in. Multiple figures could be seen crowding against the entrance from the display windows next to it. [color=FAFD0F]“Baker, they have found us. We must leave.” [/color] [color=3865A9] “What, who?!” [/color] The door swung wildly, knocking back the butcher but he was quick to get back up on his feet. Unsheathing a kitchen knife from his back, the store proprietor had stabbed the first figure to walk in right in the throat. This would only prove futile as the figure nonchalantly pulled the knife from his body. [color=FAFD0F]“Agents of our rival – The Rot.” [/color]