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After his trip to the arcade, Fable had spent no small amount of time at G.E.M.I.N.I. HQ trying to find out all he could about hauntings, demons, and, in particular, Chernobog. However, he was careful not to alert Dr. Moller, or any of his fellow agents to his search for answers. After all, he didn’t want any of them to think he was losing his mind… The sole exception had been Agent Orion, aka Ashley Avenir, a kind and approachable young woman, who, upon hearing what elements of his story the boy chose to share, was more than happy to help him in any way she could. After exhausting the G.E.M.I.N.I. database, or at least the portions of it they had access to, the pair had decided to try a different path, namely, an occult bookshop that had recently opened in the historic district. Thus it was, that the two untransformed agents found themselves standing at the entrance of a small storefront, tucked between two, ornate art deco buildings, with an elevated railway overshadowing them. This created a gloomy and mysterious atmosphere, even though it was around noon, on an otherwise clear day. Upon the sign above the door, the name “Torvald’s Tomes and Trinkets” was spelled out in elaborate script.
 
[color=MediumSpringGreen]“This looks like the place,”[/color] Ashley announced as she gazed up at the sign, which was dimly illuminated by a flickering light. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“This area certainly has a unique ambiance, don’t you think?”[/color] the bespectacled young woman asked her companion. 
 
Fable took a quick glance over the building, before looking over to Ashley. [color=7F2A3C]"Must be a member of the Addams family.[/color] He joked. It was unfortunate, and a bit disturbing that the HQ's database held no answers for his nightmare. He had to act swiftly before he's forced to face him again, and concidering it knew about his vice of failures so far? Of course, he ended up humoring his co-worker about his recent blight. The two were the youngest of their team after all, they gotta stick together.
 
 The boy went up to the door and opened it for Ashley. [color=7F2A3C]"So, anything crop up on your end?"[/color] He asked.
 
 [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Not much, aside from this bookshop,”[/color] Ashley replied with a frown. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“We might have had better luck asking Binky or Doctor Moller, but I understand why you’re reluctant to bring them into this,”[/color] she added sympathetically. The bespectacled girl’s smile returned a moment later when Fable politely opened the door for her, triggering a small chime. 
 
She was about to thank him, when a reedy voice called out, “Greetings, seekers of knowledge! I am Torvald Brellomee, the sage of sages, and I welcome you to my humble bookshop!” Stepping further inside the cramped and musty shop, the two agents would find a wizened, but quite animated man with a long, white beard standing behind a counter, which itself was cluttered with various bizarre items. He was wearing a purple robe with white moons and stars printed on it, along with a matching pointed hat. “Herein you will find manuscripts on a myriad of subjects most esoteric in nature,” he continued. “From the language of the birds to the secret cypher of the Ancient and Arcane Order of Ihoppmennu! So tell me, young seekers, what quest brings you here today?”
 
Of course, the sudden appearance of the store's eccentric owner left the boy a bit perplexed. But it [i]was[/i] rather charming. Just didn't have a sword in a stone in the back from what he could tell. With a quiet giggle, he cleared his throat. [color=7F2A3C]"Got any books on demons, or dream magic??"[/color] He asked the librarian.
 
“But of course!” Torvald replied with an amused chuckle. “Among these hallowed shelves, you will even find tomes on demons who [i]manipulate[/i] dreams! Yes, yes! From Morpheus to Mujaki, if such a being is the goal of your quest, you shall surely find the one you seek!”
 
Manipulate dreams, huh? Maybe that's one way the demon was able to plague him. [color=7F2A3C]"Thanks."[/color] With a nod to Torvald, Fable walked further in to look through the bookshelves, picking out anything that could prove useful in his search.
 
 [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Yes, thank you,”[/color] Ashley also told the strange proprietor with a smile and a respectful nod. She idly wondered whether or not the man was an esper, a magi, or simply a mundane eccentric. It was always best to be cautious about such things, the young agent reflected, but since Torvald had been nothing but helpful thus far, she didn’t think they had anything to worry about. Following along behind Fable, the bespectacled girl looked over the various manuscripts her fellow agent was gathering.  [color=MediumSpringGreen]“So, um, when was the first time you started having these… visions?”[/color] she asked tentatively, not wanting to pry into things the boy wanted to keep private, but still desiring to help him in his search for answers.
 
 [color=7F2A3C]"Well, not sure if you can call them visions. But the first time I saw him was during one of the jobs I worked from Shimr. Y'know, before I joined you guys."[/color] Fable explained as he picked out a stack of books. [color=7F2A3C]"I didn't think much of it at first... Or really I did, but eventually went to the conclusion that I was overthinking things. What with me being stressed about recent events. [i]Until...[/i]"[/color] He trailed off with a sigh.
 
 [color=7F2A3C]"Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of all this. That's one of the reasons why I need to know more before I'm forced to face him again. I need to know what I'm dealing with."[/color]
 
 Ashley thought over what Fable had told her. There was always the possibility that he was simply hallucinating due to stress, but not only was she hesitant to mention such a sensitive subject, but it didn’t really seem all that likely, especially not when the first occurrence was while on a mission. Perhaps he was under the effects of a long-term hex or curse?  [color=MediumSpringGreen]“If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me what happened that first time?”[/color] the bespectacled girl inquired.  [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Knowing the exact circumstances of the initial episode might provide some insight as to its origin.”[/color]
 
 Once he found an empty table to sit at, the boy set his books down and spread them out. [color=7F2A3C]"First time was against a succubus and her dream realm-magic-thing. It didn't appear until I got dragged into that mess."[/color] He shook his head, opening one book and flipping through the pages. [color=7F2A3C]"Second time I got fully knocked out mid outting by dream sand. Most likely case there is Sandman decided to be a little shit that day, dunno what else could've done it. If the demon isn't just a byproduct of my mental health, then I guess it can only reach me through dreams. Not sure if it has to be magically-induced or not, which can be a huge problem if it doesn't need the help."[/color] He rambled on.
 
 Ashley listened intently as Fable described his encounters with the creature thus far. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“So, you’ve only seen him twice?”[/color] she asked once the boy had finished. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Were there any commonalities between the two instances? Like, you mentioned sand. Was that present on the first occasion as well? And did you happen save any for analysis?”[/color]
 
 Fable shook his head. [color=7F2A3C]"Sadly I didn't even think to gather whatever sand wasn't dispeled off me at the time. Other than that, I don't think there's any other common theme to these instances besides..."[/color] He trailed off suddenly, staring at a certain section of the Demonology book he was looking through.
 
 So he didn’t recover any of the sand, huh? Well, that was unfortunate. However, something in the book he held seemed to gain Fable’s interest, and Ashley leaned over to get a closer look at the page in question. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“What is it?”[/color] she inquired. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Did you find something?”[/color]
 
 He didn't answer yet. He was too busy reading about [i]not[/i] the god of Bad Fate,
 
 But [i]Baphomet[/i], a goat-headed demon representing balance in various occult and mystical circles. He already knew about the whole "Demons in Dreams" had mostly negative meanings behind it, but he never thought about there being a good omen to something he was afraid of. 
 
 But then, what did it mean for him?
 
 [color=7F2A3C]"I think...that's him."[/color] Fable finally answered passing the book to Ashley before sitting back against his seat. [color=7F2A3C]"Is it bad this only gives me more questions than answers?"[/color] He asked her.
 
 [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I think more questions will ultimately lead to more answers,”[/color] Ashley replied with a reassuring smile, before returning to the task at hand. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“If memory serves, Baphomet was also often used as a stand-in for the devil, or simply as a generic symbol of evil. I think the very first instance of the name comes from the crusades, when crusaders, mishearing the name of Muhammed, thought their muslim foes were calling upon some form of demon. So, essentially, its creation was just a big misunderstanding that took on a life of its own. Anyways,”[/color] she added, adjusting her glasses. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I don’t know if that matters or not, but you mentioned that this creature talked to you in its second appearance. Do you remember what it said?”[/color]
 
  [color=7F2A3C]"Hah, for whatever reason Not-Devil knew about my current streak of screw ups. I think he was concidering giving me advice or something, whatever he meant by 'his wisdom being wasted on someone like me'. Y'know, before he tried to [i]crush me to death[/i]."[/color] He grimaced. Ironic something like Baphomet would appear with a Not-God of a Behemoth planning a business trip to Pax. 
 
 Or maybe it wasn't? Hell if he knew at this point.
 
 [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Hmmm… If he only appeared in your dreams, perhaps he really [i]is[/i] a manifestation of your subconscious fears and insecurities,”[/color] Ashley mused. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Not that I think you’re simply hallucinating,”[/color] she hasted to clarify. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Just that mystic means were employed to place you in a dream state and then manipulate, and possibly even magnify, its contents. The real question is, who, or what is responsible? You said the first instance was the result of a succubus’s spell, while the second occurrence involved presumably mystic sand. This would seem to indicate that the two were not related, and yet, what motive would someone have for, essentially giving you a bad dream? If someone wanted to take revenge on you, I would imagine they’d be more direct, trying to physically harm, or even kill you. Then again,”[/color] she continued. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“If this was someone who wanted to get back at you for your role in the succubus’s death, then they may have chosen to use similar means, possibly in a sinister effort to gradually erode your sanity. Oh, and you were untransformed at the arcade, so it would also need to be someone who knows what you look like outside the esper state. Do you happen to know of anyone who might meet those criteria?”[/color]
 
 [color=7F2A3C]"I don't..."[/color] Fable's eyes then widened. Something crossed his mind. [color=7F2A3C]"It couldn't be. Could it? Not even sure they would willingly work with Jan knowing she was a monster, but how else would she get away with it for so long?"[/color] He thought outloud to himself. He then furrowed his brows, looking back to Ashley. [color=7F2A3C]"I'm not that confident about it, but I believe there are some suspects in mind. The owner of Dante's, the succubus' old hunting ground. That or one of her old coworkers."[/color] He explained, standing up from his seat and grabbing the set of books to get them checked out.
 
 [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Okay then, in that case, I suppose investigating this restaurant is the best place to start,”[/color] Ashley declared. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Although, if they know what you look like in your mundane state, then maybe I should take a look myself?”[/color]
 
 Oh right.
 
 [color=7F2A3C]"Well, as far as I'm concerned they didn't see me untransform before I left. But I don't know who else it could be. I won't stop you if you wanna follow me there though! Might need the back up..."[/color] Fable clarified.
 
 [color=MediumSpringGreen]“All right, if you’re determined to go, then I won’t try and stop you,”[/color] Ashley replied. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“But I’m definitely tagging along. Whoever used that sand on you did so when you were out of the esper state, so [i]someone[/i] knows that you and the Timekeeper are one and the same, and if that person really does work at Dante’s, then you should have someone there to watch your back.”[/color]
 
With their mind made up, they set off.
 
“Come again!” Torvald waved to his departing customers before turning to someone at the front counter. “How about you sir? Have you found a book to quench your thirst for knowledge?”
 
Sitting in front of the counter was a large man with a floating grace to him. He almost seemed to hover on the stool he was sitting on, and his wig swayed just a bit too much with every bob of his head. He was reading a book on poltergeists and had a few more books picked out on urban disasters and haunted business establishments. [b]”Oh you bet!”[/b] The unusual character said. [b]”I think I’ll take all of these.”[/b] While Torvald punched the books into his register, the eccentric man pointed at the GEMINI esper’s backs and jerked his hand back. [b]”Those kids are pretty cute. A shame none of them stay that way.”[/b] His rubber lips curled into a smile.