#stepping sideways

A small group of the carnivorous variety out hunting. They have a glamour they wear that allows them to sneak up on their prey. They hunt in a group, like orcas. They had long fingers and talons and… I guess what I’d call a “game face” if you ever watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer; they very fluidly can shift from pretty to horrific.

The pod I encountered lived deep underground via a series of ramps and tunnels that lead to a subterranean….lake, for lack of better word. Like, they definitely made use of old human structures in their pathway (lotta concrete abandoned areas on the way). I didn’t get in the water with them, I was surprised enough that they hunt on land. Not sure of the diet specifically, but I’m certain they eat meat.

Unexpected astral trip last night. For some background, for a long time in the astral there was a prolific diviner/healer I saw certain times out of the year. Maybe a year ago, I broke one of her rules and haven’t been able to go back. (She’s a staunch pacifist and there was a situation that happened outside her place). Anyway, even though quite a few folks know I’m capable of doing some healing work, it wasn’t something I offered to the public.

Went back to the faerie tattoo artist at long last. Instead of a little wooden shop in the woods it was an outdoor setup this time with a handful of artists at tables in the middle of a clearing. Stood in line with like a dozen people chatting with the dark skin bald guy in front of me. Got to the front, discussed the tattoo with her, handed her my arm to start —

And my morning alarm yoinks me out of astral 🤦🏾‍♀️ Why do I even try.

It’s very interesting that he managed to slip back in because a) my wards are highly specific and recently renewed and b) he did so without it triggering/notifying my companions. Which either means there’s no threat of violence from him or he’s just Very. Fucking. Good.

I’ve dreamed of the sea for many years in various forms: gorgeous shorelines, turbulent tides, and often tidal waves. Last night was like never before in several ways.

For once, the mighty tidal wave came and I actually survived. The majority of the time, the water gets me, and while I don’t die, I am utterly lost and stripped of control. I got away last night, and I owe that to two factors

Different tide. For the first time in my life, the tide that came in was RED.

A guide. I don’t know this guy at all except that he had been in the background of my dream until this point, but he showed me how to escape the water and delivered me straight into astral.

As usual, in the moment we spoke urgently about the immediate danger — no introductions. I don’t know who he is or what he is, only that he vaguely resembled a Kpop star in a white button down and jeans and that he had some skill of shape shifting because he (while being taller than me) was able to enter spaces I literally could not even crawl to fit in; and did so fluidly I hardly noticed.

The area of astral he took me to was a rundown city with signs and shops but a fairly small population. I remember everything was concrete and the streets were a bit dusty. He brought me to the dwelling of a small toothless humanoid he thought could give me information. When I asked that humanoid what that would cost me, it replied “It’s rude to discuss price”. I broke connection then, unwilling to risk negotiating with nothing in my favor.

I’m in awe though for a couple of reasons.

Someone’s been spying on my dreams. Either I stepped out of my wards or I need to rework them.

I couldn’t sense a damn thing off of him. His signature was expertly hidden.

Would the tide have still come if he hadn’t been there? Would it still have been red?

What was that city and could I go back if I tried?

And what made it even more awesome, it was the water type of underworld. I wasn’t even trying to astral it just happened.

Residents there were less volatile and much more “over it” in terms of vibe. I got a pretty substantial screening at the entry area, and even that was quite laid back.