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Post by Sid Dager on Aug 7, 2009 22:16:03 GMT -5
Sid realized his jaw had dropped slightly as Owen told him his plans for escape. He quickly snapped his mouth shut again. The pile of cards in front of them scattered signifying that the game was no longer important. Time to release the fireflies Sid decided and did so as Owen continued revealing his plans.
“I thought about it, leaving, but I got as far as digging a hole under the fence with my ideas. Although I can help you, I have sources on the outside that bring me things from there. Like newspapers and letters and even some diaries of a few of my old friends. It helps with piecing the puzzle together but there are a lot of gaps. Frankly, I still don’t know what’s happening exactly but whatever it is, it’s not good.” Sid replied. He had thought about escape but over the past few months he realized that for the time being, he rather be inside these walls then out there. At least until everything settles on the outside and the new norm is clearly defined. He decided to share his point of view with Owen “look, like I said, I am completely willing to help you out with escape and such but if you want my opinion, I’d stay under the radar in the outside world, at least until you, we, know the full extent of what is going on.”
He shuffled the cards back into the packaging and shoved them into his backpack.
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Post by Owen Thomas on Aug 7, 2009 22:26:44 GMT -5
Owen thought for a moment and realized that he had to agree. Right now he had a home, was relatively unaffected in his day to day life by the government (besides from the obvious) and there was a sense of security, however false, that seemed to rest over this place. He just just hoped that he didn't get too used to the comfort. Re-entering the real world could be made all that more difficult if he because too comfortable.
He finally nodded, both in agreement and in appreciation. "For now I will be contented in my research, but soon I believe there will come a time when even you would want to leave. " Owen scratched his head, his face stretched with an apologetic edge. "Sorry that I got so worked up, its just that in concept, this whole idea of not knowing scares me."
"And I'm guessing that you are not going to share in your tricks to reach the outside world" Grinning to himself, it wasn't really a question. And he really didn't want to know the answer. The fact that such a service was possible was enough for him.
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Post by Sid Dager on Aug 7, 2009 22:40:58 GMT -5
“No worries, you’re not the first and you definitely won’t be the last person who wants to leave this place. I think you’ll succeed unlike the others. You have research and patience on your hand” and after a brief pause “and me” snide grin “I think to get out of here you’ll need all of the above” Sid said, meaning every word wholeheartedly.
He felt comfortable with Owen. Perhaps it was the few drinks in his system or the calm atmosphere around them. Maybe he just liked Owens' quirky personality. He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small, black book.
“This was my best friends’ diary. As the entries move forward there is something more missing in each subsequent entry. I have not been able to pinpoint what that something is yet. I have theories but that’s all they are. Eventually the diary entries end completely. I’m worried about what’s happening out there, but I’m even more worried about leaving here on impulse only too be caught and subjected to whatever it is.” Sid explained.
He passed the notebook to Owen.
“I trust that you won’t turn me in. I hope you can find more within its pages then I did. Please be careful where you leave it, people like to steal and spy around here” Sid asked more then told Owen, then standing up, he added; “I gotta piss.”
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Post by Owen Thomas on Aug 7, 2009 23:02:55 GMT -5
Owen took the notebook carefully and placed it into the inside pocket of his surplus-issue bomber jacket. He sighed for a moment, just out of pure excitement if nothing else. "If it is possible to feel confident with this not in your own hands, then trust that it will be safe with me. I have quite a collection of dangerous as well incriminating documents that no one saw important after they 'cleaned' this place out for habitation."
"You are more than welcome to share in what I have found over the last few weeks. It would be nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of." As he said this, Sid got up to take a piss, and Owen figured that he would just go into the bush and return a much lighter man.
Owen himself rose to stretch out his legs as they had been there for quite a while. He wasn't as used to staying in one place or position for very long, as he was to general waiting around. "Hey Sid!" Owen called out as he took to pacing about, "what's next on the docket. I hate to be a party prolonger, but I have been craving humanity for some time now, and I'm not about to just head off back to my cabin. Anything on your mind to occupy the time? It will be dawn in a few hours if I am not mistaken."
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Post by Sid Dager on Aug 7, 2009 23:14:19 GMT -5
Sid shook twice and a third time for good measure. As he pulled his pants back up, he yelled back “depends what you’re into!” The town was small but there was a surprising large amount of things to do at night. He had no idea what Owen liked to do, so he didn’t know what to suggest.
“Ohh and by the way, I’ll take you up on that offer to check out your personal archives.” Sid said as he folded up his blanket and thrust it back into his worn and torn, sad excuse for a backpack.
“Now then, what shall we do, what do you enjoy doing or what would you be brave enough to try and do tonight?” Sid asked hoping the answer wouldn’t be something along the lines of ‘I would like to read some books at the local library’ thankfully judging by Owens’ tone the answer would be far from the one that had just crossed his mind.
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Post by Owen Thomas on Aug 10, 2009 22:45:54 GMT -5
"I appreciate the fact that you are so willing - many might shy away from the sole fact that we could get caught. I've heard that they hold inspections randomly throughout the "terms". From what I've worked out, the documents seem to point to the idea that a term is a quarter year or every 3 months."
Owen paused for a moment, and thought -- a pained look appeared on his face. "We are due soon, if I am correct, which means I have to hide and rid myself of all my evidence. It shouldn't be too hard to bullshit things and not getting into trouble, but I don't want them to confiscate my goods."
Owen shrugged, and had to grin. "That is something to worry about tomorrow, when my head isn't a little fuzzy. For now, we should decide what to do. Is there anything to do at all in this forsaken town? As you might have guessed, I haven't been out much."
"On second though, I do have some Shanin. When they brought me in here they didn't think too much of it, and didnt have a clue about what it was. Perhaps you are confused?"
Owen stopped his excitable banter for dramatic effect. "It is an entheogen. What I mean is, it gives you the feeling that you fly and that you are weightless. I uprooted this particular plant while I was in Ecuador, and kept it for such an occasion. Quite a miraculous plant. Used to keep one growing wherever I stayed -- I'm not sure, but I thought you might like to try it?"
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Post by Sid Dager on Aug 10, 2009 22:57:18 GMT -5
Sid was saddened by the reminder that inspection was coming up. It meant that he would have to grab all his illegal’s from the pharmacy and transport them back to his house where he had a secret hiding spot in the ground under the oven in his kitchen. “I have a place to store your shit during inspection if you want” he didn’t know why he was telling Owen this, it was definitely his personality to revel to much to strangers, but not when it meant that he might possible get turned in and have his stuff confiscated. Too late to worry about that now, he had spilled the beans. “I’ve been through a couple inspections already and they’re usually not too thorough, but as the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe then sorry.” Sid added offhandedly.
“Now then what is this plant you speak of?” Sid asked trying to hide his obvious excitement, there was nothing more exciting then meeting new friends who indulged in substance use and especially if they had entheogen’s that he was not yet familiar with. This was going to be a beautiful night and a beautiful friendship Sid thought.
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Post by Owen Thomas on Aug 12, 2009 18:00:03 GMT -5
Owen pulled a metal Thermos out of his small pack, and placed it on the rock beside him. He then took a plastic bag out and took 3 small leaves out. He wrapped the leaves loosely in Old tea bags that he had emptied for the occasion. Roughly tying them back up, he dumped the tea bag into the thermos of boiling water.
"We'll just let that sit for a few moments. Shanin is a petunia plant actually. The natives of Equador have used this plant for centuries to promote religious experience in their everyday ceremonies. I'm not pushing it on you of course, but I have found that it makes for an interesting evening. You don't seem all that deterred by the thought of experimental drug use..."
Owen took a quick sip and tasted it with a concentrated look on his face. He passed the container to Sid, and with a mumble of approval he swallowed.
"Here ya go mate, sorry about taking the first sip there, it's just that if you have it too strong the results aren't so pretty for a first try. Just making sure its safe."
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Post by Sid Dager on Aug 12, 2009 22:20:27 GMT -5
Sid had tried different plants before. He was very well familiarised with the almighty marijuana plant as well as others that were not so common. Among the less common ones, Sid had indulged in and experienced, salvia, hawaiian woodrose and morning glory seeds yet he had never heard of shanin. What he did know was that there were species of plants within the petunia family that were known for lowering the heart rate to the point of death and frankly he was a tad sceptical.
“That sounds like a very interesting plant” Sid commented taking the container from Owen nonetheless. He smelt the tea and found the aroma strong yet strangely calming. He took a small sip tasting this new wonder. It tasted bitter with an after taste of earthiness like baby potatoes.
“How much do I drink of it?” Sid asked, goodness knows the last thing he wanted was to drink too much and fly right up into heaven with no return flight. He hit it off with Owen right of the bat, and trusted him quickly but Sid wasn’t sure that he trusted Owen with his life just quite yet.
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Post by Owen Thomas on Aug 13, 2009 0:43:43 GMT -5
Owen grinned as Sid took a sip of the tea out of the thermos, and thought to himself that Sid was an adventurous guy. "I've spent a large portion of my childhood living among the tribes of the Quechua, which ultimately means I know my doses. To receive the desired effect you will need to take about a mouthful and a half more, and then we wait."
He scratched the ridge above his eye, and familiarly traced the scar down his left shoulder, a ritual he seemed to complete in that order at least a few times a day. It was one of those strange habits you pick up after an injury and never truly rid yourself of once the scab forms. "And if you are worried about the onrush, it is rather gradual. With the amount that I put in though, the peak will only last for about 35 mins or so, give or take a few minutes."
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Post by Sid Dager on Aug 13, 2009 0:59:16 GMT -5
Sid choked down a few more unpleasant sips all equaling to about a mouthful and three quarters. He could feel the excitement building deep within him laced with the jitteriness of anxiety. It wasn’t anxiety about what might go wrong, it was just the slight fear of the unknown that left a dark shadow of doubt with a lot of things that Sid did. Waiting was the worst. Waiting always bothered Sid because waiting held with it time and with time comes thought, the entire if’s and’s or but’s that follow along when trying something new. He started off thinking about what it could possible be like to live with a tribe, it wasn’t the first time he thought of it, he loved the idea. He never really had the opportunity to experience life with another culture. Lucky Owen, Sid thought.
“Lets play a game while we wait” Sid recommended. “Maybe something physical, like some frisbee. I have one that flashes different colours in the night” Sid suggested. Anything to help him chill out a bit, anything to help pass the waiting stage.
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Post by Owen Thomas on Aug 13, 2009 1:21:54 GMT -5
Owen downed the remaining contents and stood up. Not only was this drunk amazing on the vertigo front, it also boosted your energy, and he was indeed ready to play. He placed everything he took out into his bag and stretched his legs out. Owen decided that he liked Sid, and he hoped that his new found friend would find some enjoyment out of his drug of flight.
"Thankfully there are no cliffs around, so you know, your ability to 'fly' won't transfer over into the real-deal sensation. I use this place often because of its open feel and quiet nature. If you start feeling really shitty, I do have what I call 'grounding reinforcements' that will counteract your receptors being affected and help to bring you back down within 20 minutes."
Owen nodded to himself and then felt that he had to add this bit of information as well. "Um, and only take the grounder if you really need it because it pretty much causes you to black out into a sleep, and I really won't be in a proper state to drag anyone back into town."
"So about that game of frisbee?"
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Post by Sid Dager on Aug 13, 2009 1:34:13 GMT -5
Sid pulled out his Frisbee and ran out away from Owen. “Good to know there’s a back button on this drug” he yelled out as he ran. He threw the Frisbee towards Owen all the lights flashing white, blue and red like a UFO. He enjoyed the simple things in life way too much. He was feeling energetic and was grateful for Owens’ willingness in participating in the distraction process.
A few throws of the Frisbee later and Sid was starting to feel a little funny. The butterflies in his stomach slowly fluttered away. His skin felt like it was fuzzy and yet he developed goose bumps. Slowly he began to feel like his was floating upwards, like the few moments on a rollercoaster before the big drop.
“I think I’m coming up” Sid stated catching the Frisbee and walking towards Owen.
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Post by Owen Thomas on Aug 15, 2009 16:46:09 GMT -5
Owen made his way towards Sid, an unmistakeable grin accompanying his stride. He couldn't feel the effects just yet but it had probably not helped that he was doing this on a full stomach. He took his pack off from his shoulders and laid it in to grass positioning it as a pillow.
"Here's my advice mate. If you can do it, take a few moments just to lie down and take it all in, in silence you know. If you happen to doze off for a minute or two, its the most amazing thing to wake up to. You honestly feel as though you could be on your way to the pearly gates themselves." Owen demonstrated by flopping back hard on his back and stretching out. He didn't really feel the thud on his back because most of the nerve endings on his back had been deadened for years due to strenuous rock climbing accidents of one sort or another.
He hoped that Sid would enjoy himself. Someone's first experience with Shanin usually wasn't pleasant unless they had previous contact with entheogens, and it seemed as though he had. Owen usually was quite hesitant about whom he introduced this plant to, but Sid seemed at first glance, to be a suitable contestant. As he lay there, Owen almost forgot that there was someone with him. He let his eye lids close and became acutely aware of everything that he normally would not pay much mind to. He listened as the blades of grass fought for his attention, how the drops of dew sounded as they fell to their demise from the leaves, and how the faint sound of animal life seemed to tangle itself among the other cries in the night. This he decided, was a night that he would remember. And with that last thought, he dozed off, determined to get the most out of this unexpected opportunity.
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Post by Sid Dager on Aug 15, 2009 20:35:48 GMT -5
"Lie down, eh?" Sid asked in a sort of daze. He hadn't eaten since an early dinner about 6 hours ago and he figured the drinking hadn't helped him. The effects were coming on too strong. He dropped to the ground rather then lying down nicely. He grasped at the grass, his muscles bulging. Relax he thought to himself. He played Owens words over and over in his head 'just try to take it all in' Owen had said. It felt like ages ago. he slowly relaxed his muscles and focused on the clouds and stars above. Whenever he felt freaked out or as though he was losing it he remembered the lyrics of a Tool song called Reflection. This was one of those moments. He thought And in my darkest moment fetal and weeping the moon tells me a secret, my confident. It helped.
Sid closed his eyes and focused on his breathing which at this moment was very shallow. Every time he took a breath he could feel the fibers in his lungs expending. He could feel the cool air on his lips, on his tongue. He could feel the oxygen flying through his system, he realized he felt and understood every function his body was currently involved in.
Then suddenly, the world below him disappeared. Vanished. The roller coaster went down it's first drop. Sid was gone. His mouth slightly ajar and breathing suddenly ecstatic he was flying, up, up. Slowly floating.
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