Somewhere far far away ...

Somewhere far far away ... (a collaborative story) by CaylaCatz https://budgetpixel.com/u/CaylaCatz and @panos https://budgetpixel.com/u/panos This is an experiment. Remember in high school, when you'd start to write a story in a notebook or draw a picture for it, and then your friend would take it home and add to it? Then the notebook would keep being passed back and forth? Well this is that experiment. @panos and I are going to experiment with passing this notebook back and forth. Adding words and pictures. Table of Contents (so far!) Dates are when new content is added. If you are following the story, check the dates to see if new content has been added since you last visited Here : Chapter 1 (by CaylaCatz) : Cat doesn't believe in Magic (4/19/26) Here: Chapter 2 (by panos) : A Wizard walks into a Coffee Shop (4/20/26) Here: Chapter 3 (by CaylaCatz) : Pink Jello and Zelda, the good fairy (4/21/26) Here: Chapter 4 (by panos) : Setting out on a Quest… Another one…. (4/23/26) Comments for part 1 Part 2 Chapter 5 & Chapter 6 Part 3 Chapter 7 & Chapter 8 Part 4 Chapter 9 Part 5 Chapter 10 So I have to start. Gah. It's hard to start. Well let's start with two friends chatting ... Chapter 1 : Cat doesn't believe in Magic Chapter 1 images and text by CaylaCatz Cat's chapter: So I have to start. Gah. It's hard to start. Well let's start with two friends chatting ... I'm the one on the right. I really like denim and books. Sewing and inventing. And I need a name for the story. Let's keep it simple. I'll be Catherine, with my nickname Cat (laughing, of course). On the left is my friend, Rie. She likes to write and travel. She's also a bit New Agey and believes in magic. "I feel like books are disappearing," I complained. "Every time I go to the library there are less books." Not really a new complaint. Thank goodness Rie is patient. "You're so funny," said Rie. "They aren't disappearing. They're going online." "It's not the same thing. There's something magical about holding a book and diving into a new world." "I thought you didn't believe in magic" commented Rie. "Magical, not magic. Of course I don't believe in magic. If I did, I'd try to rescue all the books, at least one copy each, and put them in one of those Mary Poppins room where it looks small on the outside but when you walk in, it's a multi-story building with dozens of floors with just books." "Do that." encouraged Rie. "You just need a wizard with a shrinking spell or maybe teleportation. Or a magical house." "Yeah, right," I replied. "Like I'm going to meet a wizard by going to a coffee shop." "That's a perfect idea. Let's go. I know a great coffee shop." smiled Rie. I look at her. "Are you high?" "Come on. Besides they really do have great coffee". Honestly Rie gets a little woo-woo sometimes but she does know coffee. If she says the coffee is great, it's magnificient. "Ok, I need some caffeine anyways." I said after a short pause. We head down some steps to a basement coffee shop. When we open the door, I gasp, "What is this place???" "It's a coffee shop." replied Rie casually. "But that's a dragon?" "Oh, yeah, Henry. He's cool. You might ask him. He might know a wizard. Don't ask the fairy tho. You have no training in negotiating with a fairy and you'll end up with a bad deal." But of course I did because the fairy looked nice and I didn't think I'm up to talking with a dragon. I didn't even believe in them a day ago. Well I didn't believe in fairies either but she looks almost like a real human person, you know? And that's how I ended up here. I'm not on earth. I don't know where I am. I don't even know what year it is. And now I'm really looking for a wizard so I can get back home to Seattle 2026. Well, maybe I'll travel a bit first, see the sights, find a trusty wizard. First though maybe I'll need to get a job. I need some cash. I still have my denim duster from home but most everything else I have to buy here. So tired of wearing the same thing everyday. But I am NOT going to ask this fairy for a job. The last time I asked a fairy for help ... well, here we are. And somewhere far far away .... ............................................................................................ Chapter 2: A Wizard walks into a Coffee Shop Chapter 2 images and text by panos. Takkis' chapter Stop me if you’ve heard this one, before So, a wizard walks into a café. What? He does not walk into a bar. He walks into a café. Why?! Because he REALLY walks into a café and not a bar, that’s why, genius! Boy, they sure grow ‘em stupid where you come from, don’t they, huh? What?! I don’t CARE it’s usually a bar one walks into in these things; THIS wizard walks into a CAFÉ!! OK? Can I go on, now? Gee, thanx, you’re so very kind!!! panos: https://budgetpixel.com/p/27236 So, to repeat: A wizard goes into a café. A very handsome, very clever, very, VERY wizard. THIS wizard. Me. And, by walking, I mean stepping down some steps into a basement café. I look around. A Dragon… huh. Note to myself: Stay away from Dragons, no matter how calm and friendly they look. The bartender. The mix of magical creatures in the clientele. At the counter… a Fairy. Fairies. Belial-damned double… no, triple… no, QUADRAPLE-dealing spawns of… of…. B-Word female dogs!!! I HATE Fairys! (Don’t ask!) And, there is this young woman. Sitting at a table, looking like an Outlander from five kilometers away. By the way she ‘s dressed and by the way she is looking around, like Alice in her first day in Wonderland. A glance at her and then, I go straight to the counter. I really intend to ignore the frigging Fairy, but he looks at me from top to feet, very obviously ironically, sneers at me and opens his mouth. Obviously to make some snide remark. Not a good idea on his part. I glare at him, my hands clench into fists and the crystal at the top of my staff starts to spew electric arcs. The Fairy freezes and his loud <Gulp!> can be heard all over the café. He lowers her head and makes his exit, post-haste. panos: https://budgetpixel.com/p/27236 Contented, I turn to the Bartender, who watches indifferent, with the calm stoicism of people with many years on that particular job. –“So, what it’ll be?” he asks, in the same tone. When my order appears, I ask him: -“Listen do you happen to know whether there is currently transportation in town for the Northern Continents? Caravans, airships, anything? I need passage to Maggonia.” “Well, traffic around here has gone dry after the last Troll War. Last caravan left for the South two weeks ago. There are a few freight-airships over at the Hangar district, but I haven’t heard if they take passengers, too. You’ll have to ask around there.” “OK, thanx” I pay and take my chocolate, looking around for a place to sit. There is no empty seat in the rather small space but for one in the table of the young Outlander, who is looking around as if having the weirdest dream of her life. “Excuse me, Miss. May I sit here, please?” She takes a good look at me. Then, she takes a second good look at me. After a THIRD good look at me, she snaps out of it, "Uh… Why, yes, sure! Do so, please.” Well, perhaps they don’t have so very, VERY handsome wizards where she is from. Although, I have to admit she is glancing much more at my still sizzling staff froom that almost-thing with the Fairy than at my very, VERY handsome face. “I am Takkis of Heliopolis. Pleased to make your acquaintance!” I tell her when I am seated. “Uhh.. me too, I am Catherine. …Of Seattle! But, you can call me Cat!” panos: https://budgetpixel.com/p/27236 “Well, certainly… if you like to be called after a feline.’ I say lightly, to break the ice and her obvious nervousness. However, she looks nonplussed at this. I swear, wizards’ humor. No one gets it these days. So, I continue. “You don’t look to be from our parts of the Multiverse”. “Umm… no, I’m not from the.. uh.. Multiverse. <Wherever THAT is> I’m from America.” “Ah!” I say, pleased. “I know that one! Earth, right?” Her face lights up at this, as if I just gave her a Dragon’s hoard. –“You DO?! Really?!! Oh, thank God, I’m saved!!” I frown at that. By Belial, I think, I hope she is not some Damsel-In-Distress, I have Lost Grimoires to find. So, I continue: “Sure, I have family there. My Aunt Sveta and my Big Cousin. I used to spend summers there when I was a kid. “That’s great!” Catherine – or Cat – says. “Where do they live?” “Oh, not in you country. They’re over at the PanSlavic Confederation.” At that, it’s as if a bucket of cold water has splashed on her face. “Where?!!” “Uh… you know… the Panslav? …former Soviet Union? Where the Exclusion Zone is?” ‘There… there was a Soviet Union” Catherine says, “but not a PanWhatsitsname. And what is an “Exclusion Zone?” It’s my turn to be astounded, ‘What?! You don’t know the ZONE?!!! Where do you…. Aren’t you from the USSA? The United Soviet States of America?” I regret saying that instantly, because it looks as if Catherine will have stroke, hearing it. “WHAT?!! No. I’m from… plain old U - S - A! No Soviet whatsoever!!” “Ah!” I exclaim then. “I understand now! Right Planet, wrong Timeline.” “Oh, no.” says Catherine at this. “I thought that…. Ohhh… how will I get home? I need to get home!!” She looks so crestfallen that I want to hug her. “Well…” I start, somewhat at a loss of words – well, VERY at a loss of words, to be honest. “…I need to get to Maggonia” I finish, lamely. And THAT’s when the Dragon steps up. panos: https://budgetpixel.com/p/27236 “Good evening ” he says. “Let me introduce myself. I am Henry. I could not help overhearing your conversation… you know…. Dragon ears… -heh - … Might I offer a suggestion?” Dragons. Stay away from Dragons. At all times. Trust me. I’m a wizard ........................................................................................... Chapter 3: Pink Jello and Zelda, the good fairy images and text by CaylaCatz. (note on april 20, I put my text in. I haven't made the images for this section yet so I put in some cafe scenes as place holders. It took up awhile to think up this next bit. I will probably make the pics as panos writes the next chapter.) Cat's chapter: "That name! Henry! "You! I saw you! In Seattle!", I glance at the wizard to explain, "My Seattle, not your earth." I turn back to Henry. "If you can go between My Seattle and here, how do I do that>" Henry looks at me, "I thought it was you. The one who bargained with the fairy, right?" "Yeah, but something went wrong. I got sent here and now I don't know how to go home. When i walk out the door, it's not Seattle." "Right. Well you're not in Seattle." Henry rumbled. "I know I'm not in Seattle!" I can see I'm not in Seattle," my voice rises threaded with more than a touch of panic. How is this happening to me? I don't even believe in magic. Both the dragon and the wizard glance at the aquarium and then glance back at me. "Calm down," said the wizard as the dragon said, "Breathe deep, relax." "Don't tell me to calm down," I glared at the wizard. Then turned on the dragon, "I have every right to be stressed out." "No, not around the jelly!" They both said in unison. "Huh?" That made no sense at all. "The jelly!" the wizard said. "It feeds on emotions and grows. Too fast and it'll spread out and fill up this room in a nanosecond." "Didn't you see the sign," reprimanded the Dragon. "Stay calm" This world is crazy! The Dragon points to a tiny machine above an aquarium leaking ... yep, pink goo. "That's a Xalet. A little goes a long way. It's tasty in scones and foam. Gives them a cherry fizzy flavor. Plus bonus as it take a year of wrinkles off your face. It's cheap to grow too. You feed it with emotions. A little anger. A little happiness. A little sorrow. Anything will do. Just not too much or it grows exponentially." Yeah, this world is officially cray-cray. I'm in the Blob movie with pink jello. Do you have any idea how hard it is to be afraid of pink? I looked at the pink dripping down. "This eats people?" "Oh no!", said the wizard. "It doesn't eat people. Not like a Kraken" he said the word Kraken with loathing. "It suffocates people," the dragon said matter of factly. "If it blooms and suddenly fills the room, people can't breathe. It gets into their mouth and nose. And their panic only makes it grow faster. It's very tasty, very expensive but you do have to be very careful with it." The dragon appears to be thinking about it. I shake my head. "Well, I don't care about the pink blob. I want to go home. How do you get to Seattle? Can you take me?" "I'm a dragon so it's easy. All of us can dimension walk from puberty. I can't take you tho. You're under a fairy geas. You can't leave until you finish your bargain." "My bargain? We hadn't even finished talking. And then she said she wanted a latte with vanilla foam. I was talking about my dream library and she seemed really nice. So I said sure and got it for her. Then I was here. It was sooo weird." The wizard and the dragon looked at each other. "Will you two stop doing that?!!" I said, throughly irritated. "You paid her. Your bargain is sealed," said the wizard. "I hate xaeredas fairies." I couldn't understand the word he called the fairy but I did notice that pink jelly increased a bit in size. So hah! It's not just me. "Zelda is a good fairy," commented the dragon thoughtfully. "There is no good fairy," grumbled the wizard. "They will cheat you every time." "But I didn't pay her!" I insisted "Vanilla foam." they both said in unison. What is this? Are they twins separated at birth or what? "Vanilla is rare in the fae lands," explained the wizard. "And it's like catnip for the fae. Plus makes their magic stronger." "mmm-hmmm" agreed the dragon. "And Zelda is a good fairy. You're here because you can find your library here. You'll be able to make your dream come true." "Here?" my mind whirls. "But I wanted the library at home. I want to save the lost books, the disappearing books. Preserve them somehow. " The dragon explained kindly, "Somewhere in this world, you'll find something that will make your dream come true. You'll be able to save the lost, disappearing books. Then you can go home." "The good news is I'm going to Maggonia to find a grimoire. You might find answers there." said the wizard. "This is so weird," I said. "I feel like I'm on a quest." "You are!" they both said in unison. I hate that. I roll my eyes. "I am not on a quest. Quests are for heroes and I'm no hero." The dragon snorts. "No one is ever a hero until they are. It's the way of things." And then they both looked at me and said in unison, "Calm down!" ........................................................................................... Chapter 4: Setting out on a Quest… Another one…. images by panos : https://budgetpixel.com/p/28493 Takkis' chapter Fairies. Belial-thrice-damned Fairies!! Look at what they have done to this unfortunate woman – putting a geas on her!!! And not even a decent, straight-on geas, like, say: “Go there-and-there and do so-and-so, or find so-and-so” No, it’s some vague quibble about “a Library”, “Saving the Lost books”, “making your Dream come true”. Where? Well, on this – rather crucial imo point – we have the valuable help of Henry-the-Dragon: “somewhere in this world” Wow!!! Thanx VERY much for clarifying THAT! Tickets to “Somewhere in this world”, anyone? No? Yeah, I didn’t think so! Well, THANKFULLY, unlike Dragons, Wizards – a very clever, very wise, very, VERY handsome wizard in particular – can get this show on the road. -“Well,” I say to Catherine - or Cat, “since your geas has something to do with books, it’s a good idea for you to come with me on my journey. As I said, I’m going to Maggonia to find a Grimoire. And I’m going to some SPECIFIC place, there.” Here, I glance at Henry-the-Dragon with very clear reproof. I think he looks amused at that. Hard to say, with Dragons. “I am going to the Exquisitely Tranquil Almost-Infinite Library there.” "Splendid!” says Henry-the-YouKnowWhat. “Are you by any chance on a Quest, too, wizard?” I look at him distrustfully. Never trust Dragons… Yeah, all right, what do you want now?! You know how it is: Dragons and Wizards. Cats and Dogs. Oil and Water. Satyrs and Mermaids (…. Don’t ask). “I might be …on the lookout for… certain books.” I answer reluctantly. "For Bibliophilic reasons.” “And Spell-learning reasons also, mayhaps?” asks Henry mischievously. Damned Dragons. They infer too much. I grunt noncommittally. So, Henry continues. “And have you a mode of transportation?” “Bartender says there are several airships currently in this town. Should ask at the Hangar if they take passengers.” Catherine’s eyes widen slightly at this. “Airships… wow” she says quietly. “They’ll serve.” I tell her. “I prefer WATERships, myself, but…” “You will find no ships taking passengers, there.”, says Henry. Before I can speak, he continues. “But you can make an arrangement on the ‘Sky Torrent’ captained by Noyelle Nemanya. Just tell her you come on my behalf.” I look at him suspiciously. “How so?” I ask. “She is my half-cousin” “Really.” I say, reluctantly. “Oh, thank you, Henry!” exclaims Catherine. “Thank you so much! You are so nice!!” Henry makes a half-bow. I’m still reluctant, but… -‘Gamma it!’ I say to myself and stand up. “Well, let’s speed this up” I say, looking at Cat. “Shall we?” She nods and stands up, too. I turn to Henry. “Dragon.” I say. “Wizard.’” He replies mischievously. “Goodbye, Henry!” says Cat. “You’re the sweetest!” “Thank you very much, my dear! I wish you luck on your Quest – both your Quests and… who knows… we might meet again.” My head snaps up at this, but... “That would be great!!!” exclaims Cat. ‘Yeah, right.’ I think to myself. ‘Never’ would be a good time for this to happen”. So, we bypass that burst aquarium with the Xalet – I never touch those things – and we make our exit. I cross the streets of the town, striding with the usual distance-swallowing rhythm I have on quests. Catherine follows, looking around us with the exclamation ‘Wow” written all over her face. At half the distance to the Hangar district there is a plaza with a fountain. Here, Catherine stops, awestruck. It is a rose-marble affair with two white marble Unicorns spewing water. “Look at this!!” she says. “This is wonderful!!” It is indeed a beautiful piece of architecture, but we’re not exactly here to see the sights. At least I am not. I understand all this is new to Catherine. At this point, something small detaches itself from the top of one of the marble unicorns’ head and flies straight at us. It is a bird of a kind I’ve not seen before. Looks like a paradise bird with feathers of many colors: azure, emerald, incarnadine, stygian blue. It looks like it has – get this – two small sapphires for eyes. It wings around us. Catherine claps her hands, seeing it. – “Oh, look at this!! Isn’t this the most beautiful bird, EVER?!!” “Thank you very much, Catherine!” says the bird. “You are beautiful, too! I am Melnya!” Cat yelps at that and jumps, almost crashing into me. “Hey, watch it there, Cat.” I say, catching her. “That… that bird… talks!” exclaims Catherine. “Yep. It just did.” Catherine stares at me. “It’s a bird… that TALKS!” she insists. “Your point being?” As she looks at me, Melnya-the-bird-that-talks says to her: - “I am very pleased to meet you, Catherine! I’d like to accompany you on your Quest, if you don’t mind.” “How do you know about that?” asks Catherine flabbergasted. “Heck, how do you know my NAME?!” “Oh, I’m a Magical Paradise Bird. We just, know these things.”, answers Melnya. “Oh, wow!’ is Catherine’s take on that. “May I accompany you?” repeats Melnya. “Yes, of course!!” exclaims Catherine. “Uhh…” she turns to me. Melnya also turns to me. “Oh, my!!” she says. “The famous wizard, Takkis of Heliopolis. My, how very, VERY handsome you are!!” A wide grin forms in my face at that, all the way to may ears. ‘Hey!’ I think. ‘I LIKE Melnya-The-Magical-Paradise-Bird! ’ “I’m also very clever and very wise” I quip (Well, not exactly) “But this, I knew already!” answers Melnya. Catherine rolls her eyes at all this. “Well,” she asks me. “Can she come with us? Uh… she IS a “she”, no?” “Yes, I am.’, answers Melnya. “Yes, she is” I answer simultaneously. “It’s your Quest and… I’m always glad for appreciating company.” I finish, still grinning. Catherine rolls her eyes again. And off we go. .... We are approaching the hangar, Catherine and Melnya talking together. I listen with half an ear. My mind is on Lost Grimoires. And on the ship from which I’m absent for quite a time, now. I think of Captain Catz and that new girl with the very, VERY short hair, ‘Zel, who claims she was a Princess in a Tower, once. Suddenly, I catch something that Cat says: “It was a Fairy, Zelda, who did this geas-thing on me. But she is a good Fairy.” I stop walking at that. – “A good Fairy?” I demand. “A good Fairy that PUT YOU UNDER A GEAS? Really? There are NO good Fairies! ‘Good Fairy’ .. Bah! Humbug!” Cat makes to say something. “HUMBUG, I say!!!” I insist. “OK, OK, Jeez!” says Catherine. “Relax, Scrooge!” “…Who?” Melnya seems to enjoy all this. “Can’t you lift that geas from her, clever and wise wizard?” she asks me. I look at her guardedly, always on the lookout for snide remarks. “No.” I answer. “Fairy geas.” I explain. “only the Fairy that puts it on you can lift it” During all this, we arrive at the Hangar, a very wide, open space, where three airships lie at rest, at their mooring masts. I ask a half-orc stevedore which one is the ‘Sky Torrent’ Catherine looks at the airships with open mouth. I wave at her and Melnya to follow. “This one” I tell them, approaching the craft. Catherine stops very sudden and her mouth opens even wider. – “But!...” she says. “What” I ask. “But…” she insists, pointing up to the airship, now. I look and realize what she’s pointing at: The ship’s flag. The black flag with the white skull-and-crossbones. “What?’ I repeat. “That’s…. that’s… a pirate flag!” “So?’ “SO?!” exclaims Catherine. “So, they’re PIRATES!!” I look at her. “Your point being?” I ask calmly. She looks at me astounded. “Are you serious?!” she almost shouts. I sigh. – “Listen’ I tell her. “It’s all right. No problem. I myself work on a pirate ship – a sea vessel. I’m on a leave of absence from there” I think Catherine will have a stroke. “You ‘re a PIRATE?!!!” she asks, incredulously. Now, it’s my time to be astounded. – “What? No, I’m a wizard, not a pirate!” How can I be both?” “Oh, I don’t know” says Catherine. “Maybe you are a pirate-wizard? Or a wizard-pirate?” “….. OK, you have a point there,” I admit “but I’m neither a pirate-wizard nor a wizard-pirate. I’m a wizard-occasionally-employed-on-a-pirate-ship. Totally different thing. All right?” Finaly, Catherine nods. “Good,” I say “now, let’s go to see that Captain Nemanya”. Catherine is still obviously reluctant. “Uh… are sure about this?” she asks nervously. “But… of course!” I answer. I give her a smile to reassure her. “Trust me. I’m a wizard.” Part 2 Starting with Chapter 5 Comments for Part 1