Katie was putting on her mascara when she noticed something odd in the mirror. Her bathroom door that led into the bedroom looked -- off. It was open, but much darker than before. Maybe the lightbulb burned out? Still, it made her nervous, so she put down her brush and went to investigate.
She had never seen her room so dark. There was usually some sort of light from the house that glowed enough for her to at least see the outline of the bed -- but now? It was pitch black.
"I have a gun you pervert," Katie projected in a brave voice in case a customer had discovered where she lived.
There was no response but the darkness was absolute. Shuffling forward in her tight one-piece miniskirt, Katie searched for a light.
She looked back and her bathroom light had gone out as well, leaving her in total darkness.
"What the --" her words cut off as the sick feeling of falling gripped her stomach.
As soon as the sensation began, it stopped. Words invaded her vision as if she were in a video game:
System Analyzing Outworlder...
Analyze Complete
Katie Arnold
Level 1 Street Whore - Experience gained by honing your craft
Class Stat: Charisma
Charisma: 3
Strength: 1
Dexterity: 1
Mana Talent: 1
Class Skills:
Prevent Disease: Immune to known diseases on Sefara
Charisma Boost: Double Charisma for three minutes once per day
"Excuse me? 'Street Whore'? I'm a barista!" Her anger at this so-called, System, surpassed her confusion.
A man's voice startled her, "Sorry Miss. The System assigns your starting class based on what you're most suited for."
She whirled on the source and felt her breath escape. He was the most impossibly handsome man she had ever seen. Tall, dark wavy hair, strong jaw, the whole nine yards. But -- he was wearing the oddest robe as if he were some kind of cosplayer pretending to be a wizard.
"Who are you?" she asked breathlessly.
With a grimace, the man replied in a stilted speech, "Ah, it's not important. It was a mistake. I simply missed my target. I'm very sorry, Miss. Please -- take this as an apology."
Katie had barely recovered from her surprise at this perfect looking man in front of her, but she managed to catch the small clinking bag he tossed her way. She looked at it in her hand, confused.
"That should buy you a few nights anywhere in the village, but I suggest you go to the Rabbit Den," the man said with a guilty smile. "Good luck."
Before she could stop him to ask more questions, he winked out of existence.
"Am I going completely fucking insane?" She asked herself. "Yeah, I have to be dreaming, right?"
Katie was now alone in a moon cast shadow behind a wooden building. The air was sweet and just a bit chilly. She crept around the side of the wooden structure to peek around the corner. There was a village square that was mostly empty except for a couple of people walking about. There were a couple of small buildings with flickering light glowing from the windows and one larger building with the same.
The larger building was at least five stories tall, dwarfing the others on either side. There was a sign over the front door that didn't have any words, but there was a large drawing of a winking rabbit on it.
"If this is a dream, I guess I should just roll with it," Katie mumbled to herself as she made her way to the building she assumed was the Rabbit Den.
The sounds of boisterous men, clanking glasses, and giggling women grew louder as she got closer to the door. Katie paused, before opening the door. Unsure of what she'd do when she got inside. She quickly opened the small bag the mysterious man had tossed to her and found twenty copper coins. The coins were none she had ever seen before, but she could recognize the metal.
Suddenly, the door swung open and a woman wearing nothing but a black corset and black panties stood in front of her. "So are you just gonna stand there all night looking pathetic, or are you going to come in, dear?" she said with a smile.
Katie wondered if everyone in her dream would be overly attractive, "I-I'll come in," she stammered.
"Well then welcome to the Rabbit Den, darling. I'm Madame Lorraine. Will you be staying with us for the night or for a more extended stay?" she said the last part mischievously.
"I'm not sure, really," Katie said with wide eyes as she looked around.
There was a large hearth with a warm fire at one end of the spacious room. The rest of the area was filled with tables of men dressed in medieval-type clothing. Women of all types went from table to table, all smiling and wearing lingerie like Madame Lorraine.