This was a big problem. Vinlo had made a big mistake. He left his luggage on the train. All his clothes had been left on the train. Though leaving his clothes was the least of his problems. He sat down on one of the chairs in the lighthouse and looked the wyrm tattoo up and down. It looked cool. So that was a plus, but what the fuck just happened. He had replayed the entire scenario within his head multitudes of times and had decided that this was either a dream induced by a concussion he got from jumping the train or he had stepped right into some sort of fantasy novel.He took it as the latter and decided to ask more about it when he was in town. He decided to return to exploring the immediate rooms of the lighthouse, not going further in. When he did a tally of everything he found the only objects that mattered were a backpack with the wyrm symbol, about 74 dollars worth of spare change, and a tophat in pretty much perfect condition. And almost as a habit, Vinlo stuffed the money in his wallet cause it technically was his. So it wasn't theft. His eye caught the tophat which he put on and pretended to be a gentleman with before he threw it onto a hat rack. Maybe he could use it later. He then finally got to the bag and opened it. Inside he found a flashlight, a first-aid kit, some stale crackers, a nesting doll, a dead grasshopper, and a roll of ta- wait... Nesting doll? He stared at the void of the nesting doll's eyes and it stared right back into him. It seemed that he should've probably left them an offering. Oh well. Vinlo kicked up the nesting doll and kicked it soccer-style out the window. Those soccer lessons seem to be paying off. He didn't even have to get his hands dirty.

He sat back down and looked through the rest of the items. The dead grasshopper and stale crackers followed suit because Vinlo could not for the life of him find a trash can in the lighthouse's immediate rooms. Again he wasn't going to the further rooms. He's probably gonna wander into the backrooms for fucks sake. He'll make sure to recycle ok? To get back that ecological karma. He pulled the bag up and threw it on his back. Who knew? Maybe it would come in useful. He might buy some things on the tour. He checked one of the clocks on the wall and noticed something different, the clock seemed to be ticking backward. That was strange. He'd have to get that clock fixed eventually. It would be a major inconvenience to not be able to tell the time. He then just headed for the commercial district. If he was early he would just walk around and maybe buy something?

Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. He climbed down the ladder to the bottom of the lighthouse and got to the door. He went to grab the handle, but he hesitated. It appeared he was still subconsciously afraid of the door. Regardless of this Vinlo decided that being afraid of a door was a stupid fear and he went and opened the door and stepped through without thinking. As he crossed the threshold it felt like he had popped through a bubble just like how he felt when he entered Ordinary. He was gonna have to get used to that. He retraced his steps to the commercial districts and sat down on a bench looking out at everyone walking around. He overheard some conversations between people, but one stood out.

"So I was minding my own business at the docks and suddenly out of nowhere one of those creepy nesting dolls flew in and hit me right in the head. And if that wasn't bad enough for some reason some stale crackers and a dead grasshopper hit me. I think I'm a cursed man"

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Oh.

That might've been me. Maybe I should apologize. Wait no that would be weird. How would I even apologize? "Oh sorry I was the one who hit you with a nesting doll, pack of stale chips, and the dead grasshopper"? He decided to leave the topic to rest and noticed all sorts of other residents, but one looked the strangest. It was a boy, probably not much younger than Vinlo with shiny black hair, earrings, and what looked to be a strange purple wisp demon in tow via one of those backpack leashes. The boy looked tired. Like a parent with a troublesome child who gets no sleep. Vinlo noticed the guy was looking for something while pulling the demon along with some visible strain. The guy seemed frantic and when he made eye contact with Vinlo he started speedwalking toward him. Vinlo looked around him in a panic so he was sure that he was walking right up to him to avoid some embarrassing encounter."Hey! Hey... I need a favor. So sorry, but can you watch Dave? I need to go to the bathroom"

Vinlo just faintly nodded and the leash was shoved into his hands before the guy ran off into the nearest shop to go to the bathroom. He wasn't very good at saying no to strangers. Now Vinlo was sitting next to the Demon, whose name was Dave, which seemed to be a purple mist with hundreds of diamond-like blue, purple, and grey crystals giving it a sort of ghost-like figure. He was too tired to question it and just kept a firm grip on the leash. At that time a small bug flew by and Vinlo didn't get a good look at it before he was pulled away by Dave. He tried to keep his balance and stop Dave, but it was futile and Dave was now dragging Vinlo around the ground. VInlo just let himself drag along the floor on his back using his backpack as a sled until Dave got tired of his father(?) and came back. Luckily his father(?) came back just in time to stop Dave.

"David! Stop right there!"

Dave stopped and Vinlo was launched into the fountain. Vinlo hated water. And Tack didn't do well with having her nap interrupted by being thrown into cold water. If you didn't already figure it out Tack was awake and not very happy about being wet. She screamed in high-pitched noise. Yeah, Tack. I feel the same.

"Oh my god!"

The guy ran over to the fountain and held out a hand for Vinlo, who took it and jumped up out of the fountain and started to shake off and strain some water off.

"Sorry. I probably should've told Dave to behave beforehand. Entirely my fault."

Vinlo went to reply, but he just sneezed and sniffled.

"I'm fine. Just cold now. I've gotta go home and change now..."

"Also this might not be the time, but thanks for taking care of Dave. I owe you."

The guy fished around his pockets and pulled out a business card and handed it to Vinlo.

"Just come by later and I can do any favors"

The guy started walking off with Dave and Vinlo read the card.

"Fredrick Walnor:

2768 W Revenent Way

Paranormal and Normal Services

Business Hours: 24/7"

Well. Vinlo was now wet and bruised. He may have to postpone the tour from Watson. Or just get a spare change quickly. Maybe there was a change of clothes at Antiques Place? He just lightly whispered "Sorry Tack" to Tack and gave her a small pat before waddling over to the antique shop in his wet clothes and an angry Tack.